Community celebrates Women Veterans Day -- Page 3
Missouri City recently launched its "Play It Forward" campaign to showcase area amenities. Read the story inside today's edition on Page 5.
WEDNESDAY • JUNE 19, 2019
Fort Bend / Southwest • Volume 43 • No. 44
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Jack’s Pub Officials celebrate progress on 'Sugar Land 95'
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By Landan Kuhlmann
LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Ever since human remains were discovered last year at the site of Fort Bend ISD’s Jordan Reese Career and Technical Center, which is under construction, there has been debate and discussion about what to do with them.
Through the fire of controversy, progress has been forged. FBISD and Fort Bend County elected officials joined community members Monday morning to announce progress on a solution for the future interment of the 95 African Americans – known locally as the “Sugar Land 95” – which was made possible
by the recent passage of House Bill 4179 in the Texas Legislature. The law allows Fort Bend County to own and operate the abandoned cemetery discovered at the site, which the county plans to lease from the school district. “This is evidence of a
SEE 95, PAGE 5
Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Charles Dupre speaks Monday during a news conference to announce the passage of House Bill 4179, which allows Fort Bend County to own a cemetery. (Photo by Landan Kuhlmann)
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Fort Bend ISD students earn scholarships From Staff Reports
Three Sugar Land-area high school students were recently recognized for their contributions in the community and the classroom. On June 7, Comcast NBCUniversal announced the awarding of $72,500 in scholarships for the 201920 school year to 28 Texas students as part of its annual Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program. Travis High School’s Shannon Buckfield and Dulles High School’s Jamal Seriki and Maria Ibarra were among the recipients. The program provides scholarships to students who are catalysts for positive change in their communities, are involved in their schools and who serve as models for fellow students. The philosophy behind the program is to give students every opportunity to prepare for the future and engage them in their communities. Students are selected for their community service, academic performance and leadership skills. The award, funded by the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation, is a one-time, $2,500 scholarship to be used toward undergraduate education-related expenses. Since 2001, more than $33
SEE SCHOLARSHIP, PAGE 4
Mother-daughter team Robin Cates (left) and Shelby Bower work on one of their creations. The owners of Shelby Elizabeth Cakes, a boutique cake studio run from their home in Richmond, are competing in the televised "Wedding Cake Championship," which airs Monday nights on the Food Network. (Contributed photo)
Richmond mother-daughter duo burning up competition By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM
Richmond residents Shelby Bower and Robin Cates endure heat and humidity on a daily basis in Texas. Last fall, they also overcame exhaustion and lack of sleep in the midst of a grueling wedding cake
competition. As a result, they’ve been thrust into the spotlight of a televised baking competition on the Food Network. But it’s old hat for the mother-daughter duo who are cake artists. Bower and Cates comprise Shelby Elizabeth Cakes, an award-winning, boutique cake studio they
run from their home in Richmond. They specialize in one-of-a-kind cakes and confections. They were one of six teams flown out to Los Angeles last September to film Season 2 of the Food Network’s “Wedding Cake Championship,” a four-episode competition currently airing every Monday at 9
p.m. The series concludes June 24. From a young age, Cates said her daughter had an affinity for designing. “Ever since she was tiny, she was always making little figures – she’s always loved design. She knew what she wanted to do. She knew she loved working with art,” Cates said.
“It blows me away how, with her talent, she can take just a normal cake and make it beautiful. I give it to her as just cake, and she just makes it gorgeous. It’s pretty amazing.” Throughout her artistic career, Bower has had the
SEE DUO, PAGE 7
Sugar Land gears up for annual Independence Day festivities From Staff Reports
Sugar Land’s annual Fourth of July celebration will culminate with a fireworks show. (Photo courtesy of City of Sugar Land)
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The City of Sugar Land's Red, White and Boom Celebration is scheduled for July 4 from 4-10 p.m. at The Crown Festival Park, 18355 Southwest Fwy. Attendees should prepare for the largest fireworks display in Fort Bend County. Fireworks will light the skies at approximately 9:40 p.m. The event will include patriotic, family-oriented activities for all ages, coupled with food and a va-riety
of music. Entertainment and activities will include a children's zone with inflatables, photo opportunities, face painting, craft stations and a main stage area featuring a variety of local talent. It will conclude with the fireworks display. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets will be required and will not be available on the day of the event. Sugar Land
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SEE FESTIVITIES, PAGE 8
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