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Alums in the News

Marcia L. Solis '99, '05, instructional specialist at Santo Niño Elementary School enjoys working with teachers Vanessa Garcia '94, '02, Erica Ramirez '04, and Cordy Salinas, '03 to develop new and innovative lesson plans for Laredo’s public school children.  All work and little play make Marcia Solis a very happy person. Solis’ full-time work at Santo Niño and part-time work as both a student and teacher at Texas A&M International University and advisory board position at Blessed Sacrament Elementary School more than fill her work week.

After a full day with Santo Niño teachers, Solis drives to TAMIU to be both student and teacher. Two days a week she studies for her Principal Certification with Dr. Claudio Salinas and Dr. Fred Ivy at TAMIU. “I would not be going back to school without the support of LISD and my family. I couldn't do it,” Solis said. Solis, who started her teaching career in 1998 after several years as a social worker, wants to pass on what she has learned at TAMIU and in Laredo’s elementary school classrooms.

This summer she developed the first-grade science curriculum with her colleagues at Santo Niño Elementary School. “We are preparing teachers to do more effective classroom planning,” Solis said. “It’s really simple what we need to do to make an impact but we need to start in the first-grade,” Solis believes. Solis, who has been working in Laredo’s elementary schools for eight years, suggests focusing on the “Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills” program with teachers directing a “lot of hands-on learning” by young students.  Marcia is married to Victor Solis and they have to daughters Caroline and Victoria. 

Class of  '06 Grad opens bike store

Juan M. Rull '06 and brother Adrian recently opened Chkn Peak Bike Store.  Juan was very serious about starting the bike shop after getting into mountain bike contests six years ago.  He saved around $6,000 in tips, as a server at Coyote Creek Restaurant, to start up the business. He worked at the business for seven years.  A year after his first bike race, he started the Coyote Mountain Bike Club.  The 15 members who started with him, mostly family and friends, are still active in the organization. The business management major knew how to make a complete business plan, and used the plan to borrow approximately $24,000 from IBC to get the store open.  Click here to read the entire story...

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Dr. Cecilia Garza, (left) a professor at Texas A&M International University, was installed as the first female president of the Laredo Rotary Club on Wednesday, June 28. 

Noemi Dominguez '01, '04 was promoted to accounting officer at BBVA-LNB.  Noemi is an avid contributor to the community.  She participates in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program where she prepares income tax returns free of charge, and volunteers at Nuestra Señora del Rosario Church.

Vidal Velasquez '05 has been promoted to assistant accounting officer at BBVA-LNB. Vidal has been an employee for 17 years.

Maria Dolores Martinez '02 was recently promoted to planning and budget officer in the planning and budget department. A BBVA-LNB employee of 18 years, Martinez is responsible for preparation of budget, budget reports, management reports and special projects.  Maria Dolores contributes to the community by volunteering for Junior Achievement and is a catechist at San Martin de Porres Church.

Olga P. Gentry '90, '98 became principal at St. Augustine Elementary School in 2002.  Since then the school has experienced an 80 percent growth, with a 400 expected enrollment for this coming school year.  Olga attended Texas A&M University at College Station, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in educational curriculum and instruction.  She earned her master’s in early childhood education from Laredo State University in 1990. She also has a master’s from Texas A&M International University in educational administration.

Olga has served as president of the Laredo Children’s Museum and is president-elect of the Society of Martha Washington. Other activities include involvement with the United Way, Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association and a troop leader for the cub scouts.

Cordy Rodriguez '01 is a lending officer at De La Chica Real Estate Services, Inc.

Mike Garza '02 (center), new council member for the City of Laredo, district 1 is an employee of UISD serving as support services director. He was elected in the June 13th city election.

Emma Leza '94 is the new director of bilingual/ESL/dual language/foreign language at UISD.

Amy Alaniz '00 is the new director of gifted/talented/advanced academics at UISD. Alaniz served as an assistant principal at Salinas Elementary from 2005 – 2006.

Annette O. Perez '89 was selected as the new director of student relations/discipline management for UISD.

Grace Lopez '74 is the new director of student affairs/dropout recovery. Grace previously served the district as director of guidance and counseling from 2000 to 2006.

Elvira C. Gaona '95 is the new dean for J. B. Alexander High School Magnet for Health and Science.

Armando Salazar '99 is the new principal for Los Obispos Middle School.

Sandra Benavides '77 has been named to the Library Advisory Board at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas.

Clarissa G. Flores '93 is the new principal at Bonnie L. Garcia Elementary School, where she served previously as assistant principal.

Happy Trails...

Violet Henney Marlowe '84 has enjoyed a successful career as an educator in Laredo, but after 20-plus years involving positions as a teacher, principal and director of various programs she is moving to La Paz, Bolivia.  After 22 years, Marlowe has compiled a long list of accomplishments in Laredo. Her proudest moment as a teacher, Marlowe said, was being one of six teachers in the U.S. selected to teach in Russia as part of the International Curriculum Project, which she helped implement. 

She first joined UISD in 1986 as a teacher for gifted and talented kids at Clark Elementary, where she twice participated in the Gifted Disadvantaged Summer Program. She was named teacher of the year in 1992. In 1993, Marlowe was named assistant principal at Matias de Llano Jr. Elementary School. She was principal at Matias de Llano from 1997-2000 when the school earned exemplary and recognized campus status each of those years. Violet was fine arts coordinator for UISD from 2000-2005. Violet has also been a multi-year nominee for Who’s Who of America’s Teachers. Her hobbies include reading, painting and water skiing.

Irma O. Flores '73, '77 past Principal at Bonnie L. Garcia Elementary, 2004-2006, retired from UISD effective June 30, 2006.  Flores' thirty plus year career in education and dedication to the children of this UISD will be missed.

Nora Treviño '94 executive director of elementary education, will be retiring from UISD after 38 years in the field of education.  Her leadership and expertise in the field of education will be missed.