Mayor declares Accelerate Texas Week in Uvalde

Uvalde city mayor Don McLaughlin signed a proclamation declaring the week of Nov. 9-15 as Accelerate Texas Week, during their regular monthly meeting last Tuesday.

McLaughlin read the proclamation in front of city council and members of the community in attendance.

Dean of Workforce Education Romelia Aranda, program coordinator Oscar Garcia and SWTJC President, Dr. Hector Gonzales were on hand to accept the proclamation.

Photo: Uvalde Mayor Don Mclaughlin, SWTJC President Dr. Hector Gonzales, Dean of Workforce Education Romelia Aranda and Adult Basic Education Program Coordinator Oscar Garcia (left to right) pose for a picture during last week's city council meeting. 

Southwest Texas Junior College is one of 21 community colleges and college districts across the state celebrating Accelerate Texas Week on Nov. 9-15.

Artists receive awards for face painting skills at Dia de Los Muertos event

Winners in the sugar skull face painting contest held Oct. 28 (Tues.) in Uvalde were Laura Zavala, first; Jose Gomez, second; and Amanda Olivarez, third. PHOTOS

(Photo: Laura Zavala (right) and model Karla Guerrero (left) earned first place at sugar skull face painting contest)

Prizes of $50, $25 and $20 were awarded to the top artists in the contest held in conjunction with the "Dia de los Muertos" celebration. A total of 11 participants entered the contest.

The event was sponsored by the SWTJC Uvalde Catholic Club.

Hill College, SHSU take rodeo team honors

SWTJC bullrider Chance Lopez rides bull during the 52nd Annual rodeo

Hill College took the men’s team title, while Sam Houston State University won the women’s division in the 52nd Annual SWTJC College Rodeo held Oct. 2-4 in Uvalde.


No SWTJC athletes finished in the top ten in individual events. Though disappointed by his team’s performance, SWTJC rodeo coach Roy Angermiller was pleased with the overall results of this year’s event.


“I wish our athletes would have had a little more luck,” Angermiller said, “we had an off night but I’m sure we’ll bounce back and compete hard next week.”


Angermiller also thanked sponsors of this year’s event. “The Uvalde and area business community were once again outstanding in supporting our annual rodeo,” Angermiller said. “I just can’t thank them enough for their generous support.”


SWTJC rodeo team members will compete this weekend (Oct. 9-11), in Mt. Pleasant at the Northeast Texas Community College Rodeo.

Palomino Fest donates $25,000 to SWTJC scholarship fund

The Southwest Texas Junior College scholarship fund is $25,000 richer following the most successful Palomino Fest Labor Day Weekend Celebration in history.

Johnny and Jorge Arreola of Los Palominos presented a $25,000 check to SWTJC President Dr. Hector Gonzales on Sept. 25.

“Los Palominos are very pleased to make this contribution to the college scholarship fund,” Arreola said. “We thank our sponsors, volunteers, and the college staff for working hand-in-hand to make this year’s event the best Palomino Fest to date.”

Arreola said the event continues to grow every year largely due to the support of the community. “The county of Uvalde has been one of the festival’s biggest supporters, and we are very thankful for all that they’ve done for this event,” Arreola said. “We’ve been doing this for eighteen years now and I hope we can continue for many years to come.”

Law enforcement academy partners with Continental Tire

(l-r): Robert Armstrong, J.J. Suarez, Dr. Hector Gonzales, Christian Brielmaier, 
Johnny Guzman, Dr. Mark Underwood

The Middle Rio Grande Law Enforcement Academy at Southwest Texas Junior College has entered into an agreement with Continental Tire to make use of their 5000-acre Uvalde Proving Grounds facility, which is located approximately seven miles south of Uvalde on Batesville Road (FM 117).

According to Law Enforcement Academy Coordinator, Robert Armstrong the Uvalde academy will be the only class to use the Uvalde Proving Grounds in the fall, however he expects the Eagle Pass academy to train at the proving grounds along with the Uvalde class in the spring.

“We are excited to partner up with SWTJC and look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with the law enforcement academy,” said Christian Brielmaier, Uvalde Proving Grounds Test Engineer.

Cadets are scheduled to train on Nov. 15, 16, and Nov. 22-24. They will be learning and performing different maneuvers as part of the Professional Police Driving course.

Rodeo team kicks off season in Carthage, TX

Members of the Southwest Texas Junior College rodeo team includes (front row, left to right) Kathrine Whitaker, Rozlyn Reeves, (second row) Chance Lopez, Joe Reeves, Dalton Brown, Wyatt Duncan, (third row) Courtney Myers, Crystal Wetz, Shelbi Haynes, Suade Furr, (back) Cameron Loveday, Kody Tredway, Cody Hines, Dextar Udall, Luis Santos III and Sterling Furr.

The Southwest Texas Junior College rodeo team will kick-off the 2014-2015 rodeo season by competing at the first Southern region rodeo in Carthage, TX hosted by Panola College on Sept. 26-27.



SWTJC will host the second National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) rodeo of the season on Oct. 2-4 at the Uvalde County Fair Plex Rodeo Arena. Evening performances will start at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.



Over 350 collegiate athletes, representing some 15 colleges and universities in the Southern Region are expected to compete in Uvalde. Nationally renowned rodeo stock contractor Terry Walls will once again provide stock for this year's event.



Palomino Fest draws record crowd in Uvalde

Organizers say upwards of 20,000 people attended the 2014 Palomino Fest Labor Day Weekend Celebration held Aug. 28 – Aug 31 at the Uvalde County Fairplex.

"Our final number stands at approximately 20,000, which is an increase for last year's attendance," festival coordinator Wade Carpenter said. "This was our 18th annual event and it keeps getting bigger every year."

Carpenter expressed his gratitude to all the volunteers who helped with this year's festival. "Our volunteers are a major reason for the success we have had through out the years," Carpenter said. "I especially want to thank all the volunteers from SWTJC who put in long, hot hours at this year's event."

History professors retire after a combined 96 years of service

Barbara Blair                   Harry Lawrence, Jr.

Southwest Texas Junior College says goodbye to professors of history, Harry Lawrence, Jr. and Barbara Blair, who retired this summer.

Lawrence retired in May, ending a 53-year career at SWTJC, while Blair continued through the summer, giving SWTJC 43 years of service.

Blair, a Carrizo Springs native, earned her Associates of Arts from SWTJC in 1967 and graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts in history from Southwest Texas State University.

She began her career at SWTJC in 1970, and in 1976 she became the advisor of Eta Beta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, where she remained until her retirement.

“That’s what I’ve enjoyed so much, working with the honor students at SWTJC,” Blair said. “It has never been boring, it has always been a challenge.”

Blair has been highly involved with Phi Theta Kappa for over 30 years, winning numerous awards, but none more distinguished than the Lifetime Achievement Award for Outstanding Service to the Texas Region, which she was awarded earlier this year.

Enrollment continues to climb for fall semester

A total of 4,265 students have enrolled for fall 2014 classes going into the last few days of registration.

According to SWTJC Registrar Luis Fernandez, the last day to register for classes will be Wednesday, Aug. 20, with late registration scheduled for Thursday and Friday, Aug. 21-22.

“We expect our counselors to be busy these last few days as registration winds down,” Fernandez said.

The deadline for first time students to apply for admission is Wednesday, Aug. 20. “Unless a new student has already completed a financial aid application or can show means of payment, any applications after Aug. 20 will not be considered until the spring 2015 semester,” Fernandez said.

FAN scholarships total $18,000 to graduating seniors across the area

The Friends and Alumni Network (FAN) at Southwest Texas Junior College has announced the awarding of $18,000 in scholarships to 25 recent high school graduates from across the region.



Individual scholarships for the 2014-15 school year were awarded to students from CC Winn, Crystal City, D'Hanis, Del Rio, Nueces Canyon, Pleasanton, Sabinal, Shoemaker, Utopia and Uvalde high schools.



“We are extremely pleased to be able to help these deserving students as they pursue their higher education at SWTJC,” said FAN treasurer Wade Carpenter.


Class of 2014 Uvalde High School recipients of $1,000 FAN scholarships include Cristian Perez, Diego Ruiz and Illiana Silva.



Area recipients of $1,000 FAN scholarships include Neuces Canyon High School graduate Danielle Irwin, Daniel Dickson of D'Hanis High School and Sabinal High School graduates Katherine Alejandro and Korlee Allen.



Also receiving $1,000 scholarships were Utopia High School graduates Tyler Cox and Maria Selene Vega Muñoz.



FAN scholarships were also awarded to graduates of Del Rio High School, with Selena Torres and Daniela Velazco each receiving a $1,000 scholarship.



Crystal City High School 2014 graduates Roel Mata, David Puente, Sarah Sanchez and Rocio Santos each received $1,000 scholarships.



Class of 2014 graduates Brayden Bauer of Pleasanton High School and Lorenzo Fraga of Shoemaker High School received a $1,000 scholarship.



CC Winn recipient of a $1,000 FAN scholarship was Karla Garcia.

Law enforcement academy recognizes spring 2014 graduates

(Bottom row L-R) Jonathan Saldana, Izanel De La Cruz, Gilberto Ibarra, Jose Pargas Sr., Daniel Harris, Victoria Lopez, Jesse D. Casillas, Yaneth Rivera, Johnny Hernandez. (Second Row L-R) Coordinator Mike Leavene, Academy Secretary Teresa H. Zamarripa, Rodolfo Ramirez, Leonardo Sada, Roberto Gutierrez, Jose Armando Reyes, Jesus Vasquez, Jesus Alejandro, Jeremy Ruiz, Richard C. Moore, Romaldo Ramirez, academy instructor Kara A. Lands. (Top Row L-R) Jose Gomez, Carlos Espinoza, Beco Diaz, Daniel Villarreal, Antonio Rios, Reyes Leal, Albert Salazar,
David Castillo, Francisco Balvantin Jr.

A total of 27 cadets received certificates of completion during spring graduation ceremonies for the Middle Rio Grande Law Enforcement Academy at SWTJC.

The ceremonies were held Friday, May 30, in the Matthew’s Student Center Ballroom on the SWTJC Uvalde campus.

Alpha Class graduates include Jesus R. Alejandro, Francisco Balvantin, Jr., Jesse D. Casillas, David Castillo, III, Izanel De La Cruz, and Beco M. Diaz, Carlos M. Espinoza, Jose M. Gomez, Roberto R. Gutierrez, Jr., Daniel O. Harris, Juan J. Hernandez, Gilberto F. Ibarra, Reyes Leal, III, Victoria Ann Lopez and Richard C. Moore.

Non-traditional student overcomes slew of obstacles to earn degree

Imagine coming to this country from Mexico with a 4-year-old child, no education and unable to speak a lick of English. Throw in the emotional distress of having recently separated from your spouse of 12 years and you get some sense of what Maria del Rosario Torres faced when she arrived in the U.S. over two decades ago.

In 1993, after her 12-year marriage ended, Torres made the difficult choice of uprooting herself and young daughter Celia Guadalupe Aboytia, from her hometown of Navojoa, Sonora, MX, to make the long journey to the United States.

“I went to Perry, Florida to live with my sister because I felt I needed to lean on family while going through such a rough time in my life,” Torres said. “My time there was short, a little over a month to be exact. I never felt comfortable there, so I decided to move to Dilley to live with my other sister.”

UTSA to feature artwork of SWTJC instructor Abel Ortiz

SWTJC art instructor Abel Ortiz is one of 52 artists selected to exhibit a work of art in UTSA's juried exhibition, "New Art/Arte Nuevo: San Antonio 2014". The exhibition runs from June 4 through June 25 in the Arts Building Gallery on the UTSA Main Campus. 

Ortiz's piece "Alas" was selected from a total of 293 works submitted by 78 artists who live, work or have roots in South and West Texas.

"I am always proud to represent SWTJC with my art, I always tell people where I work because I want them to know that even though we are geographically isolated out here in Uvalde, there are people with an appreciation for the fine arts," Ortiz said.   

Ortiz earned his Masters of Arts in 2001 and Master of Fine Arts in 2002 both from the University of Iowa, and has been teaching at SWTJC since 2003.

Large crowd attends 2014 commencement

A total of 329 graduates participated in the 67th Annual Southwest Texas Junior College Commencement Ceremony held May 10 before a standing-room-only crowd at the Uvalde Honey Bowl Stadium.

Taking part in the ceremony were December 2013 graduates, May 2014 graduates and August 2014 candidates for graduation.

“It could have been cooler, but considering we had a storm come through the day before, sunny and warm was perfect weather for a commencement ceremony,” said SWTJC Registrar, Luis Fernandez. “This years commencement ceremony ran smoothly and all due to our staff’s hard work. It was a great day.”

A total of 743 graduates were listed in this year’s commencement program, with 406 receiving the associate of arts degree in general studies and 24 awarded the associate of science degree. An additional 79 students earned the associate of applied science degree and 244 students received basic certificates and certificates of completion.

Rozlyn Reeves is Southern Region barrels champion

(l-r) Catherine Asmussen, Colton Nelson, Morgann McDonald, Wesley Troyer and Rozlyn Reeves

Rozlyn Reeves is the 2013-14 Southern Region barrels champion and will represent Southwest Texas Junior College at the College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR) on June 15-21 in Casper, WY.


Reeves finished third in the women’s all-around for the Southern Region and ranks 15th in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association national standings with a total of 749 points over 10 rodeos.



Morgann McDonald, last year’s barrels champion, finished second and Catherine Asmussen finished 14th in barrels; both will also be representing SWTJC at the CNFR in June.



In the men's team, Wesley Troyer finished second in the team roping header division and Colton Nelson finished second in the team roping heeler division. Both will also travel to Casper, WY to represent SWTJC at the CNFR.



SWTJC commencement scheduled this Saturday

Click to enlarge

Weather permitting, Southwest Texas Junior College will hold its 67th Annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Uvalde Honey Bowl.

Derek Sandoval, associate vice president for the SWTJC Del Rio campus, will be master of ceremonies at this year’s event.

SWTJC Uvalde student Julia Quiroga, secretary of the Catholic Club will deliver the invocation. SWTJC student ambassador, Ruth Alcantar, will lead the singing of The National Anthem.

Hector Gonzales, Ph.D., SWTJC president, will introduce college trustees and honored guests, and Vice-President of Academic Affairs, Mark E. Underwood, Ph.D., will introduce the keynote speaker.

SWTJC Honor Society, Blair Rake in Awards at convention in Florida

Phi Theta Kappa advisor Barbara Blair was honored with the 2014 Continued Excellence Award for Advisors, presented by Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society during the annual convention in Orlando, Florida, on April 24-27.

The Continued Excellence Award for Advisors recognizes advisors who have served at least four years and have previously won a Distinguished Advisor Award.

“I am honored to have been awarded such an illustrious award, however there is nothing more rewarding than working with all the past and present members of the Eta Beta Chapter,” Blair said.

Blair will be retiring from teaching at SWTJC this summer after 44 years of service.

SWTJC partners with chamber of commerce and US Rep. Pete Gallego for job fair

Southwest Texas Junior College partnered with the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce and the office of Congressman Pete Gallego to host a job fair on April 29 in the MSC Ballroom.

Representatives from 35 federal and state agencies along with local businesses were on hand providing information for job seekers from Uvalde and the surrounding areas.

“It went amazingly well, and we were very happy with such a large turn out of local residents and students,” said Matthew Hall, Gallego Field Representative.

Through a spokesperson, Congressman Pete Gallego thanked SWTJC President, Dr. Hector Gonzales and Olivia Rish, Executive Director of the Uvalde Area Chamber of Commerce for their assistance in making this a successful event.

SWTJC Cosmetology students advance to national competition

SWTJC Cosmetology students, Selina Tovar and Erika Saldivar were awarded a gold medal at the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Championship in San Antonio, which was held on March 20-22 and will compete in the SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, this summer.

PHOTO ID (l-r) Selina Tovar, Yantia De Leon, Otsie Nolasco, Michael Moomaw, Ursula De La O, Erika Saldivar.

Four other SWTJC Cosmetology students also competed in the state championships including Yantia De Leon, Otsie Nolasco, Michael Moomaw and Ursula De La O.


Tovar won a gold medal in Cosmetology, which includes a long hair updo, two female haircuts and finished style, one male haircut, written cosmetology information and an oral presentation on customer service.


Del Rio High School team places first place in criminal justice competition

The 9th Annual SWTJC Criminal Justice Competition was held Friday, April 11, on the Uvalde campus.



Del Rio High School took top honors in the team competition, which included a total of 21 teams from across south and southwest Texas.

Southwest Post 3055 earned second place and SAISD Post 8034 placed third.