HOUSTON METHODIST SUGAR LAND HOSPITAL HOSTS NATIONAL CANCER SURVIVORS DAY LUNCH

Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital joined nearly 14 million American cancer survivors in the annual celebration of National Cancer Survivors Day. Also recognized were the many family members, friends and health care providers whose contributions to and support of cancer survivors help make the celebration possible.

The celebration was led by associate chief nursing officer Sally Shen, M.S.N., R.N., NEA-BC. Shen briefly shared how cancer has affected her family before introducing Mary Nugent, this year’s patient speaker, and Sindhu Nair, M.D., hematologist/oncologist at Houston Methodist Oncology Partners, who delivered the physician perspective as well as the survivor acknowledgment.

“You are our inspiration, and I thank you for that,” said Nair. “Here in this room, we have husbands and wives, sons and daughters. We have doctors, nurses, physical therapists, nurse navigators — a community. They are what makes this perhaps difficult experience, easier to get through.”

Anyone living with a personal history of cancer — from the moment of diagnosis through the remainder of life — is a cancer survivor, according to the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation. Additionally, the foundation says that more people are surviving cancer than ever before, which can be attributed to advances in prevention, early detection, treatment and follow-up care.

Cancer does come with many challenges however, such as hindered access to cancer specialists and promising new treatments, inadequate or no insurance, financial hardships, employment problems and psychological struggles. “Despite these difficulties, cancer survivors can live active, productive lives with the support of other survivors,” said Nair. Visit houstonmethodist.org/sugarland or call 281-274-7500 for more information.

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SUGAR LAND POLICE SERGEANT RECOGNIZED FOR KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE

The Texas Center for the Missing named Sugar Land police officer Sgt. Matt Levan “TCM Friend of the Month” for June.

Levan’s selection recognizes his work to promote online safety as an Internet Safety NetSmartz trainer; and the arrests of numerous predators through his participation on the Houston-Metro Internet Safety Crimes Against Children Task Force.As a member, Levan works to apprehend countless child predators. He proactively investigates about 30 cases per year involving predators who share child pornography on the Internet, leading to more than 20 felony arrests.

As a certified Internet safety trainer, Levan has trained hundreds of children and parents. He routinely conducts classes to educate parents about online dangers such as cyber bullying and sexual predators. He has also hosted Houston Regional Amber Alert trainings for area law enforcement officers.

Levan started his service with SLPD more than 20 years ago. His commitment to his job as a supervisor makes him an exceptional instructor, mentor and investigator. He coordinates the flag football team for the annual Fort Bend Holiday Bowl, a charity event benefiting the Fort Bend County Deputy Sheriff’s Association’s “Santa Behind the Badge” program, the Sugar Land Police Officers Associ­a­tion and Toys for Tots. He helps organize softball teams and tournaments to create camaraderie among the City departments. He instructs the criminal investigations class for the Citizen’s Police Academy, and he teaches an advanced child abuse investigation training course and a sexual assault and family violence investigation course.

“I have known Sgt. Levan for years, and he is an exemplary person and officer,” said Texas Center for the Missing CEO Beth Alberts. “We are happy to honor Sgt. Levan as our Friend of the Month. He is truly a friend to our entire community!”

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P-16 REGIONAL COUNCIL NAMES FIRST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Katina Scott has been named as the first Executive Director of the Fort Bend P-16 Regional Council. The Council’s mission is to create a college- and career-going culture among participants from pre-school through college graduation, to promote life-long learning. The “P” represents preschool and the “16” indicates attaining a four-year degree after high school. Stakeholders in the P-16 Council include school districts and colleges along with education, business, community and faith-based partners.

As Executive Director, Scott will oversee the operation of the Council’s activities, including membership, marketing, programs, facilities, volunteer and staff development, financial development, community relations and collaborations with community agencies.

Council Chairman Dr. Thomas Randle, who also is the Lamar CISD Superintendent, is excited to see the organization grow. “The Fort Bend P-16 Regional Council has really worked to help strengthen the relationships between Fort Bend County educators and our community and business partners,” he said. “Plus, when you look at the major population growth our area is experiencing, the timing was simply right to expand our outreach efforts.”

He added, “Fort Bend County residents are fortunate to live in such a vibrant area. But if we want to ensure our future is just as bright as our present, we must have an educated population. Today’s students are tomorrow’s doctors, pharmacists, mechanics and business owners. We certainly want our children to be well educated and well prepared for whatever may come our way.”

The P-16 Council has held multiple local education conferences and recently formed a new fifth grade Math Collaborative to prevent the slowdown in middle school math improvement that’s prevalent throughout the country. The collaborative is targeting Fort Bend County fifth-graders to improve math scores and help prepare them for secondary math courses.

The collaborative is working directly with each of the four Fort Bend County superintendents to implement a pilot program in various fifth-grade classrooms. The classes will try and make gains in their math scores by implementing several specific strategies used at high-performing schools. The math results from state assessments will determine if this plan is expanded countywide or revised altogether.

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FBISD NAMES 2016 PRINCIPALS OF THE YEAR

Veteran educators Julie Diaz and Donna Whisonant were named Fort Bend ISD’s 2016 Principals of the Year. Diaz is principal at Travis High School and is the Secondary Principal of the Year; and Whisonant, principal at Sullivan Elementary School, is the Elementary Principal of the Year. They were selected by their peers for the honor based on their outstanding leadership, service and dedication to their students and staff and were honored on April 6 at the Region 4 Education Service Center Principal Recognition Ceremony.

“When I first heard the news that I was the Elementary Principal of the Year, I had to pinch myself,” admitted Whisonant. “I was stunned. Then I realized I was shedding tears of joy. I truly appreciate and am humbled by this honor.”

An educator of 30 years, Whisonant strives for success and firmly believes that all students have the capacity to learn when they are taught in a positive and caring environment. Whisonant joined the District in 1986 and has served as a fourth-grade teacher at Townewest Elementary School, an English Language Arts teacher and Department Chair at Fort Settlement Middle School, and an assistant principal and principal at Austin Parkway Elementary School.

Diaz also has 30 years of leadership experience, having served as an elementary school teacher, assistant principal at Barrington Place Elementary and principal at Commonwealth Elementary and Fort Settlement Middle School before becoming principal at Travis High School.

“I’m very humbled and honored to be named Secondary Principal of the Year,” shared Diaz. “While I am grateful for the honor, I feel there are so many outstanding secondary principals in the District, most of whom I have worked with as a middle school and now high school principal.”

Diaz works hard at establishing a positive school culture that is focused on student achievement. She believes in being present and in building positive relationships with her school’s clientele. “It is my hope that I am making a difference in students’ lives.”

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FBFN FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON AND FUNDRAISER

FBFN Foundation, the charitable arm of Fort Bend Friends and Neighbors, held its annual Scholarship Luncheon and a silent auction fundraiser on May 18 at the Rosen­berg Civic Center to honor 10 Fort Bend County students who received scholarships to attend college at a Fort Bend County campus (HCC, WCJC or UH – Sugar Land). This year, the Foun­da­tion gave a record-breaking total of $30,000 to assist with student expenses.

The scholarship recipients are Morgan Adams-Jones from Ridge Point HS, attending HCC – Stafford; Grant Arrington from Needville HS, attending WCJC – Richmond; Julie Arrington from Needville HS, attending WCJC – Richmond; Gisselle Gonzalez from B. F. Terry HS, attending WCJC – Richmond; Celina Lerma continuing her education at WCJC – Richmond and UH – Sugar Land; Karla Martinez from Needville HS, attending WCJC – Sugar Land; Griselda Ramos from Foster HS, attending WCJC – Sugar Land; Sheridan Reid from B. F. Terry HS, attending WCJC; Shad’e Robinson from Lamar Con­so­l­idated HS, attending WCJC – Richmond; and William Tevis graduating from Dulles HS, attending WCJC – Sugar Land.

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JEAN SHELLEDY NAMED WCMC WOMAN OF THE YEAR

The Woman’s Club of Missouri City (WCMC) nominated Jean Shelledy as its 2016 Woman of the Year at the club’s May meeting.

Jean was recognized as a role model for the club’s theme: TEAM – “Together Every­one Accomplishes More.” Since 2007, Jean has been committed to the Woman’s Club of Missouri City. She has served as the club’s president for the past two years and is determined that the organization will continue and thrive to be successful.

WCMC is the oldest social and civic club in Missouri City and recently was presented a Proclamation by Mayor Allen Owen in appreciation for the club’s 60 years of service to the Missouri City community. Among the WCMC charitable donation recipients are the Butterfield Educa­tion Foundation, Historical Dew House, Habi­tat for Humanity, Friends of the Missouri City Animal Shelter and yearly legacy scholarship awards to Missouri City high school graduates.

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SUGAR PLUM MARKET RECOGNIZES TOP SPONSORS TO DATE

“Making Spirits Bright” is the theme of the 16th Annual Sugar Plum Market, which will pay tribute to the many organizations that have benefited from Market proceeds through the years. The Fort Bend Junior Service League (FBJSL) and Memorial Hermann invite the community to join them for what is sure to be another stellar event. The Market will take place at the Stafford Centre Performing Arts Theatre and Convention Center Friday, Nov. 4 and Saturday, Nov 5. Preview Night has been set for the evening of Thursday, Nov. 3.

The 2015 Sugar Plum Market raised a record-breaking $285,000 which benefited more than 17 charitable organizations in Fort Bend County. The continued success of the Market would not be possible without the support of sponsors and donors. In addition to the 2016 Sugar Plum Market’s title sponsor, Memorial Hermann, top sponsors to date include City of Stafford, Pamela Printing, Fort Bend Lifestyles & Homes, Audi Sugar Land, Randalls, and HEB.

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FIRE MARSHAL MARK FLATHOUSE COMPLETES EXECUTIVE FIRE OFFICER PROGRAM

Fort Bend County Fire Marshal Mark Flathouse has completed the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Academy Executive Fire Officer Program. Flathouse was recognized and presented with a certificate during Commissioners Court on June 7.

The Executive Fire Officer Program is comprised of a series of four graduate and upper-division-baccalaureate equivalent courses taken over a four-year period while providing senior fire officers with a broad perspective on various facets of fire and emergency services administration. The courses and accompanying research examine how to exercise leadership when dealing with difficult or unique problems within communities.