Los Fresnos News 5-24-23

Bethany Hamilton's "O'hana Experience"

Local Mother Shares on an Unforgettable Journey that Uplifts Mother-Daughter Relationships

attack at the tender age of thirteen, where she lost her left arm, Hamilton defied the odds by returning to professional surfing less than a month later. Her indomitable spirit and unwavering faith have made her an inspiration to countless individuals worldwide. In 2011, her incredible journey was portrayed in the film "Soul Surfer," featuring Anna Robb. Driven by her desire to empower young girls and cultivate strong motherdaughter connections, Hamilton created the "O'hana Experience." Rooted in her own life experiences and deep faith, the program aimed to forge enduring and godly connections between mothers and daughters that would last a lifetime.

Krawczynski cherished the enriching conversations she had with the Hamiltons, emphasizing the family's genuineness.

The heart of the "O'hana Experience" was a 90-day program consisting of 11 online Zoom sessions led by Bethany Hamilton herself. These sessions had many different speakers talking on deep topics. The experience was topped with an unforgettable trip to Hawaii, where participants had the opportunity to spend a day with Hamilton and surf the breathtaking waves of Kauai.

these subjects from a biblical perspective, the program equipped teenagers with essential skills and tools to make positive choices and become self-assured adults.

Ava Krawczynski,

led by renowned professional

surfer and inspirational figure, Bethany Hamilton. This extraordinary program aimed to strengthen the unbreakable bond between mothers and daughters while immersing them in the world of surfing.

Bethany Hamilton's story is one of remarkable resilience. Having survived a devastating shark

Lisa Krawczynski spoke glowingly of Hamilton, describing her as a humble individual who genuinely focused on the girls participating in the program. Hamilton welcomed them into her world, creating an environment where they felt at ease. Lisa shares that it truly felt like being part of her extended family.

Throughout the sessions, Hamilton shared her personal journey from an injured surfer to an unstoppable champion, inspiring teenagers to confront challenges with courage and unwavering determination. The program delved into various real-life topics, such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, relationships, health and wellness, communication, conflict management, social media consumption, and, most importantly, the bond between mothers and daughters. By addressing

Through her "O'hana Experience," Bethany Hamilton continues to inspire and uplift individuals, demonstrating that they can triumph over any challenge with resilience and unwavering faith. Her commitment to empowering young girls and fostering stronger mother-daughter connections left an undeniable impact on the lives of Lisa and Ava Krawczynski.

Lisa Krawczynski emphasized the uniqueness of the "O'hana Experience" by highlighting the rare opportunity it provided for mothers to actively participate alongside their teenage daughters. This aspect not only nurtured the motherdaughter bond but also allowed parents to connect and grow with their children. Krawczynski wholeheartedly recommended the program, saying it was a great experience.

Monarch Butterfly Garden Takes Flight at Dora Romero Elementary

listed as an endangered species in 2021, require specific vegetation such as milkweeds and other nectar sources to provide nutrients. “It gave me a new perspective on their beauty and the important role they play in our ecosystem,” said Trevino. The generous donation of the Arevalo family, whose children attend Dora Romero Elementary, laid the framework for the completion of the project. Over the course of five days, they leveled the

ground, created drainage, framed the walkways, installed planter boxes, and provided four truckloads of rocks. The finishing touch were rocks that DRE students signed with their names.

“Seeing everyone come together and putting their love into this project inspired me to ensure that the garden continues with the vision of creating an interactive learning environment that captivates nature and promotes conservation for future

generations beyond the completion of my Eagle project requirements,” said Trevino.

“He is a hard-working young man who sets a great example for his younger brother. With the guidance of his parent’s and love of family, Diego has achieved so much at such a young age,” said Lucio. Diego’s hopes to soar even higher this fall, when he plans to join the United States Airforce to study Mechnical Engineering in hopes of becoming a Pilot.

There’s a new stop for monarch butterflies on their migration path south this year. The Monarch Butterfly Garden at Dora Romero Elementary is officially complete and ready to welcome visitors of all kinds. It’s the culmination of a school community effort to bring to life the vision of Diego

Trevino, a Los Fresnos High School senior whose goal is to provide resources for the endangered species.

The idea for the project took flight about a year ago during a conversation about Christmas break projects among staff at Dora Romero Elementary.

“I saw photos of the beautiful butterfly garden Mrs. Patricia Sanchez had created at her home and I commented on the perfect spot for another version is right here at DRE,” said Karina Lucio, Principal of Dora Romero Elementary School. Sanchez knew just

the person to put wings on Lucio’s idea. Her nephew, Diego Trevino, needed a final project to complete the rank of Eagle Scout. Diego’s goal was to create an immersive educational experience for students. “I worked with the school to create an experience that gives students hands-on learning about the Monarch Butterfly conservation effort, their life cycle as well as the life cycle of the plant and how to conserve a sustainable environment,” said Diego Trevino.

After several meetings with campus and district administration, he created a plan of action that included months of research and development that were tailored to the specific needs of the monarch butterflies. The butterflies, which are known for their majestic looks and were

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Commencement Set for Los Fresnos High School Class of 2023

Preparations are underway for the Los Fresnos High School Class of 2022 Commencement ceremony. The program is set for Saturday, May 27th at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

Approximately 865 candidates for graduation are expected to walk across the stage on Saturday. Commencement will be open to public with no ticket needed. Gates will open at 6:00 p.m. for spectators with seating

available on a first come, first served basis. The standard clear bag policy at Leo Aguilar Memorial Stadium will be enforced for all attendees.

For those who cannot attend, the ceremony will be livestreamed through the district's YouTube channel. The livestream will begin at 7:15 p.m.

The graduates should begin arriving by 6:30 p.m. on the north end (Whipple Road entrance) of the track at the stadium.

The procession will march down the track on each side toward the south end zone. The stage will be situated in the south end zone in front of the video board.

*Note: Confetti and confetti poppers will not be allowed

If you have questions, please contact the high school at (956) 254-5300. In the unlikely event of inclement weather, the graduation ceremony will be moved to Sunday, May 28th.

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A Tough Ending

Falcons Fall in Area Round

By Ruben Rodriguez Los Fresnos News

The Los Fresnos Falcons Baseball Team traveled up north to take on the Laredo United Longhorns of District 30-6A. Looking to advance to the Regional Quarterfinal for the first time in two years, the Falcons were coming off a huge win over Edinburg in the Bi-District Round.

What started off as a scoreless game saw both Los Fresnos and Laredo United in a defensive standoff. After four

scoreless innings, Los Fresnos was able to score a run to take a 1-0 lead. United was able to adjust on defense and then on offense, scoring in four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Defensively, Laredo United was able to shut down Los Fresnos and take game one 4-1. With the Falcons on the ropes, Los Fresnos was looking to force a third game. Los Fresnos then scored two runs in two innings. Then in the top of the fourth, The Falcons scored in four more runs to

College Signings

take a 6-0 lead over Laredo United.

In the bottom of the fourth, The Longhorns scored in three runs. The offense continued for Laredo United as they went on to score four runs over three innings and eventually held on to win in walk off fashion 7-6, ending the Falcons season. Los Fresnos ended their season at 27-8-1 overall and 10-0 in District Play. The Falcons capped off their third straight playoff season with an Area Round appearance.

Lady Falcons Summer Soccer League

Addyson Vega

Roberta Torres

Los Fresnos Baseball cap - Photo from LF Falcons Baseball Fcebook page

Karina Alvarez signing her letter of intent to throw for Texas A&M kingsville

Adriana Garza signing to cheer for the Roadrunners of UTSA

Rising to the Top

Port of Brownsville Among Leading Maritime Ports for Waterborne Cargo

signaling a 10.9% increase from the previous year’s total of 1,671.

The Next Chapter Poem

Possibilities by James E. Arnold

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – May 16, 2023

– Consistently setting new records, the Port of Brownsville continues to gain national prominence among the leading maritime ports in the United States.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' most recent annual report ranking 150 maritime ports nationwide, the Port of Brownsville rose to 55th

position in the country for the movement of waterborne cargo in 2021, a significant leap from 66th place in 2020.

Throughout 2021, 8.9 million tons of cargo were transported via the port's waterways, representing a 30% increase from 2020’s 6.7 million tons. During that same period, traffic at the port recorded robust vessel activity with 1,854 vessel calls in 2021,

“The Port of Brownsville has arrived, and we've been here for a while. We’re starting to see the incremental impact that continued growth has had in the region, our community, and the whole state of Texas,” said Port Director and CEO Eduardo A. Campirano. “We are proud of this accomplishment, and thankful to our business partners that have helped us reach these metrics.”

This upward trend is reflected in the unaudited cargo volumes for 2022, as the 9.9 million tons of waterborne cargo accounted for more than half of the 15.2 million tons of overall cargo transported at the port this past year.

Strategically positioned at the crossroads of major shipping lanes that connect the United States to Mexico and beyond, the port serves

as a critical gateway for international trade.

Currently the port’s 42-foot deepwater ship channel and cargohandling facilities allow it to accommodate a wide variety of vessels and cargoes, including containerized cargo, bulk commodities, and heavylift project cargo.

Additionally, the port handles a variety of commodities including steel, wind energy components, and liquid bulk products. The port’s plan to deepen the channel to 52 feet will propel the port further in the global marketplace, allowing it to handle larger vessels and increasing cargo volumes. The Port of Brownsville's strategic location, modern facilities, and strong economic impact make it a critical player in the global shipping industry and a vital component of the United States' trade infrastructure.

52. Slightly insane

53. Messy substances

55. Santa ____ winds, Ca

57. *TV show with Central Perk

61. *Popular Disney movie with a genie

65. Caterpillar precursor

66. accompanies wisdom?

68. *Pinky or The Brain

69. architectural projection

70. Crème de cassis plus wine

71. Un-written exams

72. ____pool or ____pit

73. One or some or all

74. Find new tenant

DOWN

1. *"____ Breaky Heart" by Billy Ray Cyrus

2. Highlands hillside

3. Raise the roof

4. Leopard marks

5. Bungle (2 words)

6. Part of a hammer

7. "____ the land of the free..."

8. Heathrow craft

9. Type of missile, accr.

10. aquarium organism

11. Indian bread

12. "____ Kerenina" by Tolstoy

15. Breadcrumb, e.g.

20. Contain the ashes

22. Pen juice

24. amount in one's lap, pl.

25. *The Vampire Slayer 26. accustom

27. *"a ____ to Kill" and "Nick of ____"

29. Bell sound

31. Front or back one

32. Factual evidence

33. Quick and nimble

34. *First cloned mammal's name 36. Swarm like bees 38. Don't go 42. Pertaining to the ear 45. Pertaining to reign 49. Motion of assent

51. Bewitch 54. Port city in Japan

56. *Christian Dior's "J'____" 57. Mass of particles 58. Of low density 59. Pupil controller 60. December 24 and 31 61. Bald eagle's nest 62.

The Port of Brownsville is rising up the ranks nationwide for the movement of waterborne cargo as tonnage increased 30 percent from 2020 to 2021. Increased volumes of commodities such as steel, wind energy components, and liquid bulk products continue to move through the port.

Fresnos Senior Kevin Zamora signed his Letter of Intent to play soccer at the

and

is proud to support these scholars as they move forward in pursuit of their academic and career goals. Congratulations to all!