United Independent School District

United ITV recently produced a sixth installment of the “Knowledge For College” game show. Student teams from Zaffirini Elementary and Bonnie Garcia Elementary had fun answering questions from a variety of categories including math, art, science and social studies. The game show host is Robert Nino. The guest host for the recent taping was Javier Vera , UISD Director of Fine Arts. Each student received a certificate of participation, a trophy, passes to the Lamar Bruni-Vergara Environmental Science Center, and merchandise from local restaurants .

Back row, L to R: Zaffirini Elementary Substitute Pathfinder, Juliana Valdez; UISD Director of Fine Arts, Javier Vera; Communications Specialist /ITV, Robert Nino; Bonnie Garcia Elementary Reading Intervention Teacher, Cynthia Vichareli. Front Row, L to R: Bonnie Garcia Elementary team Jonathan Idrogo and Genesis Hernandez; Zaffirini Elementary team Francisca Rodriguez and Gabriel Saucedo.

The Laredo Food For Thought Foundation and UISD were honored to welcome Pulitzer Prize winning author Sonia Nazairio during her first visit to Laredo. Approximately 800 UISD students (who are currently working on projects related to immigration issues), gathered at the SAC auditorium to hear Nazairo discuss and answer questions about her book “Enrique’s Journey”. The book is about a Honduran boy’s struggle to find his Mother in the U.S.A.. The book is also required reading for all incoming freshmen at twenty one universities and dozens of high schools nationwide. Thanks to the Laredo Food For Thought Foundation for providing the District with yet another famous guest author. The non-profit organization is represented by: J.B. Alexander Librarian: Carmen Escamilla, Beverly Herrera (English Teacher), and Annie Trevino (English Teacher).

Pulitzer Prize Award winning author Sonia Nozaira discusses her book “Enrique’s Journey” with an audience UISD High School students .

The tenth annual “Supply Our Students” concert yielded approximately sixteen tons of school supplies for needy children in UISD and LISD. Distribution of supplies to both Districts was made during a press conference at the Guerra Communications offices. The S.O.S. concerts have collected a total of 90 tons of school supplies since 1998, and this year’s donations were especially welcome as Laredo families face mounting economic challenges. UISD thanks the sponsors, volunteers, and musicians who put forth so much effort to help Laredo students.

Giving thanks at S.O.S. Press Conference. (L to R) UISD Director of Public Relations, Veronica Cantu; UISD Executive Director of Student Services, Sandra Cavazos; Hon. Mayor, Raul Salinas; Hon. Judge Danny Valdez; C.E.O. Guerra Communications, Belinda Guerra; LISD Superintendent, Dr. A Marcus Nelson.