Dana Olsen

Needville HS has a 2013 Volleyball grad, Dana Olsen, that has committed and will sign to attend and play volleyball at the University of Central Oklahoma next season.

Turman has been awarded the opportunity to join a select group of 250 students from across the country to participate in an intensive week-long study of leadership in environmental science and conservation.

Turman was chosen based on academic accomplishments and a demonstrated interest and excellence in leadership in the sciences and conservation studies.

The Summit will encourage and inspire young leaders who desire a unique experience focused on successful careers in this dynamic industry.

The Washington Youth Summit on the Environment will be held June 23-28, 2013.

Shown from left to right: Johnathan Kovarcik, Tyler Davison, Jordan Janke, Cord Wieghat, Cameron Anderson, Michael Cole, Makenzie Raesner, Shelby Adamson, Marc Hackstedt, Craig Todd, and Bruce Poindexter (Monsanto representative).

Members of Fort Bend County’s Needville FFA recently made good use of the leadership skills gained through agricultural education. By making connections with 371 area famers, the chapter earned enough votes to place second in Texas and earned $2,000 in the second annual FFA Chapter Challenge.

“Twenty years ago, the majority of our students lived on a farm. They grew up learning that way of life,” said George Krejci, FFA advisor. “Today only a small percentage of our students live on a farm. It is important that they go out into the community and meet with farmers face to face. This helps them become familiar with farming traditions and values.”

FFA members in 12 states went out into their communities to build relationships with local farmers and gained votes for Chapter Challenge, sponsored by Monsanto and National FFA. Thanks to local farmers, members of the Needville FFA gained a deeper appreciation for agriculture and earned funds that will enhance member’s classroom experience.

“The mission of FFA goes beyond farming, but its heart will always be in creating new generations of leaders who understand agriculture and small communities,” said Linda Arnold, Monsanto customer advocacy lead. “Monsanto is proud to partner with the National FFA Foundation to help local chapters create that bond with the people who grow our food and build our communities.”

In total, more than $200,000 was awarded to 201 FFA chapters. Winners received certificates of credit that can be used for items such as new FFA blue jackets or convention fees.  Across Texas, FFA chapters were in the running for the FFA Chapter Challenge Grand Prize, which went to the Lawrence County High School FFA Chapter in Moulton, Ala. This chapter received 1,110 votes and won a trip to this year’s 85th National FFA Convention in Indianapolis.

Pictured l-r are: Jessica Humphrey, Mom – Jody Humphrey, Sister – Jasmine Humphrey.

The State Bank of Texas is sponsoring a blood drive on September 15, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Stafford branch location; 13010 Murphy Rd., Stafford, the phone number is 281-494-6686. The blood drive is for Jessica Humphrey who has been diagnosed with Immune Thrombocytopenic purpura (better known as ITP). She is scheduled to have kidney surgery on August 29. Jasmine (13 years old) will be donating platelets for her sister’s surgery.

Jessica will turn 16 on August 31. We have known the Humphrey family for over 10 years. They have had a lot of hardship and tragedy in their family and this is one way to “Pay It Forward” and help. Will you consider being a blood donor for this event? PLEASE CALL Megan Anderson to schedule a time to donate blood.

Jessica is a junior at Needville High School where is a member of the Texas High School Rodeo, Gulf Coast Barrel Racing, National Barrel Horse Association, Secretary of Texas 4-H, FFA, Fort Bend Youth Rodeo Association, she is the pitcher for the Needville High School Softball team and she is a cheerleader too! She has won the “Rodeo Saddle” several times and enjoys being outside, roping, goat tying and showing animals. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends when she isn’t busy at school, playing softball or involved with rodeo activities.

In Immune Thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) the blood doesn’t clot as it should due to a low number of blood cell fragments called platelets or thrombocytes. Platelets are made in your bone marrow along with other kinds of blood cells. They stick together (clot) to seal small cuts or breaks on blood vessel walls and stop bleeding. Without enough platelets, bleeding can occur inside the body (internal bleeding) or underneath or from the skin (external bleeding).

Purpura refers to purple bruises caused by bleeding from small blood vessels under the skin. People with ITP often have bruises that appear on the skin or on the mucous membranes. They may also have bleeding that causes tiny red or purple dots on the skin known as petechiae that looks like a rash. A lot of bleeding can cause hematomas and that is a collection of clotted or partially clotted blood under the skin and looks like a lump.

Bleeding in the brain is a result of ITP. In most cases, an autoimmune response is thought to cause ITP. Normally, the immune system helps your body fight off infections and diseases. If you have ITP, the immune system attacks and destroys its own platelets. To date, it is unknown why this happens, but it cannot be passed from one person to another. To learn or verify information about ITP you should visit with your own physician.

The 8th annual scholarship is sponsored by Dow Chemical Company in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful. The first-place winner will receive $3,000. The second- and third-place winners will receive $1,000 each. Don’t Mess with Texas is the litter prevention campaign of the Texas Department of Transportation.

The scholarship is one of TxDOT’s efforts to generate more youth involvement in Don’t Mess with Texas, since research shows that age is the number-one predictor of littering behavior, with Texans ages 16-34 littering the most.

Any Texas high school senior who will attend a two- or four-year Texas college or university can apply. For the essay prompt, application, rules, and background information, visit www.dontmesswithtexas.org/programs/scholarship/. Winners will be notified in April.