288 Express April 2020

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

OPTIONS School offers second chances _ PAGE 6

April 2020 Volume 3, Issue 4 A publication of the Alvin Advertiser

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WHAT ’S INS IDE PAGE 6

Cover Story Graduate, Jennifer Recendez, receives a hug from her daughter during the OPTIONS graduation.

PAGE 9

PAGE 14

Manvel High School Engineering Students

Tour de Braz Ride

PAGE 10

PAGE 14

UVC Powersports and Houston Roughnecks

Chick-fil-A Opens in Alvin

PAGE 11

Brain Fair

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COVER STORY

You have OPTIONS Story by Karla James • Photos by Prentice James

The 2020 Winter OPTIONS graduates rejoice on Freedom Field following commencement.

Options are merely things to be chosen, but for some students within Alvin ISD, OPTIONS is a second chance in life and an opportunity for a brighter future.

OPTIONS is a small school serving students ages 17-26 in the Alvin, Manvel, and Shadow Creek communities.

Its unique program is designed to assist students in completing the necessary requirements needed to earn a high school diploma, while also preparing them for future careers. OPTIONS’ accelerated program is exclusively online. Classes are offered during normal school hours, and

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evening classes are also available for those students who require a more flexible schedule.

The school’s non-traditional approach is what gains the attention of many non-traditional students who desire a high school diploma. Alvin ISD educators serve as facilitators and are available to provide academic support as needed. The facilitators not only offer academic support, but more importantly, they are a source of social-emotionContinued on page 7

OPTIONS Continued from page 6 al support ready to cheer on each student every day.

OPTIONS, in partnership with Alvin Community College (ACC), prepares and equips students with the skills necessary for entry-level employment. Upon graduation, many students elect to continue their education by enrolling at ACC to pursue a degree in fields such as healthcare, business, process technology, and industry while others choose to serve our country by enlisting in the military.

Over the years, OPTIONS has positively impacted hundreds of individuals. Despite facing numerous obstacles and personal barriers, these students demonstrate an immense level of determination and perseverance. Since its inception in 2011, approximately 570 students have earned their high school diplomas.

This year’s winter graduation marked a momentous mile-

stone as nearly 50 students completed coursework to receive diplomas. OPTIONS is more than merely an academic institution; it is a place where students are inspired to transform their lives in order to reclaim their future.

Yanelle Rosete prepares for the graduation ceremony.

Photos by Prentice James

Former OPTIONS graduate, Alexis Guidroz, gives the keynote address during commencement.

OPTIONS coordinator, Randall Guikema, left, congratulates Landon Moyer on his newly conferred diploma.

APRIL 2020 . . .

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OPTIONS Continued from page 7

OPTIONS graduate Jasmine Zepeda-Quintanilla, right, celebrates with family and friends.

Haven McClain proudly displays her diploma during commencement activities at Liberty Alumni Hall.

Photos by Prentice James

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Engineering Manvel HS engineering students participate in NASA competition

By Rachel Moore Manvel High School engineering students designed and prototyped products to be used on the International Space Station.

The products were entered into NASA’s High schools United with NASA to Create Hardware (HUNCH) competition.

This is the first year that any Alvin ISD students have participated in the HUNCH program.

During the competition, six groups of Manvel High School students worked to develop products to help support upcoming space missions.

The process pitted the Manvel students against high schools across the nation. Each team had to start from scratch and develop a product based on needs NASA

currently has aboard the space station.

Some of the projects entered into this year’s HUNCH contest included a zero-g mouse food dispenser feeder, lunar sleep rack, and lunar wheels.

“NASA gives us different challenges to complete,” Victoria Reid, a Manvel High senior, said.

“All of which test [the] skills we’ve learned through Project Lead the Way.” Project Lead the Way is a fouryear engineering program for high school students that begins freshman year with introduction to engineering course.

Throughout their time in high school, students in Project Lead the Way are introduced to engineering career paths and practice honing in-demand skills

like presentation etiquette and teamwork, both of which were key components of the MHS students’ HUNCH projects.

The students formed project

teams early in the school year, which allowed the MHS students to work together to research, de-

Continued on page 13

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UVC Powersports

Houston Roughnecks opening game powered up by UVC Powersports

Shannon Tracy, president of UVC Powersports, is shown carrying the game ball out to the 50-yard line at TDECU Stadium where the Houston Roughnecks team will play their home games for the new XFL football league.

(Courtesy Photo) UVC Powersports Tractors & Outdoors in Alvin was given an exciting opportunity to be a proud partner of the XFL Houston Roughnecks for the inaugural 2020 season.

It all started this past December when Shannon Tracy, President of UVC Powersports, reached out to the XFL Houston Roughnecks.

That conversation powered into UVC becoming an official partner of the Houston Roughnecks providing each of the 8 XFL teams with a convenient way to transport coaches and players during training camp that took place this past January.

UVC Powersports is also the official pre-game ball deliverer and they provide the Kawasaki MULES to the Houston Roughnecks including those that will be seen at every home game at the TDECU Stadium in Houston.

Impressed with the effort put forth by UVC, Shannon Tracy

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was asked to deliver the first ball at the first game of the Houston Roughnecks’ inaugural season. She rode out to the 50 yard line in style in a UVC custom outfitted Houston Roughnecks Kawasaki MULE PRO FXT and handed off the game ball to #7 Sergio Castillo, the Roughneck’s starting kicker.

Monday, after the first official game, the A Team Sports Talk 790 with hosts Adam Clanton & Adam Wexler broadcasted their radio show inside UVC Powersports joined by Shannon Tracy.

PJ Walker, quarterback for the Roughnecks, made a special guest appearance on the broadcast and the very next day it was announced that PJ Walker was the STAR player of the week.

In addition to providing the Kawasaki MULES, there is a UVC Powersports Kawasaki commercial that plays on the big screen at every home game announced by Stone Cold Steve Austin himself.

BRAIN FAIR

Neurologists to attend Brain Fair

By Dale Libby Neurologists Dr. Blair Krell and Dr. L.F. Barnwell and cardiologist Dr. Qiangjun Cai will man tables at the Gathering Place Brain Fair. The fair will be held on March 28 from 9 am until noon at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds, 901 S. Downing in Angleton.

“This is an incredible opportunity for people who have questions,” said Audery Calhoun, Gathering Place Community Relations Liaison. “The length of face time with a physician on an average follow-up visit is 7 minutes. Many times, people report they remembered questions they forgot to ask on their way home.”

“The specialists will be available from 10 am until noon. People can grab a cup of coffee and pull up a chair to chat, something they have never been able to do in a busy doctor’s office,” Calhoun noted.

“At the Gathering Place, we have observed that primary care physicians will immediately refer a patient to a cardiologist with a heart problem but may continue to provide care if the patient’s

Continued on page 12

Gathering Place CEO Dale Libby explains the importance of socializing to attendees at a recent meeting of the Gathering Place.

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Continued from page 11

From Left: Gathering place CEO Dale Libby, Brain Camp/ Meta Camp Instructor Dennis Hastings, Community Relations Liaison Audery Calhoun, and Education Coordinator Erika Longoria prepare for this year’s Brain Camp.

12 . . . APRIL 2020

complaint is short term memory loss. That is probably because stress, anxiety, fatigue, depression, vitamin deficiencies, and even diet can cause memory problems,” she continued.

“At last year’s Brain Fair, Dr. Krell remarked that most of his Alzheimer’s patients come to him in later stages of the disease,” she added. “Family members may have noticed early signs – forgetfulness, confusion, a change in social habits, minor personality changes—for several years.”

“Many times, family will dismiss those symptoms as merely part of the aging process. If they do suspect Alzheimer’s, they do not realize that the person may benefit from treatment in the earliest stages. It often takes a major event—the person becomes belligerent or violent or lost – before the family seeks medical attention,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun is also a coach for Early Stage Coaches, Inc. a Gathering Place affiliate which works with early stage Alzheimer’s patients to slow progression or even reverse memory loss.

At the Brain Fair, 5-minute GPCOG memory tests will be available.

If a person scores less than 7 out of 9 on the GPCOG they will be offered a Mini-Mental Status Exam, a more comprehensive test, according to a statement from the Gathering Place.

“This is a great opportunity for people to bring a family member they are concerned about,” Calhoun said. “In a festive atmosphere, the family members can do the ‘memory games’ together.”

Continued from page 9 sign and develop the final prototypes to present to NASA. Although the projects were developed by the students, they were assisted by Jacob Smith, an engineering teacher at MHS. “My role is to inspire and encourage these students,” Smith said. “Their three years of courses leading up to this class have more than taught them about the tools necessary to complete the NASA challenges.”

Smith knows a thing or two about working for the government, Prior to coming to MHS, Smith worked at the Department of Defense.

It was during his time at the DoD that Smith realized, that as rewarding as building things for U.S. soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen is, his true passion is developing the next generation of engineers and project managers.

He added that he hopes to be able to continue showing students

the engaging side of engineering while building “our next great leaders.”

The students appreciate Smith’s involvment in their projects and his ability to introduce them to new opportunities.

“Mr. Smith introduced us to NASA HUNCH which is something that a lot of us had never heard of.” Maxine Woods, a Manvel HS senior, said. “This entire program introduced us to specialized areas of engineering such as mechanical, computer, and civil engineering.”

When the students presented their projects to various NASA personnel, including engineers and astronauts, they received positive feedback.

“The [MHS] engineering students represented the district well and many students were given praises for their research and design,” Smith said.

Although the HUNCH compe-

tition will conclude in late April, MHS’ engineering students don’t plan on hanging up their slide rules just yet.

Some of the students are planning on continuing their engineering education in college, a few of the students have already

decided on the universities and programs they plan to attend. The students have expressed interest in all sorts of engineering programs, from mechanical to electrical.

“Whatever they choose to study, our students are destined for greatness,” Smith Said.

APRIL 2020 . . .

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Tour de Braz ride scheduled for April 5th The Alvin Convention & Visitors’ Bureau is now accepting registration for the 27th Annual Tour de Braz bicycle ride.

This year’s ride will be on April 5, and proceeds from the event will go to the Alvin Volunteer Fire Department.

Riders will be able to choose from 10,34,50,65 and 100-mile routes. All of the routes will begin and end at Alvin Community College.

For more information visit TourdeBraz.org or text “TourdeBraz” 888-777. The convention and visitors’ bureau is also accepting sponsorship applications for rest stops along the various routes.

Individuals or entities interested in sponsoring a rest stop should contact Priya Bhakta via email, pbhakta@cityhall.cityofalvin.com, or by phone, 281388-4212.

Chick-fil-A opens in Alvin

By Dawn Sullivan Chick-fil-A opened its first stand-alone restaurant in Alvin on March 12.

The new restaurant is located at 2018 E. SH 6, near the SH 6 and SH 35 intersection.

The restaurant is creating jobs for 90 newly hired team members and will be operated by area resident Craig Newman.

The 5,000-square-foot restaurant has been designed to enhance all aspects of a guest’s experience from the drive-thru to the counter to in-restaurant

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dining. Highlights include a dual-lane drive-thru merging into a single pick-up point that can handle upwards of 200 cars an hour.

The location also has environment-controlled canopies and a drive-thru access door to better meet the needs of guests during the outside face-to-face ordering experience.

The restaurant will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with breakfast served until 10:30 a.m., Monday through Saturday.

Chick-fil-A locations are closed on Sunday.

L OC AL BU SI NE SS D I REC T ORY

APRIL 2020 . . .

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