News Brief: April 15, 2019

The weekly news brief contains the latest news and information from Palo Alto College.

PAC agriculture students bring home the gold

Palo Alto College (PAC) agriculture students traveled to Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) to compete in their annual Agriculture Olympics, which brings together agriculture, career tech, and STEM organizations to compete in agriculture-related events. The PAC Ag Club won the Overall Championship and Gold in the Ag Olympics – the first time any club outside of TAMUK has won. The PAC Ag Club will be recognized in a TAMUK commercial, on social media blast, and in a video.

PAC hosts inaugural Eggstravaganza

Palo Alto College (PAC) hosted its first-ever Eggstravaganza, a free egg hunt for children 12 and under. The hunt included four Golden Eggs, which held prizes including gift baskets, free swim lessons at the Palo Alto College Aquatic Center, and free week of camp tuition at Palo Alto College's Kids Summer Camp. Thousands in attendance also enjoyed a petting zoo, inflatable games, face painting, and lunch (while supplies last). Special guests include Via Metropolitan Transit's Safety Sofie, San Antonio Missions Ballapeno, and PAC's own Primo the Palomino.

A community resource fair was also available, with representatives from AVANCE, CPS Energy, Eva's Heroes, Pre-K 4 SA, San Antonio Food Bank, San Antonio Public Library-Cortez Library, San Antonio Water System, University Health System, and Palo Alto College's Adult Learning Academy, S.H.A.R.E. Center, and Summer Programs.

Eggstravaganza is made possible with support from the City of San Antonio, City of San Antonio District 4, Community First Health Plan, Eva's Heroes, H-E-B, McLemore, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, United Healthcare, Univision, and VIA Metropolitan Transit.

PAC students earn second place at local competition

Students enrolled in Palo Alto College's (PAC) COMM 2330 in Fall 2018 earned second place in the Thirty Second Public Service Announcement category in the 2019 EcoExchangeEdu Environmental Video contest for their submission regarding America Recycles Day. PAC students Juan Ponce and Daniel Morales gave an overview of America Recycles Day at EcoExchangeEdu. EcoExchangeEdu is comprised of students, staff, and faculty from San Antonio colleges and universities with the purpose to share best practices and innovative ideas about campus sustainability.

PAC students shine at Agriculture Consortium

Palo Alto College (PAC) agriculture students attended the Agriculture Consortium of Texas annual conference hosted at Texas A&M University-College Station. This conference brings in all agriculture higher education programs together to discuss research, compete in academic decathlons, and promote Texas agriculture. PAC students showcased their leadership potential in the field by earning several awards and distinctions, including:

• Andrew Keller: 2^nd place, Agronomy Contest
• Emily Guinn: 4^th place, Agriculture Advocacy and Prepared Public Speaking
• Andrew Keller: 4^th place, Animal Science
• Jose Alonso: 5^th place, Equine Science
• Tiana Maldonado: 5^th place, Wildlife Management
• Genevieve Ramirez: 5^th place, Plant and Soil Science
• Justin Huron: 8^th place, Wildlife Management
• Matthew Smith: 8^th place, Ag Mechanization
• Matthew Smith: 9^th place, Wildlife Management
• Layne Lanier: 10^th place, Ag Mechanization

For the first time, a PAC student, Dale Sampson, was appointed to the Texas Junior College Agriculture Association Board of Directors. This distinct honor puts Sampson in in a leadership role to represent Palo Alto College in Texas agriculture education. Sampson is a dedicated member of the PAC community; he is the 2019 PACfest King, Ag Club president, and a member of the Student Government Association.

Want to share your PAC news, activities, accomplishments, awards, and more on the News Brief? Email pac-news@xgcr.net following the guidelines below.

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