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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-11-09 Euless ArticlesStudents Find Success Coding & Being Active Through Technology By Wayne Carter • Published October 25, 2021 • Updated on October 26, 2021 at 4:44 pm Students at South Euless Elementary School won a national competition encouraging students to code and stay active. A technology company sponsored the competition to get schools across the country motivated to code and use their device which looks very similar to the classic game Simon. South Euless started a club to get young girls on campus into coding. The girls named their club "Girls who Code" and it's helping to grow a love for computer science. "Back in the day, the men did everything. So I like how they're letting the women and the girls get into the things," said Lily Cody, student. Carter In The Classroom Focusing on unique things school districts are doing to help children succeed. With some help from the librarian, the girls broke down how these devices really work and reprogrammed them to make their own games. It's helping tackle science, mental health and physical activity. Akriti Sharestha is a student in that club. "I do practice at home with my dad. He works in IT. He's very used to coding and stuff and he teaches me," she said. They are always at it, trying to come up with new creative ways to master the machine and keep their peers in school engaged. "I make sure all my work gets done and at lunch or recess I would come help my wonderful librarian and do these,"' said Xenia Wright, student. Teachers say the more kids who play the game, suddenly develop an interest in wanting to program it and planting a seed of learning. TCU students work to save shelter animals in Euless By Kyla Vogel October 29, 2021 Marie Langer and Brittany Taylor smile with "Ladybug" while delivering donations from their Amazon Wishlist at the Euless Animal Shelter. Photo courtesy of Marie Langer. Shelter animals in Euless, Texas, are getting an assist in finding forever homes from two junior business majors. The women, who dedicate much of their time outside of the classroom to working with a local animal shelter, said their experiences have filled a missing piece in their lives. Over the past year, Marie Langer and Brittany Taylor have made many round trips about 40 miles each to the Euless Animal Shelter where they work with the Trinity Girls Awareness Program, also known as GAP. Upon arriving at the shelter, the girls are tasked with taking photos of the new animals to help them find a foster home and, eventually, a forever home. Langer says the shelter is like a prison. “Our goal is to get as many animals out of the dark place as possible.” “Some of them come in terrified, aggressive and even physically broken,” Langer said. “Once they have a sense of stability, they turn into angels.” Langer and Taylor met working together in a group project in the Neeley School of Business where they found a shared passion for animals. Marie Langer (left) and Brittany Taylor (right) smile after raising money for the rescue. Photo courtesy of Marie Langer. Taylor’s professor recognized her love for animals and connected her with the local rescue, GAP. Taylor passed the information along to Langer, and just days later they found themselves involved in the organization. Founded by Steffenie Vela in 2003, the nonprofit raises money to support the shelter. Langer and Taylor have raised more than $2,414 for the rescue through T-shirt sales. Vela created GAP with hopes of giving girls at Trinity High School an opportunity to be involved in community service. The program holds fundraisers such as bake sales, T-shirt sales and tamale sales to sponsor the Euless city-run shelter. When an animal comes into the shelter, GAP steps in to help address its needs. GAP has reduced euthanasias at the Euless shelter by 80%, said Taylor. The Euless shelter has not put down an animal in 10 years due to capacity issues. Langer says as a college student, there are various ways to get involved with the Trinity GAP Rescue. Fostering is the most impactful action a student can take to help the rescue, Langer said. “Capacity issues are why animals are put down. People opening up their homes until an adoption takes place literally saves their lives,” she said. Twelve students have fostered animals since the program was introduced to campus. After a family death and isolation during the pandemic, senior marketing major Gemma Welk said “fostering Parker was exactly what I needed.” Gemma Wek lays in bed with a foster dog. Photo courtesy of Gemma Welk. “If you are even considering fostering, try it out,” Welk said. “Even if it is just for the weekend, giving these animals care for a little bit is better than none.” GAP takes care of all expenses including the food, kennel, and vet appointments. For those living on campus or unable to foster, donations are another way the rescue looks for help. Langer said donations recently helped a dog abused by its owner to undergo emergency surgery. Langer and Taylor created an Amazon wish list for those that wish to donate tangible items. The wish list includes items such as bones, flea and tick treatment and kennels. “TCU students have made a tremendous difference. We exhausted our area and were struggling to find new fosters, but TCU is a whole new community,” said Vela. JPS Health Network President and CEO Robert Earley announces retirement Jessika Harkay, Fort Worth Star-Telegram 5 days ago "About nine months ago, my father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. The very next day, my mom fell down and broke her hip," Earley said in a video message to the 7,200 employees of the JPS healthcare network. "I now need to give 100 percent to my parents. I want to be the son to them, as they were the parents to me." Earley has led Tarrant County's publicly-supported healthcare network for 13 years, including John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, the county's only Level I Trauma Center and Psychiatric Emergency Center. Under his leadership, JPS Health Network has expanded and upgraded services including outpatient behavioral health offerings, telehealth, mobile street medicine, residency and fellowship programs for incoming healthcare professionals, according to a JPS new release. County Judge Glen Whitley thanked Earley for his years of service in a statement Tuesday afternoon and said he served with dedication and compassion. "[Earley] was passionate about JPS. It wasn't unusual to see him encouraging staff and greeting patients, while positioning JPS to combat the healthcare challenges of the 21st century," Whitley said. "In addition to having the privilege of serving alongside Robert as a colleague, I have had the honor of counting him as a friend, and I know he will be dearly missed in Tarrant County." Whitley said Earley will leave the county's healthcare network stronger and better prepared for its next chapter. Earley has also served as a member of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Board of Trustees. In a statement, Stephen Love, president and CEO of the DFW Hospital Council, said Earley helped shape the council's strategies within North Texas and especially Tarrant County. Love also noted Earley's work in advocating for Medicaid expansion and the renewal of the Medicaid Section 1115 waiver to the Texas legislature. "His public service has certainly continued with his leadership at JPS Health Network," Love said. "We thank him for his compassionate service, keen sense of humor and caring for some of the most vulnerable in our society." Dorothy DuBose, the incoming JPS board president, said Earley's retirement brings sadness to the organization's heart, but board members support the decision. "JPS has had a wonderful experience under his leadership, and we will miss our treasure," DuBose said in the release. The Board of Managers is expected to announce a nationwide search for the healthcare network's next president and CEO. The network offers comprehensive services including primary care, behavioral health and pharmacy at more than 25 community locations, according to JPS. In his message to the staff, Earley said that the progress they have made together to improve the health of patients through compassionate care and upgraded services leaves a lasting legacy for not just him, but the entire community.