Published On: January 31st, 2019By

League of United Latin American Citizens to Honor Aldine School Board Trustee Dr. Viola M. García

The Annual Scholarship Banquet Fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, February 21 at Minute Maid Park’s Union Station. Contact LULAC Council 402 to purchase tickets.

Dr. Viola M. García

In February, the League of United Latin American Citizens Council 402 will celebrate its 90th anniversary. LULAC is the oldest and most widely respected Hispanic civil rights organization in the United States.

For nearly 20 years, LULAC Council 402 celebrates by hosting a banquet that honors the accomplishments of local individuals and organizations. The proceeds from the banquet are contributed to the LULAC Council 402 scholarship program. Since 2002, the organization has provided more than $500,000 to local graduating students that are continuing their education after high school.

Many of the scholarship recipients are the first in their families to attend college. Each year, the Scholarship Committee reviews more than 100 applications from high school and college students. Last year, LULAC Council 402 awarded $30,000 to 48 deserving recipients.

The Annual Scholarship Banquet Fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, February 21. The banquet will take place from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at Minute Maid Park’s Union Station.


“I’ve had the good fortune to have taken advantage of great opportunities, and I urge others to stretch beyond their dreams and to do the same. I encourage our youth to maintain a curiosity for learning. They need to prepare for their future so that when the opportunity to ‘step up’ presents itself, they will be ready.” — Dr. Viola M. García



García is one of four education and community champions to be recognized for their efforts and leadership. LULAC is honoring García for her lifetime achievement in education. The Honorable Gene Green, also well-known in the Aldine community, who after 26 years retired from Congress will be lauded at the banquet too for his public service.

Trustee García has served on the Aldine Board since 1992. During her 26 years of service, the Board has received numerous accolades including Region 4 Outstanding School Board, Texas Award for Performance Excellence from the Quality Texas Foundation, Magna Award from the American School Board Journal and Outstanding School Board Award from Texas Association of School Administrators. These awards celebrate public school professionals for their leadership and dedication as advocates for children.

District leaders honored Dr. Viola M. García by naming a middle school in her honor in 2018. She is seen receiving a standing ovation during the dedication.

García’s education activism is not limited to Aldine ISD. She is a retired faculty member of the University of Houston-Downtown. Dr. García has chaired and served on numerous committees at UH-Downtown. She has provided her expertise on a wide variety of topics ranging from academic policy to leadership. She also serves local community entities to develop partnerships with the AISD.

She is active in many organizations. Within these associations, she has taken on responsibilities and chaired numerous committees. Currently, she is a member of Kappa Delta Pi-Omega Chapter, the Texas Association of School Boards (TASB), Gulf Coast Association of School Boards, Mexican American School Board Members Association, Parent Teacher Association, the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and the National School Boards Association (NSBA). She served as president of TASB in 2012-2013. Dr. García currently serves on the NSBA Board of Directors representing the Southern Region. She is director of the Bylaws Committee.

For more information about the banquet or to purchase tickets, contact Celia Valles at (713) 851-6219 or via email at [email protected].

Congratulations!

About the Author: Leticia Fehling

Director of Internal Communications