Dedication set for Peña Elementary

La Joya ISD will host a dedication ceremony for Corina Sanchez Peña Elementary School, located at 4800 North Liberty Drive in Peñitas, on Saturday, October 11, at 9 a.m.

Peña joined the Tabasco Consolidated Independent School District (now La Joya ISD) in 1932 as a first grade teacher at Los Ebanos Elementary School. She demonstrated her support for children and the community through efforts like organizing a “rhythm band” for students, coordinating salvage and recycling efforts as part of the rationing movement during World War II, and by reaching out to parents to help them take advantage of health services for their children. Peña was also a leader in education by looking for techniques and strategies to help students learn.

She lost her battle with cancer and died October 7, 1960. The following school year was dedicated in her memory. Peña was married to the late Luis Peña Jr. of Los Ebanos. The couple had one child, Jose Rolando Peña; he followed in her footsteps as an educator in La Joya ISD.

La Joya unveils scoreboard

The La Joya Coyotes, Huskies and Lobos have something new to howl about. Tonight, at the La Joya Coyotes Homecoming game, the district will unveil the Valley’s largest football scoreboard at La Joya Stadium. Measuring 32 feet wide and 28 feet four inches high, no other school’s board even comes close in size. It has video, graphic and playback capabilities.

This Friday will be the first time the scoreboard will be entirely complete. All portions of the scoreboard will be up and running during the game. Last week, during the game between the Palmview High Lobos and the La Joya Coyotes, the district did a run-through with the video board so the students and the staff could see how the scoreboard would run.

The sound system is described as being one of the best in the state, and is equipped for an audience of 25,000 people. Currently, KLJS-Channel 17, the district’s TV station, is running the scoreboard with the assistance of students from all three La Joya High Schools—Palmview High School, Juarez-Lincoln High School, and La Joya Senior High School. Students from all three campuses have been helping film the games, as well as learning how to operate the scoreboard. Students in the graphics animation class at La Joya Senior High School, under the guidance of Joe Sanchez, have created animated graphics to use on the scoreboard.

Another feature on the board is the instant replay feature, which allows the fans an opportunity to review the play again, just like the NFL or other professional sporting events.

With the expansion of two additional senior high schools, the district felt that it was time to invest in a device that would showcase the talents of not only the players, cheerleaders, band and drill team, but also the outstanding efforts of our media technology students and our graphic design students.

The scoreboard will be used at almost every event held at La Joya ISD stadium throughout the year. For more information, call KLJS TV Station Manager Belinda Garcia at 956-580-5169.

Garcia said, “Friday is also Homecoming for the La Joya Coyotes, so this will be an excellent opportunity for the community to really see the scoreboard at its finest. ”

The scoreboard was purchased through our District’s Athletic Office, under the direction of Athletic Director Victor Garza.

Hidalgo County Water Control and Improvement District No. 19 recently hosted a luncheon honoring Jose de la Fuente for serving 53 years as a board member of the district. His daughter, Norma Davis, was there for the presentation along with others including board members Lee Gernentz, Harry Shimotsu, Oscar Gonzalez, Tom Meurer and Carla P. Davila, office manager.

Aggravated robbery

A 73-year-old Mission woman was robbed at her residence on W. 20th Street last Friday at about 3:45 p.m, according to Mission Police. The woman had just made a large cash withdrawal at the lobby of a bank on Conway Ave. The robbers knocked on her door, then broke into the home, forced the victim to the floor, and demanded the money she had withdrawn at the bank. Police are currently tracking down leads, including reviewing bank video, to see if she was followed and to try to identify the two assailants.

Mission movie exhibit

In a series of exhibits honoring Mission�fs Centennial year, Mission Historical Museum currently has a display featuring memorabilia from the movie �gShe Came to the Valley.�h Beginning today, October 10, the museum will also display altars representative of Dia de los Muertos. This exhibit is scheduled to run through November 10.

After undergoing surgery weeks ago, former U.S. Representative Eligio �gKika�h de la Garza and his wife, Lucille, are currently undergoing rehabilitation at Doctor�fs Hospital at Renaissance in McAllen, according to officials from Congressman Ruben Hinojosa�fs office. De la Garza and his wife were driving down Dove Avenue in McAllen Wednesday, September 17 when two vehicles crashed, sending one of the vehicles into De la Garza�fs lane head on. There has been no word yet as to when they will be released.