Old friends reunite at Martin High's Tiger Legends ceremony
This month a number of new Tiger Legends were created. This program was begun by Pitin Guajardo and Peter Lizcano, who each year coordinate the program that recognizes graduates of Martin High School who have done well with their lives and brought honor to their old school. The new inductees were treated to a breakfast and then a tour of their old Alma Mater. Each was given a student to escort them and answer any questions about Martin High today.
As friends and families gathered in the gym, Adriana Guzman, Mistress of Ceremonies, welcomed all. Karla Muñoz gave the invocation and the M.H.S R.O.T.C. presented the colors. By the time the M.H.S. Banda del Animo played the National Anthem and all joined in the singing of the Fight Song and the Alma Mater, accompanied by the antics of the cheerleaders and the Tiger mascot, sentiments were high, and old friends reunited in pride at their beloved Martin High.
This year's inductees included Sara Puig Laas, class of 1947, who was escorted by Linda Evans; Hector Hinojosa, class of 1950, escorted by Iliana Teniente; José M. Peña, class of 1950, escorted by Rodolfo Morales. Gold Star Mother Francisca Martinez received the Legend plaque on behalf of her late son SFC Guadalupe Martinez, class of 1954, who was killed in action in Vietnam. All five of her sons served in Korea or Vietnam . With her at the ceremony were her two sons Jesus and Antonio, whose escort was María Chapa. John Silva, class of 1955, was escorted by Oscar Vidales. Renato Ramirez, class of 1957, was escorted by Nancy de la Fuente and Isabel Gallegos Mendez, class of 1958, was guided by Kimberly Hill. Carmen Perez showed Dr. Alfredo Treviño, Jr., class of 1961, the school and Naria Noriega did the same for Felix Velasquez, class of 1975. Karla Muñoz helped Diana Rendon Gutierrez, class of 1983, see the sights of Tigerland. Tammy Barton and Raquel Sanchez, M.H.S. Librarians, unveiled the Tiger Legend Plaque. The inductees all spoke briefly, with words of wit and wisdom to the young students of today.
A memorial service was held at Christ Church Episcopal for Katy Lewis, and her family and friends joined in a celebration of her life at the Tesoro Room of La Posada. Kathryn Connell Lewis is remembered by all as a hard worker, an involved citizen, a fine golfer, and a real character. Her wit was often pointed at herself. She had a long career with U.S. Customs. Friends from the Tuesday Music and Literature Club, the DAR, and other friends gathered to share memories and funny stories about Katy. She was one of a kind and much loved by those who knew her.
Congratulations to the 2005 Junior Achievement Laureates, Hector Bolaños, Blackstone Dilworth, Steve LaMantia, and Doris and Ike Epstein. Each year, hard-working, generous citizens are chosen for this honor.
Another big honor went to Laredo Community College president Dr. Ramon H. Dovalina, who became a recipient of the 2005 Shirley B. Gordon Award of Distinction. The honor was received during the International Convention of Phi Theta Kappa. Speaker at the distinguished ceremony was former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Among the students and faculty representing LCC were Priscilla Pantoja Martinez, Jennifer Widrig, Jeremy Gonzalez, Stephen Soliz, and PTK co-senior advisor José D. Compean.
Dr. Dovalina is among a select group to receive this year's honor, which recognizes college presidents and chief executive officers who have demonstrated exceptional support for the advancement of the Theta Theta local chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society comprised of academically gifted students enrolled in two-year community/junior/technical colleges.
A new Princess Pocahontas has been chosen for the 2006 Washington's Birthday Celebration. The honor went to Mayra Cantu, a junior at Alexander High School. Horsemanship, talent, and poise are among the standards each contestant is judged on each year, to win the coveted honor of leading the Grand International Parade and representing Pocahontas, who has been part of the Celebration since its inception in 1898.
We had a busy evening, switching from the Country Club ballroom to the newly expanded pool area. The announcement of lovely Gail Alice Chamberlain's engagement to Raul Leal was being celebrated by the pool and the Stardusters were dancing the night away in the ballroom.
Gail is the daughter of Blanca and Bland Chamberlain and Raul's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Andres Leal.
Hosts included Lulu Cantu, Molly Cantu, Poly Cantu, Alice C. Gallagher, Annabelle Hall and Bill Hall III, Minnie Dora and J. J. Haynes and daughter Minnie, Gloria and José de la Luz, and Letty and Hector Martinez and son Hector Felipe. Family and friends enjoyed the casual affair, which was blessed with beautiful cool weather and great music.
Pretty Alice “Chata” Gallagher Keys came from College Station for the party. She is the bride-to-be's cousin. She teaches physical education to young children and had her friends laughing as she described her exhaustion following a morning of trying to keep up with her energetic students as the weather gets progressively warmer. Her hubby has decided to strike out on his own in a new business venture and Chata is fearful that her longed-for retirement to a life of leisure is in jeopardy! With her were her brother Jimmy and his wife Doris.
The Stardusters gathered for their spring dance that always features danceable music, this time provided by the Floyd Domino Band from Austin. Enjoying the evening were president Polly Sue Stabile and her husband John, and Rita and John Fitzgibbon. George and Nancy Hughes brought her mom, Virginia Goodwin, Susie Mayo, Susie Shaifer, Regula and Urs Walter, Julia Jones and Meme Salinas, Leticia and Carlos Palacios, and Consuelo and Elmo Lopez, Sr.
George and Nancy Hughes had news of their children. Amanda is engaged to Josh Fuller. An August wedding is planned. Both are working on master's degrees at Dallas Theological Seminary. Amanda's degree is in Biblical Counseling and Josh's is in Theology. Megan Hughes returns to Texas State in San Marcos after a semester's internship at Disney World in Orlando. She is a junior Fashion Merchandising major. Joseph Hughes is a junior at Texas A&M's Petroleum Engineer program. Twins Megan and Joe will celebrate their 21st birthdays May 11.
Events we had to miss, but want to highlight, were the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion project of the early childhood center at St. Augustine School, made possible in part by a grant from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust.
In other St. Aug news, Mrs. Raquel Garza, high school counselor, has been selected as a member of the Very Important Counselor Program recently established by Texas A&M University - College Station. The programs recognize the outstanding service and important work of high school counselors in guiding students on the path to college.
Mrs. Garza is among the charter group of recipients names VIC Partners in this prestigious new program. She was nominated by the staff of the San Antonio Student Center and joins 30 counselors from throughout the state. Her selection also carries with it a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a St. Augustine student who is planning to attend Texas A&M University in the fall of 2005. Rodolfo Morales has been selected to receive this scholarship.
On March 31, Mrs. Garza, along with the other Very Important Program participants, was honored at a recognition dinner at Texas A&M University, hosted by Dr. Robert M. Gates, president of the university, and by Dr. Mark Weichold, dean of undergraduate programs and associate provost for academic services. The dinner was held in conjunction with Texas A&M University's Achievement Scholar Day in College Station.
Mrs. Garza has been a counselor at St. Augustine High School for 25 years and has been an educator for the past 34 years.
Other events we sorrowfully had to miss were the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra's 25th season finale, titled “Music from the Golden Ages,” and what was billed as Coffee and Conversation with conductor Brendan Townsend at Espumas, one of our city's most unique restaurants. Laredo is blessed that this wonderful orchestra has been revived and continues to attract more talented musicians, and we look forward to each new season with anticipation. Bravo, LPO!
We had a note from Elizabeth Sorrell, so much missed in our town. She writes that she fell and landed on her nose, which she quipped was already big enough, but nothing was broken. The spunky lady looks for the best in each day and has begun taking photographs of new residents at the Meadows, where she lives in San Antonio, for them to send to relatives, who can see the beautiful surroundings where they now live. She talks of new bridges to be crossed and new friends to be made.
The Devine Sisters Shelter for Animals, operated by the Laredo Animal Protective Society that they helped found, is undergoing some much-needed updating, thanks to the City of Laredo Public Works Department. The shelter operates as the impoundment facility for the city and county. LAPS still needs to relocate to a more accessible location, but this work is being done to help the shelter cope until that time.
The labor is being donated but LAPS still needs to come up with much of the materials. Donations of money or materials are being sought by the non-profit organization. Needed items include chain link fencing, lamina (corrugated tin), donations to pay for the sanitizing solution, and machines to keep the place cleaner.
LAPS also seeks donations of Kuranda beds, comfortable beds that keep the dogs off the cement floor, which is often cold or wet. The beds may be ordered at a special price online by mentioning LAPS' name at www.kuranda.com, by calling 1-800-752-5308, or by monetary donations sent to Laredo Animal Protective Society, 2500 Gonzalez, Laredo TX, 78040.
Words to live by: “If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.”
