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.

•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

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.

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. 

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

David Alamia, City of Baytown’s emergency management coordinator, asked the Kiwanis Club of Baytown members if they were ready for a hurricane.

Alamia was at the Kiwanis meeting as part of National Emergency Management Awareness Month, giving tips on hurricane hazards, forecasts, evacuations, preparedness tips and how to stay informed. 

Among the hurricane hazards Alamia discussed, he said to be wary of storm surges, which can cause catastrophic flooding. The storm surges can cause water to rise as high as nine feet along the shorelines around Baytown, according to a map he showed. 

He said rip currents, which are powerful currents of water that move away from the shore, can sweep even the strongest of swimmers away from the beach. 

There is also inland flooding, which occurs when powerful storms move over land and dump massive amounts of rain into streams, rivers and lakes despite losing strength. 

This causes inland flooding that accounts for more than 50% of hurricane-related deaths every year, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Tornadoes are another hazard to be watchful for in the event of a hurricane, as well as strong winds. 

In the Atlantic Ocean, Hurricane Erin has been unleashing rip currents and waves along the North Carolina coast on Wednesday. It is the fifth named storm of the season. 

The next storm will be called Fernand. 

The 2025 Atlantic Hurricane season is expected to have between 13 and 19 named storms, with six to 10 hurricanes and between three and five major hurricanes. It also has a 60% chance of being an above-normal hurricane season. 

Alamia emphasized the importance of knowing your evacuation routes in case you ever need to use them. You can find out about evacuation routes by visiting the Texas Department of Transportation Statewide Planning Map at https://bit.ly/45NVnjG. 

“The other thing is, don’t wait for us to tell you to evacuate,” Alamia said. “If you look at those five hazards and you say this is going to be a risk, a threat to my home, my family, and you think you need to evacuate, then you probably should evacuate. 

“It is wise to have a contingency in place to make a quick decision, but know your evacuation route.”

Alamia also recommended that folks register for Baytown Alerts. 

“That is the way that we officially communicate during an emergency,” Alamia said. 

People can register for the alerts at www.baytown.org/alert. 

“You can download the app. You can register your cell phone, your home number, your email, and receive different information,” he said. 

Alamia said that under Government Code 418, the county judge and the mayor will serve as the emergency management director.

“They are ultimately responsible for additional evacuation orders of the disaster declaration,” he said. “And they appoint us as emergency managers for the community.”

Alamia also encouraged people to check up on their homes.

“You can cover up your windows, trim some trees and secure any of your outdoor items so they don’t become projectiles during high winds,” he said. 

Alamia recommended roofing clips for your home that help with high wind situations. He added that it was a good idea to pack an emergency kit.

“Always be prepared,” he said. “Make sure you have water and some extra medications up to three to seven days. We always tell people to be prepared.”

Alamia said they maintain a supply warehouse in Baytown for disasters.

“We have cases of products of water, MREs (Meals Ready to Eat), shelter and care kits and more,” Alamia said. “But we always promote self-reliance as well.”

Alamia recommended that folks check their insurance policy to make sure it covers damage during a hurricane. 

“This is a big one for homeowners these days because it seems like prices are going up and up every time we have our policies coming at the end of the year,” Alamia said. “And people are  looking and shopping for cheaper bargains out there and not necessarily realizing what they’re changing in their policy, and what’s covered.”

Alamia said to see if your insurance policy covers wind damage and flooding.  

“Whether you’re in a flood zone or not, we know that the flood maps are not necessarily a true depiction of risk,” he said. 

Kiwanis member Mike Wilson said it was important to remind people that a standard homeowner’s insurance policy does not include flood insurance. 

“Even if you have never flooded, pay the $500 to $600 for flood insurance,” Wilson said. 

Alamia said this was invaluable. 

“Your homeowners’ insurance is not the same as a flood insurance policy,” he said. “They are separate policies. 

“The flood zone maps are just insurance risk maps. They’re not necessarily based on the latest and greatest information on maximum risk precipitation and downstream effects. They’re just a set of insurance rates.”

Alamia said also to check insurance policies before a storm hits the Gulf of Mexico, “because your insurance policy, unless you’re buying a brand new home, does not go into effect automatically. 

“If you buy an insurance policy today, it won’t go into effect until about 30 days after you start that policy.”

Kiwanis Secretary Renee Rhodes said that, regarding flood policies, there is usually a 30-day waiting period before the coverage goes into effect, but if there is a new loan on that property, they will waive that 30-day waiting period.

One issue that many encountered last year when Hurricane Beryl hit the area was the aftermath of waiting on CenterPoint to restore power. Some went about two weeks with no electricity. Alamia said CenterPoint was its own entity, but the city partners with them when it comes to a disaster.

“So, we’re in direct communication with the two service area managers,” Alamia said. 

“We make contact with them every time we have a disaster and have direct contact with them. And then the headquarters office down in Houston.”

Alamia said he and Mark Guzman, deputy emergency management coordinator, joined the CenterPoint team and other local emergency managers to participate in their new hurricane exercise. 

“They have a new emergency operations center they established over here in the Greenspoint area,” Alamia said. “But they made a huge investment in terms of a new emergency ops center downtown, which will be open in the next month or so, I believe.”

Alamia said he hopes that the restoration time goes down. 

“(CenterPoint says) they’ve made a lot of investments into resiliency,” Alamia said. “They actually installed two weather stations. One near North Main over by Faith Family Church, right in front of it and another one over in the Beach City area. The city has also established three new weather stations. Those all help us in terms of making sure we know where the greatest wind impacts would be to help us pinpoint where we would have most wind damage on our infrastructure.”

Photo: 

David Alamia, City of Baytown’s emergency management coordinator, recently spoke to members of the Kiwanis Club of Baytown about hurricane preparedness.

Sun photo by Matt Hollis