The 02-08-23 Edition of the Fort Bend Star

UH-Sugar Land welcomes new nursing students

Students, family and friends recently gathered in Brazos Hall on the UH at Sugar Land campus to celebrate the College of Nursing’s 14th Annual Hands of Caring Ceremony. The event welcomes the new students to college’s Second Degree BSN program and, this year, the spring cohort of the Traditional BSN students.

“Our students are brilliant and caring,” said Kathryn Tart, professor and founding dean of the college, said in a UH news release.

“They are leaders of caring in the community.”

The ceremony emphasized how the students have been supported and how their own caring hands will support others as nurses.

To illustrate this, students stood in a circle holding hands with their family members—the first hands to support them. Next, they shook hands with their nursing professors— the next hands to support them. Finally, they held hands with their fellow students whom they’ll support as classmates, colleagues and life-long friends. Each student also received a Hands of Caring pin.

The Second Degree BSN program is a rigorous 11-month program for students who have degrees in other areas, but now want to become nurses. Tart shared that students have earned degrees in various areas, such as kinesiology, human nutrition, psychology, fine arts, language and literature.

The Traditional BSN program is a four-year program that receives students as pre-nursing majors their freshman year on the UH main campus. Following completion of their prenursing courses, student complete the program at UH at Katy instructional

Renowned area artist, author shares stories of creative life

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

African-American sculptor, artist and author Tony Sherman, a longtime mainstay of Fort Bend County, regaled a capacity audience at the Missouri City branch of Fort Bend County Libraries Saturday with tales of his life and career, particularly encouraging youngsters to pursue their own creativity. Sherman's 1998 "The Protectors" sculpture graces the Missouri City police and fire department complex on Cartwright Road.

His son, now an adult, was the model for the boy wearing a backpack in the piece. His busts of four American Indian chiefs (inspired by the fact that his grandmother was half-Choctaw) and U.S. Army General William Tecumseh Sherman are on permanent display at the Missouri City library.

Sherman, 83, was born in Crockett, Texas. He described growing up during the Jim Crow era in the Houston area, and how some of those experiences inspired much of his art. Sherman served in the

U.S. Air Force, ultimately becoming the crew chief of a B-52 bomber. Among his many civilian endeavors after leaving the military, he owned his own insurance company in Houston. But he said he got his start as an artist at the age of eight when his grandmother asked him to draw her a picture. Using the pictures in her large Bible for inspiration, Sherman drew a picture of Jesus Christ being baptized by John the Baptist, with a dove representing the Holy Spirit.

Aiming sky high

New nursing students at the UH Sugar Land's College of Nursing clasp hands at the recent 14th Annual Hands of Caring Ceremony. (Contributed photo)

Austin JROTC cadet selected for elite flight academy

By Ken Fountain KFOUNTAIN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Austin High School junior Reva Jogdand is aiming high. Literally.

The 16-year-old Naval Junior ROTC cadet recently was selected to attend the 2023 Commander of Naval Air Forces Navy and Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) Flight Academy

this summer. She is one of only 26 students selected from more than 500 applicants nationwide.

At the end of the eightweek program, Jogdand will earn college credit and have an opportunity to get her private pilot's license.

Jogdand emigrated with her family from India to the Houston area, first living for seven years near Bush Intercontinental Airport before moving to Sugar

Land two years ago. Her father is an IT consultant and her mother is a stay-athome parent. She became interested in the JROTC in middle school in Humble ISD, when she was looking for an alternative to P.E. class. She considered both the Air Force and the Naval programs, but leaned toward the Navy after seeing the original Top Gun film. Her interest in aviation

came a bit earlier, when she competed in and won a paper airplane design contest in the fifth grade.

Later, in middle school, she competed in the Scholastic Olympiad in the Elastic Launch Glider contest, in which participants design and build a plane out of balsa wood. Her father brought over a pilot friend, her introduced her to basic aeronautical concepts such as lift and drag. With those

lessons in mind, Jogdand created a plane that earned second place. A couple of years ago, Jodgand went to a Sugar Land-based flight school where, after some introductory instruction, she went up with an instructor in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk and was able to take the controls for about an hour.

FBCA performers take home Junior Theatre festival honors

Fort Bend Christian Academy's production of Godspell JR recently won one of nine Outstanding Performance Awards at the Junior Theater Festival held in Atlanta from January 13-15, the student company's first time attending the prestigious

event with almost 6,500 attendees.

A group of 20 performers (half theater students and half American Sign Language students) were involved in the ASL shadow production, according to a news release from the school.

"As first timers at the Junior Theater Festival, our

goal was to provide an experience for our students where they could share their passion and talents and create lifelong memories,” FBCA Upper School theater teacher Lana Thompson said in the release.

“We never imagined that

Austin JROTC cade Reva Jogdand stands beside a U.S. Coast Guard aircraft at a Corpus Christi Training facility Jogdand was recently selected to attend an elite flight training academy. (Contributed photo)

Local artist, sculptor and author Tony Sherman speaks to an audience during his talk at the Missouri City branch library last week. (Photo by Ken Fountain) SEE

SEE FBCA PAGE 5

Performers from Fort Bend Christian Academy's theatre program perform a musical number, Several members took home honors during the Junior Theater Festival. (Contributed photo)

Stafford outlasts Iowa Colony in titanic 26-4A clash

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

The Stafford Spartans have become a perennial Class 4A title contender in recent season. The Iowa Colony Pioneers are an upstart contender in its inaugural varsity season. Entering last weekend’s matchup, the two were the best District 26-4A had to offer. And the clash lived up to the hype in a hardfought battle.

Last Friday, Stafford took down Iowa Colony 62-60 in a battle of two of Class 4A’s top teams as the Spartans – ranked 6th by the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches – staved off a late comeback attempt to hand the Pioneers (ranked 11th) their first loss since Jan. 10. With the victory, Stafford (24-7, 9-0 district) maintained its hold on the district’s top spot.

Glenn Bishop scored a game-high 24 points for Stafford in the win and Mike Ross had 17 points of his own for the Spartans, who have now tied their season high with a nine-game winning streak. Justin Ugo also added 11 points for Stafford, which was slated to take on Columbia on Tuesday night.

The Pioneers dropped to 25-4 overall and 8-2 in district play, and will look to get back into the win column when they take on Columbia this Friday night.

Elsewhere in the area, the District 20-6A race still has some intrigue thanks to a couple of upsets last week.

The Clements Rangers continued their late-season charge with two more wins last week, beating Bush 53-45 in overtime on Feb. 1 before toppling district-leading Hightower 55-51 on Feb. 3. Junior

guard Divine Ugochukwu scored a game-high 23 points to lead Clements (17-7, 9-4) in the win over Hightower, while Chuks Egbo scored 10 points and Bukola Oboye snagged 14 rebounds. Oboye and Ugochukwu each scored 16 points apiece against Bush. Elkins also picked up a pair of key wins, taking down Hightower 51-50 on Feb. 1 before defeating Dulles 63-46 on Feb. 3 to maintain its slim lead for the district’s fourth and final playoff spot. Jae’Coby Osborne had 16 points for Elkins (17-10, 9-5) against Dulles, while Kristopher Barnett had a double-double with 14 points and 10

rebounds. Osborne had a double-double of his own (15 points, 10 rebounds) in the win over Hightower.

The two losses dropped Hightower to 21-8 overall and 11-2 in district play, but the Hurricanes were still in position to clinch the district title if they defeated Austin Tuesday night.

In Class 5A action, the Marshall Buffalos cruised against last week, defeating Terry 98-40 on Jan. 31 before defeating Randle 86-46 on Feb. 3 to move to 28-3 overall and 110 in district play. Jaland Lowe scored 33 points while Jaylen Reedus had 13 of his own against Randle, and Chris Catchings

scored 15 points in the victory over Terry. However, Fulshear kept pace with the Buffalos with two wins of their own last week, taking down Willowridge 59-42 on Jan. 31 and beating Kempner 51-50 on Feb. 3. Dylan Garner had a game-high 14 points for Fulshear (1813, 10-1) against Kempner and 15 points against Willowridge, and Tobey Princewill scored 14 points in the win over Willowridge.

Girls

Austin’s Lady Bulldogs continued their stranglehold on District 20-6A’s top spot on the girls’ side, taking down Ridge Point 35-22 on Feb. 1 before

Live Healthier Longer.

rocking Bush 69-45 on Feb. 4. Sophomore standout Andrea Sturdivant was on fire all night for Austin (29-2, 14-1), knocking down a school-record 10 three pointers en route to a season and career-high 40 points against Bush. Kelechi Dike also had a double-double against Bush with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Hightower continued to keep pace and add some intrigue to the final game of the regular season with two more wins last week.

Senior Nia Reed scored 15 points to lead the Lady Hurricanes (29-3, 14-1) in a 57-29 win over Elkins on Feb. 1 before adding 14 points in an 80-14 win

over Clements on Feb. 4. Austin (ranked 13th in Class 6A by the TABC) and Hightower (ranked 7th) were set to clash in a rematch Tuesday night that could potentially determine the district title. The Lady Bulldogs won 26-23 in the previous matchup on Jan. 6. Elsewhere in 20-6A, the Elkins Lady Knights solidified their playoff positioning, bouncing back from the loss to Hightower with a 38-28 win over Dulles on Feb. 4. Paris Anderson led the way for Elkins (19-13, 11-4) with 15 points against Dulles, and Cheyenne Trusclair added 13 points of her own.

Stafford's boys basketball team celebrates after winning a tournament earlier this season. The Spartans prevailed in a District 26-4A slugfest against Iowa Colony last week to stay atop the district race. (Photo from Twitter)

Fort Bend athletes sign college letters of intent

By Landan Kuhlmann LKUHLMANN@FORTBENDSTAR.COM

Though high school careers may be coming to a close for local student-athletes, last week more than 100 Fort Bend area athletes signed letters of intent to continue their athletic careers at the college level.

Ridge Point led the way with 34 signees last week.

Several members of its state semifinalist girls’ soccer team such as Zoe Main (Oklahoma), Charlotte Richardson (Houston) and Georgia Mulholland (Baylor) signed on the dotted line, as did standout catcher J.J. Kennett (Dallas Baptist) from the school’s state semifinalist baseball team.

Marshall had 14 total signees including football standouts Ja’Koby Banks (Houston), Zach Chapman (TCU), and Michael Patterson (Houston) as well as track stars Arveyon Davis (Texas A&M) and Genesis Griffin (Houston) and boys’ basketball point guard Jaland Lowe (Pittsburgh).

Also signing was Travis softball standout Ariel Kowalewski (Florida) as well as two-time Clements state finalist swimmers Logan Brown (Texas A&M) and Hayden Bellotti (Virginia).

Below is a list of Fort Bend high school athletes who signed letters of intent.

Austin

Football

Raylon Holmes – Bethel

College

Jamal Franklin – Grambling State University

Softball

Alyssa Carter – UH-Victoria

Soccer

Gabrielle DeJesus – McNeese State University

Solae Young – Sam Houston State University

Swimming

Kyle Kulow – University of Nebraska-Omaha

Baseball

Tyler Do – Eastfield Col-

lege

Bush

Football Paul Omodia – Illinois

University

Broc Boutte – Midwestern State University

Allen Aldridge III – East Texas Baptist University

Soccer

Angelina Lopez – North American University

Clements

Swimming

Logan Brown – Texas

A&M

Hayden Bellotti – University of Virginia

Football

Nick Piazza – East Texas Baptist University

Feris Refai – Trinity Uni-

versity

Soccer

Isabelle Kent – Rice University

Volleyball

Kaitlin Daniels – Northeastern University

Dulles

Volleyball

Ranata Balado – Colorado

School of Mines

Madison Hamilton – York University – Nebraska

Football

Trayveon Richards – Texas A&M-Kingsville

Softball

Kellan Ton – Colorado

School of Mines

Beach Volleyball

Kylie Mueller – LSU

Elkins

Football

Ashton Payne – Trinity

Community College

Avian Stewart – Blinn Community College

Volleyball

Malia Black – Mississippi Valley State University

Softball

Vivian Vargas – University of St. Thomas

Hightower

Football Jayden Deemer – UT-

Permian Basin

Kristopher Hodges – Texas College

Karlton Owens – Minnesota West Community/ Technology College

Darion Terrell-Embers –

Alcorn State

Santana Wilson – Stephen

F. Austin

Kenyon Grant – Sul Ross

University

Chisom Onwuzurigbo –

Holy Cross University

Volleyball

Mia Daniel – New Mexico State

Kempner

Football

Basit Adensanya – Con-

cordia University

Charles Ebo –Midwestern

State University

Corban Evers – Arkansas

Tech University

Caleb Harris – Louisiana

Christian University

Steven Hernandez – Midwestern State University

Cody Pham Nguyen –Georgetown University

Tylon Riser – Midway Uni-

versity

Noah Yassine – Sul Ross

State University

Antonio Jacobs – Louisi-

ana Christian University

Baseball

Cody Kuffel – Galveston College

Marshall

Football

Ja’Koby Banks – University of Houston

Zach Chapman – TCU

Logan Granville – Incar-

nate Word

Ky Guillory – Texas A&MKingsville

Bieshawn Mitchell – Texas

A&M Kingsville

Michael Patterson – Uni-

versity of Houston

Jordan Sample – Arkansas

State University

Elijah Sims – Abilene

Christian

Trent Thomas – Baylor

Jaron Wallace – Texas

A&M-Kingsville

Jy’Adrian Wortham – An-

gelo State

Track & Field

Arveyon Davis – Texas

A&M

Genesis Griffin – University of Houston

Basketball

Jaland Lowe – University of Pittsburgh

Ridge Point

Soccer

Kara Canetti – Iona Uni-

versity

Sydney Geter – University of Texas-Dallas

Worship Directory FORT BEND COUNTY

BAPTIST CHURCH

HORIZON BAPTIST CHURCH • 281-403-4994

2223 FM1092 • Missouri City, TX 77459

John Strader , Senior Pastor

Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am

Sunday Worship 10:45 am 6:00 pm

Wednesday 7:00 pm AWANA/Youth www.hbctx.org

METHODIST CHURCH

CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND • 281-980-6888

A United Methodist Community

3300 Austin Parkway • Sugar Land, TX 77479

Sunday Schedule 8:30 am Blended Worship 9:30 am Sunday School for all ages 10:30 am Traditional & Contemporary Worship www.christchurchsl.org

EPISCOPAL

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH • 281-499-9602

605 Dulles Avenue, Stafford, TX 77477

SUNDAY: 10:30 am Worship

Holy Eucharist www.allsaints-stafford.org

CHURCH OF CHRIST STAFFORD CHURCH OF CHRIST • 281-499-2507

402 Stafford Run Rd. -Stafford, 77477

Stephen Higley, Preacher

Sunday Bible Study 9:30 am

Sunday Worship 10:30 am

Wednesday 7:00 pm www.staffordchurchofchrist.org

Zoe Main – University of Oklahoma

Georgia Mulholland –Baylor University

Ashley Pugne – University of St. Thomas

Charlotte Richardson –University of Houston

Hannah Warnken – UT-

San Antonio

Alicia Audu – Texas Southern University

Football

Peyton Farmer – Rice University

Taylor Davis – University of Kansas

DK Kalu – Baylor University

James Walley, Jr. – UT-

San Antonio

James Eaglin – University of Tulsa

Ethan Ramos – Benedict College

Pyton Doucet – Louisiana

Christian University

Ezell Jolley – UT-El Paso

Ryan Ramey – Old Do -

minion Baseball

JJ Kennett – Dallas Bap -

tist University

Travis Vlasek – New Mexico Junior College

Zion Stephens – Abilene

Christian University

Brayden McCormick – Navarro Junior College

Carter Groen – Iona Uni-

versity

Kellen Gradisar – LenoirRhyne University

Parker Martin – Allen

Community College

Logan Martin – Allen

Community College

Landry Hamm – Colorado

Christian University

Dylan Kalmus – Hendrix

College

Diving

Ethan Hunter – Southern

Methodist University

Cross Country

Seth Steiner – Elon Uni-

versity

Cheer

Kennedy Joseph – Texas

State University

Softball

Reagan Green – Prairie

View A&M

Jade Uresti – Prairie View

A&M

Bailey Gray – Smith College (Massachusetts)

Kaila Correa – Texas College (Tyler)

Stafford

Football

Andrew Huff – Houston

Christian University

Dylland McClendon – Houston Christian Uni-

versity

Javon Rhodes – Lamar

University

Ashton Miller – Blinn Ju -

nior College

Braylen Collins – Blinn Junior College

Julius Nealey – Blinn Junior College

Caleb Jones – Texas

A&M-Commerce

Volleyball

Aniyah Williams – University of Arkansas-Monticello

Travis Volleyball

Ryan Williams – University of New Orleans

Kynzie Lilly – University of New Mexico

Softball

Ariel Kowalewski – University of Florida

Soccer Briahnna Munoz – Oklahoma Christian University

Track & Field

Brianna Bejar – University of Incarnate Word

Willowridge

Football

Isaac Orellana - East Texas Baptist University

Nickolas Shock - Missouri Baptist University

Tulio Nunez RamirezMissouri Baptist University

Tre Williams - Missouri Baptist University

Scripture of the week

More than 100 student athletes from more than a dozen Fort Bend area schools signed their letters of intent to play at the college level during last week's National Signing Day. (Photos from Facebook)

“The Spirit of the Lord will come powerfully upon you…and you will be changed into a different person.”

If the insurance companies estimate is lower than the repair shop’s, do I have to pay the difference?

According to state law, your insurance carrier must negotiate in good faith with your choice of shop to arrive at an agreed price for repairs. It is the role of the professional collision Repair specialist to be an advocate for their customer by working with an insurer to document and identify physical damage. You are only responsible for your deductible. When additional damage becomes evident as the repair progresses, a claim can be reopened and a supplemental payment issued. In fact, most large collision repairs require at least one supplement to the original estimate. An estimate is exactly that - an estimate.

Charlton’s Body Repair

"This boy is going to be an artist," his impressed grandmother told his mother. It was the first inkling he had that he could create (or, in his way of thinking, "recreate".)

Sherman was inspired by the art and photographs he often saw in magazines like the Saturday Evening Post and LIFE, and the "Draw Me" ads for art correspondence schools that often appeared in them.

Sherman said his mother's constant reinforcement that he was going to be special helped him forge a creative path that has continued throughout his life. He majored in creative writing at Louisiana State University, minoring in art. In the early 1990s, he had the opportunity to study art in Paris with a select group

of students from around the world. After competing the program, the group vowed to remain in contact with each other and to create work that had a positive role in society. Along with his sculpture and paintings, Sherman has written several books.

One of them, titled The Promise of Koonville, is the fictionalized version of an incident from his own boyhood. While working at a fruit stand owned by a white man, he befriended the man's son. When some people, including another white friend of the son, objected to being served by a black child, the son defended him, initiating a lifelong friendship. The book, which was published in 2015, has been optioned to be made into a film. Sherman said he is still in negotiations with the film producers, and expects that the complet-

ed film will be released in 2024. Another book was inspired by a true story someone told him at a Missouri City doughnut shop about a modern-day hanging of a man in Mississippi. Still another book was inspired by a story he came across while he and his wife, who continued to work as FEMA inspectors, were in Philadelphia.

To Sherman, such examples of serendipity stem from his approach to living a creative life: if a person works to exude positive energy, they will be open to ideas and other things that help them create.

Sherman continues to create his art in a studio he built in his backyard.

Sherman's talk was part of the Fort Bend County Libraries effort to celebrate Black History Month. Learn more about those programs at fortbend.lib.tx.us.

our students would be recognized for their unique performance and get to share it on the platform they did. We are beyond proud of our theater and ASL students, and the hard work behind the outreach we do at FBCA," she said.

JTF is the world’s largest celebration of young people performing musical theater. Attendees not only performed in front of professional adjudicators and peers, but they also saw presentations from groups like Disney Theatricals, the Tony-award winning duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul and dozens of other Broadway performers. “We were excited to have an adjudicator with a connection to deaf culture,” said FBCA fine arts teacher and music director Sarah Patterson. “Jeff Calhoun is a Tony-award winning director/choreographer

"I was excited," she said, adding that she gained an entirely different perspective from the cockpit of the small plane than the one people get when they look out of the window of a passenger aircraft.

site. The college has received the national HEED Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine for six years

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

renowned for Broadway’s Newsies, but also for his work with Deaf West Theater, and bringing Big River, the first ASL-integrated show to a Broadway stage.”

Along with his co-adjudicator, Shay Rodgers, a Houston-based professional director and choreographer, Calhoun remarked that he was impressed with FBCA’s “powerful storytelling, commitment to correct ASL interpretation/presentation, and unique integration of ASL into a performance.”

“Our students at JTF experienced an unparalleled moment to inspire more than 6,000 people with the expressive power of sign language by weaving ASL with musical theater into a seamless moment,” FBCA fine arts director Robert Sanders said. “We are all so proud of them for being a light and living out what it means to be a city on a hill. This was a moment of a lifetime that we will all remember. I am proud of our directors and students for

In applying for the Flight Academy, Jogdand was evaluated on her grades, leadership roles in school, community service and a 400-word essay. She also had that to perform well on the the Federal Aviation Administration's Aviation Qualifying Test and other exams. The Flight Academy is

in acknowledgement of the programs’ diverse student body. The college’s students are 36 percent Caucasian, 32 percent Asian, 15 percent Hispanic, 14 percent Black, and 3 percent Native American

their growth, risk-taking, and dedication to producing an excellent piece of innovative art."

As an Outstanding Performance winner, Godspell JR was featured on the main stage during the Freddie G Awards ceremony, performing the song “Save The People."

“JTF taught me just how powerful theater is and how vital it is that these beautiful stories are accessible to all audiences,” said FBCA junior Katie Volmert, an ASL student in the ensemble. “Everyone deserves to be able to see themselves represented in a way that is authentic to their story. Performing at the festival was one of the most impactful things I have ever done, and I am endlessly grateful for the directors and cast."

Fort Bend Christian students have performed ASL plays for the local deaf community for five years. But this is the first time they tried it with a musical, weaving the translation into their

designed to attract more females and people of minority backgrounds into the STEM fields and ultimately help diversify the ranks of Navy and Marine aviators. Jogdand said that aspect of the program was particularly attractive to her. Students were evaluated based on their grades, leadership roles in school,

Tart shared that they students are 85 percent female and 15 percent male. Additionally, since 2017, 100 percent of graduates were working in the field, some students receiving job offers prior to graduation.

song and dance numbers. The students performed a full production of Godspell JR in November for deaf and hearing-impaired audiences in Sugar Land.

“I can definitely say that participating in JTF was one of the best experiences of my life,” said FBCA senior Christabel Eke, a theater student who portrayed Judas in the show. “Even though our troupe won the outstanding production award with our Godspell performance, which was pretty cool, the most fulfilling part of it all was seeing all the people that we impacted with incorporating sign language into our 15-minute cut.”

Patterson and ASL director Elyse DeBuck were inspired by the story of Godspell JR, comparing its themes of uniting communities through the teachings of Jesus of Christ with that of unity through common language.

“Our goal for attending the festival was to show how

community service and a 400-word essay. They also had to perform well on the Aviation Qualifying Test (AQT) and other exams that measured their knowledge in all aspects of aviation.

At the end of the intensive eight-week program at the flight academy, Jogdand will earn college credit and have an opportunity to get

ASL and theater can go hand in hand and can produce a beautiful story for both the Deaf and hearing to enjoy.

In this show, Jesus' character uses ASL to bring the English and ASL-speaking tribes together as he teaches biblical parables through creative storytelling,” DeBuck said. “’Shadow’ plays typically involve a speaking actor standing behind and actor performing in ASL, providing the voice of the story while the ASL actor delivers the story in sign language. Our storytelling method was different than ASL-interpreted shows, where often the action plays in a conventional voice on stage with interpreters off to the side translating the show.”

Several FBCA individual students brough home additional awards from the convention. Actors Jack Brown (Jesus) and Matthew Schwab (Jesus’ shadow) were awarded All-Star Cast for their performances, while ASL actor and cos -

her private pilot license.

The U.S. Navy funds scholarships worth more than $24,000 for each student to attend its academy, with no military service obligation.

"I'm really happy to have been selected and to get the opportunity," she said.

Jogdand is currently applying at several colleges and is considering pursuing

tume design student Katie Breedlove was awarded Technical All-Star and had the opportunity to work backstage with industry technical professionals at the awards ceremony.

"I am beyond thrilled that we were given the opportunity to showcase the beauty and expressiveness of ASL and to bring a new perspective to the musical Godspell,” Schwab said. “Winning Outstanding Production and All-Star at JTF was a powerful reminder that through the arts, we can break down barriers between the Deaf and hearing communities and create a more inclusive and equitable world.”

“It was not only a moment of pride and achievement for our team, but also a call to action to continue the work of promoting inclusivity and accessibility in the theater industry. This win is a true testament of the power theater has to bring people together."

either a career in military aviation or going into a field such as aeronautical engineering.

Jogdand is the second student from Fort Bend ISD to be chosen to attend the Flight Academy. Last summer, Travis High School JROTC student Rishita Bagga was selected to attend the program.

Sherman's 1998 sculpture "The Protectors" graces the Missouri City police and fire department on Cartwright Road. (Photo by Ken Fountain)

Change can be scary, but also good

I told you in my introductory column back in November that I grew up in Alief. Not too far away from Fort Bend County, but far enough that I have few associations with the place from that time aside from occasionally passing the office buildings along the Southwest Freeway, My first memory of setting foot in Sugar Land was going to see a movie at a small theater there with family friends in the early 1980s. I don't remember why that particular theater was selected. I do remember seeing the Imperial Char House, which is fairly distinctive. Back then, Sugar Land seemed like an awfully small town to my teenage mind. I didn't have a real experience with Fort Bend until I moved back to the Houston area from California, where I had served in the Navy, in the mid-90s. By

then, the changes in Fort Bend's demographics and semi-rural character were well under way.

In case you've missed the news (and how could you?), the old Imperial Sugar Company property is once again the subject of a proposed development.

After a couple of previous attempts, this plan seems to have a lot more momentum, with the City of Sugar Land already committing to contributing up to $5 million in the project.

As is to be expected, a lot of people are excited at the prospect of turning the long-dormant property into a big mixed-use hub, something that the county has been lacking with the exception of Sugar Land Town Square, completed in the mid-2000s. Also to be expected, many people are concerned that the project will permanently alter the character

Ken Fountain

of the oldest part of Sugar Land. Of particular concern is the idea that a large number of multi-family housing units will bring traffic congestion and other problems that people often associate with apartments.

Many Black residents are also concerned that the proposed redevelopment won't adequately acknowledge the contributions that African-Americans made to the sugar industry, which was the city's economic backbone for de -

cades and in fact gave it its name. I've encountered the resistance by homeowners to apartments at other places I've covered as a reporter. I can appreciate the concern that people, particularly people who have spent all or most of their lives in the area that their longstanding way of life might be about to change.

The Alief I grew up in in the 1970s and '80s was, for that time, a pretty diverse place. It was a fairly new suburb during the oil boom area, with people from all over the country and globe pouring into Houston region. I had friends of nearly every background you might name.

Today, Alief is a much more diverse place. A few years ago, I attended an academic lecture by a professor who studies religious diversity. According to his research, Alief is the

Clements students receive Navy ROTC scholarships

Three members of the Clements High School Navy JROTC unit – Trisha Rangi, Kenneth Wang and Emily Kus – have each been awarded a $250,000 Navy ROTC scholarship,

ISD press release. Rangi is currently the Commanding Officer of the 96-member unit and is a 4-year member of the program. She is a member of the unit’s unarmed drill team and the academic team. In addition to the

of the school’s English, science and math honor societies; Investors Club; and Bollywood Club. Rangi plans to attend Rice University.

Wang, also a 4-year member of the program, is Command Master Chief

ficer and the Armed Drill Team Commander. He is a member of the unit’s academics team and physical fitness team. In addition to JROTC, he is involved with the school’s Computer Science Club and Investors Club. Wang attended Texas Boys State this past summer, a participatory program designed to educate students on government, and was selected as the Supreme Court Justice. He plans to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy or the University of Texas.

Kus is a 2-year member of the JROTC program and is the Operations Officer and Female Color Guard Commander. She is a member of the unit’s unarmed drill team, academic team and physical fitness team. In addition to the JROTC, Kus is a member of the school’s Investors Club and serves as a youth team leader at her church. She plans to attend the University of Texas.

second-most religiously diverse community in the nation, behind Flatbush in Queens, New York.

Not long before the pandemic, I went on a walking tour of my old haunts in Alief, from my childhood home nearly to Hastings High School, where I graduated. The community is indeed very different from when I grew up there. It's a place that today is economically challenged. But it also has gained national and perhaps international fame as the primary setting of the hit Netflix series Mo , created by and starring Mo Amer, a Palestinian-American comedian who grew up there.

Change can be scary. But it can also be exciting and, in the long run, beneficial. I don't have a particular stand on the proposed Imperial redevelopment. But one hopes that all concerned - developers, city

officials, and the public - will listen to each other, learn from each other, and work with civility toward making the site a boon for the community.

As a reminder, the Exchange Club of Sugar Land has kindly invited me to be the guest speaker at its breakfast meeting on February 15. I plan to share some of my thoughts about working at a community newspaper in Fort Bend and the current state of journalism, and answer your questions.

I've been told that anyone is welcome to attend. I'd like to meet you. The meeting will begin at 7 a.m. at the Sugar Creek Country Club, located at 420 Sugar Creek Blvd., Sugar Land. You can find more details at ecsl.org.

As always, please send story ideas and news tips to me at KFountain@fortbendstar.com.

MCPD seeking public's help in fatal hit-and-run

Missouri City police are seeking the public's assistance in the investigation of the hit-and-run death of an elderly man in a wheelchair in the 500 block on Independence Boulevard January 28.

Police responded to a report of an auto-pedestrian accident shortly after 10 p.m., according to a news release. Why they arrived, police found that the man had been struck by an unidentified vehicle that fled

the scene, according to the release. He was transported to a local hospital and later died of his injuries.

Police identified the victim as Dave Battiste Jr., 62. Police say he had been returning to the home of his girlfriend from a nearby convenience story on Fondren Road.

The Missouri City Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact the Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers, Inc. at 342-TIPS (8477). All calls to Crime Stoppers are anonymous.

FBISD dancers recognized at annual Dance Classic

Hundreds of Fort Bend ISD high school dancers participated in this year’s district Dance Classic in January, representing all eleven school programs. They performed in solo, duet, small ensemble and full team categories, and the top soloists in each category were recognized, according to a news release from the district. The programs were split by proximity to the district’s field houses, Hopson and Wheeler, and dancers competed in both the Classic and Select groups. Classic entries were made by students with limited competitive experience, and Select

entries were performed by students with more years of experience. The annual event prepares high school dancers for their spring contest season, and students receive feedback from professional adjudicators on their pieces. They also experience the format and structure of dance competitions as they prepare for official contests.

New this year, middle school students from First Colony, Garcia, Lake Olympia, McAuliffe, Sartartia and Thornton middle schools participated as part of the district’s "Introduction to Dance" course, offered to eighth-grade students. See fortbendstar.com for a full list of dancers recognized.

MANAGING EDITOR

Clements High School Navy JROTC members Kenneth Wang, left, Trisha Rangi and Emily Kus have each been awarded a $250,000 Navy JROTC scholarship.. (Photo from Twitter)

Staff Reports

Staff Reports

LEGAL NOTICE

An application has been made with the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission for a Retail Dealers' On-premise License by Raymond Freeman American Legion Post No.942 DBA Raymond Freeman American Legion Post no.942 to be located at 311 Ulrich St. Sugar Land, Fort Bend County, Tx. Officer of the said corporation are: Jesse Vargas Commander, George Morales 1st Vice Commander, Lisa Gomez 2nd Vice Commander, Leo Villafranco, Adjutant, Refugio Salinas Finance Officer, Michael Hollmer Chaplain , and Rodger Pilson Sgt. of the Guard

713-433-6421

14700 Almeda Rd Houston, TX 77053

www.HoustonHumane.org

MACKENZIE

I'm a very loving girl who loves the camera! I'm a volunteer favorite! They love my walking skills and my big bright eyes. Here is a note from my foster family! "My foster mom says I'm a sweet girl. I have some hearing loss but that doesn't affect my cuteness. I'm a very good eater and I've never had any potty accidents. I've adjusted very well to the resident dog's schedule, and I like them. I don't like to be in the crate when my foster mom goes to work, we're working on it though. I like to roll in the grass and I'm a fast runner. Did I mention how cute my face is?"

CROSSWORD ANSWERS

The Site location is in the vicinity of Hidden Lake Ln, Richmond, Fort Bend County, Texas 77469 (29 40 25.15 N, 95 49 09.50 W). The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Antenna Structure Registration (ASR, Form 854) filing number is A1230226. ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS – Interested persons may review the application (www. fcc.gov/asr/applications) by entering the filing number. Environmental concerns may be raised by filing a Request for Environmental Review (www.fcc.gov/asr/ environmentalrequest) and online filings are strongly encouraged. The mailing address to file a paper copy is: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 45 L Street NE, Washington, DC 20554.

LIBRARIES PRESENT AFRICANDRUM PERFORMANCES FOR BLACK HISTORY MONTH

In recognition of Black History Month, Fort Bend County Libraries will present special musical performances of “African HandDrumming” in February. he first performance will take place on

Saturday, February 11, beginning at 11:00 am, in the Meeting Room of the First Colony Branch Library, located at 2121 Austin Parkway in Sugar Land. The performance will be repeated on

Saturday, February 18, beginning at 10:15 am, in the Meeting Room of the Missouri City Branch Library, located at 1530 Texas Parkway.

LEARN ABOUT AFRICAN-AMERICAN FAMILY-HISTORY RESEARCH AT LIBRARY PROGRAM

Researching African-American family histories may present special challenges for the genealogical researcher. Fort Bend County Libraries’ Genealogy and Local History Department will present a special program, “Family-History Research: Beginning AfricanAmerican Genealogy,” on Saturday, February 11, from 10:30 to 11:30 am, in the Computer Lab at George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview in Richmond.

FEBRUARY’S SPEAKER INFORMATION IS BELOW:

Sugar Land Garden Club, Making Gardening Easier by Dr. Joseph

Novak. February 21, 2023, 10 A.M. at St. Basil’s Hall, 702 Burney Road, Sugar Land. Free

OFFER INTRODUCTORY HANDSON COMPUTER & TECHNOLOGY CLASSES

Land Branch Library, 550 Eldridge (281-238-2140):

SUGAR LAND ROTARY CLUB

Sugar Land Rotary Club, the nation’s oldest community service organization, wants you to be its guest at a meeting that could turn out to be the best fit for getting involved with a local, nonpolitical, humanitarian service organization with a global presence to satisfy your passion. We’re on a quest for new members! Call or email Dean Clark, 469-850-2424, dean7351@gmail.com. We’re a friendly group that meets once a week for lunch.

FT. BEND ACCORDION CLUB

Meets on the 4th Sunday of every month from 2:pm - 4:pm at: CHRIST CHURCH SUGAR LAND (in the Chapel) 3300 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land, TX 77479 FREE and Open to the Public! We welcome everybody! If you play accordion, beginners to professional and would like to play Call, Text or email: Vince Ramos Cell: 281-204-7716 vincer.music@gmail.com

FORT BEND JUNIOR SERVICE

LEAGUE RECRUITING NEW MEMBERS FOR 2022-2023 YEAR

To join, the membership application can be accessed at https:// www.fbjsl.org/join/how-to-become-a-member/. FBJSL will also be hosting multiple virtual and in-person recruitment events over the summer where potential new members can learn more about the League. Information regarding attending these events is available at www.fbjsl.org or on the FBJSL Facebook page at www.facebook. com/FortBendJuniorServiceLeague/.

LITERACY COUNCIL OF

FORT BEND COUNTY

We enhance lives and strengthen communities by teaching adults to read. We need your help. Literacy Council is actively recruiting Volunteer Tutors to provide instruction for English as a Second Language (ESL) Levels 0-5, three hours a week. For more information, call 281-240-8181 or visit our website www. ftbendliteracy.org

JAM WITH SAM

Join Sam Grice Tuesday evenings at 6:30 for a casual evening of music. We play a variety of music including bluegrass, country, gospel and some western. We request acoustic instruments only please. We welcome both participants and music lovers who enjoy listening to good live music. There’s no charge and we welcome beginners and gladly offer gentle assistance. We meet at First Presbyterian Church, 502 Eldridge Rd, Sugar Land. Please call Sam at 832-428-3165 for further information.

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY FOR MEN

Sugar Land First United Methodist Church, 431 Eldridge Road offers a Thursday Morning Bible Study For Men. This group is ongoing and uses a variety of studies throughout the year. The breakfast, coffee and donuts are free. Join us any time! Thursdays, 6:30-7:30 am in Wesley Hall. Call the church office at 281-491-6041 or Mike Schofield at 281-217-5799 for more information.

GIVE A GIFT OF HOPE

February 22, 10:30 am.

First Colony Branch Library, 2121 Austin Parkway, Sugar Land (281-238-2800)

How to Use the “Libby by OverDrive” App – Thursday, February 23, 11:00 am.

ONGOING

FORT BEND COUNTY LIBRARIES’

ONLINE BOOK CLUB TO DISCUSS “THE RISE OF WOLF 8”

Online meetings on the fourth Wednesday of every month. Free and open to the public. Registration is required; to register online www.fortbend.lib.tx.us, “Classes & Events,” select “Virtual Programs,” find the program on the date indicated. Participants may also register by calling George Memorial Library (281-3424455).

LIBRARY’S PODCAST CLUB FOCUSES ON SETTING NEW YEAR GOALS IN JANUARY

Each month features a different theme, along with a short list of podcast episodes to be discussed that can be found on the University Branch Library’s online calendar on the Fort Bend County Libraries website. Visit www.fortbend.lib.tx.us or call the University Branch Library 281-633-5100.

Give a Gift of Hope one-time or monthly. Your help provides access to therapies and services children with autism might otherwise go without. Please consider Hope For Three in your Estate, Planned, or Year-End Giving. Register now, or learn more about exciting events: www.hopeforthree.org/events

DVD-BASED ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL

CLASS WITH NO HOMEWORK REQUIRED

Weekly class designed to help you understand and appreciate the Bible by giving you a better sense of the land and culture from which it sprang. The class meets at 9:30 am every Sunday at First Presbyterian of Sugar Land (502 Eldridge Rd.). For more information call 281-240-3195

EXCHANGE

EXCHANGE, America’s Service Club, always welcomes guests and is in search of new members! Various Fort Bend clubs exist and can accommodate early morning (7 a.m.), noon and evening meeting time desires. For more info, contact Mike Reichek, Regional Vice President, 281-575-1145 or mike@reichekfinancial. com We would love to have