Students Enjoyed Productive Successful Summers

by Ronnie Zamora/LFCISD

Many students relax during their summer vacations. Others in programs like band, dance and athletic programs ended their summer vacations early with practices to prepare for the new school year.

But a handful of others took part in competitions and brought some regional and state recognition.

UTRGV Railway Camp
Two Rancho Verde Elementary students were parts of winning teams in the popular University Transportation Center for Railway Safety summer camps. More than 1,000 students in grades 3 through 12 attended one of four week-long camps at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley campus in Edinburg.

During the camps, students learned important concepts of science and engineering while working on projects like magnetic levitation train kits and Lego Mindstorms robots.

In the Elementary School division, Iris Delgado and Zoe Lozano, students at RVE, teamed with two students from Valley View ISD with the team name “Fantastic Four.”

FFA Students at State Convention
Ten students from from the Los Fresnos High School FFA participated at the 89th Annual Texas FFA Convention in Corpus Christi and brought home several awards.

Agriscience Fair:  Alma Longoria and Madison Wilson placed third in the Plant Systems category, senior team division. The Agriscience Fair fuses the traditional science fair with agriculture. FFA members conduct cutting edge agricultural research to compete in categories such as biochemistry and microbiology, environmental science, zoology, botany and engineering.

Courtesy Corps: Ten served as a Courtesy Corps, a team of student volunteers who handle many logistical functions. Students include Isaac Munoz, Allison Watts, Madison Wilson, Alma Longoria, Jorge Moya, Karen Waters, Robert Waters, Nate Leyva, Ryan Atkinson, and Lane Thomae.

Lone Star FFA Degree: Allison Watts was awarded the Lone Star FFA Degree, the highest degree bestowed, for members who have received the Chapter degree, been active for at least two years, completed at least four semesters of agricultural science at or above the ninth grade level, and maintained a Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) program. Watts was one of more than 2,400 FFA members to receive this esteemed degree.

Fruit Production Proficiency: Lane Thomae was awarded the Fruit Production Proficiency Award, which encourages members to set personal goals and learn practical skills. The program provides recognition to FFA members for exceptional accomplishments and excellence in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) programs. His application will now go to the national FFA headquarters in Indiana to be considered for national proficiency award. His proficiency placed Silver at the National Level.