Local leaders detail examples of positive educational growth in Port Arthur – Port Arthur News

Local leaders shared their educational successes in the classroom and beyond at the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon.

Port Arthur Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Mark Portery highlighted the Lincoln Middle School robotics team that traveled to Lubbock for the competition.

The crowd at the Bob Bowers Civic Center erupted in applause and said, “Our first team placed 5th out of 24 regions across the state of Texas and is our number one team in robotics.'' was the overall winner,” Porterie said.

Additionally, PAISD students have won highly competitive Gates Scholarships.

This scholarship was established in 1999 by Bill and Melinda Gates.

“Out of 53,000 applicants, one student qualified for Gates,” Porterley said. “And what makes this so unique is that Gates Scholarships are available to bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees and are fully paid. All are paid.”

Approximately 100 CTE Level 1 certificate holders and associate degree students will graduate from Woodrow Wilson Early College High School on May 10 through PAISD's dual enrollment partnership with Lamar State University It has been shown that

During the luncheon, the crowd listens to the speakers. (Mary Mo/The News)

consciousness

Although autism isn't talked about much, Porter said there are many students locally who have been diagnosed with autism.

April is Autism Awareness Month, and Portery encouraged attendees to read up on autism.

State Rep. Christian Manuel, who was not scheduled to speak at the event, took to the microphone to explain more about autism.

“One of the things that's really important, and one of the things that's putting a strain on Texas schools, is that people are learning a lot about autism and what it's doing to our communities, and I'm They don't understand what they're doing to our schools,” Manuel said.

Manuel has an autistic godson.

“These kids just need a little bit of help,” he said.

Some children with autism can be very technical and show talent in certain areas, such as computer programming.

He added that there is a need for an understanding of these students as some of them just need a little help in different areas.

Lamar State University Port Arthur President Dr. Betty Reynard (left) talks about the university's growth while listening to Port Arthur LNG's Anya MacInnis at the Greater Port Arthur Chamber of Commerce Leadership Luncheon. . (Mary Mo/The News)

LSCPA

Lamar State University Port Arthur Chancellor Dr. Betty Reynard noted that there has been a significant increase in enrollment, construction, programs and partnerships in the name of advancing education.

Reynard also offered a glimpse into the present and future.

On-campus enrollment has increased by 39 percent, she said, adding that is due to a number of factors.

“For the past several years, Congressman (Dade) Phelan has worked hard to reduce tuition at the two-year Lamar campuses in our area,” Reynard said, adding that tuition has been reduced by 50 percent. Ta.

Another factor is the FAST program, in which the state pays tuition for students who are currently enrolled in state school districts and are eligible for free or reduced lunch.

We also have some new programs this fall called Social Media and Digital Communications and the Paramedic Program.

“If you’ve ever driven around our campus, it looks like a construction site because it’s a construction site,” she joked. “We are constructing a new Allied Health and Science building, a $37.4 million building that will house most, if not all, of our affiliated medical programs and some of the science classes on campus. It is scheduled to be completed in March 2025.

Another project on campus is the renovation of the Monroe Building. Renovation work will take at least 18 months to complete.

There are also several new campus locations, she said.

On Monday, she was in East Texas for a ribbon cutting for a nursing program offered in Jasper. Some students have already registered and no longer have to drive an hour to get to class.

LSCPA offers classes at Livingston in partnership with two other Lamar two-year campuses. Training classes are held using local community centres.

Monday's leadership luncheon included Terry Stokes of the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation, Mark Viator of the Sabine Pass Port Authority, Larry Kelly of the Port of Port Arthur, and Judith Smith of the City of Port Arthur Health Department. , Entergy's Dashawn Armstrong, and Claire also took the stage. Mr. Jackson met with MOTIVA, Monique Thierry with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and Dade Phelan, Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives.