APRIL 5, 2023

Roma High Orchestra Students Headed to State UIL Competition

IRS office honors Rio Grande City High School Alumni

The Austin, Texas IRS office has honored Rio Grande City High School

Rattler Alumni Class of 1979 Guillermo

“Willie” Olivarez

Jr. by naming the IRS visitor center in the Austin Campus named after him.

Willie has officially retired from the IRS this March 2023 and was honor with a ceremony naming the visitor center after him. Attendance with co-workers, family and friends, Willie was presented with a plaque for his retirement.

The plaque presented reads as follows:

“Effective March 22, 2023, this building will now be known as the Guillermo “Willie” Olivarez Visitor Center. Willie spend a total of 39 years working at the

Austin Campus, and it is because of his relentless dedication and hard work to the Internal Revenue Service, especially FMSS Physical Security, and it is an honor to rename the Visitor Center.”

Congratulations to Willie for representing Rio Grande City High School and for making us proud of your accomplishments. “Once a Rattler always a Rattler”

Karely Garcia State Qualifier for Barrels and Goat Tying

Joya High School! The program brought home a combined 30 Division 1 Superior Rating medals between all the solos and the quartets that performed!

Twelve of these students will also be advancing to the State UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest to be held in Austin, TX in May 2023.

A big congratulations to all these students for all the hard work they put in preparing for

this contest. A huge thank you also goes out to the parents of these students for all their encouragement and support!

Division 1 Superior Solos (pictured from left to right): Calista Moreno, Brendan Mayne - advancing to State, Ximena Moctezuma, Nora Martinez, Kymberly Garza - advancing to State, Andres Gonzalez, Brizeida Ramos, Leo Canales, Nancy Ramirez - advancing to State, Alec Vazquez-Kanhere - advancing to State, Daniela Longoria, Rene Hernandez, Arantza Cab,

Victor Guerra, America Jimenez, Jaqueline Saenz, Emma Escobar - advancing to State, and Barbara Gutierrez.

Division 1 Superior Ensembles: String Quartet 1, advancing to State - Brendan Mayne, Emma Escobar, Leo Canales, and Alec Vazquez-Kanhere. String Quartet 2, advancing to State - Ximena Moctezuma, Nancy Ramirez, Kymberly Garza, and Brizeida Ramos. String Quartet 3, advancing to State - Andres Gonzalez, Jaqueline Saenz, Barbara Gutierrez, and Calista Moreno.

Congratulations to Rio Grande City High School Senior Rattler Student Karely Garcia !!! Karely managed to place in the Top 10 best Rodeo Athletes at the Texas High School Rodeo Region 8. This year she is a State Qualifier for Barrels and Goat Tying and will compete in Abilene, TX in the summer. Congratulations and Good Luck in State Competition.

6:00 P.M.

WEDNESDAY APRIL 5TH – I.C.C. 6:30 P.M.

†SENOBIO & CAMILA GARZA by Family

†OTILO LOPEZ GORENA by Family

THURSDAY APRIL 6TH – ICC HOLY THURSDAY 7:00 P.M.

MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION AT THE GROTTO TILL 10:00 PM

FRIDAY APRIL 7ST - I.C.C. GOOD FRIDAY

1:00 P.M. VIA CRUSIS/STATIONS OF THE CROSS

3:00 P.M. LITURGY OF THE WORD OF THE LORD’S PASSION

5:00 P.M. DIVINE MERCY

ROSARIO DEL PESAME A LA VIRGEN

SATURDAY APRIL 8TH - I.C.C. HOLY SATURDAY 8:30 P.M. VIGIL MASS

SUNDAY APRIL 9TH – L.G. 7:00 A.M. NO MASS

SUNDAY APRIL 9TH - I.C.C.

EASTER SUNDAY 9:00 A.M.

†MARIA DOLORES TREVIÑO (17TH AN.) by Sus Hermanos

†RAQUEL VELASCO VALLE by Gloria De Loera

†MARIA GUADALUPE VELASCO VALLE by Gloria De Loera

†MARIA FELIX VALLE GONZALEZ by Gloria De Loera

†MARIA GUADALUPE MONTOYA ROSALES by Gloria De Loera

†DELIA HERNADEZ by Gloria De Loera

†JOSE CABALLERO (27TH AN.) by Family

†CRUZ GARCIA by Su Esposa e Hijos

SUNDAY APRIL 9TH – I.C.C.

EASTER

Roma ISD Honors Wall of Fame Students for 4th Six Weeks

Congratulations to the Wall of Fame students for the fourth 6-weeks honored by the Roma ISD School Board at their March 8, 2023 meeting! Roma ISD’s Gladiator Wall of Fame Program shines the light on exemplary students, who are selected for the honor based on citizenship, leadership, academics and extracurricular activities. The honorees include: Ximena Carrillo, Mariafernanda Hernandez, and Ricardo Muniz of Roma High School;

Pida a los 3 Ángeles San Miguel, Rafael y Gabriel. Prenda 3 velas blancas en un plato con agua y azúcar, haga su petición. A los tres días publique esta oración. Aunque no crea mire que pasa el cuarto día. A. P. R.

Proudly Welcomes

Sandeep Patel, DO

GastroenterologyAdvanced Endoscopy Specialist

Sandeep Patel, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist and a leader in clinical, educational, and research programs. He specializes in utilizing innovative endoscopic techniques. Dr. Patel will see patients in need of:

- Pancreaticobiliary Disease Management

- Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

- Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS)

Dr. Patel graduated from the University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri. He completed his residency in internal medicine at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center with Tufts University in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Patel is fellowship trained in gastroenterology from the University of Massachusetts in Worcester and in gastroenterology interventional endoscopy from Gastroenterology Consultants, Ltd. In Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He served as the founding director of the Advanced Endoscopy Program at UT Health San Antonio for 17 years.

Luis Flores, Mucio Grimaldo, and Estibaliz A. Nava of Ramiro Barrera Middle School; Pedro Cid, Ana Sofia Guerra Gonzalez, and Laisha Rios of Roma Middle School; Mayla Camacho, Julio Angel Guardiola, and Francisco Javier Hinojosa III of Delia G. Garcia Elementary School; Delanie Flores, Isabella Hernandez, and Joel Ramireza of Emma Vera Elementary School; Isabela Cantu, Derrik A. Cortez, and Maria Fernanda Diaz of F. J. Scott Elementary School; Fernanda J. Barcenas, Dayre Sofia Garza-

Que, and Ximena Garza of R. & C. Saenz Elementary School; Jose A. Benitez, Sixto Carmona, and Regina Garza of R. T. Barrera Elementary School; and and Lee Roy Guerrero Jr., Alisson

Monjarrez, and Gracie Salinas of Veterans Memorial Elementary School.

Mary Rodriguez named South Texas District Life Member

Grulla Gators Boys Golf Team Place 3rd at Port Isabel Invitational Golf Tournament

The GFWC Florence J. Scott Woman’s Club is proud to announce that Mary Nettie Rodriguez has received the honor of Life Membership in the South Texas District of GFWC Texas. The election was held at the Spring Convention of the South

Texas District of GFWC Texas.

Mrs. Rodriguez has been an active per capita member of Federation for thirty-eight years, having joined the Florence J. Scott Study Club in 1984. She served as president twice, 198889 and 2016-2018 and has

always been an active member, including roles as vice-president and parliamentarian, chairing and serving on numerous committees, including ESO, Scholarship, Constitution and Bylaws, Writing Contest, and Arts and Culture MARY RODRIGUEZ, page 10

Congratulations to Grulla Gators Boys Golf team for placing 3rd in the Port Isabel Invitational Golf Tournament!!! The tournament was held at the Treasure Hills Golf Course in Harlingen, TX. The team consisted of Joel Garcia, Angel Ontiveros, Eleazar Velasquez, III, Jorge Gazca, and Angel Solis. Angel Ontiveros placed 5th overall. On the girls side, Cassandra Alanis placed 7th overall. The girls team consisted of Cassandra Alanis, Mia Martinez, Nalanie Pena, Desiree Castillo, Angelina Ayala, and Vianey Villanueva.

Rejoice in the Spirit of Easter

May the warmth of His love light your season with faith and joy.

Wishing you and yours a blessed and joyful Easter.

Road rage is a significant problem on the nation’s roadways. A 2014 survey from AAA found that 46.6 percent of drivers reported having yelled at another motorist, while 44.5 percent indicated they had honked to show annoyance or anger with another driver. Road rage can be more than just getting a little steamed at the person who cut you off. AAA reports nearly eight out of 10 drivers demonstrate aggressive driving

Did you know?

behaviors while driving. This can result in accidents, including some that are fatal. A report from the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety indicated that 2021 was the deadliest year for incidents involving road rage, with an average of 44 people per month shot and killed or wounded during a road rage incident in the United States. Road rage deaths due to gun violence have doubled compared to pre-pandemic levels. Should

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

you be confronted with road rage, some of the best advice is not to take it personally and escalate the aggression. Always try to deescalate the situation, particularly if another driver believes you are in the wrong. Mouthing “I’m sorry” may cause the other driver to feel he or she has won and it will diffuse the situation. It’s not about being right or wrong, but getting to a destination safely with no confrontations.

South Texas College is accepting competitive proposals for the following:

22-23-1060 Starr County Campus - April 25, 2023 2:00 p.m. Bldg E – Analog to Digital Audiovisual Upgrade

Request for Proposals packages may be obtained at the Purchasing Department located at 3200 W. Pecan Blvd, Bldg N, Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501 (Corner of Quince & 31st Street) or by calling 956-872-4681. Responses received after the specified time and date will not be considered and will be returned unopened. Facsimile responses will not be accepted. All responses must be submitted in a sealed envelope. Responses need to be clearly marked on the envelope with the RFP number.

The successful respondent will not be determined on opening date.

Questions regarding this RFP or requests for additional information should be addressed to Becky Cavazos, Director of Purchasing 956-872-4681 beckyc@southtexascollege.edu, or Vanessa Campos, Technical Buyer, 956-872-4661 vsolis_3079@southtexascollege.edu

Responses to the RFP must be submitted to South Texas College, 3200 W. Pecan Blvd, Bldg N, Ste 145, McAllen, TX 78501.

South Texas College is an equal education and equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. As an equal opportunity employer, the College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, genetic information, or veteran status.

Purchases made as a result of this solicitation will be funded through the Department of Commerce, National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC), BroadbandUSA grant.

Vendors are encouraged to visit the South Texas College’s Purchasing Department website to complete the 2-part Bonfire vendor registration for receiving solicitations at: https://southtexascollege.bonfirehub.com/login

TX-28 Students Can Now Pre-Register for the 2023 Congressional App Challenge

Students can now pre-register for the 2023 Congressional App Challenge and start coding their

apps for 2023 using the link below:

The competition is scheduled to launch on June 15th, and the deadline is November 1st, 2023.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Please feel free to share the pre-registration link with your students and get a head start on the 2023 App Challenge! If you have any questions about preregistration, please contact Alexis Gallegos at alexis.gallegos@ mail.house.gov.

SOUTH TEXAS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

COMMUNITY SERVICES BLOCK GRANT PROGRAM

The South Texas Development Council will hold a public hearing at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at the Starr County Annex, located at: 100 N. FM 3167, Rio Grande City, Texas in regards to the PY2023 Community Service Block Grant Budget and Community Action Plan, to be submitted to the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. The purpose of this meeting is to allow community members an opportunity to discuss the proposed Budget and Plan, for the Counties of Jim Hogg, Starr, and Zapata. The STDC encourages residents to participate in the development of the CSBG Budget and Plan and to make their views known at this public hearing. Individuals unable to attend this meeting may submit their views and comments in writing to Esmeralda Garza, Program Manager, at the STDC Office P. O. Box 2187 Laredo, TX 78043. Person with disabilities that wish to attend this meeting and requiring special assistance or auxiliary aids, please call (956) 722-3995.

SOUTH TEXAS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL-COMMUNITY ACTION ADVISORY BOARD REQUEST FOR NOMINATIONS

The South Texas Development Council’s Community Action Program is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on its Community Action Advisory Board (CAAB).

The functions of the CAAB are to:

• Participate in the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of the programs designed to serve low-income communities;

• Provide recommendations to the STDC Board of Directors;

• To promote and support the well-being and self-reliance of individuals, families and communities;

• To provide stimulation and incentive for the South Texas communities to mobilize their resources to combat poverty; and

• To raise the standards of community life through planned activities in Jim Hogg, Starr, and Zapata Counties.

Vacancies: County Sector

Starr Low-Income Representative

Starr Low-Income Representative

Starr Private Groups and Interests

Meetings are held bimonthly (every two months) on the second Wednesdays of the months of February, April, June, August, October, and December between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm (noon) in Zapata County.

CAAB meeting:

April 6, 2023

Starr County Annex 100 N. FM 3167

Rio Grande City, Texas 78582

1:30 PM- 2:30 PM

CAAB members are not entitled to compensation for their services, but reimbursement of reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by a CAAB member in carrying out their duties is allowed (e.g. reimbursement of milage to attend meetings and/or other official CAAB functions).

Method of Appointment:

Low-Income Representatives must be selected in accordance with a democratic procedure either via a selection and election at a county-wide public meeting with nominations and election or via a selection of representatives to community-wide boards who have been selected by area residents or existing organizations whose membership is predominantly composed of poor persons.

Private Group representatives can be individuals and/or organizations representing the private sector or community interests such as: businesses, industry, labor, religious, law enforcement, education, school districts, and other major groups and interests in the community served.

Contact: Esmeralda Garza, Community Action Program Manager ebgarza@stdc.cog.tx.us (956) 722-3995, ext. 131

Roma Middle School Earns One Act Play District Championship

Congratulations to Veterans Middle School Honors Band for earning Sweepstakes Award at the UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation at La Joya! VMS are extremely proud of the students and would like to thank the teachers, administration and parents for all their support!! Keep up the great work!

Veterans Middle School Honors Band Earns Sweepstakes Award at UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation

Congratulations to the Roma Middle School One Act Play Team on earning the District Championship Title! The Gladiator Nation is super proud of you!

Starr County Boys – Dressed for Success

Starr County Commissioner precinct

1 Mr. Jose Francisco ”Kiko” Perez and Army Retired Colonel Ross Barrera teamed up to give to the community.

Through a generous donation of high dollar men’s clothing, dress coats, ties, shirts, and pants were given to the Starr County boys.

Just in time for the end of school year banquets and events, these high dollar items were much needed items for the students. We were even able to dress up the Rio Grande City High School Debate team.

Colonel Barrera organized a team of volunteers to sort out over 250 plus men’s items and prepared to receive high school boys from all over the county. The set up or distribution center was held at the “Olde Towne Public House located in the historic district of Rio Grande City. It was a four-day event gear to distribute hundreds of items. The students were individually fitted and then were given one coat with pants, two dress shirts and two ties. After being fitted and looking sharp the students were treated to a “HEADSHOT” professional photo by Roel Reyes from Roel’s Photography Studio Rio Grande City. The students were given a free print of their

headshot.

San Isidro brought in a bus of their boys and were delighted with the free items much needed for the end of school year events. The students smiles gave the volunteers a sense of giving back and pride in support to the community.

The volunteers were presented with a Starr County Precinct # 1 Certificate of Appreciation. We want to thank our volunteers: Oneida Montalvo, Judy Gabert, Joel Garza, Marcus Canales, Anna Flores, Perla Bazan, Lupita GarciaAlaniz, Marisa Rodriguez-Garcia.

Special thanks to Mr. Hernan Garza Jr. who provide a large cake for the kids, Mr. Ediel Barrera for providing soda pops/water, our local HEB for providing plastic bags and thank you Mr. Roel Reyes for providing the free photos to the kids.