Clements Cadets enjoy the warm fire at the camp out.

Despite very chilly nights and windy days the first weekend in March marked the 5th annual Orienteering weekend campout for the Clements High School NJROTC Unit.  Ninety cadets participated in the event at Stephen F. Austin State Park in San Felipe, TX.

The weekend started off with the cadets pitching 27 tents and a dining-fly.  After dinner, the fire-watch was set and the remaining cadets zipped-up in sleeping-bags for a 38 degree night.  Early Saturday morning, the cadets were awakened by Cadet Domingo Alvarado-Castillo and his trumpet, as he played the traditional reveille.

Following breakfast, the cadets set off on an orienteering course, designed by Cadet Robert Bear.  The teams of cadets, with compass and map in hand, had to locate 13 points.

The course was timed and competitive. First place team: Cadets Devlyn Russell and Dakota Homewood, 2nd place team: Cadets Kiana Farokhpour, Katia Sanchez and Valerie Cazares, and 3rd place team: Cadets Christopher Pierson, Samin Fardin and Jonathan Mansaram.

After completion of the orienteering event, the cadets participated in leadership and team-building exercises. Cadets Dakota Homewood and Ian Dunning performed a traditional United States Flag Retiring Ceremony.

To finalize the evening, the cadets, by platoon, put on a talent show, which included humorous skits, favorite songs, and funny jokes.  Early Sunday morning, the cadets rolled-up their tents, ate breakfast, did a traditional cadence-march by platoon through the park, and then boarded the buses to return to Clements.

It is a well-known fact that many parents have to find something for their children to do during the summer. They would prefer to find something better for their child than just a babysitter or day care. It is also a fact that children who have too much free time tend to find things to do that can lead them down a negative path. In addition many children tend to lose focus and adopt negative exercise and eating habits during the summer.
KICKSTART KIDS has 20 years of well documented studies that show that our students have higher grades, better attendance, and fewer discipline issues than non-KickStart Students in the same schools. However, we are limited to the number of students that can be in the program during the school year due to class size, student grade level, and program locations. Since our entire foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of young people we decided to create a summer camp that would allow a larger group of children to have the opportunity to benefit from our foundation.
Campers will enjoy full days of fun activities, martial arts training, exercise, games, and character building. In addition to the regular scheduled daily activities there will be special events, movies, field days, and seminars from world champion martial artist. All of our camp instructors are full-time professional martial arts teachers from one of our KickStart Kids campuses, and all camp counselors are certified KickStart Kids black belts. Everyone working with our students has undergone a federal background check and rigorous “in class” training.
They will improve their physical, mental, and emotional health – all while having a lot of fun.  They will participate in activities that have been specifically designed for them to learn things about themselves and be challenged to give their best in every part of their lives. These activities and lessons will encourage them to develop their own healthy eating habits, daily workouts, dedication to studying, work ethic, self-discipline, compassion for others, and sense of personal responsibility. All the while they will be learning how to be leaders and examples to others as they enjoy team building activities that teach teamwork, sacrifice, dedication, and confidence. They will develop friendships with others who will be a positive influence on their lives. All of this will be done with the most exciting and fun activities that many of our campers will have done in their lives.

No martial arts experience. For more information 713-868-6003 or email powens@kickstartkids.org.

All Sugar Land and Missouri City-area families are encouraged to attend Make a Splash Water Safety Day on Saturday, April 27 from 1:00-5:00 PM at The Settler’s Park Pool at 3010 Settler’s Way Blvd, Sugar Land.

The event will feature water safety stations including: diving safety, slide safety, mini-swim lessons and water rescue techniques. The Fort Bend County Police and Fire Departments will also be in attendance with car safety, fire safety and other children’s safety information.

Plus, families will be able to get information about free and reduced price swim lessons. First Colony Swim team will offer these lessons, on a limited basis, to families who participate in the free and reduced lunch program at the public schools.

For information or to register please visit our website at: www.firstcolonyswimming.com.

Make a Splash is the national child-focused water safety initiative of the USA Swimming Foundation. The initiative aligns the nation’s top learn to swim resources in an effort to save lives, and to date, 1.1M children have taken lessons through the initiative.

For more, visit www.makeasplash.org.

Pictured left to right are Griffin Clark, Jourdin Smith and Matthew Farmer flashing their tickets for the April 21, Skeeters game.
Photo by Brenda Perry

The Sugar Land Skeeters will take on the Long Island Ducks during opening weekend on April 21. The goal is to take home a win and help Hope for Three Strike Out Autism. The two organizations, along with Judge Bob Hebert and the Mayors of Fort Bend County are set to host the event with the first pitch at 1:35 p.m.

Tickets are now on sale for $12 each. Half of each ticket purchase will benefit Hope for Three and the autism families of this community by using promo code H43 when you log onto www.sugarlandskeeters.com/tickets/fundraising/ or call 281-207-9121. Fans and supporters can also use the H43 code at the ticket box office.

During the season opener, Judge Bob Hebert will recognize April as Autism Awareness Month with the reading of a Proclamation in the presence of all the City Mayors. Other highlights of game day include a silent auction with the opportunity to bid on a custom made, Skeeters game day jersey. Winners will be announced, post game and take to the field to receive their winning autographed jersey. Fans and supporters can also purchase the Official Strike Out Autism t-shirt at the Skeeters Store.

There is a special treat for families living with autism that will also take place on game day. Hope for Three will host families to an exciting day of exclusive events, including a meet and greet with Skeeters players, a parade, play catch on the field and food and fun.

For more information on Strike Out Autism, Hope for Three, the early signs of autism, Family Resource Assistance and the many ways you can help be the difference, call 1-800-317-0787 or http://hopeforthree.org.

The non-refundable registration fee is $25 in advance and $30 at the door the morning of the event. Registration includes a dance clinic t-shirt and snacks. Participants should wear a t-shirt, comfortable pants and sneakers the day of the clinic. All proceeds from the fundraiser event will help the Angels prepare for competition season next year.

If you enjoy dancing or just like having fun, come and join the team. Dance clinic registration forms are available at the front office of Austin High School (3434 Pheasant Creek Drive, Sugar Land, 77498) or from any Austin Angel. For a registration form by email, send an email request to vaidyas@msn.com. Forms are also available at www.austinbulldogband.org/angels-2/2010-2011-forms/. For more information about the dance clinic, contact Asha C. Vaidya at 281-565-3124.

Simone Manuel

Simone Manuel, a 16-years-old swimmer with the First Colony Swim Team, broke two USA Swimming National Age Group Records at the NCSA Junior National Meet in March.

Manuel broke the 15-16 year old 100 yard freestyle record with a time of 47.73. Manuel’s 100 freestyle time is the second fastest 18 & Under time in American history. Only 2012 Olympic gold medalist Missy Franklin has been faster. Manuel also broke the 15-16 national age group record in the 50 yard freestyle with a time of 22.04.

Manuel finished the 2013 NCSA Junior National Meet with victories in the 50 freestyle, 100 freestyle, and 200 freestyle. The National Swim Coaches Association named Simone Manuel the Female Performer of the Meet.

For more information, call 281-969-8759.

The event will be held at the football field at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, March 26, at the school, 11111 Harlem Rd., Richmond.

Everyone is invited to come celebrate the team’s amazing season and show their support for the players and coaches.  This is the first state championship title for
Travis High School athletics.

After the pep rally, people are encouraged to walk over to the baseball field to watch the Tiger baseball team as they compete against Austin High School in a big district match up. Members of the basketball team will be throwing out the ceremonial first pitch.  Students will get into the game free with their Travis Student IDs.