Architectural firm joins Sur-Prize Patrol in Clear Creek ISD
VLK Architects recently joined Clear Creek Education Foundation’s Sur-Prize Patrol on its trip throughout the district to award grants for the 201617 school year.
The foundation distributed 36 grants—totaling $100,000—to 19 campuses within Clear Creek Independent School District. Each grant is intended to help teachers foster new, creative teaching methods.
“Teachers pay so much of their own money for their students, and it is so rewarding to give them an opportunity to take education to the next level and show them that their community values their hard work,” said Kaci Hanson, CCEF executive director.
VLK awarded its grant to Vicki Mangum of Landholt Elementary for “Precept Project—Producing Great Writers Through 180 Days of Character Building.”
For information, contact Hanson, 281-284-0031
COM student wins national scholarship
College of the Mainland nursing student Kristin LaValle has been chosen as one of 20 students nationwide for the Frank Lanza Memorial Scholarship.
She accepted the nursing and emergency medical services scholarship at the recent international Phi Theta Kappa conference in Washington, D.C.
“I got to shake my scholarship donor’s hand and say thank you,” LaValle said.
For information, visit www.com.edu.
Students win national art, writing medals
Three student artists and writers from east Harris County traveled to New York City’s Carnegie Hall recently to be honored at the 2016 National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.
Part of a group of nine students who received a total of 50 medals, they are Autumn McMillian, Galena Park Independent School District; and Taylor Gleason and Peyton Vasquez, both of Deer Park Independent School District.
In addition, Deer Park Bonnette Junior High School student Peyton Vasquez received the Flaunt It Award, sponsored by RBC Capital Markets, and a $1,000 scholarship. Vasquez is one of only two teens nationally to be recognized with this award.
For information, photos and videos from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit www.goo.gl/ EnGcZY.
PISD dedicates transportation center
As the school bus rolled forward at 3202 Plum St., it revealed the new name on Pearland Independent School District’s transportation facility: W.H. “Jug” Backhaus Transportation Center.
Pearland ISD dedicated the center June 6, honoring the legacy of Backhaus, who passed away last fall after having worked 42 years in the district. He served as a teacher, coach, bus driver and maintenance and transportation director before retiring in 1991.
He was a founding member of the Pearland Little League and an active member of the Pearland Lions Club.
During their January meeting, Pearland ISD trustees approved the naming of the center after Backhaus because of his commitment to students and impact on the community. San Jacinto College reopens Lehr Library
Civic leaders, community residents and San Jacinto College employees attended the June 8 grand reopening of the Lehr Library at San Jacinto College North Campus.
The 42,718-square-foot facility includes a traditional library as well as a law library, a media department and the North Campus Student Success Center. The library also has an outdoor learning area.
The library is named in honor of the late Edwin Lehr, the first president of the San Jacinto College North Campus
For information, visit www.sanjac.edu or call 281-998-6150.
Flint Hills honors outstanding students
Flint Hills Resources has awarded Outstanding Student scholarships totaling $12,000 to eight Houston-area high school students this year.
“We feel confident these dedicated students will achieve their academic goals, and we congratulate them on their successes so far,” said James Rhame, site manager for Flint Hills Resources Houston.
Scholarship recipients include: Luis Garcia and Fanuel Gutierrez, Cesar E. Chavez High School; Allison Jackson and Ilikki Teaff-Machek, Deer Park High School; Mayra Cruz Charles and Manuel Mendoza, Charles H. Milby High School; and Israel Perez Jr. and Kenny Rodriguez, Pasadena High School.
Credit union supports Center for Autism
Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union recently presented $1,000 to University of HoustonClear Lake’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
For the third year in a row, credit union employees raised the funds as part of an ongoing campaign to support local agencies and organizations, particularly those that support teachers and education.
To learn more about UHCL’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, visit hsh.uhcl. edu/CADD or call 281-2833452.
For information about the Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union, visit www.gcefcu.org. Local sub shop supports UHCL center
League City and Webster locations of Jersey Mike’s Subs raised more than $1,600 for University of Houston-Clear Lake’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities in March, presenting the funds to the center on May 26.
The Webster location raised funds for the center during its grand opening festivities and featured the center during its ribbon cutting earlier this year. Jersey Mike’s Subs District Manager Cole Fulkerson said community involvement is an important part of the company’s culture, with each Jersey Mike’s Subs location selecting a local organization or agency to support. The two restaurants also cater the center’s monthly Autism Speakers Series during the academic year. UHCL Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities Director Dorothea Lerman received the check from Fulkerson on behalf of the center, which is known as CADD.
In addition to assessment services, CADD offers couples counseling, the Verbal Behavior Clinic, the Severe Behavior Disorders Research Clinic, vocational services and focused intervention services with the Applied Behavior Analysis – Skills Intervention Program to support people with developmental disabilities and their families.
To learn more about giving to UHCL, visit http:// www.uhcl.edu/development.
Habitat Work Days maintain campus
University of HoustonClear Lake’s Habitat Work Days invite community members to cultivate their gardening skills starting at 9 a.m. every Tuesday at the North Office Annex, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston.
Join other volunteers for upkeep, including clearing paths, cleaning the pond and other conservation tasks to protect the university’s natural resources. No prior experience is required, and tools will be provided. Participants are encouraged to bring sunscreen, a hat and water.
For more information, call 281-283-3945, or email reistle@uhcl.edu.