288 Express March 2021

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

PAGE 3

Spelling Bee Winners PAGE 4

Alvin Lady Jacket Softball PAGE 8

Principals of the Year PAGE 13 & 14

Guest Columns

MARCH 2021 Volume 4, Issue 3

A publication of the Alvin Advertiser

E D I TO R ’ S

N OTAT I O N

I took over the production responsibilities for the 288 Express magazine in 2020 but I never took the time to introduce myself. So better late than never, as they say.

I began working at The Alvin Sun & Advertiser in 2008 as the manager of the production department. In 2012, the office manager retired so I was offered the opportunity, and I took it, to move into that position.

Once I got fully acquainted with the spot, I found that I loved it but I really missed the creative side of the production department. So, I began helping to create the cover art for the Special Sections that are published throughout the year.

So, then comes 2020 and the arrival of a new managing editor. In order to help out until the new editor got acclimated, I offered to get the monthly magazine out.

Well, a year later, I am still at the helm. It is a lot of extra work and there is no time to take advantage of the 10

minute breaks that we are allowed - but I love it!

The purpose of the magazine is to highlight the communities of Alvin, Manvel, Iowa Colony, Rosharon and Liverpool but also make sure the stories, photos and features are totally different than what is covered in The Alvin Sun or The Alvin Advertiser.

I’m not able to go out and take photos or do interviews because of other office duties that have to be accomplished on a daily basis. So, right now, I rely on articles and photos that we receive by email to fill the pages.

I gladly welcome any help that you, my neighbors, can offer. Keep it coming - the more the better. Nothing is too big or too small.

By the way, my name is Donna Hopkins and I have lived in Alvin for almost 40 years - over half my life.

I can’t wait to hear from you.

Keep It Coming!

A publication of

Source For News & Advertising” Alvin,“Your Manvel & Neighboring Communities

Advertising Contact: Editorial AHazel publication of Perez Writers & Photographers advertising@alvinsun.net Stephen Collins • Michael Edmonds Graphic 570 Dula St. • Designers Alvin, TX 77511 Linda Knight 281-331-4421 Donna Hopkins www.alvinsun.net

“Your Source For News & Advertising”

Advertising Contact: Hazel Perez advertising@alvinsun.net 570 Dula St. • Alvin, TX 77511 281-331-4421 www.alvinsun.net

2 . . . MARCH 2021

Send Us Your News We are looking for local news or photos to publish in the 288 Express magazine Email to: Donna Hopkins officemanager@alvinsun.net

COV E R

STO RY

BEE Winners

Alaina Jett, Harby Junior High

DeAngelo Primero, Duke Elementary

Alvin ISD Spelling Bee Winner and Runner Up The 2021 District Spelling Bee, like everything else this year, was conducted a little differently.

Each speller was issued 25 words at their home campus and the student that spelled the most words correct, was declared the winner.

This year, Harby Jr. High 8th grader, Alaina Jett won

by answering 21/25 words correctly. Runner up was Duke Elementary 4th grader, DeAngelo Primero. He correctly spelled 20/25 words.

Alaina will advance to the next round of competition in the Houston Public Media Spelling Bee to be held virtually on March 9, 2021.

MARCH 2021 . . .

3

A I S D S P O RT S

F E AT U R E

Alvin Lady Jacket Softball

What If….

Story/Photos by Michael Edmonds

Let’s take a short and somewhat uncomfortable trip back to 2020, a year that most people would love to soon forget, where Covid was felt globally and many were affected in various ways, and unfortunately thus, unforgettable.

What was also unforgettable was the season Alvin Lady Jacket softball was having until all high school sports came to a screeching halt due to the pandemic. Basically, all spring

4 . . . MARCH 2021

sports never crowned a state champion, with basketball getting right up to the finals, but never getting to play them. Baseball was just getting underway and softball was well into the season and one game into district play, with the Lady Jackets clearly in the driver’s seat, but it ended all of a sudden from the impact of the pandemic…….what if it hadn’t?

Continued on page 5

When asked about last year vs this year, Coach Paula Tafelski’s did not hesitate in saying

“Pick up where we left off and finish it!”

Jodie Aguirre, former player currently pitching for Brown University,

“2020 was cut short but a year to remember” and believes they would have won the State Championship

Coming off a successful 2019 campaign, where Lady Jackets were undefeated district 24-6A champs and had made it to the 4th round (Regional Semifinals) of the playoffs where they were defeated by the Katy Lady Tigers who eventually went on to win state. It was a valiant march to get where they got. After such a successful season, the expectations were high and the anticipation was certainly at a fever pitch for 2020.

As the 2020 season began, Alvin had a pre-season ranking of 20th in the state if memory serves me correctly. With several returning starters, the lineup was loaded with talent with players such as Clarissa Barron, Khori Bolton, Mary Pourcio, Mindy Matthews, and pitcher Jodie Aguirre. Aguirre was slated to replace ace hurler Rachel Hertenberger who had graduated and went on to play for the University of Houston. According to head coach David McCorkle “Jodie was next up, but struggled her freshman and sophomore years.” McCorkle added “We knew she had great stuff, but just couldn’t ever seem to control it. She was upset that she didn’t get to pitch more her sophomore year.” After her sophomore year she was on a mission and earned her spot as the number one pitcher.

McCorkle also said their chances were pretty good even though there was concern with younger players in key positions. He was predicting a .500 winning percentage with upcoming tournaments.

With a untested but seemingly solid starting line up, the ladies were ready to take to the diamond and were ready to play ball.

February rolled around and it was time to start the 2020 season.

Typically, there are scrimmages, tournaments and non-district to begin the year. Coach McCorkle was banking on the team to have a chance to win district and get back to regionals in playoffs. The Lady Jackets started out with a bang and began to knock off teams left and right, even defeating the Lady Tigers of Katy as well as a few more state-ranked teams. As with success, there also comes moving up the ranking ladder. Soon the team was jockeying with other teams for the top spots at #1 or #2 in the state. Things were going quite well for this talented group and the future looked bright, but this too would get a foul taste of what 2020 had in store.

All good things must come to an end as they say, and the season was to stop due to the Covid situation. Although highly disappointing, there is still much to be proud of in the way of accomplishments.

The team finished with a 20-1 record, the only loss to Barbers Hill, ranked #4 in the state. Aguirre finished the season with a record of 19-1 and an ERA of 0.92 and 149 strikeouts. Some stats for the Continued on page 6 MARCH 2021 . . .

5

season include a team batting average of .377, 146 runs and 37 stolen bases. As for the rankings, the team finished #1 in the state of Texas and #2 nationally. Not a bad way to prematurely finish and it was certainly not by choice.

So now the question arises.…what if? The team was certainly in the driver’s seat when the season was over. With the team on a roll and compiling an astonishing record, one could certainly argue that this could have ended on a high note. All the signs were pointing in that direction. In speaking with coaches and players (both current and former) the main sentiments according to McCorkle were “being distraught and devastated.” The head coach also had this to say “I truly believe we were the best team in Texas last year and would have had a chance to win a State Championship. We had all the pieces on our team”. On the positive side of the discussion, last season will surely serve as a motivational tool to pick up where they left off and to finish their goal. Now the time has come to see what is in store for this year.

Although some of last year’s team has graduated, there are some returning players as well as new faces on the roster. Some key players to look for include Victoria Valdez (JR/C), Reagan Jones (SO/SS), Khori Bolton (SR/2B), and Chloe Foster (JR/OF). As for

Mindy Matthews (former player) –

“I felt sadness for this team when all the sweat and tears that we put into our efforts were suddenly taken away from us”

Continued on page 7

Keke Olison (P/C) will be vying for the starting pitcher spot and is

“looking forward to this season”

Coach McCorkle handling batting duties for ball handling drills

6 . . . MARCH 2021

a replacement for Aguirre, Kanoe Cleland (JR), Allie Armstrong (JR), Keke Olison (JR), and Roni Harrison (SO) will be evaluated on a committee basis for the pitching duties. McCorkle’s coaching approach is to have an unmatched culture, with key ingredients including having great leaders and demanding his players to be

successful on and off the field, including in the classroom. He also expects his players to bring their best attitude & effort at all times and to “leave it all on the field.” The “what if” to the 2020 season will never be known but there is once again a deep-seeded passion and drive to pick up where they left off.

Best wishes are in order for this year…….play ball!

Khori Bolton handling her duties on second base

Victoria Valdez (JR/C) did not feel good about what happened and obviously disappointed but emphatically stated

“we were going to win State”

Of the many skill drills to perform on the field, fielding ground balls is an important fundamental

MARCH 2021 . . .

7

Alvin ISD Announces

Krystal Hawks Shirley Brothers Elementary

8 . . . MARCH 2021

Principals of the Year

Karen Taylor Alvin High School

MARCH 2021 . . .

9

Students Compete In UIL Events Elementary students across Alvin ISD participated in Academic UIL at Manvel High School in January. Students competed in eight events ranging from oral reading to number sense. Volunteers were very helpful to the students during the day.

10 . . . MARCH 2021

E D I TO R I A L

F E AT U R E

In pandemic era, Texans’ access to public information at risk

By Kelley Shannon

Bold steps nearly 50 years ago created a landmark protection for the people’s right to know in Texas.

Lawmakers approved the state’s open records law, now Kelley Shannon known as the Texas Public Information Act. Born out of a political financial scandal, the act’s aim was to allow citizens to hold public officials accountable.

For the most part, this Texas transparency law has served us well.

It’s essential in many Texans’ routine interactions with their government as they request police reports and school budget documents and so much more. It has been used to expose government action – or inaction – in the wake of hurricanes and floods and turbulent economic times.

Now, amid the coronavirus outbreak, the Public Information Act is having another pivotal moment as Texans try to keep a watch on

government during a pandemic.

Where are COVID-19 clusters occurring?

Are elderly loved ones safe? What’s the latest on COVID testing and vaccine distribution?

How are taxpayer dollars being spent on pandemic aid in our communities?

The Texas Public Information Act is supposed to help us answer these questions of life and death and following the money. But in many cases, governments are using the pandemic itself to ignore them.

Some government offices closed their doors to the public to prevent spread of the virus and, citing attorney general guidance, declared this physical office closure doesn’t count as business days for responding to Public Information Act requests. That’s even if government employees are getting paid to work remotely with electronic access to records. This obstruction could go on indefinitely. It’s an outdated approach when much of the work world is operating remotely via email and Zoom meetings.

Clearly, there’s a flaw in the interpretation of the law. And it can be repaired.

Today’s state legislators, like their predecessors a half century ago, have the chance to take their own historic stand to safeguard the free flow of information for years to come.

The Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas and 20 other diverse organizations have formed the Transparent and Accountable Government Coalition to raise awareness about transparency laws and to support reforms in the 2021 legislative session. Some of these issues already existed, but the pandemic magnified them.

In addition to Public Information Act updates, the virtual meetings provision of the Texas Open Meetings Act needs lawmakers’ attention. We must ensure fair rules for public participation in online government meetings, including having a phone call-in line for those without Internet access.

State law also should clarify that the locations of COVID-19 cases in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities are public information. The TAG Coalition is working on these measures and several other open government bills, such as one calling for See AT RISK on page 15

The Homeowners Religious Freedom Act protects against HOAs

Sen. Paul Bettencourt

Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) filed SB 581, the Homeowners Religious Freedom Act, providing protection for homeowners who wish to place certain religious displays on their front door.

Too many homeowners’ associations (HOAs) had adopted restrictive rules that would order the removal of religious displays on homeowners’ property. This legislation was also filed by Bettencourt in the 85th and 86th session. Joint-authors for this legislation include Senator Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Montgomery). Representative Mike Schofield (RHouston) filed the identical companion bill, HB 1569, in the house.

“The HOA does not own your property and should not be in the business of placing overly burdensome restrictions on the free exercise of your religion,” said Senator Bettencourt “No one has a right to tell you that you cannot worship at your own home,” said State Rep. Mike Schofield, the author of the bill in the House. “Preventing someone from having a religious symbol on their own lawn is an infringement on freedom that is positively un-Texan, and it must stop.”

SB 581 key points: 1) strikes provisions limiting your right to religious disSee FREEDOM on page 15 MARCH 2021 . . .

11

HONOR ROLL N E W S

Sam Houston State University President’s Honor Roll - Fall Semester

McNeese State University Honor Roll - Fall Semester

Sandra Simmons Manvel, TX

Nathan L. Collins Alvin, TX

Christian Perez Garcia Manvel, TX

Kade M. Morris Alvin, TX

Sarah Adair Manvel, TX

Amanda N. Johnson Manvel, TX

Karis G. Johnson Manvel, TX

12 . . . MARCH 2021

G U E ST

COLUMN

Just Another Voice By James Hopkins

How Long?

If your child, friend or someone you really love, contracted some horrible disease or infirmity, how long would you want them to have it?

Would you want them to have it for 12 years as in the case of the woman with the issue of blood?

Luke 8:43-44 “And a woman having an issue of blood… came behind Jesus, and touched the border of his garment; and immediately her issue of blood stopped”.

Would you go for 18 years like the woman with the spirit of infirmity in Luke 13:11-13? “And when Jesus saw her, he said unto her, woman, thou art loosed from your infirmity. And he laid hands on her; and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God”.

Or, it could be most of their life; like the young man with the dumb spirit in Matthew 17:14-18? Then Jesus said, “Bring him hither to me.

And Jesus rebuked the devil; he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour”.

Would from birth to manhood be acceptable as was the blind man in John 9:1-9? “… Jesus… anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and said, go wash in the Pool of Siloam. He went his way, washed, and came seeing”. Sounds like another immediately.

How about 38 years, like the man by the Pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-9? “Jesus said unto him, rise, take up thy bed, and walk, and immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed and walked.”

God doesn’t limit his immediately to our body’s needs. Here are a few examples of this: If you feel like a failure: When Peter was walking on the water to Jesus and began to sink, immediately Jesus lifted him up. (Matt.

14:29-31) If you feel like your life is going nowhere: When Jesus entered the boat, immediately they were on the other side. (John 6:19-21) If you’re over your head in debt: When Peter needed to pay taxes, Jesus told him to go fishing; the first fish he caught had exactly the right amount of money in its mouth. (Matt. 17:24-27) If your business is failing: As soon as Jesus’ disciples (professional fishermen) cast the nets on the right side of the ship by his instruction; the nets were full. Immediately seems to be a very popular way with Jesus.

If you feel bound up or in prison: When Paul and Silas sang praises “the foundations of the prison were shaken and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s bands were loosed”. (Acts 16:2526) If you are in fear: They all saw him, and were afraid. And immediately

Jesus talked with them, and said unto them, “be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid”. (Mark 6:50) Every one of the above-mentioned situations ended immediately when Jesus entered the picture. Jesus showed us the will of The Father when he ‘answered’ every need immediately. (John 5:30) HOW LONG IS IMMEDIATELY? Def: 1) At Once; Instantly 2) Without Intervening Time Or Space. Conjunction: 1) As Soon As. There seems to be a definite pattern throughout the Bible of things getting taken care of as soon as God shows up; Hebrews 13:8 – “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever”. If Jesus said that he would never leave us or forsake us, then He is always here to take care of every need immediately!

The Father’s love for you qualifies you to receive everything he has, immediately. If you have never asked Him to be the Lord of your life, He will do that immediately. He is waiting to hear from you. You can talk to Him in your own way or, just pray this simple prayer: Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God and you died on the cross for me and shed your blood to take away all of my sins. So, I ask you to forgive me of my sins, come into my heart and be the Lord of my life.

If you prayed that prayer for the first time: “Welcome To The Family Of God!” P.S.: I’ve heard there are over 8,800 promises in the Bible so, you had better get started if you want all that God has for you.

Because of Him, James

LOVES

MARCH 2021 . . .

13

G U E ST

COLUMN

The Postscript by Carrie Classon

Throw Out The Empties

Carrie Classon A fellow I know was grousing about the past year.

His birthday was coming up and he felt, once again, that this year failed to meet his expectations. He was unhappy with the year, unhappy with himself, unhappy with the fact that he’d even allowed himself to hope that 2020, of all years, was going to be better than the previous ones.

“My caring isn’t going to make any difference in how things work out,” he told me. “When I step back to accept that reality, maybe I’ll stop thinking any of it matters.”

He was unhappy with the idea that he’d gotten his hopes up at all. He seemed to feel that expecting something better in the coming year was a sucker’s game and he was not going to fall for it again.

I didn’t say anything to him. I didn’t make any chipper remarks because I knew he wasn’t looking for advice. He was looking for commiseration for what he saw as a lost and wasted year.

But I did spend some time thinking about his complaints and I

14 . . . MARCH 2021

decided that – if I had offered my advice – I’d have told him to go clean out his refrigerator.

I know I’m not the only one who lets the refrigerator fill up with plans that didn’t work out, ideas I lost interest in, unfinished meals I always thought I’d get back to. The new year is an excellent time to take a peek at what’s lurking in the corners and drag it all out and look at it under a good strong light.

Throw out the sweet and sour sauce of frustrated expectations.

Pitch that packet of expired yeast for the hopes that will never rise and, instead, take out the sourdough starter and get something new going, something you can pass on to your friends.

Quit saving the fancy mustard for a special occasion. Today is special. Put that mustard on a hotdog tonight and call it a party—even if you are all by yourself.

Take out those empty containers that used to be full of the things you liked. You’re not going to enjoy those things anymore. Get rid of the reminders.

Throw out the empties.

At least once a year, I have to take a good hard look at all the stuff that has accumulated on my shelves and ask myself, “Does this make me happy? Or is it just a leftover idea of a meal I am never going to eat?”

If I can still imagine the person who might eat it, then I’ll clean up the bottle, wipe down the shelf, and place it front and center where I won’t forget it. But if I can’t imagine ever wanting that bottle of whatever it is again— I’m not thinking twice. I’m go-

ing to throw it away and get on with my cleaning.

But, most importantly, I’m leaving room in my refrigerator for new stuff.

I can’t get excited about cooking something new if my refrigerator is piled high with junk I no longer need or want or care about. The new year is a good time to be honest about this. I used to be a grape jelly kind of person. I’m not anymore—and that’s okay. It’s no crime to admit things have changed.

I’m going to clean those shelves until they shine and leave a little room for all the meals I cannot yet imagine, for all the tasty treats I’ve been promising myself one day. The day has come. I’m going to need some shelf space.

Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classon’s memoir is called, “Blue Yarn.” Learn more at CarrieClasson.com

E D I TO R I A L Cont .

.

.

L O C A L

AT RISK

Continued from page 11 posting more government contracts online.

On Tuesday, Feb. 9, state Rep. Giovanni Capriglione, RSouthlake, participated in a webinar about government financial transparency and how we can enhance citizens’ ability to obtain information through today’s technology. This free program was hosted by the Texas Association of Broadcasters <https://www. tab.org/news-and-events/events-calendar/open-governmentflash-briefing> .

Lawmakers in both political parties are interested in working together to protect and expand public information access. It’s a continuous job to make sure Texas laws keep pace with modern times and that governments adhere to the letter and the spirit of our transparency laws.

This pandemic era presents the opportunity to take yet another step on that honorable path.

Kelley Shannon is executive director of the non-profit Freedom of Information Foundation of Texas. For more information go to www.foift.org <http://www.foift.org/>

B U S I N E S S

FREEDOM

Continued from page 11 plays to the front door, prohibiting the HOA from taking down any religious display on your property.

2) deletes the provision allowing the HOA to effectively ban religious displays by having control of the allowable materials -- or not allowing any at all.

3) only allows the removal of displays that are patently offensive “for reasons other than religious content” “The bottom line is simply that if a homeowner wants to display a Nativity Scene, put a Cross or Menorah on their door, or exercise their religious freedom, whatever their religion might be, a homeowners association should not have the right to prevent that,” concluded Senator Bettencourt.

Senator Bettencourt plans to file legislation on a variety of topics in the upcoming weeks.

D I R E C T O R Y

MARCH 2021 . . .

15

16 . . . MARCH 2021