Orange Worthy Radio

LSCO’s Cindy Wyles Receives Prestigious Community Service Recognition

in Schools

Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) proudly announces that Cindy Wyles, Director of Print & Design Services, has been honored with the prestigious Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award for 2024. This accolade recognizes her outstanding contributions to the campus and the broader Orange community.

The Julie & Ben Rogers Community Service Award was established in 1979 to recognize faculty and staff members across the Lamar institutions who make a meaningful impact on the Golden Triangle through exceptional service and volunteer work. The Rogers family created this award to honor those who dedicate their time and talents to the community and to inspire others to do the same. Each year, four recipients are selected among the four colleges of Lamar University, Lamar Institute of Technology, Lamar State College Port Arthur, and Lamar State College Orange. Since its inception, the award has celebrated the contributions of countless individuals who have enriched the region through their dedication.

Ms. Wyles has been an integral part of LSCO since 2001, bringing over two decades of experience in print and design services. Her educational background includes an Associate of Science in Business (2015) and an Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology Support Specialist (2011), both from LSCO. She also holds multiple certificates in IT support and web design.

Cindy embodies the true spirit of service, both on our campus and in the Orange community,” said Wendy Elmore, Provost & Executive Vice President at Lamar State College Orange. “Her dedication, compassion, and tireless work behind the scenes uplift everyone around her. She inspires us all to give more of ourselves and make a difference, just as she does every day.”

Beyond her professional role, Ms. Wyles is deeply committed to community service. She has served as the Chairperson for Birthright of Orange, Inc., Back-to-School Orange County Board of Directors for 12 years, and the LSCO Chair of United Way of Orange County for 6 years, demonstrating her dedication to supporting local initiatives. Ms. Wyles has also served as the LSCO Staff Senate President for 4 years and joined the Leadership of Southeast Texas 2024 Cohort.

On campus, she was recognized with the President’s Customer Service Award in 2008, again in 2022 with the Campus and Community Service Award, and the NISOD Excellence Award in 2023, highlighting her unwavering commitment to excellence and service. She has also served on many committees through the years, including the TSUS Public Art Committee, responsible for selecting and showcasing public art on campus.

In addition to administrative duties, Ms. Wyles shares her expertise as an adjunct instructor in Information Technology, Business and Community and Workforce Education at LSCO. She has been instrumental in developing and coordinating courses to enhance Microsoft Word and Excel skills within the community.

The LSCO community congratulates Cindy Wyles on receiving the Julie and Ben Rogers Community Service Award, celebrating her exceptional dedication and service to the college and the Orange community.

City of West Orange Celebrates a Successful Fall Clean-Up Event

in Government

he City of West Orange is thrilled to announce the tremendous success of its Fall Clean-Up event! Thanks to the collaborative efforts of volunteers, local organizations, and city staff, the community came together to make a significant impact on our environment.

Highlights from the event include:

  • 133 pounds of litter collected in 19 bags through dedicated litter cleanup efforts.
  • 21 hauls of unwanted household items removed to the City dumpster, helping residents declutter responsibly.

A special thank-you goes to Keep Orange County Beautiful (KOCB) for their outstanding coordination of the litter cleanup efforts. The City also extends its gratitude to:

  • HEB for their generous donation of two $50 gift cards.
  • Team Granger for providing food and refreshments to keep our volunteers energized.
  • The many volunteers, city staff, and KOCB chair and board members who worked tirelessly to ensure the success of this event.

Winners of the HEB gift cards will be announced soon.

The City of West Orange deeply appreciates the support and participation that made this clean-up effort such a success. Together, we have taken meaningful steps toward preserving and enhancing the beauty of our community.

Celebrate the Holidays and Support Local with Passport to Vidor

in Local Roundup

Get ready for a day of holiday cheer, local shopping, and exciting prizes during the Passport to Vidor – Christmas Edition, happening on Saturday, December 7, 2024! As part of the Hometown Holidays Weekend, this festive event invites the community to explore Vidor’s local businesses, enjoy holiday activities, and win incredible prizes—all while supporting the local economy.

🎄 Here’s How It Works:

  1. Pick up your Passport at The Plaza Event Center, located at 185 N. Main St, Vidor, between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM beginning today.
  2. Visit participating local businesses to collect stamps and explore the unique products and services our community has to offer.
  3. Return your completed Passport to the Hometown Holidays Vidor Car Show and Christmas Cruise on December 7 at The Plaza Event Center by 3:00 PM.
  4. Winners of FOUR amazing prizes will be announced at 3:45 PM!

Bring your family, friends, and holiday cheer for a day filled with shopping, festivities, and fun. Don’t miss your chance to discover hidden gems in the local business community and take home some great prizes.

Mark your calendars and make this a day to remember! For more information, contact the Vidor Chamber of Commerce at (409) 681-6223.

Stark Museum Hosts Reindeer Trail

in Local Roundup

The Stark Museum of Art invites you to experience the magic of the holiday season with “Reindeer Trail,” a whimsical winter wonderland exhibition open from November 20 through December 21, 2024. “Reindeer Trail” showcases 30 original reindeer created by talented local artists.

The exhibition, which draws inspiration from the museum’s rich collection of Western and Native American art, can be enjoyed by visitors of all ages. In addition to the creative, artist-designed reindeer, “Reindeer Trail” highlights the cultural and historical significance of reindeer and their relatives through artwork around the museum. Guests can view historical depictions of these animals throughout the galleries, where reindeer and other wildlife are represented in various styles and media, celebrating the beauty of the natural world.

“This holiday experience at the Stark Museum of Art offers families, art enthusiasts, and holiday lovers alike a chance to explore the connections between art and nature while celebrating the festive spirit of the season. Don’t miss this opportunity to enjoy ‘Reindeer Trail’ and immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind holiday exhibition,” said Jennifer Dickinson, executive director at the Stark Museum of Art.

Other activities coinciding with “Reindeer Trail” at the museum include:

  • Spirit of Bethlehem: The Boehm Porcelain Nativity, November 13-January 1 – Enjoy viewing this work of art, including 16 porcelain figures depicting the Christmas story.
  • Lunch & Look: Audubon’s Animals, Friday, November 22, 12-1 p.m. – Join us for a slide-talk by Curator Sarah Boehme on Audubon’s “The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.”
  • Reindeer Trail Open House, Saturday, December 7, 2-7 p.m. – Enjoy story time with Buddy the Elf, hot chocolate on the portico and fun crafts in the lobby during Christmas Downtown festivities.
  • Reindeer Games Day, Saturday, December 14, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (Sensory Hour 9-10 a.m.) – Visit Santa’s traveling stable to see live reindeer outside the museum, enjoy festive holiday crafts throughout the education center and embark on a delightful reindeer scavenger hunt.

For more information about “Reindeer Trail” or the Stark Museum of Art, please visit starkmuseum.org. The Stark Museum of Art is located at 712 Green Avenue in downtown Orange, Texas, and is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission to the museum is free of charge.

Golden Triangle Polymers Company Highlights Over $355 Million in Local Spending

in Local Roundup

During the November 19, 2024, meeting with Orange County Commissioners, Golden Triangle Polymers Company (GTPC) reported significant progress on its $8.5 billion facility currently under construction on Hwy. 87 South across from the Orange County Airport. Heather Betancourth, representing GTPC, presented the third-quarter report, revealing that the project has injected over $355 million into the local economy through goods and services since its announcement.

Nearly 4,500 workers are active on the plant site, with over 1,800 hailing from the Golden Triangle area. GTPC’s commitment to the local workforce is further emphasized through its Local First Initiative, developed in collaboration with Orange County, to support hiring locally qualified candidates. In the third quarter alone, 273 job seekers registered via the Local First website, leading to 107 referrals for employment and 27 referrals for workforce development programs.

Additionally, the third-quarter financial activity of GTPC and its primary contractors included $17 million spent on contracted work and $1.3 million allocated for small purchases, predominantly from local food businesses.

GTPC is a joint venture indirectly owned by Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP (51%) and QatarEnergy U.S. Investments LLC (49%). The project, expected to begin operations in 2026, represents a substantial investment in the region’s economy and workforce.

“Through our local partnerships and spending initiatives, we remain deeply committed to driving economic growth and creating job opportunities in Orange County and the surrounding areas,” said Heather Betancourth.

As construction progresses, GTPC is steadfast in its focus on fostering local engagement and building a sustainable workforce pipeline to ensure long-term regional benefits.

For more information on job opportunities and the Local First Initiative, visit LocalFirstGTPC.com.

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