Rev. Robert L. and Mrs. Elwayne Y. J. Gilbert Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to an
African American graduate of a McLennan County high school who plans to enroll at Baylor University.
Preference will be given to students who are interested in Rev. and Mrs. Gilbert’s threefold passions:
ministry, public education, or civic activism.
Vivienne Malone-Mayes Scholarships: These scholarships will be awarded to a graduate of a
McLennan County high school who intends to attend a community college and to a graduate of a
McLennan County high school who intends to attend a four-year college or university.
Dr. Mae Jackson Continuing Student Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to a graduate of a
McLennan County high school who will be a continuing student at a four-year college or university.
Eligibility: Applicant must:

1. Currently be a high school senior,
2. Plan to attend a community college or four-year college/university,
3. Have a 2.5 or higher GPA for graduating seniors.
   Eligibility for Dr. Mae Jackson Continuing Student Scholarship: Applicant must:
4. Currently attending a four-year college or university,
5. Be a continuing college student (rising sophomore, junior, or senior),
6. Have a 3.0 or higher GPA.
   Application Requirements: (Should be submitted via email to [email protected])
7. Completed scholarship application form
8. Official copy of current high school or college transcript. Contact your school’s registrar to have
   your transcript emailed by the deadline.
9. Two letters of recommendation. Letters should be submitted on letterhead by teachers,
   employers, or individuals who know your academic performance, service, or character.
10. Proof of community service, leadership, and work ethic. This may be provided as part of a
    resume or as a list. Please do not send actual certificates, awards, etc.
11. Essay (250-300 words) on the scholarship essay topic (word-processed, double-spaced)
    Applications must arrive by midnight on April 4. Applications received after the deadline will
    NOT be considered. Students unable to email applications may send them by USPS to Waco
    NAACP; P.O. Box 20511; Waco, TX 76702. Applications must be RECEIVED by April 4;
    postmarked applications will not be considered.
    Applications may be obtained from area high school counselors, emailing [email protected]
    or by visiting the website www.waconaacp.org.

March is shaping up to be the month of music here in Waco. This weekend, Waco is showing up for the music scene in preparation for SXSW, Austin’s South by Southwest Music Festival. Waco venues all over the city will be having shows with local bands and performers. Some of our local performers will even showcase at the SXSW festival next weekend. Go out and be loud this weekend and support our local artists and music community, Wacotown! 

Local  artists, Pirscription and Wacotron are heading to the festival this year. ‘Script has attended SXSW for some seven years, but this time he will performing at The Smoke Out ATX’s official SXSW showcase. With a recently released album, “This is Change”  hitting the Top #100 list on ITunes in all genres and ranked #3 in Rap/Hip Hop category it’s safe to say this year is off to a great start for the artist! Also, check out the Private Hip Hop Podcast with Rogue Media Network for more on local (and beyond) up and coming artists.

The Music community is continuing to grow with the recent Live Showcase Saturdays with the new addition of The Texas Music Cafe at 600 Columbus Ave. This addition to the Waco downtown sphere has been drawing musical artists and acts from across the country. Plus, the Backyard here in Waco is building quite a reputation with names like Snoop Dogg and the Rapper Nelly! 

• Join in Friday March 11th for the free East Waco Music Fest held at Brotherwell Brewing, 400 E. Bridge st. Friday’s music festival will feature Pirscription & Friends, WacoTron, J Soulja, Kam KT and DQ Hampton, DJ Precyse, The DiMaggios, Ben Atkins and the Tent Revival, and American Merit. Brotherwell Brewing opens the show at 5 p.m. with music from DJ Matt At Home starting at 6 p.m.. 
• Usher in the spring season with Magnolia Market at the Silos along with dozens of makers, artisans, and vendors from across the country, who are bringing their passions and products right here to Waco. Shop the vendor fair from 9 am to 6 pm each day, enjoy live music from 9:30 am to 5:20 pm, and experience a whole lot more. While you shop, eat, and play on the grounds, you can enjoy live music by artists from across the country.
• The Texas Music Cafe will dedicate its next two Saturday night shows at Nexus Esports, 600 Columbus Ave., to performers with SXSW or Austin connections. This Saturday’s show, March 12th, offers well-known Waco-area musician John Dempsy, and Waco rock ’n’ roll band Far From Reach.
• Rogue Media Network is proud to host four amazing out-of-town bands with some roots to the Cen-Tex area. The bands are making the trek to Waco for an awesome night of original music and jams. We have Longmire from Conroe, TX, Cujo & the Wide Open from Spring, TX, Garden Party from Conroe, TX, and Dayblazer from Fort Worth, TX. It’s going to be a fun night of hanging and enjoying music in downtown Waco. This event is sponsored by Music Magic Art! 
• Come celebrate Truelove’s 10th year with a full day of live music featuring: Richard Donavann, Leaf Village, The Hawks & The Found, Dead Horse Creek, Rewound, and The Dimaggios. After the show, the party continues as DJ Rewound spins the freshest of tunes on the back patio, Faux Maux will be offering a custom menu to commemorate the event, and the stage will be turned over to the patrons for an evening of karaoke.
• Come see LA duo, Junaco, on their road trip to SXSW for a night of music and vibes in Waco Tuesday, March 15th at Cultivate 7Twelve. Bring your friends and your family to hear mellow bursts of epiphany and pleas of gentle seduction that give way to driving grooves. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show starts at 8 p.m..

• On March 17th hit up The Backyard for Bishop Reicher’s biggest party of the year – the Saint Patrick’s Day Bash! The featured entertainment for the evening will be The Huser Brother Band, born and raised in Waco. You will enjoy the Brother’s soulful, rockin’, country mix. In addition, there will be delicious food and, of course, plenty of beverages. Get your tickets now and get ready for a fantastic evening to help support Bishop Reicher Catholic School!
• With the newly-released debut album “Timeless Present”, singer-songwriter Ryan The Son is moving onto the scene. Fans of Indie Pop, RnB, Singer-Songwriter, and even Hip-Hop can find their voice at some point in each genre blending music project and performance. “Ry & Friends” is a collaboration between Ryan The Son and Growing Pens (a local community of writers), where the aim is to host a night of creative expression and organic connection. This will include short performances by local writers/poets, brief crowd Q&A, and a full performance of reimagined songs by Ryan The Son and his band. Join them March 18th at Common Grounds around 6:30 p.m. for a great time. 

Big shoutout to Keep Waco Loud (Katie & Jacob @ Stay Classy) , Creative Waco and the Waco Convention & Visitors Bureau!

WACO, TEXAS (FEBRUARY 11, 2022) – The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District will host 11 free COVID-19 vaccination clinics February 13 – February 19.  The Johnson & Johnson, Moderna and Pfizer vaccines and boosters are available.  The Pfizer vaccine for children 5 to 11 years of age is available at all locations.  Parents or a consenting adult must accompany their minor children to receive the vaccine.  Walk-Ins are welcome and registration for a scheduled appointment is available at covidwaco.com.   

• Monday through Friday
  • Waco-McLennan County Public Health District (225 W. Waco Dr.) from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, February 13th vaccination clinic:
  • Central Presbyterian Church (9191 Woodway Dr.) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Monday, February 14th vaccination clinic:
  • Goodwill Industries (1700 S. New Rd.) from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
• Tuesday, February 15th clinics:
  • La Vega High School Cafeteria (555 TX-340 Loop) from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.   You do not need to be a student to attend this clinic.
  • Valley Mills ISD High School (1 Eagle Way) from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m.   You do not need to be a student to attend this clinic.
• Wednesday, February 16th clinics:
  • Holy Spirit Episcopal Church (1624 Wooded Acres) from Noon – 6 p.m.
  • Transformation Waco at Estella Maxey (1809 JJ Flewellen Rd.) from 4 p.m. -7 p.m.  You do not need to be a student to attend this clinic.
• Thursday, February 17th clinics:
• Axtell ISD (308 Ottawa) from 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  You do not need to be a student to attend this clinic.
• Robinson Intermediate Campus (605 S. Old Robinson Rd.) from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  You do not need to be a student to attend this clinic.
• Saturday, February 19th clinics:
  • Robinson’s Shepherd’s Heart Food Pantry (106 W. Lyndale Dr.) from 8 a.m. – Noon. 
  • University High School Cafeteria (3201 S. New Rd.) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.  You do not need to be a student to attend this clinic.

It is no surprise that if you ask Wacoans if they know Alfred Solano, CEO of the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, they will enthusiastically say, “Yes!”. Solano has spent the past three years championing the mission of the Hispanic Chamber, and will now transition into a new role within the Waco community. 

Alfred Solano’s tenure with the Hispanic Chamber will end this February, but his legacy will live on. Characterized by his strategic ability to build bridges within the community and across a wide intersection of businesses, Alfred has served the organization well. 

“The past three years and eight months have been a dream, and I believe that my time as the President/CEO of the Hispanic Chamber has advanced our mission,” said Solano. “I have been presented with a fabulous local opportunity to continue to serve the Central Texas community.” 

The Hispanc Chamber serves as one of the region’s leading advocates for economic and civic interests, with a key focus on promoting the economic, educational, and social development of the business community in Waco and Central Texas. The Hispanic Chamber has held numerous events over the years in order to engage businesses and local hispanic leaders, such as the Hispanic Leaders Network. Recently, the chamber has expanded its efforts to focus on the LaSalle Corridor development with a newly-hired Director of Economic Development. 

“Alfred really came in and took the reins of this organization during a difficult time and lifted the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber to heights we never could have dreamt of.” Board President, Jonathan Olvera says, “Our membership growth and engagement from the community grew because of him. He really put the Hispanic Chamber on the map, not just because of the visibility, but through his passion and the trust he built within the community. He really was the leader we needed.” 

While reflecting on the Hispanic Chamber’s intent and purpose, Solano remarked, “One of the main objectives of the Hispanic Chamber has been to ready leaders for the moment when an opening is present so that they can take a chance. Now it is time for me to take that chance. An official announcement will be forthcoming in the near future. I am extremely appreciative of the support of my staff, board of directors, businesses and funding partners,” Solano said.

The Hispanic Chamber board of directors are now searching for the next CEO. All applicants can apply wacohispanicchamber.com and submit their cover letter and resume. The application period will close February 14. 

Transformation Waco Health Services Communications 

Vision Center – English 

All students ages 6 and up at Transformation Waco and Waco ISD campuses can receive a FREE  eye exam and glasses at the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Vision Center at the Greater Waco  Advanced Health Care Academy. Exams are held during school hours and transportation is  provided for students. All you have to do is contact your child’s school nurse for an exam, and  they will help set up an appointment. Here’s a short video about what you can expect from a  visit with our staff optometrist. 

For more information, visit transformationwaco.org/vision-center. 

Vision Center – Spanish 

El Centro de la Visión Bernard y Audre Rapoport en la Academia de Atención Médica Avanzada  de Waco ofrece exámenes de la vista y anteojos gratuitos a todos los estudiantes del Distrito  Escolar Independiente de Waco mayores de 6 años. Los exámenes se llevan a cabo durante el  horario escolar, y se proporciona transporte para los estudiantes de Transformation Waco.  Todo lo que tienes que hacer es contactar a la enfermera de tu escuela para un examen y ellos  te ayudarán a programar una cita. Aquí hay un breve video sobre lo que puede esperar de una  visita con nuestro optometrista personal. 

Para obtener más información, visite transformationwaco.org/vision-center. 

Telehealth for Schools – English 

All Transformation Waco students have access to a service called Telehealth for Schools, where  a safe and confidential video visit with a Waco Family Medicine clinician is possible right on the  school nurse’s computer. Telehealth for Schools is like a regular doctor’s office visit at Waco  Family Medicine but with the added convenience that appointments are conducted at a  student’s campus. This service is affordable and is free for students on Medicaid. Here’s a short  video about what you can expect from a visit. 

For more information, visit transformationwaco.org/telehealth.

Telehealth for Schools – Spanish 

Todos los estudiantes de Transformation Waco tienen acceso a un servicio llamado Telehealth  for Schools, donde una visita por video segura y confidencial con un médico de Waco Family  Medicine es posible directamente en la computadora de la enfermera de la escuela. Telehealth  for Schools es como una visita al consultorio médico habitual en Waco Family Medicine, pero  con la conveniencia adicional de que las citas se llevan a cabo en un campus del estudiante.  Este servicio es barato y gratis para estudiantes en Medicaid. Aquí hay un breve video sobre lo  que puede esperar de una visita. 

Para obtener más información, visite transformationwaco.org/telehealth.

The Bridge2Health Program is aimed at reducing the burden of obesity and chronic diseases in Waco-McLennan County to improve population health and quality of life. The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District will be offering two free classes starting in February to promote healthy living and prevent chronic disease among community members, Health 360 and Create Better Health. 

Starting February 10th, classes are every Thursday from 6-7 pm via zoom.

Sign Up Now

Health 360 is a 1-year class for people that are at risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes to help them prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes through nutrition and physical activity. Health 360 starts on February 8th and will meet every Tuesday with two session options, 1-2PM and 6-7PM.

Create Better Health is a 16-week class that helps people gain the skills to be active and eat healthy on a budget.

Sign Up Now

If you have any questions call: 254-750-5435