CYPRESS & CY-FAIR TEXAS NEWS 2010

LSC-CyFair Welcomes Two New Deans
Cypress, Texas
Posted September 8, 2010

As the new academic year gets under way, Lone Star College-CyFair’s Dean of Student Services Dr. Rito Silva and Dean of Humanities, Math and CIT Claire Phillips are settling into their new administrative roles.

Dr. Silva and Phillips may have taken different routes to filling the two vacated leadership positions at LSC-CyFair, but both are passionate about education and excited about this new opportunity to serve the students and community.

Dr. Silva’s career in higher education started with “accidentally” enrolling in college when he went to orientation at Texas A&I, more in a jealous boyfriend mode. Intimidated and frustrated with the whole registration and financial aid process, he opted to wait for his friends outside. 

“While sitting outside the second floor registration area, an elderly man stopped and talked to me … Somehow, he convinced me to go back inside, helped me register, introduced me to financial aid director and asked if I wanted a job … It turns out he was I. Q. Vidaurri, dean of students,” said Dr. Silva. “I didn’t see how big a moment that was until I graduated with a bachelor’s in business administration/finance.”

Dr. Silva graduated in May 1990 and got a job as an advisor at Texas A&I’s new freshman college that July. Then this past April, with a master’s in counseling, Ph.D. from Texas A&M University at College Station and nearly two decades of higher education experience, including most recently as director of the Alice Campus of Coastal Bend College, he joined the LSC-CyFair family.

“My job now is to offer that hand that was extended to me a long time ago. If me being here and sharing my story makes a difference in a student, regardless of color, that’s important to me,” said Dr. Silva.

Phillips said the Division I dean’s position was a natural progression in her higher education career. When she started at LSC-CyFair in 2003 as founding faculty, she brought with her a background of 20 years of real world experience in industry, 12 years of teaching business classes, with substantial online teaching experience both at LSC-Cy Fair and LSC-North Harris. She went on to earn a Faculty Excellence Award and serve as the business department chair, as well as taking on a special assignment as director of the Faculty and Staff Excellence Center.

She chooses to be involved to effect change, serving on committees and task forces in the area chamber and at the college and system level. She enjoys putting community and college contacts together, assisting students with intern placements, launching new classes and developing curriculum.

“My interest in working at a higher level has been long coming because I love working with students directly and I’ve been very happy being faculty. So it was a hard decision for me to move back into a management role as I had previously done in business,” said Phillips. “But as I looked at both at my long-term goals and my passion for the Cy-Fair community, I really wanted to do something for me by returning to school for my doctorate and do something that would give back to my community at a higher level of service I knew I was capable of.”

She returned to school to earn her doctorate in higher education at Texas A&M, driving weekly to College Station for four years while working at LSC-CyFair and has only one chapter of her dissertation to complete before graduating. The availability of a dean’s position as she completes her education was just good timing.

“I’m a problem solver. I think I can mediate between the needs of administration and faculty,” said Phillips. “I think I’m innovative in coming up with and proposing creative solutions. And I’m not afraid to ask questions.”

For information on Student Services, Division I or LSC-CyFair, go to LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Thieves gut air conditioning units from NAM Resale
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted August 12, 2010

On the night of Tuesday, August 10, thieves gutted three rooftop air conditioning units at NAM Resale at 3645 F.M. 1960 and ruined one more unit. The units were gutted for copper, leaving the resale store with only two functioning air conditioning units that are now struggling to cool the 27,000 square feet store and warehouse. Currently, only half of the space is being cooled. “We must get these units replaced as soon as possible,” says NAM Director of Operations Randy Boyer. “Otherwise, we will lose sales and we will lose our volunteers.” The cost of replacing the units is estimated at $40,000. It is still unclear how much of this cost will be covered by insurance.

Proceeds from NAM’s three resale shops bring in approximately 15% of the organizations $8,700,000 annual budget. The stores have been struggling to meet sales goals due to the poor economy and increased competition in the resale market. “NAM cannot afford to lose any more sales,” says Boyer. Other retailers on F.M. 1960 were victimized as well. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM needs food donations, pantry depleted
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted August 12, 2010

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is in urgent need of donated food for its Food Pantry. The Pantry’s shelves are depleted, as is the organization’s reserve of non-perishable food items. The shortage is due to extraordinary demand for food. “Summer is generally a difficult time for many families,” says Rebecca Landes, NAM Vice President of Service Programs. “This summer is especially tough due to the economy. Requests for food are up 30% from last year.”

The Food Pantry provides groceries to individuals and families living in NAM’s core service area. Last year, the Pantry served 36,456 people. NAM relies on community donations to keep the Food Pantry well-stocked.

Food donations may be dropped off at NAM’s main office at 15555 Kuykendahl, at NAM Resale at 3645 F.M. 1960, or at Second Chance Community Store at 10505 Jones Rd. If you need information about conducting a food drive, contact Linda Fullerton at 281-885-4609 or lfullerton@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Anthropology Class Includes Inside Look at TV culture
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted August 12, 2010

Students who’d like to explore cultural diversity and get an inside look at the Discovery and History Channel shows should register for Scotty Moore’s Introduction to Cultural Anthropology at Lone Star College-CyFair.

In Moore’s ANTH 2351 course, students will study contemporary and recent groups of humans including their social, religious, economic and political organization. They will learn how practicing cultural relativism increases the understanding of other cultures as well as how cultural anthropology can be applied to solve human problems.

In addition, Moore will bring a bit of “television culture” into the classroom. As host of Discovery Channel’s program Bone Detectives (http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/bone-detectives/bone-detectives.html) he serves as consultant for other Discovery shows. He will give his students some insight into how such shows are produced and directed.

For those interested in an anthropology career, anthropologists work in a variety of industries, such as in scientific research and development; in local to federal government; in architectural, engineering and related services; in management, scientific and technical consulting services; museums and historical sites and higher education. Annual median salaries range from $46,890 to $71,400 according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-2011 Edition on the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics web site www.bls.gov/oco.

For information on this course or LSC-CyFair’s Associate of Arts degree in anthropology, contact Moore at Scotty.B.Moore@lonestar.edu or 281.685.8125. Fall classes start Aug. 30 so register now at lonestar.edu/registration. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Towne Lake to Host Memorial Hermann Houston Triathlon and Duathlon
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted August 12, 2010

The roadways and waterways in Caldwell Companies’ award-winning Towne Lake master-planned community will be crowded with athletes reaching for the gold at the Memorial Hermann Houston Triathlon and Duathlon on September 26.

Onurmark Race Productions is presenting the triathlon/duathlon, which is sanctioned by USA Triathlon, the national governing body for the sports of triathlon, duathlon, winter triathlon and aquathlon in the United States.

This athletic challenge will kick off at 7:30 a.m. and is open to all ages and fitness levels.

There are three courses for athletes to choose from: the “OLYMPIC” includes a 1,500-meter swim, 24.85-mile bicycle ride, and 6.2-mile run; the “OLYMPIC WITH SHORT SWIM WAVE” includes a 300-meter swim, 24.85-mile bicycle ride, and 6.2-mile run; and the “LONG DUATHLON” includes a 2-mile run, 24.85-mile bicycle ride, and 6.2-mile run.

The swim segments will take place in Towne Lake’s centerpiece lake, which will be 300 acres when completed.The running and biking segments will follow roads that form the backbone of the 2,400-acre community.The starting line is at the intersection of Lakeview Crest and Towne Lake Parkway - the future site of the Towne Lake Amphitheater.

“We are thrilled to play host to the Memorial Hermann Houston Triathlon and Duathlon because the purpose of this top-notch athletic event fits perfectly with what Towne Lake embodies: a healthy way of life and a strong community spirit,” said Susan Caldwell with Caldwell Companies.

The goal is to have 1,000 participants. The Memorial Hermann Houston Triathlon and Duathlon is seeking volunteers to help at the event. Volunteer groups with 10 or members that represent a non-profit organization will receive a percentage for working at the event.

Those interested in participating in or volunteering at the event can find information, and register at www.HoustonTri.com. Students will receive a discount when registering. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair’s Community Outreach Impacts Thousands
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted August 12, 2010

The start of a new academic year brings another year of community outreach at Lone Star College-CyFair and LSC-Fairbanks Center benefitting residents and organizations throughout Cy-Fair.

“Right around the corner is Cy-Fest, the college’s annual gift to the community, a labor of love that brings our staff, faculty, students and community members together,” said Michelle Tran, college relations director.

This day of free food, festivities and family fun will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9 on the campus at 9191 Barker Cypress. Cy-Fest 6 features activities for all ages with a petting zoo, pumpkin patch, face painting, Radio Disney, moonwalks, duck races, a train ride and laser tag. New this year will be the 1st Airborne Adventure and the Adrenaline Rush Obstacle Course. In addition, there will be refreshments as well as information available on college offerings and area non-profit organizations.

“But Cy-Fest is only one of LSC-CyFair’s many outreach efforts positively impacting our community,” said Tran.

LSC-CyFair partners with area non-profit organizations, such as Reach Unlimited, Habitat for Humanity and area assisted-living centers. With more than 10,000 community services hours, students in courses with Service Learning designations helped earn the college national recognition with a place on the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

A partnership between Mission of Yahweh and LSC-Fairbanks Center, a satellite campus at 14955 Northwest Freeway, began when shelter residents were given one-on-one guidance and the chance to earn their GED or an occupational certification. More recently, LSC-Fairbanks Center employees donated their community garden harvest of 20 pounds of carrots, onions, radishes and strawberries to the shelter’s food pantry.

“Many of our student organizations hold various food, clothing, toy and supply drives benefiting community groups in need,” Tran said. “For example, the Technology Society’s Electronics Recycle Drive collected more than 2,300 lbs in televisions, computers, cell phones and more for Goodwill of Houston.”

The college's Counseling, Career and Disability Services Department teamed up with Dress For Success® Houston for a community-wide drive collecting interview-appropriate suits for disadvantaged women seeking employment. Dresses for teens in need are also collected for the college library’s annual Prom Dress Give-Away, which provides free dresses and accessories for prom and other events for teens in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District and five other school districts.

The Student Ambassadors and the Tennis Team partnered with Adopt A US Soldier (AAUSS) last fall to honor the brave men and women serving in the United States Armed Forces.

“Their project reached across the world with involvement from students, faculty, staff and campus visitors in writing letters to the soldiers and donating items for care packages,” said Tran. “This year, our ambassadors have adopted Lieder Elementary School. They recently held a back-to-school supply drive and volunteered as Bus Buddies.”

College employees also participate in CFISD’s annual Bus Buddies program, as well as chamber events, are involved in middle school and high school student visits to the college campus and mentor students at area schools.

Players on the Women’s Soccer Team and the Tennis Team have also mentored young athletes on the soccer field and the tennis courts. Tennis players were trained as Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) Certified Tennis Coaches, volunteered at SOTX events and hosted a basic skills tennis clinic for Special Olympics athletes ages 16 and older.

“From its inception, LSC-CyFair has built a foundation of helping others in our area through fund-raising efforts and countless volunteer hours,” said LSC-CyFair President Dr. Audre Levy who launched a new campus initiative last spring called Community 10.

Bins were made available to collect donations of shampoo, soap, toothpaste, deodorant and lotion and deliver to Cypress Assistance Ministries.

“LSC-CyFair and LSC-Fairbanks Center students, faculty and staff are making a difference in Cy-Fair throughout the year,” Tran said. “We are honored to give back in so many different ways to a community so supportive of our college.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

 

Tennis Team Outreach Benefits Disabled Veterans
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted August 12 2010

The Lone Star College-CyFair Tennis Team assisted the United Stated Tennis Association-Texas Section in introducing wheelchair tennis to disabled veterans returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan as part of an annual Welcome Home event held Aug. 7. Standing from left are Coach Tim Sebesta, Sam Holmes, Coach John Clark, Andra Yanchenko and Ryan Song. Sitting are Katherine Richards, left, and Anthony Petilla. In addition to adaptive sports demonstrations for disabled veterans and their families, this event included a barbecue lunch; a comprehensive resource fair of organizations that provide services to returning veterans and their families in the Greater Houston Area; and various music, entertainment, attractions and activities for children and adults. For information on LSC-CyFair and the Tennis Team, go to www.LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Key Club “Runs” with the Community
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted August 12, 2010

Cypress Ranch Key Club volunteered at a variety of events during the 2009-2010 school year. The club’s participation in the community ranged from the Houston Rockets Run to Special Olympics Bowling to carnivals and back-to-school days at many of our district’s elementary and middle schools. The Cypress Ranch Key Club started out the summer “running” with a Kiwanis Kids Triathlon sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cy-Fair.

The May 22nd triathlon at the Langham Creek YMCA was a big success. Key Club members helped out with registration, timing, and cheering the participants. While a few club members also volunteered at another Kiwanis Kids triathlon on July 10 near downtown Houston, a large group of our members will be volunteering on August 7 at a Kiwanis Kids Triathlon that will be located across from our school in Bridgeland.

Members will also be working at the 2nd Annual Bridgeland Triathlon on August 8 and the 1st Annual Towne Lake triathlon on September 26th. Both of these races are sponsored by Memorial Hermann.

On top of our already packed summer, we have a 5K run in Bridgeland on August 28 and a triathlon in Fairfield on September 11.

As summer comes to an end, we are continuing to provide multiple opportunities for our Key Club members to service. As our members are up and running for the new school year, Cypress Ranch Key Club will continue to serve our community. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy-Fair residents attend Tap Kids Summer Intensive in Burlington, Vermont
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted August 12, 2010

Morgan Wright, Elayne Seynaeve, and Taylor Alcorn, from Hintze Dance Center attended the 11th annual Tap Kids Summer Intensive, in Burlington, Vermont from July 16 – 24, 2010. 53 tappers from the United States and Canada ranging from ages 9 to 22 were selected by audition DVDs. After tapping for seven 12 hour days, the tappers performed in a two-hour finale called Tap Kids Showcase Spec-tap-ular at Burlington’s downtown Flynn Mainstage. Taylor Alcorn was selected to perform her tap solo, choreographed by Michelle Chavarria, at the ending showcase. Hintze Dance Center is located in Cypress, Texas. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Baseball Players Day Set Aug.10 at LSC-CyFair
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 29, 2010

Enjoy a free meet and greet morning with Astros player Jason Burgeois and others at the Aug. 10 Players Day at the Exhibition at Lone Star College-CyFair.

This family event is among the related events being held in conjunction with Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience, a new traveling exhibition on display in the library through Aug. 27.

Hang out with players from all levels of competition who will be on hand from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. to talk about baseball and the exhibition in a meet and greet format.

For a full schedule of exhibition-related library programs or information, go to www.LoneStar.edu/library/prideandpassion or call 281.290.5276. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

African-American Baseball Experience Continues through Aug. 27 at LSC-CyFair
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 29, 2010

How much do you know about the impact African–American baseball players made on America’s favorite pastime? Find out at the Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience, a new traveling exhibition on display through Aug. 27 at Lone Star College-CyFair.

“African-American players helped advance the game of baseball in many ways,” said Mick Stafford, Harris County Public Library LSC-CyFair Branch Director of Library and Information Services. “This exhibition tells many remarkable stories of players and teams who were shut out of major league baseball, but persevered in a sport they loved.”

Did you know the Negro league baseball grew into a multi-million dollar enterprise or that a Negro league team developed a successful lighting system for night games, five years before Major League Baseball played its first night game? What do you know about legendary figures such as Rube Foster, Buck Leonard, Oscar Charleston, James “Cool Papa” Bell, Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson? Do you know when baseball became a segregated sport, who broke the color barrier in 1947 or who became the first player inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame based solely on his performance in the Negro leagues?

Learn the answers to these questions and more at the traveling exhibition composed of colorful freestanding panels featuring photographs of teams, players, original documents and artifacts. Then check out the library’s free programs, book clubs and presentations as well as baseball-themed storytimes and crafts for children in the Kids Corner.

For information or a full schedule of exhibition-related library programs, go to LoneStar.edu/library/prideandpassion or call 281.290.5276. The library is located on the LSC-CyFair campus at 9191 Baker Cypress. For information, go to www.LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Join the Academy for Lifelong Learning
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 27, 2010

Interested in a great experience with like-minded people for whom learning has never gone out of style?Join the Academy for Lifelong Learning (A.L.L.) at Lone Star College-CyFair.

A.L.L. offersadults, 50 years and older, a variety of leisure classes, lectures and informal activities. An annual membership fee of $20 (September 2010 through August 2011) entitles members to student discounts and the use of the college’s fitness center.

The fall session will include a diverse set of classes in areas such as gardening, travel, history, health care, photography, woodwork, art and many others. A few classes have limited enrollment, so register early.

Fall registration will be held 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 28 in the Conference Center on the LSC-CyFair campus at 9191 Barker Cypress.

For information, go to www.LoneStar.edu/cyfair-all or call the Continuing Education office at 281.290.3460. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

North Cypress Medical Center is Presented with Outpatient Service Award for Excellence
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 27, 2010

North Cypress Medical Center was presented with the 2009 Excellence Through Insight Award for Overall Outpatient Satisfaction given by Healthstream Research Corporation on July 22, 2010. This award recognizes hospitals that excel in their ability to gain insight into their patients, employees, physicians, and community through research and use this information to build excellence within their organization. North Cypress Medical Center holds one of the busiest outpatient service departments in the Houston area and has consistently received outpatient service scores above the national norm. During the latest North Cypress Patient Satisfaction Survey, 98% of those surveyed felt “Very Satisfied” or “Satisfied” with the result of their outpatient visit at North Cypress Medical Center.Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Names Director for Federal Programs
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 27, 2010

Nancy Frankel, a Title 1 curriculum coach, was named director of federal programs—a new position in CFISD.

As director of federal programs, Frankel will monitor special grant programs for compliance with legal requirements including career technology education, Title I, Title II, Title III, Title IV and IDEA; act as a grant liaison between program coordinators, administrators and federal agencies; and train and work with special program coordinators to ensure grant compliance in each of the special program areas.

Frankel has served 21 years in CFISD and was previously a reading specialist at Bane Elementary School before taking over her role as Title 1 curriculum coach.

She holds a master’s degree in reading/language arts from the University of Houston and a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Minnesota State University-Moorhead.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve CFISD in this new position,” Frankel said. “I am pleased that this role will allow me to work with federal programs to improve student achievement across the district. I am also looking forward to joining the Campus Improvement and Research Team and furthering their goals.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Stice Inducted into Athletic Directors Hall of Honor
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 22, 2010

Sheri Stice, associate athletic director, was inducted into the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association (THSADA) Hall of Honor on Sunday, July 18 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in San Antonio, as part of the Texas High School Coaches Association (THSCA) 78th Annual Coaching School.

Stice joins Ken Pridgeon (1996) and Larry Peil (2007) as the only Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Hall of Honor inductees.

In December, Stice was honored with a National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Citation—presented annually to outstanding athletic directors in recognition of contributions to interscholastic athletics at the local, state and national levels. Stice also received both the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association

(NIAAA) State Award of Merit and Citation Award for 2010. In 2007 she received the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award.

An athletic administrator for 14 years, Stice received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Sam Houston State University before becoming a health and physical education teacher and a head coach of four different sports at Houston St. Pius X High School. She joined CFISD in 1978, beginning with six years as a middle school teacher and coach and followed by 11 years as assistant principal of two middle schools.

Stice has been the Texas state liaison to the NIAAA for three years, Texas state delegate for two years and certified CAA Test Administrator for four years. She was vice chair of the NIAAA Certification Committee for two years and became chair in December 2009.

“When you work as long as I have in education, you don't expect this kind of recognition. You just work as hard as you can to ‘keep the main thing the main thing,’” Stice said. “We are all about kids and providing the opportunities for them to be active and successful. To do that, you can’t be afraid to get involved at all levels—local, state and national—to make sure the focus stays on them.

“Only four women in 30 years have received this award and I am humbled that my colleagues in the Texas High School Athletic Directors Association thought me worthy of it. They are so much a part of any success that I have had as they are ‘lifelines’ that I depend on daily.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

HTA Recognizes Cy-Fair Area Student with Scholarship Funds
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 20, 2010

Houston Tennis Association (HTA) has awarded Troy Reza, a Cypress-Ridge graduate, the $2,000 HP/National Junior Tennis & Learning award. Reza will be a student at the University of Houston in the fall, beginning his college career in the general studies program. He played varsity tennis in high school and plans to continue playing recreationally. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Names Assistant to the Superintendent
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 19, 2010

Alejandro Morúa, formerly the program coordinator at the Houston A Plus Challenge, was named the assistant to the superintendent this month, replacing Dr. Cheryl Salyards, associate superintendent for governmental relations and communication, who retired from CFISD on June 30. A native Houstonian, Morúa graduated from Austin High School in Houston ISD. He earned two baccalaureate degrees from the University of Pennsylvania; a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in English. His work experiences include for-profit, non-profit, public and private arenas, as well as governmental agencies.

“Alejandro has worked directly in public education and in organizations that provide support to educational organizations,” said Dr. David Anthony, superintendent of schools. “He has expertise and experience in increasing community engagement, developing corporate partnerships and working on political initiatives with elected officials.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM Receives Money Week Houston's Benji Award
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 13, 2010

Northwest Assistance Ministries receives the 2010 Money Week Houston Benji Award for innovative and collaborative programs.Pictured, from left to right, are: Karen Weakly, Director of NAM’s Interfaith Hospitality Network; Bambi Alderson-Shields, Director of NAM’s Rotary Learning Center; and Carole Little, NAM President & CEO. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Students attend Texas Governor’s School
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 9, 2010

Two CFISD students were among 100 teens chosen to attend the Texas Governor’s School June 6-26 on the University of North Texas campus.

Cypress Woods High School student Shantan Cheemerla and Cypress Ranch High School student Cecilia Cisar attended the all-expenses-pad camp sponsored by Exxon Mobil Corporation that encouraged Texas students to study math and science and consider pursuing engineering as a career.

At the camp, students spent time conducting experiments in biology, chemistry and nanotechnology. Participants also enjoyed experiencing college campus life and went on a variety of field trips around North Texas designed to encourage their continued study of science, technology, engineering and math.

This summer’s theme, “How Advances in Science and Technology Affect Our World,” focused on a wide range of topics in the sciences and their impact on society. Students also took courses aimed at improving their writing skills and developing college preparation plans.

The program was established by the Texas Legislature in 2003 and is open to students who have completed their sophomore year in high school.

Applicants are required to submit an application form, provide a letter of recommendation, write a personal essay and submit school transcripts.

Applicants are processed through the 20 Educational Service Centers in Texas. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Softball Players Earn All-State Recognition
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 9, 2010

Two Cypress Creek High School students were recently named to the Texas Sports Writers Association (TXSWA) / Collin Street Bakery 2010 Class 5A All-State Softball Team.

First baseman Tori Sheppard was one of just 12 players from across the state to be named to the First Team, while shortstop Brandi Virgil was named to the Honorable Mention team. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Houston-based Disc Dogs Named Newest Members of Team Bravo!
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 8, 2010

Bravo!, manufacturer of the Bravo! line of fresh frozen raw diet products, has signed a sponsorship agreement Pennie Mahon, owner of Houston-based Barks 5th Avenue, her team of five disc dog competitors, making them the newest members of Team Bravo! Among this group are three U.S. and world finalist and two Texas State Champions.Mahon and her team will represent Bravo! at competitions and demonstrations across the country over the next year.

Established last year, Team Bravo! is a specially-selected group of dogs-and-people who possess a “can do” attitude and community spirit in all aspects of life, family, work, sport and play.”

Mahon and her dogs participate in Freestyle Disc, a fast-paced sport including flips and multiple catches, which is said to be the highest level of competition in addition to a crowd pleaser.The owner and dog create personalized routines which are set to music.Teams are judged in areas including canine athleticism, degree of difficulty as well as showmanship.

Mahon’s high-energy group of herding dogs includes: Airbandita, a nine-year-old Blue Heeler; Spinner, a seven-year-old Australian Shepherd, Texas State Champion 2006 and regional winner of Purina Dog Challenge in 2007 and finalist in 2008; Gabriel (affectionately referred to as Gabe), a six-year-old Blue Heeler and Australian Border Collie mix and son of Airbandita who is also a 2008 Texas State champion, Gabe’s two-year-old son Psych; and the youngest and most promising of the group, ZZ who will turn one this summer (Australian Shepherd). Both Airbandita and Spinner are retired from competition, but take part in disc demonstrations across the country.

Both Psych and Gabe have earned spots at the finals being held this September in Chattanooga, TN.Earning a place in the finals is a challenge in itself, as more than 27 teams completed from their region which included Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Louisiana.There is only one chance a year to qualify and the team must finish top three overall to move to the finals. Both dogs are also qualified for the Ashely Whippet World Finals in Naperville, IL Labor Day weekend.

All of Mahon’s dogs will be participating in local and national events until the end of the year.In addition to competition, the group does between six and 12 demonstrations a year, as part of their membership in the Houston Frisbee Club, where they encourage pet adoptions and keeping pets active in order to keep them happy and out of shelters.

Both the Blue Heeler, more commonly referred to as Australian Cattle Dogs and the Australian Shepherd are high energy, intelligent breeds requiring a great deal of exercise on a daily basis to prevent them from becoming bored or frustrated leading to destructive habits.These traits, combined with their natural agility make them ideal disc dogs.

The beauty about Frisbee dogs is that they can be mixed breeds,” says Mahon.“Dogs with super high drive, high energy and who are very smart do well in this sport.”

For more information on Bravo!, contact Priscilla Fraiegari, pfraiegari@tampabay.rr.com, or (727)514-1528. For more information on Pennie Mahon or Barks 5th Avenue, contact Kristen Woodliff, Kristen@barks5thave.com, or (281)970-2284.Visit us online at www.bravorawdiet.com and www.barks5thave.com. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Don’t Miss the African-American Baseball Traveling Exhibition
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 7, 2010

Don’t miss Pride and Passion: The African-American Baseball Experience on display July 14 – Aug. 27 at Lone Star College-CyFair, one of only 25 sites across the country selected to host this new traveling exhibition.

View the colorful freestanding panels feature photographs of teams, players, original documents and artifacts in the collections of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and in other institutions and collections across the United States.

Then enjoy one of the library’s free related programs, book clubs and presentations:

• July 14, 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. Sports Page Book Club: Satchel: The Life and Times of an American Legend (LRNC 215)
• July 15, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Opening Night: Meet and greet with Greg Kenney, actor and Jackie Robinson impersonator (Library)
• July 15, 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Teen Movie Night: Baseball-themed movie and food (LRNC 131)
• July 16, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Jackie Cross the Line: One person play featuring Greg Kenney as Jackie Robinson (Recital Hall)
• July 21, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. LIFE program featuring Robert Fink, author of Playing in the Shadows: Texas and Negro League Baseball, Johnny Washington, ex-Negro League player for the Houston Eagles, and Gary Crawford, operator of Negro League Legends (LRNC 131)
• July 21, 6:30 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Tween Book Club: A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson by Michelle Green (LRNC 131)
• July 22, 5 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Baseball Carnival: Games, giveaways and food plus appearances by Johnny Washington, Gary Crawford (College Center)
• Aug. 2, 11 a.m. – noon Teen Baseball Book Club: I Was Right On Time: My Journey from the Negro Leagues to the Majors by Buck O’Neil (LRNC 131)
• Aug. 10, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Teen Baseball Book Club: Dropping the Ball: Baseball’s Troubles and How We Can and Must Solve Them by Dave Winfield (LRNC 131)
• Aug. 10, 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Players Day at the Exhibition: Players from all levels of competition talk about baseball and the exhibition in a meet and greet format.(Library)
• Aug. 11, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. LIFE program: If It Ain’t Got That Swing: Black Baseball and Music in the Jim Crow Era with Lawrence Hogan, author of Shades of Gloryand Robert Cvornyek (LRNC 131)
• Aug. 11, 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. Sports Page Book Club: Hank Aaron and the Home Run that Changed American by Tom Stanton (LRNC 131)

In addition, the library will hold baseball-themed storytimes and crafts for children in the Kids Corner. For information on the Kids Corner activities, call 281.290.3911.

The traveling exhibition is on display in the library, which is located on the LSC-CyFair campus at 9191 Baker Cypress. For information, call 281.290.5276. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

“We Are” Photo Exhibition Opens July 20
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 7, 2010

What masks do people wear to hide honest, real feelings? Find out in Abdiel Urcullu’s “We Are” photo exhibition on display Tuesday, July 20 through Thursday, Aug. 12 in the Bosque Gallery at Lone Star College-CyFair.

“As an artist, I’ve always been interested in identity. Not who we show the world we are, or pretend to be, but who we really are,” said Urcullu, an artist, photographer and graphic designer. “As humans, we tend to act as if life were perfect. When we are in our chambers, a private place, our territory, we tend to forget who we are, and we just are. When we go out into the world and leave our space, we tend to put on a mask and neutralize our feelings and react to what happens at every moment. The masks vary in thickness, but nonetheless, we tend to always wear one.”

Photos feature a series of masks, in a closet, hung on a hanger to represent the ability to be worn when leaving the home.They are distanced from the wall as people detach themselves from their honest and real feelings, said Urcullu.

“While I photographed the models for the outside set of the pictures, I asked the models to wear no make up and remove accessories,” he said.“An interesting fact is that some people still wore something. They were not letting go and that made me even more excited about this project. “

Join the artist at an opening reception from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 28 for further discussion of this project.

The Bosque Gallery is located in the Center for the Arts building on the Barker Cypress campus at 9191 Barker Cypress. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday.

For gallery information, go to LoneStar.edu/bosquegallery or call 832.482.1038. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Hosts a New Clinical Teaching 12-Week Option
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 7, 2010

Clinical Teaching is a new student teaching route for becoming a teacher that’s now available to those accepted in the Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) at Lone Star College-CyFair.

This new option provides students training and field-based experience at the appropriate grade level or content area. The clinical teacher works alongside a mentor classroom teacher while becoming more oriented to the public school, students and classroom before finally assuming the full teaching responsibilities for the teacher. In addition, a college supervisor visits the classroom a minimum of four times to provide support and for evaluation purposes.

This student teaching route is a 12-week, non-paid commitment in the Cypress Fairbanks Independent School District that can lead to a recommendation for a Standard Certification at completion. In conjunction with one full semester of program coursework during this placement, clinical teachers also attend pre-service, in-service and post-service coursework/training.

Among the pre-requisites for the Clinical Teaching option are a passing score on the TExESContent Exam as well as satisfactory completion of the Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities course, the 30 field-based observation hours and reflections, Creating Successful Classrooms and /or Components of Special Education or EC-6/4-8 Generalist.

The Clinical Teaching application deadline is Oct. 15. For information, attend one of the monthly information sessions (the next session is Aug. 10), contact the ATCP office at 281.290.3957 or go online to LoneStar.edu/cyfair-atcp. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CyFair I.S.D.’s New Partnership with Ambit Energy
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted July 1, 2010

CFISD has entered into a partnership with Ambit Energy in order to generate additional revenue for the district. Ambit Energy has designed a program where community organizations, such as churches, PTO's and school districts, can raise funds through rebates based on residential customer electricity usage.

Ambit is a state-approved energy provider that offers competitive rates. We are asking that you evaluate and consider Ambit Energy as your electricity provider when your current electricity contract or agreement ends. And, should you decide that this company is the right electric company for you, sign up on their Cy-Fair ISD customer webpage.

If you choose Ambit as your provider, the district will receive a monthly rebate based on your electricity usage at no additional cost to you. The typical monthly rebate to the district based on minimum usage by a customer is four dollars ($4). This amount may seem insignificant; however, this fundraiser has the potential of generating critical funds for our district, which includes thousands of residential customers.

We encourage patrons to be educated consumers and evaluate whether Ambit Energy should be their electricity provider. We appreciate your consideration of this opportunity to support Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Horses Arrive for Saddle Up for NAM Project
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 24, 2010

On the afternoon of June 23rd, fourteen life-sized, fiberglass horses arrived at Vintage Park for the Saddle Up for NAM project.Ten of the horses were adults and four were foals. On hand to greet the horses were NAM President & CEO Carole Little, Melissa Goedde from Vintage Park, Jeans & Jewels co-chairs Carol Cobb and Linda Fowler, and other NAM supporters.

The horses will be painted by local artists selected by a panel of judges and then displayed throughout the community. During the time the horses are being painted, they will be “stabled” at Vintage Park.

For a $3,500 sponsorship, individuals or businesses may display a painted horse on their property for several weeks leading up to NAM’s Jeans & Jewels Gala. The sponsorship also includes a half page ad in the Jeans & Jewels gala program.

The Jeans & Jewels gala, NAM’s largest annual fund raising event, will be held on October 16, 2010 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. The horses will be auctioned off at the Gala, raising more funds for NAM.

Interested individuals or businesses may also order a custom painted horse for a sponsorship of $10,000, which also includes the donor’s name on a plaque at the base of the horse and a full page ad in the Jeans & Jewels program. The custom horses belong to their sponsors, and will not be auctioned off. For more information, please contact Tanecia Snid at 281-885-4608 or at tsnid@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Swimmers Selected to Academic All-American Team
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 23, 2010

Three CFISD students were selected to the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA) Academic All-American team. Approximately 2 percent of the students involved in high school aquatics are recognized as Academic All-Americans.

The students were among 1,692 selected nationwide and just 173 from the state of Texas.

The following students were named Academic All-Americans:

• Jennifer Rembach, Cy-Fair High School
• Richard Carnicle, Cy-Fair High School
• Richard Francis III, Cypress Creek High School

To qualify for the award, students were required to: have a minimum GPA of 3.750 on a 4-point scale (or 93.75 percent of the grade scale used for seven semesters or 11 trimesters); be a graduating senior; and have lettered in their high school program (swimming, diving or water polo) during their senior year. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Sign up Now for Summer Dual Credit Courses at LSC-CyFair
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 23, 2010

How can high school students get a jump start on their college education this summer? Sign up for Dual Credit summer sessions at Lone Star College-CyFair and LSC-Fairbanks Center.

High school juniors and seniors can experience college life while they earn high school and college credit in classes, such as biology, math, history, psychology, economics, speech and more. The classes are transferable to most public institutions in the state of Texas. In addition, students will have access to the campus computer labs, workout facilities and student services, such as free tutoring.

Tuition is free, though some fees do apply. However, fee scholarships and textbook scholarships are available. This is a savings of $114 for each 3-hour class.

Register now for second summer session Dual Credit courses set July 15 through Aug. 19. For information, go to LoneStar.edu/jumpstart-cyfair. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD names principal for Swenke Elementary School
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 21, 2010

Elizabeth Miller, an assistant principal at McFee Elementary School, was named the new principal at Swenke Elementary School on Friday. Miller replaces Donna Guthrie, who was named the assistant superintendent for elementary administration in May.

Miller has 17 years of experience in education. Beginning her career with six years as a special education teacher at Vestal Central Schools in Vestal, N.Y., Miller arrived at CFISD in 1999 as a special education teacher at Hamilton Elementary School. She served six years in that capacity at Hamilton before accepting the instructional specialist position, serving one year. She then accepted an assistant principal position at Hamilton, serving three years, before transferring to her current role at McFee for the 2009-2010 school year.

Miller received a Bachelor of Science in psychology from St. Lawrence University and a Master of Science in special education from Mount St. Mary’s College. She received principal certification from Sam Houston State, and is also certified in PK-12 special education.

“I have been so very fortunate since my arrival to CFISD 11 years ago to have been surrounded by outstanding administrators and teachers. This makes the honor of being selected as the next principal of Swenke Elementary even more humbling,” Miller said. “Ms. Guthrie and her staff have created a warm and caring environment that has already resulted in student success and a strong foundation.

“I am so incredibly proud to be a Swenke Snow Leopard and am looking forward to continuing the journey that the staff, students, and parents began such a short time ago.I can’t wait to start the 2010-2011 school year.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

JVHS student wins NASA video contest
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 21, 2010

Jersey Village High School student Manjot Jawa was one of three Houston-area winners in a NASA YouTube video contest that asked the question, “Why should the United States explore space?”

The contest was sponsored by native Houstonian astronaut Shannon Walker, coinciding with her recent launch into space. Walker is flying to the International Space Station as an Expedition 24/25 crew member aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft that launched from Kazakhstan on Tuesday, June 15.

Jawa’s video, “A Generation’s Dream,” explained why we should continue space exploration, and was selected as the high school winning entry. He was invited to the Mission Control Center at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to view Walker’s launch into space. When Walker returns to Houston in November after her stay aboard the space station, she will present Expedition 24/25 patches to the winning students.

“By winning this contest, Manjot was invited to experience something that few high school students get to see: an insider’s view of a shuttle launch,” said Jersey Village High School video production teacher Cindy Stoker. “I am very proud of him and I look forward to more great videos from him.”

To view Jawa’s winning video, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJm-uSU3-rU. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Only Three Free Business Success Seminars Left This Summer at LSC-CyFair
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 17, 2010

Maximize the success of your business for free! There’s only three Business Success Seminars left in the summer series at Lone Star College-CyFair.

No sign up is required and there will be door prizes for the free weekly business success seminars continuing Tuesdays from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. through July 20 in the library, room 215, on the Barker Cypress campus at 9191 Barker Cypress.

• Tuesday, June 29 - Create Potential Client Lists - Master the use of Reference USA, a large database of businesses and customers. Identify your competitors within a radius and find corporate intelligence using library databases. Presenter: Susan Green, Librarian, LSC-CyFair, MLS, MBA.
• Tuesday, July 13 – Online Marketing Applications - Learn how to promote your business using e-newsletters and marketing campaigns using social media and more. Presenter: Siva Yenneti, Director, ITVibes.
• Tuesday, July 20 – Search Engine Optimization - Analyze business web sites and blogs to see best practices on how to be one of the top hits when your clients search for your product or service. Presenter: Siva Yenneti, Director, ITVibes.

For information on the summer Business Success Seminar series, which the Small Business Development Center and the LSC-CyFair Branch Library are sponsoring, go to LoneStar.edu/library/business-seminars or call 281.290.3214 or 832.482.1057. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Students Gain Project Manager Experience in NASA Project
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 17, 2010

Lone Star College-CyFair business students were recently recognized for serving as project managers on a national High Schools United with NASA to Create Hardware (H.U.N.C.H.)project at Cy-Woods High School.This national project provides work experiences to inspire high school career and technology and engineering academy students to pursue careers in science and engineering fields. This is the second year LSC-CyFair business students participated in this project. From left are LSC-CyFair students Patrick Kairu and Jesse Grabowski, NASA astronaut Dr. Michael Barratt, LSC-CyFair Business Department Chair Ruben Howard, Associate Administrator for Space Operations William Gerstenmaier and LSC-CyFair students Samuel Holmes, Abraham Kamara and Tai Bui. For information on this project or the college business department, go to LoneStar.edu or contact Howard at 281.290.5233. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Becoming a Teacher Pays Off with Career and Rebate at LSC-CyFair
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 17, 2010

Interested in a rewarding career as a teacher? Check out Lone Star College-CyFair’s Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) at the next information sessions set July 6.

The teacher certification program is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and want to enter the teaching profession either through Internship or Clinical Teaching. A question and answer period follows the monthly presentations.

The next session is Tuesday, July 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Conference Center, room 152 at LSC-CyFair, located at 9191 Barker Cypress. There will be one last summer session Tuesday, Aug. 10 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Universe Room, first floor, Building 11at LSC-University Park, located at 20515 SH 249.

For candidates accepted into the ATCP, LSC-CyFair is offering a 50% rebate on summer classes for those who successfully complete courses in EC-12 PPR, EC-6 Generalist or Creating Successful Classroom.

For rebate or program information, call 281.290.3957, send an e-mail to cy-fair.tcp@lonestar.edu or go to LoneStar.edu/cyfair-atcp. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Art Museum Selects Cy Lakes Student for Teen Council
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 16, 2010

Cypress Lakes High School junior Layla Bakhtiari was selected from more than 100 applicants around the Houston area to serve on the Contemporary Arts Museum’s Teen Council.

The Teen Council (TC) is a diverse group of Houston teens whose purpose is to provide young people with access to contemporary art and artists.

The TC’s function is to create, organize and design teen-specific events and programs with museum staff and to aid in marketing existing programs to teens at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH). The TC consists of 15-20 highly motivated high school students who plan, promote and organize events that introduce the Museum to a new audience.

Members of the Teen Council, due to their motivation and unique point of view, bring an important perspective to the Museum. For their contributions TC members receive:

a stipend; leadership experience to add to their college and post college resumes; a sense of ownership in the Museum and the community; a voice in the museum’s decisions; and a chance to collaborate with peers who are interested in the art of today.

“This is a huge deal because not only does Layla represent our school and district, but the suburban schools hardly have representation in this organization,” said Cypress Lakes art teacher LeeAnn Jackson. “This opens up a lot of doors for her and for students at Cy Lakes. She is very lucky to be able to ‘rub elbows’ with some of the high society art patrons and artists.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Free Fireworks Celebration Set for July 4^th on Shores of Town Lake
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 15, 2010

Family fun and community camaraderie is the theme of the 3rd Annual July 4th Celebration at Caldwell Companies’ Towne Lake in northwest Houston.

There is free admission to the event and all are invited to celebrate our nation’s birthday in one of Houston’s premier master-planned communities.

The event kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Lakeview Crest and Towne Lake Parkway, which is the future site of the Towne Lake Amphitheater. There will be a live band, food, and a Family Fun Zone with inflatables, a rock wall, a train and face painting. The fireworks show will light up the sky at 9 p.m.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets, but please leave coolers and pets at home.Parking is at Lone Star College-CyFair at Barker-Cypress and West roads - next door to the Towne Lake community.

The fireworks show will highlight the beautiful lake that connects the Towne Lake community and serves as its heart and soul. The first 75-acre section of the lake boasts about two miles of shoreline, and is located between Tuckerton and West roads on the south end of the Towne Lake community. The second 75-acre lake section is under construction.

The company’s commitment to bringing families and neighbors together at Towne Lake is part of the reason it was awarded the “Best Community Under 2,500 Acres” during the Greater Houston Builders Association. The 2,400-acre custom-designed community offers homebuyers the area’s best location, value and style; and when completed will be renowned for its Towne Lake Charm, or "TLC," that sets the community apart.

Tie into Towne Lake through Facebook, Twitter and Youtube through links on the Towne Lake website - www.townelaketexas.com.

The Towne Lake community’s Welcome Center is located at 9214 W. Bridgeport Pass Circle. Please mention you found this in www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Board recognizes Livestock Show Top Volume Buyer
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 15, 2010

The CFISD Board of Trustees recognized Mike Jarrar of Jarrar & Company, Inc., during its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, June 13, as the Top Volume Buyer at the 2010 CFISD Livestock Show & Sale, held Feb. 11-13 at the CFISD Exhibit Center.

In honor of Jarrar’s support of Future Farmers of America (FFA) students within the district, David Reynolds, coordinator of technology education and agricultural science, presented him with the fourth annual Top Volume Buyer Buckle. The buckle is awarded each year to honor the Top Volume Buyer.

Jarrar invested $93,200 in student projects at the show—the largest contribution by any one buyer this year—increasing his total investments to more than $500,000 since 2003.

The Cy-Fair community gave a combined total of $633,254 at the Premium Sale, Freezer Sale and in donations to students. Please mention you found this in www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Jarrar David Reynolds, coordinator of technology education and agricultural science, presents Mike and Darlene Jarrar with a banner recognizing Jarrar & Company, Inc., as the 2010 CFISD Livestock Show Top Volume Buyer.

School's Eagle Award About Academics and Involvement
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 14, 2010

"Completely surprised." That described the feeling graduating senior Johonna Cox had when her name was announced as winner of Rosehill Christian School's annual Eagle Award. "I walked up to the stage to accept the award, and I saw my mom bust out in tears, and I just couldn't believe it." The award was presented by Head of School, Dean D. Unsicker and Dean of Academic Affairs, Marshall G. Priest at the May 22 graduation ceremony.

Those who know Johonna well, which includes the other 11 seniors that comprise the school's graduating class, had no problem believing that Johonna would be selected for this award, which is given to the senior the faculty votes as the best representation of an RCS graduate. In terms of the criteria, which include academic performance, spiritual leadership, service to both community and school, leadership among other students, and extra-curricular involvement, Johonna Cox is known to be engaged and enthusiastic.

Typically, she doesn't take credit for this recognition of her attributes. "The key thing is to let God rule your life and not rule your own life," she commented. "I stayed focused on being more like Him, and on showing Christian character and love to others."

Not coincidentally, Johonna's comments are in harmony with the symbol of the eagle as the school's mascot, and in the naming of the award, which is based on the scripture of Isaiah 40:31: "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint."

This should serve her well in her planned role as a traveling nurse in the Mercy Ships program, a Christian ministry which sends a crew of physicians, teachers, water engineers and agriculturalists to visit and provide free services to some of the world's poorest nations.

But first, of course, she will have to obtain her nursing degree. Johonna plans to enroll in the School of Nursing at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas in the fall. For this, the Eagle Award's $1,000 endowment will be helpful. The endowment is funded by the Rosehill Charitable Foundation, which was established to enhance and support Rosehill Christian School.

Johonna's parents, John and Donna Cox, are surely excited for their daughter, but there is another reason they are proud of this year's Eagle Award. "It was cool getting it," Johonna said, "because my sister Kayla also got the Eagle Award when she graduated four years ago!" Please mention you found this in www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Free Summer Meals Available for Students
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 14, 2010

The Cypress-Fairbanks ISD Food Service Department will offer free meals for children ages 18 and younger as part of its second annual Summer Food Service Program.

No enrollment or registration is required to participate in the federally funded program. Students can simply show up Monday-Friday at the hours listed below for breakfast and lunch at the schools listed below to receive their meals at no charge.

June 9 – July 2

• Lee, Willbern, Andre’, Tipps and Danish elementary schools
  Breakfast – 7:30 to 8 a.m.; Lunch – 12:15 to 12:45 p.m.

June 9 – July 30

• Francone Elementary School
  Breakfast – 7:45 to 8:30 a.m.; Lunch – 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

June 23 – July 1

• Cypress Falls and Cypress Lakes high schools
  Breakfast – 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.; Lunch – Noon to 12:30 p.m.

June 14 – July 2 and July 12 – July 30

• Smith and Truitt middle schools
  Breakfast – 7:25 to 8:25 a.m.; Lunch – 10:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

For more information regarding free summer meals, please contact the Food Service Department at 281-897-4541. Please mention you found this in www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Langham Creek High School Bailadoras Select 2010-2011 Dance Officers
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 7, 2010

The prestigious Langham Creek High School Bailadora Drill Team selected dance officers for the upcoming 2010-2011 season. Dance Officers were selected by a panel of judges based on dance technique and personal interviews.

The newly selected Dance Officers will be attending the Crowd Pleasers Dance Officer Camp to be held in Houston in June. Please mention you found this in www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Dance Officers pictured are: (beginning left) Amy Redmond, Junior Lieutenant, Anna Berry, Junior Lieutenant, Allison Corrigan, First Lieutenant, Hannah Miller, Captain, Kylie Mogard, Senior Lieutenant, Paige Houghtaling, Junior Lieutenant, Nicole Miller, Junior Lieutenant.

Cy Ridge Student Wins Video Competition
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted June 4, 2010

Cypress Ridge High School CRTV student Tejura Williams participated in the NAACP ACT-SO (Afro-Academic Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics) video competition on May 31, bringing home a gold medal.

Williams won for her work on “Stop Cyberbullying,” a public service announcement focusing on an issue many students face on a daily basis.

As the first-place winner, Williams was awarded $2,500 cash, a new laptop computer and an all-expense paid trip to Kansas City, Mo., in July to compete in the ACT-SO Nationals.

“Tejura joined CRTV this year as a senior with no background experience in video production and quickly became a shining star in the class,”

said Gena McClatchy, CRTV adviser. “She now plans to pursue her interest in radio and television in college. I know she will be successful.”Please mention you found this in www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Staff Members Selected to Serve on National Digital Content Council
Cypress, Cy-Fair, Texas News
Posted 6/4/09

Two CFISD administrators were recently selected to serve on the National Council on Digital Citizenship and Creative Content.

Becky Cook, director of instructional technology, and Jessica Lilly Hughes, coordinator of library and media services, will serve on the council, which aims to understand and address K-12 school systems’ needs to teach appropriate, educational, responsible and fair usage of digital content—the music, movies, software and other digital media with which students interact with every day.

The Council, made possible by Microsoft sponsorship, includes approximately 50 educators and administrators across the nation.

The council will evaluate current levels of awareness and understanding around the concept of digital citizenship, establish best practices for digital content development and usage in K-12 environments, and advocate for relevant local, state and regional academic standards.

Council members will collaborate on various initiatives including a blog, white paper and resources for other educators that provide ideas for how best to encourage responsible digital citizenship among students and schools.

For more information about the Council, please visit www.digitalcitizenshipcouncil.com.Please mention you found this in www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Lowery students dedicate tree for ‘Green and Growing’ campaign
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 6/3/10

Students at Lowery Elementary School culminated a year of their “Green and Growing” campaign by dedicating a new tree on the school property on Tuesday, June 1.

During the dedication, students watered the tree—which was donated by Perennial Landscaping—and tied ribbons on the branches to represent ways they had grown during the 2009-2010 school year. Students shared ways they had helped the environment by reducing, reusing and recycling along with other accomplishments like learning to tie their shoes, double-digit multiplication, reading chapter books and sharing with others.

“Lowery students know that learning doesn’t end with the close of school because they continue to grow to greatness each day,” said principal Brenda Trial.

The following grade-level ecology projects were on display in the Lowery library during the dedication:

• Kindergarten students planted new flowers and helped maintain the school butterfly garden; first-grade students collected money for bamboo to help endangered panda bears; second-grade students collected used glasses to send to the Lion’s Club to be reused; third-grade students collected money and pet food for a local animal shelter; fourth-grade students collected plastic water bottles for recycling; fifth-grade students completed a project on water usage to learn how to save water; and the PTO collected Capri Sun containers for recycling. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Lowery Elementary School assistant principal Andrea Lembcke assists kindergarten student Ambria Keys in tying a ribbon on the school’s new tree at its Tuesday dedication to represent her growth during the 2009-2010 school year.

Lowery kindergarten student Emma Miller waters the school’s newly dedicated tree on Tuesday.

District Junior ROTCs receive unit commendations
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 6/3/10

Two CFISD Air Force Junior ROTC units were recently selected by the Junior ROTC program to receive unit commendations.

Unit TX-20017 at Jersey Village High School was selected as one of 226 units to receive the 2009-2010 Air Force Junior ROTC Distinguished Unit Award. The award recognizes Air Force Junior ROTC units that have performed above and beyond normal expectations, and that have distinguished themselves through outstanding service to their school and community while meeting the Air Force Junior ROTC mission of producing better citizens for America.

Unit TX-20061 at Langham Creek High School was selected as one of 27 units in Texas to receive the 2009-2010 Outstanding Organizational Excellence Award. The award recognizes the cadet corps that plans and executes annual goals to improve its unit, school and community. There are three categories of goals: Cadet Impact Goals, School Impact Goals and Community Impact Goals. The goals must be specific and measurable and should feed into the overall AFJROTC goal of building better citizens for America.

The objectives of the Junior ROTC program are to educate and train high school cadets in citizenship and life skills; promote community service; instill responsibility, character and self-discipline through character education, and to provide instruction in air and space fundamentals.Enrollment is open to all young people who are in the ninth grade or higher and citizens or nationals of the United States.

Air Force Junior ROTC is located in 884 high schools across the United States and at selected schools in Europe, in the Pacific and Puerto Rico. Junior ROTC enrollment includes more than 110,000 cadets. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy-Fair Firefighters Go Above and Beyond for MDA Summer Camps
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 6/3/10

Cy-Fair volunteer firefighters are starting a new tradition by spending June 6 through 11 as camp counselors for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, providing children with special needs the unique chance to participate in outdoor activities.

The largest volunteer fire department supporting MDA in the country, Cy-Fair is translating years of fundraising into much-needed support at camp. The department began visiting camp last year and then started encouraging all members to come as counselors this year.

MDA camps are equipped with the medical facilities and personnel to house children with neuromuscular diseases and provide an inclusive environment, emphasizing ability over disability. Former campers often credit their success as adults to the confidence gained at camp, where they are surrounded by peers and solitude is broken.

Campers spend their days swimming, horseback riding, going to dances, riding in sidecars of motorcycles and participating in activities enjoyed by their peers everyday. Camp even includes trophies.

MDA pairs each campers with a personal counselor to support them throughout camp. As trained emergency personnel, Cy-Fair’s volunteer firefighters are ideal for the responsibility.

MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research.The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Jeans & Jewels Luncheon and Style Show to be held in September
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 6/2/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) has announced that its 2010 Jeans & Jewels Luncheon and Style Show will be held on September 16, 2010 at Shirley Acres. This year’s event is themed “Cowgirl Legends” and will be bigger than ever, with new features including a live auction and live entertainment, and room for more guests in an expanded section of Shirley Acres. Fashions for all ages will be presented by Scruples, Cavender’s and Cakewalk Style Shop. Dana Tyson of Sunny 99.1 will serve as emcee.Irene Skor and Lauren Temple will serve as the 2010 J&J Luncheon co-chairs.

In addition to her many other civic roles, Irene is currently serving on the American Heart Association Emeritus Board of Directors and is the Membership Chair for the Pearl Guild. She also chaired the Pearl Fincher gala in 2009. Irene and her husband, Arnold, have five daughters and seven grandchildren.

Irene became involved with NAM as a founding member of the Cypress Creek Chapter of the National Charity League (NCL) more than 20 years ago. In addition to being a long-time NAM volunteer, Irene also feels an extra connection to the organization: NAM’s Family Violence Center helped a member of her family with emergency placement in a shelter in another city. She feels gratitude for this service and says that co-chairing the Luncheon is one way to express her appreciation.

Lauren Temple got involved with NAM through Junior League of North Harris and South Montgomery Counties, where she serves on the Board of Directors. She has participated in the Back-to-School Program and has contributed to multiple NAM food drives through her church, St. Ignatius.

Lauren works as a Senior Specialty Sales Representative at Abbott Laboratories. She is the President of the Houston Northwest Kappa Kappa Gamma Alumnae Association.

This year’s luncheon honoree is Kathy Stevens, a longtime NAM volunteer and a past Jeans & Jewels Gala Co-Chair who has attended every J&J Gala since NAM started the event. “Being named as the Jeans & Jewels honoree has left me speechless and I must admit, somewhat embarrassed,” Kathy said. “ I never thought of helping others as something that needed recognition.It just always felt right. So obviously I am very proud to be honored.”

Kathy began volunteering with NAM through Meals on Wheels when her son was four years old: “The very first house where we delivered the meal my son looked out the back window and said ‘Mom, they don’t have a swimming pool,’” Kathy said. “I knew at that moment that many life lessons were to be learned.”

Kathy has been involved with NAM ever since that day. She believes that giving back to our community is important and a necessity. “ Sometimes when you are preparing to give of your time, it is so easy to say ‘I have so much other stuff I should be doing,” she said. “But after you have spent your time helping others, it is a feeling that is hard to deny. Honestly, I always feel like I am getting more than I am giving, and what could be better than that?”

Kathy and her husband, Jim, have been long-time supporters of many organizations, including the American Heart Association, the Pearl Fincher Museum and Chuck Norris’s “Kick Drugs Out of America.” Kathy’s son, C.J., completed his Eagle Scout project at the NAM Resale Shop, and her daughter, Amanda, is part of the National Charity League.

Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit all of NAM’s programs and services, but as a special gesture of women helping women, luncheon guests are encouraged to save their unused hotel toiletries over the summer and bring them to the luncheon to help the women served by NAM. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Destination ImagiNation teams place at Global Finals
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 6/1/10

Seven teams from CFISD (5 elementary, one middle and one high school) participated in various challenges that required both creative and critical problem-solving expertise. Competition consisted of an “Instant Challenge,” which required quick thinking to solve a problem that is given to the team at the competition and a “Central Challenge.”Last fall, teams selected one of five challenges to work on throughout the year.Each of these central challenges involved creative and critical problem-solving, research, and the development of a presentation for their challenge solution.

Elementary Results

• The Seven Lemons from Ault Elementary School tied for fifth place overall in DIrect DIposit. Led by team manager Janet Grau and school sponsors Yvonne Cumberland and Sheri Hoffman, the team members are Kenny Grau, Michael Chan, Calvin Pearce, Bryan Woh, Mabry Smith, Riley Reddington and Grace Pereira;

• The Rockets from Hamilton Elementary School also tied for fifth place overall in DIrect DIposit. Led by team manager Sarada Moturu and school sponsor Betty Collette, the team members are Amar Moturu, Madhavi Aadireddy, Alice Cartes, Alex Larkin, Christopher Griffith and Andrew Mattinson;

• The DI Joes from Kirk Elementary School placed 10th in Do or DI. Led by team manager Pam Krenek and school sponsor Chelsea Cutshall, team members are Jenna Krenek, Collin Viator, Hunter Jordan, Hannah Pham and Juliet Leger;

• The DI-steins from Bang Elementary School tied for 20th place in DI-Bot. Led by team managers Deb Quintero and Jennifer Piotrowski and school sponsor Stephanie Castro, the team members are Austin Quintero, Mitchel Ramirez, Cody Castro, Savannah Migl, Samantha Stone, Catherine Piotrowski and Katy Robbins; and

• The Powerful Problem Solvers of Bang Elementary School placed 40th overall in DI-Bot. Led by team manager Nicola Vane and school sponsor Elizabeth Raines, the team members are Stephen Vane, Avery Arroyave and Rene Salinas.

Middle School Results

• The DI Dynamites from Cook Middle School placed fifth in DIrect DIposit. Led by team manager Kathryn Gutierrez and school sponsor Stephanie Migl, the team members are Kaitlyn Zera, Kevin Turner, Mustafa Khan, David Migl, Mohammad Zaidi, Kathryn Gutierrez and Ali Khan.

High School Results

• The Photons from Cy-Fair High School tied for 12th place in DIrect DIposit. Led by team manager Sarada Moturu and school sponsor Nicole Barnes, the team members are Anoosha Moturu, Sruthi Kumpatla, Brenna Larkin and Paige Ruby.

CFISD names asst. supt. for elementary administration
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/28/10

Donna Guthrie, the principal at Swenke Elementary School, was named the new assistant superintendent for elementary school administration on Thursday. Guthrie replaces Janet Hoover, who will retire in June.

Guthrie has 23 years of experience in the educational field. After teaching in Deer Park ISD for five years, Guthrie came to CFISD in 1992 as a fifth-grade teacher at Metcalf Elementary School. She taught two years at Metcalf before being named assistant principal, serving in that role through 1998. She then served four years as an assistant principal at Millsap Elementary School, and in 2002 was named principal at Ault.

She then opened Swenke Elementary School in August 2009.

Guthrie received her Bachelor of Science in Education from Sam Houston State University and her Master of Science in Administration from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She is certified in Mid-Management Administration.

“It is an honor to be selected to serve the district in this new position,” Guthrie said. “I am thrilled that this role will allow me the opportunity to support all our elementary principals in order to promote student achievement.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Becoming a Teacher Pays Off with Career and Rebate at LSC-CyFair
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/28/10

Interested in a rewarding career as a teacher? Check out Lone Star College-CyFair’s Alternative Teacher Certification Program (ATCP) at one of the upcoming information sessions set June 8, July 6 and Aug. 10.

The teacher certification program is designed for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree and want to enter the teaching profession either through Internship or Clinical Teaching. A question and answer period follows the monthly presentations.

The upcoming sessions will be held Tuesdays, June 8 and Aug. 10 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Universe Room, first floor, Building 11at LSC-University Park, located at 20515 SH 249 as well as Tuesday, July 6, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the Conference Center, room 152 at LSC-CyFair, located at 9191 Barker Cypress.

For candidates accepted into the ATCP, LSC-CyFair is offering a 50% rebate on summer classes for those who successfully complete courses in EC-12 PPR, EC-6 Generalist or Creating Successful Classroom.

For rebate or program information, call 281.290.3957, send an e-mail to cy-fair.tcp@lonestar.edu or go to LoneStar.edu/cyfair-atcp. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

New Surgery Center Calls Cypress Home
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/27/10

Coming Soon! The Wortham Surgery Center, a multi-specialty ambulatory surgery center, conveniently located off 290/FM 1960 West @ Wortham Blvd. The Center has four identical large operating rooms and two identical large procedure rooms. The state of the art equipment will be used by physicians in providing quality care for their patients. A 16,682 sq. ft. facility that contracts with most insurance carriers. Opening Summer of 2010. Interested physicians are invited to inquire about joining a team with over 20 years of Ambulatory Surgery Center management experience. For further information, contact Jerry Ford, Administrator at (713) 559-9101. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy-Fair Youth Succeed at US National Champions and are headed to South Korea
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/26/10

Avid martial artist’s are dedicated, focused, and disciplined.Traits not generally found with school age kids and frankly even with many adults.However, there is a very special group of people who reflect those rare attributes. They are found at the Cypress Texas based Global TaeKwon-Do and Cypress TaeKwon-Do studios.The martial artists have dedicated themselves despite exhausting full days at school or work and they do so night after night, weekend after weekend, and year after year, in an attempt to excel in their chosen discipline of TaeKwon-Do.They have been subjected to at times, injuries, failures, and mishaps. They students dutifully avoid mischief, drugs, and alcohol use and maintain focus on their training; an enigmatic finding.

The biggest step in working towards accomplishing the Holy Grail within TaeKwon-Do is success through fierce competition at the United States TaeKwon-Do National tournament.Those students who place in the top 3 positions per event (sparring, breaking, patterns, specialty breaking, and team patterns) are considered TaeKwon-Do U.S. National Champions.Success here earns them a prestigious spot on TEAM USA.TEAM USA students go on to represent the United States during the TaeKwon-Do World Championship tournament being held this year in Seoul, South Korea.

Of the approximately 94 nationwide TaeKwon-Do competitors ranked good enough to compete at Nationals, both Global TaeKwon-Do and Cypress TaeKwon-Do, with 14 students participating won almost the majority of the medals; an incredible feat.

Now after all the fanfare of victory, reality sets in.The cost to attend and participate competitively per student can be staggering, especially when one considers associated expenses like airfare, team uniforms, hotels, competition fees, food, etc.Unfortunately, many of the students’ parents have limited resources.The costs can be staggering to travel for the World Championship.

To help offset these costs, Mr. Howard, his wife, Dr. Michelle Howard, V Dan,(5th degree black belt), and several of their black belt students, perform demonstrations at schools, churches, business's etc so they may share with others the joy and multiple benefits TaeKwon-Do offers in addition to self defense.This additional revenue helps to offset the above mentioned costs.For information on how to help, e-mail Mr. William Howard at bhoward@global-taekwondo.com or call Global Taekwon-Do 281-516-1483. By: Dr. Dana Ziskrout. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

ASL Students Help Parents of Deaf Children Improve Communication Skills
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/26/10

American Sign Language students at Lone Star College-CyFair were also teachers this past semester helping parents learn to communicate better with their Deaf children through the Family Signs Program.

As participants of the Family Signs Program, LSC-CyFair’s more advanced sign students were paired with parents who have Deaf children and wanted to learn to communicate more effectively. A free sign language program, Family Signs allows the students (the parents of deaf or hard of hearing children) and the instructors (in this case, LSC-CyFair ASL students) to participate from any location in Texas with high-speed Internet access.

One successful Family Signs Program pair this past semester was LSC-CyFair student Stacey Hebert, who is pursuing an ASL degree to become an interpreter, and parent Deleisha Relford, who has a 9-year-old daughter at the Texas School for the Deaf.

Hebert said growing up she had been interested in learning sign language to communicate better with her own family members who were hard of hearing, but never did. When she became a mother, she said one of her children was a late talker and the speech therapist baby signed to him. Then as a stay-at-home-mom, she volunteered at her children’s school, Birkes Elementary, which is a Cy-Fair Independent School District campus that includes the Deaf Education Program.

Hebert’s goal now is to be an interpreter in the school system, not a teacher. So the thought of teaching someone else to sign when she was still a student learning to sign herself, made her nervous. However, she followed the lesson plans, sometimes adding her own vocabulary words or phrases and even made practice videos for Relford to review again later as needed.

Preparation, organization and practice were keys to their success, said Hebert. She also admits that she’d find herself finger spelling when riding in the car or signing to her children, who didn’t think it odd as they see sign language used at school.

LSC-CyFair was one of only five colleges chosen to participate in the Family Signs Program in conjunction with the Educational Resource Center on Deafness at Texas School for the Deaf.Other colleges included LSC-North Harris, McLennan Community College, Tarrant County College and Texas Christian University.

For information on the Family Signs program, go to www.familysigns.org. For information on the ITP program at LSC-CyFair or LSC-North Harris, go to LoneStar.edu/interpreter-training-dept. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Police Officer Honored as Community Local Hero
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/26/10

Residents often see those who protect and serve their community as heroes and Lone Star College-CyFair’s Officer Michael Tymniak is no exception as he was recognized as a local hero at the recent Salute to Law Enforcement event.

LSC-CyFair’s Police Captain Ben Russell nominated this local hero because he said Officer Tymniak demonstrates the highest work ethics and professionalism in his day-to-day commitment to helping people.

Helping people and solving problems creatively keeps Officer Tymniak in law enforcement. Changing majors from biometric engineering at the University of Houston to criminal justice at Sam Houston University is when he first found his niche.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in 2002, went through the Lone Star College System Law Enforcement Academy and in September 2003, he was hired for a part-time position at LSC-Fairbanks Center.

By March 2004, he was full-time at the satellite location on Northwest Freeway until November 2009 when he was moved to LSC-CyFair on Barker Cypress.

Officer Tymniak said he’s always had a servant’s heart. And while he feels at home on the college campus now, becoming a police chief or even a judge has crossed his mind.

In addition to the LSC-CyFair hero, the 16th Annual Salute to Law Enforcement event held at Willowbrook Mall recognized Sergeant John L. Byrd with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office; Donna Douglas with Cypress Creek EMS; Officer Bryan McCandless with the Humble Police Department and Officer David Fuente with the Spring Independent School District Police Department.

For information on the LSCS Law Enforcement Academy, go to LoneStar.edu/lawenforcement-academy. For information on LSC-CyFair, go to LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-Fairbanks Center Grows Garden and Partnership
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/26/10

There’s more growth happening at Lone Star College-Fairbanks Center than just student enrollment and academic success and it’s in their community garden and outreach to Mission of Yahweh.

LSC-Fairbanks Center employees recently harvested 20 pounds of carrots, onions, radishes and strawberries from the community garden. Among those helping Kathy Hughes, biology professor, maintain and harvest the garden this semester were faculty and staff members Susie Hsieh, Tima Desai, Gail Kennedyand Kelly Marsh as well as students Javier Ocampo and Margaret Ruiz.

The 70-foot by 4-foot bed is located behind the southeast corner of the two-story building at 14955 Northwest Freeway. The garden also has room for community members to have their own plot.

LSC-Fairbanks Center students, faculty and staff helped plant basil, oregano, peppers, lettuce and tomatoes in the community garden first built in January 2008.

This recent May harvest was donated to Mission of Yahweh, a faith-based shelter, one of LSC-Fairbanks Center’s community partners. LSC-Fairbanks Center teamed up with Mission of Yahweh in 2007 offering the shelter residents one-on-one guidance and the chance to earn their GED or an occupational certification.

For information on the shelter, go to www.missionofyahweh.org. For information or to volunteer to help faculty and students maintain the community garden at the LSC-Fairbanks Center, call Hughes at 832.782.5063. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Texans President Visits CFISD High School
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/24/10

The president of the Houston Texans, Jamey Rootes, visited Cypress Springs High School on Monday morning for the school’s honor roll celebration.

Rootes, who is responsible for all business functions of the Texans, talked to approximately 200 honor roll students about steps toward success in life.

“He was wonderful,” said principal Barbara Weiman. “He encouraged them to find out what they love to do in life, build their character and maintain a good work ethic. He congratulated them on their work ethic and said their character was showing through in the good grades they had maintained.”

Each student’s name was entered into a drawing for an autographed Matt Schaub football, which was won by ninth-grade student Sukhmandeep Dhaliwal. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cypress Springs athletic coordinator Roland Gonzalez gives a Panther football hat to Rootes at the honor roll celebration.

CFISD Names Asst. Supt. for Secondary Curriculum and Instruction
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/24/10

Mary Jadloski, the director of high school curriculum and instruction, was named the assistant superintendent for secondary curriculum and instruction on Thursday. Jadloski replaces Laurence Binder, who retired in December 2009.

Jadloski began her career in education as a math teacher and team leader at Arnold Middle School in 1979. She also served as a math teacher and team leader at Jersey Village High School and Langham Creek High School.

She joined the district administrative team in 1995 as the secondary math coordinator and later moved to the director of secondary special programs and services. She has served as the director of high school curriculum and instruction for the past five years.

Jadloski received her Bachelor of Arts in mathematics and education from the University of St. Thomas and her Master of Education in Supervision from Sam Houston State University. Her certifications include Principal (EC-12), Supervisor (PK-12), Secondary Mathematics (6-12) and Secondary English (6-12).

“I am thrilled at the opportunity to serve in a larger capacity and I look forward to partnering and collaborating with campus leaders and ISC staff members,” Jadloski said. “Together, we can ensure that all our students reach their full personal and educational potential.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Millsap Elementary Destination ImagiNation Headed to Globals
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/21/10

The Powerful Problem Solvers, including Avery Arroyave, Rene Salinas and Stephen Vane, are going to Knoxville, TN to represent the State of Texas and Cy-Fair Millsap Elementary at the Global Destination Imagination Competition this May 26th - 30th.

Our team competed at the Regional Competition in February and brought home a 1st place trophy with their robot solution.Then the boys proudly represented Cy-Fair School District at the State Competion in April where they received a 2nd place trophy.

We are very proud of our Powerful Problem Solvers and wish them the best at Globals! Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy Creek Students Win AIA Houston Competition
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/21/10

In their first year competing in the American Institute of Architects Michael G. Meyers Design & Scholarship Competition of Houston, the students of Cypress Creek High School rose to the challenge, winning first place in group projects among more than 100 entries competing.

Students Elliott Joern and Nicolas Holovacs designed and built a concept model of Houston’s first soccer stadium for the Houston Dynamo.

This year marked the 20th anniversary of the MGM Design competition and the committee awarded up to $10,000 in college scholarship money, admittance into a University of Houston Summer Discovery Program, architecture books, plaques and a trophy.

Joern and Holovacs’ award-winning soccer stadium was on display for two weeks at the Architecture Center Houston (AIA) office. They received their prizes from Councilman James Rodriguez; Steven Powell, VP of Business development for the Dynamo; representatives from HOK Architects, Hermes Architects, Kirksey Architects and a host of influential people of Houston at an awards ceremony on Friday, April 30.The students’ projects are on display through June 7 at the Houston City Hall Annex. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

From left to right, Cypress Creek High School student Nicolas Holovacs, instructor Derrick Crowder and student Elliott Joern pose with their first-place trophy from the AIA Design and Scholarship Competition of Houston. (Photos courtesy of SL Hon, Slyworks Photography.)

CFISD Names Director of Staff Development
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/21/10

Robin McGlohn, the coordinator of staff development, was named the director of staff development on Thursday. McGlohn will fulfill the roles of Linda Merrell, who retired as senior director of staff development in December 2009.

McGlohn started her career in education as a life science teacher in the Clark County School District in Las Vegas. She also served as a new teacher induction trainer, service-learning center facilitator and coordinator of safe and drug-free schools in Clark County. She joined CFISD in 2003 as a science teacher at Thornton Middle School and later served as an at-risk helping teacher and assistant principal at Thornton. She then accepted her current position with CFISD, which she has held for the past five years.

McGlohn received her Bachelor of Science in Education and Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. She holds certification in instructional leadership development.

“As a professional who believes in life-long learning, I feel very honored to continue serving CFISD with staff development. I look forward to the many opportunities of working with teachers, administrators and other valued staff members as we aim to provide high-impact professional development throughout our district.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Students place at national Model UN conference
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/19/10

CFISD students brought home awards from the 11th Annual UNA-USA Model United Nations Conference, held May 13-15 at the United Nations Headquarters and Grand Hyatt in New York City.

More than 2,000 students and 43 countries were represented at the conference, during which UN Secretary-General Ban ki-Moon made the opening ceremony address. This marked the first year that the Houston Area Model United Nations (HAMUN) has sent delegates to the USA-UNA Conference.

Cypress Springs High School students Raphael Akinsipe and Jackie Kingsley won Honorable Mention for their topic, Zoonoses, representing the United Arab Emirates on the World Health Organization.

Cypress Springs students Rachel Hillebrand and Robert Rayford won Best Position Paper for their topic, Multinational Organizations, representing the United Arab Emirates on the General Assembly Second.

Jersey Village High School students Citlalli Alvarez and Yahya Khan won Honorable Mention representing the country of Lebanon in the Afghanistan Security Council. The committee passed seven resolutions regarding terrorist acts and the Taliban, among other action items presented while in committee. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Model UN: Cypress Springs High School Model United Nations students stand in front of the United Nations building in New York City. Pictured (front row, left to right) are: Citlalli Alvarez, Rachel Hillebrand, Desiree Berger and Jackie Kingsley; and (back row, left to right): Yahya Khan, Quinn Hines, Raphael Akinsipe and Robert Rayford.

CFISD graduations to air live
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/19/10

Commencement for the 2010 Cypress-Fairbanks ISD graduates will begin on Wednesday, June 2. Each graduate will receive a designated number of guest tickets to attend at the Berry Center.

For the convenience of extended family and friends, as well as those who will not be able to travel to Houston, graduation ceremonies will be aired live on CFTV Comcast Channel 16 and streamed on CFTV Live on the district’s website at www.cfisd.net. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Visiting Artist Exhibition “Wabi-sabi Objects” Opens June 15
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/19/10

Take a break from the heat this summer and see Chuck Schwarz’s “Wabi-sabi Objects” on display Tuesday, June 15 through Thursday, July 8 in the Bosque Gallery at Lone Star College-CyFair.

Schwarz is a studio artist whose work has been exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally, along with receiving many varied commissions. American Craft and Interior Design magazines are among the list of publications showing his work.

The term Wabi-sabi is Japanese in origin and refers to a Buddhist-based comprehensive worldview or aesthetic centered on the acceptance of transience, said Schwarz. The aesthetic finds beauty in things that are “imperfect, impermanent and incomplete.”

The pieces in this summer show are representative of Schwarz’s work past and present with many reflecting this idea. The objects range from jewelry size to larger sculptural forms and are composed of a variety of materials from gold to rusted steel to found objects. A wide spectrum of processes and techniques has been utilized in their construction.

With a Master’s of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University in the art metals program, Schwarz also likes teaching. He has taught workshops at the Museum of Fine Arts Glassell School of Art as well as Houston Community College and Sam Houston University. Among the classes he teaches at LSC-CyFair are design, art metals and sculpture.

Come see Schwarz’s “Wabi-sabi Objects” up close this summer and visit with him at a reception set from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 16 or a reception set from 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. Thursday, June 17. Then consider making your own “objects” and register for one of his classes at LSC-CyFair, such as Arts Metal 1 this fall.For gallery information, go to LoneStar.edu/bosquegallery or call 832.482.1038. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Plan to Attend Free Business Success Seminars This Summer at LSC-CyFair
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/19/10

Maximize the success of your business! Learn everything from the newest web resources to nuts-and-bolts market research in six free summer seminars at Lone Star College-CyFair. Seminars will cover creating Facebook business accounts, exploring web tools for project collaboration, finding demographics using the web, searching library databases to create potential client lists, promoting business with online marketing and learning about search engine optimization. No sign up is required and there will be door prizes. The free weekly business success seminars will be held Tuesdays from 7:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. June 8 through July 20 in the library, room 215, on the Barker Cypress campus at 9191 Barker Cypress.

• Tuesday, June 8 – Facebook - Has the internet left you in the dust? Ever wonder how other companies build a presence on Facebook? Learn how to set up your own business Facebook account. Presenter: Barbara Doughty, BS, Advertising.
• Tuesday, June 15 – Virtual Project Collaboration - Discover the powerful web tools of project management and communication. Google Docs, virtual storage and wikis will be explored. Presenters: Tracy Williams, Technology Librarian, MLS, LSC-CyFair and Claire Gunnels, Assistant Library Director, LSC-CyFair, MS, CFP.
• Tuesday, June 22 – Mine the Web for Demographics - What is the average income in your business area? What are the ages, gender, ethnicity? Presenter: Virginia Rigby, Government Documents Librarian, LSC-North Harris, MLS.
• Tuesday, June 29 - Create Potential Client Lists - Master the use of Reference USA, a large database of businesses and customers. Identify your competitors within a radius and find corporate intelligence using library databases. Presenter: Susan Green, Librarian, LSC-CyFair, MLS, MBA.
• Tuesday, July 13 – Online Marketing Applications - Learn how to promote your business using e-newsletters and marketing campaigns using social media and more. Presenter: Siva Yenneti, Director, ITVibes.
• Tuesday, July 20 – Search Engine Optimization - Analyze business web sites and blogs to see best practices on how to be one of the top hits when your clients search for your product or service. Presenter: Siva Yenneti, Director, ITVibes.

In addition to this summer series, check out Lone Star College System’s Corporate College for assistance in developing relevant training solutions; LSC-CyFair’s Entrepreneurship Certificate Program offered through Continuing Education to launch a business; LSC-CyFair Library’s electronic business resources and software resources; and the Small Business Development Center’s free business management and consulting services.

For information on the summer business success seminar series, which the Small Business Development Center and the LSC-CyFair Branch Library are sponsoring, go to LoneStar.edu/library/business-seminars or call 281.290.3214 or 832.482.1057. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Donate Your Dress Now That Prom is Over
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/19/10

Prom night has come and gone, so it’s the perfect time to donate dresses to the Lone Star College-CyFair Library Prom Closet for future teens in need of attire for such special occasions.

“Thanks to so many generous donors, we were able to give away 600 dresses this year through our annual prom dress give-away,” said Elise Sheppard, LSC-CyFair Teen Librarian and co-organizer of the Prom Closet. “Help us get a head start on replenishing our Prom Closet for next year by donating dresses now.”

The Prom Closet annually provides free prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, new makeup and accessories to teens in need from Cy-Fair Independent School District. In the past five years, the Prom Closet has expanded to also provide for teens from five additional school districts.

Donations are accepted at the library’s Customer Service Desk located on the LSC-CyFair campus at 9191 Barker Cypress.For information, contact Sheppard at elise.j.sheppard@lonestar.edu or 281.290.5248. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Computer Science Team Places at State
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/18/10

A Cy-Fair High School computer science team placed third at the Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA) State Robotics Programming Contest, held May 15 in Seguin.

One of five Cy-Fair teams competing at the contest, the Coginators placed third after finishing in a three-way tie for first place after three rounds of competition. The team members are students Adyson Alvis, Taha Tayyab, Jacob Perouteck and Oliver Noble.

The Coginators tallied a perfect score of 501 points in their first match, then followed it with 121 points in the second round and 500 points in the third round. The two highest scores were recorded, giving them the third-place tie with 1,001 points.

The tiebreaker was based on the third-round score for all three teams, putting the Coginators in third place. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Pictured, from left to right, are Taha Tayyab, Adyson Alvis, Oliver Noble and Jacob Peroutek.

Cy-Fair ends baseball season in area round
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/18/10

The Cy-Fair High School baseball team wrapped up its 2010 season in the area round of the Region II-5A playoffs this weekend.

Cy-Fair lost a best-of-three series to Spring High School, two games to one. After dropping the first game, 8-2, on Thursday, the Bobcats bounced back with a 10-6 game two win on Saturday in Waco. Spring prevailed in the clinching game three by a score of 4-2 in nine innings on Saturday.

The Bobcats ended their season with a 28-8 record, as district co-champions and Region II area finalists. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Local Student Crowned Miss South Texas Pre-Teen
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/17/10

Tiffany Clare Dimaano is the reigning Miss South Texas Pre-Teen 2009-2010 of International Junior Miss and she is scheduled to compete in the International Finals on July 5-11, 2010 at Orlando, Fl.

Tiffany recently won 5th place in 7th grade Spelling and 1st place in Music Memory at District Private Schools Interscholastic Assoc. (PSIA) last March 27, 2010 and she participated in the State PSIA finals. Her brother, Tyler Anthony also won 5th place in 2nd grade Spelling at District PSIA. They are both students of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Campbell Tech Club Wins State Awards
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/14/10

The Campbell Middle School Tech Club brought home a bevy of awards from the Texas Technology Student Association (TTSA) state contest May 6-8 at the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds in Waco.

Campbell was the No. 1 High Point Outstanding School in Texas and the No. 2 High Point Average. Eighth-grade student Ben Doung won the Outstanding Student of Texas, as well as the $1,000 Middle School Scholarship Savings Bond.

The Tech Club also won 127 Best in State Letterman Award Patches, 309 first place awards, 219 second place awards and 46 third place awards.

Campbell teacher and Tech Club coach Kevin Morosin received the Texas TSA Honorary Lifetime Member award. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM to host several free educational, career development and legal seminars
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/14/10

Throughout the months ofMay and June, Workforce Solutions will offer a series of job search classes at Northwest Assistance Ministries (15555 Kuykendahl).The classes will be held from 1 :00 p.m. to3 :00 p.m. , followed by one-on-one resume review with a facilitator if desired.The classes and topics will be on May 20 – Networking and Creating References/Cover and Thank You Letters; June 3rd– Re-branding Your Skills, and June 24 – Interviewing.Please note that in June the first meeting is being held on the 1st week due to scheduling conflicts, otherwise the classes will be held the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month.

Northwest Assistance Ministries’ (NAM) Rotary Learning Center, in partnership with The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston (TWRGH), is proud to present the FDIC Money Smart program to the community. On Tuesday, May 25, 2010, TWRGH will present Borrowing Basics from 6:30-7:30 p.m.Borrowing Basics provides an overview of when and how to use credit, and the different types of loans available.

On May 26, 2010 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Dr. Christopher Borman will present a seminar on Coping with Career Change. Topics will include: dealing with the pressures of career change, involuntary versus voluntary career change, events leading to career change, reasons for career change, and busting the myth that changing careers means leaving former career skills behind.

On May 27, 2010 from 6:30-7:30 p.m., in partnership with the Houston Bar Association, NAM will host a seminar on general landlord/tenant issues, such as: tenant and landlord responsibilities/liabilities/rights, overview of the Texas Residential Lease Agreement, termination of lease, forfeiture of property or monetary fees, and general civil procedures concerning eviction. Clients seeking specific legal advice are urged to call the Houston Bar Association Legal Line at (713) 759-1133 on May 19, June 2, or June 16, 2010 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

On May 20 and May 27, 2010, from 2:00-4:00 p.m., NAM will host a 2-day Naturalization Information Seminar. This program is designed to inform attendees about the contents and testing procedures for the United States Citizenship Test.Each session will cover different aspects of the test and testing procedure so attendees will need to attend both sessions. This seminar is not intended to teach clients English or US History, nor does it provide legal services.Instead, these sessions are designed to give clients information they can use to register and prepare for the test given by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Topics covered will include: steps needed to apply for Naturalization Test, information on the requirements for Naturalization, information about the testing process, and information about the Civics and English tests. Clients wishing to find out more information regarding the legal residency process (Green Cards) or the citizenship process are urged to visit the USCIS website (www.uscis.gov), call USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 or contact a lawyer specializing in immigration.

All seminars will be held at NAM, 15555 Kuykendahl, Houston, Texas 77090. As with all education seminars here at NAM, children will not be permitted to attend.Seating is limited, but walk-ins will be allowed if space is available.To reserve your seat or for more information on these free seminars, please call the NAM Rotary Learning Center Information Line at 281-885-4616 or email balderson-shields@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Sign up Now for Summer Dual Credit Courses at LSC-CyFair
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/13/10

How can high school students get a jump start on their college education this summer? Sign up for Dual Credit summer sessions at Lone Star College-CyFair and LSC-Fairbanks Center.

High school juniors and seniors can experience college life while they earn high school and college credit in classes, such as English, biology, math, history, psychology, economics, speech and more. The classes are transferable to most public institutions in the state of Texas. In addition, students will have access to the campus computer labs, workout facilities and student services, such as free tutoring.

Tuition is free, though some fees do apply. However, fee scholarships and textbook scholarships are available. This is a savings of $114 for each 3-hour class.

Dual Credit courses are available during two summer sessions at LSC-CyFair including Summer 1 from June 7 through July 13 and Summer 2 from July 15 through Aug. 19.For information, go to www.LoneStar.edu/jumpstart-cyfair. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair’s Food Services Wins National Dining Award for Catering Guide
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/13/10

Lone Star College-CyFair excels in more than academics as Kim Zandwyk and her Food Services department recently proved with a national Bronze Loyal E. Horton Dining Award.

Zandwyk entered LSC-CyFair’s Catering Guide to compete against colleges and universities nationwide and won third behind Ohio’s Ashland University and California’s Azusa Pacific University in the Medium School Category for Catering – Standard Menu for Catering Guide and Catering Processes.

The NACUFS judging criteria included: menu selection, merchandising and presentation, marketing and overall impression. Total Annual Foodservice Revenue and Total Student Enrollment determined classification as small, medium or large in different categories, such as catering, residential dining and retail sales. The official awards presentation will be held in July.

The LSC-CyFair Catering Guide offers a variety of options for campus and community event organizers from breakfast to box lunches and a la carte to buffets as well as from sweets and snacks to parties and receptions. To taste some of the menu items, try a snack or meal at the Lakeside Café in the College Center or Cyber Café in the library on the Barker Cypress campus.

Zandwyk, a graduate of The Art Institute of Houston, Culinary Arts with 15 years experience in the catering industry, said the catering guide and the catering processes in place are also used at LSC-Tomball, where Gilda Foster is Director of Food Services. Prior to bringing her talents to LSC-CyFair, she worked at one of Houston’s top caterers as did her Catering Supervisor Jay Warren.

To see a pdf of this award-winning guide, go online to www.LoneStar.edu/departments/facilitieslsc/Catering_Guide_Fall_2009.pdf.

For information on NACUFS or a complete list of Loyal E. Horton Dining Award winners, go to www.nacufs.org. Become a fan of Lone Star College – Cafes & Catering on Facebook. For information, go to www.LoneStar.edu/cafeterias. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Two LSC-CyFair Students Recognized on All-State Academic Team
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/13/10

Taking academic, service and leadership skills beyond the classroom are members of the Texas All-State Academic Team including Lone Star College-CyFair’s Ana Alza and LSC-Fairbanks Center’s Ernesto Joubran.

These two outstanding scholars selected to represent LSC-CyFair join some 80 students representing the top 40 community colleges statewide.Sponsoring the state team and recognizing these students with a certificate, medallion and a recent ceremony in Austin are the Texas Association of Community Colleges and the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.

Getting involved with LSC-CyFair faculty and student clubs on campus, as well as outreach in the community through Phi Theta Kappa service projects, helped Alza decide what she wants to do in life. She said as part of last year’s Model UN delegation, she learned the basic of politics and enjoyed it so much that it has become a career goal, but not until after graduate school.

With a scholarship opportunity through the Texas All-State Academic Team, Alza plans to transfer to Rice University in the fall.

Another Phi Theta Kappa member, Joubran, began taking basic courses three years ago at LSC-Fairbanks Center. Soccer was his passion, so with 12 years experience in Italy, he volunteered as a coach for ages 6 to 7 and recently led his Cy-Fair Youth Soccer team to a winning season. Now he is also ready to transfer to a four-year university as a pre-med student.

Joubran said being part of the Texas All-State Academic Team was unexpected and when he told his family, they were all ecstatic.

Prior to LSC-CyFair, Joubran had a volunteer opportunity to live 24/7 for six weeks at a Kenyan orphanage his grandfather helped build. Doing whatever was needed – changing diapers, making beds, folding clothes, cooking, cutting grass, helping build a first aid hospital as well as driving sick people to and helping out at the village hospital, managing study groups and children’s activities, playing soccer with the children - was a touching experience, he said.

This summer, in addition to hosting a soccer camp, he plans to volunteer time at his church and has applied for a volunteer opportunity at North Cypress Medical Center. In the fall, he will focus his studies toward becoming a sports medicine doctor or a surgeon.

For information on the Texas All-State Academic Team, go to www.ptk.org/schol/allstate. For information on LSC-CyFair’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter, contact Robinson at 281.290.3994. For information on LSC-CyFair or LSC-Fairbanks Center, go to www.LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Express Yourself This Summer with an Art Metals Course
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/13/10

Find your artistic side through metal fabrication and processes in Lone Star College-CyFair’s Art Metals I class this summer.

Schwarz received his Master’s of Fine Arts from Southern Illinois University in the art metals program. American Craft and Interior Design magazines are among the list of publications showing his work. LSC-CyFair’s Bosque Gallery will feature Schwarz’s work in an exhibition titled “Wabi-sabi Objects” June 15 through July 8, with artist receptions at 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. June 16 and 5:30 p.m. – 8 p.m. June 17.

Art Metals 1 is an introduction to metal fabrication through the study of basic materials and techniques including soldering, riveting, sawing and filing. Students will also learn the proper maintenance and operating procedures of machines and hand tools. Arts Metal 1 is also a prerequisite for Art Metals 2, which covers advanced techniques including lost wax casting.

Arts Metals 1, available as a credit or continuing education course, is offered this summer as well as again this fall. Art Metals 2 as well as a Sculpture 1 course is offered in the spring. Register now for the summer class, set June 7 through July 13 or the fall class, which starts Aug. 24.

For information, contact the instructor at Harry.C.Schwarz@lonestar.edu or art department chair at Suzanne.Shield-Polk@lonestar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM announces “Saddle Up for NAM” painted horse project
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/12/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is pleased to announce its newest fund raising project, “Saddle Up for NAM.” Wonderful life-sized fiberglass horses are making their way to the Northwest Houston/North Harris County area in June 2010.The horses will be painted by local artists selected by a panel of judges and then displayed throughout the community. During the time the horses are being painted, they will be “stabled” at Vintage Park.

For a $3,500 sponsorship, individuals or businesses may display a painted horse on their property for several weeks leading up to NAM’s Jeans & Jewels Gala. The sponsorship also includes a half page ad in the Jeans & Jewels gala program.

The Jeans & Jewels gala, NAM’s largest annual fund raising event, will be held on October 16, 2010 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. The horses will be auctioned off at the Gala, raising more funds for NAM. This year’s event honors Sandra and Eddie Harrell and is co-chaired by Carol Cobb and Linda Fowler.

Interested individuals or businesses may also order a custom painted horse for a sponsorship of $10,000, which also includes the donor’s name on a plaque at the base of the horse and a full page ad in the Jeans & Jewels program. The custom horses belong to their sponsors, and will not be auctioned off.

For more information on entering the art competition or in sponsoring a horse, please contact Tanecia Snid at 281-885-4608 or at tsnid@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Students place in UIL State Academic Meet
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/10/10

CFISD students won three state championships at the UIL State Academic Meet, held May 6-8 at the University of Texas. Cypress Woods High School represented the district well, placing fifth overall in Class 5A sweepstakes.

Cypress Woods student Darius Xu placed first in Computer Applications, Cypress Woods student Nick Rohleder tied for first place in Computer Science and Cypress Ridge student Ray Roberts placed first in Poetry Interpretation.

Other students placing in the top five at state are:

• Sophia Nguyen, Cypress Woods, second place, Current Issues; and second place, Literary Criticism; • Lindsey Oncken, Cypress Woods, second place, Ready Writing; • Sophia Nguyen, Eric Kuxhausen, Andy Clark and Aliah Kelly, Cypress Woods, second place, Team Current Issues; • Christine Nguyen, Cypress Creek, fourth place, Editorial Writing; and • Anita Wilson, Cypress Springs, fifth place, Poetry Interpretation. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Ray Roberts: Pictured with debate coach Scott Baker, Cypress Ridge student Ray Roberts displays the gold medal he won in Poetry Interpretation at the State Academic Meet last weekend.

CFISD names principal for Emmott Elementary
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/10/10

Jessica Hernandez, an assistant principal at Gleason Elementary School, was named the new principal at Emmott Elementary School for 2010-2011. Hernandez replaces Mary Ann Smith, who will retire in June.

Hernandez has spent all 12 years of her educational career in CFISD. She began by teaching two years at Yeager Elementary School, followed by three years teaching at Kirk Elementary School. She was then promoted to instructional specialist at Kirk, serving one year before accepting her current role at Gleason—which she has held for six years.

Hernandez received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Education from the University of Houston. She holds certifications in Elementary Bilingual/ESL-Spanish (1-8), Elementary Self-Contained (1-8) and Principal (EC-12).

“I am so excited and truly honored to be named principal of Emmott Elementary. I look forward to continuing the achievements that Mrs. Smith and her staff have accomplished,” Hernandez said. “I am grateful to have been surrounded by such wonderful leadership and appreciate their inspiration and encouragement in my years at CFISD. I can’t wait to begin my new journey as an Emmott Eagle and I am eager to join my new family of students, staff and community.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Aragon teacher wins Scholastic Outstanding Educator Award
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/7/10

Andrea Barnes, a READ 180 teacher at Aragon Middle School, was named the 2010 Scholastic Outstanding Middle School Educator Award winner last week.

The Outstanding Educator Awards recognize the exceptional vocational commitment of READ 180 educators who have helped students overcome their reading challenges, truly turning students’ lives around.

“This is a dream come true. I am honored to be the National Middle School Scholastic READ 180 Educator of the Year,” Barnes said.

Barnes, who took on the READ 180 program at Aragon four years ago, has built long-lasting bonds with her students by using her own personal travels as teachable moments. She integrates her world travels into her classroom, introducing students to new cultures and communities by writing letters back and forth in their “Passport to Success” notebooks.According to Aragon principal Jill Smith, Barnes consistently communicates genuine excitement and enthusiasm for reading, and in turn her students don’t mind giving up an extra elective to take her class.

Barnes will be recognized at the 2010 READ 180 National Summer Institute, scheduled for July 25-28 in Orlando, Fla., as an honorary guest.

Andrea Barnes: Andrea Barnes, left, a READ 180 teacher at Aragon Middle School, creates a relevant and meaningful classroom environment for her students, which led to her receiving a 2010 Scholastic Outstanding Educator Award. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Better Business Bureau recognizes NAM with Pinnacle Award
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/7/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) received the Pinnacle Award at the Better Business Bureau Awards for Excellence luncheon held Wednesday, May 5 at the InterContinental Houston near the Galleria.The BBB Awards for Excellence recognizes businesses and non-profits for their achievements and commitment to overall excellence and quality in the workplace.The Pinnacle Award is the BBB’s highest honor. Proceeds from the event help fund the BBB Education Foundation which educates consumers about scams and fraudulent business practices in the Greater Houston area.

We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious award,” said Carole Little, NAM President and CEO. “We were included with an impressive group of charities that were recognized as Winners of Distinction. The BBB performs a valuable service to our community by holding both non-profits and for profit organizations to the highest standards in their respective industries.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Windfern HS nurse honored in Salute to Nurses
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/5/10

Michelle Weido, the school nurse at Windfern High School, is one of the top 25 finalists to be honored in the 9th annual Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses event, recognizing the most outstanding nurses in the Houston area.

“I was so shocked and completely touched at being nominated, let alone at being identified as one of the top 25 nurses in the Salute to Nurses,”

Weido said. “It really took me by such surprise.”

More than 1,700 nominations were received for this year’s event, which coordinates with National Nurses Week May 6-12. Weido was nominated by Windfern counselor Brenda Bond.

Weido was invited to be a guest in the audience for the KHOU 11 program Great Day Houston, hosted by Deborah Duncan, on Monday, May 10 at 8 a.m. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Need a Massage? Or Want to Become a Massage Therapist?
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/5/10

Whether you’re interested in a rewarding career as a Massage Therapist or just stressed out and need a massage, Lone Star College-CyFair can help.

Massages will be offered Monday through Thursday only, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. starting Wednesday, May 19 through Thursday, Aug.19. Call 832.482.1022 or e-mail cfmtherapy@lonestar.edu to schedule an appointment.

In the Massage Therapy Program offered through CE,students learn business practices and professional standards as well as health and hygiene in massage and more. Students also receive training to gain a healthy, stress-free lifestyle with basic massage techniques and therapy continuing education courses. Among the program admission requirements are: Be at least 18 years of age; hold a high school diploma or GED; have no criminal record within the last five years and be in good general health.

The next information session at LSC-CyFair for Massage Therapy and other CE health occupations will be held June 16. Go online to LoneStar.edu/massage-therapy for fall program and registration information. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

It’s Time to Register for Discovery College
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/5/10

Registration for Lone Star College-CyFair’s popular Discovery College summer camp for ages 6 to 14 is under way.

The five-day summer sessions, which run June 7to Aug. 6, are fun and educational programs to develop skills in a friendly environment.

Camps are offered Monday through Friday at LSC-CyFair, 9191 Barker Cypress and LSC-Fairbanks Center, 14955 Northwest Freeway. The cost of the week-long, half-day sessions is $99 per class.

For schedules and information, go to LoneStar.edu/youth-classes-cyfair. For Barker Cypress camps only, call 832.482.1043 and for LSC-Fairbanks Center camps only, call 832.782.5040. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Register Now for Teen Driver’s Education Courses
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/5/10

Summer driver’s education courses for teens ages 15 to 17 are available at Lone Star College-CyFair.

Summer classes are set for Mondays through Thursdays at 4 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. starting June 7 and again July 6 or 6 p.m. starting Aug. 2.

The in-classroom (permit) driver’s education course covers road rules, road signs and laws to prepare the teens for the Department of Public Safety’s written exam. Other topics are car maintenance, effects of drugs and alcohol, laws and penalties for drinking and driving, emergency situations, basic driving procedures, road rage and insurance.

Parents are responsible for the in-car instruction. The in-classroom course cost is $144. Students are also required to purchase the Texas Traffic Safety Education Student Manual, which is available at the campus bookstore.

Complete the registration form in person in MOD1 or online at LoneStar.edu/drivers-ed-ce. Call 832.482.1043 for information. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM kicks off annual Back to School drive
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/4/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is kicking off its annual Back to School drive in May.The goal is to raise $72,500 to provide school supplies, clothing and shoes for 2,500 children. Last year’s project helped nearly 3,000 children. The drive benefits needy students in five school districts: Spring ISD, Klein ISD, and Aldine ISD.

“Students cannot be expected to learn without the necessary school supplies,” says Carole Little, NAM President & CEO. “Kids also feel better about themselves and have more confidence when they can go to school in clothes and shoes that fit well.”

A gift of $20 will provide school supplies for one child. A gift of $35 will provide clothing for one child. A gift of $55 will provide school supplies, clothing and shoes for one child.To make a cash donation to NAM’s Back to School drive, go to www.namonline.org, select “Special Projects”, and then choose “Virtual Back to School Drive.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Student Photographer Returns to Italy for Internship
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/4/10

The experience of a lifetime has led to an internship of a lifetime for Jake Mitchell, a former Lone Star College-CyFair Study Abroad student, who is returning to Italy as a student liaison/artist in residence.

Last summer, Mitchell was earning college credit while immersed in the day-to-day life in Italy. Serving as classrooms for Mitchell’s Western Civilization and World Geography classes were Italian cities, like Castallammare de Stabia, Pompeii, Sant’ Agata de’ Goti and Frascati, as well as sites in Rome, such as the Vatican, the Forum and the Coliseum.

A photo/art exhibition/auction held back on the Barker Cypress campus featured photos and art pieces that represented students’ summer study abroad experiences, journeys and explorations. Mitchell’s photo of four Italy sites reflected in sunglasses, not only won the Bosque Gallery exhibition’s Best in Show, but helped raise more than $1,000 for the LSC-CyFair Study Abroad Scholarship fund.

This summer, Mitchell returns to Italy to “capture life through an American’s eyes” as part of an internship at the Vesuvian International Institute (a study and research center of the Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation) in Castallammare de Stabia. There’s discussion of hosting an open house at the institute to showcase his work and possibly to be used as part of a brochure for American students/travelers. This would help Mitchell with his portfolio and give the institute more publicity as perhaps a destination place for visitors.

In addition, Mitchell will be trading history and geography lessons and homework for an internship. Duties will include helping answering questions, orienting faculty, students and visitors to the facility, showing students around town and how to access public transportation as well as perhaps organizing weekend hiking trips and activities.

During his time in Italy as a Study Abroad student, Mitchell said he thought it would be sort of like vacationing but with classes. However, he said roots were laid in the country through conversations with people like Audrey Fastuca (internship coordinator) and time spent exploring Italy with other students, particularly Travis Newhouse, who will also return to intern with Mitchell.

Mitchell has several stories about being welcomed into people’s lives with the most memorable being the two visits with Giovanni in Sant’ Agata de’ Goti. The first time he gave the students horseshoes and the second time he gave Mitchell a personal poem, which “he had to have picked it out on purpose. It was about traveling when he was about our age.” In addition to hopes of reconnecting with such people, Mitchell would like to revisit Naples and maybe fly to nearby cities for further exploration.

For information on future Study Abroad opportunities at LSC-CyFair or throughout the Lone Star College System, go to LoneStar.edu/study-abroad. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD names principal for Copeland Elementary
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/3/10

Michelle Rice, an assistant principal at Warner Elementary School, has been named the new principal for Copeland Elementary School for 2010-2011. Rice replaces Linda Jefferson, who will retire in June.

Rice has served 10 years in education, beginning with a three-year stint as a first- and second-grade teacher in Magnolia ISD. She then served two years as a gifted-and-talented teacher and coordinator at Magnolia Elementary School before moving to Ellisor Elementary School in Magnolia ISD, where she spent four years as an assistant principal. Rice joined the CFISD family in August when she accepted her current role at Warner.

Rice received a Bachelor of Science from Southwestern Assemblies of God University and a Master of Education from Sam Houston State University.

She holds Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), Elementary History (1-8) and Principal (EC-12) certifications.

“I am extremely honored to be chosen as the principal at Copeland Elementary. The school has a rich heritage of excellence,” Rice said. “I eagerly anticipate meeting and building relationships with the students, parents and staff of Copeland. Our journey is going to be amazing, and together we will reach new heights of success.

“Thank you to the CFISD administrative team for this wonderful opportunity and to Mike Maness, principal at Warner Elementary, for his leadership and guidance this year.It is a pleasure to be part of such a remarkable educational team.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD names principal for Black Elementary
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 5/3/10

Melissa LeDoux, an assistant principal at Moore Elementary School, was named the new principal at Black Elementary School for 2010-2011. LeDoux replaces Lillian Chastain, who will retire in June.

LeDoux has served 20 years in education, 16 of which were spent in CFISD. She began her career in 1990, teaching at a Louisiana elementary school before coming to Texas in 1992 and teaching in Abilene ISD.

LeDoux soon arrived in CFISD as a teacher at Metcalf Elementary School and later transferred to Emmott Elementary School. She then served as an instructional specialist at Reed Elementary for three years, and was promoted to her current position at Moore, where she has served for the last five years.

LeDoux received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Arkansas and a Master of Education from Sam Houston State University. She holds Elementary Self-Contained (1-8) and Principal (EC-12) certifications.

“It is such an honor to be selected as the next principal of Black Elementary,” LeDoux said. “Being a part of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD for the last 16 years has been an amazing experience as I have worked with so many talented leaders who have inspired and mentored me along my journey. I am so excited to become a Bearkat and serve such an amazing student body, staff and community as we carry on the tradition of academic excellence.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Campbell students successful at tech contest
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/30/10

The Campbell Middle School Tech Club took 605 projects and products to the Brazos Valley Student Technology Contest at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville April 16-17, where students competed against seven middle schools in the region.

Participating in contests in various technology, manufacturing and engineering curriculum areas, the Campbell Tech Club returned as the No.

1 team in the region after winning 575 awards out of the approximate 1,750 that were given. Campbell students won 333 first-place, 181 second-place and 61 third-place awards.

Campbell eighth-grade student Ben Duong received the most individual awards out of all middle and high school students. Duong won 64 total awards—41 first-place, 21 second-place and two third-place awards.

“I’m proud to say all students were able to benefit from the conference contests by taking projects with the support of parent and corporate sponsors offsetting the cost of student-entry fees,” said Campbell teacher and Tech Club sponsor Kevin Morosin.

Campbell will compete at the Texas Technology Student Association (TTSA) state contest May 6-8 at the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds in Waco. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Key Clubs Win at District Convention
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/29/10

Sixty students and eight faculty chaperones from four district Key Clubs attended the Texas-Oklahoma District Key Club Convention recently in Dallas. The Key Clubs from Cy-Fair, Cypress Falls, Cypress Ranch and Cypress Woods high schools came home with a bus full of trophies, awards and scholarship money.

Of the prestigious Top 25 club rankings in the district, Cypress Ranch was selected as the No. 5 club, Cypress Falls was No. 22 and Cy-Fair was No. 25.

The Cypress Ranch Key Club won the Rookie of the Year trophy for its first full year as a Key Club, and its club newsletter was chosen as the No. 3 newsletter in the two-state district.

Cy-Fair and Cypress Ranch’s websites won Distinguished Web Site patches while Cypress Falls’ website won the trophy for the No. 3 Best Website.

Cy-Fair’s scrapbook won the trophy for the No. 2 Scrapbook, and Cypress Falls’ service project “Build a Playground” was chosen as the No. 3 Project at the opening evening’s Service Fair.

All four clubs won patches for their participation in the District Governor’s READ project, with Cypress Ranch winning the trophy for the best project overall in the district.Cy-Fair and Cypress Falls also won patches for their participation in the “Color My World” district project.

Both Cypress Falls and Cypress Ranch were recognized for increasing their club memberships by 75 percent over the previous year.

In individual contests, Cypress Ranch sophomore Michael Nguyen won third place in the Oratory contest; Cypress Ranch freshman Corrie Andrews won fourth place in the Mario Kart competition; and Cy-Fair senior Rajvi Patel was a member of the winning Texas team in the T-O Quiz Bowl competition.

At Sunday morning’s closing breakfast, Cypress Ranch sophomore Megan Iselin was installed as the Lieutenant Governor of Division 3N, replacing graduating Cy-Fair senior Madhu Govindu. Iselin will now oversee the Key Clubs in both CFISD and Katy. Additionally, $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Cypress Falls senior Andres Ramirez, Cypress Woods senior Lauren Miller and Cy-Fair senior Deahna Ortiz.

Key Clubs: Cypress Ranch High School sophomore Megan Iselin, left, was announced as the Lieutenant Governor of Division 3N during the Texas-Oklahoma District Key Club Convention, replacing the outgoing Cy-Fair senior Madhu Govindu, right. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair SIDO Students Volunteer in Golf Tournament
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/28/10

Lone Star College-CyFair’s Supply Chain Industry Organization (SIDO) Student Club recently participated for the first time in the University of Houston Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament held at Southwyck Golf Course. Joining club sponsor Ruben Howard, fourth from left, in playing golf as well as assisting UofH SIDO members with registration and food/beverage setup are students Chris Zavala, from left, Flavia Beals, Brandon Postell, Jesse Grabowski and Patrick Kairu. The goal of SIDO is to enable students to have greater connections to the supply chain industry and gain a better understanding of the world of logistics technology, particularly through interaction with Houston-area logistic professionals and organizations. For LSC-CyFair SIDO or logistics program information, contact Howard at 281.290.5233. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Heart & Vascular Center NOW at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/27/10

Residents of Northwest Houston take heart -- a true collaboration is elevating heart care at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital by uniting the strength of community cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons with the world renowned expertise of physicians from the Methodist DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center.Working together to develop a comprehensive heart program in a personalized environment, patients benefit from state-of-the-art diagnostics, noninvasive treatment options, as well as advanced surgical care when needed, from physicians associated with the Methodist Heart and Vascular Center.

And this new approach to heart care is getting rave reviews.Mr. Jerry Rush, a resident of Northwest Houston, recently had successful open heart surgery at the new Heart & Vascular Center at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, and he couldn’t be happier.“Methodist Willowbrook Hospital has restored my faith in healthcare,” said Mr. Rush. “The hospital and the physicians have provided the best quality, care and service among any business in any industry that I have ever known.”These are powerful words from a man who just had an “off pump” Coronary Artery Bypass surgery.

Mr. Rush is thankful for the cutting edge medical care provided by his team of physicians and clinicians at Methodist Willowbrook.But he is most thankful for the personalized touch and customer service that is so often missing in today’s environment.

The new Heart & Vascular Center at Methodist Willowbrook Hospital offers the best of both worlds – community and Texas Medical Center expertise together, close to home.For more information on the Heart & Vascular Center, please contact the physician referral line at 281-737-2500. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Patient Jerry Rush and Dr. Devinder Bhatia

Smith MS Robotics Team Takes 10th in Challenge
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/27/10

Seven teams of students from Smith Middle School competed at the All-Earth EcoBot Challenge, held at the Reliant Center on Saturday, April 17.

One Smith team, Recon Robotics, placed 10th in the Best in Robotics category. The team members are Tyler Ellis, Gabe Swift, Brett Waples and Drew Hovanetz.

Each team was required to build its NXT robot and program it to perform different tasks in a limited amount of time. The students also had to create a five-minute informative marketing presentation about a robot that their team designed to sell to the public. Their robot was required to perform an action that would benefit Planet Earth.

Smith’s students competed against teams from the greater Houston area, as well as Corpus Christi and Austin. Awards were given to the top 10 in the categories Best in Robotics, Best in Marketing and Best Overall.

“All of the teams worked very hard,” said Smith Middle School sixth-grade science team leader Doreen Jarvis. “I am very proud of the students’ effort, dedication and hard work.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

EcoBots:Smith Middle School students (from left) Brett Waples, Tyler Ellis, Gabe Swift and Drew Hovanetz placed 10th in the Best in Robotics category at the All-Earth EcoBot Challenge April 17 at the Reliant Center.

Cy Woods Duo Advances to State Tennis Meet
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/27/10

The Cypress Woods High School mixed doubles team of Kourtney Howell and Gus Underwood swept through the Region II-5A championships April 19-22 in Waco to advance to the UIL Tennis Championships, scheduled for May 10-11 at the World of Tennis in Lakeway.

Howell and Underwood won in straight sets in the first round, quarterfinals and semifinals, then battled to a 9-7, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Cedar Park Vista Ridge’s team of Ariana Saldana and Chris Hogan.

Howell and Underwood will begin state quarterfinal competition on Monday, May 10 at 1 p.m. against the Abilene duo of Erich Bein and Madelyn Walker. The semifinals will begin at 3:30 p.m. on May 10, while the finals will start at 9 a.m. on May 11. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Softball Playoffs Begin Friday, April 30
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/27/10

Four district softball teams finished District 15-5A play and qualified for the Region II-5A playoffs, beginning Friday, April 30.

Cypress Woods was the district champion, followed by second place Cy-Fair, third place Cypress Creek and fourth place Cypress Springs.

The playoff pairings for Friday are as follows:

• Cypress Woods vs. Round Rock Stony Point at Bryan High School (3450 Campus Dr.), 8 p.m.;

• Cy-Fair vs. Georgetown at Rudder High School (3251 Austin’s Colony Pkwy.) in Bryan, 6 p.m.

• Cypress Springs vs. Cedar Park Vista Ridge at Vista Ridge High School (200 S. Vista Ridge Blvd.), 7:30 p.m.; and

• Cypress Woods vs. Cedar Park at A&M Consolidated High School (1801 Harvey Mitchell Pkwy. S.) in College Station, 7 p.m.

Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Tennis Team Wins National Copper Division Title
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/27/10

A National 2010 Copper Division Title Win at the recent United States Tennis Association (USTA) Tennis on Campus National Tournament in Surprise, AZ, was no surprise for Lone Star College-CyFair’s Fighting Ducks.

Last year the opportunity for LSC-CyFair to play in the nationals (the only community college to participate) came with USTA’s Club of the Year in Texas title the Fighting Ducks earned, said Coach Tim Sebesta. This year, the team was in tier #1 based on their participation in their sectional event and two prior matches. This qualified them for an at-large bid, which they received through the national lottery system.

Under the leadership of Coach Sebesta, Yanchenko and her other team members, Samuel Holmes, Thanh Nguyen, Chandra Kurati, Daniella Silkwood, Jasmine Nguyen and Betsy Rahmanfinished this year’s national tournament with a 4-3 record as they competed against teams from across the United States and Puerto Rico.

LSC-CyFair teammate Holmes, a member of the LSC-Cy Fair 2009 Nationals Team, said tennis is fun and he was proud to represent LSC-CyFair at this tournament for the second year in a row.

This LSC-CyFair team’s presence was felt on as well as off the court, said Yanchenko. Not only, did former tennis pro Katrina Adams recognize the team’s success at the awards banquet, but www.Indietennis.com, an internet tennis channel, interviewed Yanchenko as well as Holmes. Adding to this year’s excitement was the fact that Holmes also appeared on the front cover of the USTA National Campus Championship Magazine.

For information on USTA, go online to www.tennisoncampus.com. For information on the LSC-CyFair Tennis Team, contact Sebesta at 281.290.3918. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Names New Principal for Danish Elementary
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/26/10

Kelly Dalton, an assistant principal at Holbrook Elementary School, was named the new principal at Danish Elementary School for 2010-2011. Dalton replaces Sandy Oliver, who will retire in June.

Dalton has 20 years of educational experience, all within Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Her career began with one year as a teacher at Owens Elementary School and eight years as a teacher at Hairgrove Elementary School. She then transferred to Reed Elementary School, serving eight years as an assistant principal before accepting her current position at Holbrook in the 2007-2008 school year.

Dalton received a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lamar University and a Master of Education in Administration and Supervision from the University of Houston. In addition to Principal certification, she is certified in Elementary Self-Contained, Elementary Reading and English as a Second Language.

“I have been fortunate to work with so many wonderful professionals in Cy-Fair and I am humbled by this opportunity. I am honored to be the new principal at Danish Elementary,” Dalton said. “The school has established a rich tradition of excellence since its opening. I am looking forward to meeting and working with all of the parents, staff and students to continue this tradition.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Names New Principal for Lee Elementary
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/26/10

Tonya Goree, an assistant principal at Tipps Elementary School, was named the new principal for Lee Elementary School for the

2010-2011 school year. Goree replaces Barbara Fine, who will retire in June.

Goree has 19 years of experience in classroom and administrative education. Her career began with nine years as a teacher and two years as an instructional specialist in Fort Bend ISD. She then accepted an assistant principal position at Hill Intermediate School in Aldine ISD, working there eight years before joining the CFISD family as the assistant principal at Tipps in 2009-2010.

Goree received a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lamar University and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from Prairie View A&M University. Her certifications include Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), Elementary Math (1-8) and Principal (EC-12).

“Being selected as principal of Lee Elementary is truly humbling,” Goree said. “I am honored and look forward with great anticipation as well as excitement to working with the students, parents, community and staff of Lee as we continue the journey of academic excellence. I am grateful to the CFISD administrative team for this opportunity and to Pam Redd, principal of Tipps Elementary, for all of her support and mentoring this past school year.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Students Serve on Habitat Projects
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/26/10

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD students are branching out to the community through the Northwest Harris County branch of Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization devoted to building simple, decent and affordable housing.

Student groups from Cy-Fair, Cypress Woods and Cypress Ranch high schools have already conducted Habitat projects this spring, while two more are planned for next month.

The Cypress Ranch Key Club, led by teacher and sponsor Jennifer Hydes, had the most recent project on Saturday, April 10. About 12 Key Club students helped out future Habitat homeowners by laying 20 pallets of sod, emptying a large trailer of debris into a dumpster and closing out the day by painting the exterior of the house.

Hydes previously worked with Habitat as the Key Club sponsor at Cy-Fair High School. She has now continued the tradition with Cypress Ranch students, who came away from the April 10 project with a valuable experience.

For more information on Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County, please visit habitatnwhc.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Spring 2010 Habitat Projects

DateCFISD School/Organization

• Feb 27Cy-Fair HS Band, Cy-Fair HS Key Club
• March 13Cypress Woods HS
• April 10Cypress Ranch Key Club
• May 8Cypress Woods HS Habitat for Humanity Club
• May 15Cypress Ranch HS Habitat for Humanity Club

Cypress Ranch freshman Rachel Horn paints the exterior of the Habitat house during the April 10 project.

JVHS Scholar Athlete to Appear on FSN Program
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/26/10

Jersey Village High School senior Steven Rascoe “Ross”

Fly will be featured on the Fox Sports Network Southwest (FSN-SW) program High School Spotlight at noon on Sunday, April 25, 2010, for his accomplishments in both the classroom and playing field.

The program will highlight Fly and other Texas high school athletes who excel in school, showing sports highlights of the student athletes while listing their academic accomplishments and extra-curricular activities.

Fly was announced as a State Farm Texas Scholar Athlete in December. A member of the Falcon football and wrestling teams, he ranks in the top 10 percent of his class and has a perfect grade-point average. He is a National Merit Finalist, a member of the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy Creek FFA Students Earn Achievements
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/23/10

FFA students from Cypress Creek High School recently received honors for their accomplishments in and out of the classroom.

Juniors Brittany Sanchez and Martha Martinez were two of 18 students statewide selected to serve on the 2010 Texas FFA Convention Chronicle newspaper staff. Sanchez will work on layout design while Martinez will serve as a photographer as the students will prepare a daily publication during the week of the state FFA convention, July 13-16 in Corpus Christi.

Convention guests will include FFA sponsors such as La Quinta, McCoys, Justin, Seitz, CEV, Farm Credit, Fresh Country, Ag Workers Mutual Auto Insurance and “Spit it Out” Smokeless Education, in addition to numerous guest and motivational speakers, parents, agricultural education teachers and FFA members from all over Texas.

Additionally, senior Fariba Arabghani and sophomore Thalia Garcia successfully passed the High School Floral Certification Exam, better preparing them for potential careers in the floral industry. The certification exam consisted of three parts: a written exam, creation of a symmetrical floral arrangement and the creation of a boutonniere.

Now, as student members of the Texas State Florist Association (TSFA), Arabghani and Garcia are entitled to all benefits of student membership and will receive a certificate of accomplishment, medal and a $100 Texas Floral Endowment High School Floral Design Certification Scholarship, which paid for the exam. To earn certification, Arabghani and Garcia were required to be enrolled in Floral Design and Advanced Floral Design courses. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Free New Student Orientations Set May through August at LSC-CyFair
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/22/10

Take a tour, learn about campus programs, meet with an advisor, choose a schedule and register for summer and fall classes at Lone Star College-CyFair’s free New Student Orientations set May through August.

“During orientation, students will meet student leaders, faculty and staff; learn their way around campus and find out about all the student services and academic programs available at LSC-CyFair,” said Christine Timmerman, Director of Outreach and Retention. “Students will also have a chance to receive academic advising and to register for summer and fall classes.”

Early New Student Orientations are set Tuesday evenings and Thursday mornings May 4 to June 3. Additional Tuesday morning and Thursday afternoon sessions will be available June 8 to Aug. 26. Transfer Student Orientations (for students transferring credits from another college or university) are set June 15, July 13 and Aug. 12. Non-traditional Student Orientations are set for June 10, July 20 and Aug. 3. Family Orientations (for parents and family members of new students) are set at various times Tuesdays and Thursdays June 8 to Aug. 24. Check the web site for upcoming Veterans Orientations.

All sessions are free, but space is limited and students must pre-register online at LoneStar.edu/cyfair-orientation to receive a confirmation with room location and parking information.

Orientation sessions will be held at the Barker Cypress campus at 9191 Barker Cypress Road at West Road. Call 281.290.3430 or e-mail cfoutreach@lonestar.edu for information. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Need Money for College? LSC-CyFair College Can Help!
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/22/10

How do you get the money available for college through financial aid? Lone Star College-CyFair can help with Saturday, April 24 and Monday, April 26 workshops.

Parents and students will get free, on-site assistance applying for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.) All workshops will be held in the Technology (TECH) Building at LSC-CyFair, 9191 Barker Cypress.

The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid programs such as grants, loans and work study. Students should bring all 2009 tax information (w2s, tax return, etc.) for themselves and their parents.

Workshops are available Saturday, April 24 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Monday April 26 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and again 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in TECH 104B.

For information on these financial aid workshops, call 281.290.3200, via e-mail at CyFairFinancialAid@lonestar.edu or go to the financial aid site at LoneStar.edu/financial-aid. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Audience Steps Back in Time with Pulitzer Prize Winning Author
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/21/10

An audience of more than 350 recently heard Pulitzer Prize Winning AuthorDr. Annette Gordon-Reed’s presentation “Monticello Legacies: Writing the Lives of an Enslaved Family” at Lone Star College-CyFair.

“Dr. Gordon-Reed introduced herself with an anecdote about her early years as the first African-American student to attend Anderson Elementary School in Conroe, Texas,” said Esther Robinson, LSC-CyFair history professor. “She emphasized her childhood interest in Thomas Jefferson as someone she could relate to because he loved to read.”

It was an examination of the relationship of Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson, beginning with Sally’s mother and ending with Jefferson’s death, in her book “The Hemingses of Monticello” that Dr. Gordon-reed earned the 2008 National Book Award and the 2009 Pulitzer Prize. She first wrote about their relationship in her 1997 book “Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy.”

“Her research for ‘The Hemingses of Monticello’ took place over a period of more than 10 years, as she painstakingly documented the history of the Hemings family using the Monticello archives,” said Robinson.

During the question and answer period at the community evening with Dr. Gordon-Reed, she indicated she’s working on a sequel to the Hemings book, which may be the basis of a televised mini-series. In addition, Dr. Gordon-Reed is conducting research for a Thomas Jefferson biography focusing on his retirement years at Monticello.

Co-hosting this April community presentation were the LSC-CyFair History Department, Windows on the World and W.W. Norton Publishers. For other community events, go to LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

JVTV Students Win Film Awards
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/20/10

Jersey Village High School television (JVTV) students recently won awards in the Lone Star College (LSC) Quack Attack Film Festival, held April 16 in the LSC – Cy-Fair conference center.

Each film was judged on the basis of creativity, sound, cinematography and special effects. Categories included Drama, Comedy, Public Service Announcement, Action, Documentary, Commercial/Advertisement, Horror, Science Fiction, Romance, Animation, News Packages and Music Video.

Junior Adam Mendry won first place in the Public Service Announcement category for “Communist Reality” and also won first place in the Documentary category for “Foreign Exchange.”

Sophomore Eric Lewandoski won first place in the Newscast Package category for “Science Resource Center.”

Freshman Shane O’Neal won first place in the Comedy category for “Mostly Harmless.”

“The talented Jersey Village students continue to amaze me,” said JVTV coordinator Cindy Stoker. “We have great depth in our organization. JVTV has a lot to look forward to in the years to come.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Names Principal for Farney Elementary School
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/19/10

Tricia Reilly, assistant principal at Black Elementary School, was named the new principal at Farney Elementary School. Reilly replaces Beth Coleman, who will retire in June.

Reilly has spent 13 years in education, 10 of those within CFISD. After teaching three years in Klein ISD, she transferred to CFISD and taught one year at Kirk Elementary School before assuming the instructional specialist position at Kirk for two years. She then became an assistant principal at Hamilton Elementary School for three years before accepting her current role at Black, where she has served the past four years.

Reilly received her Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston State University and her Master of Education from the University of Houston.

She holds certifications in Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), Elementary English (1-8) and Principal (EC-12).

“I feel so honored to be chosen as the next principal of Farney Elementary. I am thankful to have been mentored and supported by such an amazing group of people since joining the Cy-Fair team 10 years ago,”

Reilly said. “I am thrilled to join the Farney family and have the opportunity to work with the students, staff and community. I know that the 2010-2011 school year will be filled with many wonderful experiences.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Names Principal for Bang Elementary School
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/19/10

Erwann Wilson, a principal in Houston ISD, was named the new principal at Bang Elementary School. Wilson replaces Cindy Barclift, who will retire in June.

Wilson has spent 25 years in education, 21 of those within CFISD. She began her career teaching three years at Frazier Elementary School, followed by two years at Millsap and one year at Hamilton elementary schools. She then accepted an assistant principal position at Hamilton, serving four years before accepting the principal position at Frazier Elementary School. After eight years at Frazier, Wilson served three more years at Metcalf Elementary School to complete her first “tour of duty” with CFISD. She then spent four years in the Mansfield and Houston school districts before making her return to CFISD.

Wilson received a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University. She holds certifications in Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), Elementary Reading (1-8), Kindergarten (PK-KG) and Mid-Management Administration (PK-12).

“We are pleased that Ms. Wilson is returning to CFISD,” said Roy Garcia, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction and school administration. “Her collaborative leadership, focus on relationships and desire to make a positive difference for each and every child will serve the Bang learning community extremely well.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM dinner with authors Ron Hall, Denver Moore raises awareness and funds
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/19/10

Ron Hall and Denver Moore, authors of the best-selling book “Same Kind of Different as Me”, addressed a gathering of over 350 people at Northwest Assistance Ministries’ “Dinner with the Authors” on April 13.The event was held at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott and raised over $138,000 for NAM.It was hosted by NAM’s Endowment Fund Board, which raises money to ensure the current and future services of NAM.

The evening started with a cocktail reception and book signing. Barnes and Noble- Champions Village sold copies of Hall and Moore’s most recent book, “What Difference Do It Make.”The dinner and program began with welcoming remarks by Pat Riley, Chairman of the NAM Endowment Board and a brief overview of NAM by President & CEO Carole Little. After dinner, Endowment Board member Rusty Schlattman introduced the authors. Denver Moore was not able to attend in person, due to his health, but delivered a pre-recorded message by video. Author Ron Hall addressed the crowd in person.He elaborated on his experiences from the book, as well as challenged those present to leave a legacy by working to make a difference in their community.

“The story of Ron and Denver is a tale of two very different men who learn that they have more in common than not, and that each person has lessons to teach the other,” said NAM President and CEO Carole Little. “Their story fits in very well with NAM’s mission of Neighbors helping Neighbors.”

Event sponsors included:Anadarko Petroleum Corp/ Renee and Danny Rea, Citation Oil and Gas Corp., Ultra Petroleum Corp., Stanley C. Horton, the Manley Family, Jackie and Pat Riley, TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co., Carol and Calvin Cobb, Linda and Joe Fowler, Pat and Stan Curtis, United Casing Inc., Aaron’s Inc., Denise and Buddy Bolt, Courtney Cook, Dr. and Mrs. Mack Elbert Coker, Caldwell Companies, Don Drover, Carol and Bill Farrell, H-E-B, John Wesley United Methodist Church Book Club, Judy and Carl Goshy, Lakewood United Methodist Church, Lone Star College – North Harris, Rusty Schlattman DDS, and Raul Sepulveda MD. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Boys’ Golfers Qualify for Regional Tournament
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/19/10

Two CFISD boys’ golf teams and two individual medalists qualified for the Region II-5A Golf Tournament at the District 15-5A Championships, held April 12-13 at Longwood Golf Course.

Cypress Woods won the district championship with a two-day score of 631.

Wildcat golfers who made up the team score were Luke Sheehan (75-82 – 157), Bryce Cooper (76-79 – 155), Taylor Wood (77-86 – 163), JJ Black (79-83 – 162) and Craig Zietsman (83-80 – 163).

Cypress Creek placed second after shooting a two-day score of 646.

Cougar golfers who made up the team score were Bryant McKenzie (75-98 – 173), Brent Battson (77-82 – 159), Matt Dunn (79-79 – 158), Mark Lupton (81-86 – 167) and Travis Adams (83-87 – 170).

Individual medalists who will advance to the regional tournament are Langham Creek’s Michael Hanigan (72-80 – 152) and Logan White (77-82 – 159).

The regional tournament is scheduled for April 19-22 at Twin Rivers Golf Club in Waco. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD names principal for Gleason Elementary
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/13/10

Melody Goffney, an assistant principal at Postma Elementary School, was named the principal at Gleason Elementary School on Monday. Goffney replaces Sandra McNeely, who will retire in June.

Goffney has spent 12 years in education, 10 of those with Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Beginning as a teacher in Aldine ISD, she transferred to Holmsley Elementary Schoolfor four years before accepting the instructional specialist position at Lamkin Elementary School for one year. She moved to Duryea Elementary School as an assistant principal and served one year before taking over her current role at Postma, where she has spent the past four years.

Goffney graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Sam Houston State University and received a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M University. She holds certifications in Elementary Self-Contained (1-8), Early Childhood Education (PK-6), Elementary History (1-8) and Principal (EC-12).

“I am extremely thrilled and honored to be selected as principal for Gleason Elementary for the 2010-2011 school year,” Goffney said.” “Words cannot express my gratitude to all the district leaders, family and friends who have inspired and mentored me throughout this journey. I’m looking forward to joining the Gleason family on their continued road of academic success for all students.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy Springs Event Promotes Fight Against Breast Cancer
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/8/10

Students at Cypress Springs High School helped raise money to fight breast cancer during a special event at the school last month.

In the spirit of racing for the cure, nationally-ranked track athlete, senior Tim Gbunblee, challenged the No. 1-ranked junior cyclist in the world, senior Lawson Craddock, to a race-off.

“For a cause that is commonly understood yet uncommonly pursued, the students of Cypress Springs High School are dedicated and unified in the effort to raise money for cancer research that will lead to the discovery of a cure,” said Cypress Springs trainer Kim Faterkowski.

“This disease is one that many of us are personally connected, because of this we understand what it means to support the men and women who are suffering and whose families are striving to encourage and strengthen them. We are here to answer the call, not just to empower women and men everywhere but to give all that we can to the foundations striving to alleviate the pain caused by this disease.”

The event took place Saturday, March 13. While Craddock edged out Gbunlee in their 200-meter race on Rustic Lake Lane, other student groups provided performances in the Cypress Springs gymnasium. From selling tickets, pink ribbons and concessions and collecting donations, the Cypress Springs students were able to raise about $800 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. According to Faterkowski, an anonymous donor agreed to match the school’s contributions. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cypress Springs senior cyclist Lawson Craddock and senior track athlete Tim Gbunblee congratulate one another after Craddock narrowly beat Gbunblee in a race down Rustic Lake Lane on March 13 that helped raise money to fight breast cancer.

Northwest Assistance Ministries Needs Furniture/Clothing Donations
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/7/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is in immediate need of furniture and clothing donations for its three resale shops. Revenue from the shops directly supports NAM’s programs and services, and makes up a significant portion of NAM’s annual budget.Gently used furniture is NAM’s biggest seller, and gently used clothing is very popular as well.

Donations may be dropped off at NAM Resale at 3645 F.M. 1960, at Second Chance Community Store at 10505 Jones Road, or at NAM’s main building at 15555 Kuykendahl. Furniture pickups may be arranged by calling 281-880-9482. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Northwest Assistance Ministries Receives $1,000 CVS Grant for Children’s Clinic
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/7/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) announced today that it has received a $1,000 CVS Caremark Community grant for its Children’s Clinic.In the past year, the Clinic offered primary health care for children from infancy to age 18 and completed office visits, referrals, appointment calls, and case management for 8,200 children. The donation to NAM is part of the CVS Caremark Community Grants commitment to non-profit organizations.

NAM was selected to receive a grant through the CVS Caremark Community Grants 2009 grant application process.Grants were awarded to organizations that share a common interest with CVS Caremark of supporting programs for the uninsured, which help to make health services affordable and easy to access.The goal of the program is to provide relief for both adults and children who lack medical insurance to get the proper medical attention needed. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

2010-2011 Club Rewind registration now open
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/7/10

Club Rewind, CFISD’s new before- and after-school program, is set to kick off with the 2010-2011 school year. Program registration began on April 1, 2010 and will continue year-round. Club Rewind will be on site at each elementary campus. The fee-based program will offer morning care and/or afternoon care. The students will be divided by age/grade at a staff-to-student ratio of 1 to 20 for morning care and 1 to 15 for after-school care.Club Rewind morning care begins at 6:45 a.m. and includes a variety of social games and computer fun. Club Rewind after-school care begins at the end of each school day and operates until 6:30 p.m. The program will provide a variety of activities, including the following topics: arts/culture, healthy living, literacy, recreational games, math/science and leadership. Activities will rotate from movement to hands-on, as students move throughout the program.Enrollment and registration forms can be downloaded from the CFISD website by accessing the Club Rewind logo from the homepage (www.cfisd.net) or each elementary webpage. For more information, please contact the Club Rewind office at 281-807-8900 or clubrewind@cfisd.net. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Bridgeland Puts Children’s Cooking Classes on Summer Fun Menu
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 4/5/10

Bridgeland is stirring up fun this summer with a series of day camps designed especially for young chefs.Camp Cook will be held at Bridgeland’s Lakeland Activity Center, 16902 Bridgeland Landing, in five sessions. Targeting children ages three through fifth grade, the camps will cover following a recipe, using kitchen tools and utensils, measuring ingredients, mastering basic cooking skills, setting the table and serving, manners, food safety and kitchen safety in a hands-on curriculum.

Classes will be kept small and grouped by age: Li’l Adventurers: ages three to six; Adventurers, kindergarten through second grade; and Explorers, third through fifth grade. Camp Cook staff members are teachers and college students specializing in education and/or culinary arts.

Sessions include Li’l Adventurers-Silly Story Time Fun I, June 1-4; Adventurers and Explorers-A Brunch of Fun, June 14-18; Li’l Adventurers-Silly Story Time Fun II, July 6-9; Adventurers and Explorers-America by Food, July 19-23 and Adventurers and Explorers-The Envelope Please: Cooking En Papillote, Aug. 2-6. Class times are 9 a.m. to noon.Cost is $150 per week if registered before May 1 or $190 per week after May 1. For more information and to register, visit www.camp-cook.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD names new principal for Sampson Elementary
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/26/10

Heather Motzny, an assistant principal at Swenke Elementary School, was named the principal at Sampson Elementary School on Friday. Motzny replaces Cindy O’Brien, who will retire in June.

Motzny has served all 19 years of her educational career within Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. She began as a teacher at Adam Elementary, teaching seven years before moving to Ault Elementary as an assistant principal. She served 11 years at Ault before accepting the assistant principal position at Swenke prior to the 2009-2010 school year.

Motzny graduated from Kansas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education, and received a Master of Education in Administration from Prairie View A&M University. Her certifications include Early Childhood Education, English as a Second Language, Gifted and Talented Education and Mid-Management.

“I am both thrilled and extremely honored to be selected as the next principal of Sampson Elementary,” Motzny said. “I am looking forward to joining the Sampson family as we continue the tradition of excellence that Cindy O’Brien has established. I am eagerly awaiting the start of the 2010-2011 school year, so that I can greet all of the bright, smiling faces of the Sampson students.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Hollywood Comes to NAM Resale
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/26/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) recently received a donation of more than 6,000 new and previously viewed DVDs, Blu Rays, and video games. The items are for sale at Corner Resale in NAM’s building at 15555 Kuykendahl, NAM Resale at 3645 F.M. 1960, and at Second Chance Community Store at 10505 Jones Rd. Corner Resale is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.The other two stores are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

“We are grateful for this wonderful donation,” said Carole Little, NAM President and CEO. “The proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit NAM’s programs and services.” The items are available at bargain prices until sold out. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Boys Basketball Team Wins Recognition
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/11/10

The All-District 15-5A Boys Basketball Team was released this week, with 34 CFISD student-athletes earning First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention recognition. Additionally, 23 players were named to the Academic All-District Team. Even though Langham Creek High School senior Mackey McKnight won Most Valuable Player, Cy-Fair High School sophomore Chase Brogna won Newcomer of the Year, Cypress Ridge High School junior Brandon Swannegan won Defensive Player of the Year, and Cypress Woods High School head coach Chris Draudt received the award of Coach of the Year. CFISD is still proud of all its basketball players and wishes them good luck on the next games. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-Cy-Fair Hosts Suit Drive Benefiting Dress for SuccessR Houston
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/11/10

Lone Star College-Cy-Fair is holding a campus and community-wide Suit Drive March 22 through March 26 benefiting a new community partner, Dress for SuccessR Houston.

The college's Counseling, Career and Disability Services Department recently teamed up with this non-profit organization which provides interview-appropriate suits and career development to disadvantaged women seeking employment.

Interview-appropriate women's suits (skirt or pant), blouses, gently-used handbags, gently-used shoes, scarves and new pantyhose will be accepted as well as check donations made payable to Dress for SuccessR Houston. "By donating interview-appropriate suits to our Suit Drive, you will be helping someone less fortunate get on the road to success, including some of our students," says Julie Wilson, LSC-Cy-Fair career counselor. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Langham Creek Boys Basketball Ends Season in Regional Semifinal
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/11/10

The Langham Creek High School boys' basketball team wrapped up its most successful season in program history by winning from Garland Lakeview Centennial in the Region II-5A semifinal at the Ferrell Center in Waco.

Langham Creek senior Mackey McKnight is one of the nominees for Best Boys 5A Performer in the Fourth Annual High School Sports Live Slammies Awards, presented by Ch. 55. He and Cypress Woods senior Deemarco Richardson are the only two boys' nominees from CFISD. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy-Fair Girls Basketball Cruises to Win 5A State Championship
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/11/10

The Cy-Fair High School girls' basketball team clinched its second state championship in the last three seasons after winning from Fort Bend Hightower at the Erwin Center in Austin. The Bobcats came out firing from the opening tip-off, compiling a 27-4 lead by the end of the first quarter and extending it to 45-11 at the half. They never trailed in the decisive victory. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cypress Christian Students Score Big at Math Olympics
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/11/10

Qualifying rounds for the ACSI District Math Olympics were held in the fall. Of 36 participants, Cypress Christian had 25 students qualify to compete in the district level. Cypress Christian would like to congratulate all students and thank Math Olympic sponsor and CCS teacher, Mrs. Karen McGrath. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Club’s Electronics Recycle Drive Benefits Goodwill
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/3/10

Lone Star College-CyFair’s Technology Society students know first-hand that technology is always changing, but that recycling and giving back to the community never goes out of style.

A recent Electronics Recycle Drive collected more than 2,300 lbs in televisions, computers, cell phones and more in just a month and a half, said Venancio Ybarra, Technology Society student club sponsor.

Taking the lead on this Jan. 4 through Feb. 12 initiative were Technology Society members Qutbuddin Tayabali, president, Erick Hernandez, historian, Mark Weisner, treasurer and Freddie Salinas, member. It was decided the beneficiary of the spring semester drive would be the area Goodwill.

Collection bins were placed at the Barker Cypress campus as well as LSC-Fairbanks Center for six weeks. The students helped with weekly bin collection and measurement of recycled items.Ybarra said once the collection room on campus was near capacity, the students delivered recycled items to the area Goodwill, located at FM 529 and Queenston Road.

In addition to the six-week electronics recycling effort, LSC-CyFair’s Technology Society was invited to provide a one-day drive as part of the annual LSC system-wide conference day held Feb. 18 this year at LSC-Tomball.

While the campus effort brought in more than 1,000 lbs of recyclable items, the one-day system-wide effort brought in 1,300 lbs. more.

For information on the Technology Society, contact Ybarra at 281.290.3922 or go to Lone Star.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair DEX Heads to International Competition after Austin Success
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/3/10

Students take second and fourth, give back to the community and lead state organization

After state competition success and community service efforts in Austin, Lone Star College-CyFair’s Delta Epsilon Chi (DEX) students are headed to Kentucky for international conference.

Dylan Smith placed second in the Design Presentation prepared event, while the team of Donald Smith and Ronnie Maduzia took fourth in the Business-to-Business Marketing case study event at the recent Texas Career Development Conference in Austin. All three students will be attending and competing at the International Career Development Conference in April.

In addition to competition success against students statewide, these students attended conference workshops and leadership activities as well as volunteered in the Austin community.

“As part of DEX’s commitment of giving back to our communities, we spent a half day volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank,” said Melinda Becker, advisor of the LSC-CyFair DEX chapter. “During our visit, we unpacked, inspected and sorted 8,932 pounds of frozen meat, providing 7,146 meals to families in need in the Austin area.”

At the conclusion of the state conference, the students elected LSC-CyFair’s Maduzia as the incoming DEX State President. The outgoing president is LSC-CyFair’s Donald Smith.

For information on the DEX chapter at LSC-CyFair, call Becker at 281.290.3284. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

14 students to receive recognition at Minute Maid Park
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/2/10

Fourteen students in Cypress-Fairbanks ISD were recently selected as school finalists for the Do the Write Thing challenge, sponsored by the National Campaign to Stop Violence, and will be recognized at a reception on Saturday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Minute Maid Park.

More than 15,000 students from 141 middle schools in the Houston area submitted essays in the contest that gives middle school students an opportunity to examine the impact of youth violence on their lives.

Through classroom discussions and writings, students communicate what they think should be done to reduce student violence while committing to do something about the problem.

The national and state finalists will be announced at the ceremony.

These students, parents and teachers will participate in the Do the Write Thing Leadership Summit in Austin in June. At the summit, these groups will meet in congresses to draft and approve platforms stating principles that constitute a decent society. The platforms will be presented to dignitaries in the Chamber of the House of Representatives on the Do the Write Thing Day in Texas, and the students and educators are awarded proclamations from the Governor.

The national finalists will travel to Washington, D.C., in July for Recognition Week activities. The following CFISD students were named Do the Write Thing school finalists: Lauren Alalay, Christopher Booker, Jose Flores, Rebecca Doucet, Dylan Ontiberoz, Claudia Torres, Christian Speight, Nawal Umar, Laura Ramirez, Barry Oshiba, Julia Palarski, Braeden Whitthaus, Alaba Sadiq, Khaled Woheidy. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Two swimmers win state championships
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/2/10

A pair of CFISD swimmers put forth state championship-clinching performances at the UIL Class 5A Swimming & Diving Championships, held Feb. 26-27 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center in Austin.

Cypress Creek junior Jonathan Edwards won the state championship and set a new school record in the 100 backstroke with a time of 48.95.

Cypress Woods senior Cammile Adams won the state title in the 500 freestyle with a time of 4:47.27. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Langham Creek wins again; moves on to regional tournament
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/2/10

The Langham Creek High School boys’ basketball team continued its playoff surge on Monday night, winning its third straight overtime postseason game over The Woodlands, 56-47, in the Region II quarterfinal at the Berry Center.

The Lobos will advance to face Garland Lakeview Centennial in the Region II semifinal at 6 p.m. on Friday at Baylor University’s Ferrell Center (1900 S. University Parks Dr.) in Waco.

The winner of the semifinal will play the winner between Temple and Spring in the regional final at a time to be determined on Saturday, March 6 at the Ferrell Center.

“Reaching the regional tournament is a great accomplishment for the Langham Creek basketball program because of all the hard work and dedication by the young men on the team,” said Langham Creek head coach Charles Ament. “I am ecstatic for the community of Langham Creek. The support they have showed while I have been the head coach has been tremendous. It is a thrill to still be playing, and hopefully we can keep it going.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM Helping Hands group lends a hand to girls across the globe
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/2/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries’ (NAM) Helping Hands crafts group is lending a hand to girls across the globe by making pillowcase dresses for the “Dress a Girl Around the World” project of Hope 4 Women International.

Helping Hands is part of NAM’s Fifty Plus Senior Center. Through the Fifty Plus Center, last year 1,993 seniors participated 7,201 times in activities designed to enhance socialization, physical fitness, and mental capacities.

The members of Helping Hands were drawn to the “Dress a Girl Around the World’s” mission. The project was founded on the belief that every girl deserves the dignity of owning at least one dress. Volunteers across the United States make dresses from pillowcases, which are then distributed to girls in the U.S., Honduras, Congo and Uganda. The project is currently working on dresses for Haiti and India, as well. The completed dresses are patterned sundresses with ribbon straps and accents.

For more information on NAM’s Fifty Plus Center or Helping Hands, contact June McFadden at 281-885-4601 or at jmcfadden@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Grab n’ Go breakfasts expand to middle schools
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/2/10

During the month of March, the CFISD Food Service department will implement Grab n’ Go breakfasts at Kahla, Hopper, Labay, Dean, Thornton, Watkins and Truitt middle schools.

Students will be able to pick up a bagged breakfast when they enter their pin numbers at kiosks located near bus rider entrances. Students who qualify for free or reduced lunches also qualify for free or reduced breakfast prices. Breakfast will include a hot breakfast entree or yogurt and graham crackers with fruit or juice and milk.

Students at the new Grab n’ Go breakfast campuses will be entered for a chance to win an iPod Touch every time they eat school breakfast during the month of March.

According to CFISD food service director Matt Morgan, the program was included at the middle school level after the National School Breakfast Program more than doubled following Grab n’ Go implementation at 39 elementary schools. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Spillane’s Bart Zhang wins Middle School Spelling Bee
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/2/10

Spillane Middle School eighth-grade student Bart Zhang won first place by correctly spelling the word “anonymous” in the 14th round of the annual district-wide Middle School Spelling Bee, held at the Berry Center on Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Campbell Middle School student Diego Arrieta was the district’s runner-up. Both Zhang and Arrieta will compete in the Houston PBS Regional Spelling Bee, scheduled for March 27 at 2 p.m. on the University of Houston campus. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Hosts French Cultures Festival Films
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/1/10

Add a little French culture to your week with the free Franco-African Film Series held each Tuesday this March at Lone Star College-CyFair.

In conjunction with events all over the world in celebration of March’s French Cultures Festival (le mois de la Francophonie), LSC-CyFair presents four free documentary films from French-speaking Africa. Where possible, the college’s international students will share an introduction to French-speaking African countries prior to the films, which are subtitled in English

The month kicks off with “Afrique, je te plumerai” (1992, Cameroon, 88 minutes) March 2. The series continues with “Afro@Digital” (2003, Congo/France, 52 minutes) held March 9; “Arlit, Deuxième Paris” (2004, Niger/France, 75 minutes) held March 23) and “Le Malentendu colonial” (2004, Cameroon, 73 minutes) held March 30.

The films are all shown at 6 p.m. in the Center for the Arts Recital Hall, room 102 at LSC-CyFair, 9191 Barker Cypress Road.

For film descriptions, go to www.tinyurl.com/francoafricanfilms. For information on other official French Cultures Festival events, go to www.francophonie-texas.org. For information on LSC-CyFair, go to LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Prom Dress Donations Needed - LSC-CyFair seeks donations for Prom Closet
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/1/10

When your prom night has become a special memory, help make next year’s prom special for teens in need. Donate your dress to replenish the Lone Star College-CyFair Library Prom Closet.

Each year, the Prom Closet provides free prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, new makeup and accessories to teens in need from Cy-Fair Independent School District. In the past five years, the Prom Closet has expanded to also provide for teens from five additional school districts.

Donations are accepted at the library’s Customer Service Desk located on the LSC-CyFair campus at 9191 Barker Cypress.

For information, contact Prom Closet organizers Nancy Flanakin, LSC-CyFair Friends of the Library past president, at meaford8510@yahoo.com or LSC-CyFair Teen Librarian Elise Sheppard at elise.j.sheppard@lonestar.edu or 281.290.5248. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Bridgeland Brings Traditional Neighborhood Development, New Urbanism to Suburbs
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 3/1/10

After devoting considerable time, money and land to the effort, Bridgeland is the first developer to introduce New Urbanism to the greater Houston area, with the March launch of Lakeland Heights, a walkable Traditional Neighborhood Development (TND) where the tenets of New Urbanism and Main Street-style housing are seamlessly integrated with shops, parks, restaurants and services, all following guidelines meticulously detailed in a pattern book by architectural powerhouse Looney Ricks Kiss. Crucial to the overall design standards and the land plan of Lakeland Heights, the pattern book provides a comprehensive picture of how the TND will look and function.

An urban design movement that continues to reform many aspects of real estate development across the nation, New Urbanism promotes walkable neighborhoods with a balance of homes and businesses. Defining elements include most homes being a five-minute walk from the village center, rear-access garages reminiscent of pre-World War II homes, abundant parks and other green space, and neighborhood streets forming a connected network, dispersing traffic by providing a variety of pedestrian and vehicular routes to any destination. A defining element of Lakeland Heights is its half-mile waterway, featuring a landmark bridge, meandering trails, creatively landscaped park space and seating areas.

Looney Ricks Kiss, nationally known for its work with traditional neighborhood developments, chose four design styles found in those neighborhoods for Lakeland Heights: Craftsman, English Tudor, Classical and French. Each street in the TND will incorporate those housing styles to heighten curb appeal. Having architectural styles that are diverse and historical in appearance, rather than uniform and monochromatic, is a recognizable feature of traditional neighborhood developments, where homes appear to have evolved over time.

Traditional neighborhood developments have been successful in other parts of the country, including Celebration, Fla., I’On in Mount Pleasant, S.C., and, finally, Kentlands in Gaithersburg, Md., which has enjoyed success for nearly two decades.

Exterior cladding of the homes will be brick, stucco or wood. Set behind the homes, garages are accessed via private rear lanes. With no concrete driveways dividing front yards, the architectural integrity of the streetscape is maintained and the overall appearance of the neighborhood is enhanced. Trash and utilities are accessed via the rear lanes, helping to keep the street scene pristine. Streetlights are reminiscent of those in River Oaks and other historic neighborhoods.

David Weekley Homes has been selected as the exclusive homebuilder in Lakeland Heights based on the company’s experience building in TND communities and its design expertise. The builder has completed 10 unique home designs priced from the $160,000s to $300,000s.

Despite the nostalgic architecture, homes will have the modern features today’s buyers expect, such as high ceilings, large closets, media rooms and state-of-the-art kitchens and baths, as well as Weekley’s “green” and energy-efficient initiatives, recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy at the 2010 International Builders Show.

Lakeland Heights is planned for 600 homes. The majority of homes in the first phase of the TND face the village waterway or a neighborhood park. Compared to traditional homes in Houston’s older neighborhoods, the Lakeland Heights product is considerably more affordable.

Residents can stroll to community parks, the neighborhood waterway, schools, churches and the Lakeland Village Center. This charming mixed-use downtown area or market square will feature retail and service establishments as well as restaurants. Some residents of Lakeland Heights may even work in the office or commercial space within the village or town center. Additionally, and just minutes from their doorsteps, residents can enjoy six acres of fun at Lakeland Activity Center, which offers a 6,000-square-foot Community Center with meeting space, a multitude of classes and activities, a resort-style aquatic complex, tennis courts, paddleboats, canoes and many other recreational amenities and social opportunities.

Only a limited number of homesites will be released in March, with others to come later in the year. To receive information on new availability, phone the Bridgeland Welcome Center at 281.304.5588. For more information on New Urbanism, visit www.cnu.org. Also, to see current TND communities, visit http://www.ionvillage.com/ and http://www.celebration.fl.us/. Details about Bridgeland are available at www.bridgeland.com. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Lowery students contribute to shoe recycling program
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/26/10

Students and staff at Lowery Elementary School are keeping with their 2009-2010 theme “Green and Growing” by participating in the Nike Reuse-A-Shoe Program. As a part of teaching Lowery students about taking care of the earth, each grade level is implementing a special recycling project. From Feb. 15 to March 12, the school’s specialists team will collect 200 pairs of athletic shoes—the maximum allowed by Nike’s program.

In the Reuse-A-Shoe program, every shoe brought to Nike’s plants are broken down into three parts—rubber from the outsole, fabric from the upper and foam from the midsole. Sorters separate these parts and place them on conveyor belts, which move the parts into grinders that chop them up into raw materials for three different athletic surfaces:

• the rubber is melted down to make surfaces for running tracks;
• the fabric goes into padding for basketball courts; and
• the foam is transformed into a tough, springy surface for tennis courts.

The program has collected 25,056,779 pairs of shoes globally since 1990.

Lowery speech pathologist Kate Stoneham discovered the program from recycling her own athletic shoes at the Nike Factory Store at the Houston Premium Outlets in Cypress.

Every student who donates a pair of athletic shoes will sign a paper sneaker to be displayed near the gym and cafeteria. Stoneham said she hopes it will be successful and that it can become an annual event for the school. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

North Cypress Medical Center Recognized as Level II Primary Stroke Facility
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/25/10

The Texas Department of State Health Services has recognized the North Cypress Medical Center as one of the 24 Level II Primary Stroke Facilities in Texas. “Our number one goal is to decrease the time to treatment during a stroke, when treatment has proven to be most effective,” states Donald Garrett, RN, CEN, LP, and Stroke Center Coordinator. North Cypress also offers comprehensive physical and neurological rehabilitation helping stroke patients find their way back to recovery and normalcy. Medical services at North Cypress include Cardiology, Critical Care, Emergency Care, General Surgery, Orthopedics including a Total Joint and Spine Center, Cancer care including Chemotherapy and Radiation Oncology, Pediatrics, Neurology, Sports Medicine and Surgical Weight Loss. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy-Fair "New Age" Office Opens
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/25/10

HOUSTON, TX – January 25, 2010– Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors partners, Marilyn Eiland and Mark Woodroof, are pleased to announce the opening of the company’s newest office in the Cy-Fair area, creating an opportunity to enhance the company’s presence along the Hwy. 290 corridor, an area of dynamic growth.

A departure from the traditional, the office space has a new look and a new concept for a new decade. “The large, comfortable reception area is open, airy and bright,” said Eiland.

Rich Guderyon has been tapped as manager of the office. Guderyon and his wife, Thalia, have been top producers in the company’s Memorial office for the past 10 years. “We know that the kind of connectivity we are set up for requires a special mix of technology skills and marketing expertise. Rich is proficient in all these areas,” said Woodroof, “and we are pleased to have him leading our Cy-Fair team.

Guderyon is impressed with the technology tools that Prudential has in place to generate leads from buyers and sellers from all across the country and around the world. “This office will be one more avenue to make those connections.”

Give Rich Guderyon a call at 281-217-0766 or e-mail him at richg@garygreene.com. Or stop by for a visit and a cup of coffee. You will make some new friends and just might find that perfect home.
Prudential Gary Greene, Realtors’ new Cy-Fair office is located at 11734 Barker Cypress #116, Houston, TX 77433. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Destination ImagiNation competitors qualify for state
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/24/10

One-hundred twenty teams representing Cypress-Fairbanks ISD schools participated in the Gulf Coast Regional Destination ImagiNation Competition on Saturday, Feb. 20.

Thirty-one of the 120 teams brought home 45 awards: two DaVinci Awards, given for outstanding creativity; five Renaissance awards, given for unusual solutions, skill and excellence of design; one Spirit of Discovery and Imagination (Spirit of DI) award, given for the team that sets the standard of positive team interaction and collaboration; 10 third-place awards; 10 second-place awards and 17 first-place awards.

Twenty-one winning teams will compete in the Texas Destination ImagiNation State Competition, which will be held in Carrollton, Texas, on April 16-18. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Hamilton Elementary Students Head to State Competition for Problem Solving
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/23/10

Hamilton Elementary Team placed 2nd at the Gulf Coast Regional Destination Imagination Tournament (a creative problem solving competition).They will go on to the state competition in Carrolton, Texas at the end of April.They did a challenge called "You're Gonna Flip" and the name of their team is The Lean Green Thinking Machines. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Smith students succeed at Mars Rover Celebration
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/22/10

Four teams of Smith Middle School students won top-three honors at the Mars Rover Celebration, held on Saturday, Jan.

30 at the University of Houston.

In the competition, each team was asked to build a rover that could accomplish a mission on Mars. Additionally, the students had to create a five-minute informative skit that focused on the components of their rover.

Smith’s teams competed against teams from the greater Houston area in two out of the three possible categories, Remote Control and Freeform, and earned the following trophies:

Team Robotic Saber Cat won first place in Remote Control. The team consists of sixth-grade students Diego Ruvalcaba, Dalton Ding, Christian Schonhoeft, Jared Sturm and Alex Botello; • Space Rover won first place in Freeform. Team members are Canyon Evenson, Daniel Fichtel, Jon Wagner, Branndon Marion and James Compton; • Poles Explorer won second place in Freeform. Team members are sixth-grade students Hannah Wang, Camille Lewis and Tori Carter; and • Saber Smith Rover won third place in Freeform. Team members are Karla Gonzalez and Aksa Muhammad.

“I am so proud of each one of the Mars Rover groups,” said Smith teacher and sponsor Doreen Jarvis. “Their success at this competition was a testament to their hard work and dedication to their team. We are already looking forward to next year.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

3 Girls Basketball Teams Advance to Area Playoffs
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/22/10

Three of the four CFISD girls' basketball teams who qualified for the Region III-5A playoffs—Cy-Fair, Cypress Falls, and Cypress Creek—won their bi-district round games this week and advanced to the area playoffs on Feb. 18-19. The Cypress Woods High School girls' basketball team played a hard-fought bi-district game against District 16-5A champion Georgetown before falling, 56-51, in overtime. The Wildcats finish their season as bi-district finalists and the fourth-place team in District 15-5A. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy Falls student's essay wins honorable mention award
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/22/10

Cypress Falls High School senior Mateo Martinez received an honorable mention award from the Bill of Rights Institute for his essay in the Being an American Essay Contest. More than 50,000 high school students from all 50 states and U.S.
territories participated in the contest, which has awarded more than $300,000 since its inception in 2006. The contest asks students to share their thoughts on American citizenship by answering the question, "What civic value do you believe is most essential to being an American?" In his essay, Martinez spoke of many American leaders who showed courage in their convictions to reach their goals, as well as his family's struggle to escape a civil war in Colombia to live the American dream. For receiving an honorable mention, Martinez will be awarded a cash prize of $250. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Lone Star College - Cy-Fair annual event celebrates, teaches and empowers women
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/22/10

Join Lone Star College-Cy-Fair throughout March for activities that celebrate, teach and empower women such as a women's symposium, films, library health fair displays, Drunk Driving Awareness Week and more. The three weeks of activities sponsored by Windows on the World will kick off with opening ceremonies March 1 at noon in the College Center at the Barker Cypress campus and concludes March 31 at 11 a.m. in the College Center. For a full schedule or information on the 2010 Women's Month, go online to LoneStar.edu/womensmonth-cyfair. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy Ranch choir performs at Rockets game
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/19/10

The Cypress Ranch High School choir performed “The Star-Spangled Banner” prior to the start of the Houston Rockets home game against the Utah Jazz on Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Choir director Cynthia Douglas submitted an audition of their recording of the anthem (arranged by Lloyd Pfautsch) in May, and was notified that the choir was chosen for a performance in the fall.

“We performed at center court, just feet away from all of those famous players,” Douglas said. “When the choir reached the text ‘And the rockets red glare...,’ all of the fans cheered for their Rockets! It was very exciting.” Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cypress Ranch Key Club Members Earn Presidential Service Awards
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/19/10

Fourteen members of the Cypress Ranch Key Club have earned the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The award is presented to students and other citizens who perform 100+ service hours in a calendar year. The award comes with a certificate and letter from President Barack Obama, as well as a pin rewarding recipients for their hard work and dedication to helping others. Key Club members achieving the Gold level award were: Corrie Andrews, Justin Bradley, Alexandria Cathey, Molly Godinich, Brittany Holcombe, Ashley Martin, Clayton Marshall, David Verastegui, John Weiser and Megan White. Kayla Kluetz earned the Silver award, and the Bronze award was earned by three members: Ahalee Cathey, Megan Iselin, and Niraj Shah. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Former coach to be inducted into Cy Falls Baseball Hall of Fame
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/18/10

The original coach of the Cypress Falls High School baseball program, Archie Hayes, will be honored as the first inductee for the Cy Falls Baseball Hall of Fame during a celebratory dinner on Monday, Feb. 22 at the Longwood Golf Course.

Hayes came from St. Pius High School to open the Cypress Falls baseball program in 1992 and coached through the 1998 season before retiring as a coach. He is currently the Director of Maintenance for CFISD.

The induction will be held in conjunction with this week’s inaugural Cy Falls Baseball Hall of Fame World Series Classic, with three games being played at the Cypress Falls baseball field. The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. on both Thursday and Friday, and 2 p.m. on Saturday.

The games will take the place of Cypress Falls’ final scrimmage.

Assistant coach Brian Kratky will coach the White team, while the Green team will be led by junior varsity coach Kyle Wade and sophomore coach Cole Kristynik. All three contests will span seven innings with no time limit and no run rule in effect. Admission to the three games is free of charge. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Hopper Teacher Wins Walter Kase Teacher Excellence Award
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/17/10

Hopper Middle School speech, drama and yearbook teacher Jillian Bontke has been selected to receive the 2010 Walter Kase Teacher Excellence Award from the Anti-Defamation League. The Kase Award, named in honor of Holocaust survivor Walter Kase of Houston, is presented annually to local educators who "nurture understanding and respect in our increasingly diverse school population." Inspired by the program that her mother, Joyce Bontke, started as a counselor at Cook Middle School, Jillian established a No Place for Hate (NPFH) program at Hopper. The program includes a series of guidance lessons, films, awards and events geared to help guide students in critically examining their own biases and working to encourage kindness. Several programs help to make Hopper a NPFH campus, including NPFH Wednesdays, random acts of kindness, NPFH social guidance lessons, Halo Awards that recognize students who make a difference in their community and collecting coins for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Swimmers Qualify for State Championship
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/16/10

Six regional champions in eight events represented CFISD at the Region IV Swimming and Diving Meet, held last weekend at Woodforest Natatorium in The Woodlands. The district featured 21 total entries at the UIL Class 5A Swimming & Diving Championships, held Feb. 26-27 at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center in Austin. Cypress Creek sophomore Kathryn Eckhart was a multiple regional champion and also a part of the regional champion relay team—comprised of junior Katie Adams, sophomore Leah Ortiz, freshman Koo Eckhart and Kathryn Eckhart. Cypress Woods senior Cammile Adams was another two-time regional champion. Her time in the 100 butterfly set both a pool and regional record. For the second consecutive year, Cypress Creek junior Jonathan Edwards won two regional championships. His time in two events set both pool and regional records. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

(Photo)

Cypress Creek swimmers Kathryn Eckhart and Jonathan Edwards each won two individual events at the Region IV Swimming and Diving meet last weekend.

Cy Woods theatre students raise money for cancer research
Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News
Posted 02/16/10

The Cypress Woods High School theatre department’s cast and crew of ‘Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse’ raised $1,000 to donate to the Snowdrop Organization to assist patients and families at Texas Children’s Cancer Center. All the ticket sales from the February 6th performance were donated immediately after the show. All the cast and crew were on stage for the presentation, which included a discussion about the importance of pediatric cancer research and the significance of Snowdrop. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

24 CFISD Wrestlers Advance to State Championships
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/15/10

Twenty-four CFISD wrestlers placed in the top five at the Region III Wrestling Championships in Allen last weekend, qualifying for the UIL Wrestling Championships, to be held Feb. 26-27 at the AISD Delco Center in Austin. In addition to the outstanding performances by many wrestlers, Langham Creek High School assistant coach David Pruitt was named Region III Women’s Assistant Coach of the Year.

In the girls’ tournament, Langham Creek junior Shanay Colyar won first place in the 110-pound weight class and Cypress Creek senior Courtney Richardson won first place in the 215-pound weight class. Cypress Ridge senior Ariana Junkar was runner-up in the 110-pound class, Cypress Creek sophomore Anna McAleavey was runner-up in the 128-pound class and Cypress Ridge senior Indya Randall was runner-up in the 165-pound class.

In the boys’ tournament, Langham Creek senior Jacob Ahquin was runner-up in the 125-pound weight class and Cy-Fair junior Jacob Ekster was runner-up in the 130-pound weight class. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Welcomes Beijing Visitors
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/15/10

Cypress-Fairbanks ISD was pleased to welcome 26 secondary principals and administrators from Beijing, China, who visited the district this week to glean best practices from CFISD focusing on relationships with schools and the community. The City of Houston Mayor’s Office of International Affairs recommended CFISD to the visitors as a district from which to draw best practices.

The Beijing delegation visited Cy-Fair High School, Arnold Middle School and the Instructional Support Center. They met a variety of administrators and heard a presentation from Dr. David Anthony, superintendent of schools, who provided information about population and enrollment growth, demographics, campus ratings, TAKS performance, New Arrival Centers, community partnerships and involvement and the Portrait of a CFISD Teacher. The delegation also stopped by the CFISD Exhibit Center during the Livestock Show and Sale. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM Partners with Capital IDEA Houston to Host Educational Seminars
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/15/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) has partnered with Capital IDEA Houston to host an educational seminar to help people increase their earning potential. An orientation will be held at NAM’s main office, 15555 Kuykendahl, 2nd floor, on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

This free program provides career development and personal case management to participants, as well as assistance with job placement at the end of the program. Participants must be at least eighteen years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, be eligible to work in the United States, live in the Houston area, meet certain income requirements, and have a desire to enter the medical, professional trade or energy field. The program prepares participants for jobs that pay a minimum of $15-20 an hour and have good benefits.

For more information, contact Bambi Alderson-Shields at 281-885-4626 or at balderson-shields@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM seeking participants for Art for the Hungry at Willowbrook Mall
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/12/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries (NAM) is seeking participants for its 2010 Art for the Hungry event March 14-28 at Willowbrook Mall. The annual event kicks off NAM’s Survival Over the Summer food drive, which collects cash and non-perishable food items to stock NAM’s Food Pantry over the summer.The summer months are especially difficult for Neighbors in Need, since children are out of school and utility bills are high.

Interested groups can participate in Art for the Hungry either by being a builder or by hosting a food drive.Builders design and build a sculpture based on the theme “Larger than Life”, using a minimum of 1,000 non-perishable food items.The sculpture will be built on the evening of Sunday, March 14 and will remain on display at Willowbrook Mall for two weeks.The building group will return to the mall on the evening of Sunday, March 28 to dismantle their sculpture and load the food items onto the NAM truck, to be delivered to the Food Pantry.There will be trophies for the most popular sculptures in a variety of categories.Mall visitors “vote” for their favorite sculptures by putting coins in a collection bin by each display.

Groups that want to participate, but not as builders, can host food drives any time between March 1 and April 30.All food must be delivered to NAM by April 30. All food and cash donations for food received by NAM during the months of March and April are eligible for a proportional match by The Feinstein Foundation.

Art for the Hungry is open to all interested groups, including: congregations, schools, businesses, clubs, andcivic or professional associations. For more information, contact Tanecia Snid at 281-885-4608 or at tsnid@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NCTE Honors Cy Creek Literary Magazine
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/12/10

The Cypress Creek High School literary magazine, Graffiti, received a Superior rating in the 2009 National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Program to Recognize Excellence in Student Literary Magazines (PRESLM).

PRESLM recognizes students, teachers and schools for producing excellent literary magazines. The program’s mission is to encourage all schools to develop literary magazines, seeking excellence in writing and school-wide participation in production.

Graffiti includes art, photography, poetry and prose from freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and interested teachers. It was compiled by the Creative Writing class led by student editor Michael Drab (class of 2009) and faculty adviser Leslie Laird. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Girls Basketball Playoffs Begin Feb. 15^th
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/12/10

District 15-5A girls’ basketball teams completed district competition on Tuesday, and the following four teams qualified for the UIL postseason: Cy-Fair High School, first place; Cypress Falls High School, second place; Cypress Creek, third place; and Cypress Woods, fourth place.

The Region II-5A bi-district playoff pairings are scheduled as follows:
• Cy-Fair will face an opponent to be determined on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m. at Rudder Gym (3251 Austin’s Colony Pkwy.) in Bryan; • Cypress Falls will face Round Rock on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at Giddings High School (2249 N. Main St.); • Cypress Creek will face Cedar Park on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Rudder Gymnasium in Bryan; and • Cypress Woods will face Georgetown on Monday, Feb. 15 at 6 p.m. at Brenham High School (525 A.H. Ehrig Dr.). Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD Students Receive Scholastic Writing Awards
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/11/10

Thirteen CFISD students were among 212 Harris County winners in the 2010 Scholastic Writing Awards regional competition.The Writing Awards are part of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, of which the Harris County Department of Education announced 558 regional winners from 15 Harris County school districts and 13 private schools. The entries are judged from more than 2,000 art and writing entries. Gold Key writing winners advance to national competition in New York City. National winners are announced in May, and students and teachers are invited to attend a ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Three CFISD students earned Gold Key Writing Awards:
Layla Bakhtiari, Cypress Lakes High School, Poetry, “Epiphany of a Fractured Four-Year-Old”; Catherine Silverman, Cypress Woods High School, Poetry, Evolution of a Meltdown – Poetry Collection; and Lindsay Oncken, Cypress Woods High School, Poetry, Wheat Fields.

The mission of the awards is to bring outstanding visual art and writing created by teens to a national audience by showcasing the work and encouraging the young students’ creative journey and career development. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Offers Teen Driver’s Education Courses
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/11/10

Teen driver’s education courses for ages 15 to 17 are available this spring and summer at Lone Star College-CyFair.

Spring classes are set for Mondays through Thursdays at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 through March 25 (college closed the week of March 15 for spring break), March 29 through April 22 and April 26 through May 20. Summer classes are also available starting June 7, July 6 and Aug. 2.

The in-classroom (permit) driver’s education course covers road rules, road signs and laws to prepare the teens for the Department of Public Safety’s written exam. Other topics are car maintenance, effects of drugs and alcohol, laws and penalties for drinking and driving, emergency situations, basic driving procedures, road rage and insurance.

Parents are responsible for the in-car instruction. The in-classroom course cost is $144. Students are also required to purchase the Texas Traffic Safety Education Student Manual, which is available at the campus bookstore. Complete the registration form in person on campus in MOD1 or online at www.LoneStar.edu/drivers-ed-ce. Call 832.482.1043 for information. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

CFISD schools honored for yearbook excellence
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/10/10

Several CFISD middle school and high school yearbook staffs have been recognized by Taylor Publishing with Awards of Excellence, honoring their accomplishments in yearbook design and coverage.

Judges selected the following schools’ 2008-2009 yearbooks among the best, and they will be featured in Taylor’s 2010 Yearbook Yearbook:

• Jersey Village, Cy-Fair and Cypress Falls high schools; and Aragon, Bleyl, Goodson and Spillane middle schools.

Taylor awarded 15 other CFISD schools’ yearbooks with honorable mention recognition: Cypress Lakes, Cypress Ranch, Cypress Ridge, Cypress Springs and Cypress Woods high schools; and Arnold, Campbell, Cook, Dean, Hamilton, Hopper, Kahla, Labay, Truitt and Watkins middle schools.

Yearbooks published by Taylor were evaluated in one or more of the following areas: cover design, theme development, layout design, photo content and secondary packages. Taylor is a major publisher of yearbooks nationwide, and provides training, technical support and printing service to school yearbook staffs. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy Woods Student Honored for Computing Achievements
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/10/10

Cypress Woods High School student Sophia Nguyen is one of 10 students in the Houston area selected to receive an Award in Aspirations in Computing from the National Center for Women and Information Technology (NCWIT).

The NCWIT is a coalition of nearly 200 universities, corporations and organizations dedicated to increasing the meaningful participation of women in computing. The NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing was created to acknowledge the computing aspirations of young women, introduce them to leadership opportunities in the field, and generate visibility for women’s participation in computing-related pursuits.Award winners have been selected for their outstanding aptitude and interest in computing and desire to pursue computing-related studies of occupations.

Nguyen will receive the award during a Feb. 27 ceremony at Rice University, featuring a keynote address from Tiffani Williams of the Texas A&M Computer Science Department.

The award program is sponsored by a grant from the Motorola Foundation.

NCWIT’s work leverages programs from organizations across the country and connects efforts to increase women’s participation in information technology along the entire pipeline, from K-12 and higher education through industry and academic careers. Find out more at www.ncwit.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

New Real Estate & Residential Prospects Emerge in Award-Winning Community
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/9/10

Caldwell Companies has announced new ground-breaking real estate opportunities in the award-winning Towne Lake community’s residential and commercial sections. Available for sale in the master-planned Towne Lake community in northwest Houston are seven prime land sites ranging in size from one to 25 acres.

Caldwell Companies’ Keith P. Grothaus, CCIM, SIOR, said the timing was right to put these commercial oriented properties on the market. He said Towne Lake has the infrastructure and utilities in place to support new commercial development.

He said there are five (pad) sites in the one- to two-acre range that are ideal for retail, restaurant, hotel, and/or professional businesses. All five pad sites front Barker-Cypress Road and are located south of Tuckerton Road – the community’s “Main Street.”

A 12-acre site for sale on the corner of Barker Cypress and Tuckerton Road would be a prime spot for a community church, Grothaus said, and a 25-acre site at the corner of West and Greenhouse roads would be ideal for many uses. The developers are willing to subdivide the 25 acre tract for a use that “fits” the overall community character. We are looking for uses that will fill the needs of our community.Interested parties should contact Keith Grothaus at 713-690-0000.

Starting in May, 40 residential lots – 20 on Towne Lake’s centerpiece lake - will be available for custom homes in a new section of the Heritage Towne Lake’s active adult community, said Peter Barnhart, Caldwell Companies’ Vice President of Development. Homes in the gated enclave will start in the high 300,000’s and will have access to a private marina.

In the larger Towne Lake community a new gated section of 35 custom lots – 15 water front properties included - will be available in October. This new section will also feature a private marina and will be located adjacent to the Heritage’s gated community off Hamilton Hills Drive.

Also in the fall, a third section of new homes will break ground near Cy-Fair ISD’s Rennell Elementary School, which is under construction on Tuckerton Road. Homes will start in the low $200,000s and will be constructed on 60-foot lots. Builders will be selected from a list of Houston’s best and will be announced soon, Barnhart said.

The company is scheduled to open the new main entrance of Tuckerton Road in the later part of 2010.This new entry at Barker Cypress will be a major milestone for Towne Lake by providing much quicker access to Hwy 290 and area amenities.Rennell Elementary School will open in August.

To learn more about the community, residents and future residents can tie into the Towne Lake by becoming a Facebook fan at http://www.facebook.com/TowneLakeTX, and http://twitter.com/TowneLakeTX; and can view insightful videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/townelaketx. There links to all sites on the Towne Lake website - www.townelaketexas.com. The Towne Lake community’s Welcome Center is located at 9214 W. Bridgeport Pass Circle. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy Creek boys, Jersey Village girls Win District Swim Meet
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/9/10

The Cypress Creek High School boys and Jersey Village High School girls won their respective team championships in the District 15-5A Swim Championships held on Friday, Feb. 5.

Cypress Creek led the boys with 137 points, followed by Cy-Fair with 128.5 and Cypress Ranch with 58.5. Rounding out the boys scoring were Cypress Woods (47), Cypress Falls (41), Cypress Ridge (37), Langham Creek (36), Cypress Lakes (25), Cypress Springs (22) and Jersey Village (13).

The Jersey Village girls tallied the most points with 122, followed by Cypress Woods with 112 and Cypress Creek with 81. The remaining girls scores were Cy-Fair (76), Langham Creek (61), Cypress Ranch (35), Cypress Ridge (27), Cypress Springs (18), Cypress Lakes (12) and Cypress Falls (5).

The top six swimmers or relay teams in each event will advance to the Region 4 meet, to be held at Conroe ISD’s Woodforest Natatorium on Saturday, Feb. 13. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Langham Creek boys, Cy Ridge Girls Win District Wrestling Meets
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/9/10

The Langham Creek High School boys and Cypress Ridge High School girls wrestling teams won their respective District 21 meets, held Friday and Saturday at the Berry Center.

Langham Creek won the boys meet with 256.5 points, followed by Cy-Fair (223.0), Cypress Woods (222.0), Cypress Creek (181.5), Cypress Ridge (159.5), Cypress Ranch (95.5), Jersey Village (92.5), Cypress Lakes (82.0), Cypress Springs (63.0) and Cypress Falls (43.0).

Cypress Ridge won the girls meet with 104.0 points, followed by Langham Creek (101.0), Cypress Creek (98.0), Cypress Falls (59.0), Cypress Springs (58.0), Jersey Village (43.0), Cypress Lakes (40.0), Cy-Fair (36.0), Cypress Woods (21.0) and Cypress Ranch. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy Falls, Spillane win District Science Olympiad
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/5/10

Cypress Falls High School won the high school competition of the 2010 District Science Olympiad tournament, while Spillane Middle School won the middle school competition, hosted by Cypress Lakes High School on Saturday, Jan. 30.Cypress Falls placed first in nine events, second in four events and third in three events, finishing with a score of 72 to edge out second-place Cypress Woods High School’s 74. Jersey Village High School placed third with a 122.Cypress Falls will travel to the regional competition at the University of Texas on Saturday, Feb. 27.In the middle school competition, Spillane placed first in eight events, second in seven events and third in two events to place first with an overall score of 69. Hopper Middle School was second with an 84 and Goodson Middle School was third with a 109.Spillane will travel to the regional competition at Lone Star College – Cy-Fair on Saturday, Feb. 13. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Essay Winners Share Their Experience at Community College
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/5/10

Scholarship essay winner Christina Mevs found Lone Star College-CyFair to be, not only her opportunity to start over, but a second home. Mevs, one of five essay winners across LSCS, earned a $1,000 scholarship for her essay on “How My Community College Experience Has Influenced My Life.” The other essay winners are LSC-Kingwood’s Sonia Parga, LSC-Montgomery’s Lori Mendel, LSC-North Harris’s Richard Tovar and LSC-Tomball’s Gabriel Culver.

All five students recently shared their personal stories with donors, community partners and college employees in attendance at the 17th Annual Lone Star College Foundation Chancellor’s Breakfast held at Shirley Acres.

Mevs’ story begins with a debilitating condition that forced her to postpone her academic career for several years. As a high school senior, she suffered a concussion during an athletic event and was diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome. Symptoms include constant headaches, severe loss of short term memory, and personality changes. In her essay, she wrote that a once vibrant, patient, and outgoing teen-ager in the top 15 percent of her class found herself losing interest in school and grades falling as well as depressed, pessimistic and defensive.

She enrolled in a four-year university, but “to put it mildly, it was a nightmare … I honestly was not ready to lead a life on my own.” Mevs headed home, spent a year recuperating and realizing school was still important for her future, she started over at LSC-CyFair. Mevs wrote she knew in her first semester that her preconceived notions of community college were wrong. For information on LSC-CyFair programs, go to LoneStar.edu. For information on the LSC Foundation, go towww.LoneStar.edu/Foundation. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Lone Star College-CyFair Awards Staff for Excellence
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/5/10

Congratulations to the Lone Star College-CyFair’s Staff Excellence Award winners including Dee Wilson, Donna Soldner, Ragini Shah (also a 2005 winner) and Kata Fountain for their outstanding contributions to the college and vision of excellence. Shah is a founding staff member of the college and the Business Specialist III for LSC-Fairbanks Center since 2002. Working at the Barker Cypress location are Wilson, who began as a Student Services Specialist III in 2006 and is currently Division Coordinator for Student Services; Soldner, who is Division Coordinator for Arts and Communication since 2008 and Fountain, who began working with GREAT grants in 2005, then in Corporate Training and currently as Program Coordinator for Educational Programs and Organizational Development. They will be among those recognized at a system-wide awards event in February. For information on the LSC-CyFair and LSC-Fairbanks Center, go to www.LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Hamiliton Middle School Students Compete in Mars Rover Celebration
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/5/10

On January 30, 2010, twenty-three students from Mrs. Patterson's sixth grade science class at Hamilton Middle School competed in the 8th Annual Mars Rover Celebration at the University of Houston.Team Gecko comprised of Grant DeCarlo, Erica Lall, and Sara Poulter placed second and Team Supernovas, with Caleb Jasik and Connor Joyce placed fourth in the radio control category.

The Mars Rover Celebration is a UH educational program developed to spark students’ interest in science and technology.Student teams research, design and construct a model rover to carry out a specific science mission on the planet’s surface.A $25 limit on supplies helps students learn about budgets and project management, while keeping the costs accessible for all schools.

In addition to demonstrating their rovers, students were able to tour the campus andhear remarks from UH president and chancellor Renu Khator, NASA engineer Kristen Painting, “Engines of Our Ingenuity” host John Lienhard and legendary NASA engineer Sy Liebergot, who was in the control room during the Apollo 13 mission. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cy-Fair Magazine Awarded Small Business of the Year
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 2/1/10

At the annual Cy-Fair Chamber of Commerce Installation Celebration, held at Pine Forest Country Club, Cy-Fair Magazine was awarded Small Business of the Year Award. The night was filled with many business leaders throughout the community and State, including Senator Dan Patrick and Superintendent Dr. David Anthony. It was a thrilling night and our staff at Cy-Fair Magazine was honored to receive such a prestigious award. We at the magazine are proud to showcase the Cy-Fair community to our readers by including local content, features, and events throughout the area. Thanks to all our dedicated readers and advertisers who have supported us from issue to issue.

Become a friend on our Facebook page for local events and updates about what’s happening in Cy-Fair! Remember, we are always on the lookout for exciting events, interesting people and experiences to share with our readers. Feel free to e-mail story ideas to our editor@cyfairmagazine.com.

Enter the First Annual Miss Cy-Fair Houston Pageant
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/29/10

The Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its First Annual Miss Cy0Fair Houston Pageant. The event will take place on March 27, 2010. The pageant is open to all area girls 15 – 19 years of age. Who will be crowned Miss Cy-Fair Houston?

For more information about entering the pageant or to become a sponsor, call Casey Cargle at Cy-Fair Houston Chamber of Commerce, 281-373-1390 or visit www.cyfairchamber.com. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Cinema WOW! Film Series Offers Free Movies at Lone Star College
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/29/10

Expand your horizons and escape to the movies for free this spring at Lone Star College-CyFair! Films this spring were chosen for their ability to highlight new worlds. LSC-CyFair presenters host these films, offered as individual continuing education Film Appreciation classes, as well as an engaging discussion after the movie.

The spring series continues with “Sons of Lwala” Wednesday, Feb. 3; “Grand Torino” Wednesday, Feb. 24; “Iron Jawed Angels” Wednesday, March 31 and “The Pianist” Wednesday, April 21. All films are shown at 7 p.m. in Art 102 in the Center for the Arts building on the LSC-CyFair Barker Cypress campus at 9191 Barker Cypress. Registration is required for this popular series, which is open to the community at no charge. For information, call 281-290-5242 or go to LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

North Cypress Medical Center Opens Epilepsy Monitoring Unit
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/28/10

North Cypress Medical Center recently opened the North Cypress Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (EMU). It is a first for the community and surrounding area with a dedicated unit that is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by specially trained nurses, and technical personnel. The unit serves both adult and pediatric patients of all ages.

The North Cypress EMU uses 24 hour state-of-the-art Electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring equipment to help diagnose, evaluate, and treat those suffering from seizure disorders and those being evaluated for seizure surgery.

The Epilepsy Monitoring Unit is located on the hospital’s 6th floor under the direction of Dr. Balbir Singh, Board Certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology with added qualifications in Child Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology.For more information call (832) 912-3873. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Grand Re-Opening at NAM Community Store
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/27/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries’ (NAM) Community resale Store at 10505 Jones Road (at Fallbrook) will celebrate its Grand Re-Opening with a “sweetheart of a sale” on Friday, February 12, 2010. The store will be open from 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.

Special promotions will occur throughout the day, including Valentine’s refreshments and a drawing for a door prize at 4:00 p.m.Customers will earn one door prize ticket for every $5 spent that day at the store. The prize is a Valentine’s gift basket donated by HEB Vintage Park.

The NAM Community Store offers gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, home décor, books, and other household items. Proceeds benefit NAM’s programs and services.

NAM is a nonprofit, community-based social service agency that is supported by over 50 congregations, 17 Service Partner organizations and more than 160 businesses Community Partners. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Two LSC-CyFair Students Earn Entrepreneurship Awards
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/20/10

Two Lone Star College-CyFair students and business owners start their spring semester and new year as the college’s first Student Entrepreneurship Award recipients.

Balancing school, work and family is difficult enough for many college students. Then add the pressure of running a business to the mix. But for award winner Toni Scott Grant and award runner-up Heather Diaz, their business is their passion and their education goals only enhance their future success.

Grant is owner of Scott Phree Boutique, a fun, youth-driven business that carries clothing and accessories geared for ages 18 to 45. She started her own business online in 2005 and now has a storefront boutique in Montrose. She plans to open additional locations including one in Brooklyn, but in the meantime she provides a mobile boutique in partnership with some area apartment complexes.

Marketing efforts for her photography business and eventually running her studio full-time as well as to continue her pursuit of a bachelor’s in accounting are goals for Diaz, who is owner and photographer of Sunshine Studios. While she’s been an active photographer for more than 14 years, Diaz, a former LSC-CyFair Student Services employee didn’t start her business until 2005.

The LSC-CyFair Business Department sponsored the Student Entrepreneurship Award competition. For information on Grant’s business, go to www.scottphree.com. For information on Diaz’s business, go to www.sunshinestudiostx.com. For information on LSC-CyFair, go to LoneStar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Shielded Metal Arc Welding Now Offered in Spanish
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/20/10

Lone Star College-CyFair now offers welding courses taught exclusively in Spanish, beginning with Shielded Metal Arc Welding Part 1. This new fast-track course is offered through the Continuing Education (CE) Department and will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 13 through March 13. Additional Spanish-only welding courses will added to the CE Welding Certificate Program in the future.

Welding is classified as an evolving occupation and most likely to provide future employment growth and economic competitiveness within Texas. LSC-CyFair helps prepare those interested in the fast-paced occupation of welding with the basic skills for entry-level employment as well as current welders in need of upgrading or documenting skills.

Three Welding Technology Certificates are available including Level 1 - Shielded Metal Arc Welding and Blueprint Reading for Welders; Level 2 -Gas Metal Arc Welding and Level 3 - Gas Tungsten Arc Welding. Some technical courses may transfer to a technology-based bachelor’s program. See an advisor on transferability details.

For information on LSC-CyFair’s CE Welding Certificate Program, contact CE Program Manager Craig Coleman at 832.482.1027or via e-mail at craig.j.coleman@lonestar.edu. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Eleven Selected to All-State Band and All-State Choir
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/20/10

The musical talent of several Lone Star College-CyFair students will be heard at the 2010 Texas Music Educator Association’s (TMEA) Convention set next month in San Antonio. After a state-wide audition process, LSC-CyFair Symphonic Band members and saxophone players Sean McLellan (alto), Matthew Janik (tenor) and Bryan Menelas (baritone), earned positions in the Texas Community College Band Directors Association All-State Band. Janik and Menelas also won first chair.

Just as proud is Alex Qian, LSC-CyFair’s vocal director and music department chair. Eight of his choral students, including Cyril Ostendorf and Luis Velez – Bass; Janet Preston and Katherine Rusk – Alto; Elizabeth Smyser and Monika Cummings – Soprano and Stephan Richards and Scott Jones – Tenor, earned positions in the All-State Choir. Preston, Richards and Smyser represented LSC-CyFair at the TMEA conference last year.

All these students will attend a three-day conference in February featuring workshops for band, orchestra, vocal, elementary and college educators; concerts by the finest musicians and two exhibit halls filled with booths representing all facets of the music education industry. Students will also rehearse and perform with other singers and musicians from across the state. Go to LoneStar.edu/cyfair-music-department for information on LSC-CyFair’s bands and choirs. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

NAM To Host Financial Literacy Series
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/20/10

Northwest Assistance Ministries’ (NAM) Rotary Learning Center, in partnership with The Women’s Resource of Greater Houston, is proud to present the FDIC Money Smart program to the community, as well as a special session on investing. The series will begin on January 19th, and classes will be held each Tuesday from 6:30-7:30 p.m. until December 7, 2010.

Bambi Alderson-Shields, Coordinator of NAM’s Rotary Learning Center, says: “According to the FDIC, financial education fosters financial stability for individuals, families, and communities. We at NAM recognize that many Houstonians may lack this education, and we are pleased to offer this helpful series.”

The January 19th session will focus on “Money Matters”, including the basics of budgeting. Future topics include: borrowing, credit, savings, choosing a bank, checking accounts, and investing. The topics will start over with “Money Matters” again in May. For more information, contact Bambi Alderson-Shields at 281-885-4626 or at balderson-shields@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, and EP5K Results
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/18/10

Congratulations to all who participated in Sunday’s Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, and EP5K. Here are the official winners of each race:

- Teshome Gelana, Chevron Houston Marathon, Male, 2:07:37
- Teyba Erkesso, Chevron Houston Marathon, Female, 2:23:53
- Antonio Vega, Aramco Houston ½ Marathon, Male, 1:01:54
- Shalane Flanagan, Aramco Houston ½ Marathon, Female, 1:09:41
- Mitch Sanders, EP 5K, Male, 16:00
- Sabra Harvey, EP 5K, Female, 20:33

For a complete list of results, please visit http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

Author of Same Kind of Different as Me to speak at dinner benefiting NAM
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/18/10

Ron Hall, the co-author of the popular true story, Same Kind of Different as Me, will speak at a fund raising dinner benefiting Northwest Assistance Ministries on Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m. The dinner will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott. Co-author Denver Moore will deliver a pre-recorded message by video; he is not expected to attend in person due to health issues.

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit NAM’s current and future programs. The dinner is hosted by NAM’s Endowment Fund Board, which is chaired by H.P. “Pat” Riley. The other members of the Endowment Fund Board are: Buddy Bolt, M. Elbert Coker, Stan Curtis, Bill Farrell, Eddie Harrell, Stan Horton, Pam Hughes, J. Kimball Kehoe, Carole Little, Charles Manley, Rusty Schlattman, Lionel Sirois and Valerie vonBerg.

The story is being made into a major motion picture, due for release in 2011. The book is available for purchase at area bookstores, on Amazon.com, and at NAM’s main office and resale stores.

Tickets start at $150; youth tickets are available for ages 12-18 for $100. Tables for ten start at $1,500 and go up to $25,000. For more information, call NAM’s Vice President of Fund Development, Maria Magee, 281-885-4605 or email mmagee@namonline.org. Please mention you found this on www.CyFairMagazine.com.

LSC-CyFair Adds Google SketchUP to AutoCAD Curriculum
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/11/10

A new Computer-Aided Drafting (CAD) software, Google SketchUP, is the latest addition to the Lone Star College-CyFair Continuing Education (CE) AutoCAD Certificate Program curriculum. Designed for the beginner wanting to learn Google SketchUP or to enhance their skills, this fast-track course is a supplemental course to basic CAD using alternative CAD software. Course topics include Google SketchUP interface, drawing in SketchUP, modifying objects, annotation tools, differences between groups and components and organizational methods. Additional topics include advanced modeling techniques, styles, materials, scenes, animation and landscape modeling techniques.

LSC-CyFair’s CE CAD training program offers a complete curriculum from basic through advanced AutoCAD courses, both onsite as well as through Distance Learning. Training is also available for individuals desiring additional skills in specific AutoCAD applications utilized in manufacturing and architecture. Such specialized applications include SolidWorks, INVENTOR and REVIT.

Google SketchUP is offered 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays Jan. 19 through Feb. 11 on the Barker Cypress campus. Registration is under way. For information on the AutoCAD Certificate Programs, contact CE Program Manager Craig Coleman at 832.482.1027or via e-mail at craig.j.coleman@lonestar.edu.

What’s In a Box of Girl Scout Cookies?
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted 1/5/2010

Take Girl Scouts and add a nearly 100-year-old tradition. Mix in chocolate, caramel and peanut butter and finish off with values and integrity. Bake with confidence and deliver with a smile, and what do you get? The recipe for another successful Girl Scout Cookie Sale.

Jan. 9, 2010 marks the start of the Cookie Sale for Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council (GSSJC). Annually, thousands of Girl Scouts participate in this premiere leadership development program and historic fundraiser. The Girl Scout Cookie Program has helped girls develop leadership skills they will use throughout their lives, proving there’s more than cookies in a box of Girl Scout Cookies.

Since 1917, Girl Scout cookie boxes have touted a series of unique ingredients, which includes: values, integrity, financial literacy, cooperation, opportunity, respecting differences, community service, self expression, ideas, challenges, growth and leadership. These skills will take girls who are now between the ages of five through 17 to their futures.

Girl Scout Cookies are available in eight varieties: Thin Mints, Peanut Butter Patties, Peanut Butter Sandwiches, Shortbread, Thanks-A-Lot, Caramel deLites, Lemonades, and Daisy Go-Rounds. All varieties of Girl Scout Cookies are zero trans fat per serving. Daisy Go-Rounds are packaged in portion-control sizes. The price for a box of cookies is $3.50.

Local Girl Scouts will begin selling the highly anticipated tasty treats on Saturday, Jan. 9, 2010. Cookie delivery begins Feb. 6. From Feb. 19 through March 27, Girl Scout Cookies will be sold at cookie booths outside of grocery stores and other retail venues. The sale ends March 27. There is also a toll-free cookie hotline at 1-888-GS-COOKIE to help consumers find the nearest Girl Scout cookie booth.

When all of the cookies have been consumed, remember, the box is not empty. Each box sold helps to create thousands of happy memories and incredible achievements that the cookie program has made possible. Every box of Girl Scout Cookies resonates with promise and possibility. Your support of Girl Scouting through purchasing Girl Scout Cookies helps make that promise and those possibilities into realities for girls.

Girl Scouts of the USA is the world's preeminent organization for girls, with a membership of more than 3.7 million girls and adults. Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Chartered by GSUSA to provide Girl Scouting locally, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council is one of the largest Girl Scout councils in the country serving more than 72,000 girl members and 17,000 adults in 26 southeast Texas counties.

Due to inclement weather, all CFISD student after-school activities (including SAT testing at Jersey Village High School, Cy-Fair High School and Langham High School) have been canceled for Friday, December 4 and Saturday, December 5 until 1 p.m.

Local Brownie Troop offers Important Earth Saving Announcement
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted Nov. 13, 2009

Bottled water produces up to 1.5 million tons of plastic waste per year. According to Food and Water Watch, that plastic requires up to 47 million gallons of oil per year to produce. And while the plastic used to bottle beverages is of high quality and in demand by recyclers, over 80 percent of plastic bottles are simply thrown away.

That assumes empty bottles actually make it to a garbage can. Plastic waste is now at such a volume that vast eddies of current-bound plastic trash now spin endlessly in the world’s major oceans. This represents a great risk to marine life, killing birds and fish which mistake our garbage for food.

Thanks to its slow decay rate, the vast majority of all plastics ever produced still exist - somewhere.

There’s a simple alternative to bottled water: buy a stainless steel thermos, or reusable water bottle and use it. Don’t like the way your local tap water tastes? Inexpensive carbon filters will turn most tap water sparkling fresh at a fraction of bottled water’s cost.

This earth saving message was brought to you by Nicole Riso and Birkes Elementary Third Grade Brownie Troop # 16176 CFISD

Giving the holidays wings. Salvation Army Angel Tree at Willowbrook Mall
Cy-Fair - Cypress, Texas News
Posted Nov. 13, 2009

It’s the holiday season and shoppers at Willowbrook Mall can earn their wings by buying a gift for someone on The Salvation Army Angel Tree. Beginning Saturday, November 14 through Wednesday, December 23, volunteers from The Salvation Army will be staffing the Angel Tree at Willowbrook Mall, asking individuals to make the holidays a little brighter for a needy child or senior citizen.

According to Major Stan Carr of The Salvation Army Houston Northwest, this is a year when more individuals will be looking for assistance. ‘At the close of registration, we had 1,770 registrations for families who were seeking Christmas assistance. Last year, our total was 1,200. This holiday season, we expect to help about 2,000 more children in these families than last year,’ says Major Carr. ‘Many of the people who registered indicated that this was their first year to have asked for help – there were lots of first-time families. The Angel Tree at Willowbrook Mall alone will provide assistance for between 400 and 600 families, so shoppers who donated are much appreciated.’

The Angel Tree at Willowbrook Mall is decorated with numbered tags with information about individuals who are in need of a gift for Christmas, including children ages newborn to 12 and senior citizens [aged 62 and older] who are in need. Contributors can remove one or more tags from the tree and purchase appropriate gifts based on the information on the tag. Shoppers return the gifts, unwrapped, and The Salvation Army will distribute the gifts in time for Christmas.

The Giving Tree, located in the Sears wing near the children’s play area, is staffed by Salvation Army volunteers Monday through Sunday.

For the 2009 holiday season, The Salvation Army, Greater Houston Area Command has registered 30,000 local children and seniors throughout Harris, Fort Bend and Montgomery counties as "Angels" to be adopted by the community at select locations including Willowbrook Mall.

Celebrate the Sounds of the Season with Symphony North of Houston

Cy-Fair – Cypress, Texas News

Posted Nov. 13, 2009

Join Symphony North of Houston as they celebrate the sounds of the holiday season with a free concert on Sunday, Dec. 6, at 4 p.m. at Northwoods Presbyterian Church located at 3320 FM 1960 Rd W. Houston, TX 77068.Admission is free although donations are welcome.

Under the direction of conductor Dr. Reynaldo Ochoa, Symphony North of Houston is in its 35^th season, presenting quality performances of orchestral music to the residents of North Houston. Visit symphonynorth.org for more information or for sponsorship opportunities.

• Nov. 4 - Hiking around Houston - From the Piney Woods to the Gulf Coast prairies and marshes, the Houston area has a variety of hiking trails for hikers of all experience levels. Join librarian Tracy Williams on a virtual tour of the Houston-area hiking hotspots.
• Nov. 11 - Space Images Unveiled - As part of the 2009 Great Observatories International Year of Astronomy, the library will receive two prints taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. Rob Coyle, history professor and former NASA employee, will share insights about the photos and the Hubble Telescope program.
• Nov. 18 - Live Music from Around the World - In celebration of International Education Month, come and explore the history of gypsies with Greg Harbar and a live performance of his band, The Gypsies.
• Nov. 25 - No session
• Dec. 2 - The Texas Rangers - Just the words invoke a feeling of Texas pride and power. Learn about today’s Texas Rangers and their impact on safety and well being. A joint L.I.F.E. and Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALL) program.
• Dec. 9 - Secrets to Permanent Weight Loss - Why do diets not work? Why does eating fat not make you fat? How can you regain your energy and much more? Find out with a representative from Health Source Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab.
• Dec. 16 - Adorn the Season - Patsy Brautigam and Linda Gabrielson show how to make a small citrus peel wreath ornament. A joint ALL/LIFE program.