288 Express June 2020

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

We Will Graduate _ PAGE 4 Cover by Prentice James

JUNE 2020 Volume 3, Issue 6 A publication of the Alvin Advertiser

WHAT ’S INS IDE PAGE 4

Cover Story Shadow Creek’s senior class secretary Sky Ngouane is part of the first graduating class to have completed all four years at the school.

PAGE 9

PAGE 12 & 13

Marble & Granite Designs

New Homes

PAGE 10 & 11

PAGE 14

Open For Business

Local Business Directory

A publication of

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

AND

“Your Source For News & Advertising”

Writers & Photographers Alex Wukman Stephen Collins Prentice C. James Michael Edmonds

For Advertising Information Contact:

Graphic Designer Linda Knight

Brenda Groves ads@alvinsun.net

Advertising

Darlene Hall advertising@alvinsun.net 570 Dula St. • Alvin, TX 77511 281-331-4421 www.alvinsun.net

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Editorial

Account Executives Brenda Groves Darlene Hall ads@alvinsun.net advertising@alvinsun.net Betty Crawford classifieds@alvinsun.net Office Manager Donna Hopkins

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COVER STORY

“We Will Graduate” Story and Photos by Prentice James

Alvin’s senior class president Karlie Kalischko is all smiles as she wears her commencement regalia.

The graduating class of 2020 began the second half of the school year much like the classes preceding them—participating in sporting events, academic competitions, prom, and finally commencement. However, these seniors have been met with nothing but disappointment due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic.

Dreams that filled the hearts and minds of graduating seniors were being shattered right before their very eyes. Athletic programs, CANCELED. Academic competitions, CANCELED. Prom, CANCELED. Graduation, POSTPONED. The one special event seniors were not willing to sacrifice is graduation. Although seniors are forced to forego memorable events such as prom, Alvin ISD is committed to helping them salvage what is remaining of their last year of high school by honoring its graduates and their accomplishments in a timely and fitting manner. As a result of Governor Greg Abbott’s

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announcement on JUNE 5, 2020, Alvin ISD plans to hold face-to-face graduation ceremonies for the class of 2020 in early June. In light of every challenge these students have faced, administrators designed the commencement activities with the graduates and their families in mind. Because high school graduation is such a special milestone, nothing will be left to chance.

Although COVID-19 has wreaked havoc globally and life as we know it has been flipped upside down beyond belief, many graduating seniors cling to the hope that one day, and one day soon, this, too, will all be behind them.

The class of 2020 has collectively developed a heart of perseverance.

These students are resilient and will look back on this experience as one that was life-shaping.

Continued on page 5

COVER STORY Continued from page 4 Photo by Prentice James

RISE Academy’s graduate Johnny Gajewsky sets up a tripod at the Marguerite Edwards Performing Arts Center at Alvin High School. Gajewsky will give the invocation in June in the same building during the traditional graduation ceremony for RISE Academy.

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COVER STORY Continued from page 5 Photos by Prentice James

Principal Aeniqua Flowers of Manvel High School reviews her planned commencement address.

From left, high school principals Aeniqua Flowers of Manvel, Kelly Hestand of Shadow Creek, and Karen Taylor of Alvin prepare for commencement activities. Due to the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic, traditional graduation activities were postponed.

“WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR HISTORY AND GETTING TO KNOW EACH AND EVERY ONE OF OUR CUSTOMERS.”

Local Lending Decisions

• Commercial Loans • Personal Loans • Deposit Services • Cash Management • Online Banking • VISA Check Card Manvel Branch

“Seifried & Brew, LLC (S&B) is proud to announce that First State Bank was ranked within the 2018 S&B Top 15th Percentile of “Seifried & Brew, LLC (S&B) is proud to Community Banks, which includes more than announce that First State Bank was ranked 5,200 banks. ”

within the 2018 S&B Top 15th Percentile of CLUTE • MANVEL Community Banks, which includes more GOOD than “IT’S TO BE• LAKE JACKSON www.bankatfsb.com It’s good to be First.

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FIRST SINCE 1958”

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www.bankatfsb.com FDIC 19323 Hwy. 6 • Manvel, TX • 281-489-3131

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COVER STORY Continued from page 6 Photos by Prentice James

Alvin High School’s valedictorian Jodie Aguirre is recorded on JUNE 4th as part of a now shuttered virtual commencement. Aguirre will give her address in June during the traditional graduation celebration.

Mark Kapner, digital media specialist for Alvin ISD, adjusts equipment for audio and video recording at the Marguerite Edwards Performing Arts Center at Alvin High School.

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O•P•E•N

FOR BUSINESS Busy Bee Café in Alvin has been busy with the return of dine-in customers.

The parking lot at Kelly’s Restaurant in Alvin reflects the gradual return of dine-in patrons.

Sno Country on Johnson St. is open and providing icey treats.

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O•P•E•N

FOR BUSINESS

Manvel Mattress is open for business practicing safe distancing – with delivery or pick up available.

LEFT: Short Cut’s Barber Shop operates according to guidelines while safely doing long awaited haircuts.

DaVinci Hair Salon is safe distancing and sanitizing between customers for hair services and nails.

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NEW HOMES Ground is being prepared to begin building the new neighborhood of homes in the upper $100s on Mustang Road.

The homes will be very convenient to Alvin Community College and all the local businesses on Bypass 35.

Fairway Lakes features new beautiful Rausch Coleman homes from the low $200s.

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NEW HOMES

There is a lot of activity taking place in the new subdivision Del Bello Lakes

Located at 288 just north of Highway 6 in Manvel.

This community offers many different options Ashton Woods Homes, Perry Homes, Shea Homes and Westin Homes to choose from.

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LOCAL BUSINES S DIRECT O RY

832-569-5314

Sun. - Thurs. 11 am - 9 pm | Fri. & Sat. 11 am - 10 pm

• STARTERS • SALADS • SOUPS • PIZZA PIES • ITALIAN CLASSICS & SPECIALTIES • WE C ATER • www.ginasinfriendswood.com 129 W. Parkwood • Located in Friendswood • Corner of 528 & 518

TOWING 2301 S. Gordon St. • Alvin, TX 77511

281-824-4354

bc.towing18@gmail.com bcautorepair.mechanicnet.com 14 . . . JUNE 2020

GROWTH

O•P•E•N S•O•O•N

The new convenience store which houses a Wendy’s along with Shell gas pumps is nearing completion at Hwy. 6 @ FM 1128 in Manvel.

Expansion is nearing completion at The Little Rascals Daycare on Hwy. 6 in Manvel.

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