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COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

ACTION CENTER

Norma Fultz

July 5, 2016

This week, we’re honoring Roma High School counselor Eva M. Garza who was awarded the Very Important Counselor Award from Texas A&M University at College Station. Eva was recognized for her work with high school students and college recruiters. The Very Important Counselor Program recognizes the outstanding service and important work of high school counselors, teachers and personnel in guiding students on the path to college. 25 counselors were selected from across the state of Texas. Garza's participation in this program also has given a Roma High School student who will be attending Texas A&M an opportunity to earn $1,000 scholarship.

Eva Garza

June  30, 2016

This week, we’re honoring Roma High School counselor Eva M. Garza who was awarded the Very Important Counselor Award from Texas A&M University at College Station. Eva was recognized for her work with high school students and college recruiters. The Very Important Counselor Program recognizes the outstanding service and important work of high school counselors, teachers and personnel in guiding students on the path to college. 25 counselors were selected from across the state of Texas. Garza's participation in this program also has given a Roma High School student who will be attending Texas A&M an opportunity to earn $1,000 scholarship.

Willacy County Sheriff Larry Spence

June  23, 2016

This week, we’re recognizing Sheriff Spence for his 50 years of law enforcement service. After graduating from Clinton High School in Clinton, Indiana, Spence began his career in law enforcement as an MP in the US Air Force. After four years in the military (including 13 months in Vietnam), Spence returned to Indiana where he commissioned as a patrolman for the Clinton Police Department. In 1976, Spence found his way to Raymondville, Texas, where he was appointed as a county sheriff’s deputy. In 1985, Spence was elected Willacy County Sheriff. Since then, Sheriff Spence has  gone above and beyond to protect the families of Willacy as a law enforcement officer. Furthermore, he’s dedicated his off-duty time to volunteering with service organizations, like the Boy Scouts and Communities Against Substance Abuse. He even maintains a weekly column in the paper to keep folks up-to-date on public safety issues in the community. We sincerely appreciate Sheriff Spence’s years of service, and look forward to continue working alongside him for years to come. 

Michael Lambaria, Jr.

June 16, 2016

Lifelong resident of Pleasanton, TX, Michael Lambaria Jr has worn many hats while serving his country and his county. After graduating from Pleasanton High School, Michael passed up an offer to play AAA baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates to attend the University of Kansas, where he earned his bachelors in Business Administration. After college, Michael served in the military, then worked as a military liaison for McDonnell Douglas, and later served as a logistics and combat advisor in Saudi Arabia. Upon returning stateside, Michael moved back to Poteet and taught high school health while coaching basketball, volleyball, and softball. Since 2006, Michael has served as the Atascosa County Veterans Service Officer (VSO). Even while simultaneously acting as VSO, transportation driver, and, at times, his own secretary, Michael submitted claims for veterans across the county, including many returned with a 100% disability rating. On several occasions, Michael assisted homeless veterans in finding a place to stay with local hotels, obtaining food and clothing from local churches and organizations, and providing monetary assistance to homeless veterans with funds out of his own pocket. Michael announced that he is retiring at the beginning of this month. Although his service as VSO will be greatly missed, we have a feeling we’ll see him around, helping out others in any way he can. We look forward to continue working with him. 

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