Inspire

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INSPIRE MAGAZINE

Spring 2019

EMPOWERING, ENLIGHTENING AND ENTERTAINING

Issue 1 • Volume 3

BRIANNA

ANNA PUTEGNAT GARCIA

VELA GARCIA

Your chance to win a

$25 certificate Details inside

What you

WOMEN TO

NEED TO KNOW

before having plastic surgery

WATCH

MEGAN RIOJAS

Traveling the world learning to cook

From Donna with love Volunteers create many cancer hats

LIZ CHARLES

Helping women seek their dreams

They’re our future women leaders Editor

Lisa Seiser

Content

TEAM

Graphic Design

Graphic Design

Valerie Hernandez

Victor Cerda

Graphic Design

Graphic Design

Kevin Sauceda

Ana Villaurrutia

Young, smart, well-spoken, motivated and passionate about what they do.

These are the qualities of our four Women to Watch in this edition of Valley Women Inspire. So often, our features in this quarterly publication have been focused on middle-aged to older women because of their lifetime of experiences and accomplishments. Those qualities lead to inspiration.

However, there are many women out there in their 20s, 30s and early 40s whose stories deserve to be told as well. They, too, are inspiring, just like their older counterparts, even if they are closer to the beginning of their careers.

It is important to note, we have found women in academia, business and culinary fields.

Anna Putegnat Garcia and Liz Charles have an energy and desire to meet new people every day.

Brianna Vela Garcia spends her days with children in the Harlingen schools and Megan Riojas is far away in Paris chasing her dream as a chef.

They all have a few qualities in common — dreams and desires for success now and into the future.

While this group of four women is special, we understand there are many more whose stories should and will be told in upcoming edi-

tions of this publication.

Valley Women Inspire magazine isn’t just about looking at the past and celebrating accomplishments, it is also about looking ahead to who will be the future women leaders in the area and beyond.

In this edition, we also want to motivate you with stories about successful women, such as area top realtor Zintiha Loya and grant writing business owner Linda Alaniz, who has helped districts around the state haul in $400 million in grants.

And, if you’re thinking about having plastic surgery, we will help you with the questions and issues to consider before moving forward.

This is the first edition of our third year publishing Valley Women Inspire.

For some of you, this is your first experience with our magazine. This is also the first time it has been included inside sister publications the Valley Morning Star and Brownsville Herald.

It is something we hope to continue for our subscribers and a way to reach more people with this popular publication.

As always, enjoy this edition of Valley Women Inspire.

Lisa Seiser

Inspire

Fill (someone) with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.

Find us on : https://www.facebook.com/InspireMagazine250727555359202/ @InspireRGV

Have a story idea? lseiser@valleystar.com 956.430.6215

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Inspire is published four times each year by the Valley Morning Star and Brownsville Herald © Copyright 2019 AIM Media Texas

Editor

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Sales

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Send us an email or note by May 31 stating specifically where you found the butterfly and be entered to win a $25 gift certificate to the advertiser of your choice in this publication.

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Photographer

Jordan McDonald

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Writer

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Other Contributors

Include your name, phone number, address, the page and specific location of the butterfly as well as the business you would like to receive the gift certificate from.

Writers Steve Clark Digital content Diana Maldonado

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Nadia TamezRobledo Photography Miguel Roberts

Spring 2019 • Inspire

Send your answer to: lseiser @valleystar.com or to the Valley Morning Star, Attention Lisa Seiser, at 1310 S. Commerce, Harlingen, TX 78552

Representative

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This contest is open to everyone 18 and older, except for employees and family members of employees of AIM Media Texas, the publishers of Valley Women Inspire Magazine.

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Dress rentals offer all the glamour at smaller price Story Nadia Tamez-Robledo Photos Miguel Roberts Elegant A-lines.

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They offer the kind of sophistication called for by a once-in-a-lifetime special occasion — if you’re willing to pay what’s on the price tag.

But Delia Aguilar is making it less costly for women to access those types of upscale garments at Glamorous Dress Rental in Brownsville.

She purchased the business in 2017, when it had a selection of 150 special occasion dresses. Now customers heading to a prom, wedding or quinceañera have about 600 dresses to pick from.

“I really liked the idea. I think people are changing,” Delia says. “Now they’re not very close-minded like they were before about rentals.”

What drew Delia to the industry was

the idea that customers could still wear a beautiful gown without paying full price.

Why invest $200 or more in a garment that will only be worn once, she says, when a rental dress is available for $40 or $60?

The last time Delia was cleaning out her closet, she found dresses she had forgotten about and had to wonder how much money had been spent on them.

“You change your mind like we like to change our hair color,” she says of women’s continually-evolving tastes.

In addition to all manner of dresses, customers who rent a garment from Glamorous Dress Rental can also borrow jewelry and a purse at no additional charge.

When Delia first took over the business, she remembers customers were self-conscious about letting others know their outfit was a rental for fear of judgement.

Spring 2019 • Inspire

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“I hear people say, ‘I didn’t say I rented the dress. I said I bought it,’” Delia says.

“That doesn’t mean you don’t have the money. Even actresses (at awards shows), that’s not their dress. I think it’s because you want to show an image like you have money, that you have the money to buy it.”

But she can see that attitude shifting as customers who are enthusiastic about her business model find her store, and her sales steadily increase month after month.

“I have a lot of customers who come, and they love renting. They let me use their pictures on social media and in advertisements,” Delia says.

It’s not just her receipts that show an upward trend. Online clothing rental companies like Rent the Runway and Le Tote became part of a global $1 billion industry as of 2017, according to Allied Market Research. That market is projected to grow by another $856 million within the next four years.

Most Glamorous Dress Rental customers are looking for dresses that rent for $60 or less, Delia says. While she offers dresses for more than $100, those tend to stay on the rack.

There is some risk in her business.

Delia charges a $25 deposit, which wouldn’t cover the full price of a dress, jewelry or a purse if it’s damaged. One customer walked out with a dress and

never brought it back. Even so, Delia sticks to that rate to keep the rentals affordable.

“Most of the time, the people are very good. They don’t want to lose the $25,” she admits.

In addition to the savings, Delia theorizes that social media plays a role in changing customer attitudes toward dress rentals.

Posting photos to platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat is part of going to events, she says. But people don’t want to be photographed in the same outfit over and over again.

No single demographic of women shop at the store, because it carries dresses for all ages. Girls come in more frequently around prom, and groups of women drop by when dressing for events, such as weddings or quinceañeras.

“Usually the whole family, (one woman) brings in the whole family for the same fiesta or wedding or quinceañera,” Delia says.

She’s optimistic her clientele will continue to return and grow as more people become open to the idea of renting formal wear for a special occasion.

“I’m hoping this year is going to be better than the last,” Delia says. “People didn’t know we have this here in Brownsville, so that gives me some hope we’re going to grow and have another store.”

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Exactly where she’s meant to be

BRIANNA VELA GARCIA Story and photo LISA SEISER

I

n the fall, you don’t have to search long or hard to find Brianna Vela Garcia.

She fully admits, Boggus Stadium “is her baby” and she basically “lives” there from August through November operating the scoreboard during football games and managing the advertisements on it.

At other times of the year, she’s in control of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District’s social media campaign, working with videographers to create perfect promotional materials or attending events and spending time in classrooms gathering the information to tell the district’s stories through various mediums.

Those facets and much more are all a part of her job as the HCISD marketing coordinator.

And she doesn’t want to be anywhere else.

“Honestly, I am blessed, at 27, most people aren’t in the careers they want to be in,” Brianna says while sitting at her desk in her neatly kept office in the district administration building.

“They are still working their way through. But, I literally feel like I am in my dream job. I am in a community that I love fully. I love that I have my world all here and I make a difference right here.”

The Harlingen native with a well-known Rio Grande Valley family name is a 2009 Harlingen High School graduate. She’s been with the school district for three years now.

“I am from this district, a product of the district and work for the district,” Brianna says. “I brand this district. I am so proud to be from here and now working here. It is my identity.”

Brianna Vela Garcia Age: 27 Hometown: Harlingen Profession: Marketing Coordinator at Harlingen CISD Enjoys: Running, exercising, spending time with her family and relaxing with her cat Future goal: Growing in the school district Role models: Her parents who have been supportive of her career choice in communication. Her husband Derick Garcia, a reporter at KVEO, Local 23, and her high school media technology teacher Danny Spear.

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Spring 2019 • Inspire

“

A

I think I am where I am because I do what makes me happy. Ever since I had the happiness of broadcasting in the studio here, I have made it a point to do what makes me happy and be with who makes me happy. As long as you are hustling toward what you want, you will be where you want to be.

So, it was not long ago that she discovered her passion inside the walls of Harlingen High School. When she was a freshman, Brianna was placed into a media technology class.

The intro course changed her life.

Overcoming her shyness, she became the anchor of the school’s Cardinal Newscast as a senior. Brianna obtained her bachelor’s degree in mass communication/ broadcast journalism from the University of Texas-Pan American.

During that time, she worked at Channel 4 posting online stories, working the social media and even had a morning segment on camera.

But, she knew in order to reach her goals, she had to continue her education.

Brianna left the Valley to attend the University of North Texas in Denton to study more journalism.

There, she learned about other aspects of communication and media, including

“

Brianna Vela Garcia | HCISD Marketing Coordinator

advertising and strategies. That’s where her interests turned to public relations.

She worked with Argyle ISD and then with the Texas Parent Teacher Association in Austin, as well as the Denton Chamber of Commerce.

All those experiences led her to where she is now.

“I knew the master’s had to happen at a journalism school and I knew I needed to go,” Brianna says, her framed degrees hanging on the wall behind her. “But, there is something special about Harlingen and the school district that I knew I needed to come back here.”

A large white desk calendar sitting in front of Brianna is filled with handwritten appointments in black and blue ink.

Every day seems to show more than one event or activity she has committed to.

“I love being around people and the concept of promoting and building a brand,” Brianna says confidently.

“Although I didn’t get to be a Good Morning America news anchor, my original teen dream, I still get to be a representation of something. And I enjoy that.”

Her happiness is evident as she speaks about the school district that guided her on her own path.

She believes the experience of finding her own way so early in her high school career helps convey all the possibilities within HCISD. “That is what we try to push in the school district, for the students to ‘find their why’ and ‘find their happiness,’” she says. “We offer these academies to get that flame lit early like I did. Having that decision already made in their early teens can send them toward their mindset and goal.”

It is what moved Brianna toward where she is right now.

“I love it here,” Brianna says. “I am really happy here and very fulfilled.”

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Anna Putegnat Garcia Taking on new challenges

F

or most people, the unknown that comes with change is viewed as scary.

But when doors open for Anna Putegnat Garcia, the future is an exciting opportunity to learn new things and meet new people.

“No matter what age you are, it’s always important to keep growing as a person and push yourself to the next level,” Anna says. “My goal is always to do the very best I can wherever I am.”

Her latest journey is as Senior Communications and Public Relations Coordinator for the Brownsville Public Utilities Board.

“I love the opportunity to go into a new realm with a new focus and be able to bring my talent to a different organization,” she explains about her new position.

But at the same time, Anna feels her departure at the end of March from the San Benito Chamber of Commerce is “bittersweet.”

From maintaining memberships and managing a strong social media presence to marketing local businesses, Anna’s former role as San Benito Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, came with “a million different hats.”

“I’ve learned so much from the San Benito Chamber of Commerce and I’m just so appreciative of all the doors that it opened and the experiences that I’ve been able to have,” Anna explains. “I couldn’t have done that without the board of directors that guide the chamber.”

In a day’s work, the goals of the

14

Spring 2019 • Inspire

chamber of commerce are to provide promotion for local businesses, create networking opportunities for members and provide educational business workshops to help foster, enable and facilitate the success of local businesses in San Benito.

“The chamber creates a community of like-minded individuals who truly want the best for their city,” Anna explains. “It’s a place where we can provide support to local business owners, whether it is with their social media presence or a financial book, the Chamber of Commerce is here to help.”

Anna says it was an amazing feeling to be a part of a business’ special day because she grew to love the business owners in San Benito.

“It’s an honor to be there for their ribbon cuttings and grand openings while surrounded by their families and friends,” she says. “You really get to see their dream become a reality.”

Being the director of the San Benito Chamber of Commerce was right up her alley.

Beginning with her first job in high school at Foot Locker, Anna has always had a job in sales.

“It’s been a completely sales background from Foot Locker and T-Mobile US Inc., to pharmaceutical sales, and the Wireless Xcessories Group then fundraising for the American Red Cross,” Anna says. “So, with any sort of fundraising or work with a nonprofit, I think you have to have a sales background because you’re constantly talking about your mission, organization and

Story ALANA HERNANDEZ Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ

AGE: 40 HOMETOWN: Brownsville BACHELOR’S DEGREE: Women’s studies, West Chester University TOP ROLE MODEL: Her mother CURRENT VOLUNTEER WORK: Leadership Brownsville, Inc., Brownsville Sunrise Rotary Club, Harlingen Concert Association PREVIOUS VOLUNTEER WORK: Girls Inc., American Red Cross South Texas, Dress for Success Philadelphia, Nationalities Service Center

promoting it.”

Anna’s passion for promoting and supporting local businesses began as a hobby.

“Promoting small local businesses is something that has definitely always intrigued me,” Anna says. “I’ve always had a passion to do social media blogging about unique shops and restaurants, events and festivals.”

Her social media background began when she created FYI Valley, a blog that showcases her sightseeing journeys at local businesses in the Valley.

After constantly hearing people say, “There’s nothing to do in the Valley,” Anna was inspired to create FYI Valley to show them otherwise.

“There are new businesses opening all of the time, but we’re just all very busy in our life that we just may not know what’s going on,” Anna explained. “My passion is to get out there and have a one-stop place to be able to talk about all of the really unique places we have here.”

Spending nearly a year with the San Benito Chamber of Commerce, Anna believes her biggest accomplishment with the organization was the Resaca City Bike Tour fundraiser.

“I’ve created and been in charge of a million fundraisers, but none of them have ever involved cycling, so that is something I had zero knowledge of,” she admits.

Anna decided to learn from the ground up.

“I went to cycling stores and found experts that helped me out. It was like cycling 101,” she says with a grin and a laugh.

The number of registrants of the event increased substantially and went from having about 154 cyclists last year to about 400 cyclists this year.

“We had a really successful event with a great positive turnout that brought people to San Benito,” Anna says. “It helped the chamber and had people stopping at restaurants and checking out the shops in town.”

Spring 2019 • Inspire

15

Story LISA SEISER Photo KENT HWANG

TRAVELING THE WORLD AND LEARNING TO COOK

V

I S I T I N G 8 0 R E S TA U R A N T S I N 2 8 E U R O P E A N C O U N T R I E S D U R I N G A S PA N O F T H R E E M O N T H S SOUNDS LIKE AN EXHAUSTING AND DAUNTING E X C U R S I O N . B U T, F O R C H E F M E G A N R I O J A S , I T W A S I N V I G O R AT I N G A N D I T A M P L I F I E D H E R PA S S I O N F O R T R AV E L A N D L O V E O F C U L I N A R Y EXPERIENCES. Formerly of Harlingen, the 25-year-old energetic chef now lives in one of the most iconic and famous cities in the world, running the kitchen as head chef at Molly’s, an Irish restaurant in Paris.

Speaking via video call from a ski resort in France, Megan’s smile was as clear as if she was right down the street. She was taking a well-deserved break from her busy life that includes working at least 40 hours a week, including nights, weekends and holidays at the restaurant making such food as chicken and waffles, fish and chips, burgers, and lamb with mashed potatoes.

When she’s not at work, she’s a full-time student at the ISG Business School in Paris seeking her bachelor’s degree in international business management.

That’s where she sees her culinary career heading – branching out into business versus staying in the kitchen.

But it was right there in the heart of the home where she learned to enjoy and developed the craft she is now really good at.

Ever since Megan was in third grade, she loved to cook. After the family’s trips around the world, they would come home and try to recreate the dishes they had just 16

Spring 2019 • Inspire

enjoyed. The Riojas family was a traveling type of group. In sixth grade, Megan says the family went to France and after that, living abroad became one of her main life goals.

However, when she was younger, cooking wasn’t at the top of the list as career potential.

Intelligent and vibrant, Megan really wanted to be a lawyer.

But, she had obtained some experience working at Luby’s Restaurant in Harlingen for several months prior to graduation from the Science Academy in Mercedes in 2011.

However, it didn’t look as if that would be her career. She thought cooking was more of a hobby. some So it

So, it took some convincing from throughout Europe to learn the her mother and brother to head dishes from the local to culinary school. It was a tworestaurants. Many of these travel year program, so Megan decided experiences can be watched on to give it a try. After taking a the Culinary Crossings YouTube semester off, she headed channel and a cookbook is in to Del Mar College in the works including Corpus Christi recipes from each of STICKING where she the countries found her visited.

T O T H E P L A Nculinary passion.

“That Whether it is in the have to try, you “I fell in experience was business or any indus th it. wi love with worth it,” she have an idea and stick s those seeking Megan Riojas suggest at it takes to it,” Megan says about the wh out their dreams to figure th it.” says about 28-country wi achieve and just “stay self what the goal is cooking. “It trip, which “I have to remind my it is an art cost more than lim ple peo me “So s. say and stay with it,” she and $50,000. “We lly do anything. themselves. You can rea rk on it. completely were able to try wo d an d Set your min different vibe different cuisines Northing comes easy.” than law. I would and have different be a different experiences. It was person. I really like project management and cooking.” managing people.”

It has led to her dream of It was a learning process, “seeing the world,” which she is which she says will make the still working on, along with next one even better. being a chef on a cooking show.

Culinary Crossings is a brand She created a business called Megan is now trying to expand.

Culinary Crossings and started a But she has run into some tour which included her two obstacles, which led her to go other chefs, and a couple of back to school to obtain her camera people, who traveled bachelor’s degree in

Central Park

➤ H ER NE X T ENDE AVO R It doesn’t appear as though Megan Riojas is going to open her own restaurant.

Instead, she has other goals in mind. She would like to mesh her love of travel and cooking by planning and leading tour groups around the country and world to learn and experience the various culinary styles and foods from different areas.

She says she enjoys planning trips and her knowledge of food and culinary creations and what’s best in each area would be imperative to leading the groups.

“Working in a kitchen is stressful,” she says. “I love it and it is fun, but I don’t know if I want to own my own restaurant.”

But, leading travel groups just might be her true calling.

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international business. It’s a goal she hopes to have completed by next year.

After that, she has her eyes set on a United States tour of the 50 states in 2021. A cookbook is expected to come from that endeavor as well. Following that tour, Megan also desires to travel to South America, Africa and Asia.

This millennial’s future plans mean never slowing down and continuing toward her plan to “travel the world and learn to cook” along the way.

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HELPING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS SUCCEED

L

iz Charles is a pessimist.

Never mind the effervescence, the quick laugh, the contagious energy.

The 29-year-old business counselor for the Women’s Business Center Rio Grande Valley sees the glass as half full, looks both ways before crossing a one-way street and sets her expectations low in order to avoid disappointment.

Still, she seems to be having a pretty good time, and besides, a little pessimism is 18

Spring 2019 • Inspire

healthy in business.

Liz’s job is about helping women who are aspiring or established entrepreneurs and want to start or grow a business.

“We help them with what the Small Business Administration calls the three C’s: counseling, capital and contracting,” she says.

Liz has been doing it since the center opened in 2016, the only Women’s Business Center south of San Antonio and one of five in Texas.

As the center’s first coun-

selor, Liz says she gets a mix of clients, whose business knowledge ranges from zero to some.

“I have people who have no idea what they want to start,” Liz says. “I have people who have the money but they don’t know what they want. And then I have people who don’t have any money but know exactly what they want to do.”

The first session is always exploratory, finding out exactly what kind of help the client needs. Liz always assumes the client knows nothing — again,

pessimism coming in handy.

And while she gives clients the tools they need to help ensure success, it’s not automatic, fast or even guaranteed.

“We always say while we hope for the best, we prepare for the worst,” Liz says. “What do we do? We help you in understanding what your business is going to look like not only next year but the year after that and the year after that.

“No, you’re not going to become a millionaire overnight, and no, you’re not going

AS A VERY ENERGETIC PERSON, THAT’S VERY TOUGH SOMETIMES. THAT WAS A LESSON THAT I REALLY HAD TO LEARN IN MY CAREER. TO LISTEN, ACTIVELY LISTEN, AND TO LEARN TO SHUT UP. to see returns overnight.”

In fact, starting a business can be scary, and women entrepreneurs tend to feel more comfortable talking about business with other women — one reason the center’s counseling services are so much in demand.

Born in Brownsville, Liz grew up in Houston and returned a decade ago to attend college. She admits she gets a kick out of driving

her mother around town when she’s visiting and pointing out all the businesses she helped start.

Liz has a double bachelor’s degree in entrepreneurship and marketing from the University of Texas at Brownsville and is working on her MBA via an accelerated online program through the University of Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

A Ph.D. is the next step

because she wants to teach business at the university level as a professor. She expects to complete her master’s degree by year’s end.

“I promised myself I would achieve my MBA before I turned 30,”Liz says as she closes in on that goal.

She’s spent 70 percent of her career in the nonprofit sector, and before the Women’s Business Center, worked at Valley Day & Night Clinic

as community outreach coordinator.

In that job, Liz says, she met other women who empowered her to apply for the center’s counseling position.

Her list of professional mentors is long, with too many names to mention, though it includes Andrea Benton, former executive director of the center, and Monica Garza, former member of the center’s advisory committee and human resources director at Valley Day & Night Clinic when Liz was there.

They are among the many women who provided valuable advice and imparted wisdom not necessarily taught in school, she says.

“There are some times where you have to learn to be quiet,” Liz says. “As a very energetic person, that’s very tough sometimes. That was a lesson that I really had to learn in my career. To listen, actively listen, and to learn to shut up.”

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Thinking about having

Plastic Surgery?

Local surgeon tells you what you should consider before making that decision Story ALANA HERNANDEZ Photo MARICELA RODRIGUEZ

T

he allure to obtain the perfect look is sought each day by many women.

Some try to rectify their “imperfections” with temporary alterations. While others, seek a permanent fix, and choose to go under the knife.

With surgery, there are two key considerations — whether it is a need or a want.

Opposed to most doctors who come into a person’s life when something tragic may be happening to them, plastic surgeons enter a person’s world on a more elective basis.

Beginning at a young age, Harlingenand Edinburg-based plastic surgeon Dr. Giovanna Ghafoori knew she wanted to become a doctor and it was her passion for art that guided her toward a career in plastic surgery.

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“Plastic surgery is a field where you have the opportunity to try to help people have a positive impact on their life when they’re trying to improve themselves,” she says. “And that’s what drives me. I like trying to make people happier and more comfortable with themselves.”

Why people have plastic surgery

According to Ghafoori, many patients “have just hit a brick wall.”

They’ve tried dieting and exercising, but are not seeing progress that’s making them look and feel better.

“An overwhelming majority of women and men just want to feel better about themselves and be restored,” Ghafoori explains. “Life has happened whether they’re young or old and they want to get back to a comfortable area.”

Most common procedures Liposuction and breast augmentation “take the top spots” as the most common procedures across the country, Ghafoori explains. The Brazilian butt lift is a “much newer procedure” that’s also gaining popularity.

However, Ghafoori says the surgical procedures she performs most are “a little bit different than most plastic surgeons around the United States.”

“You have a lot of moms in the Valley with a high cesarean rate so a lot of women get tummy tucks after C-sections,” Ghafoori says.

For patients here, the number one treatment is getting a ‘Mommy Makeover’ procedure.

“Rather than tackling just the tummy, it tries to get everything back into position,” Ghafoori says. “So, it’s doing the tummy tuck, breast augmentation and liposuction all at once.”

Correcting botched surgeries Ghafoori very commonly sees patients seeking help to fix problems and issues with breast implants and tummy tucks performed by other surgeons.

“In the beginning, I would actually decline to see those patients and then it got to be where it was just so many,” Ghafoori says. “Now, I do a lot of revisions, which I don’t enjoy doing because it’s frustrating.”

At one point, people with botched surgeries caused by other surgeons became about 50 percent of her business.

From what Ghafoori has observed, phenomenal plastic surgeons tend to be more in central Mexico, such as Mexico City. However, along the border, they’re not as proficient or as highly trained. The percentage fluctuates when the amount of people getting

surgeries across the border increases and decreases, according to Ghafoori.

“When you revise surgeries that didn’t have to be the way they are and you know that you can’t get them to where they probably would have been if they received a good surgery from the beginning, it is very frustrating,” Ghafoori says. “The patients are happy, but I’m not happy.”

According to Ghafoori, there are some surgeries that can’t be fixed.

Finding the right plastic surgeon According to Ghafoori, just because someone is board certified, doesn’t guarantee they’re a great or very artistic surgeon.

It means they have met a

certain minimal standard in order to receive that certification.

Therefore, that standard is much higher than the standard that might be applied by other disciplines who branched into plastic surgery.

“I do think board certification is important, but I just don’t think it’s that perfect safety net,” Ghafoori says.

Asking for recommendations and looking at photographs are also important. But Ghafoori advises people to remember the photographs they’re probably going to see are the doctor’s very best.

“Pictures of young, skinny, healthy, patients who were almost perfect to begin with are going to show better results than someone who had a rougher life and is older,” she

explains. “So, kind of keep a skeptical look when you go through things.”

Regarding recommendations from friends and acquaintances, Ghafoori believes they can be both good, but potential patients need to remember that some people recommend things they have done even if they are not very happy with the results.

Potential patients also need to look at where the procedures are being done, what kind of anesthesia is going to be available, and what kind of provisions or emergency setups are in place if something goes wrong.

“There will be some surgeons for example, who offer only local anesthesia,” Ghafoori says. “They can cite the wonderful things and advantages, but the problem

Spring 2019 • Inspire

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is if something desperate happened during the surgery, it may require a general anesthetic or support that would come along with that.

If that facility isn’t set up for that, that could be a real problem.”

Ghafoori believes not every patient is for every doctor and vice versa. But as long as a potential patient’s expectations stay realistic, their intuition will tell them more than anything.

“If everything is just all roses and too good to be true, there’s probably something more there,” Ghafoori says. “I think the most important thing is to be really comfortable with the doctor and have confidence in them because if you were to have a complication, this is the person you’re now ‘married’ to who will try to get you through that complication hopefully in the best way possible.”

The impact Over the years, plastic surgery has come a long way, Ghafoori says.

“There are a lot of misconceptions about plastic surgery, but it’s way more acceptable than it used to be,” she says.

Through her observance, often people don’t decide to have cosmetic surgeries because of their spouse or significant other.

A person’s looks can affect work, friendships and relationships, and so many patients have procedures because of how they’re going to feel about themselves to interact in the world.

“It’s for themselves to feel more comfortable in society because the bottom line is, the world is competitive and how we can look can definitely influence positively and negatively how the world interacts with us,” Ghafoori says. “It doesn’t matter if it’s right or wrong, it is just how it is.”

Personal experiences After investing a year of research into different doctors, a 34-year-old mother from

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Harlingen underwent surgeries with Ghafoori three years ago because she wanted to gain confidence and feel like her old self.

She said having had five children and breastfeeding took a toll on her body.

“When I was running, I wasn’t secure in myself,” she says, wanting to stay anonymous. “So, I would wear extra layers because I didn’t want anything bouncing around.”

As a result of childbirth, her diastasis recti was torn and created a separation of the abdominal muscle. Ghafoori repaired the muscle and two hernias on her stomach, removed extra skin around the area and gave her breast implants.

“It really boosted my confidence because before I felt dumpy,” Ghafoori’s patient says.

“Now I can wear my normal running tights and I don’t feel like I need to layer up because my stomach is jiggling. If you’re doing it for the right reasons, it can be very beneficial for your life.”

The 34-year-old woman says it’s important for people to

understand that it’s a “major surgery.”

“Some people want to go to Mexico and get a really quick and cheap cosmetic procedure and that’s really dangerous. I definitely wouldn’t recommend that,” she adds.

A 52-year-old grandmother from Edinburg received a brachioplasty, revision tummy tuck, liposuction and a fat graft with Ghafoori.

“The first tummy tuck that I had with a different surgeon wasn’t done with my satisfaction because I had ‘puppy dog ears’ on my hips and the stitching under the umbilical had torn,” says the patient, who wanted to remain anonymous.”So, Dr. Ghafoori went in and fixed it.”

Because the 52-year-old’s first surgery with another doctor didn’t turn out the way she expected, she recommends patients to get all of their questions answered so they can find a doctor that’s the best fit for them.

“When I went to Dr. Ghafoori, she told me the reality of what she could give me and if there was another expectation, she could not guarantee it,” the

52-year-old says. “However, I think she undersold herself because I didn’t expect something monumental and I ended up with something better than what she sold me so that spoke volumes about her as a doctor.”

She says she made the decision to have cosmetic surgeries because she wanted to be able to enjoy participating in her grandchildren’s daily activities and felt like she couldn’t because she was 342 pounds.

“My kids love the outcome of my surgeries because I’m able to do so much more like play and run around my grandchildren,” she says. “I feel great with my result.”

But, with television shows such as “Botched” and what Ghafoori suggests to be careful of, not all plastic surgery results are positive. Some can be life changing and tragic.

However, following these tips from Ghafoori and ensuring you understand exactly what you are having done and doing so for the right reasons, will hopefully keep you from having a negative or potentially disastrous result.

Communities In Schools of Cameron County is an evidence based dropout prevention program servicing at-risk youth for the past 24 years. Our mission has been to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.

Across the country, approximately 1 in 5 children under 18 live in poverty. These are disproportionately children of color who already struggle with issues of access and equity. Without community support, they are more at risk for missing school, dropping out and failing to earn a high school diploma. By helping our most vulnerable students stay in school and succeed in life, we are building stronger, healthier and more economically stable communities where every person is capable of reaching his or her greatest potential.

We invite you to our 8th Annual Fundraiser “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. The objective of this fundraiser event is to seek support and funds for the continuation of our mission, goals, and objectives in serving the community, especially at risk-youth. This event offers a fun time for females ages 21 and above to share and learn about local business, pamper themselves, and offer local businesses/companies an opportunity to grow in our community. The event will introduce approximately 500 women to local businesses offering: beauty, massages, and spa services; variety of vendors, restaurants, music, silent auction, door prizes and beverages will be available. Our event will take place on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at the Brownsville Event Center. Below are some of the highlights services that you can experience at this event:

BR-30120029

Words from Eva Perez: CISCC Executive Director Our program is one of kind, our staff each have a passion to assist students and families and will do whatever it takes to provide and meet the needs of students and families that are being serviced. Our staff will provide support guidance, a safe place to learn and grow, a caring adult that will be there for them, marketable skill upon graduation, and resources. We are the student’s voices. At Communities in Schools of Cameron County, we work with everyone to change the picture of education for 2500 kids every year. We do this by (1) keeping kids in school, (2) doing whatever it takes to eliminate barriers and, (3) we never give up on anyone.

I am inviting you to attend and support our Annual Fundraiser “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”. By supporting our event, you are investing in our youths. Our youths are our future communities’ leaders..

Love

Donna From

with

Women of Victoria Palms volunteer to create cancer hats

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Story and photo LISA SEISER

C

limbing up the steep steps of the activity building at Victoria Palms Resort, you can already hear chatting and laughing before that’s suddenly drowned out by the chugging sounds of sewing machines.

It is a Wednesday like most here at the park in Donna during the winter months. About 25 women trade an afternoon in the sun at the heated pool for three hours in the park’s

popular upstairs sewing room. But this gathering isn’t just about mutual enjoyment of a hobby.

Upon walking through the door, it is obvious, these women are on a mission and it’s one many have been participating in winter after winter.

For more than 15 years, volunteers, mostly Winter Texans, have worked on a weekly basis from January through March on project Cancer Hats.

On one side of the room, Sabina May and Sue Loomis are standing at a pair of large tables, unfolding the colorful fabric preparing to cut out the appropriate shapes for the hats.

Nearby, Reah Lindberg is doing the same thing.

Next to the doorway, June Wimmer is performing what seems to be the most despised job of them all, ironing. She’s the second step in the process before the pieces go to the middle of the room and a table of volunteers pinning in advance of the sewing.

Steps away, Flavia Berg works magic with her own sewing machine. At another table, there are clear plastic bags and cards that read, “Just for you, from a Friend and Volunteer at Victoria Palms Resort,” all around as Sybil Riblet packs a completed hat tossed from one of the other volunteers who has just put the tie as the finishing touch to the hat.

All this goes on as Arlene Reardon walks around, helping and providing support and materials as needed.

How Cancer Hats started For those now involved in creating the cancer hats every week, there’s a framed picture on one of the walls of the sewing room showing how it all started. It is a constant reminder of where they’ve been and why it is so important to keep going.

The plaque reads, in the spring of 2004, a group of permanent and Winter Texan residents led by Bev Karagin and Helen Hobbs “decided that their sewing interests, talent, time and work gave them selfsatisfaction, but could be leveraged to benefit others in the community as well.

This was the beginning of Cancer Hats, a time to sew hats and lap blankets for cancer patients.”

In the first season, 390 hats were donated to the American Cancer Society.

By December of 2010, a total of 10,001 hats had been either sewn, crocheted or knitted. The total number of hats made by the volunteers now exceeds 20,000.

Sabina May

Looking into the room, one might think it is a little chaotic.

But, in reality it is a well-oiled machine perfected through years of experience, knowledge, teamwork and passion.

So committed to the cause to make hats for people who have lost their hair during their battle with cancer, these women have made and distributed throughout the country more than 20,000 hats since 2004.

Arlene Reardon Arlene Reardon doesn’t stop with Cancer Hats A Winter Texan from Wisconsin, Arlene has built a relationship with Singletary Elementary School in Donna.

“Here in Texas, my heart is with Singletary — there are very poor children at the school and there is just such a need,” she says.

Last year, she made 83 quilts and distributed them to kindergartners through third graders.

Although she handed out candy too, Arlene says the children were more interested in the quilts, which to her showed their needs.

“I knew the poor children had trouble in the cold and that is why I made the quilts,” she says.

“They were so happy.”

Her support for the school and children in need goes way back. Reluctant to talk about herself, her accomplishments and what she does for others, she admits it connects with her life long ago when she became married, her family was “really poor.” But, giving was always a part of their lives.

“We were both working when our kids were young, but we weren’t making very much,” she says. “But, I wanted them to show servitude, so we would adopt a family for Christmas and deliver the gifts. That is how we got started. But I don’t like to talk about what I do.”

But, she can’t help speak about Singletary.

“My heart just goes out to little children,” she says. “At that school, I leave feeling good and encouraged to do more. Those little kids are so sweet and so polite. Whatever little thing you do is appreciated and it just makes you feel good. It is why you get up in the morning sometimes.”

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And each of the women has a story of why they are part of the Cancer Hat project. Many, like Sabina and Judy Murphy have had their own battles with cancer.

That’s what motivates them to be involved. A Winter Texan from New Jersey, Sabina has been visiting the Valley since 2006. She’s been involved with Cancer Hats for most of that time.

“When I started, I really just wanted to meet people and it felt like a worthwhile cause,” she says.

“Then, when I had breast cancer, it just made me realize how fortunate I was. I didn’t lose my hair, but it brought the reality of it home.”

Sabina also had a sister and best friend who died of cancer and both of them lost their hair.

“For a woman, especially, losing hair is just such a difficult thing,” she says about having cancer. “It makes you appreciate how fortunate and grateful you are for what you don’t have.”

Judy, who had just arrived from Illinois for her first time spending a portion of the winter in South Texas, was helping with Cancer Hats for the first time, too. A 16-year breast cancer survivor herself and donned in a gray Susan Komen Race for a Cure T-shirt, she jumped on one of the Singer sewing machines and started working on a bright blue hat.

“It is emotional,” she says about the idea of helping others with cancer. “One of the most important things is that people care. It is just about giving back and to know that people who don’t even know you care and want to help.”

Flavia is quick to point out the hats are “made with lots of love.”

She should know. The Minnesota

resident has taken hats back to her home state and given them out locally to her community, including at what’s called Hope Lodge and the Ronald McDonald House.

Volunteers are allowed to take some of the hats and distribute them back in their hometowns, meaning there are cancer hats from Donna spread throughout North America.

“Last year, I gave a whole bag to a church,” Flavia says. “You should have seen the tears streaming down their faces, just to know someone was thinking about them in their time of need. Right now, we are all healthy, but you never know and there are some here who have lost their hair and they know what it is like.”

While the individual notes sent from those who receive the hats are special to the volunteers on the project, there’s a framed letter on the wall in the sewing room from Robin Roberts of ABC that reminds them every day why they do what they do. In 2013, the ladies sent Roberts four cancer hats personally made for the television host and a letter describing the program. At the time, Roberts a coanchor with Good Morning America, was battling cancer and had lost her hair.

She sent back a signed, handwritten note with an ABC News header that read, “Dear friends, I appreciate your thoughtfulness. I’m grateful and overwhelmed by your compassion.

I wish you all the best.”

Several of the women pointed and referenced the letter from Roberts with pride as they talked about the meaning of the Cancer Hat Project.

For Reah, it’s just about giving back. The Minneapolis native says three hours isn’t that much to give when you think about all the struggling people in so many facets of life.

“There are people out there with cancer who need these things,” she says. “Some can’t afford them. I really like to give to the poor. I hate to see people suffer.”

It’s not Reah’s only volunteering and giving effort. She has taken coats and sleeping bags to those

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living in the tent city in Minneapolis.

“I just know people with cancer and I am glad they are getting this stuff,” she says. “I see the little hats for the babies and that really touches my heart.”

June, from Oklahoma, has had cancer strike her family, including a pair of aunts. And her mother currently has uterine cancer at the age of 95.

“I feel like it is worthwhile time to spend three hours on this,” she says as she continues to iron. “We take hats home and last year when taking my mom to Oklahoma City, I would give hats out. One woman asked me ‘how much’ and I said ‘free, they are made by your friends from Victoria Palms.’ It felt like I brightened their day and was a generous thing to do. They seemed very happy to receive them.”

But, it’s her desire to give back to the Valley that keeps her coming back.

“We are a guest of the people of the RGV and this is a way to give back a little bit to a community that provides us with a lot of fun and sunshine while we are down here,” June says. “We like it down here.”

Hazel Lavoy spends five months of her winter in Texas, leaving the bitter cold of Saskatchewan, Canada. When she’s here, she knows where she will be on Wednesday

afternoons. It’s something she’s done for years and it’s part of her life now.

“I have spent my adult life volunteering and it is something that gets in your blood,” she says. “This is one of the things I could volunteer for.”

She has taken some of the hats back to Canada, including one for a friend, whose daughter had ovarian cancer.

“I used to take all the teal hats I could get my hands on for her and that made it even more meaningful,” she says.

“My sister-in-law had ovarian cancer and she is an 18-year survivor. You kind of think of people like that when you are making them. It is a worthwhile cause.”

“

Every now and then, we get a letter back that makes it all worthwhile. We received one from a woman who said she lost all her hair and was going to a wedding and she found a hat that matched the dress she was going to wear to the wedding. That is what keeps you going.”

Sabina May New Jersey

Flavia Berg

Nearing 3:45 p.m., production was slowing.

“This week’s total, 142 hats,” one of the volunteers yelled loudly so all could hear over the continuing work in the room. There was more talk and some cheers about the tally.

It could be heard as the sewing machines were shut down and the group started to clean up. Minutes later, the women were walking out of the sewing room, chatting about the afternoon as they headed down the stairs.

They all knew they’d be back next week with hopes to make even more cancer hats and continue the giving and loving tradition that has been going on now for 15 years.

Spring 2019 • Inspire

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SPRING 2019 • INSPIRE

Finding her

FOREVER

CAREER Story and photo LISA SEISER

FAMILY. HARD WORK. HELPING PEOPLE. PASSION. COMMUNITY. These are the words Zintiha Loya lives by every day. It’s what guides her and keeps her going. It’s what makes her who she is.

Born and raised in Harlingen, Zintiha has become one of the most successful realtors in the area. She’s exactly what you would expect – personable, vocal, outgoing, friendly, focused, self-motivated and confident.

But, her success in real estate isn’t what defines her.

Zintiha has much to share with everyone regarding the other aspects of life that are equally important and impactful.

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“

I am not in it for the money, the commission, the paycheck.

I look at the client and base it off of what they need and what they want and what they can afford.”

Family It wasn’t long ago, Zintiha worked all the time. It was before her children were born when she placed much of her focus on her burgeoning career.

“There was a time in my life when I came home and kept working and working,” she says.

Her husband, a police officer with the Harlingen Police Department, told her when she is home and the kids are home, she can’t be working. That changed how she looked at everything.

Her typical day now is from 9 or 10 a.m. until 4:50 p.m. She drops her children off at day care in the morning and picks them up at the end of the day.

Her weekend work is also limited as that has become important family time.

“The laptop is closed and the phone is on the charger,” she says.

She’s found a balance that works for her family and for her business as a realtor with Keller Williams. Zintiha is quick to point out if a client needs her, she will make adjustments to her schedule, working with her husband to ensure everybody is taken care of.

But, in the end, Zintiha and the family know when the phone rings, it means potential income, so battling the balance is real.

Hard work Growing up, Zintiha came from a family of business owners. Her father’s story impacted Zintiha and it’s why she works so hard now. At the age of 16, he came from Cuba to America with virtually nothing, seeking the American Dream. When he arrived in Florida, he enlisted in the Army.

He was able to attend college and earned a degree in chemical engineering, which led him to Santa Rosa at the sugar mill. It’s where he met Zintiha’s mother, who was from Matamoros. That wasn’t all he wanted to do. After retiring from the mill, he became a business owner.

“You work hard for what you have,” Zintiha remembers the lesson from her father, who passed away in 2006, the same

year she earned her real estate license. “If you are not out there hustling, you are not going to make it.”

She looks at real estate much the same way her father looked at his own business.

“I work for Keller Williams, but it is still my own business,” she says. “I am an independent contractor. I make as much as I want to make. I always had that drive and it was instilled in me.”

Helping others When Zintiha works with a client who is either buying or selling their home, it’s all about service.

“I am not in it for the money, the commission, the paycheck,” she says. “I look at the client and base it off of what they need and what they want and what they can afford. If we look at a house that is too much for them, we go and look at other types and make them comfortable with the payment they are going to have.”

She believes that effort along with her honesty and ability to make people comfortable is what makes her a top realtor. She even talked about a recent deal in which her buyer and the seller were a few thousand dollars apart.

“I texted the agent and said I know he wasn’t into reducing his commission, but if you need to, I am willing,” she says about reaching the number for her buyers. “I wanted my client to get this house. Not a lot of agents do that.”

It is one reason she believes she receives significant repeat business.

“I am just not greedy,” she says. “There’s enough business to go around.”

However, she also knows she could sell more and believes there is a time when she will.

“People ask me why I am not No. 1,” she says laughing.

She cited the woman above her as having adult children who are grown and on their own, leaving that realtor time to work every night and weekend if she wants. That is not the cards right now for Zintiha.

TIPS FOR YOUNG WOMEN IN INDUSTRY Zintiha Loya started from the ground up in the real estate business and she believes that was one of her keys to success. She also believes that advice for others can lead to success for them too, in any industry.

Learning as many facets and from different angles is important to the success of anyone in their work. From experience, Zintiha knows it’s imperative. For those who haven’t learned their business from the ground up, she has some ideas of how they can catch up.

“Go to other people in the office and ask how you can help them,” she says, especially about the real estate business.

“Things that will make you learn. You may not get paid for the first few months, but after that, it will be good.”

SHE ALSO SAYS TO NEVER BE AFRAID TO ASK QUESTIONS OR ASK FOR HELP. “Don’t think you can just do it on your own and figure it out because that is not going to happen,” she adds.

Look for someone to shadow and learn from. Seek out a mentor to grow your knowledge, understanding and skills. It will make all the difference.

Spring 2019 • Inspire

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“

He would be shocked, but he also knew I could do it. He was my No. 1 supporter.

He always helped me and always had my back.”

“I am giving up time now to spend with them,” she says. “In the future, when they are gone or they are out of the house, there will come a time when they don’t want to hang out with us. Then, I will get that time back.”

That’s when she expects to move to the top.

Community

Giving to her family and clients isn’t the only place Zintiha makes a difference.

For a long time, she has been involved with Monica’s ZINTIHA LOYA House and Maggie’s House.

Talking about Her involvement also runs deep with the Family Crisis her late father Center and Shop with a Cop through the Harlingen Police Department.

Efforts have included fundraising, being on the board for the Family Crisis Center, collecting items such as clothes and more, as well At Edward Jones, we stop ask you as to helping with an annual golf fundraising tournament. the question: “What’s important to She became involved you?” Without that insightwhen andshe a real realized she didn’t

Investing is about more than money.

Investing is about of your goals, investing about moreunderstanding than money.

always know where her monetary donations were going, so she wanted to help out more locally. These were the organizations she found that touched her heart.

“I need to help my community and keep it local,” she says. “All my efforts are local and I am a Harlingen Cardinal and whenever they need something, they come to me and know I will help them. I have always helped.”

Passion It was her father who steered Zintiha on her current path. Admittedly, she was a little lost after taking a break from college. That’s when her father told her, “you need to get a career.”

A flier about real estate arrived in the mail.

“I thought I would just take the real estate classes,” she says.

After four months of classes, the professor offered her a job to work with his

wife’s mortgage company.

About a year and a half later, she also took on a job as a secretary in the real estate office.

“I saw the agents and everything that was coming in, the amount of work they were doing and what they were getting paid. That really opened my eyes that I needed to get my license.”

In 2006, she did and it’s been everything she hoped for all along.

This past year, she sold 48 units totaling $8.3 million.

She has received several accolades for her efforts, including top producer of the year in her office, which honors the person with the most units closed.

She also has been the Harlingen Board of Realtors Agent of the Year twice.

“This is going to be my career until I die,” she says with a smile. “I am not changing it.”

Why would she?

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Built from the

GROUND Alaniz has helped bring millions in grant money to the Valley Story and photo LISA SEISER

L

inda Alaniz has been on the road quite a bit lately. She has traveled to schools and communities in various parts of Texas, sometimes being away from the Valley for weeks at a time.

But, these aren’t unwelcome business trips.

For Linda, every single one signifies success.

As the founder and president of Educational Research Institute in Harlingen, Linda procures millions of dollars in grant funds each year mainly for schools in the Rio Grande Valley and Texas.

It’s a passion she’s had since she landed her first big grant for her hometown school district in Rio Hondo nearly 20 years ago.

“That is what spurred all this,” Linda says about the $3 million after school program grant she obtained for the Rio Hondo school district.

That one led to her starting the business, which helps so many around the state and beyond.

Now, when she travels to various districts, it is to see what the money she and her team helped obtain has done for the recipient. Sometimes, it 32

Spring 2019 • Inspire

brings additional staff or new computers, technology, software and more. Other times, it is all of those things and more.

“We go visit the schools to see what they are doing with the grants,” Linda beams with pride. “We get to see the kids and they are using the iPads, or the software. These are sometimes little districts we drive around and the houses are falling apart. These are the neighborhoods we are helping.”

Recounting a recent visit to San Diego ISD in Texas, where the grant focused on struggling elementary schools, Linda says the schools see improvements in learning and test scores.

This multimillion grant over a few years allowed staff hiring, STEM labs, electronic boards and touchscreens.

D UP Here are a few things you should know about Linda Alaniz • Born in the Valley before moving to Marlin, near Waco.

• The family returned to the area when she was in middle school.

She attended the Rio Hondo Independent School District even though she lived on the outskirts of Harlingen.

• President and founder of Educational Research Institute, Harlingen • Former sociology instructor at the University of Texas – Brownsville and Texas Southmost College • Former public relations specialist and grant writer with the Rio Hondo Independent School District • Former lead instructor/counselor/assistant director/grant writer at the University of Texas – Brownsville

Finding your own business

Linda Alaniz knows how to start a business and succeed in business.

She knows you can do it as well.

But, there’s a key to success Linda believes in strongly.

“Find where you spend the most amount of your time – that is where your passion is,” she says.

For her, it is all about helping people and organizations. When she was young, she wanted to write books.

Now, she helps children, schools and others through her grant writing.

For her, it all ties together.

“When you look at what you enjoy to do, it all makes sense,” she says.

• Former job training representative at Texas State Technical College • Community involvement in numerous organizations, including as a board member with Workforce Solutions of Cameron County

“As much as you say money isn’t everything, it is when it comes to academics in these districts,” she says. “Because, we see the differences when they started versus before they had the money and then after.”

That makes the visit to the district and good news about improved scores and learning the end result.

Soft spoken with an air of humble confidence, Linda comfortably talks about the time, effort and knowledge needed to obtain these grants, all of which are aimed to help local schools and communities.

“I love securing millions of dollars for school districts that are really poor,” Linda says while sitting in the conference room of ERI on Ed Carey

Drive. “It is like a high. It is really like you hit the lottery when you get a grant. They are so competitive.”

There are 1,200 school districts in Texas and Linda says there are only a handful of grants given out each year.

“To be one of those for the district, when you get those, it is special knowing it is going to a district that really needs it and makes a difference,” she says.

And her company’s numbers are daunting. Linda says ERI has obtained about $400 million in state and federal grant monies since May of 2001.

While she has 300 clients across the state, a significant amount has remained right here in the RGV. ERI Spring 2019 • Inspire

33

also has a better than 80-percent success rate.

But, the grant writing isn’t the end of Linda’s efforts.

Through another similar business and endeavor, Linda and her team manage the grants that are obtained by the districts she works with.

“We were finding the smaller districts didn’t have the personnel to manage the grants, so they would lose them or be penalized,” Linda says. “We went from just writing, to helping them stay in compliance with the funding agencies, to training their staff, writing amendments and just helping them with their reports.”

It’s been a combination of work ethic and experience that has helped Linda and her company become a sweet success. She admits grant writing isn’t something you go to college to learn or just decide to do one day.

Those who are successful become that way through hard work, time, experience and understanding the process and the details.

She works about 50 to 60

For some time, Linda didn’t imagine owning her own I sometimes feel like the Oprah of company.

“I first wanted to marry a the Valley giving money away – lawyer, then thought, why you get a million, you get a million marry one when you can just be one, so I wanted to be a and you get a million.” lawyer,” Linda says.

Well, she never quite made Linda Alaniz it, but she did marry one. They Joking about what it is like to win grants for schools are now divorced, but a pair of great boys resulted in that hours per week, but she says Brownsville and Texas State union. Both work with her at she no longer works on Technical College. what she considers the family Sundays.

Now, she is guiding and business.

When she has time off, she leading her staff in the grant And the future is bright. For enjoys the beach on South writing processes. a while, Linda was concerned Padre Island, as well as other It is a very detail-oriented about what would eventually travel adventures. endeavor, she says. happen to all her work and But, work still appears to be “The guidelines are so businesses. a top priority. Admittedly, her specific,” she says about filing But, her 20-year-old son is work ethic comes from her potentially successful grant learning the business and is father, who didn’t have a high proposals. “You miss one expanding it outside of Texas. school diploma. thing, you are discarded before Her 17-year-old son works part He was a truck driver and a it is even read.” at the office helping any Board Certified time migrant worker, but his desire Wrong fonts, incorrect way he can.

OB/GYN and effort every day gave spacing around the edge ofPhysicians the “When building the Experienced Team Linda and her siblings paper, missing paperwork andof business, you build and think, Certified something to strive for and an unfilled checked boxNurse canMidwives‘then what?’” she says. “They and Nurse Practitioners understand the importance of each mean disqualification of both wanted to be lawyers working hard every day. a proposal. It’s the details after their dad, but now we Her experience comes from Linda now knows so much have all these clients built years in education, including about. from the ground up. Both are various positions at the But, this grant writing enjoying it and that is good for University of Texas at wasn’t always in the cards. me.”

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I SEE YOU WITH BELIEVING EYES With Life Coach Sheri Rowland We, as women are busy, so finding the time to take care of yourself can be difficult.

In fact, it can be the last thing you want to do. But if you don’t, it won’t be long before you’re battling exhaustion and operating in a mental fog where it’s hard to care about anything or anyone.

High expectations are judgments that we have on ourself that keep us in a vicious cycle.

In this fast-paced lifestyle, it has become easier to take a pill than take an exercise class or do a few yoga stretches.

A few small changes could make all the difference in the world.

I know thinking of taking the time out of your already busy day for yourself seems unheard of, but it is doable.

You are in control of your time and calendar!

Let me say that again. You are in One small minute of nothing … control of your time. just for ourself.

So take control of it by starting off I talk to women daily who are your mornings differently. feeling stretched to no end. They I want you to pick three out of the are raising children, working full10 things to do and time jobs, cooking start your morning and cleaning on out right. This will their days off, shufchange your attitude fling kids to events and practices, bare- “Self-care is not selfish. the rest of the day … ly having time to You cannot serve from I promise.

Set your alarm and spend with their an empty vessel.” get up 15 to 30 minhusband/partner, utes earlier than anyfamily or friends. one else.

Let alone time for Don’t look at your themselves. phone nor turn on the TV. Any text, Women are suffering from call or messages to you … is someone exhaustion, depression, autoimelse’s agenda for you. These can wait. mune disorders, thyroid issues, So there you go. Just pick three insomnia, all kinds of aches and and do them for a week and see how pains.

I truly believe this is how our bod- your attitude shifts for the day, how things naturally fall into place. ies are handling our stressors and In a week, add a new one. I trying to get our attention to make promise you … you will start to some changes in our life. have more energy and your mood Addictions and obesity are at an will be better and your loved ones all-time-high right now. Today, will be thankful. women are using alcohol and antiYou will show up and be a better anxiety medications or eating their person, wife, mother, daughter, way to comfort. This cycle doesn’t sister and friend. get better without some changes in our thoughts, our feelings and our - Sheri Rowland lifestyles.

36

Spring 2019 • Inspire

Pick three right now 1

2

Sit and read something positive for 5 minutes.

This can be the Bible, a daily meditation, a paragraph out of a positive book, anything uplifting.

Journal or write about how you are feeling, what are your desires and how you want your day to go. (Positive)

3

Write 5-10 things you are grateful for.

4

Pray for your family, friends and others.

5

6

Sit and connect with nature. Listen to the sounds around you, see the plants/trees, smell the fresh air, look off into the distance.

Listen to an upbeat song that makes you feel happy.

7 8 9

Do some stretches, go for a walk, or exercise.

Take a bubble bath and then lather lotion on your body.

Pick an Oracle card for inspiration. I love Colette Baron Reid’s cards and you can find all different ones on her website and the App store for digital ones.

10

Just sit and listen to your breathing for 5 minutes. Sometimes I hum so that I don’t think about what I have to do for the day. You can’t think and hum at the same time.

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5

TIME: Starting at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Downtown Brownsville WHAT: The South Texas Music Incubator presents an art and music event in the city’s entertainment and arts district.

APRIL BASIC EXCEL

6

TIME: 9 a.m.

WHERE: UTRGV Brownsville, One West University Blvd.

COST: $69 WHAT: This 3-hour course is designed for those who desire to gain the necessary skills to create, edit, format and print basic Microsoft Excel 2016 worksheets.

Topics covered in the training: - Create a basic worksheet using Excel 2016.

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38

Spring 2019 • Inspire

APRIL PAWTY!

APRIL

6

CHALK ART FESTIVAL

TIME: Starting at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Children’s Museum of Brownsville WHAT: Artists will compete to draw the best art using colored chalk on sidewalk.

HOW: Entry fee is $10 for children; $15 for youth; and $20 for adults. Register at www.cmofbrownsville.org.

APRIL SUNRISE MALL BUNNY CARES

7

TIME: Starting at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Sunrise Mall in Brownsville WHAT: People with every spectrum of special needs and their families are invited to a photo session with the Easter Bunny. Reserve your complimentary time slot — one ticket per group or family — with free tickets at http:// tinyurl.comy4nhjfw3.

13

TIME: All day WHERE: South Pacific Linear Park, in Brownsville COST: Prices vary per activity WHAT: It’s Pawty! time! You are invited to “Pawty!” with Brownsville Animal Defense (B.A.D.)! Join us in celebrating our furry friends with the entire family. Our event will be filled with activities, such as yoga, dog sketching, professional portraits with your pet, costume contest, dogfriendly cupcake eating contest and dog-related demonstrations. Most importantly, there will be dogs all over the place! Don’t miss your chance to pet, adopt and help B.A.D. raise funds to continue rescuing dogs and providing them the care they need until they find a loving home. Let’s have a “pawsome” time!

APRIL SYMPHONY IN THE PARK

13

TIME: Starting at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Washington Park in Brownsville WHAT: The Brownsville Literacy Center for the 21st annual Symphony in the Park and All that Jazz, one of Brownsville’s most-celebrated cultural traditions. This family friendly event will be held under the stars in historic downtown Brownsville.

HOW: General admission starts at $12 for adults. Contact them at (956) 542-8080.

APRIL

13

WALK FOR CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION ONE-MILE FUN RUN TIME: 8 a.m.

WHO: Tip of Texas Family Outreach HOW: Registration is $10 WHERE: 455 E. Levee St., Brownsville

3

3

15 through MAY 5

APRIL

JUNE DU IT GIRL DUATHLON

‘GREASE’ WHERE: Camille Playhouse, 1 Dean Porter Park, in Brownsville TICKETS: $10/$15/$20 WHAT: Here is Rydell High’s senior class of 1959: duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby sox and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical.

Head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski try to relive the high romance of their “Summer Nights” as the rest of the gang sings and dances its way through such songs as “Greased Lightnin’,” “It’s Raining on Prom Night,” “Alone at the Drive-In Movie” recalling the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard, and Elvis Presley that became the soundtrack of a generation.

2

APRIL

27

STX TACO FEST TIME: Starting at 4 p.m.

WHERE: Brownsville Sports Park in Brownsville WHAT: The STX Taco Festival offers a collection of taco chefs from the region, alongside live music, games, beer and wine tastings, carnival rides and more.

HOW: Admission includes 12 taco tastings and five 5-ounce beer tastings or five 3-ounce wine tastings. For more information, visit www. stxtacofest.com.

MAY

3

CYCLOBIA BROWNSVILLE TIME: Starting at 6:30 p.m.

WHERE: Downtown Brownsville WHAT: CycloBia Brownsville returns to the streets for an evening of active fun when the roads are closed to motorized traffic. CycloBia is a free event for people of all ages to exercise and cycle through the downtown streets.

Throughout the route, there will be different activites, vendors and music.

TIME: 7 a.m.

WHERE: Harlingen Soccer Complex, 4515 E. Harrison Avenue WHO: The Lone Star Pacesetters WHAT: Individual and relay – 2-mile run, 11-mile bike ride and 1-mile run. Trophies for top finishes in several age groups from 19 and under to 60 and older.

HOW: Tickets available through www.athleteguild.com

JUNE

20

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

TIME: 6 to 10 p.m.

WHERE: Brownsville Event Center, 1 Event Center, COST: $25 YOU SHOULD KNOW: Ladies will be pampered with massages, nails, makeup and hairstyles.

Vendors have all the musthave items to include fabulous shoes, handbags, jewelry, makeup, accessories and much more will be on display for purchasing. Shop the silent auction tables throughout the night. Great items to be auctioned off.

WHY: Proceeds from the 8th Annual Girls Just Wanna Have Fun will benefit Communities In Schools of Cameron County. CIS has been keeping at-risk students in school for 24 years. For more information, email Jennifer Bossoudaho at Jennifer@ ciscameroncounty.org or call (956) 554-7954.

Spring 2019 • Inspire

39

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DESIGN MATTERS The most important step when staging When selling your home, you want the highest price you can get. To do that, you have to prepare the property for potential buyers.

Using Feng Shui principles in your home staging is a great way to do this. Many Feng Shui principles are common sense.

Both home staging and Feng Shui remove clutter and use space to the best advantage.

Feng Shui is used to create comfortable and supportive living spaces. It also helps homeowners find problem areas in the home and provides what steps to take to improve those areas.

Feng Shui considers the affect our surroundings have on us. By using Feng Shui, you can achieve health, happiness, and well-being by living in harmony with your environment.

Home staging also creates a comfortable and welcoming environment so that buyers can

42

Spring 2019 • Inspire

picture themselves living there.

Home stagers find problem areas in a space and give you the steps to fix them so the property looks its best.

Home staging considers the affect that your property will have on buyers and maximizes the potential for a quick sale for more money.

The most important step you need to take when staging a home is to clear the clutter. This is not only good Feng Shui, but common sense.

When a buyer enters a property that hasn’t been cleared of your extras, they feel that they are intruding in your home. You want them to be excited to move in and create their own fresh start.

An empty house can have the opposite effect on a buyer. There is nothing inside to reference.

Picturing how and where their furniture can fit is much more difficult.

This is the biggest reason why staging is so important.

Clearing out clutter is the perfect opportunity to clean out the things you no longer need and only take with you what you do.

When you leave your home full of stuff instead of staging it, buyers will not feel at home and will leave negative comments.

This is why you might feel frustrated and/or depressed that the house isn’t selling.

When you clear the spaces in your property, the chi (energy) flows gently through the house.

The people living there will have a positive mindset and feel better in general.

Buyers will pick up on the positive energy and be more willing to buy the property.

Don’t pass up an opportunity to improve your own outlook and the mood of your buyers.

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TRUE PAGEANTRY Ms. South Texas Senior a big hit again Photos MARICELA RODRIGUEZ

F

ourteen vied for the coveted crown in early March.

And, while only one had it placed carefully on her head by the end of the competition, all were winners and they certainly seemed to have quite a bit of fun, too.

The sixth annual Ms. South Texas Senior America Pageant for ladies 60 years and older, is meant to support the positive aging of amazing and brave women.

Throughout the entire afternoon, the Harlingen Municipal Auditorium was packed full of enthusiastic family and friends of the

contestants who cheered loudly at seemingly every opportunity.

Brownsville’s Neida Ruth Grantland earned the title of 2019 Ms. South Texas Senior America winner. The first runner-up was Maria Linda Gonzalez Janis of Brownsville. The second runner-up was Mission’s Connie Garza and the third runner-up was Margarita Pizano Flores, also of Brownsville. The fourth runnerup was Harlingen’s Velma Gonzalez Torres.

And the winner is...

Neida Ruth Grantland 44

Spring 2019 • Inspire

RY

Joie Quick

Maria Linda Gonzalez Janis

Margarita Pizano Flores

Neida Ruth Grantland

Olga H Montes

Josephina Flores

Espie Hurtado

Irma Bustamante

Irma Bustamante

Dora Gonzales

Velma Gonzalez Torres

Connie Garza

Lupita Araizia

Paula Henken

Melody Morris Spring 2019 • Inspire

45

BOOK REVIEW

“Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother’s Will to Survive”

By TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER Inspire Book Reviewer

That thing?

You’re ready to let it go.

It sparks joy, but not enough. Or it doesn’t, and you’re not sure why you didn’t donate it before.

Indeed, boxes of things are ready for giveaway and you’re looking at sparkling-clean digs. Did you do it yourself or, as in the new memoir, “Maid” by Stephanie Land, were you assisted by a stranger in your space?

When she was a young woman, Stephanie Land dreamed of becoming a writer.

In the meantime, she tended bar and thought of moving from Washington to Montana, where so many writers found home. She took odd jobs to get by, applied for college, and met a man who fathered her child, a girl neither had planned on having.

Shortly after the baby was born, he told Land to leave.

Newly homeless and with her daughter in tow, she landed in emergency housing, then in transitional housing, awaiting final paperwork that might’ve allowed for more stability. Her predicament was embarrassing and exhausting.

She wanted to work, to pay her bills, and buy basic necessities.

Instead, Land endured hours long lines, applying for grants and cards and bandages to keep her afloat.

She became a statistic.

For Land, and millions of Americans like her, pulling oneself out of poverty is fraught with “fragile circumstances.” Land needed a job, but childcare was iffy and more income meant less help. No help meant no gas money to job-seek.

With little support and few options, she started working as a paidunder-the-table, part-time housecleaner.

“My job offered no sick pay, no vacation … no foreseeable increase in wage,” she says, “yet … still I begged to work more.”

When “more” was not forthcoming, Land started her own fledgling business, hustling for clients, 46

Spring 2019 • Inspire

branching out to lawn care, and bartering for what she needed. Still, she endured humiliation and difficulties, until a client who didn’t see her as “invisible” gave her advice and a caseworker gave her a lifeline …

Your desk, bathrooms, conference room, your entire home sometimes seems to sparkle more than normal. You write a check each month to make it happen.

Now “Maid” shows you who does the work.

This, however, isn’t a new story.

Author Stephanie Land begins with a few hindsight-regretful decisions and a paycheck-to-paycheck existence that’s lost, along with reliable shelter. Readers are likely familiar with this, and the seemingly endless bureaucracy that comes next.

The narrative shifts considerably, once we reach the part in which Land takes a job as a housecleaner, but it’s not always a good shift.

There, readers get an eloquentlywritten look at uncomfortable, complicated processes that seem designed to keep people from getting out of poverty. We also get a peek inside the life of a maid, but Land makes the work seem like last-ditch, last-chance employment. Housekeepers who love their jobs might beg to differ.

In her foreword, author Barbara Ehrenreich points out a happy ending inside this book; getting there will open your eyes wide.

You’ll absorb “Maid” like a sponge. You won’t be able to let it go.

By Stephanie Land c. 2019, Hachette $27/$29.99 Canada 288 pages

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