(Laredo, Tx)-Over 750 students from all LISD campuses will be participating today in a year-end celebration for participating in a yearlong anti-bullying campaign known as Rachel’s Challenge.  Students will gather at Shirley Field Stadium at 9:30a.m.  to present paper links that they have garnered throughout the school year for random acts of kindness. The students will also be releasing balloons in celebration of a very successful campaign.  Highlighting the event will be keynote speaker District Attorney Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz.

(Laredo, Tx)- The Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet School received a $105,000 grant donation from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Foundation Trust on Thursday, May 9. LBV trustees J.C. Martin III and James Pearl presented the check to Cantu Health Science Magnet School teachers and students during a ceremony held at the Tiger’s Den on the Martin High School campus.

 The grant donation will be used to expand programs at the magnet school says director, Gerri Arredondo. The school will be purchasing an ambulance simulator, which will provide real-life, hands-on experiences to students who are preparing for their emergency medical technician certification, as well as equipment to certify students as certified nursing assistants, pharmacy technicians, medical assistants, and medical records assistants.

 “This is a blessing for all of our students and teachers at the Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet,” said Arredondo. “I am excited because this grant will bring state-of-the-art equipment to our magnet program which will service students from Martin, Nixon, and Cigarroa high schools. Our students will be college ready and at the same time be prepared for the work force.”

 “I am grateful for the support of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust and thank them for helping us to achieve our educational goals,” said Dr. Marcus Nelson, LISD Superintendent. “This grant money will ensure the students receive the opportunity to excel academically and to gain employable skills in health science careers.”

Dr. Dennis Cantu attended the presentation and remembered Mrs. Bruni Vergara as a humble lady who cared about her community and left her signature all over Laredo with her generous donations.

 Cantu Magnet School student Gabriela Dominguez thanked the LBV Trust on behalf of her classmates. She plans to go to medical school and return to Laredo to practice medicine. She has completed her medical rotations, and learned CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and wound care. In appreciation for the donation, Dominguez presented the Lamar Bruni Vergara Foundation Trust with a framed autographed picture on behalf of the school’s student body.

(Laredo,T x)-  The Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet School received a $105,000 grant donation from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Foundation Trust on Thursday, May 9. LBV trustees J.C. Martin III and James Pearl presented the check to Cantu Health Science Magnet School teachers and students during a ceremony held at the Tiger’s Den on the Martin High School campus.

 The grant donation will be used to expand programs at the magnet school says director, Gerri Arredondo. The school will be purchasing an ambulance simulator, which will provide real-life, hands-on experiences to students who are preparing for their emergency medical technician certification, as well as equipment to certify students as certified nursing assistants, pharmacy technicians, medical assistants, and medical records assistants.

 “This is a blessing for all of our students and teachers at the Dr. Dennis D. Cantu Health Science Magnet,” said Arredondo. “I am excited because this grant will bring state-of-the-art equipment to our magnet program which will service students from Martin, Nixon, and Cigarroa high schools. Our students will be college ready and at the same time be prepared for the work force.”

 “I am grateful for the support of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust and thank them for helping us to achieve our educational goals,” said Dr. Marcus Nelson, LISD Superintendent. “This grant money will ensure the students receive the opportunity to excel academically and to gain employable skills in health science careers.”

Dr. Dennis Cantu attended the presentation and remembered Mrs. Bruni Vergara as a humble lady who cared about her community and left her signature all over Laredo with her generous donations.

 Cantu Magnet School student Gabriela Dominguez thanked the LBV Trust on behalf of her classmates. She plans to go to medical school and return to Laredo to practice medicine. She has completed her medical rotations, and learned CPR, the Heimlich maneuver, and wound care. In appreciation for the donation, Dominguez presented the Lamar Bruni Vergara Foundation Trust with a framed autographed picture on behalf of the school’s student body.

(Laredo, Tx)- The “Teens in the Driver Seat Organization” of the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts receives accolades Friday, May 5, in Austin at the Texas State Capitol for the TDS Day during the Capitol event. The VMT organization was recognized for its contribution for raising awareness of safe teen driving by for the Texas Teens in the Driver Seat Organization.

 The VMT Teens in the Driver Seat program was recognized as the top program in the state by placing first and winning $500 in the Texas Teens in the Driver Seat Cup in the 2A/3A state division.

 The Trevino Magnet School program once again had two students chosen for the 13 member Texas Teens in the Driver Seat Advisory Board.  Tony Bondoc and Amanda Castaneda were selected as a member of the state board. 

 Highlighted were three activities that the VMT program conducted in Laredo last year which included the Fernando A. Salinas 5K Run in memory of Mercurio Martinez, IV, and both radio and television public service announcements prepared, acted in, and edited by the VMT Communications classes.

 The “Teens in the Driver Seat Organization” of the Vidal M. Trevino School of Communications and Fine Arts receives accolades today in Austin at the Texas State Capitol for the TDS Day during the Capitol event. The VMT organization was recognized for its contribution for raising awareness of safe teen driving by for the Texas Teens in the Driver Seat Organization.

 The VMT Teens in the Driver Seat program was recognized as the top program in the state by placing first and winning $500 in the Texas Teens in the Driver Seat Cup in the 2A/3A state division.

 The Trevino Magnet School program once again had two students chosen for the 13 member Texas Teens in the Driver Seat Advisory Board.  Tony Bondoc and Amanda Castaneda were selected as a member of the state board. 

 Highlighted were three activities that the VMT program conducted in Laredo last year which included the Fernando A. Salinas 5K Run in memory of Mercurio Martinez, IV, and both radio and television public service announcements prepared, acted in, and edited by the VMT Communications classes.

Off-site location promises good discussions and good coffee

 The Laredo Public Library’s two book clubs’ May meetings are just around the corner and they are inviting Laredoans to spring into the two titles selected for the upcoming meetings, set for Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at a new location.  In order to create a more relaxing, inviting atmosphere, the book clubs will be meeting at off-site locations four times a year.  For the month of May, both library book clubs will be meeting at the Scholars Café Barista, located at 1701 Peaceful Meadow Court.

 For a real page turner, check out this month’s “Scene of the Crime” book club’s selection.  “All I Did Was Shoot My Man,” a thriller by Walter Mosley. In the latest and most surprising novel in the bestselling Leonid McGill series, Leonid finds himself caught between his sins of the past and an all-too-vivid present. The novel follows Leonid McGill, an old school private eye detective who uses his big heart and a lifetime of boxing skills to save a woman from the grasp of mobsters desperate to reclaim the money she stole from them. Thing is, she didn’t do it.  

Seven years ago, Zella Grisham came home to find her man, Harry Tangelo, in bed with her friend. The weekend before, $6.8 million had been stolen from Rutgers Assurance Corp., whose offices are across the street from where Zella worked. Zella didn’t remember shooting Harry, but she didn’t deny it either. The district attorney was inclined to call it temporary insanity-until the police found $80,000 from the Rutgers heist hidden in her storage space.

For reasons of his own, Leonid McGill is convinced of Zella’s innocence. But as he begins his investigation, his life begins to unravel. His wife is drinking more than she should. His oldest son has dropped out of college and moved in with an exprostitute. His youngest son is working for him and trying to stay within the law. And his father, whom he thought was long dead, has turned up under an alias.

A gripping story of murder, greed, and retribution, All I Did Was Shoot My Man is also the poignant tale of one man’s attempt to stay connected to his family.

 For books with an inspirational theme, the “Gateway City Book Lovers Club” is always a good choice.  This month, however, the club’s tome of choice, “The Coldest Night,” is by Robert Olmstead, the story is a bit grittier, but just as poignant.  Robert Olmstead’s riveting new novel is not only a passionate story of love and war, it is a timeless story of soldiers coming home to a country with little regard for, and even less knowledge of, what they’ve confronted. Through his hero, Olmstead reveals an unspoken truth about combat: that for many men, the experience of war is the most enlivening, electric, and extraordinary experience of their lives.

 Henry Childs is just seventeen when he falls into a love affair so intense it nearly consumes him. But when young Mercy’s disapproving father threatens Henry’s life, Henry runs as far as he can — to the other side of the world.

The time is 1950, and the Korean War hangs in the balance. Descended from a long line of soldiers, Henry enlists in the marines and arrives in Korea on the eve of the brutal seventeen-day battle of the Chosin Reservoir — the turning point of the war — completely unprepared for the forbidding Korean landscape and the unimaginable circumstances of a war well beyond the scope of anything his ancestors ever faced. But the challenges he meets upon his return home, scarred and haunted, are greater by far.

The “Scene of the Crime” Mystery Book Club meets from 6-7PM and immediately following, from 7-8 PM, the “Gateway City Book Lovers’ Book Club meets. There are no dues, no roll call, and no tests! Just Laredoans having fun reading and discussing a book. 

 All books are available for check-out at the Reference Desk at the Laredo Public Library or available for purchase at Books-A-Million at Mall Del Norte.  For more information, contact Pam Burrell by calling 795-2400, x2268 or via e-mail at pam@laredolibrary.org.

In an effort to help support and meet district goals, the Tarver Elementary  School free Family Festival will promote health and wellness for students, parents, employees, and community. The festival will include informational booths and free health screenings. The event will also provide hands on activities for the whole family, including Kids Fit Zone, nutritional information,  kids’ safety, diabetes prevention, Zumba and karate demonstrations, and much more.   The festival will take place this Friday May 4th from 5pm. to 8pm. at Tarver Elementary School (3200 Tilden).

 Cigarroa High School, the Pride of South Laredo, inducted 14 members into their Toro Legends during their inaugural ceremony held this morning at the Cigarroa High School gym.

 This was the inaugural induction ceremony for the “Pride of South Laredo.” During the ceremony the recipients were recognized for their accomplishments in their careers and community involvement.  The recipients also gave words of encouragement to the graduating class to pursue their dreams.  The recipients were presented with a plaque by school Principal Laura Flores and serenaded by the CHS Mariachi band.  The Toro Legends were also treated to a luncheon in the Library. 

 This year’s inductees include; Rafael Garcia, Patricia Albidrez, Raul  Nuno, Albert Perez Hernandez, Omar Gonzalez, Jose Cerda, Irma De La Cruz, Osvaldo Villarreal, Victor Alvarado, Angeles Borrego, Rebecca Albidrez-Gamez, Ana Benavides, Jessica Pena Alvarado, and Adalberto Soliz.

Farias Elementary School received a donation from the Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Leaders Empowering Active Deeds (L.E.A.D.) Organization and the Youth Leadership Laredo. The student organization donated several willow trees to Farias Elementary, as part of their community project “Planting Leadership.”

 Planting Leadership aims to inspire the young minds and spirits of the elementary school students to discover their own potential as professionals and leaders, and expand their possibilities of success beyond their own imagination, achieving those goals that they once thought impossible.

 The L.E.A.D. Organization, along with members of the Farias Elementary School student body held a tree planting and ribbon cutting ceremony where two Willow trees were planted in front of the school. Boys and Girls Scouts from Farias Elementary assisted in the ceremony by preparing the soil and watering the new trees.

 Campus vice-principal Flor Diaz said the new trees are a welcome addition to the schools garden.