infinitieplus magazine

infinitieplus September 2023

VOL. 13 NO. 9 LONGVIEW BUSINESS MAGAZINE

TBT installs students BOD Trina Griffith & Co. Real Estate Awards

Life Insurance To the Rescue

Online Safety Tips for Kids

Burn Your Boats Choose to Win

FLIP THIS MAGAZINE

Personal Finance

Life insurance to the rescue

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f your loved ones financially depend on you, you might want to buy life insurance.

Proceeds from a life insurance policy can cover burial expenses. And beneficiaries could use the money to help pay mortgage or tuition costs.

Some policies provide benefits to you while you are alive.

There are two basic types: Term life insurance is the simplest and least expensive. It covers you for a set number of years—until age 60, for instance.

Permanent life insurance provides coverage throughout your life as long as you pay your premiums. These policies are complex, so it’s a

good idea to talk with a financial planner.

Need to track down a missing life insurance policy? You can search for a policy or annuity through the National

Association of Insurance Commissioners.

Have a question about insurance? Call the Texas Department of Insurance at 800-252- 3439 or visit www.tdi.texas.gov.

T AN E ST U IN ISS

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Editor's Note Hello infinitieplus magazine Family and Friends, It is our greatest hope that everyone is doing well and staying hydrated in the Texas sweltering temperatures.

To our advertisers who make infinitieplus magazine possible to the public, we say thank you so much for your continuous support.

To our readers, we say thank you for your readership online and hard copy. In addition, thanks for liking and following us on Facebook.

In this September edition, we brought you the cover story of Texas Bank and Trust introducing their Student Board of Directors and there are 70 of these young and up and coming leaders. The Student Board members will test their ingenuity and business development skills with “Investments Quest. ” Investment Quest is a signature program back by popular demand. As aspiring entrepreneurs, students will have eight months to conceptualize a product, service, or business they could possibly bring to market. The story is from page 6.

Check out the award-winning Trina Griffith & Company Real Estate that celebrated several honors at Barron’s Café. Read why their endeavors called for jollification. The

Table of Contents story is from page 8. But that is not all. There is more.

“Burn the Boats!” and WIN is one heck of an inspiration piece that Glenn Miller penned in this edition.

Cortez the explorer told his sailors that if they were going home, they’d go home in the Aztec’s boats and not their own. He left no option but victory! Interestingly, we can do the same and live victoriously. The story is from page 16.

There are other stories including how to grill the perfect burger, brain teasers to quicken the brain and leave it with no dull moments.

Then, flip the magazine and enjoy the story about an award-winning teacher-Whitney Reardon from Johnston McQueen Elementary School.

And how about being happy? Is happiness eluding you or do you know anyone who wants to be happy. Well, check out the story on Women Today section. These are just highlights of the magazine.

Be sure to read the stories and pass on the magazine to someone. Best of all, visit us at: https://www.infinitieplusmag.com Once more, thanks for reading infinitieplus magazine. We look forward to serving you again in October by His grace.

Joycelyne Fadojutimi PhD Publisher

Proud member of:

The Magazine for Living Life Beyond, Plus One… Publisher / Editor Joycelyne Fadojutimi, PhD Photography Joycelyne Fadojutimi Graphic Designer Kuneho Designs Contributing Writers Glenn Miller Mechele Agbayani Mills Mary Hunt Robert Goldman Dr. Michael Guido

For advertising Email: joy@infinitieplusmag.com www.infinitieplusmag.com

Features

In Every Issue Spotlight

OUR MISSION

Women Today Inspiration

OUR VISION

Business and Finance

To become an information oracle of functional and constructive reports that serves the needs of businesses and communities.

P. O. Box 12473 Longview, Texas 75602-2473 www.infinitieplusmag.com Phone: 903.918.7706

VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 9

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Katie Koch and Mayra Lopez

To enrich the local-global community with the “just in time knowledge,” to assure future successes

Submission Deadline: The first of every month prior to month of issue. infinitieplus magazine is not responsible for any discrepancies or changes since the publishing of this issue. At the time of publication, to the best of our knowledge, all information was accurate though not guaranteed.

The entire contents of infinitieplus magazine is copyrighted 2023. Any reproduction or use in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. infinitieplus magazine reserves the right to edit and make appropriate modifications. The opinions published by contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the views of infinitieplus magazine or its advertisers.

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Natsha Jackson and Susan Williams

Jorge Acuna and Greg Colquitt

Puzzle Grubs Up Community Connections Karen Partee EVP/ Chief Marketing Officer speaks at the recent announcement of TBT Student Board of Directors

Sarah Hector attend TBT Student Board of Directors installation

About the Cover Texas Bank and Trust announces the 70 TBT Student Board of Directors. It was also an opportunity for the community to see and experience the newly renovated bank with fitting yet stylishly modern columns and furniture. In addition, cheerful bank officers gallantly opened the doors ushering in their guests into a well cooled comfy bank away from the 107 degrees Texas blistering evening temperature. Moreover, the bank served cold beverages and hors d’oeuvres to attendees who desired to indulge themselves. www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine | https://twitter.com/infinitieplus | infinitieplus | September 2023

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Cover Story

Cover Story

TBT announces Student Board of Directors

By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI / WWW.INFINITIEPLUSMAG.COM

Lailah and Rashida Johnson

T

exas Bank and Trust, (TBT) in downtown Longview, Texas recently filled its lobby with students, their families as well as public school representatives.

Introduction of 20232024 seventy TBT Student Board of

Dr. James Hockenberry, Asst. Sup. Community Relations and LHS interim principal Ms. Shameika Allen.

Directors took place in the bank lobby.

This evening was also an opportunity for the community to see and experience the newly renovated bank with fitting yet stylishly modern columns and furniture.

In addition, cheerful bank officers gallantly opened the doors ushering in their guests into a well cooled comfy

bank away from the 107 degrees Texas blistering evening temperature.

Moreover, the bank served cold beverages and hors d’oeuvres to attendees who desired to indulge themselves.

Texas Bank and Trust (TBT) Student Board of Directors is in its 46th year. The program is designed to introduce students to banking and money management at

Sherry Gibbon introduces TBT Student Board of Directors

L-r: PTISD Superintendent Steve Clugston, Dr. Cleo Watley, Principal and Asst.

Superintendent Derrick Conley

a critical point in their lives and provide them necessary economic building blocks to earning, spending, saving, and investing money in tandem. But that is not all.

Moreover, Student Board members will serve as advisers to the bank on developing the next two-year curriculum of the Student Board program.

Clay Thompson, Stacy Cammack and Dorrie DeLand

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The Hall Family: Caleb, Timberlake and Charles Hall.

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Fandemonium bank cards

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Cover Story

Cover Story

The Fisher Family: L-r: Bill, Lauren and William Fisher

Cover story: L-r: Patricia Yandoma, Fatoumata and Sada Traore

Equally important, these Student Board members will test their ingenuity and business development skills with “Investments Quest. ” Investment Quest is a signature program back by popular demand. As aspiring entrepreneurs, students will have eight months to conceptualize a product, service, or business they could possibly bring to market.

Then, students will be divided into teams. These student teams will pitch their concepts to a panel of

“potential investors,” at their final meeting in April in hopes of securing hypothetical funding for the project.

Panel members will represent local east Texas entrepreneurs familiar with what it takes to launch a new product or small business.

The team that is successful in bringing the largest amount of investment dollars for their innovation will be named and promoted to “TBT Young Entrepreneurs of the Years.”

Sarah and Bryan Robinson

LET'S GET YOUR HOME

DON'T WAIT! CALL ME TODAY Real Estate, LLC Emily Jarrell and Divya Nirmal

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Amy Reese and Linda Brooks

Hayden Bray and Ashley Andrews

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Longview Office 903-212-2121

Hallsville Office 903-660-7493

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Inspiration Education

Education

Online Safety Tips for Kids The task of parenting continues to face new challenges

By MICHELLE AGBAYANI MILLS

people they have met in person. Review their friends and ask questions. Remember children are in real danger when they meet strangers in person with whom they have only communicated online.

Limit information.

Posting too much information can make your children vulnerable. Set your child’s privacy settings to “private” or “friends only” and restrict

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t’s hard to believe, but summer break has come to an end.

And as parents and teachers go back to school, BBB wants to help you help your children stay safe and provides the following tips to help ensure your safety and the safety of those you love. Creating a secure environment also includes the online environment in which we have immersed ourselves.

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BBB provides the following tips to help keep your child safe online: Communicate.

Encourage your children to make you aware if something or someone they encounter online causes them to feel anxious, uncomfortable, or threatened.

Set ground rules.

Provide children with

limits regarding length of time they can be on their devices and which sites are and are not acceptable.

Set permission requirements.

Free apps often have clickable ads or an option to download paid versions of the application. Disable your device’s ability to download apps without a password.

them from posting information such as their address, phone number, date of birth, and name of school.

Be mindful about detail in photographs.

Photographs can reveal a lot of personal information. Encourage your children not to post photographs of themselves or their friends with clearly identifiable details such as street signs, license plates on family cars,

or even the name of their school on their sweatshirts.

Take it down.

If your children refuse to abide by the rules you've set to help protect their safety and you've attempted to help them change their behavior, you can contact the social website your child uses and ask them to remove the page.

Keep in mind there are many internet

filtering tools and applications that are available to complement parental supervision and help young people navigate the web in an effective and safe manner while ensuring their future success in a tech-savvy and highly connected world.

For more information see more back-to-school tips from BBB. Check out BBB's page dedicated to scams on social media.

Educate yourself.

Evaluate sites and apps that your child plans to use, and make sure both you and your child understand the privacy policy and the code of conduct. Find out if the site monitors content that people post. Also, review your child's search history periodically.

Minimize the risk.

Insist that your children communicate only with

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Business and Finance

Business and Finance

Top Producers: Clay Yoder, Jared Stringer, Brandy Williamson, Michael Kalmus, (Not pictured) Cassidy Bunch.

Maddie Cook and Dax Griffith

Trina Griffith and Brandy Williamson

Top Producer, Top Listing Agent 2022, and TG Luxury Agent: Blake Tucker

Third Top Producer and TG Luxury Agent: Joel Tutt

Trina Griffith & Company Real Estate Brokers

Trina Griffith: Real Estate mogul puts the flag out

T

IP STAFF REPORT

rina Griffith & Company Real Estate celebrated several honors at Barron’s Café. Named and voted number one Real Estate Company in the Best of East Texas and number one realtor (Trina Griffith Broker) in the

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Longview News Journal 2023 Best of East Texas reader poll, called for jollification. But that is not all.

There is more.

In addition, the linchpin and numero uno, Broker and owner Trina Griffith hailed her top honors agents for their first rate 2022 production.

2nd Top Producer and TG Luxury Agent: Christy Stone

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Tucker Dudley and Trina Griffith

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Business and Finance

Christy Stone, Blake Tucker, and Joel Tutt

Also honored were the 2022 Rising Stars: Dax Griffith, Samantha Raines, Lindsay Simms, Jared Stringer, and Amy Gay (Not pictured)

TG Luxury Agents: Michael Kalmus, Tucker Dudley, Hayley Choy, Christy Stone, Blake Tucker, Joel Tutt, Clay Yoder, Samantha Raines, Jared Stringer, Brandy Williamson, Not pictured: Haley Montgomery and Cassidy Bunch.

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Inspiration

Inspiration

BURN YOUR BOATS

By GLENN MILLER

GOD’S WORD: “This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” – 1 John 5:3-5

F

or six hundred years, between the tenth and the sixteenth centuries, the world’s richest treasures were held in impenetrable fortresses by the Aztec Empire of South America. Despite the fact that conquerors from all over the world tried to

take this treasure, no one was able to overcome the Aztecs and capture the riches. But in 1519, a Spanish conqueror named Hidalgo Cortez changed history. Selling everything he had to bankroll this adventure, he sailed with 100 men in eleven boats from the shores of Cuba, intent to bring back the treasure.

As one would expect, the closer the armada got, the more doubt and fear arose. They knew that thousands before them had failed and that if they failed this time, at least they’d be in good company. The odds were against them and about half-way there, the men began to abandon their dreams and look for excuses to turn back and go home, where things were at least convenient and predictable. But Cortez held off the mutiny and they soon arrived on the shores of South America where the treasure was held.

But instead of immediately attacking the Aztec army, Cortex spent weeks drilling the troops and instilling in them the dream and the confidence

needed for victory. As they assembled one last time before making the first charge, he told his troops something that has had a profound impact on me when I find myself meeting insurmountable odds.

Instead of giving them instruction for what to do should they find themselves being defeated, Cortez looked them in the eyes and said three extremely powerful words: “Burn the boats!”

Cortez told them that if they were going home, they’d go home in the Aztec’s boats and not their own. He left no option but victory! And an amazing thing happened; they fought very well and

after six hundred years of being held by the Aztec empire, the treasure was now theirs.

You see, Cortez saw the boats in the harbor as a safety net. As long as their boats were anchored, they had a means of escape and

could return to the old way of doing things. By removing that option, the only thing left for the soldiers to do was win or die. They chose to win.

We, too, have boats in our lives that need burning. Boats that symbolize those things that keep us tied to the dock of comfort and convenience; boats that keep us tied to the moors of complacency and “the-road-most-traveled-byothers.”

Boats of self-reliance upon our own pedigree, bank accounts, education, or social position. Boats of selfishness and self-centeredness; a cancer in our society that awards philosophies that inspire “to thine own self be true”.

Boats of remembrances of former hurts, failures and sins that keep us from our true identity in Jesus; that our sins have been forgiven and by His blood we have been given a robe of righteousness.

The are all boats from Satan’s armada and have no place in the minds of those who claim Christ and their Lord and the victory He has provided each believer.

Isn’t it time to burn the boats that are keeping you from being all you can be for the glory of God? After all, if you burn your boat, you have nothing else to do but to step out of it. It’s then, through faith, we either trust God to allow us to walk on water or provide God the opportunity to catch us.

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Education/ Arts and Culture

Education/ Arts and Culture

Education and Arts

Partnership

UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy Celebrates Partnership with Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC.

T

he University of Texas at Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy celebrated its partnership with local artists and a new art exhibition through Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC. This collection was curated by Neita Fran Ward and professionally installed by Tyler Museum of Art. The exhibit will be displayed in the W.T. Brookshire Hall, home of the Fisch College of Pharmacy, for the next year, marking the sixth art installation at the college.

Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC will feature 53 pieces of artwork throughout the hallways of W.T.Brookshire Hall.

This year’s program featured a remembrance of artists Gaylon Dingler, Joel Nichols, Butch Mounce and the Fisch College of Pharmacy founding dean, Dr. Lane Brunner.

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Art Connection via Valerosa partners with the Tyler Museum of art and local artists to highlight artwork and promote wellness.

Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC has installations throughout UT Tyler, including the Robert R. Muntz Library and the Academic Building, current home of the UT Tyler School of Medicine.

“I continue to promote and install these exhibits in the facilities for several reasons,” said Neita Fran Ward, owner, and art curator of Art Connection via Valerosa. “It heightens the workday of the instructors and the students. It allows the local artists to have another venue to hang their work and have it appreciated.

Neita Fran Ward: Neita Fran Ward, owner, and art curator for Art Connection via Valerosa, remembers Dr. Lane Brunner, the founding dean of the Fisch College of Pharmacy, and artists Gaylon Dingler, Joel Nichols and Butch Mounce.

Dr. Amy Schwartz: Dr. Amy Schwartz, UT Tyler Fisch College of Pharmacy dean, shares with guests the importance of arts and creativity in medicine.

“We are delighted to celebrate and honor the legacy of Dr. Lane Brunner by continuing the tradition of bringing art to the Fisch College of Pharmacy through our partnership with Art Connection via Valerosa,” said Dr. Amy Schwartz, Fisch College of

Pharmacy Dean. “Dr. Brunner's vision and passion for integrating art into our college have inspired us, and we are dedicated to carrying on this meaningful tradition to create a vibrant and inspiring environment for our students andfaculty.”

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Art Exhibit: The UT Tyler W.T. Brookshire Hall exhibit will feature a total of 53 pieces by local artists.

I believe ‘art lifts the Spirit and feeds the Soul.’”

For more information on Art Connection via Valerosa, LLC, you can tune into their live radio art talk show, Art Connection of East Texas, Saturdays 8 – 9 a.m. on KTBB 97.5 FM.

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Grubs Up

Brain Teaser

Tips for grilling

the perfect burger Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

Subject: HISTORY (e.g., He led expeditions that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. Answer: Hernan Cortes.)

 Choose fresh ground beef

that has a decent percentage of fat. The fat-to-lean meat ratio should be around 20 percent fat to 80 percent meat. Spend a little more to get freshly ground meat that has not been previously frozen.

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 Don’t overwork the burgers

the process. The dimple will keep the top of the burger flat, which facilitates easy topping.

with a lot of handling. This will warm up the fat in the burger, which causes it to emulsify and could make the Make sure the grill is hot. meat rubbery.

Burgers do well with high  Reconsider adding a lot of heat and will cook relatively herbs, spices or add-ins to quickly. the burgers, as such items can detract from the flavor of the  Resist the urge to push down on the patty with your meat. Extra herbs and spices spatula. This will cause the also may require extra mixing, juices to spill out and may which can lead overhandling. in a dry, tough burger.  Push a dimple into the top of  result Let burgers rest before the burger, serving. This lets the juices which will help prevent redistribute throughout and the burger from expanding makes for a moist and tasty upward and out while first bite. cooking and rounding out in

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PH.D. LEVEL 7. Name the first company to issue stock.

Answer________ 8. This captain sailed 4,000 miles in a small boat to reach safety on the island of Timor.

Answer________ 9. His predecessor was Sun Yat-sen.

Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL 4. Who was the most famous prisoner held at Devil’s Island?

Answer________ 5. When first elected prime minister, whom did Winston Churchill replace?

Answer________ 6. What was the date “... which will live in infamy”?

Answer________

SCORING: 18 points - congratulations, doctor; 15 to 17 points - honors graduate; 10 to 14 points - you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 4 to 9 points - you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 3 points - enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0 points - who reads the questions to you?

Super Quiz is a registered trademark of K. Fisher Enterprises Ltd. © 2017 Ken Fisher North America Syndicate Inc.

ANSWERS: 1. Arizona. 2. Austria. 3. Simon Bolivar. 4. Captain Alfred Dreyfus. 5. Neville Chamberlain.

6. Dec. 7, 1941. 7. Dutch East India Company. 8. Captain William Bligh. 9. Chiang Kai-shek.

H

amburgers are a staple at backyard barbecues.

Though burgers are a relatively simple food, mastering the technique to grill burgers is no small feat, as there is more to great grilled burgers than simply firing up the grill and dropping down a patty.

FRESHMAN LEVEL 1. Which battleship was not raised after being sunk at Pearl Harbor?

Answer________ 2. Adolf Hitler was born a citizen of _____.

Answer________ 3. He was proclaimed “El Libertador.”

Answer________

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Educationand Finance Business

Education Business and Finance

ETBU celebrates enrollment growth

E

ast Texas Baptist University celebrates record enrollment in Fall 2023 with 1,833 students, the highest total in the institution's 111-year history. Total enrollment increased 3.5% over Fall 2022, and the University’s total enrollment has exceeded 1,700 students in three of the last four fall terms.

Fall 2023 marks the highest total undergraduate enrollment for the institution, recording 1,659 students, and full-time undergraduate degree-seeking enrollment and Adult Education enrollment rose by 1.5% and 33%, respectively, since Fall 2022.

“We are so very thankful for God’s provision through the earnest commitment of our staff and faculty and the generous support of donor partners, resulting in the blessings of students called to study and experience the Christ-centered education at ETBU,” President J. Blair Blackburn said. “Our mission is to educate, equip, and empower students to walk faithfully as Christian servant leaders.”

The University boasts its highest undergraduate retention rate of 86%, 2% above the fiveyear average, and the freshman cohort retention rate is 69%, matching the highest recorded mark in 1999. The institution's

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closely with faculty members to provide Supplemental Instruction and large group test preparation sessions in an effort to create strong study habits in ETBU’s undergraduate population.

Enrollment is not the only milestone ETBU is celebrating.

With University-wide growth, students will now be able to utilize several brand-new facilities across campus built to support future generations of Tiger scholars.

Students, faculty, and staff are utilizing the Great Commission Center, which opened in April of this year, as the new home to the Fred Hale School of Business, Career Development Office, and Great Commission program.

ETBU recently completed Billy and Winky Foote Hall at Tiger

Yard, a multi-purpose facility that houses apartment-style student residences, the ETBU Baseball Clubhouse, and the Blue Bengal Grocery Company, a micromarket grocery store that provides a vast array of foods, snack items, beverages, household essentials, and branded merchandise for students, faculty, and staff.

“We are so thankful for the collaborative efforts of our staff and faculty, who work together to provide students the opportunity to pursue their calling,” Vice President for Enrollment Dr. Jeremy Johnston said. “Our strong academic offerings and vibrant student life make ETBU a great place to call home for students looking for a Christ-centered education,” Johnston said.

East Texas Baptist University celebrates record enrollment in Fall 2023 with 1,833 students, the highest total in the institution's 111-year history.

academic programs and student life activities contribute to the holistic development of all students. Through Christian scholarship, ministries, missions, chapel, worship, Bible studies, discipleship, and prayer, the University’s goal is for students to encounter the Lord and discover His plan for their future.

“Our mission is to prepare graduates to be Christian servant leaders in their calling to God and humanity,” Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

Thomas Sanders said. “An essential part of accomplishing this mission is creating a curricular and cocurricular environment where students remain engaged in order to develop their gifts, knowledge, and skills. These record-setting retention rates are the result of strategic partnerships and commitments from our faculty and staff. I am so proud to serve with them.”

East Texas Baptist is committed to ensuring that once students are on the Hill, they have the support they need to be successful. The

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University has made significant investments in student success initiatives over the years. Created to support students as they navigate college life, ETBU’s Office of Academic Success assists students with choosing a degree or securing accommodations for physical or learning needs. ETBU’s Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) Tutoring Lab provides free tutoring resources to students for all of the University’s general education and major-specific gateway courses. ACE Tutors work

East Texas Baptist University celebrates record enrollment in Fall 2023 with 1,833 students, the highest total in the institution's 111-year history.

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Weight Loss and Aging

By C H A R L Y N F A R G O

T

he older we get; it seems the harder it is to lose weight. And the majority of us fight this battle.

Results from the 2017-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that about 73% of American adults are considered overweight or obese.

Let's face it: Most of us, as we age, don't meet to go roller-skating or play softball in the neighborhood like we did when we were younger.

We meet to eat. Going out to eat has become our entertainment. And then there is the busyness of living.

For many, making time — or taking time — to exercise consistently is difficult.

Does having excess weight matter? Research has found that carrying those extra pounds increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer. Even in our daily lives, extra weight can affect being able to stay active, have enough energy to do daily tasks and cause difficulty

8 WOMEN TODAY

in sleeping.

As we age, it's easier to gain weight than to lose it.

That's due to combined effects of a poor diet and lack of exercise but the fact that lean muscle mass steadily declines.

The change becomes more noticeable after we hit 40.

Muscles burn more calories than fat. Having less muscle mass means it's easier to gain weight from the same number of calories.

In losing weight, like in a race, the slow but steady turtle wins the race over the faster but sidetracked rabbit. Aim to lose a half-pound to a pound per week. Even a 5% weight loss will reduce health risks, especially for heart disease.

To change your eating habits, choose: Smaller portions *Smaller plates *More fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to boost fiber *More fish, especially salmon *Low-fat dairy It's important to choose complex carbohydrates (beans, nuts, seeds, whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains) over refined carbohydrates (white rice, white pasta, white bread).

Skip sugary drinks in favor of water or unsweetened tea.

Q and A Q: What is monk fruit and is it a good substitute for sugar?

A: Monk fruit has been grown in southern China for hundreds of years. It's a small, melonlike fruit, and gets its name from the Buddhists monks who originally grew it. It's from the same food family as gourds such as pumpkin and melon. It's been used for medicinal purposes in eastern countries to treat intestinal problems and the common cold. Its use as a sweetener is fairly new, though it is naturally very sweet — 100 to 250 times sweeter than sugar. Because of this, it's naturally a lowcalorie sweetener. The fruit is crushed, releasing the juice, which is then mixed with hot water and filtered.

The sweet infusion is dried to create a powder known as monk fruit sugar. You only need a small amount.

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RECIPE

Here's a quick weeknight dinner for the back-to-school schedule. It's low in calories but high in flavor.

Serve with a vegetable of your choice.

CREAMY LEMON & DILL SKILLET CHICKEN Servings: 4 Four 4-ounce chicken cutlets 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper, divided 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 large shallot, finely chopped 1 large clove garlic, minced 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth 1/2 cup heavy cream 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 small lemon, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons chopped dill, plus more for garnish Sprinkle chicken with 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt. Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat until simmering.

Add chicken; cook, turning once, until browned and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165 F, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate.

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Add shallot and garlic to pan; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add broth; cook, stirring occasionally and scraping up brown bits on bottom of pan, until reduced by half, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cream, lemon juice, lemon slices and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1/8 teaspoon salt: simmer until slightly thickened,

1 to 2 minutes. Add chicken, with any accumulated juices, and dill; turn to coat with the sauce. Sprinkle with additional dill, if desired.

Per serving: 289 calories, 27 g protein, 5 g carbohydrate, 18 g fat (8 g saturated), 117 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 2 g sugars, 215 mg sodium. (Recipe from Eating Well)

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HEALTH & WELLNESS

HEALTH & WELLNESS

5 TYPES OF TOXIC CO-WORKERS

(Not Including You.)

By ROBERT GOLDMAN

T

here are co-workers who cause trouble.

There are coworkers who are trouble. But the co-workers who are the most trouble can only be described as toxic.

"Toxic coworkers make it hard for you to do your job and are harmful to be around."

So says Siobhan Neela-Stock, the author of "5 Types of Toxic Coworkers and How to Deal with Them," a recent post in The Muse.

While creating a taxonomy of the swamp creatures who inhabit our workplaces is a remarkable achievement, limiting the number of toxic co-workers to five entirely misses the 2,356 types of toxic managers, as well as the 14,345 types of toxic HR professionals

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and the 2,365,674 types of IT people for whom toxicity is a basic job requirement.

Are Neela-Stock's strategies sufficient to inoculate you from the next toxic spill that contaminates your workspace?

Let's find out.

No. 1: The Constant Complainer "This type of coworker can be the most frustrating," says leadership consultant Robert H. Johnson Jr., "because their negative attitude might be infectious and impact how you feel about the workplace."

They might also, say I, be 100% correct.

The strategies for dealing with constant complainers range from agreement to appeasement. I recommend

bombardment. "There's only one solution for the problems you bring up," you should advise a malcontent. "You must quit immediately. And don't let the door hit you on the way out."

A more moderate response is what career consultant Lea McLeod calls a "getaway phrase," like "Can't talk now. There's a phone call I have to jump on."

Unfortunately, such a weak getaway phrase is not likely to stop a major complaint-fest.

"The phone system here never works right," you will hear in response. "The bosses listen in to every call. They spy on you so they can fire you. And don't expect a reference, because management wants you to suffer."

Like I say, 100% correct.

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No. 2: The Gossiper While it is acceptable to occasionally indulge in perfectly innocent gossip, like the rumor you spread about your manager embezzling money from the company's 401(k) plan to pay for their collection of Star Wars action figures, a toxic gossiper "talks about other people behind their backs on a regular basis."

The strategies for dealing with gossipy co-workers range from a wimpy, "Gee, that doesn't sound true," to a definitive declaration of unfaltering integrity, such as "I don't participate in gossip and you shouldn't either," after which you walk away in a glow of indignant righteousness.

By refusing to participate in gossip you can be assured that you will never again hear vicious rumors or poisonous speculation about your co-workers. That's because everyone will be gossiping about you.

No. 3: The Credit Stealer It isn't often that you do something successful at work, which makes it even more annoying when someone else takes credit for it. You certainly don't want to throw a tantrum at the antics of the credit stealer, who is most likely your boss, but there are steps you can take.

Your best bet is to write up your complaint, have it dated and notarized, with a copy to HR, your attorney and the International Court of Justice in the Hague.

You may not win your case, but I understand the Court does serve excellent stroopwafels.

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No. 4: The Microaggressor Expect to feel macroaggravation from microaggressions. These are defined as "subtle and unconscious comments," like "calling a woman in the workplace 'sweetie.'"

The same level of annoyance can be generated by other completely innocent comments, like calling a co-worker "nitwit," "loser," "pipsqueak" or "jerk face."

You are advised to speak directly with the microaggressor, schooling them on the pain their unthinking comments can cause.

If they won't change, go directly to your manager, that "poo-poo head."

No. 5: The Bystander It's disappointing, but, sometimes, even the victims of toxic behavior fail to

recognize the effect of their toxicity on co-workers, especially highly sensitive co-workers, like you.

"Remind yourself that you matter," Neela-Stock writes.

"You're at your job for (SET ITAL) you, (END ITAL) and your own well-being comes first."

I agree 100%. That's why, if anyone is going to be toxic in your workplace, it should be you.

Maximize your microaggressions. Weaponize your complaints. Supercharge your gossip. Take your credit stealing to felony level. It's hard work, but when you're done, won't it be wonderful to sit back and watch your co-workers drowning in the toxic waste dump you have created, leaving you high and dry, free to relax and eat your stroopwafels?

WOMEN TODAY

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MONEY TALKS

MONEY TALKS

What Do You Need to Be Happy

By MARY HUNT

W

hen a University of Michigan survey asked people what they believe would improve their quality of life and make them happy, the answer given most often was "more money."

In the book "The Day America Told the Truth," James Patterson and Peter Kim asked, "If you could change one thing about your life what would it be?" The No. 1 response, at 64 percent, was "greater wealth."

More recently, a University of Southern California study found that greater wealth didn't translate into greater happiness for many of the 1,500 participants surveyed annually over three decades.

USC economist Richard Easterlin said, "Many people

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are under the illusion that the more money we make, the happier we'll be," but, according to the study, that isn't true.

We know from other well-respected studies that fewer Americans are "very happy" today than in the 1950s despite having far more money, bigger homes, and more stuff. According to Statista, there were 3,000 shopping malls in this country in 1950, and by 2010 there were 107,773. We have more money, and we have more stuff, but clearly, greater affluence has not translated to greater happiness.

Are there any circumstances under which more money will bring happiness? The truth is that if you are living in poverty, having more money will

We think that more of it will fix all of our problems even though we prove month after month that we aren't very good at managing what we already have.

A recent gathering around the water cooler at Cheapskate Central (aka my office) stirred up some provoking conversation.

One person suggested that we have a confusion of terms. When people say they want happiness, what they're really looking for is contentment -- that feeling of satisfaction that does not go away once the carpet is a few months old, the car has lost its newness, or the holidays are over. He went on to suggest that happiness is the result of a "happening," and when

make a positive difference in your quality of life, and, yes, you will be happier. But once your basic material needs are met, many experts agree that having more money might be nice but is not likely to make you a lot happier, if at all.

The problem is that most of us just don't know what we really believe about money.

We can't live with it, but we can't live without it either.

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the event is over, the happiness goes away, too.

The contentment we seek comes with satisfaction and fulfillment that are not tied to specific events but rather based upon things that do not change like warm family relationships, connecting to God and expressions of sincere gratitude.

I think our water cooler philosopher is really on to something. If nothing else, he certainly made all of us think.

So where do you weigh in on this subject? In your heart, do you believe that more money would make you happier? How much would it take to make you really happy? Or have you discovered a source of true contentment and found it is not tied to money?

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COVER STORY

COVER STORY

Longview ISD teacher nabs State prize Whitney Reardon wins 2023 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award

By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI www.infinitieplusmag.com

H

umanities Texas recently announced that Whitney Reardon of Johnston-McQueen Elementary School in Longview has been named a 2023 Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Award recipient.

The competition was stiff and competitors numerous - 600 Texas teachers were nominated for the 2023

Humanities Texas Outstanding Teaching Awards. Humanities Texas selected a handful of fifteen teachers as recipients.

Best of all, the recipients did not simply receive plaques and certificates for their shelves and walls. Rather, Humanities Texas connected excellence in teaching leadership with currency.

Hence, during the 2023– 2024 school year, Reardon

will receive $5,000 and an additional $1,000 for Johnston McQueen Elementary School to purchase humanities-based instructional materials.

"Our 2023 Outstanding Teaching Award winners represent some of the state's strongest teachers of the humanities,” said Eric Lupfer, Humanities Texas executive director. “Humanities Texas is honored to recognize the vital

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Principal Christie Scott and her award winning teacher Whitney Reardon

work they do in the classroom every day."

“Getting the award has been very exciting for me because it is allowing me to spread awareness about deaf education,” said Reardon. “I am very passionate about my students and love to share what I do with other people.”

Johnston McQueen ES Principal Christie Scott highly recommended Reardon for the Humanities Texas award. “ I have had the pleasure of working with Whitney since the 2017 school year,” said Scott.

“She is an amazing educator who develops inspiring relationships with her students and strives to help students succeed in all they do.”

According to Scott, Reardon has served on the leadership teams and is SEPTEMBER 2023

constantly seeking to grow and improve as an educator.

Scott described Reardon thus: “Whitney is a deaf education teacher for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. In her classroom, students are engaged and challenged to look at the impact of human culture and how the impact on societies in art, language, and humanities.

Since language is a focus, Ms. Reardon’s class exposes them to opportunities to demonstrate how language is used to help communicate our ideas and thoughts.”

Importantly, Johnston McQueen ES is a Regional School for the Deaf in East Texas. Scott states that Reardon’s contributions to this regional school is second to none. “She not only knows our students' language deficits, but she is also constantly striving to give students opportunities to build language skills through hands-on engaging activities.”

Scott mentions a cogent example: “When students were

learning about civilizations in other countries in regards to housing, Ms. Reardon took students through an entire unit of study by transforming the classroom and creating a transdisciplinary curriculum for students to learn and grow.”

Scott stated that Reardon is a comprehensive and innovative teacher leader therefore she was selected teacher of the year for Johnston McQueen and District Teacher of the Year.

Reardon’s leadership qualities include recognizing the power of relationships with her students and colleagues. In addition, she seizes professional development opportunities, works to the best of her abilities and joie de vivre.

Humanities Texas presents annual statewide awards to encourage excellence in teaching and recognize Texas classroom teachers who have made exemplary contributions in teaching, curriculum development and extracurricular programming.

“Getting the award has been extremely exciting for me because it is allowing me to spread awareness about Deaf education. I am very passionate about my students and love to share what I do with other people.”

Whitney Reardon, Johnston McQueen ES Teacher of the Year, District Teacher of the Year and now Humanities Texas Award Recipient

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WomenToday September 2023

Whitney Reardon Longview ISD teacher nabs State prize

What Do You Need to Be Happy

5 Types

Of Toxic Co-workers

Weight Loss and Aging

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