COMMUNITY THE LOCAL NEWS Small world graduation, Graze and Peace opening, PAGE 2 Serving Sealy and Austin County, Texas since 1887 PAGE 16 VOLUME 134 NUMBER 20 THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021 16 PAGES, $1 NEXT STEP: AUSTIN COUNTY NEWS ONLINE Sealy City Councilmembers Yvonne Johnson, Edward Zapalac and Chris Noack were sworn into office during a special council meeting May 12 at the W. E. Community Hill Center. Johnson and Zapalac won races in the May 1 general election as new members and Noack COLLEGE won as an incumbent. Flexibility is the key to a New City successful collegiate path Council By VALERIE REDDELL SPECIAL TO THE SEALY NEWS members n mere days, the Class of 2021 will be launched into early I adulthood after more than a year of pandemic life that offered very few of the traditional rites of passage that they looked forward to for most of their 13-year educational career. This graduating class – and their predecessors in 2020 – sworn in deserve commendations for navigating the unique challenges the pandemic brought to their junior and senior years in high school. By HOLLY GALVAN POSEY This accomplishment is no small feat since the adults in the REPORTERSEALYNEWS.COM room who would have been shouting directions at you for the last 14 months couldn’t turn to the answers at the back of the During the special meeting of the Sealy City book for this test. Council at the Hill Center May 12, new city So, soon-to-be graduates, whether your next move is council members Edward Zapalac and Yvonne directly into the workforce, the military, college, university or Johnson, as well as Chris Noack who was technical school, we are all pleased to join you in celebrating reelected, took their oath of office. this moment. Outgoing council member Jennifer Sullivan Over the next couple of weeks, The Sealy News will look said she wanted to thank the citizens of Sealy at what happens next for members of the Class of 2021 for the opportunity to serve on the council. along each of these possible future paths. “I encourage others to get involved any way that you can. It is really a blessing to be able Next step: College to serve you,” Sullivan said. “I wish you all Traditionally, 60 percent of Sealy High School the best in moving forward and I have every graduates enroll in college. For the Class of 2021, the confidence in knowing that we as a city are in key to a successful path to a college degree will be excellent hands.” flexibility. Outgoing council member Larry Koy The transition from high school to college is always thanked his fellow council members, the police tricky, but the COVID-19 generation has already department, and the City of Sealy staff for all navigated some extra complexities. They have endured that they do. He also had a message for the months of canceled classes, loss of after-school jobs newly elected council members. and missed out on extra-curricular “You were elected by the citizens of Sealy. activities. Now, colleges and You work for the citizens of Sealy. If somebody universities are asking them to calls you, you answer. You do what best you hang on to those hard-learned can to solve their problems, to answer their lessons in taking the unexpected questions or whatever. Work with the citi- in stride. zens,” Koy said. Despite all these challenges, Koy said he has enjoyed his time on the however, don’t sacrifice your council and is taking time off to spend time ability to dream big. Reach out with his grandkids. for those huge goals. That hopeful “I’ve never cried in my life but I will tonight. aspiration can be broken into easily I thank you all. Good luck to the winners (of accomplished steps. Every doctor, the election),” Koy said. lawyer or astronaut took their Council discussed approving a resolution to first step towards that goal issue an application for administrative servic- es related to the Home Rehabilitation Assis- tance/HOME program administered by the COLLEGE See , page 14 Texas Department of Housing and Communi- ty Affairs. “This is a program to help, improve and rehab homes from people that are disadvan- taged. This is a really good program. I think there is always a little bit of room in our bud- get to try to do something good for the com- munity,” said Interim City Manager Warren Escovy said. Councilmember Dee Anne Lerma made a motion to approve the resolution, which passed unanimously. The council also held a public hearing regarding tax abatement guidelines and cri- teria. Sealy Economic Development Executive Director Kimbra Hill gave a presentation to the council. “I completed a very thorough review of the city’s comprehensive plan and strategic goals and used all of the items I identified to create this proposed tax abatement policy. The policy will retain the $1,500 nonrefundable applica- “The students who came tion fee,” Hill said. Hill said the goal of the changes is to to school were more include an awareness of the city’s develop- ment and growth goals and ensure that the determined. They buckled See COUNCIL, page 14 down and didn’t let some unexpected challenges WEATHER DAY H/L/RAIN interfere with their success.” Thursday 78/71/77% Friday 79/72/53% DR. TOM JOHNSON, PRESIDENT OF LAMAR STATE COLLEGEORANGE Saturday 81/68/46% Sunday 83/66/24% Monday 84/67/21% Tuesday 87/73/24% Wednesday 86/71/30% WWW.SEALYNEWS.COM THE VOICE OF AUSTIN COUNTY SEALYNEWS TEXAS ROOFING BIBLE VERSE EXPERTS You are the light of the world. A city on a hill Full service roofi ng company cannot be hidden. 415 Main Street specializing in metal & shingle — MATTHEW 5:14 Sealy, TX 77474 roofi ng installation & repair. (979) 885-3511 Residential & Commercial www.ci.sealy.tx.us THE SEALY NEWS 2 THURSDAY, MAY 20, 2021 COMMUNITY SEALYNEWS.COM Graduation recreation ASCO recognized Members of Small World Early Childhood Enrichment Center’s Class of 2008 reconvened ahead of their high school graduations to recreate their class pictures 13 years later. Even though not all the Small World students remained in Sealy, soon-to-be high school graduates returned from Katy and East Bernard to join in on the graduation celebration. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS Ms. Lynsie Necker’s class from 2008 CONTRIBUTED PHOTO On Thursday, May 13, members from First National Bank of Bellville and Industry State Bank generously provided the Austin County Sheriff’s Office a sandwich lunch in honor of National Police Week, as a Thank You for service and commitment to Austin County. “The Sheriff’s Office greatly appreciates, not only their thoughtfulness, but also for their support of law enforcement,” Sheriff Jack Brandes said. Kana donates new flag Students from Ms. Necker’s 2008 class returned ahead of their 2021 high school graduations. Pictured from left to right are Blake Zaskoda, Grayson Brandes, Colton Burch, Lynsie Necker, Emanuel Avilez, Jackson Osborne and Lane Holley. Ms. Tammy Finley’s class from 2008 CONTRIBUTED PHOTO In honor of all Veterans buried in St. Michael Cemetery in Weimar, Texas Knights of Columbus Insurance Field Agent Larry Kana donated a new flag for Memorial Day. Jasso awarded scholarship CONTRIBUTED REPORT Maria Jasso was cho- sen as the first recipient of the recently expand- ed scholarship program created by the Bellville Hospital Foundation (BHF), a duly recognized 501(c)3 tax-exempt enti- ty formed in 1959. The Hospital has gone through sever- al configurations and has been doing its part to keep Bellville Medi- cal Center (BMC) grow- ing. The Foundation Board recently voted to expand the scholarship CONTRIBUTED PHOTO program for all BMC Bellville Hospital Foundation Board Chair Marcella Schomburg recently employees desiring to presented the first BHF scholarship to Maria Jasso. advance their educa- Students from Ms. Finley’s 2008 class returned ahead of their 2021 high school graduations. Pictured from left tion in their field, move Jasso will be attend- this program will be to right in the back row are Bryce Somer, Tyler Hennessey, Rhys Reichardt, Ally Dickens, Brayden Ashorn and to another health care ing the nursing pro- supported within the Jacob Gajewski. In the front row from the left are Maddie Manak, Haylee Reichle, Tess Dishaw, Tammy Finley, area or acquire specific gram at Wharton Coun- Austin County com- Montana Hicks and Ellie Haugen. training. ty Junior College start- munity with donations ing this summer. When committed, especial- she graduates at the ly for scholarship fund- end of next summer, ing. she will be a Licensed The Foundation does Saddleback Saloon Vocational Nurse. ask for those interested The Foundation in enhancing the skills Board awarded Jasso a of the only hospital in Bar & Grill scholarship of $6,000 to Austin County, con- A Registered Texas Historial Landmark Built in 1886 assist with her educa- sider donating today Saturday, May 22, 2021 tional expenses in help- to the BHF – Scholar- ing her achieve her per- ship Funds, P.O. Box Dexter Rowe Band sonal and professional 55, Bellville, TX 77418- goals. The Board trusts 0055. Sundays $5 Burgers Mondays Drink Specs Pet overpopulation Tuesdays Steak Night isn’ t the end of the world, Wednesdays Pool Tourn Thursdays TX Hold’em unless you’re a puppy or a kitten. Fridays Karaoke PLEASE, Saturdays Live Bands spay or neuter your Holidays We Rock! pet today! Please call us if you can’t $5 Cover Charge afford to do it on your own. Open Every Day @ 11:30 AM for Lunch & Dinner PUPS - Prevent Great Food! Great Drink! Great Time! Unwanted Pets Children & Adults Under 21 Welcome Until 8PM 979-732-5591 207 Main Street - Sealy, Texas - 77474 All contributions are tax-deduct- ible and can be sent to PUPS, 979-885-7346 Like us on Facebook 1884 Bostik Rd., Cat Spring, Tx.