Houston Defender: January 21, 2016

IRS REMINDS TAXPAYERS TO GET READY FOR FILING SEASON, P3

FEATURE

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Houston’s Leading Black Information Source

Volume 85 | Number 12

JANUARY 21, 2016 | FREE

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NEWSTALK WANDA ADAMS elected HISD board officer

P2 SPORTS J.B. BICKERSTAFF helps Rockets improve

P8 HS ZONE JOCK HUGHES scores for Yates High

P9 TOP EVENTS

Meamour Jones, Teclesha Blanchard and Annette Mouton at MLK Grande Parade

P11

Dr. John Rudley’s

TSU LEGACY H PAGE 6

Mayor Turner addresses issues

Jada Pinkett boycotts Oscars

Mayor Sylvester Turner recently addressed parades and potholes in Houston. Learn what he wants to do about the two MLK holiday parades. Get the details on his pothole repair initiative, and see how he lent a helping hand.

Actress Jada Pinkett Smith is troubled by the lack of diversity of the Academy Award nominations and said she is staying home on Oscar night. Find out which stars agree with Pinkett, and see who disagrees. Hear what host Chris Rock has to say.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 21 | 2016

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Turner addresses parades, potholes Mayor Sylvester Turner recently addressed the issue of Houston’s two MLK Holiday parades, and cited the need for one united event. Turner also marked the formal start of his pothole repair initiative by grabbing a shovel to help city crews fill potholes in Spring Branch.

Turner called for the unification of parades sponsored by the Black Heritage Society (BHS) and the MLK Parade Foundation. The BHS parade has been held for 38 years and the foundation parade has been held for 22 years.

Turner, who rode in both parades this year, called for unity during an appearance at the North Houston Frontiers Club annual MLK breakfast.

He wants to work with both groups to bring them together.

“It is my hope and my prayer that in this city, the fourth largest city in the country, that now has an African-American mayor, we will not engage in division,” Turner said. “We need one parade.”

Turner’s pothole initiative was a result of his inauguration promise that potholes reported to the city’s 311 Help and Information line would be assessed and addressed by the next business day. Houstonians responded by reporting a record number of potholes,

increasing from a daily average of 22 reports to 245.

According to the city, despite the more than 1000 percent increase in service requests, crews are maintaining next-business-day repair rate of more than 90 percent.

“Our public works employees are performing at an amazing level,” Turner said. “When I visited with them last week at the Street Repair Division headquarters, they told me they were up for the challenge and were appreciative of Houstonians’ positive comments and support of them.

“Given Houston’s size of more than 640 square miles and the number of pothole reports coming in, there is likely not another city in the country that can claim this type of customer service. I am proud of the work we are doing.”

Between Jan. 4 and Jan. 18, a total of 902 potholes were repaired in response to citizen service requests received by 311. Ninety-four percent were repaired by the next business day.

The formal start of the program included the debut of a new website, www.houstonpotholes.org, and a new automated customer notification process that will be managed by the Mayor’s Citizens Assistance Office.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, shown with his daughter Ashley, rode in the MLK Grande Parade (above) and the Black Heritage Society Parade.

HISD board elects officers Manuel Rodriguez Jr. Wanda Adams

Diana Dávila

Jolanda Jones

The HISD Board of Education voted to name trustee Manuel Rodriguez as its new president. Rodriguez previously served as board president in 2007.

Other officers elected were: Wanda Adams, first vice president; Diana Dávila, second vice president; Jolanda Jones, secretary; and former board president Rhonda Skillern-Jones, assistant secretary. In other HISD news: • The board approved a resolution formally beginning the process of renaming four schools in order to represent the values and diversity of the district. The resolution affects Henry Grady, Richard Dowling and

Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson middle schools, and Lee High School.

• HISD and University of Houston are joining forces to offer the Teach Forward Houston fellowship program, in which district graduates interested in obtaining a degree in education are eligible for free tuition at University of Houston in exchange for teaching four years in HISD after graduation.

•The board also approved the first reading of a policy revision banning suspensions and expulsions for students in second grade and below, except as required by law.

localbriefs TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY Director Steve McCraw said officers such as the trooper who stopped Sandra Bland in Waller County are responsible for escalations. “It’s always on the trooper,” McCraw said. “We’re accountable for every stop. And the citizen has a right to be objectionable. They can be rude. They can do a lot of things. They can say things, they can do things, and at the end of the day, we have an obligation not to react and be pulled into that.” Bland died in her jail cell last July, three days after she was stopped by DPS trooper Brian Encinia for failing to

signal a lane change. Her death, which was ruled a suicide, ignited a national firestorm. McCraw said Encinia violated protocol. “We require professional courtesy and display at all times, and clearly he did not do it in that situation,” he said……..HUMAN TRAFFICKING will be the focus of a panel discussion on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 1 p.m. at the University of Houston Downtown, 1 Main St. It will be held in the Wilhelmina Cullen Robertson Auditorium. The discussion is titled “Not in Our Backyard: A Conversation With Local Experts About Combating Modern-Day Slavery in Houston.” Topics

will include the scope of the problem, strategies law enforcement is taking to address it and the unique needs of survivors. The event is free and open to the public. For information visit uhd.edu……..RADIO PERSONALITY MICHAEL HARRIS will speak at the Harris County Democratic Party’s Town Talk on Wednesday, Jan. 27, at 7 p.m. at 1445 North Loop West, Suite 110. He will discuss the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Harris has served as a Houston radio host for more than 40 years. The event is open to the public. For information call 713-8020085.

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JANUARY 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER

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Taxpayers reminded filing season has started The Internal Revenue Service announced that the 2016 individual income tax filing season opened Jan. 19, with more than 150 million tax returns expected to be filed this year.

More than 70 percent of taxpayers will receive tax refunds this year. Last year, the IRS issued 109 million refunds, with an average refund of $2,797.

Taxpayers are encouraged to plan ahead and take advantage of online resources.

“IRS.gov is the best place for taxpayers to go for information about filing their income tax returns this year,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen said.

“Although we will have more people staffing our phone lines this year, we expect those lines to remain busy so we encourage people to visit the web first as the quickest and easiest way to get assistance.”

Other filing facts and tips include: • More than four out of five returns are expected to be filed electronically, with a similar proportion of refunds issued through direct deposit.

Choosing e-file and direct deposit for refunds re-

mains the fastest and safest way to file an accurate income tax return and receive a refund. The IRS anticipates issuing more than nine out of 10 refunds in less than 21 days.

• Similar to last year, meeting the tax obligation of the Affordable Care Act for the vast majority of taxpayers will require checking a box to verify everyone on their return has health coverage.

• The Affordable Care Act requires that a taxpayer and each member of their family either has qualifying health coverage for each month of

the year, qualifies for an exemption, or makes an individual shared responsibility payment when filing their tax returns.

• Low-and moderateincome taxpayers can receive help meeting the health care requirement and filing their returns for free by visiting one of the more than 12,000 community-based tax help sites staffed by more than 90,000 volunteers that participate in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and Tax Counseling for the Elderly programs.

To find the nearest site, use the VITA/TCE Site Locator on IRS.gov.

• Taxpayers should have all their year-end statements in hand before filing returns. This includes Forms W-2 from employers, Forms 1099 from banks and other payers, and for those claiming the premium tax credit, Form 1095-A from the Marketplace.

• Taxpayers have until Monday, April 18 to file their 2015 tax returns and pay any tax due because of the Emancipation Day holiday in Washington, D.C., falling on Friday, April 15.

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 21 | 2016

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national

U.S.briefs

Black Lives Matter seeks CBC support Some members of Black Lives Matter would like more support from the Congressional Black Caucus and question its effectiveness. The CBC is comprised of 46 Black members of Congress, while the Black Lives Matter movement was created in 2012 after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the death of Trayvon Martin.

“I had no idea it was actually a group in Congress,” 21-year-old Baltimore activist Kwame Rose told the Huffington Post. “Are they relevant? I don’t think a lot of people are relevant in the form that they aren’t effectively creating change for the people they are representing.

“A lot of people get attention for putting ‘Black’ or ‘activist’ in front of their name, but if they aren’t on the ground doing work, they aren’t relevant,” Rose said.

Congressman G.K. Butterfield, the CBC chairman, said they support the newer movement and are willing to partner with millennial leaders.

“I don’t want to accept the argument of the genera-

tional gap between the Congressional Black Caucus and our young leaders, and if there is one, we need to remove it,” Butterfield said.

“Many of us are products of the [Civil Rights Movement]. When you are a product of that, it’s in your DNA. It’s what you believe about and fight for every day. We want millennials and Black Lives Matter to understand we are engaged at a different level.”

The CBC is currently working to increase its numbers through a political action committee formed in 1994.

Congressman Rep. Gregory Meeks, chairman of the CBC PAC, said he wants people who will come to Capitol Hill to “fight for economic growth, prosperity, and justice” for all Americans. He added that the CBC continues to fight for equal rights.

“Our 46 members are in some of the strongest leadership positions and have used their influence to make real and significant advancements in policies that put our country in better standing at home and globally, and allow Americans to thrive,” he said.

Contaminated water threatens Flint, Mich.

President Barack Obama declared an emergency exists in Flint, Mich. because of high levels of lead found in drinking water that can cause permanent physical damage to the city’s residents. The population of Flint is 57 percent Black. His declaration authorizes FEMA to coordinate disaster relief efforts to alleviate hardships and suffering.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is under fire for the water crisis, and faces demands for his resignation and even calls for his criminal prosecution. Snyder accepted responsibility for the catastrophe and outlined short-term and long-term promises to fix the problem.

High levels of lead have plagued Flint’s mu-

nicipal water supply for at least a year, prompting extensive emergency measures to keep residents safe. According to a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of victims, problems started when residents began getting water from the Flint River instead of from Lake Huron via Detroit’s water system.

The move was announced as a temporary, costcutting measure until Flint could get Great Lakes water on its own. Residents began complaining of strangely colored tap water which was found to have elevated levels of lead.

Health effects listed in the lawsuit include skin lesions, hair loss, vision loss, memory loss, depression and anxiety.

PRESIDENT AND MRS. OBAMA honored the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by participating in a day of service project at a Washington, D.C. elementary school with numerous students from military families.

They were joined by participants in the White House Mentorship and Leadership Program, AmeriCorps members and students, parents and teachers at the school. The Obamas helped construct planters with grow lights, planted vegetables and created labels to place in the planters, which will be part of a MLK garden at the school. They also assembled backpacks filled with books related to healthy eating and Dr. King’s life story……..BLACK COLLEGE STUDENTS who attend predominantly white institutions face unique, hidden mental health challenges according to a new study from Vanderbilt University. The study found that Black students often have to prove their intellectual worth in the face of bigotry.

“Weathering the cumulative effects of living in a society characterized by white dominance and privilege produces a kind of physical and mental wear and tear that contributes to a host of psychological and physical ailments,” said study co-author Ebony McGee, an assistant professor of diversity and urban schooling.

“We have documented alarming occurrences of anxiety, stress, depression and thoughts of suicide, as well as a host of physical ailments like hair loss, diabetes and heart disease,” she said…….. REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE BEN CARSON temporarily suspended his presidential bid when four members of his campaign team were involved in a fatal car accident in Iowa, where the first votes in the nomination process will be cast. A 25-yearold campaign volunteer died after a van transporting team members hit a patch of ice, flipped on its side and was struck by another vehicle. One poll shows Carson running fourth in Iowa behind Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Marco Rubio.

VOLUME 85 • NUMBER 12 JANUARY 21, 2016

Publisher Sonceria Messiah-Jiles Advertising/Client Relations Selma Dodson Tyler Online Editor ReShonda Billingsley Art Director Tony Fernandez-Davila

Print Editor Marilyn Marshall Multimedia Coordinator LaGloria Wheatfall Sports Editors Max Edison Darrell K. Ardison Contributing writers Jasemine Knowles Amber Vernon

The Defender newspaper is published by the Houston Defender Inc. Company (713-663-6996.. The Defender is audited by Certified Audited Circulation. (CAC). For subscription, send $60-1 year to: Defender, P.O. Box 8005, Houston TX 77288. Payment must accompany subscription request. All material covered by 2012 copyright. (No material herein may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher).

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JANUARY 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER

entertainment

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Should Blacks boycott the Oscars?

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By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

he Hollywood film industry is once again under scrutiny after actors and actresses of color were shut out of Oscar nominations for the second year in a row.

The 20 nominees for best acting in leading or supporting roles are all white, and in protest, Jada Pinkett Smith and Spike Lee will boycott the 2016 Academy Awards, which will be held on Feb. 28.

Chris Rock will host the show and jokingly tweeted, “The #Oscars. The White BET Awards.”

Lee, who received an honorary Oscar this past November, said he appreciates the award, Chris Rock w ill “However my wife, Mrs. Tonya Lewis Lee previously ho host the 2016 Academ vious re p a at y Awards, an sted in 200 y. ill n o W m d re an ce 5. d and I, will not be attending the Oscar ceremony ith her husb boycott this year’s w n w o sh tt Smith, id she will ke sa in P y, n a o d this coming February. We cannot support it and m Ja re Awards ce Academy mean no disrespect to my friends, host Chris “I don’t know if avoiding it altogether is goRock and producer Reggie Hudlin, president ing to help, but I just think we have to continue to [Cheryl Boone] Isaacs and the Academy.

“But, how is it possible for the second consecutive year all move forward,” Nash said. “We have this awareness and this spotlight – we’ve got to look at other 20 contenders under the actor category are white?” Lee asked. work. There’s other work out there that I think was Smith delivered a video message on Facebook saying that missed. We’ve just got to do better.” people of color should not be ignored.

The NAACP has suggested that television view“At the Oscars...people of color are always welcomed to ers “switch the channel” after the Academy Awards give out awards...even entertain, but we are rarely recognized “severely overlooked” diversity. for our artistic accomplishments,” she said. “Should people of “With the announcement of the nominees for the color refrain from participating all together? People can only 88th Academy Awards, the contributions of people treat us in the way in which we allow.” of color to the movie industry – both in front of and She also addressed Rock and said, “Hey Chris, I will not behind the cameras – have once again been severely be at the Academy Awards and I won’t be watching, but I can’t think of a better man to do the job at hand than you, my friend.” overlooked,” said the civil rights organization. “…It’s time the Academy recognizes the value and Though Smith’s husband, Will Smith, delivered a powerthe voice of people of color and until they do, we should ful performance in “Concussion,” he wasn’t nominated for an switch the channel until that old guard can reflect and Oscar. Other actors of color considered snubbed include Idris respect what people of color bring to the table.” e Elba in “Beasts of No Nation,” Benicio Del Toro in “Sicario” ken” by th “heartbro as w t, Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs, a Black n and Michael B. Jordan in “Creed.” e d presi , Academy woman, said more must be done to promote diversity. one Isaacs One actress opposed to a boycott is Janet Hubert, who Cheryl Bo . ck actors “I’d like to acknowledge the wonderful work of played Aunt Viv on “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” Hubert, who has snub of Bla this year’s nominees,” Isaacs said. “While we celebrate changes to diversity our membership in the last four years. But feuded with Will Smith, blasted Jada Pinkett Smith. the change is not coming as fast as we would like. We need to “For you to ask other actors, and other Black actresses and their extraordinary achievements, I am both heartbroken and frustrated about the lack of inclusion. This is a difficult but do more, and better and more quickly.” actors, too, to jeopardize their career and their standing…you important conversation, and it’s time for a big change…

A 2012 Los Angeles Times survey found that Oscar voters know damn well you don’t do that,” Hubert said.

“As many of you know, we have implemented are nearly 94 percent white and 77 percent male.

Actress Niecy Nash isn’t sure if a boycott is the answer.

January 29 February 21 BY

ROBERT SCHENKKAN KEVIN MORIARTY

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 21 | 2016

cente

Dr. John Rudle

TSU LEGA

Outgoing president talks pas

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Background

• Interim chancellor, University of Houston System; interim president, UH; vice chancellor/vice president for administration and finance, UH • Vice chancellor for business and finance, Tennessee Board of Regents • Special assistant to Secretary of U.S. Department of Education Lamar Alexander • Vice president for fiscal affairs, TSU • Accountant, Coopers and Lybrand • Licensed certified public accountant, State of Tennessee • B.B.A. degree, University of Toledo; M.Ed, Administration and Supervision and Ed.D, Administration, Tennessee State University • Married to Dr. Docia Rudley; two children • Hometown, Benton Harbor, Mich.

By MARILYN MARSHALL Defender

exas Southern University President Dr. John Rudley shocked the community when he announced during winter commencement that he would step down at the conclusion of the 2015-2016 academic year.

“When I arrived eight years ago, I always felt that I would come in with [President] Obama and go out with him,” Rudley said. “Today, I know that my instincts were correct. I thank you all for your support during my time as president of Texas Southern University.”

Rudley became TSU’s 11th president in 2008 after holding key leadership positions at the University of Houston. One of his first priorities was to change TSU’s open admissions policy.

“A lot of people didn’t want TSU to change and wanted us to continue to be an open admissions university,” Rudley said. “But TSU can’t be all things to all people.”

Since that time, Rudley has instituted numerous other changes.

“We’ve arrived at the place where I wanted us to arrive and now it’s time to figure out a new episode at TSU,” he said.

In a recent Q&A session with Houston’s Black newspaper publishers, Rudley talked about his tenure at TSU and what lies ahead.

Q. What is your legacy and what should TSU continue to do?

A. My legacy is one of making sure the university wasn’t closed.

Not only is TSU still here but it’s very viable. I’ve go the dark days and hard times. I hope that the next gro will protect what we’ve done…The next administrati to recruit students to build the enrollment. We’re abo we can get back to 10,000 and then get to 12,000 I right size for TSU. Q. What would be your message to alumni a supporters?

A. I would say for Black entities in general, w support Black leadership. Quit tearing down your l work with them. That would be my message to all TSU has had a history of people being critical of th have to have more pride and recognize that we hav making sacrifices of not being popular. I wasn’t a p the first day I arrived here. Since I’ve been here I’v People now say, ‘I disagree with you but I know w doing is the right thing for the university.’ We have where TSU can take its rightful place among HBC we can do that is to support our leadership.

Q. What are you going to miss most about T A. The athletic program. It was mess [due to N but we won six championships last year. [At one p brand new stadium and we almost didn’t have a fo way you cripple a football program is take away sc

Rudley’s accomplishment Here is a partial list of accomplishments under John Rudley’s leadership at TSU:

2008

• Changed senior administrative leadership within all departments.

• Taken off probation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

• Provided administrative recovery and action plan to receive $13 million in contingency funds appropriated to assist TSU. • Led the university through Hurricane Ike and recovery efforts with FEMA resulting in reimbursement of $38 million.

• Rehabilitated university facilities, including Sterling Student Center, Sawyer Auditorium and the plaza.

• Re-engaged philanthropic community to invest in TSU.

2009

• Managed successful legislative session resulting in additional support for TSU. • Developed balanced budget with growing reserve; received clean audits.

• Developed facilities plan to create more inviting campus.

• Launched groundbreaking partnership with Port of Houston Authority to create a Maritime Transportation Management and Security program with a commitment of $2 million from Port.

2010

• Collaborated with Dynamo soccer team to be partner in new $83 million stadium to open in 2012.

• Instituted successful faculty/staff annual fund campaign in 2010 with 70 percent participation.

• Developed Urban Academic Village to re-invigorate undergraduate experience; launched later with 390 freshmen and $2.74 million Houston Endowment grant.

• Launched two online master’s degree opportunities.

2011

• Utilized special federal bonding program to refinance $65 million in bonds for parking garages and residence halls, saving $19 million over 20 years.

• Began construction of $31 million Technology Building.

• Developed residential housing plan to support up to 50 percent of students living on campus.

• Partnered with Houston Community College for remedial program.

• Established TSU-TV in Company.

• Increased future student dormitory.

• Developed Confucius In government and Beijing J • Started largest student ch 100 Black Women.

• Partnered with U.S. Post of Barbara Jordan Foreve

• Refinanced additional $ federal HBCU Finance p • Joined City of Houston Redevelopment Authority • Signed MOU with the E Agency (EPA) to help tra policy, economics and oth • Made agreement with C courses leading to master for city employees.

defendernetwork.com • Serving t

erfold

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otten TSU through oup that comes in tion has to continue out 8,300 now. If I think that’s the

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we have to really leaders and try to TSU supporters. he institution. We ve leaders who are popular person ve earned respect. what you’ve been e to get to the point CUs, and one way

TSU? NCAA sanctions] point] we had a ootball team. The cholarships, don’t

let them recruit anybody and take practice time away from you. The six-year graduation rate for our athletes is 54 percent. Those student athletes are doing a great job and I’m really proud of them. When they walk across the stage they made a commitment to TSU and represented TSU on the field and then they graduated. I’m so proud of them.

Q. What will you do after you leave TSU? A. This is the first time in nine years that I will listen to a lot of offers that I have received... People will be talking to me about how they’re looking for senior management to solve some problems and I may look at those opportunities. I’ll have enough quiet time to think about it.

Q. Do you want to be a college president again?

A. It would depend on whether a college has the resources and cohesiveness that I’ve asked TSU to have. You can be president of the University of Michigan and all you have to do is give speeches, go to dinners and raise money. At 25 or 30 of the best institutions in this country you don’t have to manage anything. It depends if it’s going to be a traditional president’s job, which is not what I have been doing.

I won’t be fading away in August. I’ll just be doing something different. I am satisfied with what I’ve been able to accomplish here and I’ve used every resource and every contact to make a better education for our students.

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partnership with Comcast Cable

2012

t housing with 800-bed freshman

nstitute partnership with Chinese Jiaotong University. hapters of 100 Black Men and

stal Service for national unveiling er Stamp.

2013

$69 million in bonds through the program. and the Fifth Ward y to revitalize Deluxe Theatre.

Environmental Protection ain students in environmental her areas.

City of Houston to provide r’s in Public Administration

Dr. John Rudley presents an honorary doctorate degree to TSU alum Michael Strahan.

defendernetwork.com Dr. John Rudley answers questions about his final semester, what people would be surprised to know and what the title of his autobiography would be.

2014

• Appointed by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to serve on HBCU Capital Financing Advisory Board.

• Thurgood Marshall School of Law admitted to membership in Association of American Law Schools.

• Joined seven other state institutions to form Texas Physics Consortium.

• Received $1 million award from National Science Foundation program.

• MSNBC returned to TSU to launch the national conversation on “Growing Hope.”

Rudley addressed TSU

A Compass Stadium.

Tiger fans at the new BBV

2015

• Secured funding for new $60 million library.

• Traveled to 40 Texas high schools on recruitment bus tour.

• Continued extensive landscaping initiatives, including new entrances at Wheeler and Tierwester.

• Launched civil, electrical and computer engineering programs.

• Graduated largest class in May 2015 with 1,017 students receiving degrees.

the Houston area for over 80 years

Rudley and TS a $1 million U officials received from dollar pledge Kase Lawal endowmen to fund the the first inst t.

CAMAC Inte allment of rnational Co rporation

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DEFENDER | JANUARY 21 | 2016

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sports

Rockets finally get it together this season

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By MAX EDISON Defender

he Houston Rockets, the one winner in the city sports fans thought they could depend on, are finally beginning to play the type of basketball we expect from the Western Conference finalist.

Sports fans in Houston needed something to bring them out of the doldrums after the Texans’ embarrassing playoff adventure and the Rockets are “Johnny on the spot.” Whatever the reason, the Rockets are playing their best ball of the season.

Interim head coach J.B. Bickerstaff seems to have finally implanted his thumbprint on the Rockets’ DNA. As a result the team has finally improved their record above the .500 mark.

During the turnaround the team has shown that they are much more than just a group wildly throwing up a bunch of threes.

“We’ve got guys who can make shots, guys who can make plays, guys who can put pressure on the ball defensively,” Bickerstaff said. “So we’re not a one dimensional team. People would like to think that we live and die with the three-point shot, but we’ve got two of the most imposing paint players in the game.

“Dwight Howard is in there and James Harden gets to the rim. We can beat you on nights when we’re not making the three.”

A key contributor to the Rockets resurgence has been the improved performance of the bench.

Bickerstaff is quick to acknowledge the difference quality depth has played.

“One of the things that we thought, coming into this year is that we had good depth,” he said.

“We had the ability to score in different ways.

“Marcus Thornton is able to come off the bench and get hot. Terrence Jones these past couple of games has been great off the bench, bringing great energy and great lift.”

Bickerstaff believes after a slow start to the season, the players have accepted the challenge of doing what it takes to regain their winning edge.

“Every night is a different challenge no matter who it is,” he said. “Our team has stepped up to the challenge. We’ve played some of the best teams, we’ve beaten some of the best teams,” Bickerstaff said.

“As long as we bring that grit, that toughness, and we’re scrapping and defending, we have an opportunity to win. We have enough talented guys

Coach J.B. Bickerstaff said the team has improved after a slow start.

ry and play

ust stay hung id the Rockets m

sa Dwight Howard . er th toge

on the offensive end that we can get buckets and score.”

Small forward Trevor Ariza attributes an improved effort on defense as the key to the team’s recent good fortune.

Trevor Ariza sa “I think that for us getting stops is imporid an improved the team. effort on defe nse has helped tant,” Ariza said. “When we play defense it allows us to get out on the break. It allows us to get easy lay-ups. Late in the game, when we success. do have to shoot big threes we’ve got a little bit “No matter what happens we’ve got to stay better rhythm. hungry,” Howard said. “We get a couple of wins, “When we play together, trust each other both we have to want more. We have to want more out offensively and defensively, don’t turn the ball of ourselves, out of the team. That’s the only way over, move the ball and play together, we always, we’re going to get to where we want to be. All we always have a good chance to win,” Ariza said. have to do is play together and trust each other and Center Dwight Howard feels that in order for good things will happen.” the winning ways to continue the team must crave

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JANUARY 21 | 2016 | DEFENDER

h.s.zone

sportsbriefs

Hughes living a dream at Yates High School

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By DARRELL K. ARDISON Defender

ock Hughes II is fulfilling a dream. That’s because the 6-foot-3 Jack Yates High School sophomore shooting guard has always wanted to don the crimson and gold uniforms of the perennial powerhouse state championship contending Lions of Houston’s Third Ward.

“I’ve been dreaming of playing for Yates my whole life, since I was little,” Hughes said.

“I used to come to every game and I would see them dunking in warm-ups. I’m a part of it now.

“My dad [Jock Hughes Sr.] is really responsible for developing my game. We lived right down the street from Yates. We’d go down there and practice every day. It just made me better.”

The youngest Hughes is a highlight reel waiting to happen. Utilizing either hand effectively, he can power to the rim with authority, pull-up for the mid-range jumper or set up behind the three-point arc. He served notice of his unlimited potential by making the JY varsity squad as a freshman.

“That kid is going to be something special,” said Barnett Stadium assistant coordinator George Walker II.

Hughes is an “A” student and the grandson of the legendary Eddie Hughes, a two-sport star at Yates during the early 1960s. His favorite NBA players include Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook.

“I gained a lot of confidence when I made the varsity as a freshman,” Hughes said. “Not many freshmen play varsity and I took on the challenge. I wasn’t nervous and I knew I belonged.”

Hughes scored 11 points in the Lions’ 110-57 victory over Sharpstown at Barnett fieldhouse recently. Yates is battling with Madison and

9

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Find out how Bellaire girls fared against Westside

North Forest for supremacy in District 20-5A. Another long foray into the postseason could be on the horizon.

Yet Hughes says he and his teammates are not looking that far down the road. There is a district championship to be decided.

“We know there are a number of good teams in Class 5A,” Hughes said. “We’re really not worried about that right now. We’re just looking to compete against anybody.”

Hughes can impact the game whether he starts or comes off the bench. Yates head coach Greg Wise says his starting lineup is determined by the opponent the Lions are facing and what he like to get accomplished at the beginning of each game.

“He’s a great kid with a good head in terms of being a team player,” said Yates head coach Greg Wise. “You couple that with his talent level and I wanted to make sure that he got varsity experience last year.

“Now that he’s a sophomore as he gets stronger and more confident we’re going to see his game grow,” Wise said. “Jock is about half as good as he’s going to be. The sky is the limit for him.”

Ward wins Campbell Award Houston Cougar junior quarterback Greg Ward Jr. was recently named the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award winner. Ward, a Tyler native, became the first Houston quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, finishing the year with 1,108 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns to go along with 2,828 passing yards with 17 touchdowns. Ward ranked ninth nationally in completion percentage, completing 232-of-345 passes on the year, while throwing just six interceptions, seventh-best nationally among quarterbacks with at least 300 attempts. Ward was one of five finalists for the award, joined by Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield, Baylor’s Corey Coleman and TCU’s Trevone Boykin and Josh Dotson.

Astros to play in Mexico Major League Baseball, the MLB Players Association and Mexico City Mayor Dr. Miguel Mancera announced that the Astros will play two exhibition games vs. the San Diego Padres, March 26-27, at Estadio Fray Nano in Mexico City. The stadium, which was recently renovated, is the home of the Diablos Rojos de Mexico of the Mexican Baseball League. The exhibition series is part of an ongoing collaboration between MLB, the MLBPA and the Mexico City Mayor’s Office to promote the sport of baseball in Mexico.

The series will mark the return to country for the Astros, who also appeared in the last MLB games played in Mexico City, a two-game spring training series against the Florida Marlins in 2004. Houston has also participated in international spring training contests in the Dominican Republic (2000) and Venezuela (2001).

Roubique gets win No. 600 Cy-Fair High School head girls’ basketball coach Ann Roubique won the 600th game of her illustrious career with a 64-44 victory over Cypress Lakes recently. The school will honor Roubique for the achievement prior to the Jan. 29 Langham Creek game at Cy-Fair. Roubique has won two state championships and nine district titles.

She has guided the Bobcats to four state tournaments and 10 regional tournaments. Cy-Fair is currently 2-3 in a hotly-contested District 17-6A race. “A lot of people had something to do with the success,” Roubique said. “From the kids to the coaching staff, everything is a team effort.”

III-5A schools ranked About Jock Hughes Birth date – April 17, 2000 Birth sign – Aries Favorite subject – Science Favorite meal – Spaghetti Favorite color - Red How he relaxes – Listens to music, plays video games Who he looks up to – His parents World problem he would solve – Hunger

Seven Region III-5A schools were ranked in the latest Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 poll. The list included top-ranked Fort Bend Elkins, Fort Bend Bush, Houston Yates, Fort Bend Marshall, Kingwood Park, Beaumont Central and Beaumont Ozen. Yates head coach Greg Wise believes four of those schools are capable of winning the regional tournament and securing a berth in the state tournament when March rolls around. “It’s all about playing well at the end of the season,” said Wise, who had guided the Lions to four state titles during his tenure at the school. “From what I’ve seen this season, Beaumont Central, Bush and Elkins are definitely in the conversation. We’ve got some more growing and improving to do but we’re in the conversation as well,” Wise said. “That’s based on the experience these teams gained from last year and the players they had coming back.”

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10 DEFENDER | JANUARY 21 | 2016

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Stretch the effectiveness of your workout We’ve all heard that you should warm-up before a workout, but according to sports medicine experts at Baylor College of Medicine, stretching is often misinterpreted as a warm-up, and a proper warm-up before exercise that includes dynamic stretches is most beneficial.

“Dynamic warm-up programs have been shown to prevent injuries,” said Dr. Theodore Shybut, sports medicine expert and assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at Baylor. “The real key for athletes is learning an appropriate warm-up routine for their sport and incorporating it into their training.”

A proper warm-up to exercise is done by using dynamic movements that ramp up in intensity and eventually mimic the activity you will be participating in, according to Meghan McKay, athletic trainer with Baylor.

“Warm-ups should focus on warming up the body for your activity,” said McKay. “When the warm-up is complete, you should have an increased

heart rate and be breaking a sweat.”

According to Shybut, warm-ups should be tailored to sports demands.

For example, if you’re playing soccer, a typical warm-up should include walking lunges, side squats, walking toe touches, ball touches, gradual springs, backpedals and shuttles.

Ideally, you should warm up and cool down all body parts. If you’re limited on time, focus on those that are primarily used for the activity and do the next closest body part secondarily, said McKay. After exercising, focus on long, slow stretches for each major body part.

The best approach is to go slowly into the stretch, hold for 20 to 30 seconds and repeat three to five times per body part and side.

When cooling down, you should go into the stretch until you feel discomfort, not pain. If repeating the same stretch three to five times, you should be able to get a little further into the stretch than the previous time.

Fewer Texans face medical bill problems Fewer Texans say they have problems paying their medical bills in 2015 compared with 2013, according to a new report released by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy and the Episcopal Health Foundation.

The report found that since enrollment began in the Affordable Care health insurance marketplace, the percentage of Texans who reported problems paying health care bills dropped from 25.8 percent in 2013 to 22 percent in 2015.

The drop was consistent across income levels and health insurance status and corresponds with national data showing the percentage of adults reporting problems paying medical bills dropped across the U.S. “The fact that Texans had fewer problems paying their medical bills in 2015 is good news,” said Vivian Ho, director of the institute’s Center for Health and Biosciences, a professor of economics at Rice and a professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine.

“One reason fewer Texans are having problems paying medical bills is because more Texans now have health insurance. However, one in five Texans still has problems affording health care. And it’s no surprise our data show the uninsured and those with lower incomes continue to struggle paying those bills more than anyone else.”

The report found that 30 percent of uninsured Texans reported problems paying their health care costs in 2015, down from 35 percent in 2013. Researchers found just 20 percent of those with health insurance said they had problems paying medical bills last year, down from 23 percent in 2013.

When it comes to skipping health care services because of cost, the report found uninsured Texans are more likely to skip all services (primary care, specialist care, prescription drugs, etc.) than those with insurance. However, researchers discovered fewer uninsured Texans said they skipped getting care in 2015 compared with 2013.

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Rev. 1/2016 / #3315.1

JANUARY 21 | 2016 DEFENDER

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Happening in Houston

For event coverage email: events@defendermediagroup.com

topevents

15

GARDERE MLK ORATORY COMPETITION……..The Gardere Wynne Sewell BHS founder Ovide Duncantell, Helen Johnson, Rev. James Nash, Sylvester Brown, law firm hosted its 20th Annual MLK Jr. Oratory Competition finals at Antioch DeWayne Lark, Eboni Davis, Sonya McDonald, Kim Banes, Patsy Lewis, Mary Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Houston. Twelve students from various Wiley, Sheryl Holland, Monique Peagues, Auseri Joseph, Kayla McDonald, Alyssa elementary schools competed as finalists and three took home the top three awards.

Cervantes, Kandi Eastman and Conni B. A special performance was provided by Claude Treece emceed the event and the musical interlude was performed by the KimberlyWiley-Jules……..MLK GRANDE PARADE ……..The 22nd Annual Salvation Army Harbor Light Choir. Winners were: First place, Richard EspinozaMLK Grande Parade was held in downtown Houston with the theme of “It Takes a Garza; second place, Kyle Mosley; and third place, Brandalyn Village.” More than 300 culturally diverse performing groups from Thompson. Those in attendance included Madyson Roland, Defender TOP EVENTS across the U.S., marching bands including the nationally acclaimed More photos on defendernetwork.com Mya Carrillo, Olutobi Adeyeri, Malak Albarguthi, Samuel St. Augustine Marching 100, and other organizations showcased See Events on KTRK Ch.13’s ‘Crossroads’ Pratt, Ga’Brielle North, Jessie Dozier, Cam’Ron Dancy, their support as they paraded down San Jacinto and Elgin streets. with Melanie Lawson on Sunday Morning Morgan Childs, Jolanda Jones, and Lucy Bremond. Judges Those in attendance included Mayor Sylvester Turner, Ashley included Yolanda Smith, Melanie Lawson, Judge Vanessa Turner, Rushion McDonald, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, Gilmore, Judge George Hanks Jr., Leonard Baynes, Rhonda Skillern-Jones and Sandra Massie Hines, Michael Harris, Shari Bihms, Meamour Jones, Teclesha Rayford Irvin……..BLACK HERITAGE SOCIETY BANQUET……..The Blanchard, Annette Mouton, Rabeea Collier and Robert Collier. Milby High Black Heritage Society (BHS) held its 38th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Awards School, Scarborough High School, Sterling High School, West Oso High School, Banquet at the CWA Reception Hall. Recipients included Adriana Casenave, David KIPP Energized, Harris County Sheriff Department, Buffalo Soldiers were among Collins, Trula Samuel, Rev. Willie Davis and Ron Jemison. The guest list included the many parade participants.

Lucy Bremond, Jolanda Jones

Jacqueline Bostic, Claude Treece

Eboni Davis, Sonya McDonald, Kim Banes, Patsy Lewis, Mary Wiley, Sheryl Holland

Shari D. Bihms, Michael Harris

Monique Peagues, Auseri Joseph, Kayla McDonald

Meamour Jones, Teclesha Blanchard, Annette Mouton

Brandalyn Thompson, Claude Treece, Kyle Mosley, Richard Espinoza-Garza

Alyssa Cervantes, Kandi Eastman, Conni B.

Buffalo Soldiers ride in the parade.

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12 DEFENDER | JANUARY 21 | 2016

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