Trautmann Elementary School to receive another accolade

Trautmann Elementary School, home of the Mighty Texans, has another award to add to their list for the 2010-11 school year. After recently being named a "National Blue Ribbon School" by the U.S. Department of Education, the campus has also made the Texas Business and Education Coalition's (TBEC) Honor Roll. Of the more than 8,000 public schools in the state, less than 4 percent receive this honor.

"On behalf of our Board of Trustees, I would like to congratulate the students, faculty, and staff of Trautmann Elementary School," said United Independent School District Superintendent Roberto J. Santos. "I would also like to congratulate the parents. Their involvement in their child's education will continue to place them on the path to success."

The TBEC Honor Roll is considered the most prestigious award for sustained, academic excellence in Texas. It recognizes schools that have demonstrated three years of consistent, high performance in all subjects compared to other schools serving similar student populations. TBEC Honor Roll schools have the highest percentage of students performing at the state's most rigorous standard-commended-in every subject.

TBEC will recognize all the Honor Roll Schools on Monday, Nov. 15, at an Awards Reception and Dinner in Austin sponsored by H-E-B. TBEC will also host a series of seminars where school representatives will have the opportunity to learn about new educational programs for their campus and the District.

Located at 810 Lindenwood Drive, Trautmann is home to about 800 students and 80 faculty and staff members. The proud principal is Cynthia Rodriguez.

Fifth annual International Chamber Music Festival at TAMIU

Take a musical journey at the Texas A&M International University International Chamber Music Festival Friday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. in the Center for the Fine and Performing Arts.

Admission is free and open to the public.

Now in its fifth year, the Music Festival includes performances by the University College of Arts and Sciences Department of Fine and Performing Arts faculty and guest artists.

TAMIU faculty include: Dr. Susan Berdahl, flute, associate professor of flute and musicology; Dr. David Garcia, clarinet, director of bands; Dr. Friedrich Gechter, piano, associate professor, music and piano; Jerry Quintero, piano, visiting instructor of music and director of mariachi; Dr. Yu-Mei Huang, piano, assistant professor of music and strings; Suzanne Ramo, soprano, adjunct instructor of music/voice; and Dr. Gilberto Soto, guitar, professor of music and guitar and TAMIU Guitar Ensemble director.

Guest artist: Dr. Xiaohu Zhou, director, La-ReDo Music Academy and Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra bassoonist; Joe Guerra, drums; Robert Lopez, trumpet; Dr. Kevin Linberg, bass; Ric Cortez, guitar and Stringendo String Quintet—Melissa Treviño, violin; Alma Vazquez, violin; Justin Balli, cello; Jesus Jimenez, cello; Philip Balli, bass.

The evening's program includes music written by Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms, Dizzie Gillespie, George Gershwin and a special arrangement of popular hit music by Dr. Soto.

For more information, contact Huang at 326-2664 or yhuang@tamiu.edu or visit offices in CFPA 208B.

University office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.

LCC is reaffirmed for accreditation by SACS

Every facet of Laredo Community College, including its courses, degrees and services, has again met the rigorous standards of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), which has granted LCC full reaffirmation for accreditation for another 10-year period.

As a nationally accredited institution, LCC guarantees current and future students, that in addition to its affordable tuition, they can expect their courses to meet the same quality standards as those offered by colleges and universities throughout the state and nation.

In a letter to LCC President Juan L. Maldonado, SACS accepted a series of reports prepared by the college as part of the reaffirmation process and informed him that LCC was fully reaffirmed for accreditation through the year 2020.

"Laredo Community College is extremely proud and pleased to receive reaffirmation without any conditions from SACS," Maldonado said. "This accomplishment is a testament to the excellence of our institution, its students and its personnel."

LCC boasts a long and distinguished history of being accredited by SACS since 1957. Member institutions must seek reaffirmation for accreditation every 10 years.

Maldonado explained that the reaffirmation process took about 18 months to complete. In addition to the reports submitted to SACS for review and approval, LCC received an official site visit by a review team as part of the process.

"The process was detailed, comprehensive and intensive research focusing on what LCC is doing and how well it meets the standards for accreditation set by SACS, as well as how LCC meets its mission and goals as a community college," Maldonado said.

He added that the achievement could have not have been realized without the full cooperation of the campus body and community.

"The process to getting reaffirmed was really a special collaboration involving every single unit of LCC. We received valuable input and assistance from a great number of personnel representing the entire spectrum of the college community, the board of trustees and the community at large," Maldonado noted.

Maldonado added that institutional effectiveness is an area that needed to be addressed by the college.

"LCC has developed the necessary strategy by adding personnel and funding to make sure that institutional effectiveness is being addressed at LCC," Maldonado said.

LCC will submit one-year and five-year follow-up reports as part of the new reaffirmation process set by SACS.

Accreditation is an integral component for any higher education institution because it provides college students with a smooth transition to other higher education institutions or professional practice.

"As institutions of higher education, it is imperative to preserve their accreditation status. Students who go to an accredited college or university can easily transfer their credits within the state or out of the state knowing that their transcripts reflect standards and quality that are met by that institution and its students," Maldonado said.

Established in 1895 in Atlanta, SACS is a private, non-profit, voluntary organization which accredits more than 12,000 public and private educational institutions, from pre-kindergarten to university level, in 11 states of the Southeastern U.S. and Latin America.

The Association's Commission on Colleges develops standards for, and accredits post-secondary degree-granting institutions.

Laredo students invited to apply for Sister City program

If you attend a Laredo high school and also want to learn more about a unique cultural exchange, develop peer relationships, and study about - and visit - other cities around the world, among other activities, then you should consider applying for the City of Laredo's Sister City's Youth Committee.

But hurry, the deadline is right around the corner! Applications must be signed by your high school counselor and turned in before 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 24.

Students who were on this year's committee recently returned from New Mexico and New Zealand to participate in the Sister Cities Youth Global Conference and Student Exchange Program, where they not only developed practical approaches to real life global issues, but also, lasting friendships with people of various cultures.

"It's amazing to me to see how the students who belong to the Sister Cities Committee just seem to gain a maturity and understanding about the world in such a short amount of time," said Councilman Hector Garcia, Dist. II, who is one of the chief supporters of the program. "We are so proud to have them be our ambassadors of Laredo to the world; they are true diplomats, and this committee really helps give them that experience."

In 2005, the Laredo City Council established the Youth Program for students interested in promoting goodwill and understanding between the City of Laredo and its Sister Cities. The goal of the City of Laredo Sister City Youth Committee is to make a significant contribution to global peace by allowing Laredo's youth to partake in an experience that will influence their personal lives as they develop into adults

If selected, the student will be in the program for two years. Students are required to have a benevolent project where they assist one of Laredo's Sister Cities with school supplies, clothing, shoes, new blankets or health aids. Additionally, the help host the annual International Sister Cities Youth Festival in January, inviting youth from various sister cities to come see what life is like for a typical American teenager – on the border. Other projects include assisting in various City of Laredo functions and events and taking an active role in taking care of Laredo's environment, by either recycling or planting trees.

Now in its sixth year, previous committees have also participated in community service projects throughout the year, such as clean-up campaigns with Keep Laredo Beautiful; visiting, singing and pet sharing with the elderly at the nursing homes; volunteering with the ALS Walk or WBCA events; the annual Holiday Bowl and Kite Festival or any other project where people in the community call and need assistance.

The committee is comprised of juniors and seniors from each public and private high school in the City of Laredo. Applicants are selected based on the following criteria: counselor recommendation, leadership potential, hobbies, ability to communicate, community awareness, knowledge of host cities, poise, personality, sincerity, sense of humor, interest in world peace and understanding, dedication to the program.

Interested youth must be in their junior year of high school and can obtain an application from their high school counselor, calling the City Secretary's Office at 791-7308 or by downloading the application from the City of Laredo's website at: www.cityoflaredo.com/SisterCities/Youth Program/09-10/YCIndex.htm

LCC nets $3K state grant for loss prevention

Caption: For the sixth year in a row, Laredo Community College has been awarded a $3,000 grant from the Texas Association of School Board's Risk Management Fund. College administration met a TASB official for the presentation of the grant. They are, from left, LCC safety and risk manager Richard Gillard, TASB senior loss prevention consultant Heriberto Casarez, LCC President Juan L. Maldonado and Human Resources Director Lee Spain.
A loss prevention grant of $3,000 has been awarded to Laredo Community College for the sixth straight year from the Risk Management Fund of the Texas Association of School Boards.

LCC was one of only five community colleges in the state to receive this grant. The funds will be used to enhance the college's loss prevention and safety awareness initiatives to help reduce the potential for property losses and on-the-job injuries.

LCC President Juan L. Maldonado said the college is pleased to have received the competitive grant, which reinforces the institution's commitment to saving valuable local resources and increasing productivity in the workplace.

"A working environment that promotes employee safety and loss prevention can only raise the level of productivity," Maldonado said. "Laredo Community College is proud to be part of a select group of higher educational institutions in the state that has procedures in place to meet the standards for a healthier workforce and a safer workplace. We appreciate the support of TASB, which will help LCC advance its loss prevention and safety initiatives."

This year's grants were awarded to 186 school districts, three regional education service centers, three county appraisal districts, five community colleges, and three shared service arrangements.

"The safety and well being of all employees and prevention of losses are crucial issues in the workplace. The Fund is dedicated to partnering with its members to save valuable resources and do everything we can to help educate staff to provide for a healthier work force and create a safer work environment," said TASB loss prevention services director Edwin Thompson.

The TASB Risk Management Fund is a self-insurance pool that has been in existence since 1974 and provides workers' compensation, property, liability, and unemployment compensation coverage to more than 1,100 members.

LCC continues to boost healthcare with nursing grads

Caption: Summer 2010 graduates of the Laredo Community College Vocational Nursing Program are pictured with faculty members at the traditional pinning ceremony Thursday, Aug. 5, at the Kazen College Center.

The future of Laredo's healthcare system looks brighter than ever as 40 vocational nursing students graduated Thursday, Aug. 5, from the one-year nursing program at Laredo Community College.

A traditional pinning ceremony to recognize graduates of the Vocational Nursing (VN) program was held in the Kazen College Center.

As part of the ceremony, graduates lit candles and recited the health professional covenant after receiving their nursing pins.

"Laredo Community College is proud to serve as the largest trainer for nursing professionals in Laredo," LCC Interim Vice President for Instruction Dianna Miller said. "More than 230 students are annually trained through LCC's nursing programs."

"Their accomplishment reaffirms the college's commitment to produce highly skilled providers of care for the benefit of the region," she added.

LCC also offers a two-year Associate Degree Nursing program and a semester-long Nursing Assistant Program.

Graduates of the summer 2010 VN class included Maribel Acevedo, Sandra Alfaro, Abigail Arriaga, Erica L. Blake, Jeanette D. Botello, Aaron A. Campos, Ricardo Chavez, Nydia Cisneros, Priscilla Davila, Luis R. Erazo, Rosa Espinoza, Diana Garcia, Donnath S. Garza, Eva Garza, Ida A. Garza, Genniel T. Gatchalian, Cristina Y. Gomez, Cristina E. Gonzales, Stephany Gonzalez, Karina J. Gutierrez, Silvia A. Hernandez, Gloria A. Herrera, Veronica J. Kadrich, Viviana Lopez, Vanessa M. Lozano, Veronica Mendez, Carlos Molina Jr., Ysenia A. Moreno, Izamar Nava, Jessica E. Piñeda, Lindsay M. Rodriguez, Lisa M. Rodriguez, Diana Serna, Melina L. Thatcher, San Juanita Urena, Kimberly Varela, Elsie Vasquez, Nancy Villarreal, Sara A. White, and Martha Zaragoza.

Highlights of the nursing ceremony included a special message from student speaker Ida Garza.

Student achievement was recognized with the presentation of the Merit Award to Ysenia Moreno and the Mary Alice Lopez award to Ida Garza.

The VN Program at LCC is a clinically intensive one-year certificate program which offers classroom instruction and valuable clinical practice in four basic areas of nursing, including fundamentals, medical/surgical, maternity/pediatric, and psychiatric.

Upon graduation, the vocational nursing student is eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN).

The VN program is fully accredited by the Texas Board of Nurse Examiners.

For more information, call the Vocational Nursing Program at 721-5255.

International vocal artist to give free master class at LCC

Caption: Jason Ferrante, an acclaimed international American tenor, will hold his first-ever master class on the Laredo Community College campus next week.

Jason Ferrante, an acclaimed American tenor who has performed on five continents, will make at pit stop at Laredo Community College for his first-ever public master class on campus.

The master class will be held on Monday, Sept. 6, at 1 p.m. in the Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center, room 102, located on the Fort McIntosh Campus. A question and answer session also will be held later that evening in the same location at 7 p.m.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Ferrante has quickly become recognized as one of the leading character singers of his generation.

Recent highlights include his debut at the New York City Opera as King Ouf in "L' etoile," Basilio in "Le Nozze di Figaro," and a return to Italy as Beadle in "Sweeney Todd" at Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

Opera News has praised Ferrante for "singing up a stylish storm," and for getting "the gold star for trills." PBS and National Public Radio also have featured Ferrante on its television and radio programming, respectively.

As a graduate of New York City's Juilliard School, one of the world's most prestigious performing arts conservatories, Ferrante sings comedians and protagonists on the operatic stage. In concerts, Ferrante performs from a wide range of composers from Bach and Handel to John Musto and Lowell Liebermann.

Ferrante has frequently performed the role of Goro in "Madame Butterfly," Beadle in "Sweeney Todd," and as Tybalt in "Romeo et Juliette."

In May 2010, Ferrante traveled to Guangzhou, China to sing as Pong in "Turandot" under the baton of Lorin Maazel to open the new Guangzhou Opera House.

Ferrante holds a bachelor's and master's degree in music from the Juilliard School. In addition to maintaining a busy performing career, the Baltimore native currently resides in Miami where he serves as a voice and opera faculty member in the New World School of Arts.

For more information about master class or question and answer session, contact the LCC Performing Arts Department at 721-5330 or email suzanne.ramo@laredo.edu.

Explore the 'wild side' of LCC’s science center Saturday

Caption: Laredo Community College student Gabriel Ortega and lab technician Arianna Gonzalez hold a baby alligator located in the living laboratory of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center at Laredo Community College.

The first Saturday of the month, Sept. 4, is the perfect opportunity to go wild at the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center at Laredo Community College.

Located on the north side of the Fort McIntosh Campus, the environmental science center now features a new Natural History Exhibit Hall, which the public may view during a self-guided tour of the center's facilities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The natural history wing is a multi-purpose classroom hall that was built with continuing support from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust to benefit students of all grade levels and nature lovers from the community.

"This addition is of great benefit to the center because it's allowing us to expand our exhibit space for the community to enjoy," center director Tom Miller said. "As the development of the exhibit hall continues, the center will be able to offer greater interaction, including special themed exhibitions throughout the year."

Some of the specimens currently located in the hall include a mounted porcupine, an American alligator and a black bear.

There also are some fossils found locally, including one of a mastodon jaw, and a collection of insects assembled in the 1960s.

Of course, some of the center's most popular residents will be waiting to welcome visitors, including the center's American alligators, bobcat, raccoon, coatimundi, fox, javelina, and an assortment of ducks, turtles and fish.

The center also features a group of young alligators.

Around 11 a.m., visitors will be able to feed some of the center's residents.

Admission is $4 for adults and $2 for students and senior citizens. The center is free and open to LCC and TAMIU students, faculty and staff with a valid college ID card.

Prior to the tours, the center will officially launch the day with its monthly trail work project from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Volunteers from the community are invited to lend a helping hand. Tools, gloves and water will be available to those who help during the work day.

For more information, call the center at 764-5701.