Houston Chronicle - 5 May 2024

HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COMHHH SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 C9 FOR THE RECORD YANKEES COLE THROWS SHORT BULLPEN SESSION Yankees ace Gerrit Cole threw 15 fastballs in a bullpen session Saturday, marking his first time off the mound since getting injured in spring training. After making some tosses at various distances in the outfield, Cole said he averaged 89 mph in a session that was not maximum effort and described it as “average.” “Obviously it’s a progression off the mound, but I gotta see how the next 48 hours go before I decide when I’m gonna get off the mound again,” Cole said. “Somewhere between one and five, not on the backside of the middle of that graph.” The reigning AL Cy Young Award winner has been on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation. He is not expected to debut until at least June. PADRES ACQUIRE ARRAEZ San Diego acquired two-time batting champion Luis Arraez from the Miami Marlins along with nearly $7.9 million on Saturday in a deal for four players that left the Padres responsible only for the major-league minimum salary. First baseman Nathan Martorella, outfielders Dillon Head and Jakob Marsee and right-hander Woo-Suk Go were dealt to the Marlins for the second baseman. A two-time All-Star, Arráez is hitting .299 with eight doubles, one triple, five RBIs and 22 runs scored in 33 games this season. ODDS AND ENDS The Minnesota Twins put center fielder Byron Buxton on the 10-day injured list Friday because of inflammation in his troublesome right knee, with guarded optimism his latest absence can be kept to the minimum. … Trea Turner will miss at least six weeks with a left hamstring strain after being injured in the fourth inning of Philadelphia’s 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants on Friday. SATURDAY’S HIGHLIGHTS Nathaniel Lowe had four hits and two RBIs as the Texas Rangers beat the host Kansas City Royals 15-4. … Aaron Judge was ejected for the first time in his career in the seventh inning and Anthony Rizzo hit a three-run homer as the host New York Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 5-3. … John Means pitched seven shutout innings in his season debut as the visiting Baltimore Orioles beat the Cincinnati Reds 2-1. … Christopher Morel hit his third home run in as many games as the host Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-5. Wire reports NOTEBOOK AMERICAN LEAGUE West Division W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Seattle 18 15 .545 — — 6-4 W-1 11-8 7-7 Texas 18 16 .529 ½ 2 6-4 W-1 10-9 8-7 Oakland 17 17 .500 1½ 3 8-2 W-6 9-9 8-8 Houston 12 21 .364 6 7½ 5-5 L-1 7-11 5-10 Los Angeles 12 21 .364 6 7½ 3-7 L-1 4-11 8-10 East Division W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Baltimore 22 11 .667 — — 7-3 W-3 12-7 10-4 New York 22 13 .629 1 +1 ½ 5-5 W-2 10-5 12-8 Boston 18 16 .529 4 ½ 2 5-5 L-3 7-9 11-7 Tampa Bay 16 18 .471 6 ½ 4 4-6 W-2 10-9 6-9 Toronto 16 18 .471 6 ½ 4 3-7 W-1 8-7 8-11 Central Division W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Cleveland 21 12 .636 — — 4-6 W-1 9-5 12-7 Minnesota 19 13 .594 1 ½ — 10-0 W-12 8-6 11-7 Kansas City 20 14 .588 1 ½ — 6-4 L-1 13-6 7-8 Detroit 18 15 .545 3 1 ½ 5-5 L-2 8-9 10-6 Chicago 7 26 .212 14 12 ½ 4-6 W-1 5-12 2-14 NATIONAL LEAGUE West Division W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Los Angeles 21 13 .618 — — 8-2 W-2 10-8 11-5 San Diego 17 18 .486 4 ½ — 4-6 W-3 8-12 9-6 San Francisco 15 19 .441 6 1 ½ 4-6 L-2 9-7 6-12 Arizona 14 19 .424 6 ½ 2 3-7 L-2 8-9 6-10 Colorado 8 25 .242 12 ½ 8 3-7 L-1 5-10 3-15 East Division W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Philadelphia 23 11 .676 — — 8-2 W-4 12-6 11-5 Atlanta 20 10 .667 1 +5 ½ 6-4 L-1 11-4 9-6 New York 16 17 .485 6 ½ — 4-6 L-2 9-10 7-7 Washington 16 17 .485 6 ½ — 6-4 L-1 5-9 11-8 Miami 9 26 .257 14 ½ 8 3-7 L-2 5-15 4-11 Central Division W L Pct GB WCGB L10 Str Home Away Milwaukee 20 12 .625 — — 6-4 L-1 7-7 13-5 Chicago 20 14 .588 1 +3 ½ 5-5 W-1 11-4 9-10 Cincinnati 16 17 .485 4 ½ — 3-7 L-4 9-9 7-8 St. Louis 15 18 .455 5 ½ 1 5-5 L-1 6-8 9-10 Pittsburgh 15 19 .441 6 1 ½ 2-8 W-1 6-8 9-11 Friday’s results American League Baltimore 3, Cincinnati 0 Washington 9, Toronto 3 Tampa Bay 10, Mets 8 Yankees 2, Detroit 1 Angels 6, Cleveland 0 Kansas City 7, Texas 1 Minnesota 5, Boston 2 St. Louis 3, White Sox 0 Houston 5, Seattle 3 Oakland 3, Miami 1 National League Milwaukee 3, Cubs 1 Baltimore 3, Cincinnati 0 Colorado 3, Pittsburgh 2 Washington 9, Toronto 3 Tampa Bay 10, Mets 8 Philadelphia 4, San Francisco 3 St. Louis 3, White Sox 0 Oakland 3, Miami 1 San Diego 7, Arizona 1 Dodgers 4, Atlanta 3 (11) Saturday’s results American League Seattle 5, Houston 0 Yankees 5, Detroit 3 Minnesota 3, Boston 1 White Sox 6, St. Louis 5 (10) Oakland 20, Miami 4 Toronto 6, Washington 3 Cleveland 7, Angels 1 Baltimore 2, Cincinnati 1 Texas 15, Kansas City 4 Tampa Bay 3, Mets 1 National League Cubs 6, Milwaukee 5 White Sox 6, St. Louis 5 (10) Pittsburgh 1, Colorado 0 Oakland 20, Miami 4 Toronto 6, Washington 3 Baltimore 2, Cincinnati 1 Philadelphia 14, San Francisco 3 Tampa Bay 3, Mets 1 San Diego at Arizona, late Atlanta at Dodgers, late Sunday’s games American League Detroit (Skubal 4-0) at Yankees (Cortes 1-3), 12:35 p.m. Toronto (TBD) at Washington (Gore 2-3), 12:35 p.m. Angels (Canning 1-3) at Cleveland (Carrasco 1-2), 12:40 p.m. Mets (Severino 2-2) at Tampa Bay (Pepiot 3-2), 12:40 p.m. Boston (Criswell 2-1) at Minnesota (Ryan 1-1), 1:10 p.m. Seattle (Miller 3-2) at Houston (Brown 0-4), 1:10 p.m. Texas (Gray 1-1) at Kansas City (TBD), 1:10 p.m. White Sox (Crochet 1-4) at St. Louis (Gibson 2-2), 1:15 p.m. Miami (Sánchez 0-1) at Oakland (Boyle 2-4), 3:07 p.m. Baltimore (Kremer 2-2) at Cincinnati (Lodolo 3-0), 3:10 p.m. National League Colorado (Feltner 1-2) at Pittsburgh (Falter 2-2), 12:35 p.m. Toronto (TBD) at Washington (Gore 2-3), 12:35 p.m. Mets (Severino 2-2) at Tampa Bay (Pepiot 3-2), 12:40 p.m. White Sox (Crochet 1-4) at St. Louis (Gibson 2-2), 1:15 p.m. Milwaukee (Peralta 3-0) at Cubs (Assad 2-0), 1:20 p.m. Miami (Sánchez 0-1) at Oakland (Boyle 2-4), 3:07 p.m. Atlanta (Fried 2-0) at Dodgers (Paxton 3-0), 3:10 p.m. Baltimore (Kremer 2-2) at Cincinnati (Lodolo 3-0), 3:10 p.m. San Diego (Waldron 1-3) at Arizona (Nelson 1-2), 3:10 p.m. San Francisco (Webb 3-2) at Philadelphia (Walker 1-0), 6:10 p.m. AT A GLANCE Odds Home team capitalized NBA Sunday FAVORITE LINE O/U UNDERDOG CLEVELAND 3 ½ 195 Orlando MLB Sunday American League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE N.Y YANKEES -126 Detroit +108 CLEVELAND -134 LA Angels +114 MINNESOTA -162 Boston +136 HOUSTON -126 Seattle +108 KANSAS CITY OFF Texas OFF National League FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE PITTSBURGH -158 Colorado +134 CHICAGO CUBS -132 Milwaukee +112 San Diego -116 at ARIZONA -102 Atlanta -124 at LA DODGERS +106 San Francisco -122 at PHILADELPHIA +104 Interleague FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE WASHINGTON OFF Toronto OFF TAMPA BAY -122 N.Y Mets +104 ST. LOUIS -180 Chicago White Sox +152 Miami -122 at OAKLAND +104 Baltimore -112 at CINCINNATI -104 NHL Sunday FAVORITE LINE UNDERDOG LINE Carolina -114 at N.Y RANGERS -105 DALLAS -156 Vegas +130 Auto racing NASCAR Craftsman Truck Heart Of America 200 Saturday'results At Kansas Speedway Kansas City, Kan. Lap length: 1.50 miles (Start position in parentheses) 1. (13) Corey Heim, Toyota, 134 laps, 59 points. 2. (9) Zane Smith, Chevrolet, 134, 0. 3. (10) Christian Eckes, Chevrolet, 134, 50. 4. (23) Kaden Honeycutt, Chevrolet, 134, 46. 5. (19) Brett Moffitt, Toyota, 134, 37. 6. (31) Nicholas Sanchez, Chevrolet, 134, 35. 7. (18) Tanner Gray, Toyota, 134, 30. 8. (22) Dean Thompson, Toyota, 134, 29. 9. (6) Daniel Dye, Chevrolet, 134, 29. 10. (14) Matt Crafton, Ford, 134, 27. 11. (21) Bayley Currey, Chevrolet, 134, 26. 12. (16) Grant Enfinger, Chevrolet, 134, 25. 13. (4) Rajah Caruth, Chevrolet, 134, 27. 14. (24) Bret Holmes, Chevrolet, 134, 23. 15. (3) Ty Dillon, Chevrolet, 133, 24. 16. (11) Ben Rhodes, Ford, 133, 27. 17. (7) Jake Garcia, Ford, 133, 20. 18. (25) Layne Riggs, Ford, 133, 19. 19. (20) Cam Waters, Ford, 133, 18. 20. (12) Tyler Ankrum, Chevrolet, 133, 20. 21. (33) Mason Massey, Chevrolet, 133, 16. 22. (32) Timmy Hill, Toyota, 132, 15. 23. (15) Matt Mills, Chevrolet, 132, 14. 24. (26) Thad Moffitt, Chevrolet, 132, 13. 25. (8) Stewart Friesen, Toyota, 132, 12. 26. (28) Lawless Alan, Ford, 132, 11. 27. (17) Taylor Gray, Toyota, 131, 10. 28. (1) Chase Purdy, Chevrolet, 131, 22. 29. (29) Mason Maggio, Ford, 131, 8. 30. (5) Connor Mosack, Chevrolet, 131, 13. 31. (27) Spencer Boyd, Chevrolet, 129, 6. 32. (30) Jennifer Jo Cobb, Chevrolet, 128, 5. 33. (2) Ty Majeski, Ford, dvp, 10, 4. F1 Miami Grand Prix Lineup At Miami International Autodrome Miami, United States. Lap length: 5.41 kilometers Third session 1. Max Verstappen, Netherlands, Red Bull Racing, 1 minute, 27.641 seconds. 2. Charles Leclerc, Monaco, Ferrari, 1:27.749. 3. Sergio Perez, Mexico, Red Bull Racing, 1:27.876. 4. Daniel Ricciardo, Australia, Alphatauri, 1:28.044. 5. Carlos Sainz Jr, Spain, Ferrari, 1:28.103. 6. Oscar Piastri, Australia, McLaren, 1:28.161. 7. Lance Stroll, Canada, Aston Martin, 1:28.375. 8. Fernando Alonso, Spain, Aston Martin, 1:28.419. 9. Lando Norris, Great Britain, McLaren, 1:28.472. 10. Nico Hulkenberg, Germany, Haas, 1:28.476. Eliminated after second session 11. George Russell, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:28.343. 12. Lewis Hamilton, Great Britain, Mercedes, 1:28.371. 13. Esteban Ocon, France, Alpine, 1:28.379. 14. Kevin Magnussen, Denmark, Haas, 1:28.614. Eliminated after first session 15. Nico Hulkenberg, Germany, Haas, 1:29.040. 16. Pierre Gasly, France, Alpine, 1:29.185. 17. Guanyu Zhou, China, Alfa Romeo Racing, 1:29.267. 18.Valtteri Bottas,Finland,Alfa RomeoRacing,1:29.360. 19. Logan Sargeant, USA, Williams, 1:29.551. 20. Alexander Albon, Thailand, Williams, 1:29.858. NASCAR Cup Series Adventhealth 400 Lineup At Kansas Speedway Kansas City, Kan. Lap length: 1.50 miles (Car number in parentheses) 1. (20) Christopher Bell, Toyota, 183.107 mph. 2. (1) Ross Chastain, Chevrolet, 182.704. 3. (10) Noah Gragson, Ford, 182.451. 4. (5) Kyle Larson, Chevrolet, 182.383. 5. (8) Kyle Busch, Chevrolet, 182.070. 6. (54) Ty Gibbs, Toyota, 181.745. 7. (2) Austin Cindric, Ford, 181.318. 8. (34) Michael McDowell, Ford, 180.959. 9. (9) Chase Elliott, Chevrolet, 180.012. 10. (14) Chase Briscoe, Ford, 175.919. 11. (22) Joey Logano, Ford, 181.959. 12. (17) Chris Buescher, Ford, 180.325. 13. (19) Martin Truex Jr, Toyota, 181.904. 14. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota, 180.168. 15. (45) Tyler Reddick, Toyota, 181.849. 16. (3) Austin Dillon, Chevrolet, 179.856. 17. (4) Josh Berry, Ford, 181.733. 18. (48) Alex Bowman, Chevrolet, 179.695. 19. (84) Jimmie Johnson, Toyota, 181.147. 20. (43) Corey Heim, Toyota, 179.527. 21. (47) Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Chevrolet, 180.929. 22. (77) Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 179.372. 23. (23) Bubba Wallace, Toyota, 180.675. 24. (71) Zane Smith, Chevrolet, 178.654. 25. (38) Todd Gilliland, Ford, 180.650. 26. (12) Ryan Blaney, Ford, 178.424. 27. (99) Daniel Suárez, Chevrolet, 180.524. 28. (7) Corey LaJoie, Chevrolet, 178.418. 29. (42) John H. Nemechek, Toyota, 180.319. 30. (6) Brad Keselowski, Ford, 177.813. 31. (21) Harrison Burton, Ford, 180.216. 32. (41) Ryan Preece, Ford, 177.772. 33. (31) Daniel Hemric, Chevrolet, 179.027. 34. (33) Austin Hill, Chevrolet, 177.678. 35. (51) Justin Haley, Ford, 179.021. 36. (24) William Byron, Chevrolet, 173.952. 37. (15) Riley Herbst, Ford, 178.932. 38. (16) Derek Kraus, Chevrolet, 172.712. Baseball Triple-A Pacific Coast League East W L Pct. GB Sugar Land (Houston) 21 10 .677 — Oklahoma City (L.A. Dodgers) 18 13 .581 3 Round Rock (Texas) 15 15 .500 5 ½ El Paso (San Diego) 13 18 .419 8 Albuquerque (Colorado) 9 22 .290 12 West W L Pct. GB Sacramento (San Francisco) 20 11 .645 1 Tacoma (Seattle) 18 13 .581 3 Las Vegas (Oakland) 15 16 .484 6 Reno (Arizona) 14 17 .452 7 Salt Lake (L.A. Angels) 11 19 .367 9 ½ Thursday’s results Sugar Land 8, El Paso 3 Albuquerque 10, Round Rock 9 Oklahoma City 5, Salt Lake 0 Sacramento 4, Tacoma 0 Las Vegas 8, Reno 0 Friday’s results Sugar Land 9, El Paso 6 Salt Lake 4, Oklahoma City 0 Round Rock 13, Albuquerque 1 Tacoma 6, Sacramento 3 Reno 13, Las Vegas 10 Saturday’s results Salt Lake at Oklahoma City, late Round Rock at Albuquerque, late Sugar Land at El Paso, late Tacoma at Sacramento, late Reno at Las Vegas, late Sunday’s games Sugar Land at El Paso, 1:05 p.m. Salt Lake at Oklahoma City, 2:05 p.m. Reno at Las Vegas, 2:05 p.m. Tacoma at Sacramento, 3:05 p.m. Round Rock at Albuquerque, 6:05 p.m. Friday’s game Space Cowboys 9, Chihuahuas 6 Sugar Land 120 202 200 — 9 10 1 El Paso 104 010 000 — 6 90 W: Greene (2-0); L: Milacki (0-1). S: Contreras (1). Sugar Land—Tamarez, Greene (4), Coleman (7), Contreras (8). El Paso—Watson, Milacki (5), Kopps (7), Gillaspie (8), Hernandez (9). Football UFL USFL CONFERENCE W L T Pct PF PA Birmingham 6 0 0 1.000 171 89 Michigan 3 2 0 .600 109 93 Memphis 1 5 0 .167 107 171 Houston 1 5 0 .167 84 138 XFL CONFERENCE W L T Pct PF PA St. Louis 5 1 0 .833 173 103 San Antonio 4 1 0 .800 115 86 DC 2 3 0 .400 94 138 Arlington 0 5 0 .000 90 125 Saturday’s results St. Louis 22, Houston 8 Birmingham 39, Memphis 21 Sunday’s games Arlington at Michigan, Noon San Antonio at DC, 3 p.m. May 11 games Memphis at Arlington, Noon St. Louis at Birmingham, 3 p.m. May 12 games Michigan at DC, 11 a.m. San Antonio at Houston, 2 p.m. Golf PGA Tour THE CJ CUP Byron Nelson At McKinney Yardage: 7,414; Par: 71 Saturday’s third round Taylor Pendrith ..............................................64-67-63—194 Jake Knapp ....................................................64-64-67—195 Ben Kohles .....................................................65-66-65—196 Matt Wallace .................................................63-66-67—196 Kelly Kraft......................................................64-66-68—198 Alex Noren .....................................................64-68-66—198 Byeong Hun An .............................................66-67-66—199 Troy Merritt ....................................................67-62-70—199 Kevin Tway.....................................................69-66-64—199 Vince Whaley.................................................70-63-66—199 Nick Dunlap ..................................................66-67-67—200 Ben Griffin......................................................69-64-67—200 Stephan Jaeger.............................................66-68-66—200 Zach Johnson ................................................66-67-67—200 Sung Kang.....................................................68-68-64—200 Si Woo Kim....................................................68-65-67—200 Seonghyeon Kim ..........................................68-64-68—200 Min Woo Lee .................................................66-68-66—200 Keith Mitchell ................................................66-65-69—200 Aaron Rai .......................................................67-65-68—200 Daniel Berger .................................................67-67-67—201 Chris Gotterup................................................67-69-65—201 Patton Kizzire ................................................69-66-66—201 Justin Lower...................................................66-69-66—201 Andrew Novak...............................................68-67-66—201 Adam Schenk ................................................66-67-68—201 Alex Smalley ..................................................65-69-67—201 Aaron Baddeley ............................................68-67-67—202 Jorge Campillo...............................................68-65-69—202 Nicolas Echavarria.........................................67-68-67—202 Luke List ........................................................67-69-66—202 Maverick McNealy.........................................67-67-68—202 Adam Scott ...................................................69-65-68—202 Taiga Semikawa............................................64-68-70—202 Rafael Campos..............................................67-67-69—203 Kevin Dougherty ...........................................66-68-69—203 High schools Baseball Bi-district playoffs Class 6A Region II Cypress Ranch vs. Klein Collins Game 1: Cy Ranch 1, Klein Collins 0 Game 2: Klein Collins 7, Cypress Ranch 4 Willis vs. Dekaney Game 1: Willis 8, Dekaney 1 Game 2: Willis 9, Dekaney 0 Tomball vs. Cypress Falls Game 1: Tomball 1, Cypress Falls 0 Game 2: Tomball 6, Cypress Falls 1 MacArthur vs. Grand Oaks Game 1: Grand Oaks 10, MacArthur 0 Game 2: Grand Oaks 6, MacArthur 0 Aldine vs. The Woodlands Game 1: The Woodlands 2, Aldine 0 Game 2: The Woodlands 2, Aldine 1 Klein Cain vs. Bridgeland Game 1: Bridgeland 3, Klein Cain 1 (9 inn.) Game 2: Bridgeland 3, Klein Cain 2 Oak Ridge vs. Spring Game 1: Oak Ridge 3, Spring 0 Game 2: Oak Ridge 4, Spring 0 Cypress Woods vs. Klein Oak Game 1: Klein Oak 2, Cy Woods 1 Game 2: Cypress Woods 3, Klein Oak 0 Game 3: Klein Oak 5, Cypress Woods 3 Region III Ridge Point vs. Katy Taylor Game 1: Ridge Point 6, Katy Taylor 5 Game 2: Ridge Point 3, Katy Taylor 1 Memorial vs. Westside Game 1: Memorial 10, Westside 0 Game 2: Memorial 11, Westside 0 Cinco Ranch vs. Elkins Game 1: Cinco Ranch 4, Elkins 0 Game 2: Cinco Ranch 12, Elkins 3 Bellaire vs. Stratford Game 1: Stratford 14, Bellaire 9 Game 2: Stratford 5, Bellaire 3 Clear Creek vs. Alvin Game 1: Clear Creek 7, Alvin 0 Game 2: Clear Creek 4, Alvin 0 Atascocita vs. Channelview Game 1: Channelview 7, Atascocita 6 Game 2: Atascocita 4, Channelview 3 Game 3: Atascocita 6, Channelview 2 Pearland vs. Clear Brook Game 1: Pearland 6, Clear Brook 2 Game 2: Pearland 4, Clear Brook 0 Dobie vs. Summer Creek Game 1: Dobie 10, Summer Creek 4 Game 2: Dobie 3, Summer Creek 0 Lamar vs. Jersey Village Game 1: Lamar 4, Jersey Village 1 Game 2: Jersey Village 7, Lamar 3 Game 3: Jersey Village 5, Lamar 3 Katy vs. Travis Game 1: Katy 4, Travis 1 Game 2: Katy 1, Travis 0 Cy-Fair vs. Heights Game 1: Cy-Fair 5, Heights 0 Game 2: Cy-Fair 12, Heights 1 George Ranch vs. Tompkins Game 1: George Ranch 11, Tompkins 8 Game 2: Tompkins 13, George Ranch 1 Game 3: Tompkins 6, George Ranch 5 Deer Park vs. North Shore Game 1: Deer Park 7, North Shore 1 Game 2: North Shore 5, Deer Park 4 Game 3: Late Dawson vs. Clear Falls Game 1: Clear Falls 5, Dawson 2 Game 2: Dawson 6, Clear Falls 5 Game 3 : Late Kingwood vs. Pasadena Memorial Game 1: Kingwood 3, Pasadena Memorial 2 Game 2: Kingwood 8, Pasadena Memorial 0 Clear Springs vs. Strake Jesuit Game 1: Strake Jesuit 7, Clear Spring 5 Game 2: Clear Springs 8, Strake Jesuit 0 Game 3: Clear Springs 6, Strake Jesuit 3 Class 5A Region II Whitehouse vs. Huntsville Game 1: Whitehouse 9, Huntsville 0 Game 2: Whitehouse 1, Huntsville 0 Hallsville vs. Kingwood Park Game 1: Kingwood Park 4, Hallsville 3 Game 2: Hallsville 4, Kingwood Park 3 Game 3: Hallsville 2, Kingwood Park 1 (11 inn.) Porter vs. Texarkana Texas Game 1: Porter 1, Texarkana Texas 0 Game 2: Porter 7, Texarkana Texas 3 Region III Fulshear vs. Houston Austin Game 1: Fulshear 8, Houston Austin 1 Game 2: Fulshear 16, Houston Austin 0 (5 inn.) Port Neches-Groves vs. La Porte Game 1: La Porte 5, Port Neches-Groves 3 Game 2: Port Neches-Groves 12, La Porte 2 Game 3: Port Neches-Groves 3, La Porte 1 Milby vs. Kempner Game 1: Milby 5, Kempner 2 Game 2: Milby 7, Kempner 0 Friendswood vs. Nederland Game 1: Friendswood 16, Nederland 1 Game 2: Friendswood 4, Nederland 3 Magnolia vs. Belton Game 1: Magnolia 13, Belton 0 Game 2: Magnolia 8, Belton 0 Shoemaker vs. Lake Creek Game 1: Lake Creek 1, Shoemaker 0 Game 2: Lake Creek 10, Shoemaker 0 Santa Fe vs. Crosby Game 1: Crosby 1, Sante Fe 0 Game 2: Santa Fe 5, Crosby 0 Game 3: Santa Fe 8, Crosby 0 Galena Park vs. Randle Game 1: Randle 6, Galena Park 5 Game 2: Galena Park 7, Randle 2 Game 3: Galena Park 6, Randle 1 Barbers Hill vs. Angleton Game 1: Barbers Hill 2, Angleton 1 Game 2: Barbers Hill 1, Angleton 0 Foster vs. Waltrip Game 1: Foster 10, Waltrip 1 Game 2: Foster 11, Waltrip 4 Lake Belton vs. Magnolia West Game 1: Magnolia West 3, Lake Belton 2 Game 2: Magnolia West 5, Lake Belton 4 Class 4A Region III Huffman-Hargrave vs. Silsbee Game 1: Huffman-Hargrave 7, Silsbee 4 Game 2: Late Game 3 (if needed): Late Bridge City vs. Liberty Game 1: Bridge City 7, Liberty 2 Game 2: Bridge City 5, Liberty 0 Mickey Leland vs. Giddings One-game playoff Giddings 20, Mickey Leland 2 (5 innings) Taylor vs. Scarborough One-game playoff Taylor 14, Scarborough 0 Livingston vs. Little Cypress-Mauriceville Game 1: Livingston 10, LCM 3 Game 2: Livingston 7, LCM 3 Caldwell vs. Washington One-game playoff Caldwell 31, Washington 4 Furr vs. La Grange One-game playoff La Grange 11, Furr 1 Region IV El Campo vs. Columbia One-game playoff El Campo 11, Columbia 6 Brazosport vs. Navasota Game 1: Navasota 4, Brazosport 1 Game 2: Navasota 10, Brazosport 5 Sweeny vs. Bellville Game 1: Sweeny 1, Bellville 0 Game 2: Sweeny 2, Bellville 0 Needville vs. Iowa Colony Game 1: Needville 6, Iowa Colony 2 Game 2: Needville 7, Iowa Colony 4 * — if necessary Softball Area playoffs Class 6A Region II Bridgeland vs. Conroe Game 1: Bridgeland 10, Conroe 0 (5 inn.) Game 2: Bridgeland 5, Conroe 3 Klein Oak vs. College Park One-game playoff Klein Oak 4, College Park 3 (9 inn.) The Woodlands vs. Klein Collins One-game playoff Klein Collins 8, The Woodlands 6 Oak Ridge vs. Waller One-game playoff Oak Ridge 11, Waller 9 Region III Cinco Ranch vs. Bellaire Game 1: Bellaire 2, Cinco Ranch 1 Game 2: Cinco Ranch 8, Bellaire 1 Game 3: Cinco Ranch 4, Bellaire 0 Katy vs. Chavez Game 1: Katy 15, Chavez 0 (3 inn.) Game 2: Katy 10, Chavez 0 (5 inn.) Brazoswood vs. Summer Creek Game 1: Brazoswood 2, Summer Creek 1 Game 2: Brazoswood 8, Summer Creek 0 Pearland vs. Atascocita Game 1: Pearland 5, Atascocita 2 Game 2: Atascocita 8, Pearland 6 Game 3: Pearland 11, Atascocita 1 (5 inn.) Heights vs. Katy Taylor One-game playoff Heights 2, Katy Taylor 0 Memorial vs. Tompkins Game 1: Memorial 7, Tompkins 3 Game 2: Memorial 6, Tompkins 0 Deer Park vs. Alvin One-game playoff Alvin 5, Deer Park 0 Kingwood vs. Clear Springs Game 1: Kingwood 12, Clear Springs 1 Game 2: Kingwood 5, Clear Springs 0 Class 5A Region II Huntsville vs. Melissa One-game playoff Melissa 5, Huntsville 1 Kingwood Park vs. Sherman Game 1: Sherman 5, Kingwood Park 4 Game 2: Kingwood Park 11, Sherman 0 (5 inn.) Game 3: Kingwood Park 5, Sherman 2 Region III Foster vs. Manvel Game 1: Foster 5, Manvel 0 Game 2: Manvel 4, Foster 2 Game 3: Foster 14, Manvel 2 (5 inn.) Galena Park vs. Friendswood Game 1: Friendswood 12, Galena Park 1 (5 inn.) Game 2: Friendswood 5, Galena Park 2 Bastrop vs. Lake Creek Game 1: Lake Creek 16, Bastrop 0 (3 inn.) Game 2: Lake Creek 10, Bastrop 0 (5 inn.) Nederland vs. Lamar Consolidated Game 1: Nederland 11, Lamar Consolidated 1 (6 inn.) Game 2: Lamar Consolidated 12, Nederland 0 (5 inn.) Game 3 : Nederland 6, Lamar Consolidated 2 Barbers Hill vs. Fulshear One-game playoff Barbers Hill 15, Fulshear 0 (4 inn.) Class 4A Region III Liberty vs. Henderson Game 1: Liberty 15, Henderson 0 (5 inn.) Game 2: Liberty 10, Henderson 1 (6 inn.) Region IV Cuero vs. Sealy Game 1: Sealy 7, Cuero 5 Game 2: Sealy 12, Cuero 8 Fredericksburg vs. El Campo Game 1: Fredericksburg 13, El Campo 4 Game 2: Fredericksburg 4, El Campo 3 Columbia vs. Davenport Game 1: Davenport 3, Columbia 0 Game 2: Columbia 8, Davenport 2 Game 3: Columbia 7, Davenport 6 (11 inn.) Needville vs. Gonzales One-game playoff Needville 2, Gonzales 0 * — if necessary Rugby MLR Western Conference W L D PF PA PTS Houston 7 1 0 257 177 34 Seattle 7 1 0 250 176 33 San Diego 5 3 0 182 184 26 Dallas 4 4 0 264 223 24 Utah 4 4 0 217 193 23 Los Angeles 1 6 1 165 256 12 Eastern Conference W L D PF PA PTS New England 6 2 0 256 165 29 Chicago 4 3 1 254 204 23 Nola 4 4 0 216 192 21 D.C. 2 4 2 183 224 16 Miami 2 6 0 189 215 12 Anthem RC 0 8 0 163 387 3 Friday’s result Seattle 29, Anthem 13 Saturday’s results Miami at Old Glory DC, late Houston at Utah, late Sunday’s games Chicago at New England, 11 a.m. Dallas at San Diego, 5 p.m. Soccer MLS Eastern Conference W L T Pts GF GA Inter Miami CF 7 2 3 24 32 18 Cincinnati 6 2 3 21 13 9 Toronto FC 6 4 1 19 14 14 New York 4 2 5 17 16 16 Columbus 3 1 6 15 12 9 New York City FC 4 4 2 14 11 10 Charlotte FC 4 5 2 14 12 13 Philadelphia 3 2 5 14 19 16 D.C. United 3 3 5 14 16 17 Atlanta 3 4 3 12 14 11 CF Montréal 3 4 3 12 13 20 Nashville 2 3 5 11 14 18 Chicago 2 4 4 10 11 18 Orlando City 2 5 3 9 11 18 New England 1 7 1 4 6 18 Western Conference W L T Pts GF GA Minnesota United 6 2 2 20 17 11 Real Salt Lake 5 2 3 18 17 9 LA Galaxy 5 2 3 18 21 17 Vancouver 5 2 2 17 18 10 Colorado 4 3 3 15 16 15 Austin FC 4 3 3 15 14 13 Los Angeles FC 4 4 3 15 19 19 Houston 4 4 2 14 9 10 St Louis City 2 1 7 13 15 14 Sporting Kansas City 2 3 5 11 18 18 Portland 2 5 4 10 20 23 Seattle 2 5 3 9 13 13 FC Dallas 2 6 2 8 10 15 San Jose 2 8 1 7 17 26 NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. Saturday’s results St Louis City 0, Houston 0, tie Minnesota 2, Atlanta 1 Charlotte FC 2, Portland 0 Philadelphia 2, D.C. United 2, tie Miami 6, New York 2 Cincinnati 1, Orlando City 0 San Jose 3, Los Angeles FC 1 Toronto FC 3, FC Dallas 1 Nashville 4, CF Montréal 1 New England at Chicago, late CF Montréal at Nashville, late Sporting Kansas City at Real Salt Lake, late Austin FC at Vancouver, late Sunday’s games Colorado at New York City FC, 3 p.m. LA Galaxy at Seattle, 5:45 p.m. NWSL W L T Pts GF GA Kansas City 5 0 1 16 20 11 Washington 5 2 0 15 15 9 Orlando 4 0 3 15 13 7 North Carolina 4 4 0 12 12 10 Portland 3 3 1 10 15 13 Chicago 3 3 1 10 9 10 Angel City 3 3 1 10 9 11 Louisville 1 0 5 8 10 6 Gotham FC 2 2 2 8 4 5 San Diego 2 3 1 7 56 Seattle 2 5 0 6 7 10 Bay FC 2 5 0 6 12 17 Houston 1 3 2 5 6 14 Utah Royals FC 1 5 1 4 5 13 NOTE: Three points for victory, one point for tie. Friday's results Angel City 2, Utah Royals FC 1 Seattle 2, San Diego 1 Saturday’s results Gotham FC 1, North Carolina 0 Washington at Portland, late Sunday’s games Kansas City at Houston, Noon Louisville at Orlando, 5 p.m. Chicago at Bay FC, 7 p.m. Tennis Mutua Madrid Open Saturday’s result At Madrid Championship Iga Swiatek (1), Poland, def. Aryna Sabalenka (2), Belarus, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (7). WTA L’Open 35 De Saint-Malo Saturday’s results At Saint-Malo, France Women’s singles Semifinals Chloe Paquet, France, def. Celine Naef, Switzerland, 6-3, 6-4. Lois Boisson, France, def. Alize Cornet (8), France, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Television Auto racing NASCAR Cup race from Kansas City, Kan. FS1 2 p.m. Auto racing Formula One: Race from Miami ABC 3 p.m. Bowling PBA: Playoffs (round 2) FS1 11 a.m. Col. baseball Pittsburgh at Notre Dame ACC 1 p.m. Col. baseball Oklahoma St. at Texas LHN 1 p.m. Col. baseball Mississippi at Auburn SEC 3 p.m. Col. lacrosse ACC (final): Notre Dame vs. Duke ACC 11 a.m. Col. lacrosse Patriot (final): Boston U. vs. Lehigh CBSSN 11 a.m. Col. lacrosse Ivy (final): Penn vs. Princeton ESPNU 11 a.m. Col. lacrosse NCAA Men's Selection Show ESPN2 8:30 p.m. Col. lacrosse America East (final): Binghamton at Albany (w) ESPNU 9 a.m. Col. lacrosse Women's Selection Show (w) ESPN2 8 p.m. Col. softball Georgia at Mississippi St. SEC 11 a.m. Col. softball Ohio St. at Michigan Big Ten noon Col. softball Texas A&M at Florida ESPN2 noon Col. softball Mississippi at Arkansas SEC 1 p.m. Col. softball Indiana at Northwestern Big Ten 2 p.m. Col. softball UCLA at Arizona St. Pac-12 2 p.m. Col. softball Oklahoma St. at Oklahoma ESPN2 3 p.m. Col. softball Oregon at Stanford Pac-12 4 p.m. Golf PGA: The Byron Nelson Golf CBS noon 2 p.m. Golf PGA Champions: Insperity Invitational Golf 2 p.m. Horse racing America’s Day at the Races FS2 1 p.m. Lacrosse NLL Playoffs: San Diego at Albany ESPNU 2 p.m. Lacrosse NLL Playoffs: Toronto at Buffalo ESPNU 4:30 p.m. MLB Detroit at N.Y. Yankees MLB 12:30 p.m. MLB Texas at Kansas City BSSW** 1 p.m. MLB Seattle at Astros SCHN 1 p.m. MLB Baltimore at Cincinnati MLB 3:30 p.m.* MLB San Francisco at Philadelphia ESPN 6 p.m. Motorcycle racing AMA Supercross: Round 16 from Denver NBC 3 p.m. NBA Eastern Conference (first round): Orlando at Cleveland (Game 7) ABC noon NHL Eastern Conference (semifinals): Carolina at N.Y. Rangers (Game 1) ESPN 3 p.m. NHL Western Conference (semifinals): Vegas at Dallas (Game 7) BSSW**, TBS 6:30 p.m. Rugby MLR: Chicago at New England FS2 11 a.m. Sailing Bermuda Grand Prix CBSSN 2 p.m. Soccer Premier: Aston Villa at Brighton & Hove Albion USA 8 a.m. Soccer MLS: L.A. Galaxy at Seattle FS1 5:30 p.m. Soccer Arsenal at Manchester City (w) CBSSN 8 a.m. Soccer NWSL: Kansas City at Dash CBS noon Tennis ATP-WTA: Madrid Open Tennis 8:30 a.m. Track & field World Relays CNBC 6 p.m. UFL Arlington at Michigan Fox noon UFL San Antonio at D.C. Fox 3 p.m. * Joined in progress; **Effective May 1, Xfinity no longer is carrying BSSW Radio MLB Seattle at Astros In Spanish 790 AM 93.3 FM, 1010 AM 1 p.m. MLB San Francisco at Philadelphia 92.5 FM, 97.5 FM 6 p.m. MiLB Space Cowboys at El Paso 92.5 FM 1 p.m. SCOREBOARD ON THE AIR

C10 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM HIGH SCHOOLS AUSTIN — Fort Bend Marshall senior William Mitchell was all smiles Friday night. The only thing brighter than his pearly whites? Maybe the three gold medals that were draped around his neck as he basked in the thrill of victory at Mike A. Myers Stadium. Mitchell and his teammates had just captured the UIL Class 5A track and field state championship and secured a three-peat for the Buffalos’ program. Marshall finished the night with 58 points, edging out a talented Red Oak (54) squad for the crown. Mitchell had every reason to cheese it up. “Three-peat is something crazy,” he said. Marshall became just the 12th boys program to win three consecutive state titles over the past 50 years of UIL competition. The Buffalos also moved into a tie for second on the alltime list with seven championships, matching Abeline, Lancaster and Munday. Marshall has won all of its titles since 2015 during coach Lloyd Banks’ dynastic run. “I’m very proud of the kids,” Banks said. “We came to the meet with only four races, and I told them it was going to be hard to pull it off. … All we can worry about is what’s on our plate. Just do the job we came to do, and everything else will fall into place. They worked their butts off, the kids are resilient, and I’m so proud of my babies, man. I really am.” The Buffalos started the evening with an emphatic victory in the 4x100-meter relay. The team of Myles Ratcliff, Devin Wilkerson, Mitchell and Kameron Williams clocked in at 39.88 seconds. According to MileSplit, that’s the third-fastest time in the country this year behind only Atascocita (38.92) and Duncanville (39.65). “It means a lot,” Williams said. “We came out to execute and dominate.” Dominate? Check. But Marshall didn’t stop there. Mitchell, a Texas State football signee, secured the Buffs’ second gold of the night, winning the 100 by running a 10.43. He became the first sprinter in Marshall’s storied history to win the event. “It means a lot to me,” he said. “I worked so hard — those late nights, early mornings, working on my craft, my technique. It really does mean everything to me. I just can’t really express my emotions right now because we won state. That’s the only thing that’s really on my mind.” The Buffs then doubled up on the relay points in 4x200 as Mitchell, Wilkerson, Ratcliff and Williams switched up their running order and clocked in at 1:24.92 to claim another gold. Mitchell was named co-athlete of the meet for his contributions. Marshall overtook Red Oak for the lead with a standout performance from freshman Jordan Riggs, who took silver in the 400 with a time of 47.55. “First state meet, it was good,” Riggs said. “It felt like a real accomplishment. I’m pretty proud of myself for what I did already as a freshman, so I’m looking forward to doing bigger and better.” Red Oak had a shot to overtake Marshall with a strong showing in the 4x400, but the Hawks finished sixth and only picked up two points. It was not enough, and the Buffs prevailed. History for Fulshear Alyssa Jones might be in her first year at Fulshear, but she’s already building quite the legacy. The junior sprinter made school history Friday, becoming the first state champion to don the Chargers’ purple and black. Jones, who previously attended Smithson Valley, north of San Antonio, came out of the gates on fire and won the 100 with a time of11.59. “It meant a lot because the 100 has never been my strong suit,” Jones said. “It’s normally been the (200), and even the (400). So it means a lot to come out in an event that I didn’t even do last year and still win. I think the way I won today was my faith and my race plan. I really, really focused on my race plan and doing what my coach said. I think that proved to be the difference.” Jones, who won four medals as sophomore, added to her haul in the 200. She earned the silver medal with a time of 23.71. She was narrowly edged out by Lancaster’s Saniyah Miller (23.52). Payne wins 2nd medal Laila Payne continues to shine a light on Carnegie Vanguard. The junior broke onto the scene last year, winning the first track and field state medal in the history of Houston ISD’s prestigious academics school. While she wasn’t able to defend her gold in the 300 hurdles this time around, Payne certainly didn’t view her silver as a disappointment. The opposite, in fact. “I think just to get to state this year, especially because of all the workload I had to get through and a couple of sicknesses, to me, that’s a big accomplishment in itself,” said Payne, who crossed the finish line at 42.17 seconds. “To get top three, that’s something that I’m really grateful for. It doesn’t matter what color (the medal) is to me. I put my best into this race.” Payne, who drives about 30 minutes out to the Memorial area for practice since Vanguard does not have a track on campus, was proud to represent her school and district once again. “I think it says that we can do things that are not just academically-based,” Payne said. “HISD and Carnegie Vanguard, we can get through all the obstacles we have.” Other area medalists The Houston area got off to a strong start with four gold medalists in the boys field events. Friendswood senior Brandon Schirck, throwing at his future home college venue, improved on his silver from a year ago, winning the shot put with a mark of 64 feet, 11 ⁄2 inches. Porter senior Cantrell Brooks became the first state champion from his school, winning the pole vault at15-6. Barbers Hill junior Jayden Thrower, a bronze medalist as a freshman, bounced back from missing the cut last year, winning the triple jump at 47-7. Galveston Ball senior Banks Goodmanson, another future Longhorns thrower, capped things off with a victory in the discus at185-9. Three other local athletes won medals in the girls field events. Kingwood Park junior Courtney Daniel captured the first medal of the day for the Houston area, taking bronze in the shot put with a throw of 45-5.75. Angleton senior Harlee Fonville got on the podium for a second straight year. After taking silver in the discus last year, she earned bronze this time around with a throw of149 feet. George Ranch sophomore Addison Omar, making her second state appearance, won her first medal and took silver in the wheelchair shot put with a throw of11-8. Lake Creek junior Hailey Johnson earned her second consecutive bronze in the 800, running 2:10.29. Magnolia senior Blake Holland earned silver in the 200, running 21.15. The Fort Bend Marshall girls took silver in the 4x200 relay as Morgan Hall, Jaden Small, Shanaje’ Cummings and Ciara Douglas posted a 1:38.21. TRACK AND FIELD STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS F.B. Marshall boys net 3-peat By Jon Poorman STAFF WRITER Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff photographer Myles Ratcliff, right, and Devin Wilkerson helped Fort Bend Marshall win gold in the 4x200-meter relay on Friday, propelling the Buffalos to their third straight Class 5A state championship and seventh all-time. Jones Payne Schirck Thrower Collin Turpin was steady on the mound and leaned on his defense Saturday afternoon at Klein High School as Klein Collins won Game 3 over Cypress Ranch 4-0. The Tigers advance to the area round for the second straight year and will meet Willis next week. THE WOODLANDS 2 ALDINE 1 The Mustangs played the Highlanders tight for a second straight day, but The Woodlands advanced with a bi-district series sweep Saturday. Region III STRATFORD 5, BELLAIRE 3 Stratford pitcher Caden Cooper stranded the bases loaded in the top of the seventh at the Spartans held on for the bidistrict series sweep at home Saturday. CLEAR CREEK 4, ALVIN 0 Following Tyler Austin’s no-hitter Friday night, Zach Clark struck out nine in a complete game two-hitter Saturday at Galveston Ball High School to sweep the Yellow Jackets. ATASCOCITA 6 CHANNELVIEW 2 After a Game 1 defeat Friday night, the Eagles evened the series before waking up Saturday and advancing on a Game 3 win at home. PEARLAND 4 CLEAR BROOK 0 No. 3 Pearland rode the arm of Jaden Barfield to the area round as the senior struck out nine in a shutout of Clear Brook on Saturday at home. DOBIE 3 SUMMER CREEK 0 Dobie got steady pitching from Aiden Sanchez and the defense behind him shined as Summer Creek couldn’t capitalize on eight hits. CLEAR SPRINGS 6 STRAKE JESUIT 3 Clear Springs dropped Game 1 and returned to take the next two, including Saturday’s game to take the bi-district series. JERSEY VILLAGE 5 LAMAR 3 Jersey Village (16-15) was led by Santi Becerra, who went 3-for-3 (double) with three RBIs. Josh Landa had two RBIs. Three Jersey Village pitchers combined on a five-hitter. Class 5A Region II PORTER 7 TEXARKANA TEXAS 3 After falling behind 3-0 through two innings, Jace Barron picked up the ball in relief and struck out six with two hits allowed over six innings. Region III SANTA FE 8, CROSBY 0 No. 6 Santa Fe was on the better end of the third shutout of this bi-district series as the Indians prevailed at home Saturday afternoon on the arm of Maddix Shedd. GALENA PARK 6, RANDLE 1 The Yellow Jackets dusted themselves off after a Game 1 loss to take the next two, including Saturday’s home tilt in the bi-district series finale Saturday at Manvel High School. BASEBALL BI-DISTRICT PLAYOFFS Klein Collins, Stratford advance to area round By Rob Tate STAFF WRITER For the second straight day, Cinco Ranch locked up Bellaire’s bats as the Cougars, the fourthplace finisher in District 19-6A, advanced to the regional quarterfinals for the second time in three years with a 4-0 Game 3 area round win at Cypress Lakes High School on Saturday afternoon. Savannah Henningson and Gaby Perez combined on the shutout for the Cougars (17-15). Cinco Ranch will face district rival Katy next week. KATY 10, CHAVEZ 0 (5) No. 1 Katy has scored double-digit runs in all four playoff games as it swept Chavez with a run-rule win at Cypress Park High School on Saturday. Camryn Harrison homered and totaled a team-high three RBIs for the Tigers (36-1-1). BRAZOSWOOD 8 SUMMER CREEK 0 Peyton Tanner struck out 15 in a no-hitter Saturday afternoon at Summer Creek as the Buccaneers advanced to the regional quarterfinals with a sweep. Turner walked three batters while throwing 112 pitches. Class 5A Region II KINGWOOD PARK 11-5 SHERMAN 0-2 After a tough way to end Friday night, Kingwood Park picked up two wins at Madisonville on Saturday to take the area round series against the Bearcat. The Panthers (24-11) are back in the third round for the first time in two years. Region III FOSTER 14, MANVEL 2 (5) After experiencing a Game 2 setback Friday night at Sweeny High School, the Falcons bounced back to pummel and eliminate Manvel in Game 3 of the area round series Saturday afternoon. NEDERLAND 6 LAMAR CONSOLIDATED 2 In a topsy-turvy series, the Bulldogs prevailed in Game 3 Saturday afternoon at Baytown Lee. Nederland (18-18) will face Barbers Hill next week. Class 4A Region IV COLUMBIA 8-7 DAVENPORT 2-6 Chandi Johnson’s double in the bottom of the 11th scored Katelynn Lewis as the Roughnecks picked up two wins Saturday at Weimar High School for the area round series. Class 3A Region III EAST BERNARD 8-6 KIRBYVILLE 2-0 The Brahmas felt like home at Anahuac on Saturday as it swept Kirbyville in two games in the area round. Region IV COLUMBUS 10, COTULLA 4 The Cardinals took the area round series sweep of Cotulla Saturday afternoon at Kenedy High School. SOFTBALL PLAYOFFS Cinco Ranch, Katy to meet in regional quarterfinals By Rob Tate STAFF WRITER

HOUSTONCHRONICLE ZE .COM • SUND ST AY, MAY 5, 2024 • SECTION G British director Fragrance Emmanuel Francique wasn’t sure what to expect when he first touched down in Houston last year. But the indie filmmaker from Leeds fell hard and fast for the Lone Star State’s largest city. “Ithink Houston’s got a lot of potential,” says Francique, who has made three short subjects here, with the first, “Bereaved: A Silent Scream,” released in March. “The scenery, location, production crew and actors. Houston is a prime place, most definitely.” He even went to the rodeo to see the Jonas Brothers. “I never thoughtI’d be stuffed in with 70,000 people singing away,” he recalled recently on the day before he was due to jet back to the U.K. “I’m considering relocating over here in the next year or so.” Francique isn’t the first European filmmaker to be seduced by Houston — French director Nicolas Peduzzi shot his 2022 film “Ghost Song,” starring local rapper OMB Bloodbath, here — and his enthusiasm just may be that of a newcomer dizzy on a high of queso and Karbach. Still, after years of Houston playing second fiddle to smaller cities, from Atlanta to Albuquerque, in terms of attracting film/TV projects, a less giddy version of his passion — one dampened by years of decline and disappointment — may be starting to ripple through the city’s filmmaking community. From the increase in the state budget for film incentives to the success of the Netflix series “Mo,” comedian Mo Amer’s love letter to Houston, and the potential offered by new soundstages in the city, there may be reasons for guarded optimism. But the city might find itself hamstrung by such long-running issues as a lack of behind-the-scenes craftspeople, an ill-defined national image and a less visible film culture that has kept it hidden in the long shadow of Austin, the state’s film capital. Texas plays catch-up In 2023, the state of Texas more than quadrupled the budget of its Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program for film, TV, video game and commercial production.It now has a pot of $200 million available over a two-year period for qualifying projects, as compared to the previous incarnation’s $45 million that was passed in 2021. The new budget makes Texas a bit more competitive with the likes of Georgia, New Mexico and Louisiana in landing film shoots. Two major soundstages, 204 Texas in Bastrop and Hill Country Studios in San Marcos, are now under construction.In Dallas, the South Side Studios soundstage complex is undergoing a multimillion dollar update in hopes of luring the movie industry. Filmmaker Taylor Sheridan, the man behind the “Yellowstone” franchise and the pride of the North Central Texas town of Cranfills Gap, is turning Fort Worth into Hollywood on the prairie. He has filmed two of his series, “1883” and “Lawmen: Bass Reeves,” in the city and is in the process of filming a third, “Landman,” starring Billy Bob Thornton, Jon Hamm and Demi Moore, there. Texas Monthly magazine has also gotten into the game, as editors are looking to turn stories from their archives into films/TV series, with roughly 50 projects sold or in development. Next up is the true-crime “Hit Man,” directed by Houstonian Richard Linklater and starring Texan Glen Powell as Gary Johnson, a teacher who moonlighted as a fake Houston hit man to help police uncover people looking to hire a killer. (It’s emblematic of Houston’s difficulty in landing film shoots that this very Houston-centric story, releasing theatrically May 24 and on Netflix June 7, was filmed in New Orleans.) Closer to home, the success of “Mo” follows on the heels of New York director Sean Baker coming to Texas City, Galveston and Port Arthur to make his 2021indie hit “Red Rocket” and the reality competition series “Top Chef” filming its 19th season here that same year. Houston-born filmmaker/ video music director Joseph Kahn, known for his work with Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and DJ Khaled, as well as the 2017 feature “Bodied,” has bucked the tradition of Houston directors (Linklater, Wes Anderson, Trey Edward Shults, Bassam Tariq) moving elsewhere by returning to H-town after many years in L.A. He is currently in post-production on a sciencefiction feature, “Ick,” which was shot locally last year. According to Alfred Cervantes, vice president and executive director of the city’s Houston Film Commission, even Sheridan has been gazing southward. “Some of those (Fort Worth) projects are looking around this region for certain elements of those productions,” he said. But this flowering “Texas Spring” for Lone Star State filmmaking could find itself withering in Houston unless certain issues are addressed. If he builds it, will they come? If anyone wants to shoot a big-budget, Marvel-style picture here, they are out of luck. Unlike Atlanta or Albuquerque, Houston doesn’t have the range of soundstages needed for such large productions. “It’s a chicken-and-egg problem,” said Paul Jensen, executive director of the Texas Media Production Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group. “It’s hard to warrant the investment associated with those major soundstages without enough production happening, and you can’t get enough production happening without those soundstages. All that being said, I am really encouraged by the amount of studio investment that’s happening in different places all across Texas.” Now, one of those places is Houston. Developer Al Kashani plans to turn a former furniture warehouse on Fondren on the west side into a space for two soundstages. Construction is expected to start in about six months and be completed in a year. “My goal is to keep Texas jobs in Texas,” Kashani said. “People don’t realize that when you are watching a show, those are jobs, and not all the money goes to the actors. Hotels, car rental. It’s going to be a net positive.” “And when you get the big movies, you get the smaller movies, too,” said Scott Brignac, director of the 2021 Houstonshot indie film “Playing God,” starring Alan Tudyk, Michael McKeon and Marc Menchaca. Back to the future Yet even if many soundstages suddenly materialized, the city has a long way to go to claw its way back to where it was in the ’70s through the ’90s, when such hit films as “Terms of Endearment,” “Robocop 2,” “Urban Cowboy,” “Apollo 13,” “Jason’s Lyric,” “Rushmore” and “Reality Bites” were made here. The region is wrestling with other issues. For some, it’s not about soundstages at all. “When we had a really great Universal Pictures; Courtesy photo; Gravitas Ventures; Orion Pictures Corp.; Netflix; Playing God LLC; Courtesy photo; Netflix Left to right, from top: Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon and Tom Hanks star in “Apollo 13”; Houston filmmaker Isaac Yowman; Khareem Ghuneim and Simren Lalani star in “Conception”; Peter Weller plays the title character in “Robocop 2”; Adria Arjona and Glen Powell star in Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man”; downtown Houston gets a starring role in the film “Playing God”; director Greg Carter, shown here on a film set, is working with students at the University of Houston to help build an industry here; the Houston-shot Netflix series “Mo” stars Mo Amer. WHEN HOLLYWOOD CALLS, WILL HOUSTON ANSWER? With promise of new soundstages and state incentives to film in Texas, it could be time for city’s close-up By Cary Darling STAFF WRITER Filmmaking continues on G2

G2 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM Features Editor Melissa Aguilar: features@chron.com industry here, we didn’t have studios either,” said Lynn Birdwell, a producer/director from Houston’s Bird House Productions. “It was all location-based. The Taylor Sheridan model is almost entirely location-based.” Many observers say Houston lags in this area because it is in a state that traditionally has not offered competitive incentive packages to movie productions. The city began to fall behind when other locales, including such countries as Canada and Australia and then such states as Louisiana, Georgia and New Mexico, started offering generous financial incentives for producers to film and bring jobs to their region. According to the state of Georgia, the film industry generated $4.1 billion in revenue for the Peach State in 2023. The result is that many films that were set in Texas — “Dallas Buyers Club,” “Hell or High Water” and “The Iron Claw” for instance — were filmed in other states. Houston producer Grant Guthrie (“Bill & Ted Face the Music”) says he rarely shoots in Texas for this reason. “As an independent filmmaker, I can get 20 to 25% of my budget covered with incentives,” he said. “A good deal of ‘Bill & Ted’ was shot on a stage in New Orleans, but we were there for the crews and the incentives, primarily the incentives. I’ve shot in North Carolina. I’ve shot in Ohio. I’ve shot in Connecticut. I’ve shot in New York. I’ve shot in L.A. I wish I could shoot in Texas.” Kahn shot “Ick” here mostly because he wanted to remain close to family, though it made little sense financially. “I really needed a tax incentive, and they did not provide one at all,” he said. “The thing that’s interesting about shooting (a film) is that you need two things: tax incentives and access to capital. The tax incentive was not available to me, and frankly, nobody in Texas wants to invest in anything but oil or real estate. So, it was pretty much a very lonely experience shooting here in Houston. There’s no other way to put it.” Houston falls even more behind because, unlike such other Texas metros as Dallas and San Antonio, it doesn’t offer any incentives of its own to supplement those of the state. Cervantes says that the city of Houston plans to announce its own incentive program soon but that Texas, a state with no income tax, finds it hard to compete with Georgia with its hefty tax incentive program. “People move to Texas because we don’t have a state income tax. And so we don’t have the transferable corporate tax certificate credit system to work with,” he said. “And so we have to educate our representatives on what we’re up against and then ask them for as much money as they can allocate to the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program to use as rebate grant money. So it’s a much tougher sell to our government than just those elusive corporate tax credits like they use in Georgia.” TXMPA’s Jensen says the benefits of the incentives reverberate beyond the movie industry itself. “It provides us an opportunity to tell our Texas stories,” he said. “We hate to see these iconic Texas movies being shot in New Mexico, Oklahoma or Louisiana. And I think Texas legislators are starting to wake up to that.” Not everyone is on board with incentives. The Austin socialjustice organization Every Texan has said that “film incentives have a mixed record of boosting economic activity. … Although boosters make extravagant claims of economic impact, independent analysis carried out in other states generally concludes that other state expenditures offer a better return on investment.” Crew cuts Even more detrimental is the lack of a deep pool of “belowthe-line” (behind-the-scenes) talent and access to equipment. If moviemakers want to film here, they often will have to import people or goods from another city, and that adds to the expense. “There’s a lack of infrastructure in Houston, specifically like something as simple as a prop house,” said Kahn. “If I want to decorate a set with props, normally in Hollywood, you go to a prop house and you can rent these things. … There’s no prop house here … so we have to ship everything from Austin.” Kahn says he also couldn’t find a location scout here, so he basically did it himself by using Airbnb. Indie filmmaker Michelle Mower (“The Never List”) agrees. “We don’t have a lot of support vendors. We only have one company in the city of Houston that rents production gear. … They have multiple gear houses in Austin and Dallas. … Then, of course, there are vendors like caterers and prop houses,” she said. “These are all essential parts of our industry … that we need here that we just don’t have anymore.” Corpus Christi-born director Jon Garcia (“Luz”) often finds himself in Houston because he has family here. He has contemplated shooting here but generally chooses to film in his current city of Portland, Ore. “It was hard to find crew there,” he said of Houston. “And the times I did work with some crew, it seemed like it was a lot of talented folks that just didn’t get the chance to work on a lot of features too often.” Many of the craftspeople who lived in Houston when there was more production work have moved away to greener pastures. But those who remain often are not available for local work because they are away on shoots in Austin, Los Angeles or elsewhere. “In the ’80s and ’90s, people could have a five-day-a-week job in the film industry and make good money in Houston in those days. Now, that is not possible,” said Birdwell. “My (location scout) daughter, her home address is still here in Houston, but she has been on the road with movies and TV shows for HBO, all the Taylor Sheridan shows, ‘Queen of the South.’ … Many, many projects and none of them here at all. This is where she grew up and trained as a commercial location scout but … for any upward mobility, she had to be away from here.” Lack of a film culture Others cite the lack of a large film culture in Houston. True, there are several well-curated festivals, such as the Houston Cinema Arts Festival and the Houston Latino Film Festival, and groups that promote film, such as the Southwest Alternate Media Project (SWAMP), Aurora Picture Show and Friends of the River Oaks Theatre, and art-house audiences for screenings at the Alamo Drafthouse, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston,14 Pews and Rice Cinema. These are the same people who presumably will show up for the soon-to-reopen River Oaks Theatre and perhaps Fifth Ward’s renovated DeLuxe Theater if more films are booked there. Still, there aren’t any galvanizing events that attract media attention, or out-of-state visitors and dollars in the way that South by Southwest and Fantastic Fest do in Austin or, to a lesser extent, the Dallas International Film Festival and Oak Cliff Film Festival do in North Texas. “If we had a major festival that had a lot of engagement and a lot of community, of course, I think that would be incredible,” said director Brignac. “I wish there was a little bit more of something to tie us together.” Tarun Verma, director of the 2022 Houston-set drama “Conception,” agrees that a festival could put Houston on the map. “A well known festival is crucial to establishing Houston as a beacon that champions for filmmakers and promotes the arts,” he said. “We have seen what film festivals have done for Dallas, and my hope is we get that type of investment here and grow Houston’s reputation and get filmmakers excited to bring their films to our H-town audience.” Director Jennifer Waldo (“Acid Test”), who also teaches filmmaking at Houston Community College, says that directors here often feel as if they work in silos. “Everybody has been kind of in their little sandboxes and not knowing what anybody else is doing,” she says, “because they are just so busy generating their own work.” Houston, the brand Another factor inhibiting luring production could be that the city doesn’t know how to sell itself to outsiders, says Jensen. “Austin is an auteur city where filmmakers can make their projects. And Dallas-Fort Worth, with Taylor Sheridan, there’s an iconic brand associated with that,” he said. “Look, Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the entire nation, and that should be a huge strength in attracting media production. And I think people really don’t understand that.” “Ultimately, we don’t need film. I think that’s the problem,” Verma said. “We have oil, gas, medical and these things make so much money for the city, and then the rodeo. … But when you look at Oklahoma, I remember asking the film commission there, ‘Why are you guys seeing this influx (of filming)?’ And he said, ‘We don’t really have a ton of signature industries the way Houston and Texas do. … We have to utilize entertainment, we need that money coming in here.’ ” Then, there is the national perception of Texas politics. There was talk in Hollywood of moving production away from states with abortion bans, which made some in the Georgia film industry nervous, though no massive exodus materialized. In Houston, Waldo says she had a California-based producer who was interested in being a part of her next film, planned to be set in Baytown, drop out because of the abortion ban in Texas. “He eventually passed because there had been a lot of news articles about Texas politics,” says Waldo, though she doesn’t view this as necessarily a canary-in-a-coal-mine moment for the local industry. “I remember when Georgia passed their ban, a lot of my L.A. friends were like, ‘Don’t work in Georgia.’ … But because the money was so much better, the incentives were so much better, it didn’t really hold much weight.” Garcia, whose films often deal with LGBTQ issues, says he has felt a little hesitance among some potential crew members. “It was a little bit foreign, like, ‘I’ve never worked on one.’ … We thought about filming in Texas, but it seemed to be problematic for some folks.” The good news Yet there are green shoots among the thistles and thorns. Houston is a virgin territory with plenty of space for those willing to be cinematic pioneers. One of them is Houston-born Isaac Yowman, co-director of Travis Scott’s “Look Mom, I Can Fly” documentary and who most recently directed “Rides & Hides,” a short made in conjunction with Adidas celebrating Black women in rodeo. He has lived in both Queens and Culver City but decided to return to Houston where he has opened IYO Art House space for photographers and filmmakers in Fifth Ward. “It’s very small, a micro version (of what we need),” he said. “A backlot where creators from films to photography to podcasts come through IYO Art House and create.” Cervantes points to a couple of other studio spaces that have opened in recent years: The Storyhive in the East End and Captiv Studios near Jersey Village, the latter billing itself as the city’s “largest video production studio.” Local colleges are also getting into the act. Producer/director Greg Carter, whose credits include the Houston-set series “5th Ward,” is a lecturer at the University of Houston’s Valenti School of Communication and is involved in getting a new graduate-level film certificate program off the ground there. “Which means we can give people specialized training in working in film as they earn the MBA or Ph.D. or whatever,” he said. “These are the things that we are hoping to do as we try to cultivate and grow this industry here.” Carter offered his students the chance to work on a professional film set when he made the 2021 VH1feature film “HipHop Family Christmas” here in Houston, with Jamie Foxx executive producing. Similarly, filmmaker Tyrone Dixon, a professor in the entertainment and recording industry management program at Texas Southern University, helped launch the production accounting certificate program where students learn to be production payroll accountants. “I think if we can get some people investing in training, then that would help build the infrastructure and that would bring a lot of awareness and opportunity to the city,” Dixon said. Part of what Kashani wants to do with his new soundstages is team with area colleges to train students in all areas of film/TV production. “The idea is that when the students graduate, they come in here and they train under someone who is a professional. … That looks pretty good on the résumé.” Brignac’s company is partnering with the family of the late actor Tyler Sanders (who starred in Brignac’s upcoming “Chasing Oslo”) to launch a program for young directors called Dear Filmmaker. In this program, an applicant’s script is turned into a film. “So, not only are we helping young filmmakers, but perhaps bringing an annual production here to Texas,” Brignac said. Oregon-based Garcia says Houston outpaces his current home in one way. “Houston has something that Portland doesn’t have, which is just money and industry,” he said. “They could really rev up and get some productions to Houston, if they wanted.” Then there’s the fact that Houston, unlike New York or LA, is terra incognita. It offers cityscapes that are largely unknown to most moviegoers worldwide and can be a blank slate. “I keep telling people that of all the places in Texas to shoot, Houston is actually the best,” said Kahn. “It’s better than Dallas and it’s better than Austin, specifically because it has a layout that is similar to Los Angeles. Downtown can replicate New York or L.A. pretty easily, and it’s an hour away from the beach.” Houston director Shawn Welling (“The Great American Action Hero”) appreciates the fact that, because there aren’t shoots happening on every corner, it can be easier to get access to unique locations. “I find people have been excited to have us as opposed to L.A. where it’s ‘Oh, it’s going to be $10,000 for the day to shoot here,’ ” he said. “A lot of people here (in Houston) are like, ‘Oh, we’d love to. Can you just give us a credit?’ They are very warm and welcoming because there is not an industry here that is oversaturated.” “I do feel like there’s potential here to be on that cutting edge because Houston does have a lot of start-up and entrepreneurial thinkers here,” said Waldo, who has noticed less siloing and more engagement among those in the film community lately. “If the industry in L.A. is suffering under the way things have been done, then maybe we should think of something new. I feel like there’s a lot of energy right now going on, which I think is very positive.” Kahn notes that the lower cost of living and housing should make Houston an ideal magnet for coastal craftspeople and filmmakers. “If you put the investment in that, you could actually have a great labor force, and that is really the key to filmmaking here,” he said. “If this town ever gets its (expletive) together and invests properly, you will have a real third coast.” But, if things don’t pan out, some will be ready to move. “I’ve been thinking about Austin,” said IYO Art House’s Yowman. “The Texas Film Commission is there. I’ve got some great friends there. South by Southwest is there. “Austin, I mean, that’s where the party is, right?” FILMMAKING From page G1 Courtesy photo Filmmaker Joseph Kahn directs a scene on the set of the Houston-shot film “Ick.” Courtesy photo Houston director Michelle Mower reviews a scene during filming of “The Never List.” Courtesy photo Houston-base director Tarun Verma says a film festival could help put the city on the map.

Tejano singer Elida Reyna was the entertainment at a quinceañera over the weekend. But she wasn’tthe only star power in the room. Reyna looked out from the stage to see Matthew McConaughey filming her performance with his phone. Unbeknownst to Reyna, the party was for McConaughey’s niece, Maggie McConaughey. Reyna shared a photo with a lengthy caption on Facebook after the event: “We had no idea who we’d be performing for last night! We were fortunate to play a private event for Matthew McConaughey’s niece last night. I didn’t ask for a pic because I didn’t want to impose. It was so cool to see him dancing and enjoying himself with his fam and dancing to ‘Prefiero Morir’ and more. What a treat!! You can tell he loves our Hispanic culture!! This is him recording us! Much love to him and his family we had a wonderful time!” Maggie McConaughey’s father is Rooster McConaughey, Matthew’s older brother. Rooster was born in Houston and is a businessman who has appeared on reality shows. The party was Saturday at La Hacienda Event Center in Midland. Donna Luna-Hernandez, who attended the quinceañera, said she knew McConaughey would be there, but Reyna and her band were a “nice surprise.” Reyna’s guitarist, Milo Rivas, was able to take a photo with McConaughey at the event and wrote that it was “super cool to see Matthew McConaughey and his family dancing to ‘Adicta,’ ” one of Reyna’s biggest hits. “They were all dancing to almost every song. They seemed to be a close family and showed how they love to embrace the Hispanic culture,” Rivas said. Matthew McConaughey, wife Camila Alves and their three children live in Austin. Reyna is a Grammy-winning singer who has released two dozen albums. Last year, she released the “Herencia de Una Reyna” EP. A photographer and videographer captured the party and puttogether a showcase video featuring scenes of Uncle Matthew and Reyna. “I did have a moment where I said to myself, ‘Wow,I’m performingElida Reyna y Avante’s music to Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey.’ Crazy,” Rivas said. “It’s definitely a bucket list item checked off for me.” Quinceañera attracts a famous Texas actor By Joey Guerra STAFF WRITER Photos courtesy of Milo Rivas Matthew McConaughey poses for a photo during his niece’s quinceañera. Reyna HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 G3 In theory, “The Fall Guy” may be former stuntman David Leitch’s loving tribute to stunt professionals, but in practice, it’s a demonstration of the importance of movie star charisma. Loosely based on the 1980s TV show that starred Lee Majors as a stuntman moonlighting as a bounty hunter, “The Fall Guy” orbits around one person with a planetary-sized screen presence, Ryan Gosling. Hair streaked with the remaining vestiges of his “Barbie” blond, the sun seems to rise and set based on where he directs his deep blue gaze, which is usually at his co-star, Emily Blunt. Working with these two screen supernovas, Leitch and writer Drew Pearce set up a cute workplace rom-com where the workplace happens to involve massive explosions and death-defying feats of physical peril. Colt Seavers (Gosling) is the cocky, charming stunt double of superstar Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Jody Moreno (Blunt) is the ambitious camera operator who dreams of directing her own films. Colt and Jody’s lighthearted fling, which involves making out in trailers and flirting over the walkie about spicy margaritas, is cut abruptly short when Colt suffers a serious accident performing a stunt and ghosts the industry — and Jody — during his recovery. When he turns up on the Australian set of Jody’s directorial debut (a sci-fi Western titled “Metal Storm”) some 18 months later, “The Fall Guy” displays all the hallmarks of a second-chance, enemies-to-lovers romance. A little work, a little play, a few car chases and explosions, kiss the girl, burn rubber into the sunset. Too bad they had to muck it all up with an overwrought murder mystery plonked in the middle of the plot. The televisual source material does involve our stuntman hunting bounty, so hunt bounty our hero Colt should, even though we’d rather hang around on set watching Jody work out her complex emotions about her ex by having him set on fire many times. Alas, he’s tasked by Diet Coke-swilling producer Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham, atrociously wigged) with the case of the missing movie star. Find Tom, save the movie, get the girl. Therein, Pearce’s script launches Colt down the rabbit hole of Tom’s wild recent past. He meets up with a drug dealer at a neon-lit club, fighting off heavies through a hefty dose of hallucinogenics. He battles a crew of baddies on the back of a speeding garbage truck while trying to make it to meet Jody for karaoke in time. What makes it funny is not the goofy, lowest common denominator humor that has become Leitch’s signature tone (see also: “Deadpool 2,” “Bullet Train”) but rather, Gosling’s efforts in spite of the material, the reluctance that he infuses into his performance. Colt’s just a tired, heartbroken man who would rather sob in his truck to Taylor Swift than beat anyone up, but by dint of his training and desire to help Jody achieve her dreams, he’ll do it, even if it kills him. What’s funny and charming are not the druggie jokes or the “edgy” topical humor or even the many, many movie references. What’s funny and charming is Blunt and Gosling bantering, the characters on the crew, the extras chiming in on their spats. Too bad we don’t get enough time to get to know them. The supporting characters are underwritten, and even our leads are thinly drawn on the page, their magnetism created by the sheer force that is Blunt and Gosling, combined. There’s a meta moment where Colt complains to his tormentors that it’s getting a little plot heavy, too much exposition, and it’s a comment on “The Fall Guy” itself, which goes on a little long, with too many twists and turns. The meta moments have their charms, but can feel a little cutesy. What feels real is the self-reflection in the moments on set, butLeitch frustratingly denies us, instead sending us skittering around the streets of Sydney. There’s a colorful, plasticky sheen to Leitch’s work that makes all the stunts pop but feel slightly unreal at the same time. Ergo, the primary visual appeal of the film is, of course, Gosling himself, who, with the help of his own stunt doubles, solidly muscles through the action, increasingly bloodied and battered. He’s built, but not superhuman, and as Colt, he’s just a man, lying in front of a girl, giving her a thumbs up that he’s OK, even when he’s hurting. This invulnerable ethos of the stunt professional lends itself well to the emotional core of the screenplay, and there are heartfelt moments that ring true among the bombast, thanks to the compelling actors who lend their powers to this otherwise undercooked script. What becomes apparent in “The Fall Guy” is that though stunts may make the movies exciting, it’s the stars who get you in your gut. ‘Fall Guy’ muscles through on power of Gosling, Blunt By Katie Walsh LOS ANGELES TIMES Universal Pictures Emily Blunt and Ryan Gosling play a couple in an on-again, off-again relationship in “The Fall Guy.” ‘THE FALL GUY’ Rated PG-13: action and violence, drug content and some strong language Running time: 126 minutes Where: Playing throughout Houston ★★★ (out of 5)

G4 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM FICTION 1. “Funny Story” by Emily Henry 2. “The Women” by Kristin Hannah 3. “A Calamity of Souls” by David Baldacci 4. “The Covenant of Water” by Abraham Verghese 5. “Fourth Wing” by Rebecca Yarros 6. “Iron Flame” by Rebecca Yarros 7. “Extinction” by Douglas Preston 8. “Table for Two” by Amor Towles 9. “The Familiar” by Leigh Bardugo 10. “The Paris Novel” by Ruth Reichl 11. “James” by Percival Everett 12. “Toxic Prey” by John Sanford 13. “The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store” by James McBride 14. “Lost Birds” by Anne Hillerman 15. “The #1 Lawyer” by Patterson/Allen NONFICTION 1. “The Anxious Generation” by Jonathan Haidt 2. “The Algebra of Wealth” by Scott Galloway 3. “Love Life” by Matthew Hussey 4. “The MeatEater Outdoor Cookbook” by Steven Rinella 5. “The Backyard Bird Chronicles” by Amy Tan 6. “An Unfinished Love Story” by Doris Kearns Goodwin 7. “House Rules” by Myquillyn Smith 8. “Love, Mom” by Nicole Saphier 9. “Shakespeare” by Judi Dench 10. “By the Time You Read This” by Kyrst/Simpkins 11. “Knife” by Salman Rushdie 12. “The Wide Wide Sea” Hampton Sides 13. “Mostly What God Does” by Savannah Guthrie 14. “Gay Science” by Rob Anderson 15. “Seriously, So Good” by Carissa Stanton Publishers Weekly BESTSELLERS BOOKS Amy Tan’s best-loved, bestselling novels were all, in one way or another, born at home. Books like “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Kitchen God’s Wife” grew out of the Chinese American author’s family life, turned to rich fiction by her elegant writing. Her charming new book, “The Backyard Bird Chronicles,” is nonfiction, a memoir about taking up two new pursuits when she was in her 60s: drawing and birding. And like her novels, this book centers on home. Just as her fiction has focused on family and personal relationships, in this book we see her interest in the dynamics of behavior — except this time the characters all wear feathers. Among Tan’s fondest childhood memories, she writes, is exploring a creek and woods near her family’s suburban home. But back then she looked down into the creek, not up into the trees, she says. At age 64, for the first time, she takes drawing lessons, then nature journaling field trips, with author and naturalist John Muir Laws. As they look at a bird, he tells them to “try to feel the life within it.” Tan writes, “For me that meant ‘Be the bird.’ That came naturally to me as a fiction writer. To feel the life of the story, I always imagine I am the character I am creating.” Tan enjoys the field trips, but she soon begins to realize that she literally lives among birds while she’s at home. She and her husband designed and built their home in Sausalito, Calif., to be open and airy, like a tree house. It’s surrounded, she writes, by “a paradise for many birds” with “four Pacific live oaks with overlapping canopies. … For the fussy bird that wants variety, we offer a birch, a dogwood, a Japanese maple, and a lush nectar-bearing fuchsia shrub as big as a tree.” Ivy and other vines, fruit trees, a succulent garden, herbs and flowers fill it in, and a rooftop garden is “a friendly habitat and food source for bees, butterflies, and birds.” So it’s no wonder that, as she begins to put up feeders, watch from various vantage points (including her bathroom window, whose ledge is a favorite bird hangout) and keep a journal of notes and sketches, she identifies more than 60 species of birds in her own yard. But she doesn’t just check them off on a life list. She observes them closely over months and years, noting the differences in plumage and coloration among fledglings, juveniles and adults, the changing behavior during mating season, nesting season and, for many of the birds, preparation for migrations as long as a thousand miles. And about those drawings: They’re one of the delights of the book, not only capturing the birds but illustrating Tan’s progress as an artist. In one section she lists her art supplies and the cabinets she buys to store them — a list that goes on for a couple of pages. “I know I will never use all of those art supplies. But I was gleeful buying all of it.” There are other backyard birding expenses, too. Most of her neighbors are songbirds, and most of them, she learns, love to eat mealworms. So she’s soon buying fresh mealworms by the thousands — wriggly little live critters with crispy exoskeletons that she has to sort by hand into feeding bowls for her eager tenants. “I rationalize the cost of mealworms,” she writes, “by calculating the amount of money I have saved by not having children. I would have been funding college tuition for grandkids by now. I can justify buying mealworms by the millions.” Like any backyard birdwatcher, Tan is engaged in an ongoing battle with squirrels. She buys some supposedly squirrel-proof feeders and builds her own; the squirrels laugh, with their cheeks full. She’s thrilled when she discovers that squirrels can’t stand hot sauce, but it doesn’t bother birds at all. Soon she’s dishing out “hotpepper suet and seeds that the squirrels hated.” Her tandem pursuits of arts and birds engage her, and during the pandemic they become a comfort she can enjoy safely. As a writer, they inspire in new ways her ability to find the larger meaning in an intimate canvas, this one mapped in inches. And she finds moments of magic. In the journal’s first entry, she writes about the childhood fantasy of having a wild creature eat from your hand. Despite her desire not to anthropomorphize birds, to honor wild boundaries, she can’t help the urge toward understanding them. Noting that tiny hummingbirds are often bold about approaching humans, she buys small handheld feeders, hoping to lure them but not holding out much hope. She sets one on a porch rail and watches from afar as the little birds quickly inspect and empty it. The next day, when she hears a hummer’s buzz, she holds the feeder on her palm. “Within ten seconds the hummingbird came over, landed on my hand, and immediately started feeding.” The next day he does it again. “Whatever his meaning, he had come back. We have a relationship. I am in love.” Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle Amy Tan has a new nonfiction book, “The Backyard Bird Chronicles.” Amy Tan takes wing in ‘Backyard Bird Chronicles’ By Colette Bancroft TAMPA BAY TIMES ‘THE BACKYARD BIRD CHRONICLES’ Written and illustrated by Amy Tan Knopf 320 pages, $35 Author is at home writing about and drawing her feathered friends

HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 G5 Divorcee wonders if any ‘good’ men are out there Dear Abby:I am sad thatI haven’t found a long-lasting husband. I’m divorced, and my previous relationships and marriage look like intentional hits. I’m not sure what brought this on. I’m in my 40s and I still would like a man in my life.The men I’ve met all seem to enjoy having their homes to themselves.It’s kind of frightening. Some female friends have told me that the good ones are already taken, so I’m waiting for a divorce to happen. Should I try online dating? Do you think I should reach out to another state for someone? Impatient InPennsylvania Dear Impatient: Stop waiting for a divorce to “happen” — those men have been burned and aren’tlikely to be candidates for marriage in the near future. Because an increasing number of matches are made via online dating sites, write a profile and postit on a couple that cater to mature adults, preferably who live relatively close by.If you meet someone, take things slowly and you may have better luck. Dear Abby: A few years ago, my parents gave me a beautiful piece of property and the opportunity to build a small house, mortgage-free.The problem is, during those few years,I married and started a family.We have now outgrown the house and are in desperate need of an upgrade. We’d like to sell the house and use the funds to buy something more accommodating. Adding on is not an option, as our funds are limited, and we could use the proceeds from the sale to buy something we won’t have to fix up. I don’t know how to break the news to my parents that we wantto sell. My father worked hard to provide this opportunity for me, and I don’t know how to say it. Any advice? In A Dilemma In Michigan Dear Dilemma: Tell your father you are grateful for the efortittook for him to give you the chance to own a home of your own.Then bite the bullet and point outthat since the house was built, your family has grown to the point thatit is no longer practical, so you would like to sell it and use the money to move to a larger place that can more comfortably accommodate your needs.To do that is not unreasonable or ungrateful. Dear Abby:Is it possible to lose your sense of humor because of a stroke?Before it happened, my dear sister was witty, fun-loving and the life of the party. She has recovered physically, but she no longer has a sense of humor. Everything is deadly serious to her now, and she doesn’t understand when someone is making a joke.I want her to “lighten up,” but I’m afraid this might be a result of her brain injury. Any insight? LaughingBy Myself Dear Laughing: What you have described could absolutely be related to your sister’s stroke.When it happened, certain areas of her brain were “disconnected.”This isn’t her fault, and telling her to “lighten up” will not improve the situation.Thank your higher power that she has recovered physically, keep your comments direct and literal, limit the jokes and you will both be more comfortable. Dear Miss Manners:While cleaning out my mom’s attic after she passed, I found love letters from my old girlfriends from 50 years ago — well before I married my wife of 40 years. I read the letters and then tossed them, as I really didn’t want my wife or kids to see them. I’ve had a great life, but have always held these women in my heart, as they were all special. Would it be inappropriate to send them a hello after all these years to see how they’re doing? There is no ulterior motive. On the other hand, I’m not sure how I’d respond if an old beau contacted my wife, hence my hesitation. By the way,I don’t do social media. Gentle Reader:Itis your own conscience — and not etiquette, Miss Manners assures you — that should determine whether or not you contact these women. Because etiquette will definitely not help get you out of trouble if you do. Dear Miss Manners: A close friend has entertained my spouse and me several times. She is a gracious hostess and often sets out her finest stemware and tableware. My spouse tends to be informal and prefers everyday dishes and glasses to crystal and fine china. My friend has requested that my husband not find his own beverage glass in her cupboard and instead use the ones she has placed on the drink table. I think this is a reasonable request.When I entertain, I like to use my finer party glasses and dishes, and I might be ofended if a guestinsisted on finding their own pieces in my kitchen cabinets. My husband says the hostess is being inflexible, but I think he is the inflexible one when he does not abide by her preferences. Is it rude of the guest to shun the host’s finery? Or is itthe host’s place to allow guests to use items from her kitchen because it suits their more casual tastes? Gentle Reader:Itis unimaginably rude for guests to rifle through their host’s cabinets. Doubly so ifthey think they are making a point about relative taste and formality. Since both you and your host have made your preferences clear, Miss Manners is reluctant to help out your husband.But against her better judgment, she will ofer that the only polite thing your husband could say would be, “I’m so afraid of breaking one of your beautiful glasses. Perhaps you have something sturdier for my clumsy hands.” Then it would be up to the host to procure one, if she truly thought her glasses were in danger.But as he already betrayed his true motive with this particular host,this tactic would have to be saved for the next one. Perhaps by then, you will have impressed upon him that his “I’m just a regular guy” attitude is not quite so endearing as he thinks. DEAR ABBY PUZZLE ANSWERS CROSSWORD KAKURO KENKEN SUDOKU ***** JUMBLE DEAR ABBY JUDITH MARTIN MISS MANNERS Today’s Birthday (May 5). You’re talkative, opinionated and highly energized. You’re also generous and care about others.This year is the last year of a nine-year cycle for you, which means it’s time to let go of whatever is holding you back, including people and places. It’s time to rethink your future. Moon Alert: There are no restrictions to shopping or important decisions today. The Moon is in Aries. Aries (March 21-April19) HHHH This is a strong day for you, because the Moon is in your sign making you more emotional, especially reacting to others. However, when the Moon is in your sign, your luck improves!Why not ask the universe for a favor? See what happens.Tonight: Maintain your possessions. Taurus (April 20-May 20) HHH This has been a powerful time with so many planets in your sign.That is why today, you might want to take it easy and grab some privacy and peace and quiet for yourself.Take a moment to regroup and re-energize before your new week begins. Tonight: You’re strong. Gemini (May 21-June 20) HHHH Emotional contact with your friends is important today. You feel more protective and supportive of someone.This might happen with an individual friend, or you might feel this with respect to a charitable group working for the benefit of others. Tonight: Enjoy your privacy. Cancer (June 21-July 22) HHH Today you might find it difficult to hide certain facts about yourself. Nevertheless, you will display more emotional sensitivity and empathy toward others.Tonight: Friendships. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) HHHH Today you want to break free from yourroutine. A chance to travel would be excellent. But you might study and take a mental journey as well. Meeting new people from other cultures will help you explore your world.Tonight: You’re admired. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) HHH Today you might desire something that belongs to someone else. You might feel possessive about property or something that holds memories from the past for you. Emotional encounters with others will be intense. Tonight: Explore! Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) HHH Guard against knee-jerk reactions to others, especially with partners and close friends.When the Moon is opposite your sign, it’s better to compromise and be ready to cooperate. Don’t look for trouble, because it will find you! Tonight: Check your finances. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) HHH Today you will feel gratified if you have an opportunity to perform a service for someone, especially a family member. You might help someone. Some will focus on issues related to home crafts and hobbies. Tonight: Cooperate. Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) HHHH This is a playful, fun-loving day! Romance is favored, along with sports events and fun activities with children. Relax and do your own thing. Grab any opportunity to express your creative urges.Tonight: Get organized. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.19) HHHH Today is an excellent day to retire to your own private place to escape the needs and demands of the outside world and have a pleasant,relaxing time at home or by yourself. You also might observe how much your habits control your life. Tonight: Play! Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.18) HHH Today you feel the need to talk to someone else at a gut level of communication about something. It’s important.This is why you won’t be satisfied with superficial conversation that many people will show you.Tonight: You want to get real. Pisces (Feb.19-March 20) HHH Today you might emotionally identify with your possessions. Or you might have to defend yourself in areas where you really have nothing at stake. Your focus on money, security and cash flow is strong.Take care of something important.Tonight: Discussions. King Features Syndicate The stars show the kind of day you’ll have: HHHHH Dynamic HHHH Positive HHH Average HH So-so H Difficult Visit Miss Manners at missmanners.com, where you can send her your questions. Andrews McMeel Syndication DearAbby.com Dear Abby P.O. Box 69440 Los Angeles, CA 90069 Andrews McMeel Syndication MISS MANNERS Discovery of old love letters led to bad ideas ROYAL STARS By Georgia Nicols, for Sunday, May 5, 2024

G6 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM On a recent trip to Castroville for a reunion, I met about a dozen family members at Blu Lacy Smokehouse for lunch. Being the appointed “barbecue guy,” I was tasked with ordering for adults and children alike, all with different tastes and interest levels in smoked meats. Talk about pressure. After making a few inquiries from family members that yielded suggestions that were all over the map, I sent the rest of the adults out to the bar to order drinks, and I forged ahead alone and approached the chopping block to place an order. Fortunately, Blu Lacy made it easy. On this weekend, when big groups are the norm, the top two menu items were “Family Meals” featuring 2 pounds each of pulled pork and chopped brisket, with a selection of large sides and house-made rolls. Together they would serve about 10 people. Perfect. I ordered a beef rib, a rack of pork ribs, some turkey and extra buns and sides to round out the selection. It made for an impressive presentation, and there were plenty of oohs and aahs when the trays were ceremonially placed on the table. After the obligatory photos were taken, everyone dug in. To my surprise, the most popular item on the tray was the chopped brisket. Parents scooped up a pile and dropped it in front of their children, who happily ate it along with a side of mac and cheese. Adults spooned the brisket on a toasty bun, added some sauce and pickles and created their own sandwich. I was happy to have the beef rib all to myself. Eventually, the group moved on to the other meats and sides, and the order turned out to be the perfect amount of food for the size of the group. My “barbecue guy” street cred remained intact. The episode did remind me of the differences between those of us who consider ourselves barbecue connoisseurs and those who are just occasional consumers of smoked meats. For connoisseurs, the mighty beef rib is arguably the pinnacle of Texas barbecue. But for a typical restaurant diner, the barbecue go-to is almost always the humble chopped brisket sandwich. That’s good news for pitmasters. Although many feel obligated to carry beef ribs on the menu to satisfy the Instagramfocused fanatics, this cut of beef offers effectively no profit margin. Chopped beef, specifically brisket, on the other hand, is both versatile and relatively profitable. When a pitmaster has briskets left over at the end of the day, he has a few options. He can sell the whole briskets before closing that day, refrigerate them and reheat the next day, or turn it into “chop” that can be used for baked potatoes or sandwiches. Indeed, some connoisseurs believe that chopped brisket mixed with a little barbecue sauce can be refrigerated overnight, tasting even better when reheated the next day. It’s the old technique of letting dishes like gumbo or chili marinate overnight so they taste even better later. Some barbecue joints offer just a pound of chopped brisket to go. Truth BBQ in Houston, for instance, has this as an online option that can then be picked up curbside. A barbecue-centric family could pick up a pound of chopped brisket at the beginning of the week and get at least three to four meals out of it. Think brisket tacos and sandwiches, brisket and rice, brisket and pasta and even a brisket-stuffed omelet. Sure, it’s hard to beat hamburger when it comes to cost and popularity, but when it comes to flexing your Texas barbecue bona fides, adding some chopped brisket to your weeknight meals will make the whole family happy. Chopped brisket shows off its versatility Photos by J.C. Reid/Contributor Looking to feed the entire family? Try a “Family Meal” at Blu Lacy Smokehouse in Castroville. BLU LACY SMOKEHOUSE 1303 Lorenzo, Castroville; 830-359-8720 Closed Mondays. TRUTH BBQ 110 S. Heights Blvd., Houston; 832-835-0001 Closed Mondays. J.C. Reid BBQ STATE OF MIND A pound of chopped brisket goes a long way at Truth BBQ.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 G7 GET CRACKING NOTE: Standing betweenyou and the score of a lifetime are the sevenlocks of this safe. After completing the puzzle,rotateeach dial 90 degrees,180 degrees or270 degrees tothe only other position that forms four valid crossword answers.The new letters in the12o’clock (circled) positions will spell out an appropriateexclamation. ACROSS 1 Staff symbol 6 Itemsonthebacks of some Jeeps 13 Testpilot’sattire 18 Bedridden 20 Creditor, inlegalese 21 Champion boxer Errol ____ Jr. 22 Onceor twice 23 LikeMary Shelley whenshe wrote “Frankenstein” 24 Marketing expenditure 25 Bearing 26 Natural sourceof rubber 27 County that’shome totheWhite Cliffs ofDover 28 Unimpressed 29 Sheetunderatent 30 Sharppain 31 Major vessel 32 Chinese ____ (bonsai choice) 34 Rhyme for “away” in“Have Yourself aMerry Little Christmas” 35 AgentDeirdre Beaubeirdre’s org. in“Everything Everywhere Allat Once” 37 No.onarésumé 38 Ewes’guys 40 “Invisiblehand” subj. 42 Quattroequattro 44 Presidentduringthe Mexican-American War 45 Ice-creamshop employee,e.g. 47 Shakespearean misanthrope 51 Small Southwestern birdsof prey 53 “TheHarlequin’s Carnival”painter 54 Nickname fora Britishrelative 55 Brouhahas 56 Buds 59 Ben whostarredin Broadway’s “Dear EvanHansen” 61 Role forMichelle Williams in“The Fabelmans” 65 Wordleplayer’s pride 66 “Who,me?” 67 Partner ship? 68 Belief 69 “____magic!” 71 Titlepigof kids’TV 74 Schmear topper 75 Annoying bot 79 Theyhave the Guinnessdistinction of Longest Running FanClubforaGroup 80 Work like the devil? 84 “Who,me?” response 86 Pixy Stix containers 88 Carpentry vise 91 ____ service 92 Percivalof legend, forone 93 Mystical Buddhist text 97 Minecraft material 98 Cooper’s tool 100 Folder flap 102 End ofasports movie,often 103 Advance 104 Block (up) 105 Some four-year degs. 107 Letters that sound outasentence 108 First-rate 109 Playfulhit 111 Speculative fictionsubgenre that envisionsa sustainable-energy future 115 Limitednumber 116 Bitter-tastingsalad ingredient 119 Funfacts 120 Sophisticated 122 Farmmachine 123 Frenchformof “Stephen” 124 Area51 sighting 125 “C’mon, you’lllove it!” 126 “And____ ...” 127 Celebrationinlate Januaryor early February 128 Tweaks DOWN 1 Ascends withone’s handsandfeet 2 Escalade,e.g. 3 Blanks’opposite 4 Shangri-las 5 Hairof thedog 6 “See yalater” 7 Notnormal 8 Likebeachtowns in the winter 9 Cannes subject 10 Tennisgreat knownas “the Punisher” 11 Formernameof the electron 12 Ignore,asa shortcoming 13 Applicationfig. 14 Casiorival 15 Shorehazard 16 “Thatmuchis obvious” 17 Speeches withan 18-minute limit 19 Channel withon-air fund-raising 21 Mole,e.g. 33 Taunt 36 Shoutatanauction 39 1916 battle site,with “the” 41 Boast 43 Blue-green 44 Hypothesize 46 Cityonthe Arno 48 Takingtheplace(of) 49 “Here’s lookingat you, kid”? 50 Likeoldaudiobooks 52 Why someapp users check their notifications constantly, for short 56 Several CBS dramas 57 Link letters 58 ____Major 59 Classroomsurprise 60 Passageofaplanet acrossastar,e.g. 62 Notedexportof Portugal 63 Commonfield-trip destinations 64 “Need YouTonight” band,1987 70 Blubber 72 Stew tidbit 73 E.M.T.’s technique 76 One-namedsinger on1998’s “Ghetto Supastar” 77 Distracted Boyfriend,e.g. 78 Oneof Eleven’s powerson“Stranger Things” 81 ____milk 82 Giftonthe seventh dayof Christmas 83 Mr.Burns supposedly receivedthe second one everon“The Simpsons”: Abbr. 85 WhatTomand Daisy embody in “TheGreatGatsby” 87 Gift foranaspiring conductor 88 Lastname inlatenight 89 Ol’BlueEyes,e.g. 90 Quadrennial occurrence 94 Districtattorney turned Batman foe 95 Ethylenegas, to tomatoes 96 Key components 98 Somebatteries 99 Ginormous 101 ____ choy 105 Throw inthe towel 106 Didn’t save 110 Appliance thatmay self-clean 112 Renaissance instrument 113 ____ Reader 114 Kind of tradition 117 N.Y.S.E.debut 118 Afore 120 Lettersonthe Saturn V rocket 121 Protester’s word KENKEN Every box will contain a number 1 to 6. Do not repeat a number in any row or column. The numbers in each heavily outlined set of squares must combine to produce the target number found in the top left corner of that set using the mathematical operation indicated. CHALLENGING KenKen® is a registered trademark of Nextoy, LLC. ©2024 KenKen Puzzle LLC. All rights reserved. Dist. by UFS, Inc. www.kenken.com ©2024 King Features KAKURO Complete the grid so that each series of horizontal cells adds up to the number to the left of it, and each series of vertical cells adds up to the number above it. Use only the numbers 1 to 9. A number cannot be used more than once in a series. SUDOKU Fill the empty squares so that each row, column and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 to 9. DIFFICULTY LEVEL ***** ffolio ©2024 New York Times 5/5 By Michael Schlossberg SUNDAY CROSSWORD: /Edited By Will Shortz 1961: Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. became America’s first space traveler as he made a 15-minute suborbital flight aboard Mercury capsule Freedom 7. 1925: schoolteacher John T. Scopes was charged in Tennessee with violating a state law that prohibited teaching the theory of evolution. (Scopes was found guilty, but his conviction was later set aside.) Actor Michael Murphy is 86. Comedian-actor Michael Palin is 81. Actor John Rhys-Davies is 80. Rock correspondent Kurt Loder is 79. Rock musician Bill Ward (Black Sabbath) is 76. Actor Melinda Culea is 69. Actor Lisa Eilbacher is 67. Former broadcast journalist John Miller is 66. Broadcast journalist Brian Williams is 65. R&B singer Raheem DeVaughn is 49. Actor Santiago Cabrera is 46. LOOKING BACK BIRTHDAYS All times Central. Start times can vary based on cable/satellite provider. Confirm times on your on-screen guide. Into the Wild Frontier INSP, 5 p.m. Season Finale Season 4 of this Western docudrama series concludes with “John Mullan: Roadbuilder of the West.” Young Army ofcer John Mullan heads west to help establish an important wagon route through the Northern Rockies. But before he can build his road, Mullan must survive the hardships of the frontier and a dangerous encounter with Yakima warriors. The RealHousewives ofNew Jersey Bravo, 7 p.m. Season Premiere The Garden State gang enters Season 14 with a whole bunch of family drama for sistersin-law Teresa Giudice and Melissa Gorga (there’s no way they laid their feud to rest that quickly!), plus the rest of the done-up ladies. Somehow, they still have the energy to annoy one another after all this time. The Equalizer CBS, 7 p.m. McCall (Queen Latifah) races to help Dante and Big Ben (Tory Kittles and Danny Johnson) after they are ambushed by a group of suspicious attackers in the new episode “Condemned.” The Simpsons FOX, 7 p.m. Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) comes upon a surprising windfall and spends it secretly on herself in the new episode “The Tell-Tale Pants.” Krapopolis FOX, 7:30 p.m. Tyrannis (voice of Richard Ayoade) tasks Shlub (Matt Berry) with procuring olive oil for Krapopolis in the new episode “Olive Oil Crisis.” WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures A&E, 8 p.m. As a 14-time world champion, Triple H’s career in sports entertainment spans decades. And now that Booker T is leading this mission of paying tribute to treasures within the wrestling community, Triple H is essential. With the legend’s wish list in hand, Booker hits the road with Mick Foley and Lita in search of items representing the three distinct eras of Triple H’s run: his debut character, his time in DX and his time as “The Game.” Tracker CBS, 8 p.m. In the new episode “Beyond the Campus Walls,” Colter’s (Justin Hartley) search for a missing grad student leads to the discovery of a dangerous conspiracy on campus. People Magazine Investigates: Surviving a Serial Killer Investigation Discovery, 8 p.m. New Series In this six-part true-crime docuseries, survivors take back the narrative by sharing the disturbing yet empowering accounts of how they escaped the clutches of a serial killer. Tonight’s series premiere tells the story of killer Rodney Alcala, who appeared on a popular dating show in the middle of his murder spree. Known as “The Dating Game Killer,” Alcala is believed to have 80 to 120 victims spanning from California to New Hampshire. This series brings together the untold story of teenage survivor Morgan Rowan, who was attacked by Alcala in 1965. MaryLand PBS, 8 p.m. New Series This three-episode drama follows estranged sisters Becca (Suranne Jones, who co-created the series with Anne-Marie O’Connor) and Rosaline (Eve Best), who are thrown back together by the sudden death of their mother, Mary (Judy Clifton). They learn that she was living an entirely secret life on the Isle of Man, far from her home with Richard (George Costigan), her husband and Becca and Rosaline’s father. As the sisters navigate their grief and discover their mother’s secrets, they meet Mary’s quirky friend Cathy (Stockard Channing), who seems to know more about their mother than they do. Grimsburg FOX, 8:30 p.m. In an attempt to become immortal, Marvin (voice of Jon Hamm) drinks a special potion that rapidly reverses the aging process in the new episode “Younger Games.” CSI: Vegas CBS, 9 p.m. The CSI team investigates when a plastinated nervous system is found hanging above a local car dealership in the new episode “The Artist Is Present.” SUNDAY May 5, 2024 ITV / PBS ‘MaryLand’ What to watch Directed by Raoul Walsh TCM, beginning at 7 p.m. Two classics directed by Raoul Walsh are presented in tonight’s double feature. First up is The Big Trail (1930), one of the many Westerns helmed by Walsh. This one is especially notable for a few reasons: It was one of the earliest widescreen films, shot using a 70mm process of that era, and it is led by a 23-year-old John Wayne in his first starring role. After that comes Walsh’s CATCHA CLASSIC EVERETT COLLECTION 1949 film noir/gangster classic White Heat (pictured), starring James Cagney, Virginia Mayo and Edmond O’Brien.

G8 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM you’ll miss “No. 7” (1992), hammer among other found objects, including a wood door. Other highlights include Richard Serra’s “Triangle Belt Piece” (1967), an anonymous, promised gift that took inspiration from the 3D quality of Jackson Pollock’s drip paintings. Sharing the wall is Walter de Maria’s poetic wood and graphite “In This Box Is Contained the Spirit of a Young Man’s Heart” (1964). The next gallery belongs alone to Houston resident and Rice University professor Leslie Hewitt. She is one of two artists who were invited to self-install their work; in this case, “Untitled (Where Paths Meet, Turn Away, Then Align Again)" (2012) in sheet metal and powder coating. “Each one is the same size and dimension but folded and aligned to be very different in this space,” shared Montana. White adds that each sheets’ whiteness and blankness invites the viewer to consider whose voices and perspectives have been left out of history pages. The next room is all about capturing light. Dorothy Hood’s commanding “Clouds” (1970) was commissioned by Jane Blaffer Owen and previously hung over a pingpong table for several years. Zarina’s “Veil” (2011), gold leaf on bamboo blinds, andMona Hatoum’s “Turbulence (black)" (2014), black glass marbles, are also of note. A gallery to the east is dedicated to works on paper. “It shows how much we’ve been collecting since the Menil Drawing Institute opened in 2018,” Montana said. Agnes Denes’ showstopping “Citadel for the Inner City — The Glass Wall” (1980) is made entirely of silver ink rectangles, drawn at 90-degree angles, across 16 feet of vellum paper. The shapes bend or disappear altogether when walking the piece lengthwise. Montana shares that she’s especially proud of the “visual rhymes” in the next room, which is focused on artists’ interpretation of basic forms, which constitute abstraction. Find Ellsworth Kelly’s “Rouleau Bleu” (1951), on unstretched cotton canvas from a piece of awning found by the artist in Paris, and Bruce Nauman’s “Model for Underground Tunnel Made From Half Circle, Half Square, and Half Triangle” (1981), here. White suggests the artist intended the latter to be viewed like a mobile, at eye level. The finale gallery, installed by 82-year-old Richard Tuttle, is a fun house moment.Blink and More often than not, museum exhibitions celebrate the work of a singular artist, theme or collector. With “Abstraction After Modernism: Recent Acquisitions,” the Menil Collection celebrates itself, in a way. Here, six galleries highlight a central artist or theme, with special attention given to progressive, local collectors. They range from thought-provoking to playful. Extra consideration was paid in anticipation to how bodies would move throughout the spaces. These are rooms worth scanning from top to bottom. No corner, nook or cranny are off-limits — Easter eggs abound in unexpected places. “The big idea of this show is that it all came from the collection and spans the past 15 years, which in the museum world means recent acquisitions,” explained senior curator Michelle White. “We were thinking about abstraction in the second half of the 20th century. Artists are still interested in using abstraction as a tool.” The exhibition, on display in the main building through Aug. 25, opens with “Untitled” (2020) by Rick Lowe, a colorful acrylic and paper collage on canvas. “Houstonians know his work at Project Row Houses, which he co-founded,” said Kelly Montana, assistant curator for the Menil Drawing Institute. “This showcases a return to painting and the game of dominoes.” Next, White encourages visitors to turn around and take in “Cobalt” (2017) by Terry Winters, a series of circles within oil, wax and resin on canvas. She hints that it’s “really cool” to see how the composition takes flight from a distance. Positioned opposite from the show’s entrance, each exit guarantees a chance to experience what White is winking at. The first gallery pays homage to everyday objects. On the far right wall are four works by Sam Gilliam, who passed away in 2022 after famously helping organizers John de Menil and PeterBradley bring “The De Luxe Show” to Fifth Ward in 1971. Back then, their introduction of contemporary art into a lowincome, Black community became one of the first racially integrated exhibitions in the U.S. In “Abstraction After Modernism,” Gilliam’s “Jail Jungle” (1973), “Untitled” (1973) and “Mister Van Der Zee” (1974) feature textiles so heavily laden with paint, they’ve essentially become solid objects suspended on — or over — garment hangers. The latter, with its camera, is a portrait of sorts. Nearby, Gilliam’s “Composed (formerly ‘Dark As I Am’)" (1968-74) disguises denim overalls and a color-blocked paint and staples on wood and cardboard with graphite line tucked mischievously in the door jam. White can’t recall any work displayed in that area, or any similar, over her 18 year tenure with the Menil. All nine paintings, drawings and sculptures in this room are his. Even the bright spotlights, which aren’t directed where viewers might expect, are part of his vision. “It’s fun and playful, but also incredibly deliberate,” Montana said. By Amber Elliott STAFF WRITERS Photos by Kirk Sides/Staff photographer Menil Collection assistant curator Kelly Montana, left, and senior curator Michelle White, right, provide commentary on “Composed (formerly Dark As I Am)” by Sam Gilliam on display as part of the “Abstraction After Modernism: Recent Acquisitions” exhibition. Montana, right, provides commentary on “Yet 2” by Roni Horn, center, and “Citadel for the Inner City — The Glass Wall” by Agnes Denes, far right, on display in the exhibition. 'ABSTRACTION AFTER MODERNISM: RECENT ACQUISITIONS' When: Through Aug. 25 Where: Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross Details: Free; menil.org Artist Leslie Hewitt stands near her work, “Untitled (Where Paths Meet, Turn Away, Then Align Again),” a work in sheet metal and powder coating that she self-installed in the exhibit. Menil draws from within in ‘Abstraction’ “Cobalt” by Terry Winters features a series of circles within oil, wax and resin on canvas.

Charmeshia Allen Houston Methodist West Hospital Dora Barrows Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center Christofer Bibal University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Bindu George Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center Derek Curtis Harris Health - Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital Michelle Stuart Gomez HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center Nicole Harrison TIRR Memorial Hermann Mechele Jenkins Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital Carol Laurents Houston Methodist Sindhu Joseph Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center CristinaMartin Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Cristina Montalban-Dimafiles Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center Sharon Staton Texas Children’s Hospital Seena Thomas Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center Jessica Sutterfield Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM CUSTOM PUBLISHING SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 Houston Chronicle: Celebrating nursing excellence for 25 years This year, the American Nurses Association is celebrating the theme, “Nurses Make the Difference,” and back in 2000 during National Nurses Week May 6-12, the Houston Chronicle first asked its readers to nominate nurses who had exhibited incredible compassion for patients at bedside, who had supported their teams night and day, and nurses who have equipped future nurses in the classroom, among many other areas. By Alice Adams | FREELANCE WRITER For example, one year,the HoustonChronicle saluted a nurse who donated a kidney to a coworker needing a transplant. After Hurricane Katrina, another nurse opened her home to a senior patient who losttheir home in New Orleans. As nurses embraced new technology everywhere,from bedside care to robotics in the operating room as they transitioned to the electronic medical record,they never forgot the needs ofthe patients they cared for – from simply holding a patient’s hand for comfortto reuniting a senior patient with an estranged child to planning a wedding for a terminally ill patient who passed away soon after. Without exception, every nurse selected for theTop 10 Nurses — then theTop 15 Nurses — showed their love for what they do, would not have chosen any other career because it was a “calling,” and justfelt blessed to be doing whatthey do. Every year, generous Houstonarea health care organizations have partnered with the Houston Chronicle to support Salute to Nurses, with 2024 sponsors including Houston Methodist asPresenting Sponsor, and the Diamond Sponsor, UTPhysicians. Andrea Harrow, DNP, RN, FACHE,CENP, VicePresident andChief Nursing Ofcer, Houston MethodistClear Lake Hospital, said Houston Methodist nurse leaders embody the ICAREvalues of the organization. “We teach them the skills but hire for the compassion in patient care and engagement ofthe employees,” she said. Nursing careers have evolved with the ever-changing health care landscape, with many ofthe “2024 Salute” nominees being nurse leaders.They inspire and influence others to achieve their maximum potential.They draw upon criticalthinking skills, incorporate a variety of management styles and blend leadership with soft skills. Harrow said, “The shortage of nurses has brought on many challenges for nursing leaders. Our leaders mustthink diferently today than they did in the past. Retaining the nurses is a top priority, and this can be accomplished by innovative thinking. “They must balance their day engaging with their team while executing strategic initiatives. Personal connections are predictors of staf retention. Leaders connected with their teams experience low turnover. At Houston MethodistClear Lake,the expectation is to have a face-to-face meeting with each employee to stay in touch with what’s going on with the employee and supporttheir growth and development.” Nurse leaders make a diference in their workplace cultures.When a team admires their leader,this boosts morale and promotes a safe and positive workplace, leading to higher job satisfaction and retention rates. Indeed among the key components ofthe profession for all nurses — and celebrated during National NursesWeek — are morale and job satisfaction, which contribute to nursing care excellence. Nurse Manager LaurenCantu, BSN, RN, and Robin Riggs,MSN, RN,CEN, Assistant Director of Nursing, said they believe recognizing the hard work of the nurses at UTPhysicians is essential.Cantu and Riggs lead the UTPhysicians Nurse Help Line, a staf of 34 nurses who answer nearly 200,000 calls per year. “Our nurses work remotely, and while they work autonomously, once they triage a telehealth patient,they are supported by a large network of specialists,” Riggs said. “Our nurses are motivated to give their best, so our weekly team meetings make a big impression and bond as teams. Nurses like the autonomy oftheir practices, and their teams are cohesive and communicate virtually with us and each other.” Cantu said, “This creates more camaraderie, more cohesiveness and more collaboration. During a suicide call,for example, while one team member is speaking with the caller, another nurse can be contacting a first responder – and stays on the phone untilthey speak to the police.” “We believe our program is the gold standard oftelemedicine,” the veteran nurses stated. Hospitals are like small cities, requiring talented health care professionals to provide the proper care of every patient, whatever their needs. On Florence Nightingale’s 204th birthday during NursesWeek, we salute every nurse making a diference in greater Houston. Nurse leaders make the diference in their workplace cultures. Top 15 continues on H2

Year after year, area hospitals, clinics, schools and patients are moved to offer recognition to the most dedicated, caring nurses in the local health care community. The Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses Top 15 Nurses were selected by a panel of educators, professionals and leaders in the field for their work. “Nurses are and have been always been at the forefront of dedicated health care in the greater Houston area, and the last several years have only elevated the importance of how these professionals deliver outstanding, compassionate care,” said Nancy Meyer, Publisher and President at the Houston Chronicle. “During our Salute to Nurses event, we highlight more than 200 local nurses. And through HoustonChronicle.com, as well as a special Sunday section reaching more than 1.1 million readers, we share their stories while celebrating an elite group of Top 15 Nurses. We are honored to recognize these local nurses. Not only have they made a difference in the lives of patients and their families, but in our community as a whole. They are truly deserving of our thanks and appreciation.” A meaningful celebration luncheon was held on Thursday, May 2, at the Royal Sonesta by the Houston Chronicle. The Top 15 Nurses were presented a personalized award and a $250 gift card, and three area nursing students each received a $3,000 scholarship and award. The welcome was given by Nicole Twine, VP and CNO of Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, with opening remarks by Kimberly Alleman, UT Physicians CNO, and Ryan Kedzierski, Advertising Senior VP, Houston Chronicle. During the awards presentation, Sheila Ford, San Jacinto College’s Associate Degree in Nursing Department Chair, presented the scholarship awards, and Kedzierski handed out the Top 15 Nurses’ awards. This annual event is held around National Nurses Week, May 6-12, which ends on the important birthday of “nursing founder” Florence Nightingale on May 12. Additionally, as a special thank-you, each Top 15 Nurse will receive an mp3 with their name inserted into the song “Compassionate Combat” by Susan Gibson, the BMI Writer of the Year, West Texas Music Hall of Fame Entertainer of the Year, and songwriter of the CMA Song of the Year “Wide Open Spaces.” Top 200 Nurses To shine a light on nurses’ dedication, expertise and hard work, nominations for the Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses Top 200 nurse awards once again flowed in this year, with nominations from medical professionals and patients, from clinics to community health care centers, from suburban hospitals to the Texas Medical Center, and from the local region’s schools and facilities. For additional information, scan the QR code or visit online at chron.com/ salutetonurses. — Custom Publishing SALUTE TO NURSES May 2nd luncheon celebrates those who make a difference HONORING HEROES HC Marketing photo The nursing community gathered for a meaningful celebration luncheon on Thursday, May 2, at the Royal Sonesta hosted by the Houston Chronicle. THANK YOU, 2024 SPONSORS • Presenting Sponsor: Houston Methodist • Diamond Sponsor: UT Physicians • Platinum Sponsor: Texas Children’s Hospital • Gold Sponsor: Memorial Hermann • Silver Sponsor: Harris Health System • Education Sponsor: San Jacinto College • Top 15 Nurses Sponsor: UH Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing • Dessert Sponsor: St. Luke’s Health H2 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM Continued from Page 1 The Houston Chronicle salutes the prestigious Top 15 Nurses for 2024. Read on to get to know them and the exceptional, meaningful and unwavering work they do. Charmeshia Allen, MSN, RN, HHCT-CMS, MN-C, Houston Methodist West Hospital Charmeshia “Charm” Allen’s roots, for generations, run deep in the tradition-rich soil of Springhill, Louisiana, with her family’s reputation of caring for others. This also is where her greatgrandmother — who had 14 children—built a loving home for four more adopted children and who was held up as the “community grandmother” whose door was always open and whose dinner table always offered room for one more. Also in Louisiana, Allen’s grandmother, Bessie Mae Roberson, filled the role of “community grandmother” as well. “My grandmother was a cook in the public schools, but also regularly had those in the community who had no money for food. They often told my grandmother, ‘We come for food and for your wisdom,’” Allen said. Her grandmother’s helping of those who had less paved the way for Allen to a career of caring and to Houston, where she serves as her church and neighborhood’s “community grandmother.” She is a master’s-prepared nurse at Houston Methodist West Hospital and serves as CEO of Journey to Freedom Ministries, which partners with the African-American Wellness Agency, a mission that provides mental health resources, women’s wellness screenings and wellness activities. A nurse for the past 20 years, Allen began at Houston Methodist West as a process improvement specialist, expanding her knowledge of patient safety, which she remains passionate about. Her responsibilities included growing the ability to improve patient outcomes and safety through case review and debriefs, especially within the Childbirth Center at HM West to support their journey to Maternal Designation. This program to date has been successful due to her efforts with implementing Maternal Early Warning Signs Alert. Allen achieved Houston Methodist System Culture of Safety Award in 2020 for Team High Reliability for her maternal designation case review and Houston Methodist Good Catch Award 2022. She also achieved the Good Samaritan Foundation Bronze Award in 2023. She discovered her niche in improving women’s maternity care pre-dates her graduation from nursing school, when she served an internship in this area. “Once I began my practice as a nurse, I never looked back,” she said. “Access to quality health care during every phase of a woman’s life is essential, particularly during and after a pregnancy.” Allen herself has experienced the grief of three difficult pregnancies where she lost a set of twins and a daughter to rare instances of Potter’s Disease. Fortunately, she is the mother of a healthy daughter. From her personal experiences with grief, Allen, an ordained minister with The Church Without Walls, has worked with moms going through some of the same disappointments, pain, personal blame and questioning. As a nurse, she has hosted annual health conferences about postpartum mental health questions, partnering with the March of Dimes and others. Her outreach programs have included writing books about female wellness, information about local wellness resources, education about teens’ and women’s health, and where to go to escape toxic and abusive relationships. As her co-worker noted in their nomination, “Charmeshia’s passion for the community is evident in her efforts outside of work. She hosts a holistic women’s conference that addresses mental, emotional, spiritual, and social needs, where Intimate Partner Violence national experts provide resources. She also hosts an annual community baby shower for income-restricted moms to provide infant necessities like car seats, formula, and diapers.” “My goal is to stabilize the data that continues to fluctuate,” Allen said. “I always look for what I can do to make a difference.” As a nurse, she said her greatest inspiration and what fuels her enthusiasm for continuing her mission, is the smiles of her team and making sure they have everything they need to succeed. “I want to continue to be involved in women’s services,” Allen said, “and assuring that all have the best in quality health care, medical staff, and patients will all experience safety at every encounter of their wellness journey.” In September 2023, the State of Texas honored her with the Community Service Award for her work in helping to reduce health disparities for under-resourced communities. BBB Dora Barrows, MSN, RN, CVRN-CV, Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center At the heart of every good hospital’s growth is strong leadership throughout its departments. Dora Barrows, a nurse for 37 years and intensive care unit clinical manager at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center, is a fine example of successful leaders who are born with the necessary leadership qualities. Barrows grew up in southern India where her mother noticed her daughter’s passion for caring for others while Barrows was still a teenager. The observation later led her to pursue a career in nursing. Barrows and her husband John came to the U.S. from India in 1999. With her husband taking care of their two children (now grown), Barrows earned her master’s degree in leadership and has continued to have her family’s support every step of the way. As a lifelong learner, Barrows sees her strengths as her ability to listen to her patients and their families, and her compassion for the families in every instance. “When a patient is dying, I spend time with the family, listening and comforting them, making certain each terminally ill individual … (has) — a death with dignity,” she said. “Sometimes there are no appropriate words. In these instances, we simply stay with them, hold their hands and cry with them.” Would the death of a patient be her greatest challenge? Barrows is quick to respond. “As a nurse leader, I see few challenges. It’s taking on an extra load in the care of this patient, and — like many nurses at the end of a shift, I ask myself, ‘Did I need to do more?’ Did I need to do anything else?’” As one nomination said, “Dora is a nurse who represents Florence Nightingale with her hard work, devotion, caring and dedication to her tasks, above and beyond her duties as a manager. She treats everybody with respect and a caring attitude. “She works day or night to help the unit if needed, and will personally pitch in if staffing issues exists. She also teaches and provides competency among staff when educators are not available. Dora is really a nurse who has a heart for change and can make change happen. “She is a cheerful leader, always coming in the unit with a smile, and with her example and guidance, our unit was awarded the Beacon of Excellence Award, reflecting a unit guided by a true leader, working hard to achieve excellent patient outcomes and creating an environment where we’re working as a team to truly personalize patient care.” Another nomination read, “This is a very hardto-find nurse manager; just so awesome. MICU’s jewel, that is Miss Dora.” Barrows said that one of her skills as a leader is tackling and solving problems. “I take care of my nurses, and they know they can call me any time they are in trouble whether they’re having babysitter problems or car issues. I will help them,” Barrows said, “and we are all much more aware of nurses needing mental health support after our experience with the pandemic.” Each shift, Barrows makes patient rounds, where she visits with patients and their families. “I look at everything — first staff, then patients,” she said. She considers herself fortunate to be mentored by many senior nurses, “who taught me how to take care of ICU patients. I continue learning and I’m not ashamed to ask questions. I mainly listen.” Barrows’ team reflects her overall persistence: This 2024 Top 15 Nurse has previously been in the Top 200 in the Houston Chronicle’s annual Salute Top15 Nurse winners Recognition continues on H4 Charmeshia Allen Dora Barrows ial ial

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H4 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM Empowering the talented nurses at Houston Methodist is first and foremost when it comes to patient care, which is exactly what the new BioButton technology is doing throughout Houston Methodist’s hospitals. The recently implemented BioButton is a wearable device worn directly on the skin that continuously monitors vital signs including skin temperature, resting respiratory rate, and resting heart rate. The BioButton, which also can check a broad range of diverse biometrics, provides around-the-clock data and can alert health care staff to changes and fluctuations in patients very early on, according to Kaela Aguilar, MSN, RN-BC, night nurse manager — Acute Care Services, Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital. A six-year veteran nurse, Aguilar said she immediately realized the BioButton’s benefits, finding that nurses and techs are able to focus on additional priorities such as making personal connections with patients and their families. “This extra technology available at HMCL has basically become an extra set of eyes on patients when nurses and techs can’t be there in the room,” Aguilar said. “This is key in creating a safe environment for our patients and providing unparalleled care. These devices are simply an extra layer of protection and safety in monitoring them.” Savanna Payne, BSN, RN, works on a medical-surgical unit at Houston Methodist and was introduced to the BioButton in February. Her excitement to learn more led her to become a “super user” to educate her co-workers about it. It was the device’s range of capabilities that inspired her. “This device monitors the patient’s heart rate, skin temperature, respiratory rate, and activity level every minute. Every hour the average of these readings is uploaded into the chart, giving staff a way to closely monitor patient vitals. The implementation of the BioButton has given nursing staff additional and more current information regarding our patient’s status allowing us to intervene sooner,” Payne said. Additional benefits include reduced need for manual vital sign collection, fewer nighttime spot checks that wake patients, improved patient satisfaction, improved outcomes in the hospital, decreased manual documentation time, and clinically actionable notifications without alarm fatigue. Vanessa Esquivel, RN-BC, charge nurse on the fourth floor at Houston Methodist-Clear Lake, said she was very excited to use the device. “It feels like another set of eyes on our patients, which is always a good thing. The education we received on it only made me more intrigued,” Esquivel said, adding that it’s an important resource to get more information on a patient’s status, and whether or not they’re improving or declining, which improves overall care. “At first, the patients are usually a little confused about what the BioButton is. After giving them the explanation of how a BioButton monitors the heart movement/rate versus the telemetry monitoring the electrical activity, they are usually very impressed. The constant improvement of medical devices and how things have changed in the medical field is always a fun topic of discussion for our patients,” Esquivel said. HOUSTON METHODIST BioButton takes nurses’ patient care to the next level By Valerie Sweeten FREELANCE WRITER PRESENTING SPONSOR Courtesy of Houston Methodist Houston Methodist nurses are now using BioButton technology to monitor patients’ vital signs continuously. Shown are (L to R) Savanna Payne, Kaela Aguilar and Vanessa Esquivel. to Nurses several times. “I never expected such a prestigious award. I couldn’t believe it and was so excited, I couldn’t sleep after learning I was selected,” she said. BBB Christofer Bibal, MSN, MBA, RN, OCN, CCRN, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center The first thing 20-year-veteran nurse Christofer Bibal will share about his long career in this profession is the high praise he has for the great team he works with at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. “We are all tenured in stem cell collection and transplantation, and every day we work at the forefront of cancer treatments and new protocols from the research,” Bibal said. “A company with Recognition Recognition from page H2 Nurse heroes continues on H6 Christofer Bibal

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H6 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM a new treatment will send protocols to use in administering their new drug. We collect the stem cells from the patient’s blood following rigid rules in place so there will be no deviation. As we simplify and apply the new protocols to the treatment of each patient, team members realize a new trial drug and/or protocol may be the patient’s best opportunity to conquer their disease. “Each day is a challenge to get everything right as we walk the fine line between success or not. Each new drug and new protocol is ‘personalized’ for each patient, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Each protocol has a set of criteria for each age group, so our team members are certified in adult life support to pediatric life support, which helps us make sure we give quality care to each patient and the safe environment each deserves.” Bibal continues, “As an example, we have 140 clinical trials involving CAR-T cells that involve different protocols, treating everything from solid tumors to blood. We collect CAR-T cells, send them to sponsors and develop the protocols to administer the new drug or treatment. We are one of the first steps in the trial. Each protocol has different guidelines, based on individual patients. What we do comes from patient’s own blood or we may collect bone marrow for stem cells. Each step is exacting, and each protocol must be followed exactly.” As one nomination read: “As a nurse leader, Christofer effectively organizes tasks and resources, streamlines workflows and ensures efficient patient care delivery. For example, with the explosive growth of CAR-T cell technology, our clinic now works with hundreds of companies and institutions wanting to develop a new type of therapy for different types of cancer.” Bibal was born in the city of Roxas in the Philippines, best known for its seafood, caves and beautiful beaches. “In school,” Bibal said, “I became fascinated with how the body works while I was helping care for sick family members. My father, our immediate and extended family were teachers. Myself, my two brothers and our cousins became nurses — there are 12 nurses in my generation, and we are working everywhere, such as the U.S., Australia, the Middle East and Canada. We were all encouraged to do our best in our studies. I tried to be a good student, earning a 3.90 GPA.” After earning his nurse’s credentials at Riverside College and a bachelor’s degree in the Philippines, Bibal went on to earn two master’s degrees at The University of Texas-Tyler. Bibal began his career at the University of Alabama-Birmingham, oncology, where he served for seven years. The nurse moved to Houston 14 years ago and has been part of the team at MD Anderson for 11 years. He said, “The best part of being a nurse is being able to make a tiny bit of difference in a patient’s life, like being able to alleviate pain, especially when they come back after re-treatment, thanking us for helping them go through a trial in the most comfortable way.” From a personal standpoint, Bibal said being resilient and adapting to change are necessary attributes in this profession, and he also appreciates MD Anderson’s generous leave policy. “Being able to access new surroundings gives us a time to recharge so we can come back, eager to take care of our patients. This great organizational culture motivates all of us to be the best in treating cancer patients, and working with a great team facilitates giving our very best to everyone who comes here.” Bibal said he was very surprised to be selected for this year’s Salute to Nurses Top 15. “It is a great honor,” he said, “and I am so grateful to the Houston Chronicle for recognizing nurses from the greater Houston area. I also thank my colleagues for nominating me and making this honor possible.” BBB Derek Curtis, DNP, MA, RN, NEA-BC, Harris Health — Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital Dr. Derek Curtis, Chief Nursing Officer and associate administrator at Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital, described his career goals as a nurse as “giving back to the community, to patients,” but this humble preacher’s kid from Augusta, Georgia, makes it sound simpler than it is. “It’s a calling, a great gift — helping someone else,” he said. His personal brand of leadership includes earning several awards for transformational leadership, innovation and expanding the hospital’s reach. After high school, Curtis elected to enlist in the U.S. Army and became an Army Nurse Corps officer, where he learned about the importance of camaraderie and esprit de corps — two qualities necessary for a high-functioning team. He attended Medical College of Georgia while on active duty and retired from military service in 2004. LBJ Hospital’s CNO for the past eight years and a 31-year veteran nurse, Curtis believes nurses are the most important advocates for their practices and has instituted many changes through collaboration with the hospital’s shared governance group. When the nurses asked for 4:1 patient-to-nurse ratio for the care of COVID patients, Curtis spoke with leaders and staffing departments to ensure there would be no deviation from that request. When staff noted they were facing increased opposition from some physician partners in removing central lines, Curtis organized a daily line huddle call, allowing leaders to review lines with physicians and escalate the need for removal if indicated. When meeting to discuss adding building space and equipment for a new hospital expansion, Curtis noticed there were no frontline staff members in attendance, so the meeting was tabled until nurses were included to ensure that the new building would have the input of one of the most valuable experts — the bedside nurse. When asked about workplace challenges, he said one is assuring a safe working environment, including violence prevention — providing resources and respite rooms. Education is key to maintaining this. LBJ Hospital also has established a farm, offering patients living in “food deserts” — especially patients with diabetes — fresh produce to supplement their diets via weekly visits to the hospital’s “Food Farmacy.” Here, patients are given 30 lbs. of food as healthy supplements to the patient’s existing diet. Along with this “prescription,” patients work with nutritionists, attend cooking classes and improve their diets. Additionally, for many holidays, Curtis is often found walking through LBJ Hospital’s nursing units, checking on staff and patients and spreading holiday cheer. He volunteers on holidays, most recently setting delivery orders on Thanksgiving for those without families. He also assisted in delivering meals to schools in low-income areas to supplement their meal program during breaks. Curtis said he believes in mentoring young leaders and creating space for minorities within health care. He mentors approximately four to five leaders on a yearly basis and is always open to providing support and guidance. He speaks to high school students and advocates for the community, and meets with community partners and leaders to collaborate in order to meet the needs of patients in the area. “I constantly teach and am on a journey, leading with love and empathy, building relationships, and practicing forgiveness,” Curtis said. “Our nurses are compassionate and treat patients with respect.” And when he heard he was selected as a Top 15 Nurse, Curtis was thrilled. “I’m proud to be part of Harris Health and humbled to be recognized,” he said. BBB Bindu George, BSN, RN, CCRN, Memorial Hermann — Texas Medical Center Heart failure, also known as congestive heart failure, is a condition that develops when your heart doesn’t pump enough for your body’s need. A 32-year veteran nurse, Bindu George lives thousands of miles from her birthplace in BangaNurse heroes Nurse heroes from page H4 Our honorees continues on H8 Derek Curtis Bindu George The value of every nurse is evident at UTHealth Houston, where nurse retention is at the top of the agenda and valuable team members receive ongoing support from the start of their career and beyond. According to 28-year veteran nurse Kimberly Alleman, MBAHM, BSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer of UT Physicians, the clinical practice of McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, beginning nurses get assistance when transitioning into practice with a comprehensive onboarding plan, training, and preceptor support. There is also a partnership with the Cizik School of Nursing at UTHealth Houston to develop a nurse residency program. New nurses can develop the foundation to explore areas of interest in a well-structured and supportive environment, Alleman said. “It is important for a novice nurse to receive the training, experience, and guidance required for becoming competent in the care delivered to patients. Without this foundation, it is very difficult for a new nurse to thrive in such a demanding career,” Alleman said. Making sure nurses are equipped with the latest technology is also vital to excellent patient care and monitoring. Veteran 19-year nurse Sibil J. Blee, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, AMBBC, Clinical Educator, said that they are fortunate to offer the best technology resources to their nurses. Tech tied to care delivery “Technology significantly influences patient-care delivery, as nursing is an information profession, and technology helps bring information to the point of care to support nurses’ decision-making process,” Blee said. Blee added that their Electronic Health Record (EHR) system helps nurses collaborate with interdisciplinary teams “to provide safe and quality care to every patient who comes through our door.” “UTHealth Houston’s operations team recently deployed a dedicated EHR support team to each service line. This ensured seamless new clinical staff transition and supported our existing team members. The clinical education department offers lowfidelity simulation training for our clinical staff regularly, and as needed, to help our nurses become competent and confident in nursing skills,” Blee said. Alleman said that investing in the technology so nurses and clinical teams can perform their jobs is important. “We are now exploring the use of AI to assist with providing a more efficient patient visit. The use of these platforms will improve the patient’s experience by allowing more connected interactions between patients and clinicians,” Alleman said. Investing in their nurses’ future is imperative, said Amanda Gregg, BSN, RN, CLSS-GB, a 33-year veteran nurse, adding that in addition to continuing education for license renewals, nurses receive education when new skills, procedures or equipment are introduced to their department. Blee said nurses have access to a range of educational content, skill competencies, professional advancement courses, LinkedIn Learning, and opportunities to attend national conferences. “It is a great opportunity to showcase nationally the great work we are doing here at UTHealth Houston and share that information with other nurses nationwide,” Blee said. Job satisfaction Gregg added it’s crucial for nurses to know they work for an institution that values safe and evidence-based patient care. “They feel more confident and have higher job satisfaction,” Gregg said. “The UT Physicians practice plan promotes a robust onboarding process, clear expectations, employee support, collaboration, teamwork, employee and patient safety, and a good worklife balance.” UTHEALTH HOUSTON Supporting nurses throughout entire career is an important mission By Valerie Sweeten FREELANCE WRITER DIAMOND SPONSOR Courtesy of UTHealth Houston UT Physicians CNO Kim Alleman (L) discusses patient care with Sharon Courtney, BSN, RN, Senior Nurse Manager. Supporting nurses with training and the latest technology is crucial at UTHealth Houston.

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H8 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM Memorial Hermann believes nurses are health care’s most critical resource and deserve exceptional support. During the Houston Chronicle’s annual Salute to Nures we’re celebrating seven benefits that make Memorial Hermann’s nursing program one of the most dynamic in the nation. 1. Wrap-around services From childcare support to tuition reimbursement to proven career pathways, Memorial Hermann’s wrap-around services are designed to offer true support for nurses. Look no further than their innovative peer intervention program, Code Lilac, that brings the added support nurses need to avoid burnout. 2. Magnet® designated hospitals Memorial Hermann has been awarded Magnet® status by the American Nursing Association for nursing excellence and driving improvement. Their eight Magnet® designated locations are more than any other regional health care system. 3. Memorial Hermann’s nurses are the key to healthier communities Caring for an entire community takes committed individuals to be the touchpoints between health care and patients. Each one of the 14,000+ nurses in the Memorial Hermann Health System is integral to providing care, comfort and compassion to Houston patients and their families. 4. Work where nurse advocacy is fundamental Last year, Memorial Hermann sent 80 nurses to the Texas Capitol to speak to legislators, advocating for support on the nurse shortage. Thanks in part to their advocacy, the Texas legislature passed three laws to make the workplace a better place for nurses. Since then, Memorial Hermann has partnered with the Texas Nursing Association to educate nurses and the public on the importance of law in health care. 5. A voice that’s heard Innovation in health care begins on the frontlines. At Memorial Hermann, frontline nurses meet monthly in a “congress” model to share what’s going on and focus on specific issues like innovation at the bedside. These meetings are led by the nurses themselves, giving every nurse who works at Memorial Hermann a voice in how health care is delivered. 6. Reimagine care at the Institute for Nursing Excellence The Memorial Hermann Institute for Nursing Excellence has a vision: to create healthier communities by reimagining care at the bedside to ensure world-class nursing for generations to come. Some of its main initiatives include removing barriers to a career in health care, as well as testing new technology and new models of care, plus exploring new and innovative ways to support care delivered at the bedside. 7. Innovation in nursing starts here Memorial Hermann is the only Houston health system to participate in the Health Management Academy Nursing Catalyst Program, which focuses on improving the workplace for nurses to retain top talent. As one of the largest health care employers in Houston, Memorial Hermann believes in its role to impact health equity by removing the barriers to care. The first step is to ensure the best nurses are there to meet the community’s needs. Learn more about a nursing career with Memorial Hermann at jobs.memorialhermann.org CAREER PATHWAYS 7 ways Memorial Hermann offers rewarding nursing careers GOLD SPONSOR Courtesy of Memorial Hermann Many have taken the Memorial Hermann Institute for Nursing Excellence tour. Courtesy of Memorial Hermann Memorial Hermann has awarded student scholarships to those wanting to enter the profession. Courtesy of Memorial Hermann Area Memorial Hermann nurse professionals “Go Red.” lore, India, and the advanced technology that’s become part of her everyday environment in Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center Heart Failure ICU is decades beyond her first experience as a nurse. “In school in Bangalore, while we were learning, nursing students worked in the government hospital. Our patients had little or no means to pay for their treatment, and we had minimal to work with,” George said. “We boiled needles and syringes so we could use them more than once. We learned to stretch everything. It was very different from what nurses in other countries had to work with. After college, I worked in a private hospital, where we had more and were able to help our patients, like using soap and water for baths and then having powder and lotion for a refreshing back rub before bedtime. “The main thing nurses offered at that time was emotional support — being there at bedside to comfort and reassure their patients and to be supportive mentally. A nurse’s advocacy for their patients also was of the same importance then as it is now. “By the time I was 15 or 16, I knew I wanted to help patients in the hospital setting. What I didn’t know was what else nursing as a career entailed, so I went to the library and found a book, Lady with a Lamp, which I read several times because there were no nurses in our immediate family. “My biggest satisfaction is going into a patient’s room, explaining what I’m doing and building rapport … not just taking care of them. As a nurse manager, I check on all patients and find out if they have any needs, including spiritual needs, because I pray with them.” “Building a relationship with your patients is important,” George said, “and we now are aware of a nurse’s mental health needs. That’s why we regularly huddle, talk about our day with chaplain and focus on strengthening our coping skills. I strongly believe your well-being makes you strong enough to do your job.” Despite her decades in nursing, George continues to learn, pursuing her master’s in nursing administration. She has a CCRN certification and worked at the bedside till 2016, becoming manager of the Heart Failure ICU unit. She considers it her home, not a second home, working Monday through Friday almost 12 hours a day, to ensure her nurses are well supported. This hard work has paid off with her team winning a Silver Beacon Award in 2022 from the AACN. And she is available for the staff on her off hours and days, too, if needed. As a nomination read, “Bindu never complains about the work-related calls or texts she gets during her off hours. She is close to the heart of every member of the team — nurses, physicians and members of the interdisciplinary team alike. She is a tower for people to go to and emotionallyvent to. She will pray with them if they request. Staff even call her from home if they need prayer and support. No one returns without an answer.” An administrator wrote, “Bindu encourages all her staff to keep learning, and as a result, her team has the highest number of certified nurses on campus and are engaged and working on research projects, publications, speaking engagements at NTI, ITNS and Magnet. “Bindu is always there for her staff and anyone on campus who needs her help. She supported our children’s hospital by sending staff to help with their young transplant patients, a collaboration all physicians appreciated. Bindu always has a kind word and a prayer for staff, patients, and physicians who need support. “One time, a staff member’s husband suddenly became critically ill. Bindu left her home in the middle of the night to come sit and comfort her in the ER. We need more leaders like Bindu in the nursing profession!” BBB Michelle Stuart Gomez, MBA, MSN, RN, NC-BC, HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center A 29-year nurse veteran, Michelle Stuart Gomez grew up on a farm in Rye, Texas in Liberty County, with a population of about 50. A good student in school, Gomez — by age 18 — was a mom with two babies. “People would tell me, I would grow up to be nothing, that I had ruined my life, having my kids so young,” Gomez said. Her grandmother was the only nurse in the area, and on weekends, she would go with her grandmother, checking on patients. “She told me, someone had said she could only retire when she had found her replacement, and making rounds with my grandmother, I saw her empathy. That’s when I knew I wanted to become a nurse,” Gomez said. Rather than waiting to graduate with her class, Gomez wasted no time, earning her GED and enrolling in San Jacinto College to take her prerequisite classes before going to work to earn her Associate Degree in Nursing there. “I credit my mother for her support and encouragement to follow my dreams,” she said, “and I am so grateful for the free child care San Jac offered students during my classes.” On weekends, Gomez worked at a hospital “where I learned how to apply what I was learning in the classroom.” She also learned to find your own opportunities, rather than waiting for someone to offer them. After graduating with her RN, she took a job as a medical-surgical nurse before moving to the labor and delivery floor, where she worked for 10 years. “I loved taking care of patients and families, and learned about recovery. My mentor there was Jenny Conor, a nurse for 30 years with HCA and a treasured mentor,” Gomez said. RN Rita Haxton was another mentor who encouraged Gomez, who earned her BSN and then completed her MSN, MS and MBA from Grand Canyon University. “Wesley Bamburg, COO and my direct supervisor, has helped me grow professionally, and I have learned each person you meet in life teaches you about others and yourself,” she said. The nurse travels during much of her free time, visiting her children and their families in Denver and Tampa, and as a volunteer, recently raised $8,000 for the American Heart Association. “I love my job, but every day’s a challenge — juggling work and family. As a leader, the hardest but most rewarding thing is seeing potential in people who don’t see the potential in themselves,” she said. As a nomination read, “Above all else, Michelle is committed to the care and improvement of human life. As a nursing professional with almost 30 years’ experience, she has served many patients, families, and populations. “Each day she works to ensure patients receive quality, cost-effective surgical care. She supports her staff with a ‘no staff member left behind’ philosophy, being available at all times to assist, to educate, and to empower. She promotes the professional growth of her staff and herself. She leads by example, having attained an MSN and MBA, and being a board-certified nurse executive. “During the COVID pandemic, she worked on the Navajo reservation, ensuring that the population has access to health care services at a critical access hospital. She works to promote awareness of the impact of heart disease as a team coach and was a top donation earner for the American Heart Association. She also has co-authored reference materials on invasive hemodynamic monitoring in the perioperative setting for ASPAN. “Michelle exemplifies the nursing professional we all hope nurses will strive to be.” BBB Nicole Harrison, MBA, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, TIRR Memorial Hermann When a well-known institution such as Memorial Hermann TIRR (The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research), experiences a leadership change of its Chief Nursing Officer, employees are naturally curious about who will Our honorees Our honorees from page H6 Stellar nurses continues on H9 Michelle Stuart Gomez HCA Houston Health Nicole Harrison TIRR M i l

HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 H9 In May 2022, a four-year-old girl was admitted to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston with severe bacterial pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). She was soon connected to a machine that took over her lung functions, and eventually, she was placed on the transplant list. From the child’s very first night, Harper Paparelli, RN was assigned as the girl’s nurse, and in the following months, through every up and down, Paparelli was at the child’s bedside, advocating for her and comforting her. It was a relationship the girl’s parents could not have been more grateful for in that unimaginably stressful time. It was a bond that Paparelli could only have dreamed of a few years ago. When she was first getting into nursing, Paparelli was almost overwhelmed by the number of paths she could take in the profession, but after nursing school, she opted to start in the adult intensive care unit. She learned a lot, but something was missing. “I wanted more of a connection with my patients and their families,” says Paparelli. Then about three years ago, Paparelli ran into a friend and fellow nurse who worked in pediatrics at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston. They told Paparelli about how much they loved working there, the support they felt from co-workers and administrators, and how rewarding it was to work with families. Paparelli decided to apply to become a pediatric nurse at Texas Children’s. “It’s the best decision I could have made,” says Paparelli. “You’re working closely with families. This is their kid. This is their baby. They are there to take care of them — and that’s our goal too. We sit down with them, help them make a plan, give them any answers we can, and watch the kids progress, focused on getting them home. It made me fall back in love with my job.” Nurses critical part of team Texas Children’s is one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the U.S., a destination for children and families worldwide dealing with complicated health issues. Texas Children’s nurses are an integral part of that care. “We are advocates for our patients and their parents,” says Tenisha Jacquett, RN, clinical nurse coordinator in hematology and oncology at Texas Children’s. “We partner with physicians and other team members to make sure the patients are getting the best care. We help coordinate care with the rest of the staff, the pharmacy, the insurance, and sometimes social workers. I believe there’s a great culture of collaboration here.” That culture of mutual compassion, empathy, and support extends beyond just caring for the patients and their families. Texas Children’s staff and administration understand nursing is an extremely stressful, emotionally draining profession. Administrators, physicians, managers, and supervisors do everything they can to make sure the nurses are cared for as well. This starts with opportunities for personal and professional growth, online modules, classes, and even tuition reimbursement. There are also plenty of chances for upward and lateral mobility and a broad range of hands-on experiences. “If you want to be bedside, you can have that opportunity,” says Jacquett. “If you want to be assisting in the operating room or in post-op, you have that opportunity. You can work with different physicians. Texas Children’s will help you cultivate it.” Nurses are also encouraged to participate in system-wide councils and committees, and they can see a path into leadership if they choose. “Here you see executives who are nurses,” says Jacquett. “You can see nurse leaders in boardrooms sitting next to presidents and CEOs.” Texas Children’s cares for its nurses by creating a culture of emotional support. “I feel like my voice is heard and valued,” says Paparelli. “My managers and educators are some of the closest people in my life. They are my biggest cheerleaders. It’s a very difficult job and when someone tells you you’re doing it well, it makes a difference.” The ‘little people’ At the end of the day, the most rewarding part of this job for many nurses is the satisfaction and inspiration of watching the children who withstand — and even grow — in the face of incredible hardship. Nurses are their beacons of hope. “The little people are so resilient,” says Jacquett. “You see them endure the toughest things, like cancer. In the oncology center, you see children with no hair riding a tricycle like they don’t even know they’re sick. I’ve definitely shed my share of tears. You do everything you can for these kids; become a part of their extended families.” And every so often, you make a connection that lasts a lifetime, which happened with Paparelli and her young lung patient. After the child received a bilateral lung transplant, Paparelli continued to care for her, painting and drawing with her as she recovered. The nurse got to know her and watched her getting physically taller and more resilient. Today, the patient is age 6 and back at home. Paparelli keeps in touch and displays a photo of the two of them on the joyous day the patient had her trach tube removed. “It’s wildly fulfilling,” says Paparelli. “You tend to the family and the patient. You get to know the kids, learn about them and their hopes and dreams. They pull through things I’ve seen adults pass away from. I’m very thankful that I got put in those positions when I did. This is why pediatric nurses do what they do.” Texas Children’s is consistently ranked the best children’s hospital in Texas. For more, visit www.texaschildrenspeople.org. TEXAS CHILDREN’S Pediatric nurses make lifelong connections with patients & families PLATINUM SPONSOR Courtesy of Texas Children’s Hospital Texas Children’s cares for its nurses by creating a culture of emotional support and career excellence. take the reins. Nicole Harrison was that new CNO. “Growing up in a small town near Waco, my mom was a nurse and my dad, a physician,” Harrison said. “I chose nursing because my mother shared stories about her everyday experiences and they sounded more interesting, mainly because, as a nurse, she had a chance to really know her patients. At TIRR, some of our patients are with us for a while. This gives us the opportunity to know them, to know their families and to truly be a part of their team.” One nomination read, “A few years ago, when we learned we were getting a new CNO, many of us were not sure what to expect. Our previous CNO had been with us a long time and we had questions: What if the new person didn’t ‘get’ rehab? What if they wanted to — gasp — make a whole lot of changes? “We learned a few things about Nicole (a 32-year nurse veteran) right away. She was approachable and Stellar nurses Stellar nurses from page H8 Care excellence continues on H10

H10 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM When Sara Hodge-Garrett was 12, her father suffered a major aneurysm and spent a month in the neurological intensive care unit (ICU) at Harris Health Ben Taub Hospital. It was there that she discovered her calling to be a nurse. “The level of care I witnessed by the nurses made me say to myself, I want to be nurse someday,” HodgeGarrett said. Ask any nurse and they’ll say, the “why?” behind their nursing career is never an issue. It’s the “where?” that can be harder to discover. Hodge-Garrett’s calling led her to Harris Health System, the public safety-net health care system that aligns with her desire to help those in need. It also helps that Harris Health goes above and beyond to support nurses and nursing staff. As nurse heroes are recognized during the Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses, it’s important to recognize Harris Health and its outstanding nursing programs. “When I came here 11 years ago, I’d worked for other organizations,” said Hodge-Garrett, MSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, CPHQ, CNE-n, who began as a stroke nurse and is now a nursing professional development specialist at Harris Health. “However, this is the only organization that when I go home, I always know we’ve done our absolute best to serve the community.” Her passion for nursing is infectious. As one of the leaders of Harris Health’s preceptor program, HodgeGarrett gets to share her passion with the next generation of nurse professionals. Here, every nurse hired at Harris Health — from nursing students to recent graduates to experienced nurses with years of practice — makes lasting connections with their nurse preceptor, who plays many roles in the lives of new hires: teacher, emotional supporter, mentor, and trusted advisor. Their work transitions nurses to the Harris Health model of care while connecting them with the next generation of nurses. “If you want to work with good nurses, you have to train good nurses,” Hodge-Garrett said. “Nurses emerge from the preceptor program independent, confident, with a strong sense of purpose for their practice and their future career goals.” “My preceptor was amazing,” she said, recalling a moment that stuck with her during her preceptor program when her nurse preceptor stayed after her shift to be with a dying patient. “She impressed on me how important the continuum of care is not only for our patients but for their families.” The preceptor program is one of many initiatives Harris Health offers. Nurses who join Harris Health receive tuition reimbursement; student loan repayment; access to the Nursing Career Advancement Program (NCAP), the nursing clinical ladder that recognizes nurses as they advance in their careers, acquire new education, skills, and certifications; nurse fellowships that allow nurses to remain within the organization while they learn a new specialty; recognition through the Daisy Award for exceptional nurses who exemplify compassion, caring, and an unwavering dedication to patients; and invaluable mentorship to help guide nurses professionally and provide a blueprint for career advancement. The Harris Health mentorship program is the natural progression after nurses graduate from their preceptorship. Mentor nurses like Pamela Davis, MSN, RN-BC, Harris Health’s mentor program manager, work closely with their mentees to ensure they’re supported throughout their careers. “If the preceptor program is about imparting knowledge, then our mentorship program is about imparting experience,” Davis said. “The transfer of experience is just as important as the transfer of skills.” Like Hodge-Garrett, Davis also knew she was called to nursing from a young age; both her mother and aunt are nurses. Her appreciation of what nurses bring to health care is a product of the resources available to Harris Health nurses. “I grew up at Harris Health,” Davis said. “I loved my preceptor and now I love being a mentor.” While Davis said informal mentoring has always been an important part of nursing, formalizing the process at Harris Health has meant using data to produce the best outcomes for nurses and patients while crystalizing best practices within the mentorship program itself. The mentor-mentee relationship is key to actualizing a nurse’s career mobility. “Mentorship matters,” Davis said, noting that mentorship is available to every nurse. “Mentorship helps determine career paths. We have targeted mentorship programs that reflect a nurse’s individual goals. Leadership mentorship, education mentorship, research, clinical advancement — all these different focuses provide promotion opportunities for nurses already working at Harris Health.” To learn more or join the Harris Health nursing team, visit online at jobs.harrishealth.org/nursing-jobs. CAREER PATHWAY Nurses find the right fit, ability to make a difference at Harris Health SILVER SPONSOR Courtesy of Harris Health Pamela Davis Courtesy of Harris Health Sara Hodge-Garrett present. She was often out rounding on the nursing units, talking with staff, asking how things were going, what we needed, what could be better. She wanted to speak with everyone. “She shared her phone number and responded to texts. Her emails were succinct — she solicited feedback and laid out clear expectations. She was willing to hear opinions contrary to hers and considered them on their merit. She was committed to best practices and wasn’t afraid of innovation or initiative.” Harrison said, “The exciting part of my role is witnessing a patient’s progress in the process of healing, no matter how large or small, even baby steps are meaningful, and to see our nurses play a part in this miracle. They are champions of rehab nursing.” One nurse wrote: “Our unit, in addition to housing brain injury patients, cares for patients with neurobehaviors (NB) such as aggression, restlessness, high energy levels, disinhibition, and impaired executive function — all typical of this population. They are challenging to care for. “At one point, we reached a crisis. We were caring for multiple high-risk NB patients, and many nursing staff had sustained injuries. Morale was low and turnover was high. We tried small interventions, but it wasn’t enough. “Nicole saw a need for bigger change. She called a brainstorming meeting with all NB staff: techs, nurses, doctors, and nurse leadership. Her question to all of us was ‘how can we better support you and this program?’ The suggestions and comments led to interventions are now hardwired into our NB program. Employee injuries are down, turnover is down and — importantly — the way Unit 3 sees itself also changed. There is pride now in our ability to care for these patients … and that we are supported. To me, this is great leadership. “Recently, one of our nurses experienced a terrible, unexpected tragedy. Her closest coworkers were finding out about it just as they were coming on shift. Everyone was devastated — in shock. It was a Saturday night. We called Nicole and there was no hesitation. ‘I’m 10 minutes away. I’m heading up there now.’ She met the night shift as they came in, hugged them, cried with them, called Code Lilac (mental health support) for them. It was an awful day, but Nicole made it a little less awful by being present, by being with us, by grieving with us. “When you start listing the qualities a good CNO should embody, it’s quite a juggling act. They must be exemplary — but approachable; expect excellence — but understanding. They should be concerned about patient safety — but realistic; firm — but flexible. They must have a heart for patients — but a good head for business; must provide the resources — but stay within budget; must innovate and grow — but not forget basics. They must pay attention to detail — but see the big picture. “I am grateful to say Nicole has mastered all these things! How she does it, I don’t know, but one thing that’s evident, above all, first and foremost, Nicole is a nurse, leading by example. It is more inspirational than words when I see my CNO display the same qualities I would want to reflect in me as a nurse.” Harrison added, “As a nurse leader, I am completely committed to maintaining a healthy work environment where nurses feel empowered and valued.” BBB Mechele Jenkins, MSN, RN Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital The team at the Children’s Heart Institute at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital is never surprised to see their director Mechele Jenkins at the hospital at all hours. One of her nominators remembered one New Year’s Eve: “An employee’s family member had passed away, and Mechele came to the hospital to sit with the employee, not as a leader but as a friend, so that employee knew to count on Mechele for support … and on any given day, this nurse leader can be seen on her unit, interacting with the staff, visiting patients and their families, answering call bells, and providing resolutions for staff and patient concerns.” Shortly after that family death occurred, one of the team members experienced a mental health crisis and ended up going to Jenkins’ office, asking for help, and because of this leader’s calm demeanor and compassion, the employee was able to secure the treatment needed. When a different employee from another department went to Jenkins’ office seeking help, this resulted in prompt assistance and the nurse leader earning the hospital’s Partners-in-Caring Award, recognizing Jenkins for aiding an employee in distress. Always stepping in to help, Jenkins took time to accompany a hospital visitor up several flights of stairs. The visitor was there to see her newborn grandbaby and was terrified of elevators, so Jenkins climbed stairs with her to visit the nursery and the new baby. If you ask Jenkins to describe her greatest challenge in her leadership, she declines to be specific because, as she said, “I love it all.” A graduate of Eisenhower High School in 1997, she earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Dillard University. She began working in the field with the the genetics lab faculty at Tulane University in New Orleans. At same time, her mother was caring for her elderly great-grandmother. “All of these experiences were resonating with me, which led me to Louisiana State University, where I earned my BSN,” Jenkins said. “I love learning, and in nursing, there’s something new to learn every day, and just when you think you’ve learned enough, there’s something new to learn.” She said her daily inspiration in nursing is working with immensely talented professionals wanting to give of themselves. “The people we work with, the patients we serve, share the same commitment, the same hope and the same feelings. We are absolutely a team — going through those hard days together. Being a leader means that showing up for your team during those hard days is important, all the time.” Jenkins brings her energy and her passion to see her care team grow, to witness very sick patients heal. She also brings her resilience and the ability to adapt to model for her team. And the advice she would give to future nurses is to “be consistent. Find a mentor, have a person you can discuss your problem-solving strategy with and trust the decisions you make,” Jenkins said. Becoming a nurse leader in 2009, Jenkins comes to work to build her team and encourage their growth, but said, “I don’t do what I do for accolades. I touch lives and don’t realize it, but that sticks with me during hard days in the heart transplant unit.” A new grad coming to Jenkins’ unit spends six months in training. During this time, Jenkins teaches classes on treatments and technology. “I have to read, study and ask doctors what I need to know,” she said. “It’s an imperative for our staff.” Her passion for health care extends beyond her unit, where she is the clinical manager mentor for the Professional Growth and Development Council, a part of the professional government structure at Memorial Hermann, empowering nurses and frontline clinicians. She also is a founding member of EMERGE, an employee resource group fostering professional growth, and chairs the hospital Staffing Effectiveness Committee. With all her responsibilities, Jenkins continues as a lifelong learner and is available to answer any questions at any time. Because her staff works around the clock, Jenkins always makes herself available, approachable, professional and compassionate, in a job she loves. BBB Sindhu Joseph, MSN, BSN, CVR Memorial Hermann — Texas Medical Center Encouraged by her mother, who saw her daughter as a compassionate caregiver, Sindhu Joseph grew up in Kerala, India, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Government Medical College Kottayam, and is now in her 27th year of nursing excellence. One of her nominations from a coworker describes this nurse’s achievements best: “Sindhu is an exceptional educator, mentor, coworker, and an exemplary nurse. She is compassionate and passionate about her job. I am absolutely honored to salute Sindhu for the nurse she is and for her devotion to increasing the body of nursing knowledge. “Sindhu is dedicated to nursing excellence, encouraging our nurses to study for numerous nursCare excellence Care from page H9 Nurse heroes continues on H12 Mechele Jenkins Sindhu Joseph l

HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 H11 Every year, the Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses celebration selects three outstanding nursing students to honor with scholarships to support their nursing education as they work toward entering the profession. The Houston Chronicle marks this tradition during National Nurses Week, which is May 6-12, and National Student Nurse day is May 8. As part of their award, the students receive a $3,000 scholarship, two invitations to the Salute to Nurses luncheon held May 2 at the Royal Sonesta, a commemorative award at the luncheon, and recognition in this Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses special section. Congratulations to this year’s deserving scholarship recipients, who are: Yolanda Batz, UH Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing Yolanda Batz is in her final year of her program at the University of Houston Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing. She decided to pursue a career in nursing due to her experience as a young child, in which she was often required to be a translator for her immigrant parents. “There were times when as a 5-yearold I had to translate for my mother in the emergency room and I felt very scared,” she said. “As I grew up, I decided that I wanted to be a nurse and be involved in caring for patients who did not speak Spanish, who were undocumented, and who came from disadvantaged backgrounds, to provide patient-centered care and help them navigate the health care field.” Batz’s short-term goal is to be a pediatric nurse to help ensure children already navigating stressful situations don’t also encounter the same problems she did as a child. For the long-term, she hopes to pursue master’s and doctoral degrees in nursing to eventually become a nurse practitioner and serve undocumented, immigrant and non-English speaking communities in poverty. This summer, she plans to pursue post-baccalaureate and take the first classes to begin her master’s degree at the University of Houston. “This scholarship will help me immensely, as I will be able to take the first steps toward pursuing my master’s degree with it,” she said. BBB Rachael Lee, Western Governors University Rachael Lee is a first-year nursing student at Western Governors University who is seeking to become a pediatric intensive care unit nurse, which is the unit she currently works in as a patient care assistant at Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands. Through her program, she will continue with getting certified as a pediatric nurse and as a critical care nurse. “I love the nurses I work with and the job is so rewarding,” she said. “It really gave me the confirmation in my heart that this was where I was meant to be and where I needed to grow academically and professionally.” Lee expressed her appreciation for the scholarship award, noting she was nominated by her coworkers. “I work with the best nurses who inspire me to be the best I can be, and their support in my educational growth has been such a blessing,” she said. “This scholarship will help me pay for my tuition and help relieve some of the stress that comes with achieving an education and the burden of a student loan, and this scholarship is going to help make sure my dream of becoming a PICU nurse comes true.” BBB Maria “Toni” Winterbauer Lone Star College Maria “Toni” Winterbauer is a nursing student nearing completion of her one-year RN to BSN program at Lone Star College. “I have always been interested in the medical field — I realized pretty young I wasn’t grossed out by the stuff other people were grossed out by,” said Winterbauer, whose mother-in-law is also a nurse. “I have also always loved taking care of people, so it’s kind of a perfect fit.” After she graduates in August, Winterbauer plans to pursue her master’s degree in an effort to determine what she wants to specialize in. “The BSN program has been very different from the ADN in that it’s about developing yourself and using that to improve your interpersonal skills. I’m learning it’s important to be aware of how you relate to people to be a leader. I am currently a nurse manager, so I’ve been able to put some of it into action already.” Winterbauer is sole provider for her family of five, and this scholarship will help to ease some financial burden. “It’s not easy and we all make sacrifices to be able to put me through school,” she said. “This takes a lot off my shoulders for tuition and books for summer.” NEXT GEN NURSES Three nursing students tapped for STN scholarship awards By Emilia Benton FREELANCE WRITER SALUTING STUDENTS HC Marketing photo Yolanda Batz HC Marketing photo Rachael Lee HC Marketing photo Marie “Toni” Winterbauer We can never

H12 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM It’s no secret that nurses occupy one of the most demanding of all professions — and are in high demand. A 2022 study showed that about 100,000 registered nurses left the workforce over the previous two years due to stress, burnout and retirements, and more than 600,000 nurses intend to leave the profession by 2027. It’s a top priority at St. Luke’s Health to attract and retain these indispensable health care team members through several innovative initiatives that promote a healthier work-life balance and improve job satisfaction for nurses at every stage of their careers. Giving nurses a voice and an opportunity to be heard and taken seriously about their work-life balance needs is the single most important strategy for retaining nurses. Offering more flexibility in scheduling and sharing in the decision making allows nurses to collaborate with each other and their supervisors about their shift schedules and empowers team members. Providing ongoing educational support for furthering their own professional development is another way St. Luke’s Health is enhancing the job satisfaction of its existing nursing staff. Both strategies are also powerful recruiting tools for attracting new nurses as well as incentives for those who have left the workforce but want to return to the profession. Balancing the wellbeing of its nurses with the needs of the patients they serve is core to the mission of St. Luke’s Health. It’s their way of putting “humankindness” into practice every day. SPONSOR St. Luke’s Health attracts, retains top nurses Courtesy of St. Luke’s Health It’s a top priority at St. Luke’s Health to attract and retain health care team members through various innovative initiatives. Undergraduate students at the University of Houston Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing have opportunities to pursue real-world research activities, giving them an important advantage as they become thoughtful and skilled nurse leaders and professionals. Future nurse Yolanda Batz, a student in the College’s traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, worked with Associate Professor Cheryl Brohard on research impacting dementia patients and their caregivers. Their work led to a redesign of a therapy aid called Life Review that’s been shown to assist with depression symptoms in patients and stress in those who care for them. “A caregiver doesn’t necessarily have to be a nurse or a medical professional. Sometimes a family member who has received some training or support can do a great job,” Batz said. Life review helps patients resolve their past conflicts, reconstruct their life stories and accept their present conditions. “Interventions such as the creation of Life Story Books are linked to improved patient mood and decreased caregiver burden,” said Brohard. “Caregivers who were spouses of dementia patients reported a sense of hope and enhanced interpersonal trust.” There were five phases in the planning and implementation of the intervention, including a literature review, curriculum design and caregiver training, weekly life review sessions, weekly feasibility sessions, and an evaluation. “The caregivers found that they wanted more time to learn about each other in the training class. Minimal assistance was needed during the fidelity sessions, which the caregivers completed on a weekly basis while they facilitated life reviews with their care recipients over six weeks,” said Brohard. The findings are published in The International Journal of Reminiscence and Life Review. The College supports undergraduate research as a part of its strategic goals for nursing practice and clinical education. “My role was to assist Dr. Brohard, but this research project has opened so many doors for me,” Batz said. In fact, Batz is receiving a Salute to Nurses nursing student scholarship this year, a first for the University of Houston. SPONSOR Nursing research a key component to academic work Courtesy of UH Yolanda Batz (L), a student in the College’s traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, worked with Associate Professor Cheryl Brohard on research impacting dementia patients and their caregivers. UH student paired with faculty mentor for real-world study ing certifications. “Our unit has experienced an exponential growth in the number of certified nurses and the number of nurses who have achieved their professional nurse’s advancement program certification in recent years. In 2021, we only had nine certified nurses. In 2022, our unit reached 14 certified nurses, and in 2023 we ended the year with 22 certified nurses. “Sindhu also encourages and works with our nurses to apply for PNAP (Professional Nurse Advancement Program). She meets with nurses, one on one, to complete their forms. She speaks about professional development and why it offers a sense of professional pride and why it is desirable to achieve it. She is truly passionate about improving knowledge. “We do not hesitate to call Sindhu whenever there is an identified knowledge deficit. Recently, our unit was supposed to admit a patient who had a Protect IV device and I had no clue what the device or the care for the patient entailed. Immediately, I reached out to Sindhu. “She immediately reached out to other educators, found out what the device was, the care required and shared the knowledge with our staff, ensuring that staff had the knowledge to provide safe care for the patient and — most importantly — that we were comfortable with taking care of the patient. Sindhu also prepares seminars, in-services, tutorial sessions, and continued education courses whenever the need arrives, and is a tremendous help and support to her teams. “She readily responds when the unit is stressed, crashing, or burning. She gives her expert help to nurses when they have a difficult IV or blood draw. She also is a gold mine of knowledge and never minds if we call her a million times to give advice on any situations involving the heart. She is honest and persevering and does everything with a smile.” “Nursing is not just a career,” Joseph said, “and as nurses we can do so much to make a difference. Because of my mother, who always had a caring mentality, her words, what she saw in me as her eldest child, inspired me to pursue a degree and a career in nursing. Who I am today is because of my mother.” Coming to the U.S. in 2007, when her husband — Joy Palouse — received a job offer here, the nurse remembered that becoming acclimated as a new culture, new traditions and a new language was difficult. “What I witnessed as a nurse at the bedside was that American hospitals gave nurses more autonomy, more respect and more opportunities to grow,” she said, “so with my husband’s support, I went on to earn my MSN and am currently studying for my DNP (Doctorate of Nursing Practice).” A nurse educator since 2016, Joseph said she loves teaching, which allows her to help build a new generation of nurses, sharing her professional experience and personal knowledge. She said the best changes she has seen in nursing are the opportunities nurses now have to advance their careers by going back to school. Working with heart pump and transplant patients, Joseph said the work is demanding and challenging, and she cherishes the strong relationships between nurses and patients. “One patient asked me to sing with him before his heart transplant. He called me at 2 a.m. prior to surgery for words of encouragement. We feel we are one family,” she said. BBB Carol Laurents, BSN, RN, CNOR, CSSM, Houston Methodist Born and raised in Houston, Carol Laurents was drawn to the nursing profession by two strong influences. One, “I loved my science classes,” she said. Second, she was inspired by her grandmother, who was a nurse herself. “We have pictures of her in her white uniform and cap, and her navy cape. I also was given her watch,” said Laurents, a 37-year-veteran of the hospital bedside. “As the story goes, this watch was given to my grandmother by my grandfather as a gift when she graduated from nursing school.” After becoming an RN, Laurents’ grandma found a job at a local Houston-area hospital. Laurents graduated from North Shore High School, with a sister also going into nursing. After graduation, Laurents began taking core courses at San Jacinto College - East before enrolling in the San Jacinto College Associate Degree in Nursing program. After completing her ADN at San Jac and her RN in 1989, Laurents earned her BSN from UT-Arlington in 2011. Laurents has distinguished herself as a nurse with her continuing efforts to learn and her expertise by the bedside. When robotics technology was introduced into various surgical procedures, Laurents was the first nurse to be trained for it for women’s surgeries at the hospital. She also found her niche in teaching and precepting. “I truly enjoy teaching and watching people grow in their skills and proficiencies, and finding confidence in what they do,” Laurents said. One of her nominators wrote, “Carol is a true leader in the operating room. Her ability to problem-solve any situation has earned her the respect and admiration of surgeons, staff, and patients alike. She has an amazing talent for keeping her team focused and motivated, even in the most challenging situations. “Carol is a highly skilled and knowledgeable nurse manager who has trained several directors and managers. She is an exceptional advocate for her staff and patients, always advocating for their best interests. She is also a loyal and committed leader who is dedicated to excellence in all that she does. Whether she is working with patients directly or managing her team, Carol approaches every task with a level of care and dedication that is inspiring to everyone. “Carol has honed her management style to perfection. She is great at delegating responsibilities, setting clear expectations, and providing the necessary support and guidance to her team. Her ability to balance the needs of her team with the demands of the job is truly astonishing. Her open-door policy and willingness to listen have created a work environment that is both supportive and collaborative. Her ability to problem-solve, delegate responsibilities, and build great relationships with her team members has earned her the respect and admiration of everyone she works with. “I would like to share a story that will illustrate Carol’s true dedication and ability to call on resources needed in a crisis,” the nominator continued: “While at work, Carol was called to the phone to answer a call from an employee who, years ago, Nurse heroes Nurse heroes from page H10 Saluting continues on H13 Carol Laurents

In 2017, Kiri Rohne had a dream: to move out of her four-door home, a Toyota Cressida. Five years later, she would be not only be out of her car but also working in a hospital after completing her entire nursing pathway — from certified nurse aide to Bachelor of Science in Nursing — at San Jacinto College. Overcoming ‘late’ start At 31, Rohne thought it was too late and costly to pursue college, despite wanting to help others as a nurse. While working at Chick-fil-A, she learned San Jac offered scholarships and affordable tuition — plus flexible classes to fit around her job. “It gave me hope that I would be able to go to school to become a nurse no matter how long it took me,” she said. Rolling up sleeves In 2018, Rohne finished San Jac’s certified nurse aide program, got her license, and started working with nursing home residents. This role deepened her desire to help patients of all ages. When she transitioned to the College’s vocational nursing program, Rohne faced her biggest challenge yet — balancing full weekdays of classes and clinicals and almost 17- hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday. She continued this schedule while going straight into the LVN to RN transition nursing program. “There were a lot of tears through the process, and exhaustion was definitely a thing,” she said. “But to get where I wanted to be, I was going to have to push through it to make it happen.” A registered nurse by 2021, Rohne still wasn’t done. She immediately enrolled in San Jac’s oneyear BSN program — training that would open nursing leadership roles. Reaping rewards Today, Rohne is a board-certified cardiovascular nurse at HCA Health Care Clear Lake Heart Hospital. No longer does she worry about a steady paycheck. While her San Jac training prepared her for real-world nursing, she credits much of her success to her college support system. “I remember the teachers and staff being so sympathetic and going out of their way to help me,” she said. “I always knew they wanted me to succeed. They didn’t just say it, but I could feel it.” Now, as a nurse, Rohne fulfills her two core desires: helping and learning. “Health is more than physical, and I strive every day — every shift — to help brighten the spirits of my patients,” she said. “I also always crave learning ... and the nursing field is quite literally packed with things to learn.” Rohne embraces the journey she’s traveled, knowing that her difficulties led to sweeter success. “I’m proud of my story and how hard I fought to get here,” she said. “When people ask me where I graduated, I’m proud to say San Jacinto College.” EDUCATION SPONSOR From car living to cardiovascular nurse By Courtney Morris SAN JACINTO COLLEGE BSN DEGREE AT YOUR FINGERTIPS Are you a working RN looking to advance your career? Earn your BSN degree 100% online — at community college tuition rates — at San Jacinto College. Every BSN student receives a scholarship! Apply now through Aug.16 for the fall 2024 cohort. Learn more at sanjac.edu/bsn. Courtesy of San Jacinto College While her San Jac training prepared her for real-world nursing, Kiri Rohne credits much of her success to her college support system. HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 H13 worked as our charge coordinator. The employee was crying because her daughter, who lived about 100 miles away, was pregnant and in danger of losing a child … after already miscarrying twice. The daughter’s hospital was not equipped to handle her situation, and minutes were ticking away while they attempted to find a physician in Houston to take her case. “Carol, who works in the operating room, tracked down the labor and delivery hospitalist at Methodist to explain the situation. The physician immediately called a high-risk maternal fetal medicine specialist to accept the emergency case. “After many phone calls and coordination, she was able to aid the out-of-town hospital by completing the paperwork needed to transfer the employee’s daughter to Houston for an emergency rescue protocols. “Months later, the employee — now a proud grandmother — came to show Carol pictures of her healthy new grandbaby. The pregnancy was a success. The employee was eternally grateful to Carol for her help, knowing that if she hadn’t made that call that things could have gone differently.” BBB Cristina Martin, MSN, RNC-OB, NEA-BC, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital In the post-COVID world today, demand is high, jobs are available, and hospitals are continually evaluating how to keep and recruit good employees. Cristina Martin, director Saluting nurses Saluting from page H12 Above & beyond continues on H14 CristinaMartin

H14 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM for Women’s and Peri-natal Services, Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital, leads with excellence. In 2016, Martin was given the opportunity of a leadership role. Now responsible for hiring new employees for the unit, she not only looks at the candidate’s resume but also, during the face-to-face interview, looks for their passion, their empathy and their ability to connect, and with her leadership creates an environment that sustains a tenured, well-trained and compassionate team. “The key to keeping employees is exceptional leaders,” a nomination stated. “They are the culture foundation-setter of their unit and have ultimate accountability of its employees, patients, and care. One needs to look deeper at the surroundings to recognize the impact a strong leader has on a unit. “She is my director, nursing peer, sometimes mentor, but most important, she is my friend. She inspires me to be a better leader — and after our conversation yesterday, a better person. She is a quiet leader — strong and steady, passionate about her unit and employees. “When I think of adjectives that describe her as a leader, here are a few: accountable, collaborative, approachable, courageous, innovative, and optimistic. “However, the ones that make her an outstanding nurse are empathy and compassion.” Martin, a 23-year nursing veteran, leads a team of true experts who are well-trained to care for women, from child-bearing age into the peri-menopausal stages, to women experiencing some of the more common diseases across age groups. Empathy and compassion. Martin emphasizes these attributes throughout the departments she oversees. These two words are imperatives when working with diverse populations — from the couple carrying a baby to near term, only to find there is no longer a heartbeat, to patients fearing a cancer diagnosis only to find there is no malignancy, or the surrogates who deliver a child and then hand that child to joyful parents. In all cases, Martin and her teams provide the support to comfort every patient within their own unique circumstances. Martin knows her decisions — even unpopular ones — always focus on the safety and well-being of the patient and family and ensuring “we, as a health care team, are doing everything we can to keep them safe and provide them with resources for mental health prior to being discharged.” A patient is admitted to Women’s and Peri-natal Services at Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital — and almost immediately, the patient’s team of caregivers become part of her family. Nurse leader Martin cherishes these moments, these heart-tugging experiences. “My sister, eight years older, is a nurse, and based on the stories she shared, I initially wanted to be a pediatrician,” Martin said. After graduating from Waller High School in rural southeast Texas at age 19, she married and moved to North Texas and the D/FW area. In 2001, she was awarded her Associate Degree in Nursing by North Central Texas College in Gainesville. In 2009 she earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Houston’s Victoria Campus in Sugar Land. She then went on to earn her MSN from the same school. “During my delivery rotation in school, I discovered being in the delivery room and being able to share the long-awaited birth, that moment of joy — you really are part of that family,” Martin said. “During times of grief, when you can offer unwavering support for the family. Those are special moments, too. All these special moments filled my cup. This was my passion.” Martin’s unit cares for women, ages 15 to 50, and she adds, as fertility rates have historically dropped, her teams are seeing more surrogates, and as the needs of populations evolve and changes are needed, “everything we do gives me sleepless nights, and I ask myself, ‘How do we keep up with changing needs in women’s health care?’” When she learned she was one of the Chronicle’s Top 15 Nurses for this year’s Salute to Nurses, Martin said, “I never thought I would receive Top 15, but it takes a great team to achieve high goals.” BBB Cristina Montalban-Dimafiles, DNP, MSN, BSN, Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center Cristina Montalban-Dimafiles said she was inspired by her “family’s dedication to health care” to set her own professional path — nursing. “I embarked on a journey to become a nurse, fueled by the captivating stories they shared and the pride they exuded in their crisp, white uniforms and caps back in the glory days of nursing,” Montalban-Dimafiles said. “I was educated in the Philippines and initially took a volunteer nurse position for six months after graduation to work for a medical surgical floor. I transitioned to critical care and worked for neuro-surgical, medical surgical ICU before immigrating to Houston in 2001. “I chose to embark on a nursing career to make a positive difference in people’s lives by offering support and fostering resilience during their brightest and darkest moments alike.” The 20-year veteran nurse continued, “As a family of nurses, despite the challenges of the COVID pandemic, we served united under a common goal: to protect and serve our patients with courage and compassion. I was recognized as one of the nurses for the Texas Nurses Association District 9 Nurse Hero Award (2021) for facing the pandemic, along with the many brave nurses without fear and hesitation.” According to one of the nominators, “Dr. Montalban-Dimafiles’ ability to listen attentively, provide constructive feedback, and celebrate the achievements of her team fosters a culture of mutual respect and continuous improvement. This nurturing environment encourages new nurse leaders to step out of their comfort zones, take risks, and innovate. “Her role as a mentor extends beyond professional development; she is deeply invested in the personal growth of her team members. Her guidance is characterized by compassion, understanding, and a genuine desire to see others succeed. “She continuously seeks to improve her skills and knowledge. Her commitment to lifelong learning serves as a powerful example for her team, demonstrating the importance of staying abreast of the latest developments in health care and leadership. Cristina’s dedication to her professional Above & beyond Above & beyond from page H13 Exceptional nurses continues on H16 “Her role as a mentor extends beyond professional development; she is deeply invested in the personal growth of her team members.” Nominator for Cristina Montalban-Dimafiles Cristina Montalban-Dimafiles B l r St. Lk’ Each year, National Nurses Week celebrates the nursing profession and the crucial, tireless role nurses play in U.S. health care. It begins May 6, National Nurses Day, and concludes on May 12, which is nurse pioneer Florence Nightingale’s birthday (1820-1910). Nightingale’s important work is honored during the week, and this year marks the 202nd anniversary of her birthday. During Nurses Week, efforts are made to educate the public about what nurses do and promote nursing as a possible career choice. National Student Nurse Day is held May 8 as well to honor those studying to enter the field. Gallup poll results It is no surprise nurses have once again ranked No. 1 in Gallup’s annual Most Honest and Ethical Professions Poll, according to the American Nurses Association. The American public rated nurses the highest among a host of professions, including medical doctors, grade-school teachers, and pharmacists. The nurses’ ranking in the poll directly reflects the trust the American public has in nurses and the work they continue to do to earn that trust, even amid a pandemic. According to the poll, 81 percent of Americans rated nurses’ honesty and ethical standards as “very high” or “high.” The second-highest-rated profession, medical doctors, was rated 14 percentage points behind nursing. The history Just who was Florence Nightingale? She became a heroine in the Crimean War. In early 1854, she and a team she trained in nursing traveled to the main British war camp in southern Ukraine. When she arrived, she found an overworked medical staff and a short supply of medicine. She organized and enhanced the nursing of the sick and wounded, and improved the cleanliness of the area. She was greatly admired for her far-sighted ideas and her writings sparked worldwide health care reform. Inspired by her actions, more young women then trained to become nurses. President Ronald Reagan signed a proclamation on March 25, 1982, proclaiming “National Recognition Day for Nurses” to be May 6 of that year. And in 1990 the ANA board of directors expanded the recognition of nurses to a weeklong celebration, declaring May 6-12, 1991, as National Nurses Week, and later making the dates permanent. Why is the profession of nursing so important? Fulfilling a critical role as “the backbone” of health care, nurses are on the front lines of providing quality care, serving the American public in a wide range of roles and workplaces. For more information, visit chron.com/salutetonurses. — Custom Publishing Monkey Business/Shutterstock ANNUAL CELEBRATION Health care heroes: National Nurses Week honored May 6-12

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H16 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM grat growth ensures that she remains a relevant and effective leader, capable of navigating the everchanging landscape of health care. “Completing her doctoral program during the pandemic was not an easy task, but she made it possible because of her grit, resilience and can-do attitude.” The nurse said, “I am a lifelong learner. I stay active participating in different professional nursing organizations, and attending yearly conferences keeps me updated on the latest developments in critical care and nursing practices.” Her goal has always been to cultivate a team of confident, compassionate, and competent nurse leaders. “Her leadership style not only enhances the quality of patient care, but also contributes to the development of a resilient, innovative, and forwardthinking nursing workforce,” a nominator wrote. “She is a multi-awarded nurse, yet humble and well-loved by everyone. She brings hope and possibility when times get tough and is calm and collected whatever situation comes her way. She views challenges as a way to grow and become better. “This nurse stands out as a beacon of leadership and support in the nursing community, embodying the qualities of an exceptional, supportive nurse leader. Her commitment to advocacy, empowerment, and mentorship has not only elevated the standards of nursing leadership, but also has left an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of those she leads.” Seeing patients recover and heal is a source of fulfillment for Montalban-Dimafiles. “In my 20 plus years of being an ICU nurse, every time I go back to that space in time, I am humbled to hold someone’s hand to provide comfort, at times when I say a prayer to a dying patient while awaiting family to arrive,” she said. “Cristina approaches leadership with consistent support for her direct reports, fostering an environment where new nurse leaders feel valued, understood, and motivated to reach their full potential,” a nominator said. “She has earned many awards, honors and achieved many goals as an ICU nurse. She was awarded the Nurse Clinician Award with her strong clinical ICU background, providing best care and earning the Nurse Innovation Award. She has also been a project lead and the brain of many initiatives.” BBB Sharon Staton, MSN, BSN, Texas Children’s Hospital Growing up in a home where her parents emphasized productivity and well-roundedness, Sharon Staton’s parents encouraged her to participate in leadership activities and sports while a student at Clinton (MS) High School. A lifelong learner, her early life has shaped her curiosity and perseverance her work ethic and her appreciation of her place on a team where contributions are appreciated, team members are appreciated and a positive work environment. In being selected for the Houston Chronicle’s Top 15 Nurses, “I am surprised and humbled, and stand as an ambassador for my team and what they continue to contribute, day in and day out,” said Staton, a 31-year veteran nurse. “My inspiration for going to work as a nurse for these three decades is simply how I was raised. I look forward to going to work. Texas Children’s Hospital is a great environment and my team is like my extended family, especially when my family is not in Houston.” Her appreciation is returned by her team member, as her nomination reflects: “I am thrilled to nominate Sharon Staton for her significant contribution to nursing excellence and innovation. Throughout her 30 years-plus in nursing, Sharon has had many roles, including charge nurse, preceptor, educator, and most recently, clinical specialist on the Bone Marrow Transplant unit (BMT) at Texas Children’s Hospital. Her intense passion for continuously improving the quality of care and patient outcomes is evident in every aspect of her work.” “I had worked on the Bone Morrow Transplant unit for three years. We hired a dental hygienist as an oral health educator. In 2022, we began comparing notes about post-stem-cell transplant patients and the painful oral and pharyngeal mucositis they experienced and a therapy used in dentistry called photobiomodulation (PBM) — an LED light therapy (red and near-infrared spectrum). We reviewed existing literature and then presented data we found to several committees,” Staton said. In 2023, their data collection continued, and they submitted plans to conduct a feasibility study to analyze intra-oral data. “One of the first things we documented was that nurses were noticing a decrease in the patientcontrolled dosage of morphine. That was exciting,” Staton said. “Then we observed more patients being able to eat a modified diet rather than going home on a central line feeding tube.” The LED treatments, which began before the implantation procedure, seemed to make it easier for patients to brush their teeth before the procedure. “When parents see their children unable to eat, they seem to feel hopeless, so you can imagine the emotional boost when their children can eat without pain. The most statistically significant outcome of the treatment is the shortened length of stay in the hospital because the need for tube feedings is less,” Staton said. “Sharon’s steadfast leadership and dedication to the project resulted in successful implementation of this new protocol with an amazingly positive impact on our patients,” the nomination said. “Pain associated with mucositis was scored 25% lower in patients who received PBM, with a 27% decrease in PCA usage. With decreased oral pain, patients showed improved oral care and a more remarkable ability to enjoy eating and drinking.” Staton’s impact is felt well beyond this project. She is an active volunteer supporting bone marrow transplant patients with social events outside the hospital as part of the “Beyond Protocols” initiative. The nominator continued, “She is readily available to our nursing staff to solve problems with challenging clinical situations or new therapies. One specific example: our unit had an increase in central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and several of our patients were struggling with bathing. “One was a teenage girl who only had her father at the bedside and was not motivated to bathe. In her clinical specialist role, Sharon rounded on this patient daily and helped bathe her as needed. There is no role Sharon will not take on to support Exceptional nurses Exceptional nurses from page H14 “One of the first things we documented was that nurses were noticing a decrease in the patient-controlled dosage of morphine. That was exciting.” Sharon Staton Dedication continues on H17 Sharon Staton

HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 H17 her BMT team and patients.” “Sharon is among the most outstanding nurses I have had the incredible fortune to work with,” her nominator said. “Her pioneering work with PBM exemplifies her lifelong passion and dedication to quality patient care and the advancement of the nursing profession.” BBB Jessica Sutterfield, DNP, MBA, RN, NE-BC, Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital It may come as no surprise, especially those who have worked with her, that in 2021, 15-year nurse veteran Dr. Jessica Sutterfield, MBA, MSN, RN, NE- BC, was promoted to director of the surgical units and education department at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital. As a director, Sutterfield stepped up to open two surgical units in the new Unity Tower while also undergoing some personal challenges. In 2022, Sutterfield worked to revitalize leader rounds for patient experience to re-focus the patient’s brain to remember the positive instead of negative situations. This resulted in higher scores at HMB and throughout Houston Methodist, as the leader rounding was adopted across the system. Set to graduate this month, Sutterfield also has worked on achieving her Doctor of Nursing Practice in the post-COVID era and focused her research on building resilience and emotional intelligence. Sutterfield has prioritized helping others with resilience while also learning to be resilient herself. Now as a director, Sutterfield’s units maintained high performance throughout 2023. The third of seven children, Sutterfield was born in Midland, Texas, and spent her early life in Van Horn, in West Texas, between El Paso and Odessa. By high school, her family had moved to Dayton in East Texas. Even in her teens, Sutterfield began developing leadership skills. In high school, she was elected to serve on student council. A strong student, she also was in National Honor Society, and because she was among the eldest of her siblings, Sutterfield served as a leader and role model for the younger children. She also sold sno-cones at the family’s stand until she gotajob at a local sandwich shop. “By the end of my first semester, I realized going to medical school would be too expensive, so I decided to switch my major to nursing until I saved enough for medical school,” Sutterfield said. “After becoming a nurse and taking care of patients, to finish my degree, I was working part-time at Family Dollar and as a nurse tech until I graduated with my RN and then got a job at the same hospital.” In the interim, she married her high school sweetheart, Roger, a high school football coach and teacher. “I am inspired to go to work every day because the people I work with want to accomplish so much,” Sutterfield said. “They go above and beyond to take care of patients, but they also want more … and why not? They want to be number one in quality care and in safety. But you are a person first. These nurses come in and give so much, but they also want to participate in their lives. “Supporting my people can add another kind of loyalty, and I encourage my team to live life, to take some ‘mental downtime.’” As one coworker said, “A big part of Jessica’s success is her ability to communicate and relate to her staff. Her door is always open, her candy dish is always full, and she encourages and expects collaboration. “Understanding the struggle of her staff and having the desire to prevent burnout, Jessica worked with her nurse residents to create a new culture empowered with teamwork and collaboration. This new initiative became known as ‘Code Lavender.’ “Any staff member experiencing an inability to ‘do it all’ was now able to call the unit administrative assistant (UAA) to start a Code Lavender. Individuals with time on their hands were now able to meet at the UAA desk and be given a task by the individual needing help. “What started out as an idea to help her staff and empower her nurse residents not only created a collaborative culture, but gained the recognition of the greater Houston Methodist system. This initiative was given a system quality award and Jessica was asked by the system chief medical officer to present how best to implement this code to all needed units within the Houston Methodist hospitals.” Not only has Sutterfield — and the unit under her leadership — received recognition, they improved in several areas. What Sutterfield is most proud of is the increase in RN satisfaction. “The greatest challenge in nursing today is the mental and emotional workload,” Sutterfield said. “Every bucket has a hole in it and it must be refilled. Take time to fix the hole. Then, what you put in is what you get out.” BBB Seena Thomas, MSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, Memorial Hermann — Texas Medical Center Seena Thomas has been a lifelong learner, beginning as a child growing up in Kerala, India, taking in everything around her and then exploring on her own. Along with this natural curiosity and more than 10 years at the bedside, Thomas, a 28-year veteran nurse, has become a resource specialist in the Memorial HermannTexas Medical Center’s Heart Failure ICU, a challenging area. After nursing school, she was drawn to cardiovascular surgery, cardiovascular patient care and, specifically, heart failure patients. “This became my niche,” Thomas said. “This was where I wanted to be.” A coworker wrote, “Last year, Seena made us proud twice by doing podium presentations nationally and internationally. With two colleagues, Seena presented at American Association of Critical Care Nurses in Philadelphia on Early Right Ventricular Failure in the Setting of Left Ventricular Assist Device. “With another colleague, Seena also presented at the International Transplant Nurses Society (ITNS) at Dallas on Donor-Derived Cell Free DAN Assay to Identify Heart Transplant Rejection. “This abstract received the Best Research award. Her abstract also was selected for presentation at AACN’s National Teaching Institute (NTI) at Denver on Intricacies of Pulmonary Artery Hypertension.” Thomas has been selected as one of the panelists for the Houston Shock Symposium Nursing Summit, received the Good Samaritan Bronze Award in 2023 and was nominated for a hospital award under the category ‘Credibility.’ The coworker continued, “Seena is a great education resource specialist in the Heart Failure Intensive Care Unit (HFICU). She has her master’s in nursing education, CCRN, CSC and had been an excellent bedside nurse in the HFICU. She had been a preceptor and charge nurse in the same unit. “When doctors, nurses, or patients/families have Seena at the bedside, they know they are in the best hands. Day after day, she has shown her expertise and proficiency in whatever roles she is in that day. She is an invaluable resource for the high-acuity unit like HFICU, especially as a staff nurse on the night shift for all the issues that arise when there is limited medical staff available.” Thomas took the role of the clinical educator in 2019 for the HFICU, the unit managing patients with mechanical heart support devices like Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD), Impella, Intra-aortic Balloon Pump (IABP), Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), and other right-sided and left-sided support devices like Centrimag and Tandem Heart. The coworker said, “Within a year of Seena starting as the educator, she began teaching these classes. She has amazed me with the time and effort she put into developing these classes from scratch. She has met with cardiac surgeons, cardiologists and perfusionists to look at her teaching material to ensure all the information is accurate. “She also teaches lung transplant and heart transplant. Not surprisingly, Seena’s diligence for accurate and current information and studentfriendly teaching style draws much appreciation and many good comments from her students every time she teaches. The nurses on the unit love Seena.” An administrator said in their nomination, “Seena developed a comprehensive post-op orientation binder for new Heart Failure employees. This invaluable resource equips them with the necessary tools and knowledge to provide exceptional care for post-operative cases, such as CAB, valves, LVAD, and transplants.” “On our unit, she is a friend and mother figure to most,” the coworker wrote. “She has a genuine interest in others, always ready with a smile and a helping hand. She is always full of positive thoughts and energy, with an excellent relationship with her leadership team. She has great knowledge of devices and transplants, and is a ‘go-to’ person for many.” Thomas said her inspiration as a nurse comes not only from being a teacher but also from her skills as a nurse at bedside. “One of my patients in the heart failure unit was admitted for implantation of a medical assistive device, and as my patient at bedside, received the best of care and support, like every patient in our unit,” Thomas said. “We have stayed in contact with him and his family. He is living a second life and that is so inspiring. “All the hard work our team did to make this happen. That is why I’m a nurse — this is my calling.” Dedication Dedication from page H16 Salute to Nurses is produced by the Houston Chronicle Custom Publishing Group, a specialized division of the Houston Chronicle. Address, phone P.O. Box 4260 Houston, TX 77210 713-362-3131 Editorial questions hc_specpub@chron.com To advertise Jeni Heard Jeni.Heard@chron.com ABOUT THE SECTION “...Seena’s diligence for accurate and current information and student-friendly teaching style draws much appreciation and many good comments from her students every time she teaches. The nurses on the unit love Seena.” Nominator for Seena Thomas Jessica Sutterfield Seena Thomas

H18 SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 HOUSTON CHRONICLE | HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM On April 25, the Houston Chronicle hosted the 2nd annual exclusive House Concert honoring Houston’s Top 15 Nurses, past and present, on site in our event center. The honored guests, whose dedication and hard work are recognized annually during the time of the Salute to Nurses, got a chance to mingle and relax, and were treated to the amazing sounds of artists Susan Gibson and Libby Koch, and the master DJ Mik One. As always, thank you, Houston’s nurse heroes! HC MARKETING PHOTOS NURSES ENJOY SPECIAL EVENT A HOUSTON CHRONICLE EVENT

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News from 2 Your College 3 Building the FutSANJAC.EDU

gToward ture From Student to 4 Teacher HOUSTON CHRONICLE CUSTOM ADVERTISING SECTION SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024

2 <<< Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section | Opportunity News | Sunday | May 5, 2024 NEWS FROM YNaming ceremony celebrates Pickavance’s legacy at Maritime Campus Rear Adm. William W. “Bear” Pickavance Jr., U.S. Navy, was honored in a ceremony March 6 at the San Jacinto College Maritime Campus for his contributions to the campus’ establishment and construction. “I’m awestruck by this honor,” said Pickavance. “There are so many people who put their efforts into building this program, and I’m happy to be among them.” The ceremony marked the naming of the student lounge near the campus entrance, which Pickavance designed. Thanks to an anonymous donation, the area will be named the Admiral’s Lounge. Pickavance joined San Jac in 2013 as a consultant after Chancellor Dr. Brenda Hellyer asked him to assist in creating a maritime program and campus. “Admiral Pickavance helped bridge the gap between higher education and industry,” Hellyer said. “His passion and dedication to creating the best possible program and facilities can be seen in every corner of this campus.” Many of the campus features, including the Houston Pilot’s maritime simulation suite and more, resulted from Pickavance’s diligence. His dedication and hard work, along with the groundwork he laid before construction began, have shaped the Maritime Campus into what it is today. View ceremony photos at bit. ly/SJC-Rear-Admiral-Lounge. Scan the QR code to learn more about the Maritime Campus. Foundadonorslives Kevin Rodriguehis response as hphone in his hanemail announcinga San Jacinto Colscholarship. He cOlder than manclassmates, Rodricould finish an aslet alone win a sc“The scholarshfar more than jusassistance,” he sasymbolized belief potential, my dremy aspirations.” During its annuluncheon on Feb. Foundation celebRodriguez’s changenerous commuwho support studscholarships andThe Foundatiomanages 92 activscholarship fundscholarship fundThanks to comgenerosity, the Fohas awarded… • More than 7,0San Jac Scholmore than $5• 1,260 awards than $900,00• 858 awards w$510,000 in fView the lunchbit.ly/SJC-DonoScan the QR code to learn how you can join in changing students’ lives through the Foundation. Photo by Melissa Trevizo, San Jacinto College

sanjac.edu YOUR COLLEGE ation change ez remembers he sat in his car, ds, reading the g he’d received llege Foundation cried. ny of his iguez doubted he ssociate degree, cholarship. hip represented st monetary aid. “It f— belief in my eams, and ual donor .21, the brated lives like nged thanks to unity members dents through other initiatives. n currently ve endowed s and 134 annual s. mmunity oundation 000 Promise @ larships worth million worth more 00 in 2022-2023 worth more than fall 2023 heon photos at or-Lunch-24. 1,300 kids get vision screenings through See to Succeed San Jacinto College eye care technology students helped make a difference in local kids’ classroom success through See to Succeed. From Feb. 26-March 1, the College’s eye care technology program teamed with eye care professionals to provide free eye screenings, exams, and glasses fittings for Pasadena Independent School District students. At the Pasadena Convention Center, 300 See to Succeed volunteers saw 1,313 children. About 1,280 received free glasses, and 364 received medical referrals for other eye issues. This service learning project not only provides valuable eye exams to local children but also educates San Jac students on career-specific skill sets, such as communicating with patients and collaborating with other health care providers. View the photos at bit.ly/SJCSee-to-Succeed-2024. Photo by Courtney Morris, San Jacinto College Photo by Courtney Morris, San Jacinto College

sanjac.edu By Melissa Trevizo San Jacinto College As Imaad Ali enters his senior year, he expects to graduate with his high school diploma, a college degree, and an ambitious outlook on life. The 18-year-old is enrolled in San Jacinto College’s Early College High School program on the South Campus through Dobie High School. “When I first heard about early college, I thought it wouldn’t be for me,” said Ali. “But as my parents and I learned more about it, it seemed like a great deal. My tuition and books are paid, and I’m getting a head start before I enroll at a university.” The Early College High School initiative is an openenrollment four-year program that blends college and high school coursework, enabling students to earn up to two years of college credit tuition-free while enrolled in high school. This program serves Clear Creek, Galena Park, Pasadena, and Sheldon independent school districts, with eight high school campuses represented. “I feel like early college has given me a training ground for what life will be like at a university,” said Ali. “I’ll be two years ahead of everyone else once I transfer.” During Ali’s upbringing, his parents held eduhigh regard. “My parents imPakistan in the esaid Ali. “They worried about mcollege. My mom Pakistan, and shbe the best that school and learnfrom her.” Ali has takencollege student sjoining Phi ThetBUILDING TOWARD THEJOURNEY THROUGH EAPhoto by Melissa Trevizo, San Jacinto College

Sunday | May 5, 2024 | Opportunity News | Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section >>> 3 ucation in mmigrated from early 2000s,” were always my future and mwasatutor in he pushed me to I can. I enjoy ning. I get that his role as seriously, ta Kappa and the student government association. In fall 2023, Ali took on the responsibility of SGA president for the South Campus. “After joining PTK, I learned about all the community service they do,” said Ali. “It encouraged me to do more. I started as the SGA secretary, then ran for president uncontested. As the president, I will represent the student body and their needs.” As a business major, Ali has taken accounting and economics classes along with his basic courses and hopes to transfer to Texas Tech University to pursue a dual degree in business and architecture. “I’m looking forward to what the future holds for me after San Jac,” said Ali. “I know I’ve got a good foundation to build on.” E FUTURE: IMAAD ALI’S ARLY COLLEGE SUCCESS

4 <<< Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section | Opportunity News | Sunday | May 5, 2024 FROM STUDENTALUMNA GBy Neesha Hosein SAN JACINTO COLLEGE As a student, Kazzandra Sanchez always considered school a safe space. Today, her bilingual pre-K classroom at Pasadena Independent School District offers the same foranew generation. “I was really into choir in high school, and it’s whereIfelt like myself the most,” Sanchez said. “That was because of my teachers. When you’re young, you’re at school most of your time, and I wanted to be part of that for future generations.” San Jac opened the right doors While helping her register for classes, a San Jacinto College admissions advisor explained the benefits of joining an education cohort. Sanchez agreed to sign up, although she didn’t realize its value until seeing it in action. “When I showed up to class, there wasagroup of students, all education majors,” Sanchez said. “I still wasn’t sure what the cohort thing was about, and I was just following the crowd from class to class. My first impression was that the professors were very nice and eager to help.” Sanchez quickly embraced the cohort experience and the unique opportunities it presented. “I really enjoyed being part of the cohort because we all bonded over our career interests,” Sanchez said. “We shared goals and were all inspired by our professors, who always went above and beyond to keep us motivated.” Sanchez completed her required observation hours at Yes Prep Charter School and Alvin ISD, getting a realworld preview. The cohort experience also created a smooth transition to Sam Houston State University and prepared her for university life. Forging a new path The pandemic interrupted her final semester at San Jac but failed to slow her momentum. After participating in the College’s virtual graduation ceremony in spring 2020 with a degree in early childhood education, she was ready for the next step. Sanchez transferred to SHSU. While attending, she worked in the orientation office, where she first met her mentor Jesus Bernal, dean of student advising. “It wasapleasure working with Kazzandra at Sam,” Bernal said. “She fit the role of an accepted student mentor perfectly; she was an excellent role-model for students as they transitioned to college. As a transfer student from San Jac, she brought an invaluable firsthand knowledge to her role. She didn’t just tell people the answers — she educated them on the All times and event schedules listed are subject to change. For more information, visit sanjac.eduSAN JAC HDATE EVENT TIMEMay 14 Spring Commencement 7 p.m.May 17 Summer hours begin Noon May 17 2024 San Jacinto College and LyondellBasell Hollywood Nights Gala Presented by the Sinor Family 6 p.m.May 27 Memorial Day ClosedJune 3 Summer classes begin Varies

sanjac.edu T TO TEACHER: GIVES BACK process. If they needed directions, she walked them to the office.” Sanchez graduated from SHSU in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in education. Giving back to her community Bernal is not surprised to see Sanchez come full circle as a teacher in the community where she grew up. “She loves helping people,” Bernal said. “I am proud of the person she has become, educating and uplifting the community. Pasadena is lucky to have her back. She’s going to make a big impact!” Sanchez’s first job as a middle school reading teacher with Pasadena ISD helped her realize she preferred working with much younger students. She transferred to kindergarten and was soon moved to pre-K, where she has been since September 2023. “I really love how challenging pre-K is, and I think I’ll probably be here for a while,” Sanchez said. “A big part I didn’t realize was that I literally have to teach them how to hold a pencil, and they don’t know how to draw yet.” Sanchez describes teaching step by step how to draw people figures with “a circle for the head and rectangle for a shirt” and simple sitting postures like “crisscross apple sauce.” “I have to be very specific with these kids, working with their fine motor skills,” she said. “Teaching these skills is a big transformation. They’re so sweet at this age, not afraid to be themselves. They get really excited about things like weather, snow, and music. It’s magical.” Scan the QR code to learn more about all of San Jac’s education programs. Photo courtesy of Kazzandra Sanchez u/calendar. APPENINGS E SITE NRG Stadium Administrative offices closed every Friday at noon through Aug. 9 sanjac.edu/gala All campuses and online All campuses and online

sanjac.edu TRELLIS GRANT ENHANSERVICES FOBy Neesha Hosein SAN JACINTO COLLEGE San Jacinto College is one of eight higher education institutions in Texas to be awarded the Mental Health and Wellbeing Grant from the Trellis Foundation, a public charitable organization focused on enhancing postsecondary attainment for Texas students. Before the grant San Jac looked at the pandemic’s impact on enrollment, instruction changes, and the daily lives of students and faculty. Although the College created San Jac Cares to reach out to students throughout the pandemic, many struggled to adapt to new realities at school, work, or home. “San Jac leaders recognized the need for more flexible options for student mental health care,” said Suzanne Sambell, grant writer, office of resource development. “Our student support services staff also wanted to be able to provide more specialized training to staff and faculty so they could more effectively recognize students in mental distress, provide meaningful advice and counseling, and create effective referral systems for those needing assistance beyond what the College can provide.” In spring 2021, the College restructured counseling offices, securing licensed mental health counselors at each campus and enhancing the system for tracking mental health care requests. “As the grant writer, I worked very closely with Tanesha Antoine [student support services dean and grant leader] to establish what she would like to accomplish for her office,” Sambell said. “We developed a list of improvements and needed resources for the student support services that she felt would most benefit San Jac students, faculty, and staff, and we named the project Assess and Improve Mental Health Services.” Survey identifies student mental health needs In October 2022, the College received $195,775 from the Trellis Foundation to support mental health and neurodiversity programs over a two-year period. Trellis connected San Jac with the JED Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes emotional health and suicide prevention for young adults. The JED collaboration offered an opportunity to participate in the Healthy Minds Study. The survey explores mental health, service utilization, and related issues among college students. Antoine explained that students are often unaware of the extent of support services available to them, so the team is eager to hear what they have to say. About 500 students completed the survey as of Dec. 13. Antoine is confident the survey results will help the team develop a plan to meet students’ needs and better understand their perspectives on mental health services. “We have explored how to provide unique experiences for our students that we can tie to their mentalas goat yoga andspeakers that haexperiences,” A“We also underswe need to buildand engage withonline students.Funding will increase staffingavailable hours,marketing campsocial media preimprove overall engagement effoThe plan The grant mo

Sunday | May 5, 2024 | Opportunity News | Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section >>> 5 NCES MENTAL HEALTH OR STUDENTS health, such d engaging ave shared Antoine said. stand that d connections h our .” also help g, expand , support a paign and esence, and awareness and orts. oney will help support the goals of the Assess and Improve Mental Health Services project: • Assess through Healthy Minds Study survey • Create an awareness campaign for the College’s mental health and basic needs resources and services • Expand the number of mental health counselors and hours of counseling services • Build culturally appropriate mental health resources so all student groups feel comfortable seeking help • Create peer-led support groups to reduce stigma for those seeking mental health counseling Antoine feels the college community should engage in efforts to support students. Being aware, spreading knowledge, and sharing ideas are ways others can support these efforts. Scan the QR code to learn more about student mental health services. Photo from Shutterstock

6 <<< Houston Chronicle Custom Advertising Section | Opportunity News | Sunday | May 5, 2024 WANT JOB SECURCYBERSECURITY BABy Courtney Morris SAN JACINTO COLLEGE Can a community college give you industry certifications, experience, and a bachelor’s degree for an exploding tech field? Check. Check. Check. Beginning fall 2024, San Jacinto College is offering yet another higher degree at a lower cost: the Bachelor of Applied Technology in information technology with an emphasis in cybersecurity.* If you’d enjoy shielding companies from ever-increasing cyberthreats, get the knowledge and skills you need to enter the high-wage, high-demand cybersecurity field. Why this new bachelor’s degree? Many students graduate with a bachelor’s degree and no experience or have experience but no higher degree, so the Bachelor of Applied Technology meets the top requirements of most cybersecurity job postings. While many tech companies hire based on skills, some still require a bachelor’s degree for good starting positions and better promotions. “It still remained a barrier for some of our students to promote or even get entry-level positions with less than a bachelor’s, so it made sense,” said Kevin Morris, South Campus dean of business and technology. “Why don’t we cover all the bases?” San Jac is expanding its cybersecurity training from certificates and an Associate of Applied Science to a bachelor’s degree, increasing graduates’ marketability and meeting industry need. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 35% job growth in the cybersecurity field from 2021 to 2031 — higher than the average for all occupations. What does the program offer? The Bachelor of Applied Technology program will include… • Face-to-face and online learning • Daytime and evening courses • Entry-level courses available College-wide • Program-specific courses at the South Campus • Network security, cryptography, ethical hacking, and broader legal and ethical issues • Extensive practical application You may complete the bachelor’s degree in two years if you’ve already earned San Jac’s Associate of Applied Science in cybersecurity. A related associate degree — like networking, cloud computing, or help desk — may require some foundational cybersecurity courses. San Jac’s information technology services staff are creating a security operations center at the South Campus Engineering and Technology Center for handson, real-life cybersecurity and analytics experience. Whether you’re pursuing the associate or bachelor’s degree, you’ll analyze live data alongside the College’s cybersecurity staff to practice monitoring, detecting, and responding to real cyberthreats. “Students will gain a working understanding of how cybersecurity enables the business to achieve success,” said Joshua Dray, San Jac chief information security officer. “This is missing in traditional cybersecurity training, as students are not usually trained to understand how cybersecurity fits into a business context.” The cybersecurity program will also include an optional semesterlong internship. Why should youthis degree? The College’s ndegree will give yoflexible pathway tcybersecurity field• Start as a secuor security opcenter analyst • Specialize in nsecurity, threaincident respo• Advance to higlike chief inforsecurity officePlus, you’ll paytuition as a commfreshman or sophlevel courses. If you’re lookintraining to match market, look no fucybersecurity degfind a job that aliginterests and stren“The demand fexperts is expectegrowing as businegovernments invesecurity,” Morris s

sanjac.edu ITY? PURSUE NEW ACHELOR’S DEGREE u pursue newest bachelor’s ou a to enter the d: urity analyst erations tnetwork/cloud at intelligence, onse, and more gh-level positions rmation er y the same munity college omore for upperg for versatile a versatile urther. With a gree, you can gns with your ngths. for cybersecurity ed to continue esses and est more in digital said. “This program ensures students are well-prepared to enter a field with abundant career prospects.” Scan the QR code to learn more about San Jac’s cybersecurity programs. *Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges Secure your future Cybersecurity jobs are popping up as fast as new cyberthreats, and the feld offers plenty of opportunities for career advancement. According to texaswages. com, information security analysts earnamedian annual salary of $110,512 in the Gulf Coast region. Photos from Shutterstock

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