Home Blog Page 513

My Five Cents…

By
Senator Robert Nichols
-
0

Don’t forget the last day to register to vote for the March primary is Monday, February 5th. To find out how to register to vote, where you can vote in your local communities, and educate yourself on what will be on the ballot, please visit www.votetexas.gov.

Here are five things happening around your state this month:

1. Business and Commerce

The Senate Business and Commerce Committee recently held a hearing on three charges, including insurance data collected on Hurricane Harvey, information on the stability of the health insurance market in Texas, and an update on the implementation of several health insurance-related bills from the 85th Session.

Since Harvey, the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has collected data from insurance companies on the number of claims they’ve received, the amount those claims have paid out, and the average time it takes to close a claim. TDI shared the information they had collected, as well as their intention to continue to collect information as recovery continues. This is being done to watch for outliers in insurance companies who may be denying a large number of claims or taking extra time to pay out claims.

2. Special Education

In the Fall of 2016, a report was released regarding a performance based monitoring program the Texas Education Agency (TEA) had implemented since 2004, which sets an 8.5 percent benchmark for special education enrollment in public schools. The system was originally created to prevent schools from identifying students for special education when it was not required.

After criticisms arose about this program, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Education began and they recently determined that Texas had violated federal law by failing to ensure students with disabilities were being properly evaluated and receiving an adequate public education. TEA must now provide documentation to show the state is monitoring the problem, and develop a plan and timeline to ensure that each school district will evaluate students which may have been denied services previously. TEA has hired more statewide special education

support staff to ensure school districts and teachers are receiving guidance on how to identify and educate students with disabilities.

3. School Finance Reform Commission

During the 85th Special Legislative Session, the 13-member Texas Commission on Public School Finance was created. The Commission held their first hearing at the end January. They discussed the legal framework of the state’s current school finance system, the student population in the over 1,100 school districts, as well as the education outcomes for students in the state. Over the next year, the Commission will look at ways to improve the public school finance system, through revamping the current system or by new funding methods. The Commission is expected to deliver a report to legislators by December 31st with their ideas.

4. Free Speech and College Campuses

This past year, there have been many concerns that free speech for students on college campuses is being hindered. At the end January, the Senate State Affairs Committee will hold a hearing to evaluate any restrictions that Texas student may face in regards to their Freedom of Speech rights and their ability to express their views on their college campuses. They will also evaluate the freedoms of the press, religion and assembly. They will also recommend policy changes to be made in the upcoming legislative session to protect First Amendment rights and enhance the free speech environment on campuses.

5. Foster Care in the State

During the 85th Legislative session, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), which was previously housed within the Health and Human Services Commission, was made its own agency. They also received approximately $3.5 million in additional funding, for pay raises for current caseworkers and to hire more than 1,000 new caseworkers over the next two years. They will also be able to increase payments to foster care families and other providers. This was done in response to a ruling by a U.S. District Judge Janis Graham Jack two years ago, which stated that the state’s foster care system violated children’s civil rights. DFPS has been working with federal appointed specialists to evaluate how the state oversees the child welfare system.

Even with these changes, the same federal judge recently ruled that Texas will continue to need oversight for how it cares for its most vulnerable children. They must make a top-down overhaul of the way it works with children and families, expand its foster home options and make it easier for children to report abuse.

How to Get More out of Your Smartphone

By
Statepoint
-
0

You could have the swankiest smartphone with all the latest features, but without some strategizing, it could feel like you’re carrying around a very expensive brick.

Boost Functionality

Familiarize yourself with the scope of your phone’s functionality. You can find detailed instructions about your model online, as well as online tutorials that can teach you hacks and shortcuts for getting more out of your phone’s camera, word processing software and more.

Also, be sure to install free apps that can make life better. For example, you can turn your phone into a fundraising fitness coach with Charity Miles, an app partnered with corporate sponsors that donate a few cents for every mile you log on bike or foot. You may just find yourself off the couch and moving more as you start to rack up miles.

Your phone can also become your greatest teacher when you download language apps such as Duolingo, which provides free language instruction to help you build vocabulary, master grammar and prepare for your next big trip abroad. The app helps you stay true to your goal, sending push notifications reminding you to practice.

Research Your Mobile Network

Is your mobile network up to snuff? Check out the results from the latest “State of Mobile Networks” report from OpenSignal. Rather than basing results on the simulations used in older network testing methods on only one phone model, OpenSignal gathers data directly from wireless customers who have downloaded the app onto their smartphones. Performance measurements are taken wherever customers happen to be, at home, at work, or on the go — indoors and out — resulting in a representation of customers’ actual wireless data experience.

T-Mobile placed number one in every category that the OpenSignal report measures. In more than five billion tests from actual wireless customers in the second quarter, T-Mobile’s network was not only deemed to be the fastest, but also the most responsive, and T-Mobile customers get an LTE signal more often than customers of any other major wireless company do, according to the report. With plans to further broaden its LTE footprint for customers this year with its newly acquired 600 MHz spectrum, those looking for a reliable network may want to consider a T-Mobile plan. To learn more about T-Mobile’s network, visit t-mobile.com/coverage.

Extend its Life

Treat your device with care to extend its life. Never leave your phone exposed to the elements. To protect yourself financially from loss, theft or damage, check with your mobile network about warranty options. Read the terms carefully to understand what’s covered.

Also, be sure to protect your phone with a well-fitting, drop-resistant, water-resistant case. Retain your style by checking out Shutterfly, where you can upload a photo to use as the case design, or Etsy, which offers designs created by independent artists.

Getting more out of your smartphone requires a combination of protecting your device, understanding its various functions and using it on a fast network.

(Statepoint)

Tips for Taking Care of Your Winter Wardrobe

By
Statepoint
-
0

It’s time to find that box marked “winter” at the back of your closet and rediscover all of your favorite layered looks. But, it’s important that you know how to treat your winter wardrobe so each piece stays comfy, stylish and warm throughout the season.

Get Organized

It may be tempting to unpack items as needed. However, you may find it’s suddenly spring again and some of your favorite scarves and sweaters went the whole winter unworn at the bottom of the box.

Commit to a full closet revamp, devoting time to unpacking and analyzing each item. After months of being folded, many pieces might not look, feel or smell their best.

Refresh these items so they are ready to wear. You can now do this at home instead of at the dry cleaner, by tossing up to five items in the dryer for just 15-30 minutes using the Dryel At-Home Dry Cleaning kit. This new method will save you time during your closet swap, and money throughout the season, as you can use it to preserve your favorite pieces without expensive and inconvenient trips to the dry cleaner.

To Keep or Not to Keep

Is it time to get rid of those pieces that never seem to make it off the hanger? Fashion and lifestyle blogger Sarah Gleeson of SG Style Me is quick to share a few things to keep an eye out for when deciding what to get rid of, including items you got for free or very cheap. Just because it was a good deal, doesn’t mean it’s a good fashion piece, she stresses. Say goodbye to the trends you once collected and have since moved past. We’ve all been through style phases, and it’s ok to see them end. Pull out anything with tags still attached. This is a definite sign that purchasing that item was a moment of retail weakness, and not a fashion must-have, says Gleeson.

If you find yourself heartbroken having to part ways with a fashion favorite because of a stubborn stain, don’t lose hope. Secret weapons exist to keep star pieces looking brand new season after season, such as the Dryel stain remover pen, which is safe on delicate fabrics and effectively removes spots and stains — even those from last season.

Know Your Fabrics

After your closet is organized, stay on top of wardrobe care. Among cashmeres, wools, velvets, and more, high-maintenance fabrics are likely more prominent in your winter wardrobe than other seasons. Read tags for what can and can’t be washed normally. To safely and easily care for delicate items, keep an at-home dry cleaning kit on-hand, to clean clothes in the convenience of your dryer for a fraction of the cost of a professional dry cleaner, without stretching fading or shrinking.

Keep sweaters, jeans and scarves bright, fitted and functional. That way, when it’s time to pack up the box again, you can look forward to feeling just as great in your favorite pieces next year.

(Statepoint)

Nacogdoches Mayor Shelley Brophy Elected to Texas Municipal League (TML) Board of Directors

By
Ezra McMullen
-
0
By Billy Hathorn at en.wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17697357

Nacogdoches – At the Texas Municipal League (TML) Region 15 meeting in Nacogdoches on January 18, Nacogdoches Mayor Shelley Brophy was elected to serve on the TML Board of Directors.

Mayor Brophy was elected to a two-year term representing TML Region 15. The region covers 23 counties in East Texas and is made up of 128 member cities. Mayor Brophy’s role on the TML Board is to represent the region’s interests.

Brophy is currently Mayor of Nacogdoches after having served four terms as a member of City Council. An accomplished chef and former restaurateur, she now owns Brophy Coaching, offering health and wellness, life, and executive coaching services. Currently, she serves on the Nacogdoches County Appraisal District Board, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Board, the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music Board, the Hospice of Deep East Texas Board, and is a member of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce.

TML is a voluntary association of cities that was organized in 1913 and represents 98% of Texas’ urban population through its 1,156 member cities. Guided by its purpose statement – Empowering Texas cities to serve their citizens-the League helps city leaders meet the ever-changing challenges of governance.

The League is governed by a Board of Directors made up of:
*president and president-elect;
*regional directors, one from each of the League’s 15 sub-state regions;
* affiliate directors, one from each of the League’s 21 affiliates;
* eight at-large directors, one from each of the state’s largest cities;
* all past presidents still in municipal office; and
* two ex officio directors, one from each of the TML risk pools.

Are You Carrying the Right Credit Card for Your Financial Goals?

By
Statepoint
-
0

If you’ve ever been confused by how to find the right credit card, you’re not alone. A recent national survey found that consumers are overwhelmed by the many credit card offers they receive, and find the process of selecting the right card difficult to navigate.

The survey, conducted by Experian, also found that more than half (54 percent) of surveyed respondents are not satisfied with their cards.

“Consumers surveyed hold an average of three credit cards, which shows it’s been challenging to find a card that meets their needs,” says Ian Cohen, general manager at Experian Consumer Services.

Unfortunately, there can be a bit of anxiety around getting a new card. With 40 percent of respondents admitting they’ve been denied a credit card in the past, many consumers surveyed say they wish they would receive only solicitations with pre-qualified offers. There is also optimism. Sixty-four percent of consumers agree that there is a perfect credit card out there for them.

If you are in the market for a new credit card, identify what card feature is most important to you, such as a low annual percentage rate (APR) or no annual fee. Also, check your credit score because that can help you understand what cards you may qualify for, since a credit score could be one of the factors lenders use to extend lines of credit.

Luckily, free resources exist which can aid your search. For example, Experian offers an online tool that uses consumers’ own credit and financial data to match them with tailored credit card options. To see a selection of credit cards based on your preferences and credit data, visit experian.com.

You should be careful though when applying for new credit cards – opening up several new cards in a short timespan may lower your credit score, hurting your chances for additional credit in the future when you may really need it for a big expense such as a car loan.

If you have credit card debt and are struggling to pay it off, don’t despair. You can start tackling it today with a few steps:

• Figure out how much you owe by making a list of all of your credit card balances and loans, along with minimum monthly payments and APR for each.

• Assess the best approach, whether it is paying off the card with the highest APR first or making payments on all cards with the goal of applying any extra money available to pay the lowest balance first.

• Consider applying for a balance transfer card with no or low APR for a set period of time to transfer the debt.

Whether your goals for having a credit card are building creditworthiness or having a cushion for emergencies, there is likely a card out there that’s right for you. Consider using new tools to help you find it.

(Statepoint)

Tips to Refresh Yourself

By
Statepoint
-
0

In a fitness rut? Instead of simply attempting to lose weight or drop a clothing size, consider placing a more positive spin on your objectives. Whether your stated goal is to try new sports and hobbies or to get in touch with nature, you can better refresh yourself by setting goals that help you get in shape while appreciating your surroundings and having fun.

Try Something New

Testing out new sports and hobbies doesn’t need to require a giant time or financial commitment. There are plenty of ways to dip your toe in the water. Thanks to online marketplace coupon services, it’s easy find discounted access to local experiences like orienteering and rock climbing classes, fishing excursions, white water rafting journeys and more. Consider giving your fun and fitness goals a recharge by trying out something completely different.

Make More of It

Whether you’re hiking, biking, skiing or trying any other new outdoor sport, consider making the most of your excursions with tech gear that enhances the experience. For example, the PRO TREK Smart Outdoor Watch WSD-F20 from Casio, powered by Android Wear 2.0, has GPS capabilities, a full color map display and water resistance of up to 50 meters, making it well suited for rugged adventures. Because it can be used offline in areas without cellular service, it’s can free you up to go farther off the beaten trail. Find a great fishing spot or vista on a hike? Spot some beautiful wildlife on the trail? Its Location Memory app instantly reads a user’s current location, so you can add notes to otherwise unmarked map spots. Additionally, Casio’s Moment Setter app gives users an opportunity to automatically receive important alerts, such as best fishing times, rest break intervals, and sunrise/sunset times.

Get Competitive

Having a race or competition up ahead on the calendar can be the motivating force that drives you to get off the couch, get fit and enjoy the outdoors. Whether it’s a 10k, obstacle race or a triathlon, training for such a competition can have cascading effects, leading to new healthy habits beyond more frequent workouts, such as getting more rest and hydration and eating a healthier diet. Completing your goal can be a truly rewarding experience.

When it comes to your health and wellness, think beyond the scale. Refresh your body and mind with new experiences that lead to healthy habits.

Keep America Beautiful Presents St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School with 2018 Youth Recognition Award

By
Ezra McMullen
-
0

[LUFKIN, TX] – St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School received a Keep America Beautiful Youth & Education Award at Keep America Beautiful’s National Awards Ceremony, which took place during Keep America Beautiful’s National Conference in Dallas, Texas, Jan. 17-19, at the Fairmont Dallas.

St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School was one of more than 80 individuals or organizations from communities across America to receive national recognition. Keep America Beautiful’s National Awards acknowledge the passion, dedication and impact of Keep America Beautiful’s affiliates from across the nation as well as partner organizations and individuals who share Keep America Beautiful’s vision of a country in which every community is a clean, green and beautiful place to live.

Angelina Beautiful/Clean (AB/C) is the local affiliate to Keep America Beautiful and works directly in Angelina County to fulfill this vision. One of AB/C’s programs is the Campus Coordinator Green Schools program which holds meetings, provides information, educational materials and acts as a resource for educators in Angelina County. As a part of that program, local schools were challenged to complete one of three youth initiatives put forth through Keep America Beautiful to show what kind of impact an individual school can make. The initiatives are designed to be youth driven and provide teachers and students with measurable results that address national STEM initiatives and environmental stewardship.

St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School distinguished itself in the Education Institution – K-8 School category for its outstanding community work on becoming the first Keep America Beautiful school by completing all three youth initiatives: Litter Free Places, Trash-less Tree Trails and Solid Waste/Recycling Audit.

Litter Free Places measures changes in the amount of litter on school campuses (or another designated public place) before and after interventions have been identified and implemented. St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School participated in a litter collection during the annual Great American Cleanup and found that one of the main forms of litter on the school campus was stickers that were used for student recognition. They implemented a stamp system to replace the stickers and saw a drastic reduction in litter from their intervention.

Trash-less Tree Trails works with the Texas A&M Forest Service to create or label already existing trees to map a trail and assess the correlation between beautification and littering behavior. By measuring each tree through specific details, it documents and provides environmental and economic benefits of those trees in real-time. St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School mapped five trees on the school campus which yields annual benefits of $419. That benefit is broken down into these five main categories: storm water intercepted, air quality improved, carbon dioxide offset, energy savings and property value.

Solid Waste/Recycling Audit provides ways to measure the cost savings and waste reduction after implementation of solutions identified through an audit. It provides education on proper handling of waste through litter reduction and recycling. Through the Audit, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School identified various kinds of items that were going in the trash that could be recycled and recycled items that could be generated less. Through the findings, plastic water bottles were one of the main items. Education has increased recycling within the school and to decrease waste generation, each student has been offered a reusable water bottle to fill throughout the day.

“Making the connection between learning and doing is part of what these youth initiatives set out to accomplish. Education is not enough if it doesn’t also come with implementation. These young students are the next generation of environmental stewards who can pave the way for their friends, family and the future of our world. They will be the next leaders and decision-makers that decide what and how our natural resources work for us. It is wonderful to recognize a school that is pioneering that type of leadership right here in East Texas. It’s such an incredible honor for Lufkin to be put on the map as a leader on the national stage” said Jennifer La Corte, Angelina Beautiful/Clean Executive Director.

The Keep America Beautiful Youth Recognition Awards are open to individuals, youth groups or schools for program activities taking place in the past year.

“These imaginative, inspirational and transformative educators and volunteers help bring to life creative, resourceful and meaningful programs in their communities,” said Helen Lowman, Keep America Beautiful President and CEO. “It’s my privilege to recognize St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School for such valuable, mission-based work that helps their community be more socially connected, environmentally healthy and economically sound.”

For a complete list of Keep America Beautiful National Awards recipients, click here.

The Keep America Beautiful National Conference, its premier educational and networking event, brought together nearly 400 leaders from Keep America Beautiful’s national network of affiliates, business leaders, policymakers and other experts who shared innovative ideas and proven strategies to help End Littering, Improve Recycling, and Beautify America’s Communities. Celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2018, Keep America Beautiful believes everyone has a right to live in a clean, green and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision.

About Keep America Beautiful
Keep America Beautiful, the nation’s iconic community improvement nonprofit organization, inspires and educates people to take action every day to improve and beautify their community environment. Celebrating its 65th Anniversary in 2018, Keep America Beautiful strives to End Littering, Improve Recycling and Beautify America’s Communities. We believe everyone has a right to live in a clean, green and beautiful community, and shares a responsibility to contribute to that vision.

Behavior change – steeped in education, research and behavioral science – is the cornerstone of Keep America Beautiful. We empower generations of community and environmental stewards with volunteer programs, hands-on experiences, educational curricula, practical advice and other resources. The organization is driven by the work and passion of more than 600 Keep America Beautiful affiliates, millions of volunteers, and the collaborative support of corporate partners, social and civic service organizations, academia, municipalities, elected officials, and individuals. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Donate and take action at kab.org.

About St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School
Centered in a Christian environment, St. Cyprian’s Episcopal School provides children an active and challenging education in which they are encouraged to become independent, critical thinkers and problem solvers. Our goal is to prepare our students for their future, which includes developing their moral compass and learning to be compassionate leaders with a vision for the future, while we attend to their developing needs.

About Angelina Beautiful/Clean

Working in Angelina County since 1984, Angelina Beautiful/Clean (AB/C) has a mission to educate and empower East Texans to take responsibility for enhancing their community environment and serves Angelina County to help make it a cleaner, greener place to live, work and play. AB/C cultivates programs, services and education around litter reduction, recycling and beautification. It is an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful.

For more information about Angelina Beautiful/Clean, please contact Jennifer La Corte at 936-63CLEAN (936-632-5326), visit www.angelinabeautifulclean.org or follow on Facebook.

5 Things to Consider When Buying a Stroller

By
Statepoint
-
0

A stroller is one of the most essential pieces of baby gear, typically needed right from the start and used for several years. However, with so many stroller varieties available and a wide range of features to consider, it can be hard to figure out which one is right for your family.

Erin Varano, brand marketing director at trusted baby and children gear manufacturer Graco, offers these five key questions to consider when buying a stroller:

Does the Stroller Meet Safety Standards? Look for a stroller that has been certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) to ensure it meets current safety standards. Also, do your research beforehand to make sure it hasn’t been recalled. Avoid this question by buying from a reputable retailer.

Does the Stroller Have an Adjustable Seat? Newborns need seats that recline to a near flat position until they have head control and can sit up on their own. Even for older babies or toddlers, a reclining seat is a plus for comfort. Make sure to check that the seat’s recline mechanism is easy-to-use and firmly locks into the recline position.

How Versatile is the Stroller? Single strollers with the ability to convert to a double are useful as well as practical. Look for a stroller that can grow with your family, such as the Graco Uno2Duo Stroller and Travel System. This new stroller is out-of-the-box ready for one child, but simply extends to accommodate two children.

“We designed this stroller with a 5-inch extension so that it can easily transition from a single stroller to a double,” says Varano. “The extension adds room for a second seat and offers a platform for toddlers to ride along. A second seat or infant car seat gives parents added functionality with a total of 22 ways to ride.”

As an added benefit, the stroller features a multi-position reclining main seat that can convert to an infant bassinet or pram. This stroller is now exclusively available at Babies“R”Us.

Can the Stroller Accommodate Your Car Seat? An infant car seat and a stroller that come together are called a travel system. Buying a travel system is the simplest way to ensure stroller and infant car seat compatibility. However, if they don’t come together, you can often buy an adapter that connects them. Keep this in mind as you choose these items.

Is the Stroller Easy to Maneuver? Look for front wheels that swivel. This swivel action will make it easier to turn. Again, head to a store to test this feature out in person. You should be able to easily push the stroller in a straight line using one hand. Brakes also play a part in maneuverability. You want brakes that are easy to operate even if you are wearing open-toed shoes.

Finding the right stroller for your family requires research and testing. Investing the time beforehand and keeping key features top-of-mind during your search will make the process less overwhelming and hopefully lead you to your perfect stroller match.

(Statepoint)

6 Home Décor Trends to Make a Style Statement

By
Statepoint
-
0

Is your home décor starting to feel a bit stale? Spruce up your interiors with some of the hottest home design trends for 2018 — from customized cozy to natural textures to retro touches.

Here are some stylish ways to incorporate new trends, from one of the nation’s most sought-after celebrity interior designers, Taniya Nayak.

1. Create an Oasis: Make your home a tropical escape all year long. Add floral or banana leaf accents to form a staycation-worthy “at-home paradise” no matter the temperature. Nayak suggests pairing pops of metallic gold with plush greens and crisp white to build a look that is sophisticated, yet fun and exotic.

2. Keep it Simple: In 2018, Nayak encourages DIYers to “go big or go home…in the simplest way imaginable.” An easy way to accomplish this is to paint your baseboards, trim or window mullions a dramatic contrasting color, like black against a white wall, for an effortless, yet powerful effect. And when it comes to achieving clean, sharp paint lines, one of Nayak’s vital, go-to tools is a premium painter’s tape, like FrogTape brand painter’s tape that delivers the sharpest paint lines possible. Treated with patented PaintBlock Technology, FrogTape is a fool-proof way to get professional-looking results and eliminate the need for touch-ups.

3. Incorporate Natural Touches: This trend is all about nature’s textures — think wood grain, geodes or ocean waves. One way to incorporate this look is to combine earthy tones like browns, beiges and deep blues with vibrant neon colors to generate the effect of the northern lights around the home.

4. Get Back to the Future: Give what’s old a modern, futuristic update to achieve this trend. Try painting a vintage chair with a pop of color, like the Sherwin-Williams 2018 color of the year, Oceanside, a combination of rich blue with jewel-toned green. This creates an eye-catching masterpiece that seamlessly integrates into both retro and modern home décor. Introducing bright colors to antiques produces a beautiful new spin on a classic look.

5. Design it with Love: What’s “in” in home design this year? Creating warm and cozy spaces that are customized just for you. This is the true essence of DIY. Painting an accent wall in a pastel color, like lavender, will set a relaxed and comforting tone in the room. From there, add personal pieces like a soft woven blanket, a macramé wall hanging or ivory plates on a wall to transform any room to “your” room.

6. Embrace New England Prep: This style embraces the timeless combination of crisp white linens and navy blues, but what really gives a room an authentic New England vibe is the addition of camel-colored leather décor accents. Nayak recommends adding monogrammed pillows to a leather accent chair, or whitewashing your brick fireplace to create a look that never goes out of style.

Visit FrogTape.com for more trend information and inspiration.

Get started on your home projects now so you can enjoy your refreshed décor all year long.

(Statepoint)

DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST REWARDS HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS FOR CREATIVE LITTER PREVENTION EFFORTS

By
Rhonda Oaks
-
0

Applications will be accepted through April 20, 2018

AUSTIN – Applications for the 2018 Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship contest are now being accepted. Eligible applicants include any Texas high school senior currently attending public, private or home school and planning to attend an accredited Texas college or university in the coming year.

Presented in partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful, the Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship contest will award one $6,000 scholarship and two $2,000 scholarships in June. The scholarships recognize the achievements of high school seniors who take a leadership role in preventing litter in their schools and communities while working to build awareness for the Don’t mess with Texas initiative.

“We’re proud to offer the Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship to support higher education in Texas and recognize outstanding students who are using their creativity to beautify their communities,” said Becky Ozuna, program administrator for TxDOT’s Don’t mess with Texas campaign.

TxDOT’s Don’t mess with Texas program has been educating Texans about litter prevention since 1986. The program includes Adopt-a-Highway and a grassroots partnership with Keep Texas Beautiful as well as spring “Trash-Off” community outreach events, all in an effort to keep Texas roadways litter free.

To apply for the Don’t mess with Texas Scholarship, visit dontmesswithtexas.org. Applications must be received by online submission or postmarked by 5 p.m. (CST) April 20, 2018.

For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at MediaRelations@txdot.gov or (512) 463-8700.

1...512513514...751Page 513 of 751