Press Release from SWTJC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                                                                  4/30/24

UVALDE, TEXAS

Librado Rodriguez’s journey from being a student in the Southwest Texas Junior College Diesel Technology program to becoming an instructor is a testament to his dedication and passion for the field.

Born in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico, Librado’s educational path took him to Eagle Pass, where he attended elementary through junior high. Rodriguez then went on to attend St. Anthony’s Catholic High School in San Antonio, where he graduated as part of the Class of 1998. That same year, he enrolled at SWTJC to begin his general studies.

Despite facing a temporary hiatus to support his family’s business, his determination led him back to SWTJC in 2005. In 2008, he proudly graduated with an associate degree in diesel technology, marking a significant milestone in his educational and professional growth.

Librado excelled in his academic pursuits and actively contributed to the diesel program as a lab assistant from 2006 to 2009, showcasing his commitment to the program’s success. His expertise and dedication to the field led him to a role as a diesel mechanic with the Eagle Pass Independent School District’s Transportation Department in 2009, where he continued to hone his skills and make a meaningful impact.

Librado’s journey reached new heights in 2013 when he seized the opportunity to become the shop supervisor within the school district’s transportation department, demonstrating his leadership and technical proficiency. His invaluable contributions and unwavering dedication caught the attention of SWTJC, which led to a career-defining moment when he was offered the position of instructor in the diesel technology program in the fall of 2023.

Rodriguez continues to inspire and guide the next generation of diesel technicians as an instructor, imparting his knowledge and practical experience to the students. His transition from a student to an instructor within the same program he attended is a testament to his expertise, passion, and the exceptional quality of education provided by SWTJC’s Diesel Technology program.

Librado’s remarkable trajectory exemplifies the program’s ability to shape and elevate careers in the diesel industry. His dedication, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to excellence make him an exemplary figure within the program and a source of pride for SWTJC.

About Southwest Texas Junior College
Southwest Texas Junior College is a regional, “open door” institution serving an 11-county area that stretches from the Texas Hill Country to the US-Mexican border. Since 1946 SWTJC has provided accessible, affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals; and contribute to the economic growth of the region. The company’s mission is to enrich lives and advance growth through the education of our diverse communities.

To learn more about SWTJC, visit swtjc.edu. For more information on this story, contact Ismael Martinez, SWTJC Social Media/Public Relations Specialist at 830-591-2942 or imartinez@swtjc.edu.

The following is a Uvalde CISD Candidate School Board Candidate statement from Cal Lambert. The Uvalde Hesperian will publish a similar candidate statement from any candidate running for a seat on the Uvalde CISD School Board at no charge.

I was raised in Abilene, TX, the oldest of seven siblings, graduating from Wylie High School in 1967. After a year of college I joined the Navy and served a short stint on a Destroyer in the North Atlantic before volunteering for in-country duty in Vietnam. I served a Combat tour in the Mekong Delta for 13 months where I was meritoriously promoted two times and received many awards including the Combat Action Ribbon and Vietnamese Gallantry Cross. I continued serving on a variety of ships and stations on both Coasts, in various leadership assignments. I was the Senior Enlisted Leader and Advisor for the Admiral of a Cruiser-Destroyer Group and Battle Group, 13,000 personnel and 42 ships, during the Gulf War. My final tour was Senior Enlisted Leader and Advisor to the Commander of Mine Counter Measures Group Two. I attended college at nights and weekends on active duty and graduated from Southern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science in 1988. I am a Navy Master Training Specialist and an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist. I retired in 1993 after serving 26 years and began my 25 year second career as a Teacher.

I came to Uvalde High School as an NJROTC Instructor in 1999. Citizenship, Leadership and Scholarship became the focus of our unit. Community service was at the forefront and NJROTC cadets completed 3500 to 4500 community service hours in the Uvalde Community during the course of any given year. The unit was recognized year after year by the Navy as a “Navy Achievement Unit”. In 2016, I was the Region 20 Teacher of the Year and one of three finalist for Texas Teacher of the Year. I also received the Trinity Prize for Excellence in Education. My relationship with my students and their families did not stop with graduation or my retirement from teaching. The friendships developed continue today. Many of them have their own children in our schools and are family to me. My commitment to this community did not stop with my retirement from teaching in 2018. I served on the El Progreso Memorial Library Board until I was elected to the School Board in 2020.

Although I’m not a native Uvaldean, “Loyal and True” runs deep in my family. I have called Uvalde my home since 1999, being part of this community for the past 25 years. Much longer than anywhere else due to my many moves in the Navy. My wife of 38 years passed away here in 2009. I remarried in 2012 and Rachel has been a Teacher/Administrator here for many years. My daughter moved here after she served in the Navy almost 10 years and is a Teacher. I’m a Grand Parent of children in the district. My oldest Grandson is a graduate of Uvalde Early College High School, class of 21, and is a Senior Scholar Athlete at McMurry University where he plays football. My oldest Granddaughter is graduating this year from UECHS and will be attending UTSA Honors College. Both were born and raised here.

The success of our students and their preparedness for the future has been a focus of mine and all our school board members. School Boards are a TEAM of eight, including the Superintendent, NOT JUST ONE. There are eight different personalities and views, but we collaboratively work together for the outcomes that we believe is in the best interest of our Students and Employees. With a new Superintendent there are many new initiatives in progress directed at improving the academic success of our students as well as professional growth for our employees. Construction of the new Elementary School is in progress. There are a lot of positive things going on in our district and it is getting better by the day. With your support I would like to continue advocating for Teachers and Employees, keeping the success of our Students the top priority. THE SUCCESS OF OUR STUDENTS DEPENDS ON YOUR VOTE. I believe they are worth it. Thank you for your support.

Press release from SWTJC ; Picture from SWTJC

  Southwest Texas Junior College (SWTJC) and Union Pacific Railroad held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expansion of its diesel program in Eagle Pass. The ceremony took place April 23, at the Jack R. Chittim Technical Campus in Eagle Pass.

  Following the successful partnership announcement back in May 2022, where Union Pacific committed $380,000 to the La Frontera Diesel Program Expansion Project, this ribbon cutting marks a significant milestone in furthering industrial trade careers in the region. Union Pacific’s generous contribution aims to address the growing need for skilled bus and diesel mechanics in the area by expanding student capacity and enhancing hands-on training opportunities.

  The agenda for the ceremony included distinguished guests such as Dr. Mark Underwood, SWTJC Vice President of Academic Affairs, SWTJC Board of Trustees President Dr. Harry Watkins, SWTJC Eagle Pass Campus Vice President Brenda Hoffman, Ramsey E. Cantu Maverick County Judge, City of Eagle Pass Mayor Rolando Salinas, Texas State Representative Eddie Morales, and Raquel Espinoza Senior Director of Public Affairs at Union Pacific. Derek Sandoval, Vice President of Administrative Services at SWTJC, served as the Master of Ceremonies.

  “Today we would like to thank our partner, Union Pacific, for being a core collaborator and significantly contributing to expanding opportunities for Southwest Texas college students in our diesel technology program,” said Hoffman. “Your support will greatly integrate passion in the lives of many. Let’s continue building community together. Let’s continue building America.”

The ceremony culminated with the official ribbon cutting, symbolizing the inauguration of the enhanced training facility. Attendees had the opportunity to take photos with students, faculty and the newly expanded facilities.

SWTJC and Union Pacific remain committed to fostering the next generation of trade professionals and providing them with the skills and opportunities necessary for success in the workforce.

About Southwest Texas Junior College
Southwest Texas Junior College is a regional, “open door” institution serving an 11-county area that stretches from the Texas Hill Country to the US-Mexican border. Since 1946 SWTJC has provided accessible, affordable, high-quality education that prepares students to successfully transfer to senior colleges and universities; enter the job market; pursue their professional and personal goals; and contribute to the economic growth of the region. The company’s mission is to enrich lives and advance growth through the education of our diverse communities.

To learn more about SWTJC, visit swtjc.edu. For more information on this story, contact Ismael Martinez, SWTJC Social Media/Public Relations Specialist at 830-591-2942 or imartinez@swtjc.edu.

By: Stan PopovichImage by Stefan Keller from Pixabay

There are many reasons why some  people are reluctant to get help for their mental health or addiction issues.

In addition, many people are not sure what to do when encouraging someone to get the help they need for their mental health.

  As a result, here are seven suggestions on how to convince a person struggling to get some assistance.

1. Talk to the person instead of talking at them: Nobody wants to be lectured or yelled at. The person who is struggling is scared and they need help in overcoming their fears and resistance to getting some guidance. Treat others the way you would want to be treated if the roles were reversed.
3. Find out why the person won’t get help: Ask the individual who is struggling the reasons why they are reluctant to get some assistance. Although most people may not admit it, a sense of fear of the unknown and/or some kind of frustration are usually the main factors. It might take a few tries, however, try to find out what is stopping your friend from getting treatment.
4. Address the reasons why the individual won’t get help: Once you get the reasons why he or she won’t get some help, the next step is to find the ways to address those factors that are preventing the individual from getting assistance. Addressing one’s fears and concerns may convince them to take some action that will get their life back on track.
5. Get some advice from a professional: Talk to your doctor or a mental health counselor for recommendations on how you can help someone who is struggling. A medical professional in the mental health field will be able to give you some ideas and options that you can use to help convince someone you know to get some help.
6. Find someone who understands: Try to find someone who used to struggle with their mental health for their advice. For example, a person who used drugs and alcohol in the past could use their past experiences and insights to convince the individual to seek treatment. A person who used to struggle with addiction or their mental health may be better able to relate to the person who is struggling.
7. Get them to attend a support group: Another way to convince someone to get help is to get them to go to a mental health support group. This may or may not work depending on the individual, but it is still worth a try. A person who goes to a support group can at least listen to those who are also struggling, which may convince the person to get some assistance.
8. Be persistent: Continue to be persistent with your loved ones in getting them the help they need. Keep in contact with your doctor and any mental health counselor on your progress. If things do not improve, continue to find other alternatives in getting the person some help.

BIOGRAPHY
Stan is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear” which covers a variety of techniques that can drastically improve your mental health. For more information, please visit Stan’s website at http://www.managingfear.com

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

 “We have what it takes to be the best critical care facility in the country: it’s unprecedented,” Uvalde Memorial Hospital (UMH) CEO Adam Apolinar said at Tuesday Night’s Uvalde Hospital Authority Board Meeting Tuesday night, April 23rd. 

  Several positive news reports were presented by department heads at the meeting. 

 According to Cancer Center Director Klarissa Ruiz, The Cancer Center is getting additional referrals from Eagle Pass. She stated that Eagle Pass no longer has an oncologist. “We are getting 7-10 referrals a day from Eagle Pass.

  The Center is in the process of purchasing a new linear accelerator and also looking to replace the CT scanner to meet the needs of the new physician.

 The Center welcomed Dr. Pearson to Oncology earlier this year in January. Director of Clinics Andrew Wells stated referrals have gone up citing 289 referrals for the month of March with 341 outgoing. 

Appolinar said UMH is experiencing a huge staffing crisis right now. “We just can’t find the right person.” He went on to say that registration is a very hard position to get fully trained and that personnel hired to do registration move up to billing and coding once new skills are acquired.

Apolinar also said that unlike hospitals in larger cities, UMH has an advantage in that local physicians work with the local hospital rather than competing with it. Local clinics and doctor’s offices often send their patients to UMH for blood draws, lab tests and x-rays.

Apolinar also said that due to the growth the hospital is experiencing, it could eventually grow out of the critical access care designation. 

UMH one of the top three employers in Uvalde

 In her report to the board, Human Resources Officer Charla Garcia UMH has a total of 680 employees out of which 618 are employed full time. 

UMH one of the top 5% of top hospitals in the U.S.

According to UHA board Member William “Bill” Kessler. UMH has earned the designation as one of the top 5% of all hospitals in the United States. As a 5 star rated hospital, the nearest 5 star hospital to UMH is located in North Texas. 

Shorter emergency room wait times compared to San Antonio hospitals

In a report by Chief Nursing Officer Carlos Gregorio. UMH emergency room has an average 119 minute wait time from the time of a patient walking in until the patient gets his/her prescription compared to the 3-4 hour wait times at hospitals in San Antonio.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Image credit: Simon E. Ortiz

The Uvalde Southwest Neigborhood Association met on Monday, April 22nd at 6:40 PM at El Jardin De Los Heroes Park in Uvalde to discuss streer lighting. street conditions, police patrols and other shared concerns to bring to city officials.

“We had a great turnout. We had about 35 people from the neighborhood show up. We do have a Facebook group page called Uvalde Southwest Neighborhood Association with more than 90 members. We are focusing on our neighborhood but it seems like residents from the whole city want to join.

Some projects that we are working on will require citywide planning, so we welcome any and all Uvaldeans. The focus of our group is to create an effective mode of communication, identifying issues in our communities and working with our city leaders to find solutions for these issues,” Simon E. Ortiz said.

by Michael Robinson | Uvalde Hesperian

Top picture: screen capture from City of Uvalde Livestream.

  Prior to the Uvalde City Council vote to adjourn Tuesday night’s April 22nd meeting, Mayor Pro-tem Everardo “Lalo” Zamora presented the City’s official statement on the independent JPPI Report former Mayor Don McLaughlin and the City Council commissioned.  In the statement, it both acknowledges that the City’s police officers did follow department policies but lacked the necessary training  and equipment to adequately protect the community. 

 While Brett Cross, Kimberly Rubio and other victim’s parents have demanded the firing of several City of Uvalde Police officers who responded to the May 24th Robb Elementary School Tragedy, according to the City’s statement, it appears the City Council is focused on supporting Uvalde Police Chief Homer Delgado’s plans to implement sweeping changes planned for the City’s police department rather than going back to address or reprimand individual police officers.

  Emilia Amy Marin, a survivor of the Robb School massacre, addressed the Council at the beginning of Tuesday night’s City Council meeting. 

  “The families of the victims and survivors are tired, exhausted of playing the waiting game. We are exhausted. You as City officials need to be the change the whole world to see,” Marin said.

The city council convened into a closed door executive session  at 6:33 PM and then reconvened into open council meeting at 7:05 PM where at that time Zamora read the following statement:

 “We have a statement with the City Council commission the independent investigation at the request of the former mayor in the immediate aftermath of the Robb Elementary shooting. With the goal of having an objective outside assessment clarity to the events of the tragic day.

According to the report, Marin quoted the following: “‘We located the following 16 transmissions that were not relayed and/or acknowledged by the dispatchers that may have helped the officers.’ Have y’all read that?

  “The address of the crash was given but the name of the school was left out. The dispatcher did not repeat traffic, ‘Shots fired. Shots fired at Robb School,'” Marin said with strong emotion.

  “You know what needs to be done but you are not doing it.” Marin said. She concluded by saying, “Be the change and do something good.”

    Pastor Daniel Meyer also spoke, leveling harsh criticism towards the council.  “Our community is divided. It’s hurting.” 

    We acknowledge the report was presented in such a way that did not foster the city’s effort to help the community heal.”

   Based on the report’s finding as supported by other consultants who contributed to the report the conclusion supported the officers complied with UPD policies at the time of the shooting however the bottom line is that members of our beloved community were not adequately protected that day by Uvalde Police Department.

   The Uvalde Police department’s policies were outdated and the department lacked the proper training equipment to protect our community: that is changing.

  At the direction of Council and the city manager as part of Chief Delgado’s recently announced Guardian initiative, Uvalde Police Department is undertaking a detailed review of all department personnel policies, procedures, training and equipment to make sure the entire police force is operating at the top of its potential.

  The City will not commission another report. 

  We are focused on Chief Delgado rebuilding the policy, the police department in which he will evaluate all aspects of the Uvalde Police Department and make the necessary changes or improvements to ensure our community is safe, “Zamora said,

 Brett Cross responded lividly to the City’s statement on X formerly Twitter: “Uvalde contines to Fk us over.”