Mission Chamber Ribbon Cutting for Unique Closet

The +The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting, today, for a new member, Unique Closet Bazaar. The Unique Bazaar is located at 3009 N Inspiration Road in Mission, Texas. 

The Unique Bazaar has a variety of quality new and pre-owned items. The store sells items on consignment, or rents floor space to vendors who need the benefit of a storefront, but do not need a full retail location. The end result is a wide selection of unique items that are perfect for personal shopping or gifts. 

Mission HS JROTC Fighting Eagle Battalion places in top three

The Mission High School (MHS) JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corp) Fighting Eagle Battalion recently had 29 cadets participate in the Zapata High School JROTC Invitational Skills Meet. The battalion competed against ten other groups from the area, including Laredo. Overall, the Fighting Eagle Battalion placed third in the competition.

Their performance at this competition no only led to an invitation to return next year, but also an invitation to participate in the JROTC Junior Cadet Leadership Challenge that will be held in June 2013 near San Antonio with 15 other high schools from throughout South Texas.

In addition to the third place finish for the battalion, the group also earned the following: first place in the shuttle run, second place in a cadet challenge combining three events, second place in Dizzy Lizzy, third place in volleyball, and third place in the unarmed drill team competition.

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Craig Verley

Director of Public Relations and Marketing

Mission CISD

1201 Bryce Drive

Mission, TX 78572

956-323-5530

www.mcisd.net

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Mission High School toy drive helps Mission Boys and Girls Club

Pictured are: Claudia Cavazos, Adry Salazar, Alyssa Flores, Imelda Becho (junior class sponsor), Sara Stubbs, Krystal Lucero, Xavier Sanchez (assistant principal), Anayansi Cuellar, Rocio Redon.

By: Rocio Rendon

Christmas cheer spreads across the air in room N-3. Mission High School (MHS) students fill the room from each corner, enclosing happiness inside festive wrapping paper. From trucks to dolls and even an iPod, they tape together the presents that MHS students and staff donated.

The 20 th Annual Toy Drive, sponsored by the junior class, collected over 400 toys. They were delivered to the Boys and Girls Club of Mission on December 15. Spanish teacher and junior class sponsor, Imelda Becho, continues the tradition she began.

“I take part in this toy drive because I remember the excitement of opening up a brand new toy on Christmas morning. Knowing that I can help give a child that same joy is reason enough,” said Sara Stubbs, junior class president.

The toy drive isn’t just about giving presents to children in the community. It’s about getting together as a family to cherish what one has and give to someone else, says Stubbs. “That’s what the Christmas holiday is all about for those participating in the toy drive, giving to others without expecting anything in return,” Stubbs said.

Not only were the kids delivered toys, but also goodie bags prepared by the junior class. They were given out the same day while the children were playing.

“The finest thing in life is sharing the little that we have,” Becho said.

Mission CISD Early Release

Greetings,

Before the day slips away from me, as the last day before a holiday break seems to, just a quick email wishing y’all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope you get some time with family and/or close friends at some point during the next few weeks. Pausing in the middle of all the hectic running around for work and home is important for you and your loved ones. Make sure you take that time every now and then!

Today is an early release day for our students and staff. Elementary schools release at noon. Jr. high and high schools release at 1:00 p.m. Central office will close at 1:00 p.m. as well. We will be closed until January 7^th. Students return on January 8^th.

Unless I happen to bump into some of y’all during the break, see you next year!

Craig Verley

Director of Public Relations and Marketing

Mission CISD

1201 Bryce Drive

Mission, TX 78572

956-323-5530

www.mcisd.net

Find us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

Sons of high ranking authority figures busted by FBI

Hispanic Heritage Foundation Honors Mission VMHS Student

Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) senior Kivani Sanchez has received a Hispanic Heritage Youth Award from the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. She was named an ExxonMobil Scholar for her engineering and math achievements at a recent awards ceremony held in Houston, TX.

The Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards program offers educational grants to Hispanic high school seniors chosen by regional selection committees, based on their academic achievement, leadership, community service, their category focus, and an essay about the important role their heritage has played in their success.

Pictured is Sanchez, right, as she is congratulated by Mario Chavez, department manager, ExxonMobil during the recent awards presentations. Sanchez is one of 15 regional recipients. As the silver medalist in the Engineering and Math category, Sanchez was awarded a $2,000 scholarship to support her plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering.

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Craig Verley
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Office: 956-323-5530
cverley@mcisd.org
1201 Bryce Drive
Mission, Texas 78572-4399
http://www.mcisd.net

Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce Holiday Open House

The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce invites the public to stop by between 8:30 am and 7 pm on Friday, December 14, 2012 to visit with the Staff and Members.

Last year's Holiday Open House was a great success, and an opportunity for the community to learn more about the Mission Chamber.

The event is open to everybody in the community, including visitors. The Chamber will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the day.

4th Annual Welcome Home Winter Texan Party This Weekend

The 4th Annual Welcome Home Winter Texan Party is this Saturday at the Leo Peña Placita Park in Mission, Texas (look for Rotary Park on Google Maps).

The party is scheduled from 1 pm to 4 pm, with free food, entertainment, and admission. The Mission, Texas community welcomes our Winter visitors every year at this event.

MHS students advance to Area round of auditions for All State Band

Five Mission High School (MHS) band students are just one audition step away from earning a coveted spot in the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All State Band. The students are advancing to the Area level competitions to be held in January at Alice High School.

The students are (L-R): Briana Alonso, oboe; Jesus Olivares, contra bass; Selena Martinez, bass trombone; Noe Jaramillo, tuba; Nancy Colunga, bass clarinet.

A total of 14 MHS students competed at the Pre-Area level. They were: Briana Alonso, oboe; Abigail Roman, piccolo, Marlen Villarreal, clarinet; Jesus Olivares, contra bass clarinet; Nancy Colunga, bass clarinet; Anibal Pena, tenor sax; Carlos Rodriguez, baritone sax; Efren Suarez, trumpet; Jordy Lopez, trumpet; Marco Lazo, French Horn; Robert Gonzales, tenor trombone; Selena Martinez, bass trombone; Noe Jaramillo, tuba; Jose Acosta, percussion.

Earlier, 16 students from the MHS band were selected for the All Region Band. They are: Marlen Villarreal, clarinet; Stefanie Florez, clarinet; Adry Salazar, alto clarinet; Nancy Colunga, bass clarinet; Jesus Olivares, contra bass clarinet; Jose Guerra III, alto sax; Anibal Pena, tenor sax; Efren Suarez, trumpet; Jordy Lopez, trumpert; Armando Sanchez, trumpet; Marco Lazo, French horn; Christian Gonzalez, French horn; Robert Gonzales, tenor trombone; Joe Saenz, tenor trombone; Noe Jaramillo, tuba; Jose Acosta, percussion.


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Craig Verley 
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Office: 956-323-5530
cverley@mcisd.org
1201 Bryce Drive
Mission, Texas 78572-4399
www.mcisd.net

VMHS FFA Chapter student advances to state competition

The Veterans Memorial FFA Chapter is sending Greenhand FFA Creed Speaker Zenaida Zlaniz to the state semifinal competitions. She recently placed first at the Area X Leadership Development Events. The state competition will be held at Sam Houston State University later this week.

Other Veterans Memorial FFA Chapter teams performed well at the Area X competitions. The farm radio broadcasting team placed fifth. Team members are: Meagan Garrett, Brittany Gernentz, Zenaida Alaniz. The greenhand FFA quit team placed eleventh. Those team members are: David Bazan, Samantha Diaz, Daniel Rojas, Gabriel Seigel.


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Craig Verley 
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Office: 956-323-5530
Fax: 956-323-8103
cverley@mcisd.org
1201 Bryce Drive
Mission, Texas 78572-4399
http://www.mcisd.net

VMHS student makes regional orchestra

Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) student, Benjamin Garcia recently competed at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) regional orchestra clinic for oboes and earned a position in the region orchestra in the 5A division. VMHS is a 4A high school.

Garcia earned first chair in the region orchestra. Garcia now advances to the area auditions for a chance at a spot in the All State Orchestra. Those auditions will be held on January 12, 2013, at Alice High School. 

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Craig Verley
Director of Public Relations and Marketing Office: 956-323-5530
cverley@mcisd.org
1201 Bryce Drive
Mission, Texas 78572
www.mcisd.net

Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State Park Celebrates 50 Years

The Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State Park celebrates 50 years in operation on December 1, 2012. The celebration starts at 10 am and ends at 3 pm. The park will have free admission to the public during the event.

Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State Park is located at 2800 S Bentsen Palm Drive in Mission, Texas, which is at the southernmost end of that road.

VMHS Harlequins present a Dickens classic, with a twist

The Veterans Memorial High School (VMHS) Harlequins Drama Club is proud to present the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol.” However, do not expect the traditional play many may have seen before on TV or stage. Theater director, James Hodgson has taken the familiar storyline; inter-twined traditional holiday carols, and come up with a re-freshed version of the tale.

Performances will be held in the VMHS Performing Arts Building on November 29, 30, and December 1, 6, 7, 8. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. with the performance starting at 7:00 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the door or at the VMHS front office during school days. Tickets cost $ 5.00 for students, $10.00 for adults.

Pictured are actors, Beto Cantu (L) and Alex Hinojosa, during a recent dress rehearsal.

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Craig Verley
Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Office: 956-323-5530
cverley@mcisd.org
1201 Bryce Drive
Mission, Texas 78572-4399
www.mcisd.net

MHS choir students advance to All State Choir finals

Two choir students from Mission High School (MHS) performed well enough  at the recent Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Pre-Area or semi-final round of auditions to earn a spot in upcoming final auditions for the All State Choir. They are Xavier Alonzo, sophomore (left) and Frankie Chaires, freshman.  While Alonzo earned fifth chair in the Pre-Area Choir, Chaires will serve as an alternate for the Area competitions. 

The auditions will be held on January 12, 2013 at Rockport-Fulton High School.

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Contact: Craig Verley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Office: 956-323-5530 
cverley@mcisd.org
1201 Bryce Drive
Mission, Texas 78572
www.mcisd.net

Veterans Memorial FFA has strong showing at district leadership event

The Veterans Memorial FFA Chapter was one of about 20 schools that recently participated in the Rio Grande Valley FFA District Leadership Development Event. Over 150 students competed. 

The Greenhand FFA Quiz Team from Veterans Memorial FFA placed first in their competition. Team members were: David Bazan, Samantha Diaz, Daniel Rojas, Gabriel Siegel. The team will now advance to Area competitions to be held on November 19 at Texas A&M-Kingsville.

The Greenhand FFA Creed Speaker from the group is also advancing to the Area competitions after placing first at the district level.

The Farm Radio Team placed second at the district competition. Team members were: Meagan Garrett, Brittany Gernentz, Zenaida Alaniz. This team will now advance to the Area competition on November 19.

Senior FFA Creed Speaker, Meagan Garrett placed fourth at the district competition.

The Senior FFA Quiz Team placed sixth. Team members were: Dannell Cerroblanco, Anthony Guerrero, Roy Guerrero, Evelyn Ovando.

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Contact: Craig Verley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing
Office: 956-323-5530
cverley@mcisd.org
1201 Bryce Drive
Mission, Texas 78572 
www.mcisd.net

Greater Mission Chamber Annual Banquet

The Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce held its annual Banquet on Tuesday night to announce the 2012-2013 members of the Board of Directors, and to present recognition awards to others in the community given by the Chamber and the Progress Times. 

More photos available on Google Plus. 

Chamber Staff

Timothy Brown, Man of the Year, 2012

Maxilou Link, Woman of the Year, 2012

Sandra Vecchio

Shaine Mata and Eduardo Vazquez

October 2012 Mission Staycation Day

Photos from the October Mission Staycation Day at the Greater Mission Chamber of Commerce. 

5th Annual Iron Chef Food Fight

New Listing: Economy Auto Repair

New listing for Economy Auto Repair.

Birds From the Pond in Madero

Because of our subtropical climate, many birds pass through Mission, Texas or make this their home year round. There is a pond south of Mission in the Madero community where birds congregate. The pond is a result of a brick factory from decades ago digging out clay to make bricks. The Rio Grande flows not too far away from there. 

These photos were taken using the limit of the camera's zoom. There aren't as many birds in summer as there are in the fall and winter, when birds migrate through. 

I'll keep adding photos to the album as the seasons progress.