By Tristen Coffee
As a current intern at Prosper Waco, I can speak to the power of internships. The opportunity to get hands-on experience in a field that interests you is valuable for personal and professional development, and also helps when it comes to getting hired for that first job. A job candidate with pertinent internship experience automatically has at least a little bit of an advantage during a job interview compared to someone with no experience at all.
One of the community goals that the Prosper Waco initiative was created to support is to Increase youth employment. One strategy for making progress on that goal is to help young people get job experience through high school internships.
The Prosper Waco backbone organization and Waco ISD have worked together since 2016 to build and grow a summer internship program that pairs rising seniors with local employers to create paid internships in an industry relevant to each student’s specific career academy. This program has proven to be beneficial to students and employers alike, and will continue to develop as students from other McLennan County school districts start to participate. (To learn more about summer internships and the other education-related initiatives that Prosper Waco is helping to support, visit this webpage: https://prosperwaco.org/the-work/initiatives-and-projects/.)
Student internships are great opportunities for the individual students who participate, and they are also a part of a larger strategy of talent development for our region.
On Wednesday, November 7, Prosper Waco, the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce and the Heart of Texas P-20 Regional Council are hosting a luncheon to share information about the current state of public education in Texas. Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath will give an update on the progress that has been made and the challenges we still face in regard to public education today. Local experts will provide regional data on student achievement as well as information about how area schools are working to solve problems and prepare their students for the future.
In addition to the keynote speaker, the luncheon will feature a panel of superintendents: Dr. Marcus Nelson of Waco ISD, Dr. George Kazanas of Midway ISD and Dr. Sharon Shields of La Vega ISD. Dr. Phil Rhodes will also present local workforce pipeline data, encompassing college and career readiness. This will give the community a good chance to get an insider look at how our local school districts are working to make sure young people growing up in the greater Waco area can provide the workforce we need for the coming decades.
The opportunities for businesses to work with schools in a mutually-beneficial manner will be a major theme of the event. This could look like businesses providing internships or job-shadowing opportunities, providing mentors for students, taking part in Advisory Boards, etc. The higher the quality education provided in the Waco area, the better our workforce will be down the road. Businesses typically have the resources, and high school students typically have the willingness to learn from practical experience. The collaboration between businesses and education is a win for everyone.
This event will be held at the Baylor Club (1001 S MLK Blvd). Doors open at 10:30 a.m. for networking and a “School Spotlight,” and the luncheon itself will kickoff at 11:30. This event will not only provide clarity on where we are with public education today, but will also spark conversations about how we can build a world-class workforce and ultimately strengthen our economy. On behalf of the P-20 Council, the Chamber and Prosper Waco, we hope to see you there!
Tristen Coffee is a senior Journalism/Public Relations major with a concentration in Marketing at Baylor University. She is currently the PR/Communications intern at Prosper Waco. Originally from Temple, TX right down I-35, Tristen has loved calling Waco home for the past going-on-four years and is excited (but not quite ready) to see where life takes her after graduation in May.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
(This post is a part of a regular series “Trails & Trials,” a monthly adventure series inspiring others to experience the physical, mental, and social benefits of cycling, running or swimming in Central Texas. For more posts in this series, click here: Trails and Trials. – ALW)
By Natasha van der Merwe
“Race with courage and gratitude!”
“Never ever give up!”
“Keep moving forward!”
“Finish with a smile!”
“H.O.P.E. Hold on Pain Ends”
“Believe and be fearless!”
The inaugural Bicycle World IRONMAN(R) 70.3(R) Waco Triathlon was a smashing success based on the 3,000 triathletes in attendance. World class pros and locals remarked about the incredible Waco hospitality and breathtaking courses winding through Cameron Park and beyond. Throughout the three-day event, I had the opportunity to strike up conversations inside IRONMAN Village.
I asked fellow triathletes about their ‘go-to mantra’ for race day. These were their responses. All well-known phrases people have learned to hold onto during tough times. Words that inspire, give hope, and motivate. Many of these words have also come from overcoming hard times, not only in the sport, but in their lives. Athletes overcoming loss of family, beating cancer, depression, or a substance addiction. All have found a way to be positive and chase a lifestyle and goal to be proud of.
One of the simplest concepts of sports psychology is developing positive self-talk during a race. It’s also one of the hardest sports psychology skills to master. Personally, learning how to master positive self-talk during a race has more appeal to me than learning how to better my swim, bike or run. I know through experience that working on the mental side of my race day preparation can go much further than the physical preparation when it comes to having my best race. Research supports the theory that an athlete who continually practices positive self-talk will improve his or her sports performance.
Knowing that a positive mind can overcome any pain or fatigue one may be experiencing, I have put this theory to the test not only during a race but also during one of my very long five hour training rides on a cycle trainer indoors. On the indoor training days, I typically watch Netflix or past coverage of Ironman races. This particular day, I decided to fill all five hours of cycling with motivational videos found on YouTube. All five hours of positivity left no room for negative self-talk, fatigue or doubt. A collection of different videos shared one same message, “Whatever you put your mind to, and work hard enough at, you can achieve.” To this day, that was the best training ride of my life. Instead of being completely exhausted at the end, I was more invigorated than I was before I started the ride.
I took this learned lesson into my next race – IRONMAN Wisconsin(R). I spent the day before the race watching my favorite 20-min motivational video three times, memorizing my favorite lines. I watched it once more on race morning as I ate my breakfast and stretched out in the hotel room. I walked to the start line that morning more energized than I had ever felt in my ten-year racing career. I felt like nothing could bring me down.
As the race began, I adopted two mantras from that video for my race focus. I started with determination “I can. I will. I must.” and ended with resolve “It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”
I was drawn to using “I can, I will, I must” because it was short, memorable and had a great rhythm to it. As my arms turned over in the swim, and with every pedal stroke, I was able to repeat it over and over. One would think I would get bored of it, but surprisingly enough it was such a powerful phrase that for me in those moments, every time I repeated it I felt stronger.
During the marathon portion of the race, I used “ It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish,” as a pep talk to myself after what had happened earlier in the race. For the first time in my racing career, at the very start of the bike course, my right side glute started cramping. I could not lift my leg to pedal and found myself standing on the side of the road stretching. I watched the advantage I had gained swimming disappear, as the athletes I had passed in that part of the event came flying by me. Ten minutes of stretching later, my body released and I was able to get back on the bike and restart my day. If it were not for the mental preparation I had done before the race, I am 100% sure my day would have ended right there or I would have gone on to have a terrible race. Instead, I was able to close the race with one of my best IRONMAN(R) performances and without one single negative thought for the rest of the day. Definitely an accomplishment I am proud of.
So, how do you create your own mantra?
There is definitely not just one way to make a great mantra. I’ve created mantras from all kinds of sources: coaches, workouts, things I randomly think about, or even something a friend or training partner has said to me. Whatever creates a repetitive, believable, positive image for you can work. Here are a couple of general qualities you can use to create your own mantra:
- Keep it short and simple. You’ll be saying these words repeatedly through the day. You don’t want to have to think about the words. It should just come naturally.
- Relate your words to other successes. Mantras are most effective if they help you recall other successes you’ve had. It could be a great workout or a strong race you’ve accomplished.
- Think of the form you will use. On the run, a mantra I have routinely used in the past is ‘Tall and Light’ or ‘Quick Feet’ just repeated over and over again to match my run cadence. I find it especially helpful later in the race when the fatigue really hits.
As I wrap up memories from this past weekend, I hope all IRONMAN(R) 70.3(R) Waco triathletes can join me in celebrating a job well done. From mishaps to mantras, every triathlon provides a unique learning experience that can be carried on to the next race. Then again, races are like life, there are always challenges so no matter what you face, remember this one simple phrase, “There will be a day I cannot do this, today is not that day.”
Natasha van der Merwe is originally from South Africa. She is mom to a 19-month old girl, former professional tennis player and tennis instructor, and a professional triathlete representing Bicycle World and Waco Running Company. She has multiple top 10 finishes in Ironman and 70.3 events around the world. She is Director of Team Programs for Bicycle World, Texas.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
The Historic Waco Foundation has launched a strategic process to understand Waco’s story from a number of perspectives in order to form future partnerships and programs that would offer the greatest benefit to the community. This post is one in a series to share with you how that work is progressing and how you can get involved. For the rest of the posts in this series, click here: Historic Waco Foundation Series. — ALW
By Clint Lynch
America today is in a revolutionary state of mind. We continue to tear down prohibitive, outdated norms and work hard to build new ones that benefit our entire country. Look at the Black Lives Matter and Me Too movements – both have had a tremendous impact on how we look at our past. As a historian and someone who works with the local historical community, I am seeing Wacoans eager to address our complete history, including the pieces that are all too often not discussed.
I am a current board member and the incoming vice president of the Historic Waco Foundation, and I am seeing a transformation of this 50-year-old organization as we broaden our work to follow our long-held mantra: Preserve, Educate and Inspire. Yes, Historic Waco Foundation is stepping outside of the historic homes and beginning to listen to the community to help tell all of Waco’s history, not just a small part of it.
The Waco community has made great strides in recent years to create a space for listening to the stories that have for so long remained unheard by the general public. In 2016, Historic Waco Foundation hosted the black history exhibit “Footprints of African Americans in McLennan County.” The project took more than a year to curate and spotlighted major, yet largely unfamiliar, contributions by local African Americans to the region.
Among the artifacts that filled the second floor of Historic Waco Foundation’s Fort House during the exhibit’s four-month run was a rare recording of Jules Bledsoe, a pioneer in American music and the first African-American artists to gain regular employment on Broadway. The exhibit also highlighted many of the individuals who have significantly contributed to the betterment of Waco, such as Mae Jackson, Waco’s first female African American mayor, and longtime Waco ISD board member, Emma Harrison.
Historic Waco Foundation that same year hosted “Historia Hispano: A Celebration of Hispanic Heritage and History in Waco.” The exhibit explored Waco’s rich Hispanic history that began long before Texas became part of the United States.
Still, here in Waco, many stories remain untold, and the people and places our communities care about have not received the attention they deserve. What’s more, because the traditional preservation movement was slow to help in the past, many Waco-area communities have already taken on efforts to articulate their stories themselves.
Historic Waco Foundation wants to support these efforts and build a more inclusive organization – one that engages people from all backgrounds and works alongside, not in place of, these efforts to understand the people and places that matter to everyone – and we realize that the only way to do that is to listen.
We recently held a gathering of community leaders to hear some of those stories. That said, if we are serious about telling our complete story, and we are, we know that nothing short of robust community input will suffice. And while recognizing our communities’ collective history is the first step, Historic Waco Foundation’s work will not end there. We will continue to explore and support valuable initiatives and partnerships with organizations like Waco’s Hispanic Museum and the Central Texas African American Heritage Foundation in a continued effort to be a Historic Waco Foundation for all of Waco.
Submit your comments, question and stories to Historic Waco Foundation by email at [email protected] or by mail to Historic Waco Foundation, 810 South 4th Street, Waco, Texas 76706.
Clint Lynch is the General Manager of Oakwood Cemetery and Historic Waco Foundation’s incoming vice president. He attended Sam Houston State University where he received a degree in history and political science. In 1998, Clint became a historian with the State Cemetery in Austin where he had the opportunity to use both his love of Texas history and politics. After spending several years as a funeral director in Abilene and Wichita Falls, Clint returned to his hometown of Waco in April 2016 to join the staff at Oakwood Cemetery.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Gwendolyn McNuckles
I am experiencing a transformational experience. I am serving as an Election Official at The First Assembly of God Early Voting location on Bosque Street in Waco, Texas. This location has recorded the highest number of early voters in Waco for this election thus far. At the closing of the polls Saturday night more than 10,000 people had cast their ballot there. Many commented this is a record turnout.
My assignment is to be a greeter. I help people move through the line to the check-in desks judiciously. It is a blessing to me to serve in this capacity. Registered voters from all walks of life pass me. No matter how people are categorized, at that moment we are ONE. WE are a homogeneous group with one purpose. To use our right as citizens of the United States to cast our vote for the candidates and issues of our choice freely and without hindrance.
The lines are longer than anyone can remember in recent history. Some are frustrated for the wait time. In previous elections, we have been able to walk in and out. We forget short lines meant lack of participation. To have a government that reflects our views and needs we must participate. As I stand at my post, I celebrate these long lines. Many people comment with the same pleasure at seeing people using their rights. Although I realize no one wants to stand in a long line for any reason. I am grateful for the challenge. I enjoy the position. You meet the nicest people in the voting lines. I have personally met over 5,000 people while working.
This experience is growing and strengthening me. For example, I am learning it is important to take the time to communicate to people when change occurs. I am learning when I explain things using my best logic, sometimes that is understandable to others…other times, not so much. I am learning to listen to the opinions of others who don’t agree with my brilliant plan. After I have listened with empathy and not anger, I ask them to provide suggestions that will better suit the situation. I hear many thoughts that have not occurred to me and try as many as I can. These experiences are teaching me to be loving, caring, flexible and to work together with people who don’t agree with me.
Voting in the United States of America is a precious right. It has been a long hard fought journey to ensure every citizen can take part in the process. It is something we have grown to take for granted. I often hear people say they don’t vote because one vote does not count. Susan B. Anthony and the Women Suffragettes marched in the streets, were beaten and jailed fighting for the right for women to vote. Martin Luther King, Jr. the Freedom Riders and many others marched, were beaten, bled and died for the right to vote. The minimum age to vote was changed from 21 years old to 18 years old because our young people were dying in the Viet Nam War at the age of 18. They were fighting and dying to preserve our freedoms that we now take for granted in this nation at 18, but could not vote until the age of 21.
Some think if they are prayed up and place all their trust in God, they need not vote. They fail to remember even Jesus paid his taxes and instructed all of us to render to Caesar what belongs to Caesar. No matter how spiritual and religious we may be, there has been a provision to have a voice in protecting the civil liberties we hold dear. Our right to assembly in our churches was established through the governmental system. Everything I have cited above requires prayer, to be sure, but they also required civic action. We will continue to need prayers and faith in God, but we also have a civic duty to participate in the governmental process.
When I met my husband, Roosevelt McNuckles, our first date was Sunday school and our second date was to register me to vote. Roosevelt was born and raised in Mississippi. He said, “If people were being killed to keep them from voting; it must be important to vote.” Although he is no longer with us, I remember the lesson well. I have never missed an opportunity to cast my vote or encourage others to do so. The system we use in this country is not perfect. It is fraught with many complaints and challenges. I charge you: Do not to allow anything to convince you to give up your right to express your wishes for the path this nation will take. Exercise your right to vote.
Early voting is available in McLennan County until Friday, November 2. For dates and times for early voting, click here: Early Voting Times and locations.
After Friday, polls will be closed until election day, Tuesday, November 6. Voting times and locations on election day are slightly different from early voting. For election day voting times and locations, click here: Election Day Voting.
Gwendolyn McNuckles moved to Waco, Texas in 2011. She is a proud to call Waco her home. Gwendolyn’s background is in human resources. She enjoys public speaking, teaching and community service. Gwendolyn is the proud owner of Connections and Reflections, an event planning company that works with individuals and organizations to plan any size event.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Eric R. Jeter
In the midst of the opioid crisis, communities across the country face increased demands for prevention and substance use services.
According to the CDC young adult’s heroin use has more than doubled within the past decade. More than 90 percent of people who use heroin also use at least one other drug, 45 percent of people using heroin are also addicted to prescription opioid painkillers and that prescription opioid drug overdoses has increased threefold in the last three years. In addition, an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States are afflicted with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) related to prescription opioid pain medicines in 2016. There’s an increasing number of infants born with opioid dependency and rising rates of diseases such as Hepatitis C, and HIV. It is safe to say that the United States is facing a very real crisis.
The silver lining in this cloud is that there are effective medications to treat opioid use disorder. The use of these medications in treatment is called MAT, which stands for Medication Assisted Treatment.
Many treatment programs and behavioral health providers are increasingly now provide MAT. Cenikor Foundation, a leading treatment provider with locations in Texas and Louisiana, offers MAT as one of multiple treatment methods.
In August 2018, Cenikor’s Waco Facility began offering MAT (Medication Assisted Treatment) services for Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) in its 3015 Herring Avenue location. Opened in 2012, Cenikor Waco provides treatment services for individuals affected by substance use disorders in its detox and short stay residential programs. With the addition of MAT to its treatment services, Cenikor Waco is widening access to treatment for the community and providing patient-focused treatment designed to meet individual needs, thereby changing and saving more lives.
The goal of the MAT program offered by Cenikor’s Waco Facility is to support an individual’s efforts to remain abstinent from opioids and other drugs of addiction through the use of counseling, medication and case management services. The philosophy of the program is one of compassionate care with an emphasis on participant safety and personal responsibility.
Medicated-Assisted Treatment (MAT) is the use of FDA- approved medications, in combination with counseling and behavioral therapies, to provide a “whole-patient” approach to the treatment of substance use disorders.
As we seek to provide services to help those with an opioid use disorder achieve lasting sobriety, we recognize that no treatment is “one size fits all”. Cenikor is committed to partnering with patients to design a treatment that best meets their needs. At Cenikor, we use new ways to gauge success beyond simply whether a patient in recovery has stopped using opioids. Our comprehensive approach aims to reduce relapse overdoses and infectious disease transmission among numerous outcome measures.
We continue to work with our referral partners as well as health care professionals to ensure individuals with opioid use disorder continue to have access to the most effective therapies.
Cenikor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, proudly serving over 1,000 clients per week to achieve better health and better lives. For more information please visit www.cenikor.org or call 1-888-CENIKOR.
Eric R. Jeter has been with Cenikor Foundation since 2012. As Construction Manager he oversaw the construction and opening of Cenikor’s Waco facility. After successfully running the Waco short stay and detox program he advanced to Regional Director. Eric now manages the Waco, Austin and Tyler locations. Eric is deeply committed to Cenikor’s mission and helping those in need achieve better health and better lives. Additionally, Eric is the President & Owner of locally owned business Jeter Property, a custom home building and remodel company located in Waco.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Rebecca McCumbers Flavin
Early voting is underway! In this blog post, we provide important information to help you make your plan to vote.
1. Plan when to vote:
Early Voting begins Monday, October 22 and continues daily through Friday, November 2. Polls are open:
- Monday, October 22 through Friday, October 26, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday, October 27, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
- Sunday, October 28, 1:00 PM-6:00 PM
- Monday, October 29 through Friday, November 2, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM
That means you can vote anytime beginning October 22nd until Election Day EXCEPT for November 3, 4, and 5. If you miss early voting, then plan to cast your ballot on Election Day, Tuesday, November 6; polls are open from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
If you received a ballot by mail, those should be returned by 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 6.
2. Plan where to vote:
McLennan County has vote centers, and you may vote at ANY center, not just the one closest to your house.
During early voting, you have 5 vote centers to choose from:
- McLennan County Elections Administration Office
214 North 4th Street, Suite 300, Waco, 76701 - Robinson Community Center
106 W. Lyndale, Robinson, 76706 - Waco Multi-Purpose Community Center
1020 Elm Street, Waco 76704 - First Assembly of God Church
6701 Bosque Blvd., Waco, 76710 - Hewitt Public Safety Facility
100 Patriot Court, Hewitt, 76643
On Election Day, there are even more vote centers to choose from.
Choose a place and time that is convenient for your daily commute. Keep in mind that lines are often shorter during Early Voting.
If you need a ride to the polls, Waco Transit is offering free rides on Election Day. Simply present your voter registration card, or an “I Voted” sticker to the driver to obtain free passage. In addition, Uber and Lyft are offering free or reduced-price fares, depending upon where you live.
3. Plan what you need to bring to the polls and what you should leave behind.
Plan to have the proper ID. Texas law requires that voters present a photo ID at the polls. There are seven forms of photo ID accepted at Texas polling places:
- Texas Driver’s License issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
- Texas Election Identification Certificate (issued by DPS)
- Texas Personal identification card (issued by DPS)
- Texas Handgun License (issued by DPS)
- U.S. military ID card that includes your photograph
- U.S. citizenship certificate that includes your photograph
- U.S. passport book or card
These IDs will be accepted if they expired less than four years ago, with the exception of citizenship certificate, which must be up to date. If you do not have one of the required photo IDs, you may present an alternate form of supporting identification. You will also be asked to complete “Reasonable Impediment Declaration” to accompany this alternate form of ID, as described here.
Things to leave behind.
Texas law prohibits the use of electronic devices within 100 feet of a voting station. You may not bring electronic devices into the polling places, nor may you take photographs inside the polling places. If you use the Vote 411 voting guide, plan to bring a paper copy with you; you will not be able to use your phone to access the guide. If you take a selfie, make sure you are more than 100 feet beyond the polling place.
You are not permitted to bring or wear campaign material into a polling place. Leave hats, buttons, t-shirts, etc. supporting candidates in your car.
4. Get informed about the races and candidates on your ballot.
VOTE411 is a non-partisan online voters’ guide provided by the League of Women Voters Education Fund. Just plug in your address at Vote411.org, and you will receive personalized election information, including a list of races and candidates and races on your ballot. Vote411 has a great feature where you can compare candidates’ positions side-by-side. You can print out your ballot with candidate choices and bring it with you to the polls.
Once you have made your plan to be a Waco, TX voter, share your plan friends and family members to help them make their plan to vote, too!
Rebecca McCumbers Flavin serves as Co-Communicator for LWV-Waco, leading the taskforce that focuses on voter registration and get out the vote activities. Dr. Flavin is also a Senior Lecturer in Political Science at Baylor University. The League of Women Voters (LWV) is a non-partisan organization that for nearly 100 years has advocated protecting the right to vote and encouraging the exercise of that vote. The Waco chapter was reformed in 2017 as a League-at-Large under LWV-Texas.
In the past year LWV-Waco has hosted several events, including a voter candidate forum for the March 2018 Primary and the November General elections, voter registration drives, a movie night, and an educational walk co-hosted by Waco Walks. To join or learn more about LWV, follow us on Facebook by searching for League of Women Voters of Waco, or contact the local chapter at [email protected].
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Cheryl Allen
If you have a child in the public school system, you probably already know — this is Red Ribbon week!
Red Ribbon is a national campaign observed annually on the last week of October. It highlights the benefits of living drug-free. It also provides a valuable opportunity for adults to engage children and youth in dialogue about making positive life choices, including avoiding harmful substances. This year’s theme “Life is a Journey, Travel Drug-Free” reminds us of the importance of avoiding substance abuse throughout our lives.
The Red Ribbon campaign began in 1985 when drug dealers killed DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) agent Kiki Camarena. Camarena grew up in a dirt-floored house with hopes and dreams of making a difference. He worked his way through college, served in the Marines and became a police officer. When he decided to join the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, his mother tried to talk him out it. He told her, “I’m only one person, but I want to make a difference.” After his death, his friends began wearing red ribbons to honor the sacrifice made by Camarena, and as a symbol of their commitment to live drug-free lives.
The movement spread and in 1988 Congress established Red Ribbon Week to bring awareness to the value of living drug-free, and to pay homage to all men and women who have made sacrifices in support of our nation’s struggle against drugs.
Many schools have special activities planned, and VOICE is assisting them by conducting educational presentations and distributing red ribbons, banners, and other items.
The Red Ribbon campaign is an important, but small, part of VOICE’s work. As a nonprofit funded by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, VOICE offers a variety of free programs in schools and the community. Using an evidence-based curriculum, we teach healthy living skills, including tobacco, alcohol, and drug prevention. Visit texasschoolsurvey.org/report for data that reflects the critical need to reach children and youth at an early age.
VOICE also provides support for VASA (Voices Against Substance Abuse). This coalition is comprised of individuals from a variety of sectors who meet regularly to address ways to create a drug- and alcohol-free culture for youth in McLennan County. We encourage anyone who is interested in serving to contact us.
One of VASA’s initiatives is to encourage residents to dispose of unused prescription medication properly. On October 27, the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency) is conducting a Drug Take-Back Day in our community. Please visit takebackday.dea.gov for times and locations. Another option is to take the drugs to a permanent disposal site at the Baylor Police Department or come by the VOICE office where we can provide disposable bags.
When children and youth choose not to abuse drugs, the communities and individuals benefit. Students who remain drug-free do better in school, are less likely to end up in the judicial system, and have a better chance of becoming productive citizens. With that in mind, effective drug abuse prevention education is a good bargain for our communities. The cost of a school-based prevention program is approximately $220 per student compared to the $4,000 per student costs associated with substance use treatment, emergency room visits, lost productivity, etc.
Please visit voiceinc.org for information about programs that address substance abuse prevention in our community.
This Act Locally Waco blog post was written by Cheryl Allen. Cheryl has served the community professionally and as a volunteer for many years. She is the Director of Program Development for VOICE and is an adjunct lecturer in Civic and Community Service at Baylor University.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
The Historic Waco Foundation has launched a strategic process to understand Waco’s story from a number of perspectives in order to form future partnerships and programs that would offer the greatest benefit to the community. This post is one in a series to share with you how that work is progressing and how you can get involved. For the rest of the posts in this series, click here: Historic Waco Foundation Series. — ALW
By Patricia Scott, President, Historic Waco Foundation Board of Directors
This is a great time to be part of the Waco community. Waco is growing. We have a vibrant downtown and almost every weekend there is a concert, festival, sporting event, art festival or convention bringing visitors to town. With all of the excitement around town, it is easy to focus on the future, but we must also look at Waco’s past if we are truly going to understand Waco today.
Historic Waco Foundation’s mission is to preserve and present the history of Waco and McLennan County. As an organization, we are the first to acknowledge that though our mission is broad our focus has been narrow. We have focused on the historic homes and the people that built and lived in those houses – and that has limited Historic Waco Foundation to the late 1880’s and a very small group of people in Waco. It is time to look beyond these beautiful houses and focus on the history of Waco in its entirety.
To begin this process, Historic Waco Foundation recently hosted a gathering to gain information and provide direction from the community at large. The gathering attendees came from all sectors of our community and most had no previous knowledge of or participation in Historic Waco Foundation activities.
Prior to the gathering, Historic Waco Foundation sent an online survey to community members and asked that they share it with their networks, and so on. The survey asked respondents to answer three open-ended questions (1) what is important to the people of Waco, (2) what is distinctive about Waco and (3) about what do Waco-area residents care.
In total, Historic Waco Foundation received 37 survey responses. Using those responses as a basis, Historic Waco Foundation developed four additional questions to guide the community gathering conversation.
Question 1: Which untold stories need to be told?
Discussion ranged from an unbiased and full telling of the Jesse Washington lynching to what Waco-area residents have done for recreation through the years. Attendees also mentioned the importance of delineating the history of Waco’s schools, including unique stories like the tunnel under La-Salle, then a two-lane main road, for elementary school children. Conversations also focused on the importance of recognizing the contributions and daily lives of Waco’s African American and Hispanic communities.
Question 2: What are some ways Historic Waco Foundation can tell these stories?
The community gathering attendees offered several fantastic and thought provoking suggestions for how Historic Waco Foundation can share some of the previously untold or rarely told stories with the community. Overall, the suggestions centered on involving more media and technology in our storytelling. Plays and performances are a common way to presented history – think Shakespeare and his Henry plays—and many of the attendees agreed. There was discussion about Historic Waco Foundation collaborating with the arts community, be it visual or performing arts, and involving students who can write, produce, act, sing or perform historical interpretations.
Question 3: What organizations can or should Historic Waco Foundation collaborate with in the future?
Acknowledging the stories that need to be told and employing creative ways to present them is only the first step. Historic Waco Foundation will also engage in robust collaboration with community groups to identify additional stories and truthfully and effectively present them. Thanks to this enthusiastic group of community leaders, Historic Waco Foundation now has an extensive list of possible partnerships.
Question 4: What are some ways Historic Waco Foundation may be able to use its houses in the future?
Historic Waco has struggled with the upkeep of its current houses and has investigated alternative uses for the historic homes. Historic Waco Foundation asked attendees for suggested uses for the homes, and many of the responses mirrored possibilities already discussed and investigated. Stay tuned for more on this. Historic Waco sincerely wants to present the houses in ways that benefit the entire community and accurately capture the stories of all Wacoans.
This community gathering was just the first step in finding our niche within this community. Historic Waco Foundation will take the many suggestions to heart and act on them in ways that will benefit the sustainability of our organization and Waco’s many citizens.
Patricia Scott is President of the Board for Historic Waco Foundation and a native of Waco. Patricia has been a member of Historic Waco Foundation since 2010. She is a Docent at McCulloch House and has served on the Historic Waco Foundation Board for the past three years and as President for the past two years. Patricia and her husband love to travel and make it a point to find a Museum wherever they go. She loves to read and needlepoint, but her greatest joy is her granddaughter, Grace.
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Graham Duncan
If you’re like me, one of the first things that pops into your mind when you think of local government is the small town of Pawnee, Indiana, home of NBC’s hit comedy Parks and Recreation. In the show the politics of Pawnee are quirky, unreasonable, and unique. While the show may not be based on a real town, local politics can be all of these things. I imagine the politics in Waco are no exception. Sometimes situations can create quirky political solutions. Other times, political, social, or legal realities can force decisions that may be considered by some to be unreasonable. And Waco is unique; the city has its own history, its own problems and its own way of solving those problems in the political arena.
But sometimes it can be hard to know what is going on locally or confusing to figure out how things work in the city. I’m new to Waco and I wanted to learn more about how local politics work here. And I wanted to share what I found with everyone! So, here goes!
City Council
Waco’s local government is set up in a council-manager model. What does this mean? Basically we, as Wacoans, vote to elect council members to represent the five districts in the city. The “mayor” is elected at-large and becomes the sixth member on the council. The mayor serves as the head of the government for ceremonial and emergency purposes. The mayor is also the only council member with a term limit. No one may be mayor for more than three two-year terms. So, the council has six members, five directly represent each district, and the mayor represents the city as a whole. All council members and the mayor are volunteers, by the way. They don’t get paid for their service.
These elected officials, working on behalf of their constituents (the citizens of Waco) hire a professional public administrator (aka the city manager) to be the planning and executing arm of the government. The city manager is in charge of executing the vision the council has for the city. Day-to-day operations, making sure the city is responsive to the needs of the citizens of Waco, and providing feedback to the council on how things are going are part of what the city manager does for the city. So, in a nutshell, the city council provides a forum for the people’s voice to be heard in the legislative process of the local government. They are the elected representatives of the people and have a certain function granted to them by the city charter. The city manager provides the city with an executive power, granted that position by the elected members of the government.
So what does this mean in a practical sense?
I spoke with Councilman John Kinnaird, who represents District Three, about the relationship between the council and the other parts of city government. The council, as mentioned above, provides a vehicle for the people’s voice to be heard. Whenever there is a problem in the city the public has the opportunity (and the responsibility) to let the city know about it. The council ensures that taxpayers’ dollars are being put to use on projects the public cares about. One practical example of this is the roads in Waco. People have been bringing up issues with the city’s roads and the council has begun responding. Typical road maintenance costs the city about $3.5 million in a given year. When I spoke with Councilman Kinnaird I learned that, in response to citizen’s complaints about the roads, the city is putting $16 million this year towards road repairs. The council decides how the money will be spent and works to ensure the different parts of city government are working to accomplish the tasks desired by you, the citizens of Waco. The response may not always be as quick as we would like, but the council listens to the citizens and works to make sure problems in the community are solved.
Another example is the local animal shelter. There was an increasing demand on the limited services provided by the Waco Humane Society. They were taking in 10,000 animals per year and two-thirds of those animals were being euthanized because the shelter could not keep up. The council saw the need and worked to help provide support for the shelter. The council worked to fundraise money, they partnered with nonprofits in the community providing excellent care to the animals of Waco to learn how those organizations were serving the needs of those animals. There was a concerted effort to make the public humane society work for the community and for the animals that found themselves without a home. As a result of all this collaborative work, more recently the shelter was taking in around 6,000 animals per year and had a more than 90% live exit rate. That’s pretty cool.
Local government may not always be “sexy”; it may not always be exciting or even interesting. But what happens on the council affects each and every one of us. Talk to your city council representative. They want to hear what you have to say, and they are members of the community just like we are. They care about what happens here and they want you to care as well. Find out who your representative is. All of the information is available at www.waco-texas.com/council.asp; you can find district maps as well as the names and contact information of the council members.
You can also attend the city council meetings, which happen the first and third Tuesday of each month with the “Business Session” starting at 6 PM. There is always space made for citizens to address the council at each meeting. Get to know your representative. Get involved. Help make the Waco community better and stronger.
Graham Duncan is 24 years old, recently married, and recently moved to Waco. He graduated from Asbury University in Kentucky in 2016 with a degree in Political Science. Since graduating, he spent a year as a full-time service volunteer in Tucson, Arizona, and after that started working at The Home Depot. His wife is currently studying for her Master’s in Higher Education at Baylor and he is doing his best to support her!
The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.
By Alicia Pesina
I have been the instructor for El Ballet Folklorico Las Estrellas de Waco for 16 years. Ballet Folklorico is a traditional Mexican dance which highlights local culture from various regions and states in Mexico. The costumes, styles of dance, and music vary from state to state.
Our group was organized in October 1998 to help promote Mexican Culture in the Waco Area. We began with one group comprised of four young ladies; we have now grown into three groups ranging from the age of seven and up. Some members of our older group have been dancing for more than 25 years.
My mom, Mary Lou Pesina, has been the organizer, dressmaker, director, recruiter, dress fluffer, and so much more. She coordinates every performance and manages all members of the group. Mary Lou Pesina is the one who wanted to start the group. With hard work and determination, she has made the group what it is today.
When we first began our group, we would often go to workshops in Corpus Christi. These workshops included Maestros (instructors) brought from Mexico to teach songs from their native state. They would also include a seminar which demonstrated the traditional costumes, hairpieces, and accessories needed for each State.
We sought out a local instructor several years after the group was established. We met Veronica De La Rosa while she was attending Baylor University. She was able to help us in so many ways. Her mother had organized a Folklorico group in Seguin, Texas. Veronica taught us various dances from all different states and shared her expertise in different Folklorico costumes and designs. She eventually became a part of our family! She married one of my cousins and they now have four beautiful children together.
All members are volunteers from our local community who have a passion for dancing. Our beginner group starts at age seven and we require no previous dancing experience. However, for the Intermediate (Ages 12-17) and Advanced Group (Ages 17-and up), we require previous dance experience. These beautiful dances are difficult and require challenging skirt work, footwork, and choreography. Our dances require hours of practice to perfect, we rehearse every week and also learn new songs every year.
We have a yearly membership fee of $50. Each member is also responsible for purchasing Folklorico earrings and ballet shoes. Our group provides all costumes for our members free of charge. Our costumes are sewn by my mother or purchased from donations we receive from our performances and membership fees. As our group has grown, the costs of costumes have become a major expense.
We practice and perform eight months out of the year. We begin practicing in March and we start scheduling performances in April. Our performance schedule begins in April and our final performance is held at the Fiesta de La Raza at St. Francis Church. We love performing for all types of events around the Waco area. Sometimes I don’t realize some people have never seen a Ballet Folklorico perform. It gives me a greater appreciation for our group and our ability to share these beautiful dances with the Waco community. One advantage of having a larger group is the ability for us to showcase the diversity of Mexico.
This group is a major labor of love, especially since everything is done on a volunteer basis. Most of our dancers and parents work full time. Parents usually rush from school to dance practice. Some students come from outside the Waco area, and some families have multiple children in each group. I teach dance class after work for 3 hours back to back, and at times, it is very overwhelming. What pushes us each day is our passion for dance and the love for our group.
This group is our second family. I love all my students as if they were my own. I’ve taught members in school, seen them graduate, go on to college, get married and now have families of their own. I’ve watched families grow and I’m always so happy to hear, “As soon as my baby is old enough, we are putting her in the group with her brother/ sister!” We are much more than a group, we are a Folklorico family.
Our main goal is to share our culture with everyone. We have to remember and represent our culture and we hope to inspire those around us. We are a country of immigrants and we can share the love and beauty of our Mexican heritage through Ballet Folklorico. This year we celebrate 20 years of dancing for Waco and the surrounding areas.
When people recognize and appreciate the work we put into the group, it makes us feel proud. I have to thank my dancers, parents, and all of our supporters for encouraging us each year. We appreciate the members who take time away from their families help us entertain and share our beautiful culture. I must specifically thank my mother for continuously encouraging me to dance and teach others. I have been dancing Ballet Folklorico for 24 years and I hope to continue this tradition for many years to come.
Born and raised in Waco, Texas, Alicia Pesina has been the instructor for Las Estrellas de Waco Ballet Folklorico for 16 years. Interested in scheduling a performance? Contact Mary Lou Pesina at 254-855-1759. Facebook page: Ballet Folklorico Estrellas de Waco.
Whether it’s playing trumpet in the “Friday Band” at MCC, or riding with the Waco Knight Riders, or an afternoon playing with the Waco Disc Golf Association, one of the wonderful things about Waco is that there are lots of ways to find community here. Where do you find community in Waco? Would you be interested in writing about it? If so, let us know. Email [email protected]. If you have an idea for a post. You could be seeing your own picture on this page!