MARCH 26, 2025 www.wintertexantimes.com 20 WINTER TEXAN TIMES COUPON $AVING$ Air Control A/C & Heating Inc. pg. 21 Beltone pg. 13 Hidden Wok pg. 17 Lazy Palms Ranch pg. 14 Lobo Del Mar pg. 17 Nikky’s Carpet Cleaning pg. 22 Studio 6 pg. 10 Tint on Wheels pg. 21 Coupon Index about my work. This is how I know I have found the perfect career and business choice for myself,” said student Ana Gonzalez, who first obtained her associate degree in Business Administration from STC to prepare her for her own salon one day. “Now, I want even more people to stop by and give us a chance. Once they are here, I know they will realize that we are all eager to gain more experience and improve on the skills we already have. We need the practice to continue to perfect our skills.” Cosmetology Program Chair Carla Balleza said by offering complimentary services to the community, her students not only get to perfect their skills as cosmetologists, but also their soft skills such as communication and customer service. She calls this a winwin. “It’s really important for students to develop the soft skills that they need for the industry, which includes learning how to communicate with clients and customer service, which will allow them to develop a connection they will carry into their future careers,” said Balleza. “With the community’s help, we are building up their confidence for the industry and the future generation of cosmetologists.” STC Cosmetology student Maria Sanchez said the whole experience has been exciting because the program promotes learning something new while connecting with the community. “To me, this means more than cutting someone’s hair or fixing someone’s nails. We are talking to them and learning more about their feelings and understanding that what we are doing matters to them,” Sanchez said. “It’s nice to be that part of that moment in life that gives them confidence and makes them feel better about themselves.” STC’s Cosmetology program provides a wide variety of complimentary services for staff, faculty and the public. Faculty with the program say they also take special consideration for students seeking help for potential job interviews and related services. To learn more about STC’s Cosmetology services, visit the program’s bookings website at www. southtexascollege.edu/academics/ cosmetology/. STC From pg. 16 In the special friend’s category was Mr. Tourist, Tom Torkelson, and his family. Torkelson, originally from Ohio, came to the Valley in 1987 and a year later in Donna founded the first IDEA charter school. Currently, he said there are 120 IDEA schools in four states. Most of them are in Texas, including 40 in the RGV. While most students are Americans there is a strong contingent from Mexico including from Rio Bravo, Mexico who cross the border weekdays to attend school. A king and a queen were selected to reign over the festivities and were among the delegation to walk to the center of the bridge to meet a delegation of Mexican officials and others and exchange greetings along with gifts of flowers. King David Wayne Evans and his wife, Queen Gina Marie, from the Los Fresnos area, had been nominated for the royal task by the Red Snapper, a restaurant the couple frequently go to in Progreso. David, a Texan from Austin, met Gina, from Florida, in the capitol city and they moved to the Valley in 2011. With the bridge ceremonies completed the mix of Americans and Mexicans, along with a mariachi band headed for the stage area in Progreso, where there were more introductions of all the officials from both sides of the border and where the queen was given a crown and a sash. The king exchanged his hat for a large sombrero and also received a sash noting his position for 2025. The entertainment took over the stage featuring singers and dancers. There was also a band, which drew spectators out of the audience to dance to the music in front of the stage. Down the street were a lot of Winter Texans enjoying food and drink, receiving small tokens of appreciation from merchants and listening to different recorded music. Among those on the blocked See PROGRESO pg. 24 PROGRESO From pg. 1 A visiting royal guest was Amber Perez, who became the “Outstanding National Elegance Lady” in nearby Merecedes. The young woman with crown and sash was the only representative from the RGV region to compete in the national pageant held in Houston. One of those individuals receiving a bag of onions was Weslaco at-large City Commissioner Pete Garcia Jr., who was instrumental in launching the festival back in 1989, which makes this the 36th annual event. It started as the Weslaco Onion Fest but eventually became the now widely known Texas Onion Fest. Its popularity has much to do with the now world-famous 1015 Texas onion that was developed in Weslaco at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Services facility. The name of the 1015 onion, known for its sweet, mild flavor, came from the suggested first planting date of October 15. Entertainment was offered on a couple stages. The family stage drew large audiences, with school students performing much of the time. There were rides for kids, a car show, live music, onion contests and a health fair. The Texas Onion Fest was coordinated by the Weslaco Area Chamber of Commerce. ONION From pg. 15
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