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My Truth By Cheryl Smith Publisher
To Text or Not to Text Dear Loyal Readers: We are reprinting last week's MY TRUTH because of an unacceptable oversight. The font and type size were hard on the eyes and we know this because we listen to you and you have expressed the need for a type size that is not a strain on the eyes. You are very important to us and we will continue to work to earn and keep your support. If you have other concerns, please let me know at editor@texasmetronews.com.
Have you ever had serious regrets? Wondered if you could just have another chance? You have all the answers, don’t you? After all, hindsight is 20-20 and oh what you would do if you had a chance for a do over. Now some may ask why I didn’t write this column a week or two ago, and that is a very good question. My answer is, better late than never because hopefully See MY TRUTH, Page 7
SERVING NORTH EAST TEXAS
THURSDAY JUNE 1, 2023
VOLUME X
Houston School Administrators
confiscate Honor Stoles from Latino Students By Rebecca Aguilar
Texas Metro News Correspondent
Judy Bautista couldn’t wait to see her Spanish National Honor Society students graduate from Summer Creek High School in North Houston on Saturday. The Spanish teacher purchased each graduating senior a brightly colored Mexican stole with the embroidered name of the group and “Class of 2023” so they could wear it as they crossed the stage. Bautista said that opportunity was abruptly taken away by school administrators who, without explanation or warning, confiscated the stoles. In a video that has gone viral since Saturday’s graduation, Bautista, in tears, calls out the school administrators because she said they forced the students to take off the Mexican stoles right before they got their diplomas, “I had students crying...this was more mental abuse to them.” Kevin Gonzalez was beaming with pride as he wore his Mexican stole on Saturday, ”I’m the second in my family to graduate from high school; the first was my mom.” The 18-year-old said he was in line to get his diploma and was surprised when he was told to
Judy Bautista
remove the stole before stepping on the stage. “I was going to say something, but I was ready to walk, and I was
Kevin Gonzalez
Teacher and Students Humiliated, Brought to Tears During Graduation just like, take it,” he said, adding that he was embarrassed and hurt by the school’s decision because the stole meant more than a piece of fabric around his neck. “I wanted to represent a Mexican who graduated.”
In a phone conversation on Monday, Bautista said she was the Spanish National Honor Society group adviser at Summer Creek High School, and 20 students earned their stoles for completing 100 hours of community service while maintain-
Superb Women Our Superb Women! By Cheryl Smith Texas Metro News
2021 was the “Year of the Woman,” especially the Black Woman! For 10 months, we dedicated this space to uplifting Black women and spreading a message that we need to show love and empower people with love instead of destroying them with hate and disrespect. We celebrate Black Women and call them SUPERB! AND WE ARE KEEPING THE CELEBRATION GOING FOREVER! We love you Black Queens!
JADE PARRISH Marks is a commercial real estate professional, Vice President of Parrish Charitable Foundation and advisor for Parrish Properties. A graduate of Purdue University with a BS degree in organizational leadership, she has enjoyed stints at Amazon and Fossil. Jade received her MBA degree from SMU’s Cox School of Business, where she was a Forte Fellow. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and enjoys dancing, including teaching dancing, and traveling. A servant leader, with a heart of gold; Jade is passionate about the power of relationships and aspires to build generational wealth. KAYLAN DIXON SMITH Kaylan Dixon Smith is the Deputy General Counsel at Raise Your Hand Texas; where she also serves as Regional Advocacy Director. Kaylan has also held several positions in Dallas Independent School District, including as a teacher, with Teach for America. A graduate with a BA Degree in Political Science and Government from Fisk University, she received her Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from Lamar University and Doctor of Law from the UNT Dallas College of Law.
TAMELA LEE Tamela Lee is the Vice President of Business Diversity & Development at DFW International Airport. She implemented the current business programs at the airport and as the Title VI coordinator ensured compliance with non-discrimination in business opportunities, limited English proficiency and environmental justice. A born leader, Tamela is heavily involved and conducts workshops and seminars of financial management, growth strategies for small business, supplier diversity and leadership. EUNICE SILVERBERG Eunice Silverberg serves as the Executive Administrator managing the demands and daily operations for Upset the World, LLC. Eunice also serves as the business manager of Silver Mountain Productions. Eunice’s passion is to see people excel and achieve their greatest potential. From her passion, she birthed a group called REAL Women Speaking. She has coached women to address and develop the necessary skills to navigate challenging seasons in their life. Eunice completed a business program at Robert Morris College. ALENE INGRAM BAKER Alene Ingram Baker is a charter member of the Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church. A recent inductee into the African American Education Archives and History Hall of Fame, she was valedictorian of her high school and attended Prairie View A&M University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics, before going on to receive a Master’s Degree in Math from Texas A&M University in Commerce. She spent more than 30 years teaching; beginning as a math teacher at I.M. Terrell High School before going on to Dallas ISD schools; including L.G. Pinkston, H. Grady Spruce and the Business & Management Magnet, where she was honored as the Teacher of the Year in 1987.
SHANE WOODS Shane Woods is the executive director of Girlstart and founder of brainSTEM Consultants. hane holds leadership positions in National Science Education Leadership Association, American Camp Association, and the Women Leading Technology Sorority. Shane has worked as a senior director for Girl Scouts of Northeast Texas and served as an assistant principal, director of science, science content specialist and dean of students for Fort Worth ISD. She received a BS. Degree in Biology from Xavier University and a Masters of Education from Walden University. A servant leader, Shane has served in numerous positions including as the Board Treasurer for the National Science Education Leadership Association; District Chair of American Camp Association and president of the Science Education Leadership Association. DR. TAMIA HARRIS-TRYON A physician scientist, Dr. Tamia Harris-Tryon is Principal Investigator/ Assistant Professor, at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She received her B.S. in Biology from Haverford College and MD/PhD from The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and she was a Fellow in innate Immunology at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She has worked as an Assistant Instructor/post-Doctoral Fellow and Assistant Professor at UT Southwestern Medical Center. Her career goals include heading her own basic laboratory and exploring the underlying biology of dermatological conditions. A recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Tamia was recently honored at the Dallas LInks Inc. 4th annual Women Who STEAM - Science-Technology-EngineeringArts-Mathematics Awards Luncheon. ROSLYN BARKER An enterprise strategy business planning leader, Roslyn Barker attended Ohio State University where she played on the Women’s Basketball Team and graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. She has enjoyed stints as
ing a 3.5 GPA or higher. Summer Creek High School Principal Brent McDonald also spoke to Texas Metro News in a phone conversation on Monday. He said he had no idea the students were being told to remove the stoles. ”I am front and center shaking all 817 hands, so removal of stoles while graduation, I was completely oblivious to anyone doing that, until after the ceremony,” he said. Bautista said she has emails to prove she went through the proper channels to get approval for the stoles. McDonald has final approval on all stoles worn by graduates, and he said he would have approved Bautistas request but he did not recall any emails because he has been busy with graduation and his retirement this year. The principal added, “The kids involved in our Spanish National Honor Society are just the best kids in the world, and I just love those kids are spectacular.” According to McDonald, the school is made up of 40 percent Latino, 40 percent Black, and 20 percent white students. “I’m so sorry that this happened, and quite honestly, I don’t know why See HOUSTON SCHOOL, Page 7
May 2023 a new model launch engineer at the Ford Motor Company before joining Toyota North America where she served in various positions from quality engineer and senior quality engineer to executive chief of staff and business planning leader. She was among this year’s recipients of the Women Who STEAM Awards, presented by the Dallas Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. DR. TEMPLE HOWELL-STAMPLEY Dr. Temple HowellStampley received her BS Degree in Biology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Doctor of Medicine from the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. She did her residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center and later received her MBA from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT Dallas. Dr. Howell-Stampley has worked at UT Southwestern Medical Center and Medical Clinic of North Texas. is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at UT Southwestern Medical Center. She serves as Chair and Program Director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in UT Southwestern’s School of Health Professions and is the inaugural holder of the P. Eugene Jones, Ph.D., PA-C Professorship in Physician Assistant Studies. PAM G. EUDARIC Pam G. Eudaric is a mother, attorney, author and founder /CEO of several businesses. A native of zSt. Croix, she received her B.A. degree from Rice University and her J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law. After practicing law for two decades, she created and redeveloped multiple successful businesses including Chocolate Secrets & Wine Garden, Green Earth Metal Recycling, Joe Carter construction and property Management, and Ma Fille Art Gallery. The winner of numerous awards, including the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce’s Quest for Success Award and the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority - Psi Chapter’s Lola M. Parker Achievement Award - Psi Chapter & Southwestern Region Outstanding Business Women of the Year. A community servant and consummate professional, Pam is a joy to work with and watch in action! See SUPERB WOMEN page 8