Los Fresnos News 8-24-22

Los Fresnos, TX — Alot Los Fresnos Consolidated Independent School District. Probably the biggest being the construction of the new middle school.

This project started back in February of this year and has made tremendous progress. Superintendent, Gonzalo Salazar says that these schools take about 18 months to build plus or minus a few with regards to rain days.

“As you well know, we haven’t seen any rain days,” Salazar says which has allowed them to make a lot of progress, He say

the district has been really impressed by how quickly construction is moving along.

Salazar seems to be ready for anything that comes the School district's way. “With 18 active subdivisions in Los Fresnos,” Salazar says, “We know that growth is coming.”

The School will be looking at enrollment this fall. He says that at this point, the district is in no rush to move to a second high school but says, we might get a different prediction down the road.

“We have to continue to

build Los Fresnos United as our second Highschool.”

The district will be putting in a brand new track at United that will be 8 lanes. “After we are done with this project, the softball and baseball fields go up,” he says, “We’ll need a lecture hall, then we’re pretty much ready so that when enrollment marks it, we can have a second Highschool.”

The District also mentions they are building a track for Liberty Memorial middle school. This will be a 6-lane track for the junior high students so they won’t need to be

bussed to the Highschool and can practice there at the middle school.

“A big part of their athletic budget was transporting kids to tennis courts until we built them their own tennis courts.”

In much the same way they are trying to make it easier and more efficient for the athletic departments for track and field.

Los Fresnos CISD will also be building a facility for New Agriculture & CTE trade shops. On one side, there will be two buildings for the Livestock. This will facilitate both the small and larger livestock, along with washing areas and a showgrounds.

Then for the CTE trade facility, they will have a welding shop, construction electrical, and most likely an HVAC station as well. What’s interesting about these shops is they are adapting.

Rolando R. Borrayo, Director of Facilities & Maintenance, shares that the industry can change, and that with that the facilities can be easily repurposed. “We can adapt to it however we need to.”

Salazar shares that the Musk foundation provided

some funds for this. “We are putting all that money towards the welding shops and all of the construction shops.”

Projects also mentioned were an ROTC building still in the plans to be at Los Fresnos United. Other things like beautifying the campus, drainage, roof remodeling, fences being replaced and Marquees. Borrayo shares the landscape projects and drainage issues that they’ve been able to solve.

Updates on on Chillers and HVAC systems aswell. Salazar says since covid they have learned the proper amount of air they need to be pumping per area to ensure good air quality and meet the requirements. Salazar shares they have installed more chillers to alternate “When one goes down another one is ready to go.” He says they are doing the same thing at Los Fresnos Highschools, after that they will be working on Liberty Memorial’s. This is a $2.3M project that probably will go unnoticed but is very important to maintain and keep heavier loads off of one single chiller unit.

Classes begin for the 2022-2023 School Year

By Ruben Rodriguez La Feria News

After the long summer months, the 2022-23 school year is back in session. A return to the classroom for some, for others, the beginning of a new chapter. Thousands of students across the Rio Grande Valley are

beginning either their first year of school, or their final year of school.

A new year that also returns the normal school operations.

In March 2020, the COVID Pandemic brought day to day life to a halt. Students were now going through a change of scenery.

Instead of now being in a classroom, students were now learning from behind a screen.

Now two years and five months later, the start of a new school year brings excitement for students, teachers and staff alike. Since the Pandemic shut down normal operations, two school years have

gone by, 2020-21 and 2021-22. While students returned to class, things did not feel normal. Some schools resorted to alternate days, where half the students were in class one day, while the other went on another day. Hybrid learning went into effect where some students elected to just

stay home and do their learning via Zoom meetings.

With Social Distancing mandates lowered and not as strict, full classrooms are on schedule for the 2022-23 school year. From the new students in elementary, to the seasoned students of high school, everybody

alike is excited to reunite with classmates and experience the school year. Whether it be the after school clubs, the team practices or any other extra curriculars, it’s a sign of relief that everything is back to normal.

Sunflowers, sesame seasons fair, prices good

and planting history likely played into producers’ evaluation when crop insurance was also considered. Crop insurance based on good per-acre yield history for sunflowers or sesame in a location, when compared to the county average, could be a major consideration when fertilizer, fuel and other inputs are so high.

Written by Adam Russell

Sunflowers and sesame experienced a decent 2022 with good market prices, but interest in alternative crops dipped slightly as more producers chose to plant major commodities, said a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service expert.

High commodity prices for crops like corn, sorghum and cotton and historically high input costs led to fewer acres

of alternative crops like sesame, sunflowers and black-eyed peas, said Calvin Trostle, Ph.D., AgriLife Extension agronomist, Lubbock.

Sunflowers and sesame are more drought tolerant than corn and comparable to cotton, he said, but that consideration would not have mattered for dryland growers this year.

Trostle said the droughtrelated risks for both dryland and irrigated fields

by DR. ADAM LALONDE

ANSWERED by DR.ADAM LALONDE:

Alternative crops like sunflowers, sesame and even cowpeas, which are a good rotational nitrogenfixing legume, continue to stay relevant for producers, while others like guar, utilized as an emulsifier by the oil and gas industry, has disappeared from production, Trostle said.

“There are dynamics at play that make these alternative crops an option, but sunflowers were clawing for acres compared to cotton and other major Texas crops,” he said. “And

with the drought and high input costs, I think farmers went with crops they are used to growing, that are routine for them.”

Texas sunflowers and sesame

In the past, most Texas sunflowers were grown for confectionery purposes as seed snacks for consumers, Trostle said. But much of the confectionery demand is being met by growers in the Dakotas who have more efficient access to processing.

Today, most of Texas’ sunflowers and sesame are grown as an oilseed and for bird seed, he said.

Trostle said the Lower Rio Grande Valley was the hotspot for oilseed crops like sunflowers and sesame this season. Growers in several counties planted around 25,000 acres of sunflowers and 17,000 acres of sesame, according

to Vidal Saenz, AgriLife Extension agent, Hidalgo County.

Around 20,000 acres of sunflowers were planted in the South Plains for bird seed and another 5,000 acres in the northwestern Panhandle for oilseed crushing, Trostle said. Sunflowers made a small comeback in Central Texas, with around 3,500 acres grown near Hillsboro and Waxahachie.

Trostle said there are now three active sesame contractors in Texas. Equinom, a seed company

based in Israel, has been contracting sesame acres. Sesajal, mostly in Mexico, makes tahini, a sesamebased hummus-like product. These join longtime contract sesame buyer Sesaco.

“These additions are big for those crops because they represent processing,” he said. “It’s more than just the oilseed because there are value-added steps to producing commercial products right here in Texas. That is a good thing for growers.”

Implants are quickly becoming the treatment of choice for many patients. Research indicates that the public is becoming more aware of the benefits of dental implants. All too often, extractions are performed, dentures are placed, & the patient goes home without a thought about the jawbone underneath the newly extracted teeth. Many patients are unaware that bone loss in their jaw will always follow the loss of a tooth. Over time, bone loss can cause changes in a patient’s facial appearance, speech & diet. Before dental implants, there were no viable solutions available for people who lost all their teeth & wanted lower denture stability. Today, it is possible to replace complete dentition with dental implants & fixed bridges that result in a long-term, stable & highly esthetic solution. Implants anchor natural-looking artificial teeth & keep bone structure intact. Dental implants can restore normal eating and speaking abilities, increase denture retention, & enhance facial appearance. With today’s advances in implant technology, most patients can be treated with implants. Patients who were unable to enjoy the benefits of implants ten years ago are most likely candidates for implant dentistry today. Call your dentist to set up a comprehensive exam or call our office for a complimentary 15 minute implant consultation. Now, is the time; here is the place.

Dr. Adam Lalonde

Sunflower seeds grown in Texas are now primarily bound for use in bird seed mixes. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie)

A sunflower in Burleson County being harvested. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Laura McKenzie)

Making History Endangered Species Hatches at GPZ

Brownsville, Texas (Aug 17, 2022) – Staff at the Gladys Porter Zoo are extremely proud to announce the historic hatching of six endangered Mangshan pit vipers.

The Gladys Porter Zoo is now one of only three institutions in the United States to have successfully bred this rare species.

There are only about 500 left in the wild which makes this hatching such a momentous event.

“The Herpetology Department is overjoyed to finally hatch this species! We have been working with

them for over 12 years, and it was always a dream of ours to reach this point,” says Clint Guadiana, Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians.

Eventually, the hatchlings will be on exhibit but, for now, the staff will keep them behind the scenes. However, the adults can be viewed in their exhibit in the herpetarium.

The Mangshan pit viper has a very small geographic range and can only be found in two places in China – the Mangshan mountain range

in Hunan, where it was first discovered in 1989, and Ruyuan County in the Guangdong Province.

In the wild, females will lay eggs in a pile of leaf litter and will guard the eggs until they hatch. Once born, the hatchlings are independent. They are fully equipped with venom that they use to capture their prey and defend themselves when needed.

The Mangshan pit viper is classified as Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

DECLARINg VEHICLEs Notice

To Whom It May Concern: EXPRESS TOWING 2571 OLD PORT ISABEL RD, BROWNSVILLE TX 78526 TDLR#005628166C (956)541-2034

Pursuant to the provisions of article V of the Texas Abatement Act, V.C.S 447-9a, Sec. 5.05. We hereby notify you that we took custody of the following vehicles on JULY 09, 2022 AT 4:40pm @ 22 Rentfro Blvd, Brownsville TX 78521

E#0l81 1998 CHEV SUBURBAN BALCK&GRAY TAMP. MEX LIC#XKJ-56-49 VIN#3GCEC26K8WG 136320-ABANDONED.

BROWNSVILLE TOWING-2581 OLD PORT ISABEL RD, BROWNSVILLE TX 78526 (956)541-2024 TDLR#005628136C JULY 16, 2022 AT 9:30PM PICK UP THRU CAMERON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT

B#122 DIRT BIKE 125 GREEN AND WHITE NO PLATES VIN#AC3DF JRYXL Y072283

The registered owner or lien holder has the right to claim the motor vehicle within (10) ten days from the date of this publication by payment of the impounding law enforcement agency. Unclaimed vehicles will be turned over to the Police Department to be declared abandoned and sold at public auction to satisfy the charges against the said.

By: Janie E. Trejo (956)541-2034 brownsvilletowing@yahoo.com

YOU ARE HEREBY COMMANDED to appear by filing a written answer to the ORIGINAL PETITION FOR DIVORCE at or before TEN O’CLOCK (10:00) A.M., on the Monday next after the expiration of twenty (20) days after the date of service of this Citation, before the County Court at Law 2 of Smith County, Texas, at the Courthouse of said County located at 100 N. Broadway, Tyler, Smith County, Texas. Said Petition was filed on the 20th day of June, 2022, in this case numbered 22-1315-F on the Docket of said Court and styled:

IN THE MATTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF MARY WILLIAMS AND DANIL WILLIAMS

The nature of Petitioner’s demand is fully shown by a true and correct copy of the ORIGINAL PETITION FOR DIVORCE accompanying this Citation and made a part hereof.

The Officer executing this Citation shall promptly serve the same according to the requirements of law, and the mandates thereof, and the and and of this CLARKSTON Smith County District Clerk 100 N. Broadway, Rm. 204 Tyler, Texas 75702 Landeros,

Friday Night Fever

First Practices underway for 2022 Texas High school Football Season

By Ruben Rodriguez Los Fresnos News

With Football season just around the corner, teams across the Rio Grande Valley are already getting in gear with their summer workouts. After the 2022 UIL Realignment that shook up the Valley in February, the 2022 TXHSFB season is expected to be a fun one. Here is a district by district look at what to expect in 2022.

Starting off with the 6A’s we look at 32-6A, which will be a lot smaller with the departure of Harlingen South and Donna North down to 5A. Teams to lookout for are Harlingen, Los Fresnos, San Benito and Weslaco. In 31-6A, which has also become a six team district with the losses of Edinburg Vela, La Joya Juarez Lincoln and PSJA North to 5A. Mission, Edinburg, La Joya and PSJA look to punch their ticket to the postseason.

Down to 5A we look at four districts and two divisions. Starting off with District 16-5A Division one which will welcome two new neighbors in Harlingen South and Donna North,

adding to what will already be an extremely competitive district.

Harlingen South, Donna, Brownsville Veterans and Weslaco East will all be in a shootout to compete for the 16-5A D1 throne.

In Division two, Three teams with a lot of history, again will compete in the same District. Mission Veterans, Sharyland and Pioneer all look to dominate in division two. PSJA Memorial will also be expected to get into the mix.

Now looking at 15-5A Division one, Edinburg Vela, PSJA North, and La Joya Juarez Lincoln enter the picture, adding to an already powerhouse district, The McAllen trio of Rowe, Memorial and McHi will be competing with Vela, and PSJA North for the District crown. In division two, four RGV teams will tangle with two Coastal Bend Teams. For the RGV, Brownsville Porter, Mercedes, Valley View, and Edcouch-Elsa will go against GregoryPortland and CC Flour Bluff.

Down to 16-4A Division one, La Feria, Hidalgo, Zapata will be slotted

with Alice, Calallen, Tuloso-Midway to comprise an RGV-Coastal Bend District. In 16-4A Division 2, Four teams will compete for seeding as Raymondville, Port Isabel, Bishop and La Grulla will face off in one of the smallest districts in recent years.

District 16-3A Division one will be Falfurrias, Lyford, Progreso, Rio Hondo, San Diego and Santa Gertrudis Academy will go at it. In Division two, a tough district which featured Banquete, George West, Hebbronville, Monte Alto, Odem, Santa Rosa and Taft will face off in old school gridiron football.

Last but not least we look at 16-2A Division two, Ben Bolt, Freer, La Villa, Premont, Riviera-Kaufer and Santa Maria will be in a tough district out in the 2A classification.

With a lot of Talent across the RGV, expect an exciting year on the Gridiron in 2022. As teams continue to prepare for Week 1, the excitement will slowly continue to build as well.

Falcon Friday Nights Los Fresnos Football Schedule Released

By Ruben Rodriguez Los Fresnos News

At last, Football has returned to Texas. Fans across the Lone Star State are excited to get to the stadium and cheer on the gladiators of the gridiron. Here for Los Fresnos, The Falcons are set to begin the 2022 Texas High School Season.

Last season, the Falcons finished fourth in District 32-6A. Holding a record of 7-4 overall and 5-2 in District Play, The Falcons were knocked out in the Area Round by the Brennan Bears of San Antonio. Now looking ahead to 2022, the Falcons will compete in a smaller 32-6A with the departures of Harlingen South and Donna North to 5A. Here is your look at the 2022

Falcons Football Roster. Week one will be a tough test as the Falcons will make their first trip to Bobby Lackey Stadium as they open the regular season against the Weslaco East Wildcats. Week two, Los Fresnos will ring in the 2022 season at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium as they host the PSJA North Raiders. Week three, another road trip as the Falcons will take on 31-6A’s PSJA Bears. Week four will be homecoming night as Los Fresnos will host La Joya. Week five will be parents night in a second consecutive home game at Leo Aguilar as the Falcons will host the Mission Eagles in a rematch of 2021’s BiDistrict Round.

Week six will be the Falcons’ BYE week.

Los Fresnos Falcons Varsity Football Schedule

Returning to action week seven, Los Fresnos will begin the weekend with their first district game at Sams Stadium against the Rivera Raiders. Week eight, Los Fresnos will go back to Lackey Stadium as they will face off against the Weslaco Panthers. Week nine will see Los Fresnos host the Hanna Golden Eagles. Week ten will see the San Benito Greyhounds come into Los Fresnos for the final home game of the season. To wrap up the regular season, Los Fresnos will take on the Harlingen Cardinals at Boggus Stadium.

An exciting schedule and a very lengthy non-district calendar, The Falcons will surely be tested both in District and Non-District in 2022.

the Next Chapter Poem

Sanctum

by James E. Arnold

In the silence of the upper room

Thou callest my name. Out of the watery grave of Baptism

Thou liftest me up And givest me life. Though false gods lead others astray, I know in my heart

Thou art the way.

In the great gathering darkness of men’s hearts,

Thou art the Light, And he that dwelleth within Thee Shall not fear the night.

Want story

Inaugural cohort seated for UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine

First class has 27 students, five from Valley

two from Brownsville.

“We are a school that values inclusion and diversity,” La Fontaine said, “and we take pride in that.”

PLANNINg FOR gROW tH

La Fontaine predicts that next year’s cohort will be larger – and more competitive – as news gets out about the availability of the podiatric program at UTRGV.

podiatry school, after which they get a doctoral diploma.

In order to practice and qualify for a podiatrist’s license, they must complete three years of residency training. They can apply to seven residency programs in Texas that offer 20-30 residency slots.

By Karen Villarreal

RIO GRANDE

VALLEY, TEXAS – AUG.

3, 2022 – UTRGV’s School of Podiatric Medicine – the first in Texas and one of only 10 in the country – is welcoming its very first cohort of 27 students, five of them from the Rio Grande Valley.

Orientation activities started Aug. 1, 2022, followed by a dean’s reception ceremony on Tuesday, Aug. 2, at the Harlingen Convention Center.

The 27 students – 15 female and 12 male – were chosen from among a diverse pool of applicants and after eight admission committee review meetings.

The cohort is 85 percent Texan.

Four of the students were first-generation undergraduates, and 11 are the first in their family to go to graduate school.

• Two are black, seven are Asian, and 12 are Hispanic.

• Two of the students are from Brownsville and attended UTRGV’s Mathematics and Science Academy.

• The school obtained candidacy status on June 9, with the application process beginning June 13, 2022. Applications closed July 27, and classes will begin Aug. 8.

At orientation this week, the 27 future podiatrists were measured for their white coats, and the White

Coat Ceremony is slated for October 2022.

Podiatrists are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and ankle.

UTRGV President Guy Bailey said it is inspiring and exciting to know that the School of Podiatric Medicine is now a reality and that its inaugural class has been selected.

“A team of highly dedicated and determined people came together to help bring the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine to the Rio Grande Valley,” Bailey said. “This new school expands our university mission to increase access to quality healthcare in the Valley, where many people suffer from diabetes and require special podiatric care. Now, we will be able to meet this very specific healthcare need in South Texas.”

Dr. Javier La Fontaine, MS, DPM, MED, dean of the UTRGV School of

Podiatric Medicine, said he is eager to introduce the community to the new school’s faculty, inaugural class and leadership.

“The cohort of recently accepted students have GPA and MCAT scores above the average when compared to other podiatry schools,” La Fontaine said. “We have enrolled highquality students.”

Each cohort is able to seat 40 students and being able to seat 27 in such a short time is indicative of high interest around the country in the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine, he said.

“We feel that this is a great accomplishment,” La Fontaine said. “We were able to recruit and enroll so many great students for this year in about six weeks.

LOCAL REPREsENtAtION

In addition to being the first in Texas, the UTRGV School of Podiatric

Medicine is a state-funded school.

“One of the main reasons the Texas Legislature approved a school at UTRGV is with the hope that we train students and residents to stay in the area,” La Fontaine said. “A lot of the work podiatric physicians do is related to complications of diabetes.”

In the Valley, the prevalence of diabetes is approaching 30 percent.

“If we have students who stay, they will take care of a variety of foot and ankle complications related to diabetes and other ailments,” he said. “This is an opportunity for students in the area who want a career in healthcare. Now, they have they opportunity to train here and not out of state. They can stay home and do it for less cost.” “

The Valley is represented by five students: one each from the cities of Edinburg, Pharr and San Juan, and

“We already have 111 applications as of Aug. 1, 2022, for next year,” he said. “We were approved for 40 students per cohort, so we will have a huge pool for next year.”

The growth is on track with the area’s demand not only for diabetic care, but also for the needs of children, elderly patients and a growing athletics community.

“We have sports events and a semiprofessional basketball league, among many other programs, that will open opportunities for foot and ankle care, as well as high school students and younger athletes who unfortunately may get injured while training and playing sports,” La Fontaine said.

FINAL stEPs FOR PODIAtRIsts

The inaugural cohort faces four years of

La Fontaine said that, as part of the developing DPM program, UTRGV is in the process of partnering with area hospitals to develop those residencies locally.

“Taking care of the students from beginning to end is the idea,” he said.

Students who have completed at least 90 credit hours of undergraduate studies are eligible to apply to enter the DPM program upon graduation. The program entails four years of medical education at the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine, followed by three years of hospital-based postgraduate residency training.

Students interested in applying can do so online and email DPMAdmissions@utrgv. edu for more information.

The UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine is located in Harlingen, within UT Health RGV at 2102 Treasure Hills Blvd.

UTRGV’s School of Podiatric Medicine – the first in Texas and one of only 10 in the country – welcomed its very first cohort of 27 students on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022, at a special reception at the Harlingen Convention Center. (UTRGV

Photo by David Pike)

Inaugural students of the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine Students were fitted for their white coats before a special dean’s reception Aug. 2, 2022. They officially will don their fitted white coats at a special White Coat Ceremony in October. (UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

The reception dinner gave the students and their guests a chance to meet UTRGV leaders, including UTRGV President Guy Bailey and Dr. Javier La Fontaine, dean of the UTRGV School of Podiatric Medicine, as well as community officials, including Harlingen Mayor

Norma Sepulveda and state representatives Vicente Gonzalez and Erin Elizabeth Gamez.

(UTRGV Photo by David Pike)

Los Fresnos CISD Earns Texas Education Agency Rating of an “A” and the Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction

-Los Fresnos has earned A-rating since the inception of the A-F Accountability Rating System

-This is the 7th straight year Los Fresnos CISD earns Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction A-rating

The Texas Education Agency announced Los

Fresnos CISD has once again earned an “A” accountability rating and the Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction for the 2021-22 school year.

Los Fresnos CISD is one of just a handful of schools in the state of Texas to earn both honors.

The district has earned an “A” rating

each year since the state transitioned to the A-F accountability System in 2018. All districts and individual campuses now receive an accountability rating on an A-F scale. It takes into account three factors, including student achievement, student progress and a district’s ability to close learning

gaps.

This is the seventh straight year Los Fresnos CISD ranks among a select group of districts that are awarded the Post-Secondary Readiness Distinction. The designation measures how schools are preparing students with college and career-readiness skills.

This designation accounts for graduation rates, ACT/SAT participation and performance, CTE graduates, and dual-credit and course completion rates.

“The Texas Education Agency assessment confirms that Los Fresnos CISD is an exemplary district and an academic

leader not just in the Rio Grande Valley, but in the state. Our educators are committed to ensuring that our students excel not just in the classroom, but in college and the work force,” said Valarie Londrie, Chief Academic Officer for Los Fresnos CISD.

Villalobos recognized on UTRGV campus by Congressman Vicente Gonzalez for 2020 national award

By Victoria Brito Morales

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – AUG.

12, 2022 – Dr. Cristina Villalobos, a Myles and Sylvia Aaronson Endowed professor in the UTRGV School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, associate dean for the College of Sciences and founding director of the Center of Excellence in STEM Education, was honored by Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15) for her 2020 recognition from the White House.

Two years ago, Villalobos was awarded the 2020 Presidential Award for Excellence in

Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring (PAESMEM). She was one of 15 higher education recipients from 12 states and the District of Colombia.

On Wednesday, Javier Bustos, constituent field representative of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez, visited the UTRGV campus in Edinburg, on behalf of Gonzalez, and presented Villalobos with a certificate and a United States flag which was previously flown over the U.S. Capital in Washington, D.C. Villalobos said she is honored to be recognized

for her leadership in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and to also receive such a significant artifact from the capital.

“It was quite a surprise to learn that the flag was flown over the U.S. Capitol in recognition of my efforts in mentoring that led to the PAESMEM award,” Villalobos said. “Mentoring students and faculty in mathematics and in general STEM fields is important to me as these individuals will lead the nation, our state and our local communities.”

The PAESMEM award is one of the

nation’s highest honors and recognizes the critical role mentors play outside the traditional classroom setting in the academic and professional development in the future of a STEM workforce.

Mentors support learners ranging from kindergarten through college, as well as those who recently started their careers in STEM.

“I want to congratulate Dr. Villalobos on this amazing accomplishment,” Gonzalez said. “Her dedication to serving our students and preparing our next generation of STEM leaders at UTRGV is inspiring to all of South Texas.”

Dr. Cristina Villalobos, a Myles and Sylvia Aaronson Endowed professor in the UTRGV School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, associate dean for the College of Sciences and founding director of the Center of Excellence in STEM Education, was presented with a certificate and U.S. flag which was previously flown over the U.S. Capital in Washington, D.C. for her 2020 recognition from the White House and her leadership in STEM. Pictured are Dr. Vivian Incera, dean of UTRGV College of Sciences; Villalobos; and Javier Bustos, constituent field representative of Congressman Vicente Gonzalez. (UTRGV

Photo by Paul Chouy)