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Welcome to the Kiwanis Club of Baytown Established March 12, 1946

Kiwanis is a global organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time.

Baytown Kiwanis Club

Our Motto: SERVING THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD

We meet Thursdays at 12:00 PM
Luna's Mexican Restaurant
730 W Cedar Bayou Lynchburg Rd
Baytown, TX  77521
United States of America
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baytownkiwanis@gmail.com
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Home Page Stories
Pickleball tournament raises $10K, Rodriguez and Johnson win for second time

Photo: Nick Rodriguez, right, and his playing partner, Madison Johnson, were the first-place winners for the second year in a row at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown Pickleball Tournament. Also pictured is Dave Jirrels, Kiwanis Club assistant treasurer and tournament director.

 

For Nick Rodriguez and Madison Johnson, winning the Kiwanis Club of Baytown Pickleball Tournament is becoming a habit.

The defending Advance Bracket champions teamed up again Saturday at the Chambers County Pickleball Courts and downed the competition on a hot late-summer day.

“It’s always a good time. It’s always nice, too, because we know basically everything we’re playing,” Rodriguez said. “So, it’s a little more competitive than it would be in a normal open play, but still tons and tons of fun because you get those local bragging rights.”

Rodriguez and Johnson have been pickleball partners since June 2025.

They also finally got a chance to play the tournament without having to battle the weather.

“Two years ago, I think it was a complete washout,” Rodriguez said. “And then last year, it rained for probably the first hour and a half. I think we only had like three or four teams show up. So it was nice actually being able to play, too.”

Sahid Fadul and Chris Cerda finished second in the Advanced Bracket, followed by Gary Englert and Scott Charlson in third.

In the Beginner’s Bracket, Jarrett Skrabanek and Jordyn Skrabanek took first place, while sisters Kendall and Kenzie Miller finished second.

Tournament Director and Kiwanis Club of Baytown Assistant Treasurer Dave Jirrels, said the tournament raised about $10,000 for scholarships and community support for area youth.

The pickleball tournament debuted in 2024 as the club’s fall fundraiser, replacing its long-running apple sale. The club also holds a golf tournament fundraiser in the spring.

For Rodriguez, though, there is another reason to return next year  ––  a chance for a three-peat.

“We shall see,” he said. “We will definitely give it a shot.”

Baytown graduate returns as Space Center Houston’s bridge into STEM

Photo: Baytown native Chyna Lewis chats with Blake Cather, a Kiwanis member, Thursday during her visit to the club, where she spoke about her work connecting local students with Space Center Houston programs.

 

Chyna Lewis knows what it is like to grow up as a kid in Baytown. She went to Bowie Elementary, moved through Travis Elementary and Gentry Junior High, and left IMPACT Early College High School in 2018 with an associate degree and a wider orbit in mind.

Now, as a STEM Pathways specialist at Space Center Houston, she is aiming to give back. 

In her role at Space Center Houston, she serves as a bridge, connecting college and career, then to the aerospace industry, science, technology, engineering and math for students who might never see themselves in those fields unless someone opens the door. She had a homecoming Thursday at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown, providing a strong and clear message, saying that Baytown helped shape that path, and she is using her work to open it for others.

“I wouldn’t be there without Baytown,” she said.

That homecoming carried extra weight in a room full of people who watch local children grow up. Lewis said she serves on the center’s School and Community Engagement Team, oversees youth STEM programs and takes outreach into schools, Boys & Girls Clubs and YMCAs. Some offerings are free to districts while others are fee-based. Much of the work, she said, is grant-funded and measured against partnership goals.

Goose Creek CISD is already in the conversation. While Goose Creek doesn’t currently participate in the STEM Outreach program, the district’s Career and Technical Education department has held discussions with Space Center Houston and is evaluating the STEM curriculum, according to Goose Creek CISD Director of Communications Nancy Bonds.

Lewis knows those campuses from both sides of the desk. After IMPACT, she earned a degree from Texas Tech University and a master’s in instructional design and technology from the University of Houston-Clear Lake. She taught for about three years at E.F. Green Junior School, mentored girls in STEM and helped coordinate robotics before summer work at Lee College pulled her out of the classroom. When a Space Center Houston posted an opening for someone to run the youth STEM academies, work with underrepresented students and teach aerospace in settings that do not look like a traditional classroom, she didn’t waste and applied.

Now, two years later, she couldn’t be happier with her decision. 

NASA’s Johnson Space Center visitor center draws about 1.3 million people a year, including more than 250,000 students and educators. 

Lewis said the mission is simple: bring people and space closer together. That work now includes youth academies, educator training, innovation contests, distance learning, field trips and camps that stretch from preschool-age explorers to high school students living a compressed version of astronaut training.

“No two days look the same,” she said.

For Lewis, hosting the Youth STEM Academies has become her passion. The invitation-only programs pull students mainly from the greater Houston area — Goose Creek, Clear Creek, Galveston, Pasadena and Houston ISD among them — for TEKS-aligned sessions once a week or every other week so students are not pulled out of class all day. Lewis said she helped develop the model as a supplement to school, not a replacement.

Girls STEM programming for the 2026-27 school year is already underway, with NASA and industry speakers, mentorship and hands-on work both at the Webster center and on school campuses. The Conrad Challenge, a global innovation contest Space Center Houston hosts for students ages 13 to 18, asks teams to design solutions in areas such as aerospace, energy, health and the environment.

Club members pressed her on who can take part and how far students travel. Lewis said academies lean local but are not walled off by district lines. Summer Explorer Camps serve children ages 4 to 11. 

Space Center University puts middle and high school students into multi-day immersions that mix rocket science, teamwork and problem-solving. Overnight programs let groups sleep among flown hardware.

Distance learning and “orbital outreach” send the center’s staff into classrooms when a field trip is not the right fit.

The conversation then turned to questions from the Club members , who asked Lewis for more details on the programs. The first question was about whether the Center is teaching drone flight. Lewis said the museum did at one time and hopes to bring drones back.

Summer atmospheric program students have the opportunity to build CubeSats and send them up to collect weather data.

A partnership she cited as a model sits up the highway in Beaumont. Underwritten by ExxonMobil, Space Center Houston brought Beaumont ISD students to Webster for circuitry, robotics and biology, then they returned to their community for culminating events. 

Lewis took time to explain the difference between NASA’s working campus and the public museum next to it. Visitors can ride trams toward Mission Control and training facilities, see mock-ups and flown spacecraft, and look into an Orion capsule display — though they cannot climb inside the exhibit version. 

The Neutral Buoyancy Lab, where astronauts rehearse spacewalks in a giant pool, sits separately on Space Center Boulevard and offers limited tours.

Lewis did not speculate on future plans for NASA’s flight plans. Astronauts pass through the center often, she said, and she works with NASA’s Megan McArthur on a research partnership with Pasadena Memorial High School. 

A renovated Mars exhibit is expected later this year, and the center is planning student STEM activities around National STEM Day in November. Holiday Galaxy Lights, a walk-through spectacle rather than a drive-through, typically returns in mid-to-late November and runs into early January.

The details mattered less than the main takeaway. Lewis said Baytown raised her, and she intends to give back more than she received through internships, campus visits, teacher workshops, the Space Exploration Educators Conference and the provide students the spark to look up at space.

“Now I get to be that bridge between Baytown and Space Center Houston,” she said. “So I’m really excited.”

Information on education programs is at Space Center's website. Lewis told Kiwanians she can sometimes arrange complimentary visits for small groups and is the center’s local point of contact for schools and community partners looking to start.

Superintendent: I have one year to improve

Photo: Joe Rodriguez, Goose Creek CISD superintendent, (center) spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Baytown about his district, highlighting many of its successes and concerns over low ratings at some elementary campuses. Pictured are, Nancy Bonds, spokeswoman for Goose Creek CISD; Rodriguez; and Marissa Moreno, Kiwanis Club of Baytown president.

 

Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Joe Rodriguez told the Kiwanis Club of Baytown Thursday that Ashbel Smith Elementary’s F rating — along with D or F grades at other campuses — could lead to state intervention and the removal of the superintendent and school board. 

Rodriguez explained that state rules allow intervention after five consecutive unacceptable ratings, putting campuses at risk if scores do not improve. Ashbel Smith currently has three, with an F in the latest ratings after a D the previous year and F’s before that. Carver, De Zavala and Highlands elementaries each have a count of 2.

Under state rules, three D’s count as one F, with each D after that counting as another F. A C or better this year would reset the count and reduce the risk of intervention.

Among elementary campuses, Ashbel Smith dropped from 68 to 59. Banuelos Elementary climbed from 75 to 84. James Bowie Elementary improved 10 points, from 65 to 75, while Victoria Walker Elementary went from 74 to 80. Clark Elementary fell from 87 to 72. Several other campuses received D’s or posted modest C’s.

While discussing both the highs and lows of the district, the superintendent made a bold statement.

“I don’t have two years to improve. I have one year,” Rodriguez said, underscoring the urgency.

Despite concerns at some campuses, Rodriguez pointed to several areas where the district has made progress. The district’s overall grade rose from 78 to 80. It earned 22 distinctions and seven of its campuses improved by a full letter grade. The high schools continue to post the district’s strongest results.

Rodriguez said the district is placing greater emphasis on phonics in the early grades to improve results at campuses under pressure. It is also offering up to $15,000 in incentives to third- through fifth-grade teachers at Ashbel Smith and Carver.

To improve campus performance and reach stated goals, central office administrators are participating in a pilot program that includes mentoring, acting as reading buddies and tutoring. Rodriguez added that the district has made recent hires to reshape classroom instruction.

When asked about the role of homework and whether more work could be completed during the school day, Rodriguez said homework is only one small part of the equation.

He said most academic growth comes from “Tier 1” instruction, making sure the lesson is taught well the first time.

“That’s where you get the biggest bang for your buck,” he said.

The district uses the Bluebonnet curriculum, but Rodriguez said the quality of the teacher remains more important than the program itself.

Goose Creek CISD serves about 22,500 students and employs about 3,800 people. Enrollment has dropped by about 650 students from last year. Rodriguez attributed this decline to a number of factors including to lower birth rates, as well as school choice and the state’s new voucher program.

The superintendent is overhauling the district’s culture and part of that change is proposing to reduce the districts five previous goals to three broad priorities: academic excellence, safe and secure schools and financial stewardship. He wants to do this to keep the district focused on the work ahead.

Academic goals include earning an A rating by the 2029-30 school year, improving College, Career and Military Readiness and getting more prekindergarten students on track in phonemic awareness, all aimed at raising district performance.

Students can earn associate degrees or core-complete college hours through IMPACT Early College High School and Stuart Career Technical High School. They can also earn industry certifications through career academies in areas such as culinary arts, automotive, health science, STEM, information technology, welding and pipefitting and future educators.

Safety goals include 100% compliance with Standard Response Protocol drills, addressing every finding from state Intruder Detection Audits, improving the appearance and function of district buildings from “curb to classroom” and reducing violent offenses and major behavior incidents to strengthen campus security.

The board has approved a Guardian program that allows trained staff members to carry concealed weapons, as well as retired law-enforcement officers serving in visible roles. When asked how many staff members will be armed, he declined to answer saying that was confidential. 

Law-enforcement officers who visit a campus and walk the halls also can receive a free meal through the “Meals for Shields” program.

Financial goals include maintaining a balanced budget, receiving clean audits each year, keeping an Aaa bond rating, matching capital spending with facility needs and giving the community greater access to budget information to preserve stability. He would like the district to evaluate district-owned land that could either be sold or held for future use.

The current tax rate of $1.07 per $100 valuation is the lowest it has been since 2013. Rodriguez said rising property values do not automatically mean more revenue for the district because the state often reduces its share.

The superintendent also touted his plan for a District Ambassador Program, parent and student advisory committees, open enrollment as well as improving every campus rating over the previous year. 

Kiwanian Harvey Oyler asked whether community members could get involved in mentoring students.

“That is the ultimate goal,” Rodriguez said. The staff pilot will come first, with volunteers to follow. Rodriguez said even a simple word of encouragement can make a difference. Telling a student they are doing a great job, he said, can mean a lot to a child who might not hear those words at home.

ICE, police pursuits questions at Kiwanis meeting

Photo: Members of the Baytown Police Department told members of the Kiwanis Club of Baytown about their efforts to reach out to the community, including the Hispanic Community. They also discussed ICE operations in Baytown and how they are handling high-speed pursuits. Pictured are, from left, Det. Felipe Gallegos, Lt. Rene Hinojosa, Baytown PD’s sex offender registrar Estela Martin and Det. Natalie Robinson.

 

Questions about immigration enforcement and high-speed police pursuits took center stage Thursday when Baytown police officers met with members of the Kiwanis Club of Baytown.

The questions about ICE and police pursuits came during a meeting that otherwise focused heavily on building trust between Baytown police and the community, particularly with Spanish-speaking residents.

When asked whether U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is active in Baytown and if the police department works with the federal agency, Lt. Rene Hinojosa, who oversees crime prevention for the Baytown Police Department, said ICE agents are in the city “every once in a while.” Still, Baytown officers do not partner with them on operations.

Hinojosa said the department’s priority during a police pursuit is protecting the public, even if that means temporarily letting a suspect get away.

“It’s always a risk-versus-reward thing. We do not want to risk innocent lives in needless pursuits,” Hinojosa said.

Hinojosa created the department’s UNIDOS (“united” in Spanish) outreach program, which is designed to allow residents to meet officers and learn about public safety before they need police assistance.

“Our goal is trust. We want residents to know the police before they need us during an emergency,” Hinojosa said. “Building those relationships makes people more comfortable reporting crimes, asking questions and seeking assistance.”

The program brings officers into neighborhoods to talk about crime prevention, personal safety, fraud, traffic laws and domestic violence resources.

Meetings are held in English and Spanish, often at Emanuel Church on East James Street.

Hinojosa said one reason the outreach is important is that some Hispanic residents may be afraid to call police or emergency medical services because they fear immigration enforcement.

“We’re not immigration. We’re not part of ICE. If you need us, call us. We’re here for you,” he said. “We value all community members.”

Hinojosa said programs such as UNIDOS are about more than holding community meetings.

“UNIDOS isn’t really about holding meetings. It’s about relationships,” Hinojosa said. “We want every member of our community to know that the Baytown Police Department is their police department.”

Detective Natalie Robinson, who works in the Sex Offender Compliance Unit, said Hinojosa developed UNIDOS from the ground up.

Last year, the department also held its first Spanish-language Citizens Police Academy.

“They were very appreciative to learn what the police department does in their native language,” Robinson said. “Knowledge is power. If people know more about what we’re doing, then all your resources open up to them as well.”

Robinson encouraged residents to attend the department’s open meetings.

Det. Felipe Gallegos also spoke to the club about his career in law enforcement.

Gallegos, a 33-year veteran officer, now works in investigations after spending years in homicide and patrol. He was born in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico, and came to the United States when he was 17.

His first memorable encounter with police came while he was delivering pizza. He saw two officers struggling with a suspect who had pulled a knife.

“The first thing that I said was ‘¿Necesitan ayuda?’ (Do you need help?) and one of the officers said yes,” Gallegos said.

Gallegos helped the officers take the man down.

“That was the introduction to human justice that pushed me to become a police officer,” he said.

Gallegos said his children now serve in the Air Force, Houston SWAT and the Texas City Police Department.

He later sang his own rendition of “God Bless America” for the Kiwanis club, earning a standing ovation.

Hinojosa was also asked about the department’s chase policy and some high-profile accidents that have occurred over the last year in the city. 

Officers can end a chase when they believe the danger has become too great. Hinojosa said that could happen if a driver begins traveling the wrong way on a freeway, races through a school zone or speeds down Garth Road during rush hour.

If officers know who the driver is, they can also end the pursuit and pursue charges through an investigation later, he said.

The meeting touched on a fatal 2025 crash involving Baytown police Officer Michael Hightower. Two children died because of the accident. Hinojosa said the incident was not a pursuit and that Hightower was responding as a backup unit.

“It’s heart-wrenching, what occurred,” he said. “We’re looking at the speeds, we’re looking at the conditions, we’re looking at everything to see if there are some things that we can do to make things better.”

Hinojosa also announced upcoming public-safety listening sessions in each City Council district. A District 1 session is planned for Sept. 5.

He invited the club to National Night Out on Oct. 6 at Town Square, where SWAT, bomb and dive teams and city leaders are expected to attend.

Baytown Parks and Rec visits Kiwanis Club

PHOTO: Members of the Baytown Parks and Recreation Department talked about getting folks to visit Baytown and its other roles in the community. Pictured are, from left, Jakson Hurst, marketing coordinator for Parks and Recreation; Harvey Oyler, Kiwanis Club of Baytown member; and Staci Wise, sales and outreach coordinator for Visit Baytown.

 

Most residents are familiar with the city’s big events –– the Fourth of July celebration, Juneteenth, Grito Fest and the Christmas Parade –– what they don’t realize is that the Parks and Rec department and Visit Baytown are promoting the city, and all that it has to offer, with smaller events and targeted tourism pitches for birders, geocachers and sports groups throughout the year.

Thursday, the Kiwanis Club of Baytown learned from Parks and Rec marketing coordinator Jakson Hurst and Visit Baytown sales and outreach coordinator Staci Wise, how the two entities coordinate to promote the many attractions, festivities and programs the city has to offer.

Hurst explained that his role is to get families to come together and connect with the city on smaller and medium-sized events.  To do this, Hurst focuses on social media, email campaigns, creating flyers, taking photos and posting videos. He also takes a grassroots approach by speaking directly to business owners and civic organizations. 

One of his department’s recent successes was bringing taco trucks to Town Square on Texas Avenue for Dollar Taco Night. The May 3 event saw trucks lined up and down the street with vendors, and patrons ready to buy $1 tacos. Hurst said they hit record levels on social media thanks to the event and the turnout was double what it had been in the past. The department highlighted vendors beforehand which Hurst said contributed to the record attendance.

Hurst highlighted some his department’s events planned for the next few months including the Fall Market at Town Square, Run for Your Wildlife at the Baytown Nature Center, the Arbor Day tree giveaway, the Daddy and Me Dance, the Turkey Trot at Jenkins Park in November and the Holiday Hangout series in December. 

He also mentioned the upcoming Pooch-A-Palooza event, Sept. 12 at Jenkins Park, where there will be adoption opportunities, vendors and dog-focused activities. 

While Hurst noted the Parks and Rec activities, Wise focused on how Visit Baytown is trying to get people to come and stay for a night or two in Baytown. 

The Visit Baytown team targets specific interests that fit what Baytown offers rather than just broad leisure marketing. This tailored approach is starting to see benefits.

One of the draws is Texas’ own history, Wise said. Partnering with sites in historical places such as Goliad and Gonzales, Baytown can provide visitors with a historical experience outside of the Alamo, plus they can have the pleasure of staying at the Hyatt Regency Baytown-Houston right on the water and not far from the San Jacinto Monument. 

With more than 300 species of birds recorded in the area and a high national ranking on eBird, Baytown is quickly becoming a go-to spot for many birding enthusiasts hoping to catch a glimpse of the many fine-feathered friends that inhabit this stretch of the upper Gulf Coast.

Birdwatchers come to hotspots during migration periods, like the Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge in Anahuac and the High Island sanctuaries, to feed their fascination with birds.

Birders can enjoy a multi-day birding package in November thanks to the efforts of Visit Baytown. If they book a room at the Hyatt Regency on Bayland Island, they can receive free daily van transportation to key sites, recommendations to local restaurants and then set their itineraries. 

Geocaching is another outdoor hobby attracting visitors to the city. The official Baytown GeoTour’s numbers have risen, according to Wise, with more than 850 geocaching finds, as of June, up from 700 for all of 2025. The department promotes geocaching at out-of-state festivals, in magazines and on podcasts. 

Sports tourism is also bringing visitors to Baytown, Wise said.  The department is working to attract events to Wayne Gray Sports Complex as well as the city’s other venues. The Tabbs Bay site is being considered the spot for the Wicked Wine Run in March. 

In addition, a regional disc golf tournament is planned at Jenkins Park, and the Veterans Judo Tournament is set for Aug. 28-29 at the Baytown Community Center with the Hyatt as host hotel. Baytown resident Judith DuBose helped bring the judo event after developing a local youth program. 

Assisting with conference logistics is another facet of Wise’s job. She connects groups such as Siemens Energy or ExxonMobil with caterers, entertainment or activity options so participants stay on site or nearby and have a positive experience while staying in Baytown.

History buff and Kiwanis member Harvey Oyler inquired about a historical marker tour in Baytown. Wise replied that local historian Chuck Chandler places a new marker in Baytown each year and already offers some tours focused on Chambers County sites. A dedicated Baytown tour, available by app or brochure, is planned for 2027. 

To keep up with the latest happenings with the Baytown Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.baytown.org/1149/Parks-Recreation-Activities. 

Sterling librarian shares remodel plans with Kiwanis

PHOTO: Sterling Municipal Library Director Lesley Kohles visited with the Kiwanis Club of Baytown to talk about the library’s renovation plans and the ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center.

 

Sterling Municipal Library isn’t leaving for good. It’s just relocating for a while.

Library Director Lesley Kohles told the Kiwanis Club of Baytown at its Thursday meeting that the 50,000-square-foot building, last expanded in 1995, will be reconfigured as part of the $75 million ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center (EMBEC) project. While construction proceeds, services will shift to a temporary home at the former San Jacinto Elementary School at 2615 Virginia St. 

“We’ve been calling it Library 2.0,” Kohles said. “We don’t have dates yet because there is some work that has to be done to adapt that space. The building itself is still going to be the same. It’s just going to be configured differently.”

“Don’t worry, we will be coming back to where you’re used to seeing us,” she added. 

The renovation is tied directly to EMBEC, which is planned for the library’s current site near Decker Drive, Market Street and Texas Avenue.

Recently released designs show the renovated library incorporating expanded children’s and teen areas, meeting spaces, a technology hub, podcasting room, makerspace and outdoor connections — all shaped by community surveys and a public forum. Kohles added that meeting space is also part of the redesign plan. 

Kohles, who has worked at the library since 2007, explained the building’s new three-to-five-year strategic plan which staff developed it after learning the remodel was coming. It focuses on four areas: people, programs and services, spaces and operations.

“A huge piece of that is people, and that includes our staff and the people who come to visit our library, as well as some of the partner organizations that we work with,” she said.

Programs include more than just story times. Robotics, virtual reality, 3D printing, crochet club, book clubs and arts and crafts are a part of the equation. 

To gain ideas about the new library, the staff visited other libraries that recently underwent remodeling or had programs Baytown is interested in expanding.

Kohles said the biggest lesson was that they do not have enough storage.

The librarian now seeks public input on a couple of ideas to grow with the new space. One is an enhanced makerspace. The library already possesses some 3D printers and a Cricut machine. Some other additions could include a heat press, laser engraver and equipment to convert outdated media such as VHS tapes.

Baytown Community Development officials highlight youth programs at Baytown Kiwanis Club meeting

City of Baytown Community Development Division officials urged Kiwanis Club members Thursday to support two initiatives aimed at helping local children prepare for the school year.

Sharon Rose, community development supervisor, detailed the federally funded “New Year in New Shoes” program and the community-supported Back-to-School Fair during the Kiwanis Club meeting. She was joined by Community Outreach Specialist Stephany Medina and Community Development Generalist Monica Fabela.

The New Year in New Shoes program provides new school shoes to low- to moderate-income children in Baytown. Families must prove city residency and eligibility through public assistance programs such as SNAP, Medicaid or free lunch. The division has approved about 270 children so far and aims to reach 300, with vouchers not exceeding $50 per child.

Rose said the program relies on HUD Community Development Block Grant funding and requires strict documentation to ensure aid reaches eligible residents.

The Back-to-School Fair, set for Aug. 8, distributes free backpacks and basic school supplies to students enrolled in Goose Creek CISD schools. Unlike the shoes program, it has no residency requirement beyond GCCISD enrollment. Last year, the event served 1,420 students and raised $13,500. The division has matched that amount this year and anticipates additional donations.

“Everything’s expensive now,” Rose said. “We’re trying to see how we can help.”

Organizers partner with groups including Communities and Schools, Houston Methodist and local businesses. Houston Methodist employees alone contributed more than 450 backpacks last year. The fair also features resource tables from agencies such as the Baytown Police Department, Hearts and Hands of Baytown, and the Lions Club, which provides vision screenings.

Backpacks are stocked with essentials — spiral notebooks, composition books, folders, and a pencil pouch with crayons, colored pencils, pens, pencils, erasers, a sharpener and scissors — rather than full school supply lists to maximize the number of children served.

The division is seeking volunteers for the Aug. 8 event and additional donations. Medina is the contact for volunteer shifts or supply lists.

Rose encouraged attendees to avoid low-quality bulk backpacks from online retailers, noting Walmart purchases and select durable options under $20 have proven reliable.

The Community Development Division administers a range of HUD-funded programs including housing rehabilitation, sewer line repairs, first-time homebuyer assistance, transportation for elderly and disabled residents, and support for local nonprofits serving food needs and at-risk youth job training.

Photo: Members of the City of Baytown Community Development Division came to speak at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown. Pictured from left are Stephany Medina, community outreach specialist; Monica Fabela, community development generalist; and Sharon Rose, community development supervisor.

Hometown hero speaks at Kiwanis

Jamari Gilbert, a Baytown native, former professional football player and community leader, returned to his roots to inspire the next generation and champion local projects during a recent Kiwanis Club of Baytown meeting.

Gilbert, a 2013 Robert E. Lee High School graduate who grew up in the Lakewood area, detailed his path from Baytown to college at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio — where he played football and ran track while earning a bachelor’s degree in sports management and a master’s in business — and then to a professional football career. He had trials with the Houston Texans before playing defensive back for the Calgary Stampeders in Canada. 

Gilbert came back to Baytown in 2020 after marrying Morgan, a Ross S. Sterling High School graduate. The couple first operated Baytown Nutrition, a smoothie business, for two years before launching Soul Fuel TX, their current food truck at the 146 Food Park (Kilgore and Highway 146). The truck emphasizes nutrition with rice bowls, juices, and a banana pudding made with healthier alternatives, including natural sugars and fat-free ingredients.

Gilbert’s community work includes service on Goose Creek boards, as a site coordinator for Communities in Schools at Highlands Junior High and as athletic director at Baytown Christian Academy. He now leads the Gilbert Speed Academy and Golden Era Track Club, year-round programs for junior high and high school athletes focused on speed training, track competition and life skills such as communication, teamwork and public speaking.

He told club members he started the programs to give local youth opportunities he lacked growing up and to serve as the kind of returning role model he rarely saw.

“If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me,” Gilbert said, adding a message he shares with athletes: “Give your best and let God handle the rest.”

Gilbert spoke enthusiastically about the proposed ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center, a planned youth sports and community facility backed by a $75 million commitment from ExxonMobil. The project includes indoor courts, flexible event space, training areas and integration with a renovated Sterling Municipal Library. 

Audience members asked how the facility could help. Gilbert said it would give youth a safe place outside the Goose Creek school system to develop athletically, socialize, meet mentors and participate in summer camps or other programs. He noted the lack of such a venue on the east side of Interstate 10 and the gap left by the former YMCA.

“It’s going to be more tailored toward sports facilities because of the indoor courts, but there are so many things that can be provided outside of just the sports realm,” he said.

Gilbert added that the center would benefit the entire city by offering a positive, supervised environment where young people could play sports, read at the library, participate in e-gaming or other activities rather than feeling that “Baytown is so boring and there’s nothing to do.”

Gilbert, the father of two children, said he wants them to grow up in a community that shares his investment in creating it. He urged attendees to complete the city’s ongoing community survey on the project and library renovation.

In the question-and-answer portion, Dave Jirrels, assistant secretary of the Kiwanis Club, asked whether pickleball courts could fit in the new venue. Gilbert said yes, noting the space could accommodate more than 20 courts and calling pickleball “the fastest growing sport in the world.”

Kiwanian Judy Jirrels asked about the track organization. Gilbert said it serves junior high and high school athletes year-round, with small breaks in August and September.

He highlighted a 13-year-old athlete from Dayton who had never run track before training with the program last summer. The boy dropped nearly two seconds from his 100-meter time and qualified for a New Balance-sponsored meet in Boston.

Renee Rhodes, club secretary, asked why Gilbert wanted to leave Baytown and what brought him back, other than family. He said he was focused on sports and growing up at home with few other connections. Returning was driven by a shared vision with his wife to address needs they saw in their own youth and to invest in their hometown rather than elsewhere.

Gilbert’s wife, Morgan, who attended culinary school after studying kinesiology, brings that commitment to wellness to the food truck, he said.

Gilbert closed by praising the Kiwanis Club’s work with youth and athletes, noting the positive influence of groups like theirs on students who are stretched in Key Club and other activities.

“I appreciate the opportunity to come speak to you guys,” he said. “I love everything you guys are doing.”

If you’re interested in taking the EMBEC survey, it is available at https://uw7j8rxna4k.typeform.com/to/FudXZulU. 

Photo: Baytown native and sports figure Jamari Gilbert spoke to the Kiwanis Club of Baytown about his latest adventure: a food truck and training facility to help local youth.

 

Kiwanis donates $5,000 to preserve historic Highlands library

The Kiwanis Club of Baytown presented a $5,000 check to the Baytown Historical Preservation Association during its weekly meeting at Republic of Texas Plaza to support the relocation and restoration of the historic 1937 Highlands Library building. 

The donation, part of broader community fundraising efforts, will help move the modest 15-by-25-foot English-style structure to the plaza, where it will serve as a visitor center and repository for local historic materials. 

Wybra Holland, president of the Baytown Historical Preservation Association, accepted the donation and expressed deep gratitude.

“Community support built this library,” Holland said. “And community support saved it from the wrecking ball. We are so grateful for y’all’s contribution, which is helping make this possible.”

Heavy rains have delayed the movers, but once the building arrives, restoration will include electrical service, window repairs, exterior painting in its original cream color with a brown roof and shutters, a new roof, an alarm system and air conditioning and heating.

“When restoration is complete, we envision the library serving as a visitor center and repository for historic books, photographs, documents, abstracts and maps,” Holland said. “We also hope to feature rotating exhibits that celebrate and preserve our community’s rich history for future generations.”

The library, designed by Houston architect Joseph Walter Northrop Jr., with knotty pine interior walls and a vaulted ceiling, originally opened in 1927 as a Harris County Public Library branch. It served the community and Goose Creek CISD students until 1966.

Holland noted the project’s deep local roots, saying the Highlands Garden Club and Harry K. Johnson, Sr. were fundraisers when the library was first built in 1937.

The Perry W. and Lou F. Britton Foundation, ExxonMobil Corporation, along with the Kiwanis, BHPA members, citizens, organizations, and businesses in the area, donated to save the library from demolition.

Lunch was catered by Luna’s Mexican Restaurant. Afterward, retired teachers and docents Marie Drewnowski and Jayne Cessna led Kiwanis members on tours of the plaza’s historic structures, including the 1836 Wooster School. Attendees received brochures and a Texas Constitution booklet.

The plaza, dedicated in 1986 for Texas’s sesquicentennial, features a large Texas-shaped marker donated by the Kiwanis Club years ago. Holland invited donors to a future reception once the restored library opens to the public with educational programs for students and visitors.

The Baytown Historical Preservation Association continues seeking docents and support for other preservation projects. For more information, contact the association at 281-421-2099 or visit www.baytownhistory.org.

Photo: The Kiwanis Club of Baytown graciously donated $5,000 to the Baytown Historical Preservation Association to help move a 1937 library from Highlands to the plaza. Pictured are, from left, BHPA docent Marie Drewnowski, Kiwanian Harvey Oyler, Kiwanis Club President Marissa Moreno and BHPA docent Jayme Cessna.  

 

Baytown seniors awarded Kiwanis scholarships

The Kiwanis Club of Baytown presented $2,000 scholarships to 11 local high school seniors during its annual Senior Scholarship Luncheon, recognizing their academic achievements, leadership, service and personal resilience. 

The club, which awards the scholarships each year, funds them primarily through its golf tournament, along with its annual pickleball tournament and investments.

Haroon Malhi of Goose Creek Memorial High School received the Sally and David Black Key Club Scholarship. Motivated by his father’s brain trauma, Malhi plans to study medicine and pursue a career as a neurosurgeon focused on traumatic brain injury research.

Aayusha Koora, also of Goose Creek Memorial, earned the Tad Patton Key Club Scholarship for designing and building a low-cost prosthetic hand using Arduino technology and machine learning. He intends to study rehabilitation engineering to improve access for underserved communities.

Khyati Singh of Goose Creek Memorial, who lives with Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis, will attend Rice University to study bioinformatics or biology as a pre-med student. She aims to become a physician-scientist helping children with rare diseases.

Riley Bloom of Goose Creek Memorial, a four-year varsity softball captain and leader in multiple organizations, including Student Council and Key Club, will study biology at the University of Texas at Austin. Inspired by her experience with celiac disease, she plans to become a genetic counselor.

Ly Nguyen of Ross S. Sterling High School, the child of Vietnamese immigrants who served as her family’s translator, will pursue medicine with a focus on addressing health care disparities.

Vivian Montez of Ross S. Sterling, the first in her family to pursue higher education, will study architecture at the University of Houston after earning an associate degree from Lee College. She hopes to design meaningful community spaces.

Marissa Gonzalez of Ross S. Sterling, who overcame shyness through public speaking and won a national competition, will attend the University of North Texas to study journalism with a concentration in public relations. She aspires to work in the music industry. Gonzalez was not present at the luncheon.

Porshe Harrington of Robert E. Lee High School, who lost her grandfather to COVID-19-related challenges at age 12, plans to pursue medicine emphasizing empathy and patient connection.

Shakuntala Bhowmick of IMPACT Early College High School, who drew inspiration from her own medical journey at Texas Children’s Hospital, also intends to become a doctor focused on compassionate care.

Sophie Cervantes of Stuart Career Tech High School, a Stuart FFA officer and Texas FFA Ambassador with extensive veterinary clinic experience, will study animal science to become a mixed-animal veterinarian serving rural and urban communities.

Henry Hartleib of Baytown Christian Academy was also named a recipient. A standout student-athlete in baseball and football, Hartleib ranks first in his class, serves as a class officer and is a member of Key Club and National Honor Society. He plans to study engineering at Texas A&M University at Galveston.

Kiwanis Club of Baytown member Leslie Garcia welcomed attendees and praised the students’ character and future contributions. Several club members presented the awards during the event.

 

Photo: 

Eleven local students were honored by the Kiwanis Club of Baytown at the club’s annual Scholarship Luncheon.  Pictured are, from left, back row, Shakuntala Bhowmick, Vivian Montez, Aayusha Koora and Henry Hartleib. Back row, from left, Khyati Singh, Haroon Malhi, Sophie Cervantes, Porshe Harrington, Ly Nguyen and Riley Bloom. Not pictured is Marissa Gonzalez.

Kiwanis golf tournament winners announced

The Kiwanis Club of Baytown held its annual golf tournament fundraiser at Stonebridge of Newport golf course Friday, helping to deliver scholarships to students at the local high schools. 

This year, the West Chambers Hearing Center served as the event’s platinum sponsor. 

The tournament’s first place winners were Jim Wadzinski, Steve Daniele, Cody Woods and Craig Vincent. The second place winners were Jose Figueroa, Luis Figueroa, Sesair Figueroa and Tim Delgado. Placing third, were London Merling, Chad Merling, Caileigh Royer and Mike Royer. 

Caileigh Royer was also the winner of the longest drive contest. 

Winning Closest to the Pin was Craig Vincent, Cody Woods, Jared Hoffman and Caileigh Royer.

This year’s raffle winners were Chad Merling for a bourbon set; Lee Brown for a fishing pole; Steve Daniele for a Vizio 65-inch TV; while Jim Wadzinski won a round of golf at the course.

The last place folks were Bill Eckhert, John Ramirez and Leonard Pinares, who received practice golf balls. 

The club is still tallying up figures at press time and will release the final numbers of funds raised at a later date.

 

Photos:

The first place winners at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown 2026 Golf Tournament were Jim Wadzinski, Steve Daniele, Cody Woods and Craig Vincent. Also pictured is the club’s assistant treasurer Dave Jirrels.

The second place winners at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown 2026 Golf Tournament were Jose Figueroa, Luis Figueroa, Sesair Figueroa and Tim Delgado (not pictured). Also pictured is the club’s assistant treasurer Dave Jirrels.
 
The third place winners at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown 2026 Golf Tournament were London Merling, Chad Merling, Caileigh Royer and Mike Royer.
 
The raffle winners at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown 2026 Golf Tournament were Chad Merling, Lee Brown, Steve Daniele and Jim Wadzinski.
 
The Closest to the Pin winners at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown 2026 Golf Tournament were Craig Vincent, Cody Woods, Jared Hoffman and Caileigh Royer. Also pictured is the club’s assistant treasurer Dave Jirrels.
 
Caileigh Royer won the Longest Drive contest at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown 2026 Golf Tournament. Also pictured is the Kiwanis Club of Baytown assistant treasurer Dave Jirrels, left, and Jim Wadzinski.
 
The last place winners at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown 2026 Golf Tournament were Bill Eckhert, John Ramirez and Leonard Pinares. Also pictured are Kiwanis Club of Baytown assistant treasurer Dave Jirrels, left, and Jim Wadzinski.

 

Kiwanis honors local sophomores for leadership

The Kiwanis Club of Baytown recognized seven high school sophomores for their leadership and community service Thursday at its Walter Hurst Sophomore of the Year recognition luncheon.

The students were honored for their entries in an annual essay contest sponsored by the Texas-Oklahoma District Foundation. The award focuses on leadership qualities rather than academics and aims to identify and develop future civic and corporate leaders.

Kiwanis member Kami Johnston opened the program by explaining the contest structure. Sophomores from each area high school submit essays, with one selected per school to advance to Division 28 competition, which includes clubs from Baytown, Texas City, La Marque, Pasadena and Galveston. One Division 28 winner advances to the district level, where 20 students receive $600 scholarships announced at the Texas-Oklahoma District Convention in August.

The seven local finalists represented their campuses:

•Advita Shinde of IMPACT Early College High School participated in more than 10 clubs, serving as Lee College Honors Council representative, Impact Anchor Junior Officer, GCCISD District Ambassador and Impact Student Council Committee Chairperson. A member of the Lee College Mendoza Debate Team, she has traveled to tournaments beyond Texas and values volunteer service for its personal and societal impact.

 

•Regina Rodriguez Villalobos of Baytown Christian Academy served as captain of her volleyball team and an officer on the cheer team. Involved in Key Club, National Honor Society and National Beta Club, she emphasized leadership through helping others succeed and volunteered at a local nursing home to build compassion and responsibility. 

•Macei Heard of Ross S. Sterling High School is active in National Honor Society, PALS and Student Council, and plays volleyball and softball. She has completed more than 70 hours of community service and stressed the importance of young people bringing energy and perspective to strengthen their communities.

•Arianna Bloise of Stuart Career Tech High School, who was also honored as the 2026 Kiwanis Club of Baytown Sophomore of the Year, serves as FFA Secretary and participates in National Honor Society, Student Council, Greenhouse Committee and Envirothon. She shows livestock, competes in public speaking and job interview contests, and volunteers at spay and neuter clinics. Her winning essay advances to Division 28 competition. Bloise attended the luncheon with family, Stuart Career Tech Principal Shonna Prentice and Counselor Katherine Hull. 

•Emily Sistos of Robert E. Lee High School participates in Key Club, Student Council, STEM Academy Ambassadors, Academic UIL, varsity softball, marching band, steel band and wind ensemble. She previously served as freshman class president and band vice president, and believes active service helps young people see the real impact of their actions.

• Julianna Grace Jennings of Barbers Hill High School is involved in HOSA, Baking Club, Salt Dome Thespian Club, UIL, dance, theatre, Student Council and cheer. Theatre helped her find her voice, and a family trip to assist flood victims in the Hill Country inspired her commitment to service, hope and compassion during crises.

•Maahi Singh of Goose Creek Memorial High School serves as sophomore class secretary and belongs to Student Council, Key Club, National Honor Society, Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, Debate Club and Global Business Academy. She helped organize a clothing drive through the Chick-fil-A program and views leadership as setting positive examples and mentoring others.

Club members who introduced the students included Leslie Garcia, Jennifer Guillory, the club’s President-elect Sally Black, Norma Rodriguez, Priscilla Sanchez, the club’s Assistant Secretary Leia Miller and Johnston.

Johnston closed the program by noting that the Sophomore of the Year award marks the beginning of greater leadership journeys. 

“These students are not waiting for the future. They are shaping it now,” Johnston said.

 

Photo: 

Seven high school sophomores were honored by the Kiwanis Club of Baytown at its Walter Hurst Sophomore of the Year event. Pictured are, from left, Regina Rodriguez Villalobos, Julianna Grace Jennings, Arianna Bloise, Emily Sistos, Macei Heard, Maahi Singh and Advita Shinde.

Photo by Carrie Pryor-Newman

The Bridge leaders urge support for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault

Domestic violence thrives in silence, but a local nonprofit is working to break that cycle by offering safety, support and prevention services to thousands of survivors each year.

The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, based in Pasadena with an office in Baytown, has served the southeast Houston area for more than 50 years. Its mission is to provide support, offer safety and prevent domestic and sexual violence, including cases involving child abuse and human trafficking. 

The organization’s CEO Olivia Rivers, shared the organization’s story and called for community involvement during a presentation to the Kiwanis Club of Baytown Thursday. She was joined by Tiye McKethen, director of engagement and advancement.

“We are the sixth largest crisis center in Texas,” Rivers said. 

The organization serves about 23,000 men, women and children annually through its three offices.

Rivers explained that the group expanded into Baytown after a local domestic violence shelter closed, recognizing that the need for services did not disappear. The Baytown office, now located inside a partnering church at 8203 John Martin Rd., aims to be accessible and welcoming. The main Pasadena campus is at 3811 Allen Genoa Rd. and includes a 100-bed emergency shelter, a licensed child care facility, therapy services and more. 

Domestic violence extends far beyond physical abuse, Rivers emphasized. Abusers often use emotional, financial or intimidation tactics to maintain control — patterns also seen in human trafficking. She noted that major events like the Super Bowl and the upcoming World Cup can increase trafficking activity, and that runaways in Harris County are often approached by traffickers within 72 hours.

The organization operates a hotline staffed around the clock, including during emergencies such as Hurricane Harvey. Services include emergency shelter, support groups, licensed counseling, legal advocacy, parenting classes, transportation assistance and a sexual assault response team that assists at hospitals.

A unique feature is the nonprofit’s 31-unit apartment complex, which allows survivors more independence while they continue receiving free services. The Bridge also runs specialized youth programs, including play therapy for younger children, mentoring, tutoring and school advocacy.

Rivers highlighted prevention efforts in schools, such as partnerships with Goose Creek CISD to teach healthy relationships and boundaries starting at a young age.

“If the children are doing well, then the community is doing well,” she said, repeating the Maasai greeting “Kasserian Ingera” — “and how are the children?” — from an African fable about community strength.

A video testimonial from a former client, now pursuing a Ph.D. and serving on an advisory board, illustrated the impact. The woman described escaping severe abuse with her mother and brother, crediting the program with saving their lives and helping her build a positive future. “This program basically saved a life,” she said.

Rivers quoted Frederick Douglass: “It’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken men.” 

The organization recently opened a new youth facility, The Bridge for Kids, offering expanded services.

Volunteer opportunities range from crisis hotline work and court accompaniment to fun activities like cooking meals, reading to children, playing music or mentoring teens in life skills such as changing oil. The group also hosts events and a holiday “Santa store” where mothers select gifts for their children.

The Bridge encourages community members to tour its campus, take prayer rocks inscribed with the names of current youth clients, or connect their existing passions — from music to cooking — to volunteer efforts.

The presentation underscored how local groups like Kiwanis can help build safer families and stronger communities by supporting survivors and prevention work. 

Kiwanis members asked about contact numbers. Rivers clarified that the Baytown office line is for daytime hours, while the hotline provides 24/7 support. For more information, visit tbotw.org or call the hotline at 713-473-2801.

 

Photo: Representatives from Bridge Over Troubled Waters came to the Kiwanis Club of Baytown to talk about how people can support victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Pictured are, from left, Kiwanis Club President-elect Sally Black, BOTW CEO Olivia Rivers and Tiye McKethen, BOTW engagement and advancement director.

Kiwanis donates $5K to Stage Door, Inc.
The Kiwanis Club of Baytown presented a $5,000 donation to Stage Door Inc. to help install a required sprinkler system at the nonprofit theater organization's new home.
Kiwanian Harvey Oyler explained the board's decision after executive director and founder Marc Anthony Glover gave a passionate presentation about the group's youth programs, including those serving children with special needs at the Harris County Academy. The donation will support safety upgrades at Stage Door's recently relocated 4,000-square-foot facility at 5301 Decker Drive, where the organization has been closed for four months during renovations.
Glover said the funds, combined with a pending grant and community fundraising, will help the theater reopen sooner and sustain operations after the move. Stage Door Inc., which provides live theater experiences and summer camps to build confidence in young performers, plans to resume its 19th anniversary season in the new space.
Pictured are, from left, Glover, Oyler and Kiwanis President Marissa Moreno. The club also welcomed Stage Door Inc. as a new corporate member.
Harris County Department of Education shares free workforce pathways at Kiwanis

Bill Medina, director of workforce and career pathways for the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE), and the new East Region program manager Jessica Silva detailed HCDE’s free adult education offerings Thursday to members of the Kiwanis Club of Baytown, emphasizing pathways from literacy and GED preparation to high-demand job certifications.

Medina, who has worked in adult education for more than 26 years and previously managed the Baytown Learning Center at Lee College, said HCDE serves a wide geographic area, which includes Baytown, Pasadena, and Liberty County in the east and goes as far west as Katy. The department’s adult education division operates under grants from the Texas Workforce Commission and partners with school districts, churches, employers and community organizations.

“We have GED in Spanish and GED in English,” Medina said. “GED in Spanish is our newer class and it’s been very popular.” 

Medina also described English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) classes and specialized ESL for internationally trained professionals who hold degrees from universities in their home countries. In addition, it provides workforce certification programs focused primarily in health care fields, such as certified nursing assistant, phlebotomy, EKG, medical billing and coding and patient care technician.

HCDE also offers employer-sponsored work-based classes and participates in community events. Medina highlighted a long-running success story from the Baytown center about 12 years ago. He spoke about a grandmother who enrolled alongside her granddaughter, who had dropped out of high school. 

“They both went through the classes. They both took the tests for the GED. They both passed. They both graduated. They both walked on stage,” he said. “They both graduated with a cap and gown. So, that is an amazing feeling and experience.”

The programs are free to participants who live in Harris or Liberty counties. Students must meet age-specific requirements that include court orders for 16-year-olds, school withdrawal forms for 17- and 18-year-olds, and basic identification for those 19 and older. Most students are in their 30s, Medina said.

During the question-and-answer session, Kiwanis members pressed for specifics on who the programs serve and where classes are held.

Kiwanian Lori Kirk asked if they help people with high-functioning special needs find employment.

Medina replied that the department does not turn anyone away and provides referrals as needed. 

Kirk asked if the HCDE program is only for Spanish-speaking folks or for everybody.

“No, this is for everybody,” Medina said. “We serve people.”

Kiwanian Harvey Oyler asked where they hold classes in Baytown.

Medina said classes meet at the Baytown Adult Learning Center on the Lee College campus at 101 South Whiting, and increasingly at Goose Creek ISD sites, including the recently renovated space at Peter E. Hyland Empower Academy, as well as at churches and community centers.

Dave Jirrels, the Kiwanis Club’s assistant secretary, asked about funding.

“You mentioned that you’re funded by Texas Workforce. Do you know what your budget is for your adult education branch of that?” Jirrels asked.

Medina said the department receives approximately $500,000 annually through its own grant.

Wally Vosloh, another Kiwanis member,  wanted to know about expanding into trades.

“Can you get training for people who want to go and be electricians and plumbers  —  the high-demand jobs that we don’t have enough people for?” Vosloh said.  

Medina confirmed HCDE has previously offered National Center for Construction Education and Research construction trades, pipe fitting and welding classes taught by local instructors at night. 

“We’ve done that,” he said, adding that he plans to restart those partnerships in July, possibly with Lee College and Goose Creek ISD’s career and technical education programs.

Medina noted HCDE is actively hiring teachers — especially retired educators for morning and evening classes — and support staff. The department currently employs about 160 people in adult education after a reduction years ago when funding shifted from the Texas Education Agency.

The presentation underscored HCDE’s “Contact to Careers” model, which guides students from basic literacy through upskilling and into employment. Club members praised the long-standing partnership between HCDE and Lee College, with one host noting she has known Medina for more than 25 years.

Medina closed by inviting referrals. 

“If you know anybody out there that’s in need of our services, please refer them our way,” he said. “Give them the website. Go check out the different schedules for classes.”

To contact Medina about the program, or to make a referral, email gmedina@hcde-Texas.org. The HCDE Baytown office can be reached at 281-425-6536, while the Houston main line is 713-692-6216. Class schedules and registration information are available at https://ae.hcde-texas.org. HCDE maintains social media accounts under @HCDEADULTED on X, Facebook and Instagram.

 

Photo: Representatives from the Harris County Department of Education spoke at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown at its weekly meeting. Pictured, from left, are Marissa Moreno, Kiwanis Club of Baytown president; Bill Medina, HCDE Workforce and Career Pathways director; and Jessica Silva, HCDE program manager – East for the Baytown Adult Learning Center. 

 

Baytown Relay for Life leaders urge community involvement at Kiwanis meeting
 
Baytown Relay for Life leaders urge community involvement at Kiwanis meeting
 
Two longtime volunteers for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Bay Area shared personal stories of loss and survival while encouraging the Kiwanis Club of Baytown members to join the fight against cancer.
Kimberly Dillard, event lead since 2016, and Kristina Burditt, co-chair since mid-December, spoke to the club March 12 about the upcoming event and its impact.
The Bay Area Relay For Life is scheduled at 6 p.m. April 17 at Barbers Hill High School's North Parking Lot in Mont Belvieu.
Dillard, who first participated in 1999, described how the event became a lifelong passion after family members were affected by cancer.
“The first year that I participated in Relay for Life, we were at Memorial Stadium over by Lee College. And our cousins had lost both their parents to cancer. And so they started a team,” Dillard said. “I had no idea at that time what an impact Relay was going to have on my life, nor how much more impact cancer would have on my life.”
Dillard has since lost her father to prostate cancer in 2017, while her mother remains a survivor more than 20 years after a colon cancer diagnosis caught early.
“My why has evolved over the years. It started out in honor of my aunt and uncle. And it moved on now in memory of my dad. And in honor of my mom and all the friends and family members I've lost since,” Dillard said. “And then I keep relaying so that my grandchildren don't have to hear those words.”
The Bay Area event has raised approximately $12 million since 1999, with last year's total exceeding $374,000, ranking No. 13 nationally out of about 2,000 events. In 2024, it ranked No. 10.
Dillard highlighted the American Cancer Society programs funded by Relay For Life, including research grants exceeding $18 million annually, the Hope Lodge in Houston — the largest in Texas — offering free lodging for patients traveling for treatment, the Road to Recovery transportation program, and a 24/7 helpline at 800-227-2345.
“They have provided more than 40,000 free nights of lodging to over 2,000 patients and caregivers,” Dillard said of the Hope Lodge.
Burditt, a volunteer since 2000, outlined participation options: forming teams, purchasing luminaria bags to honor or remember loved ones (starting at $10), sponsorships from $250, volunteering, donating desserts for a planned dessert wall, or attending as support.
Burditt explained that Luminarias are typically white paper bags with a label on the front that says either “in honor” or “in memory of” someone. They are usually lit around 9 or 10 p.m. followed by a silent lap.
Burditt emphasized celebrating survivors and caregivers, noting 95 survivors participated last year.
Mike Wilson, a Kiwanian and cancer survivor, praised the event's growth.
“Before that, on the ACS local board, we had done golf tournaments and raised what I thought was a huge amount of money and I said we're going to give up a golf tournament for this Relay thing. ... As opposed to the $15,000 on a golf tournament, last year we raised that amount of money, but since 1999 we have raised how many millions," Wilson said.
Dillard said the last count was about $12 million in Baytown.
Wilson, cancer-free for seven years after early-stage prostate cancer, stressed early detection.
“For the ladies here and all the men that have ladies, be sure they get their mammograms,” Wilson said, referencing his sister's recent stage-three breast cancer diagnosis after skipping screenings for seven years.
Harvey Oyler, another Kiwanian, shared that his wife was treated locally for lymphoma at the Methodist Cancer Center in Baytown and has been cancer-free for six years.
“You don't have to drive to the medical center to get cancer treatment," Oyler said.
Dillard and Burditt encouraged involvement in any capacity.
“There are about a thousand ways to get involved. You can donate your time. You can donate your money. If there's anything that you do or that you like to do that you're good at, I bet that we could utilize it,” Burditt said.
The pair also promoted a new survivor social on March 27 at the Lions Club.
Dillard closed by noting Texas projections: more than 161,000 cancer diagnoses in 2026, including over 8,000 lung cancer cases.
“Early detection is very critical,” she said.
For more information on the April 17 event, visit the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life website or contact local organizers.
 
 
Photo - Kimberly Dillard, left, and Kristina Burditt came to the Kiwanis Club of Baytown to talk about the upcoming Bay Area Relay For Life event, happening April 17. Also pictured is Kiwanian Harvey Oyler.
Baytown Kiwanis Club learns about inspiring Fiji mission trip

Michelle Payne, general manager of America’s Best Eyecare + Eyewear, shared a powerful firsthand account of her recent eye care mission trip to Fiji with members of the Kiwanis Club of Baytown last Thursday. 

Speaking at the club’s weekly meeting, Payne described her experience with Benevolent Missions International (BMI), a nonprofit organization that has provided ophthalmic care in Fiji for three decades. The trip, held the week before Thanksgiving, focused on delivering exams, prescription glasses, sunglasses and cataract surgeries to residents in the coastal village of Sigatoka. 

Payne explained that the team of 18 — including three ophthalmologists — treated 405 patients over six days at Sigatoka Hospital, resulting in 527 total patient encounters, including post-operative care. The surgical team performed 122 cataract surgeries, while the group distributed more than 300 pairs of prescription glasses and over 200 pairs of sunglasses. 

“The beauty and hardship are side by side,” Payne said. “Need is not always obvious. It can exist quietly even in people in places where they appear prosperous on the surface.” 

Payne highlighted the profound impact on individuals, particularly children and workers. One man, nearly blind from injury and cataracts, regained enough vision after surgery to recognize a friend in the waiting area the next day. 

“(There was) relief that he could return to work. Relief that he could see his children clearly again,” Payne recalled. 

For children, she emphasized how uncorrected vision affects learning. 

“Roughly 80% of classroom learning is visual,” she said. “Clear vision is not just a medical outcome, it’s an educational outcome as well.” 

Payne recounted fitting glasses for a young girl during her first eye exam. 

“Her posture changed. Her expression softened,” she said. “When a child can’t see clearly, it affects more than eyesight. It affects learning. It affects their confidence, their participation in life.” 

After the trip, Payne personally arranged to have custom glasses made and shipped for two children whose prescriptions couldn’t be matched from donated stock.

Payne connected the work to the Kiwanis mission of serving children and communities. 

“Restoring vision was not simply about eyesight,” Payne said. “It was about children being able to learn without frustration. Parents being able to work and provide, families being able to function with dignity.”

The presentation prompted several questions from club members. 

Dave Jirrels, assistant secretary of the Kiwanis Club, asked about travel logistics. Payne replied that the journey involved flights to Dallas, then Los Angeles, followed by a 13-hour leg to Fiji, with a lost day due to the time change. 

Kiwanian Mike Wilson asked about the team’s size and the facility. Payne confirmed 18 participants total, with surgical and clinical teams, and noted the hospital’s basic conditions, including stored equipment used only twice yearly. 

Another Kiwanis member, Harvey Oyler, asked about correcting crossed eyes in one photographed child. Payne explained that their mission lacked the necessary equipment or approach for strabismus correction, noting such cases are typically addressed early with glasses or other methods, but might be too late for older children. 

Payne’s talk underscored global vision care needs. She said that more than 1.1 billion people worldwide live with preventable or correctable vision loss, often due to lack of access.

Payne closed by reflecting on the broader meaning of her work. 

“Some of the most powerful work that we can do for a child is not extraordinary or complicated. It’s simply removing a barrier, quietly, practically, so they can step forward with confidence,” she said. “You understand that. You all invest in children. You strengthen families. You build community infrastructure.”

 

Photo: Michelle Payne, general manager of America’s Best Eyecare + Eyewear, shared her experiences during a mission trip to Fiji with the Kiwanis Club of Baytown. Also pictured is Kiwanian Harvey Oyler.

BIB at Kiwanis

Briceida Alcaraz, co-chair of Babies in Baytown, urged community members to prioritize the mental health and well-being of the city's youngest residents during a presentation at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown on Feb. 5.

Alcaraz, introduced by Kiwanis member Norma Martinez as a key figure in local organizations including the Alamo PTO and Goose Creek's long-range planning committee, detailed the collaborative's efforts to support families with children ages 0-3.

The group focuses on developing community solutions for early childhood mental health,” Alcaraz said.

Babies in Baytown is an early childhood collaborative made up of community organizations and families of Baytown who are working to develop community solutions that better support the mental health of very young children and their families, Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz highlighted events like Baby Day, where parents and caregivers engage in simple activities with their infants, such as playing in dirt or sand — messes that organizers clean up.

“That is one of the favorite activities for the kiddos,” Alcaraz said. “Because I know I do not let my kid play in the dirt or the sand and bring it inside. So here they're able to play in the dirt and just make an amazing mess.”

Alcaraz emphasized the importance of the first three years of life.

“The first three years are really the cornerstone,” she said. “We know how important it is for those first few years to really get the mind going and really engage in those just crucial moments to have kiddos really know.”

The presentation touched on sobering statistics, including the high infant mortality rate in Baytown's 77521 ZIP code.

“The zip code 77521, which is our zip code, has the highest infant mortality rate,” Alcaraz said, noting it's the third-highest in Harris County according to a Texas Children's Hospital study. She added that nearby areas with refineries like Pasadena and Deer Park don't face similar rates, leaving the cause unclear.

Safe sleep practices were a key topic. Alcaraz advocated for the “ABC” method: alone, on the back, in a crib.

Mental health, particularly postpartum, was another focus.

“Studies show that up to the age of 30, the brain is not fully developed. And it gets even worse if there's drugs or alcohol involved,” Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz mentioned resources like the national suicide prevention lifeline at 988.

Upcoming initiatives include a community baby shower on April 29 in partnership with the Peter Hyland Empower Academy, targeting 10 pregnant moms with resources, games and lunch. “We're having all kinds of agencies and financial advisors,” she said.

Kiwanis members engaged with questions. Kiwanian Gary Englert asked about client outreach. "We have a Facebook page. But for people that don't have Facebook, you would be surprised how much word of mouth really, really helps,” Alcaraz replied.

Kiwanian Judy Jirrels inquired about funding.

“My funding source is talking to amazing people. That is really our funding source,” Alcaraz said.

Dave Jirrels, the club's assistant treasurer, sought clarification on the scope of the mortality rate. “That's for Harris County only,” Alcaraz confirmed, adding that Harris County has about 230 ZIP codes.

Kiwanian Mark Hall asked about the organization’s client ages.

“We don't have a lot of young teen moms,” Alcaraz said. “They're around 20s and 30s.”

Kiwanian Harvey Oyler queried about the client numbers and demographics.

“Last time I checked the numbers, which was like a year ago, it was like 120,” Alcaraz said. “It's not just moms and babies. We have aunts and grandmas, too.”

The meeting also featured a self-love activity led by Martinez, in which attendees wrote positive affirmations to place in jars for mental health boosts during stressful times like February.

Babies in Baytown, co-led by Alcaraz and Rebecca Williams, invites community involvement. Contact Alcaraz at bibcochair@gmail.com or Williams at bibcochair3@gmail.com.

Alcaraz wrapped up by inviting questions and expressing hope for broader participation.

Photo: Briceida Alcaraz, co-chair of Babies in Baytown, paid the Kiwanis Club of Baytown a visit and encouraged its members to participate. Also pictured is Norma Martinez, a Kiwanian member.

Kiwanians make Christmas ornaments

The Kiwanis Club of Baytown held a festive, engaging meeting featuring a live holiday floral design demonstration that showcased creativity, technique and seasonal inspiration. The members learned tips and tricks for assembling Christmas arrangements, including ornaments, from Baytown Lee High School Floral Design class. Pictured, from left, are Judy Jirrels, teacher Lily Pruitt-West and Dave Jirrels.


Baytown students showcase pro-level production

Baytown students showcase pro-level production

 

Students from the Digital Communications Academy at Stuart Career Technical High School in the Goose Creek CISD wowed members of the local Kiwanis Club with a presentation highlighting their hands-on work producing live audio-visual content for high school football games. 

Led by academy teacher Kristin Jaso, senior Randy Gonzalez and junior Sarah Santos shared their experiences operating high-end equipment at Stallworth Stadium, including cameras, replay systems, the TriCaster video production system and the new video board. 

The program, new this year, has students handling full game-day production. This includes setting up multiple camera angles, managing live feeds, creating in-game replays, and editing highlight reels for each half and post-game. 

Jaso explained the operation requires 10 to 12 students per game, with positions including field cameras, a bird’s-eye view from the stands, and press box roles running equipment.

“Every game, we have about 10 to 12 students,” Jaso said. “We have two kids on the field camera, two on a camera in the handicap section of the stands, and then we have two students at the very top giving you that bird’s eye view. And then we’ve got (about) four to five students running the multiple machines.”

Santos, a junior TriCaster operator, described directing live switches between cameras, running ads and hype videos and communicating with the team under pressure.

“I also run our ads,” Santos said. “Plus, I run our hype videos before the football games. A couple of times, I’ve also directed the games. So, I have a lot of communication with our cameras.” 

Santos added that the experience sharpened her directing skills and love for the role.

“I really fell in love with being able to communicate and direct everything,” Santos said. “Having that chance to direct and getting to choose what angles are put onto the board has definitely created the love I have for directing.”

Gonzalez, who also played football in the school district, operated a sideline camera and used his game knowledge to anticipate plays.

“I mainly work the camera on the field,” Gonzalez said. “I also do the player’s perceptions of what it’s like on the sideline and the view on the sideline.”

Gonzalez noted the video board boosted school spirit and earned praise from players, fans and coaches.

Beacon Federal Credit Union sponsors the program and provides students with opportunities to manage its social media and create content. 

Jaso emphasized both technical gains —  camera operation, audio, editing  —  and soft skills like communication, teamwork and professionalism.

“These students were hired and went through the hiring process with school districts. It is not one of your typical teen jobs,” Jaso said. 

The presentation included video clips of game footage, replays and highlight reels produced live by the students. 

Community praise poured in during the meeting. Goose Creek CISD Board President Jim Campisi attended and had previously visited the press box multiple times, learning students’ names and offering encouragement. 

New Superintendent Joe Rodriguez, who began his role earlier this month, attended and commended the program. 

“I’ve supervised in some capacity, either as a high school principal, a chief or a superintendent, at 16 high schools, and I have never seen anything like this,” Rodriguez said. “I applaud you all.”

The program’s success has driven demand, creating a waitlist for enrollment and prompting plans to expand the freshman class from 18 to 28 students next year. 

Jaso noted students are on track to earn a Level 1 certificate through a partnership with Lee College, preparing them for industry careers or further education. 

Santos said the experience opened new paths. 

“After I graduate high school, I can go straight into the film industry,” she said.

Gonzalez expressed interest in sports broadcasting. 

“I’m really interested in doing sports broadcasting,” he said. 

The students’ work has drawn comparisons to major productions, with one community member initially mistaking it for a professional company. 

Jaso credited the students’ passion and quick progress, noting they exceeded initial “baby steps” goals by producing replays and highlights early in the season. 

The presentation highlighted how real-world applications in a high-pressure environment are preparing students for future success in digital media and beyond.

 

Photo: 

Students and instructors from the Digital Communications Academy at Stuart Career Technical High School visited the Kiwanis Club of Baytown to give a presentation. Pictured are, from left, Senior Randy Gonzalez, Superintendent Joe Rodriguez, teacher Kristin Jaso and Junior Sarah Santos. 

CARRIE PRYOR NEWMAN

 

 

 

Kiwanis tours innovative Pre-K program at Liles Learning Academy

Members of the Kiwanis Club of Baytown got a firsthand look at an innovative early childhood education model during a tour of Sheila C. Liles Early Learning Academy on Dec. 4, highlighting hands-on learning, community partnerships and academic successes amid funding challenges.

Led by Christi Lackey, M.S. Ed, coordinator for early childhood education and outreach at Goose Creek CISD, and Susan Jackson, the district’s deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction, the group explored the academy’s thematic classrooms designed to foster both academic and social-emotional development for pre-kindergarten students.

Lackey emphasized the program’s real-world connections.

“Once a month, community outreach comes into the thematic rooms,” Lackey said. “Today, the Houston Zoo is here for the Amazing Animals classroom with live animals. They bring an animal, such as a snake or giant tortoise, for a real-life experience.”

Lackey said other outreach partnerships include Dr. Wendy Crouse (Heal House Call Veterinarian), the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Center, Baytown Nature Center, the Baytown Fire Department and more. 

“These monthly visits spark curiosity, support the classroom theme, and help students better understand the community around them,” she said. 

The academy features 16 immersive classrooms grouped into four color-coded pods — green, yellow, blue and red — where students rotate monthly. Each pod includes left-brain rooms for direct instruction and right-brain spaces for exploratory, theme-based activities. Themes range from “Here We Grow,” focusing on plant cycles, to “Amazing Animals” and “Pet Vet,” incorporating live animals like a rabbit named Nibbles.

Jackson addressed the program’s origins and challenges, noting it stemmed from former Superintendent Randal O’Brien’s vision after being exposed to new research on brain development in young children. She highlighted training costs and state funding limitations.

“The state of Texas isn’t really recognizing pre-K,” Jackson said. “Texas funding goes toward K–12, while the rest of the world funds P-16. Texas only funds pre-K a half day.”

Kiwanians raised questions regarding the programs success matrix and student outcomes as well as whether the district has plans for expansion.

Jackson shared that pre-K students outperform peers who didn’t attend, with 90% from low-income families. Data from the Children’s Learning Institute’s Circle Progress Monitoring showed end-of-year on-track percentages improving. Rapid letter naming rose from 55% in 2022-2023 to 69% in 2024-2025; phonological awareness rose from 47% to 64%; early writing rose from 68% to 86%; and mathematics held steady around 74%.

When asked again about the cost of the program and making it affordable for families, Lackey responded that the program opened paid slots at $550 monthly this year.

“It’s always a financial challenge because the state only pays for half a day of pre-K, and we have to fund a full day of pre-K,” Lackey said.

The tour showcased family-style meals, where the students serve themselves from bowls at their tables. Plus, the students do not have worksheets or individual iPads, but are instead taught through hands-on exploration in workshops that focus on topics like technology use and healthy habits. Jackson stressed the role of community outreach, crediting coordinator, and fellow Kiwanian, Kami Johnston for fostering partnerships despite budget cuts.

Lackey concluded by urging word-of-mouth promotion, saying the academy hosts tours year-round and attracts visitors from across Texas and beyond.  

“The more people that really understand what we’re doing, the more outreach we can get and the more kids we can put in the building,” Lackey said.

The visit underscored the academy’s commitment to executive function skills, such as working memory and impulse control, preparing students for kindergarten success. As Jackson put it, “experience matters.”

 

Photo: 

The Kiwanis Club of Baytown paid a visit to the Liles Learning Academy and toured the facility, including the Build Zone, where children learn about how construction methods are implemented.  

Sun photo by Matt Hollis

Kiwanis Club’s old-fashioned wagon steals hearts at Baytown Christmas parade

Despite chilly temperatures that kept some folks home, the Kiwanis Club of Baytown brought pure Texas warmth to the city’s annual Christmas Parade on Thursday, rolling out a genuine early 20th-century wagon that looked straight off the set of a John Wayne holiday special.

This year’s parade, Texas-themed “Boots, Bells and Holiday Yells!” featured 121 entries, 226 vehicles, three high school marching bands and 1,735 participants who braved the cold to keep the tradition alive. While Jason Calder, City of Baytown spokesman, said attendance along the route appeared slightly lower than 2024 — likely due to the weather and rain worries — more than 42,900 viewers tuned in to the live stream.

At the center of the Kiwanis magic was a beautifully preserved wagon owned by club member Mark Hall. With its authentic-looking cloth cover and a fresh coat of holiday sparkle, the century-old relic rode atop a trailer pulled by fellow Kiwanian Harvey Oyler’s truck. Oyler also supplied a generator so the float could glow like the star atop the Texas Capitol Christmas tree.

Four Key Club students from Ross S. Sterling High School — Vivian Montez, Akemi Arceo, Keyna Frazier and Aaron Garcia — worked under the guidance of Kiwanis Assistant Treasurer Dave Jirrels to turn the wagon into a Lone Star holiday masterpiece. Cowboy boots, horseshoes, Stetsons, jingle bells, tinsel garland and a big Texas flag shared space with twinkling lights and four bales of hay donated (with a promise to return) by Texas Feed Stop on Highway 146.

Matt Hollis, the Kiwanian who spearheaded the project, fought Christmas shopping crowds for Brach’s soft peppermint candy and a giant tossing bucket. In the official Candy Zone, the Key Clubbers gently lobbed treats to delighted children whose faces lit up brighter than the float itself.

Hall’s restored 1950s Coca-Cola machine, stocked with icy 8-ounce bottles, was one of the rewards the Key Clubbers imbibed on while decorating the old wagon. Volunteers popped tops and toasted “the good old days” while stringing the final strands of lights.

Calder praised the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department, Public Works, Baytown Police and Fire Departments, Harris County Constables and Goose Creek CISD Police for delivering another safe and enjoyable event. Though the Kiwanis wagon didn’t claim one of the top three prizes — those went to VFW Post 912 (the winner of the HEB Judge’s Choice award), Goose Creek CISD Operation Services and the Baytown Buccaneers Swim Team —the real win was watching the Key Club kids grin from ear to ear and seeing spectators wave and yell along the route.

In a parade full of sparkle and sound, an antique wagon pulled by modern teamwork proved that in Baytown, the best way to spread Christmas cheer is still saddling up a turn-of-the-century ride and rolling it down Texas Avenue with bells on.

 

Photo: 

The Kiwanis Club of Baytown entered an old-fashioned wagon in the Baytown Christmas Parade, held Thursday. Pictured are, from left, Kiwanian Harvey Oyler, Belinda Gallegos, Akemi Arceo, Aaron Garcia and Keyna Frazier. Ross Sterling High School Key Club President Vivian Montez is in the back.

Sun photo by Matt Hollis

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Lee College president highlights community impact, student support
 
Dr. Lynda Villanueva, president of Lee College, emphasized the institution’s role as the “community’s college” during a speech at the Kiwanis Club of Baytown on Thursday, underscoring its mission to improve students’ quality of life and transform the region through education.
Villanueva, who became Lee College’s president in January 2020, shared key statistics about the college’s diverse student body. She noted that 80% of students attend part-time, balancing complex lives that often include work and family responsibilities. Additionally, 22% are student parents, with 54% of them single parents, and 10-12% are incarcerated students at the college’s Huntsville Center, making Lee the largest provider of incarcerated education in Texas and the second largest in the nation.
“Our students don’t come to Lee College just to earn a degree or transfer,” Villanueva said. “They attend because they want to improve the quality of their lives.”
Villanueva highlighted the college’s goal to connect students to careers they are passionate about, offering family-sustaining wages to break cycles of generational poverty.
Villanueva outlined Lee College’s initiatives to support its students holistically. The “First Time Free at Lee” program offers free tuition, fees and books to first-time students, allowing them to earn an associate’s degree for under $5,000.
The college also operates the largest community college food pantry in Texas, offering 100 pounds of food per month to students without stigma. Emergency funding, mental health services through the TimelyCare platform, and partnerships ensuring shelter for students in crisis further demonstrate Lee’s commitment to serving the “whole student.”
“Seventy-three percent of our students report at least one unmet basic need, like food insecurity or housing instability,” Villanueva said. “We never want a student to choose between paying utilities or buying books.”
Villanueva credited a $5 million unrestricted gift from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott in 2020 for expanding these services, including a renovated student services building.
Under Villanueva’s leadership, Lee College has seen significant growth. Enrollment has increased by 15% since 2020, with the number of first-time college students rising 54% from 617 to 1,071. The dual credit program, serving high school students, has grown, with a 50% increase in economically disadvantaged students participating through the FAST program, which covers costs for eligible students. The college is also set to break ground in December on a new branch campus, funded without additional taxpayer cost, offering in-district rates and new allied health programs.
Despite these achievements, Villanueva expressed concerns about challenges facing the college. Nationally, 50% of high school graduates do not pursue further education, and Lee’s transfer rate, though improved to 25%, remains below her expectations. Retention is another issue, with 50% of students not returning from one fall semester to the next.
“These are the things that keep me up at night,” she said. “We owe it to our community to address them.”
Mark Hall, a Lee College regent and Kiwanis member, introduced Villanueva, praising her transformative leadership.
“She applied only to Lee College for the president’s role, and we hired her,” Hall said. “Since she arrived, there’s been a transformation, even through the uncharted waters of COVID.”
Villanueva’s leadership style, rooted in empowering students and staff, drives her vision for Lee College.
“My style is to love people so they can become their best, truest selves,” she said.
Villanueva emphasized disciplined innovation, focusing resources on transformational initiatives impacting at least 40% of students.
Villanueva closed by reaffirming her commitment to the community.
“I love Lee College, and I am so honored to serve as your president,” she said, inviting community support through scholarships to further student success.
 
Kiwanis celebrates 80 years, installs new leadership at annual banquet
 
The Kiwanis Club of Baytown marked its 80th year of service with a vibrant installation banquet Thursday at the GCCISD Conference Center, ushering in a new chapter under incoming President Marissa Moreno.
The event, held for the first time at this venue, celebrated a year of impactful community service while honoring outgoing President Leia Miller, who passed the gavel to Moreno amid applause from members, families and local supporters.
Miller, reflecting on her tenure, highlighted the club’s achievements in 2024-2025, which embodied its mission to serve children locally and globally.
“It has been an incredible journey filled with new experiences, opportunities and accomplishments that reflect the true spirit of service that defines our club,” Miller said.
Under her leadership, the club bolstered disaster relief efforts, by donating backpacks to Baytown families affected by fires and floods, and contributing funds to Texas EquuSearch and Somebody Cares for Hill Country flood victims. A new pickleball tournament, despite a rainout, met its fundraising goal, while the annual GOSH tournament supported scholarships for local youth. The club also grew, welcoming seven new members, surpassing its goal of five.
Moreno, a Baytown native and Lee College educator with 25 years of service, accepted the presidency with a vision to deepen the club’s impact.
“This community shaped me, and it is my privilege to give back,” Moreno said. “Our vision is that every student will wake up in a place where they are nurtured, supported and given the chance to thrive.”
Moreno outlined ambitious goals, including increasing membership, expanding school partnerships and strengthening Key Club collaborations to empower young leaders.
“The more hands and hearts we have at the table, the more students we can serve, the stronger our community is,” she added.
The banquet also saw the installation of new officers and board members. Sally Black was named president-elect, Matt Hollis was appointed as vice president, Renee Rhodes was reinstalled as secretary, Leia Miller was appointed assistant secretary, Chad Merling was reinstalled as treasurer and Dave Jirrels was named assistant treasurer. The new board of directors includes Blake Cather, Jennifer Guillory, Lori Kirk, Norma Martinez, Leslie Garcia, Judy Jirrels, Harvey Oyler and Mike Wilson.
Miller will serve as the immediate past president, guiding the club’s transition.
The evening shone a spotlight on individual contributions. Harvey Oyler, celebrating his 83rd birthday, received the prestigious George F. Hixson Fellowship Award in recognition of his lifelong commitment to service.
“Joining the Kiwanis Club was one of the most wonderful things in my life,” Oyler said, expressing gratitude to his fellow members.
Hixson Fellowships are awarded to donors who give $1,000 or more to the Children’s Fund.
 
Renee Rhodes was honored with the C.T. Bush Fellowship Award for her indispensable role since joining in 2011.
“This club could not exist as well as it does without this woman,” said Mike Wilson, who presented the award.
Judy Jirrels earned the Women in Kiwanis Award for her leadership in the Partner in Education and K-Kids programs at Alamo Elementary.
Dave Jirrels, a member since 1998, was named Kiwanian of the Year for his tireless work chairing major fundraisers and serving as a past president and current assistant treasurer.
Angie Abrigo, who joined in February 2024, won the Rookie of the Year Award for her enthusiastic volunteering.
“She immediately began asking how she could get more involved in our mission,” Miller said of Abrigo.
The club welcomed new members Carrie Pryor-Newman, Priscilla Sanchez, Kelley Start and Jennifer Fierro, each of whom received a Kiwanis certificate during the ceremony. Rhame is a corporate member of Luna’s Mexican Restaurant. Crystal Rhame was also welcomed as a new member, but was absent from Thursday’s program.
Longtime members were also celebrated. This included Mark Hall for 45 years, Gary Englert for 43 years, Martha Barnett for 25 years, and 10-year members Blake Cather, Susan Jackson, Cheryl Loggins and Pam Mondragon, a corporate member of Crespo and Jirrels Funeral and Cremation Services.
Chad Merling presented service pins and even quipped to Key Clubbers in attendance.
“For you Key Clubbers, if you’re wondering what the secret is to a happy retirement, it’s clearly spending 40-plus years serving your community through the Kiwanis Club of Baytown,” Merling said.
As the evening closed, Miller reflected on the club’s enduring bonds.
“Service is what unites us, but it’s the friendships and connections we form along the way that make our club truly special,” she said.
With Moreno at the helm, the Kiwanis Club of Baytown looks to a future of growth and greater impact, continuing its legacy of changing lives, one child and one community at a time.
 
 
Superintendent O’Brien updates Kiwanians

Superintendent O’Brien updates Kiwanians

 

Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Randal O’Brien delivered a heartfelt State of the District address to the Kiwanis Club of Baytown on Thursday, praising the club’s motto, “Serving the children of the world,” and emphasizing GCCISD’s theme, “Here, We Grow Giants.” 

O’Brien, who announced his retirement effective in December, shared insights into the district’s progress, challenges and commitment to developing well-rounded students.

O’Brien highlighted GCCISD’s scope, which encompasses nearly 24,000 students across 34 campuses, including 18 elementary schools, six junior highs, three traditional high schools, three specialty high schools, and a virtual academy. The district employs about 3,400 staff members, a slight decrease due to budget reductions. 

“Our mission is developing the whole child,” O’Brien said, noting that focusing solely on academics would leave “a hole in the community” without fostering well-rounded individuals.

Addressing Texas Education Agency A-F Accountability ratings, O’Brien cautioned against oversimplifying the data. For the 2023-2024 school year, GCCISD earned an overall “C” rating, or a 78, with preliminary 2024-2025 data indicating a sustained performance. 

Of the 28 eligible campuses, 39% earned distinctions, with five of six high schools and five of 16 elementary schools recognized in areas, such as reading, math, science, and postsecondary readiness. 

“Don’t let the letter grade fool you,” O’Brien said. “There’s a lot of success going on across the board.”

One claim about the recently released accountability ratings is that they showed that 60%, or six out of 10, of GCCISD students fell below grade level in all subjects. Deputy Superintendent Susan Jackson, also a member of the Kiwanis club, addressed this claim.

“This interpretation misses the larger picture,” Jackson said. “More than two-thirds of our students scored at the ‘Approaches Grade Level’ standard or higher, and we’re just two percentage points below the state average at ‘Meets Grade Level’ (40% vs. 42%).” 

Jackson emphasized varied performance across subjects and ongoing efforts to move students to higher proficiency levels.

“We welcome dialogue about student achievement, but it’s essential that we look at the full context of the data rather than drawing incomplete or misleading conclusions,” Jackson said. 

O’Brien celebrated “Giant accomplishments,” including seven campuses earning Apple Distinguished School status post-COVID, with over 80% of instruction integrating technology. The district’s 10 career academies, including the Future Teacher Academy, have resulted in 804 industry-based certifications and $27 million in scholarships for the Class of 2023. Early learning academies at four campuses use the Fueling Brains curriculum to close achievement gaps by fostering executive function skills in pre-K students.

Athletics and fine arts thrived, with 23 playoff appearances across sports, 23 6A coaches of the year, and a 39% growth in fine arts participation. The Ross S. Sterling High School band earned a spot in the state marching contest, and two students raised $35,000 at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Community outreach initiatives include the Goose Talks tour and Hispanic Outreach events, such as Día del Niño at Alamo Elementary, and a robust social media presence. 

O’Brien also reviewed some facility updates, funded by a 2019 bond, which included a new fieldhouse for Stallworth Stadium and a new professional development center. The district is in the process of naming both facilities, utilizing public input. 

The superintendent also addressed rezoning to optimize campus capacity, noting, “Strong schools equal strong communities.” 

A comprehensive rezoning effort, prompted by the addition of 5,000 new homes north of Interstate 10, aimed for a 90% capacity district-wide. 

“You are a big part of our success,” O’Brien told the Kiwanis Club, inviting community involvement through tours, committees and nominations for Giant of the Month awards.

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