Two students from Katy graduate from WCJC vocational nursing program

Twenty-five students, including two from the Katy area, have graduated from the Wharton County Junior College Vocational Nursing program.

The graduates from the Katy area are Teresa Rescendiz and Michael Reyes.

The program is a certificate program that utilizes classroom and clinical instruction to prepare graduates for employment as a member of a nursing team. The program is approved by the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) and upon successful completion graduates are qualified to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Those passing this examination and the Texas jurisprudence exam will qualify for licensure as a vocational nurse (LVN). For more information, visit wcjc.edu.

Local students named to dean's list at Washington University in St. Louis

Six students from the Katy area have been named to the dean’s list spring 2022 semester at Washington University in St. Louis. They are:

• Christina Cai who is enrolled in the university's Olin Business School.
• Kate Choi, Robert Li, Kiran Mammen and Shreyas Venkitaraman, who are enrolled in the university’s College of Arts & Sciences.
• Sophia Smilenov is enrolled in the university's Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts.

The university draws students to St. Louis from more than 100 countries and all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The total student body is more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students.

The approximately 4,100 faculty teach in seven schools: Arts & Sciences, Brown School, Olin Business School, Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, McKelvey School of Engineering, School of Law and School of Medicine. The university has been affiliated with 25 Nobel laureates, many of whom did a significant portion of their award-winning work at the university.

ATAT inducts Dean Fuchs to the 2022 Texas Hall of Fame

Dean Fuchs, a former Cinco Ranch High School teacher, has been inducted into the Agriculture Teachers Association (ATAT) Hall of Fame.

In July, the Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas (ATAT) hosted its annual Professional Development Conference for teachers of agriculture, food and natural resources in-person at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi. The week-long conference was designed specifically for the educational enrichment of agriculture teachers and stakeholders and allows attendees to enhance teaching methods, discuss developments in curriculum, learn more about industry-based student certifications as well as network with leaders within the agriculture education profession.

Fuchs was one of 54 teachers across Texas that was inducted. He also taught at Columbus and Boling high schools.

“This Hall of Fame recognition honors the continued commitment of educators like Mr. Fuchs who truly makes our students grow into leaders,” Ray Pieniazek, ATAT executive director, said. “Agriculture education teachers within the Texas FFA go above and beyond for their students and this community. We celebrate Mr. Fuchs’ years of dedication to professional development with this special induction, marking the difference he has made in his students' lives and Texas overall.”

The Texas Hall of Fame recognizes and honors agricultural science teachers whose careers, achievements, and contributions stand exemplary. Inductees are known as well-rounded professionals that have proven their success with FFA activities, in the classroom, as well as through involvement in their community. They have proven their desire to provide students with opportunities for premier leadership, personal growth and career success over a significant period of time.