TAMIU GEAR UP Students Present One Act Play for Parents at Nixon

Parents of students in the GEAR UP Program at J. W. Nixon High School were treated to a special one-act play presentation by their children this week.

GEAR UP, "Creating A Vision," is a program funded by the U.S. Department of Education through Texas A&M International University's Office of Special Programs. The presentation was part of the program's parental involvement outreach activities.

Parents were also treated to breakfast by their children, presentations on the importance of higher education at the University and financial aid availability.

The bilingual one act play, "The Awakening" or "El Despertar" was presented by sophomore students in the Spanish III class under the direction of Francisco Patoni and dealt with the dilemma of teenage pregnancy.

Students participating in the play's presentation included Robert McClure, Helen Alonzo, Vicente Robles, Manuel Barragan, Robert Tenorio, Chelsea Perez, Erick Garza, Triana Ramirez, Marisela Leyva, Monica Inocencio, Frances Patoni, Michael Camarillo, Alonzo Rodriguez, Christine Garza, Carlos Garcia, and Juan Ramos.

Props and background art work was done by the Art I summer class taught by Joe Olivares.

For additional information on the GEAR UP Program, please call or visit offices located in the Student Center, Room 126.

With State budget cuts, the University is observing a four-day, 10-hour a day schedule this summer with office hours from 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Offices are closed Fridays.