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Victorian earns 2 bachelor's degrees by 17

Victoria native Natasha Verma just turned 18, but come August, she'll be walking through the halls of Columbia University in New York as a graduate student.

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Victoria native's accident reinforces faith, parents say

Caleb Jentsch's life can be told through his favorite Scripture, Nahum 1:7.

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Life happens column: The unbearable heaviness of bearing pall

I'm sure there were a lot of other thoughts that should have been running through my head at that moment. Thoughts that probably would have been a lot more appropriate. But that's the thing about thoughts.

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VISD school board takes stand against standardized testing

A surprising high note punctuated the exhausting rundown of flaws with the state's standardized testing system at the Victoria school board meeting Thursday night.

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Timothy Hubbell earns Eagle Scout badge

Timothy Hubbell has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

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Life happens: Just another boring, old married couple

For those of you in the office pool who picked "divorced within two years," prepare to kiss your money goodbye.

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Tivoli students boycott school lunch after learning concept in history class

Seventh-graders at Austwell-Tivoli Junior High School were writing vocabulary words in their Texas history class when they came across a term that struck them: boycott.

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Sleepy students start first day of spring classes at UHV, VC

If they were groggy, it was hard to tell.

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Earth Friendly: What you need to know about curbside recycling in Victoria

So, you go to the grocery store for milk, bread, eggs ... maybe some cookies to go with the milk - oh, and wouldn't some chips and salsa be really great? You take your groceries home, put them away, and eventually eat them all. When they are gone, you are left with a bunch of packaging. Almost everything comes in a package, and almost all of those packages are recyclable.

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Engaged couples share wedding planning duties

One week has passed since Danny Linden popped the question to fiancée Lauren Cotter.

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Victoria plastic surgeon appointed to anti-defamation league board

Gary Branfman will never forget the day Victoria's only Jewish temple was defaced. Three vandals - two adults and a minor - painted Nazi swastikas, "Heil Hitler," and "(Expletive) the Jews" across the historic Main Street building in black spray paint.

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Couple celebrate 76 years of marriage, approach world record

Crossroads couple approach current world record for longest marriage with 76 years

Alvin Koenning was born months after the Titanic sank.

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iPads create new learning environment at Trinity Episcopal School

Trinity purchases 90 iPads as cost-effective learning tool

Not a single textbook was open in history class Monday morning, but eighth-graders at Trinity Episcopal School were still busy learning.

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PRO: Parents see many benefits, including how students relate to others

Parents see many benefits, how students relate to others

Little research supports that home learners will become socially stunted, proponents say.

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Leaving Victoria with a heavy heart

Editor, the Advocate:

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Advocate editorial board opinion: Quit confusing public by changing grading every year

Topic: Standardized testing

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Saturday Sermon: Achieving sainthood

By Mike Singenstreu

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Oceans for emotions: Just being with God

By Elaine Wheat

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Victoria teen chosen to attend leadership conference in Canada

Even at 15, Colter Keathley's leadership skills are obvious.

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Con: Faster speeds will increase severity of crashes

Texans could be zooming even faster across the state thanks to a bill proposed by state Rep. Gary Elkins, but some people aren't for it.

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11-year-old to host blood drive Saturday

Ferrell Vick may look like a typical 11-year-old, but on Saturday he's out for blood.

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Two new high schools were built, and they came

Next time you're stuck at a red light waiting to drop off a sullen teenager at school, consider yourself lucky you're not in China.

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Caped crusader: Middle-school fights for garment of yesteryear

Middle-schooler fights for garment of days gone by

Before heading off to school, Joey Ochoa stuffs a neatly folded polyester cape in his backpack.

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Vintage aircraft highlight 4th Wings of Freedom Living History Tour

'Kissing sailor' in famous photo will also be on hand

From heroes to helicopters, bombers to biplanes, the 2011 Wings of Freedom Living History Tour will bring the past to life the first four days in April at the Victoria Regional Airport.

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Students keep art academy founder's legacy alive by repainting zoo murals

Following in the footsteps of their organization's founder, students in the Poirrier Art Academy continue a legacy of using their artistic talents to give back to their community.

Favorite Photos

ColtonFischer finds a female painted bunting bird in his backyard. Fischer wants to use his photography to help people see the beauty in nature.

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Interfaith unions not as difficult as one may think

It's been 42 years, and former Victoria County Commissioner Wayne Dierlam can still remember the exact date and hour he married his bride, Evelyn Dierlam.

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Cervical cancer survivor talks about beating disease 12 years ago

Cervical cancer survivor talks about beating disease 12 years ago

Bridgitt Heinold never imagined facing a decision quite like the one she was forced to face 12 years ago.

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The true tale of one woman who kept her New Year's resolution

Well, a new year is almost upon us and with a new year comes the requisite New Year's resolution. Almost everyone makes them, but - let's be honest - hardly anyone keeps them.

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Hank Williams in Victoria? The story of the Victoria show he almost played

Few Victorians know that Hank Williams once was scheduled to perform a show in Victoria, exactly two weeks before he died late on New Year's Eve 1952 in the back seat of his car while traveling on a cold, snowy highway in the hinterlands of West Virginia.

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Saturday Sermon: God loves different people, too

By Rev. Kathleen Ellis

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Area students tag, release Monarchs, learn science

BAYSIDE - A Monarch butterfly calmly swayed in 11-year-old Shelby Rodgers palm. Its sticky black feet clung to her skin as it tilted sideways, its wing dotted with a confetti-sized marker used to track its flight to Mexico.

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Horse therapy is community, faith effort

When Judy Gillespie dug a horse therapy brochure out of the trash 21 years ago, she couldn't have anticipated the journey it would take her and her family on - not to mention countless kids and their families that discarded paper would reach.

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Aprill Brandon: The only thing to fear is fear itself (and public speaking)

It's rare, but from time to time, I'll actually do some research for this column. I know! Crazy, right? It's almost like I'm a real journalist.

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Revelations column: Funny thing happened on way home from mosque

BY JENNIFER PREYSSA few days ago, I experienced a moment of self-enlightenment that will likely remain with me for a long while.

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Zeller-Hinson

Ty and Lynette Zeller of Victoria are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Lacie Renee Zeller of Victoria, to Casey Jerome Hinson of Houston, son of Jerome Hinson of Seabrook, and Susan Hinson of Friendswood.

Favorite Photos

Photo taken by Elias Rodriguez, a 10-year-old Victoria boy who has started his own photography business after falling in love with his mom's camera a year and a half ago.

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10-year-old photographer develops skill, starts business

Elias Rodriguez is your typical 10-year-old boy. Shy at first, he'll fidget nervously while sitting on the couch. If you ask him a question, he'll glance over at his mom first for reassurance.

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Local actor finishes last season of 'Friday Night Lights'

Local actor finishes last season of football show

Parting is such sweet sorrow for 12-year-old Victoria resident Charlie Quary, who recently finished filming the fifth and final season of NBC's critically acclaimed football television drama "Friday Night Lights."

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Medical student volunteers in third world country hospital

Kristin Rojas, 23, a second- year medical student and Victoria native, spent part of her summer 11 floors in the air in Bucaramanga, Colombia, operating on patients.

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UHV Math Camp

University of Houston-Victoria education major Katie Rangel checks 10-year-old Darius Guillory’s fraction bingo card before announcing him the winner of the game.

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Learning to like solitude

By Smatt

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Local musician gets song featured on MTV's "The Real World"

Last week, Aaron Escalante had a very good reason to catch the latest episode of MTV's "The Real World: New Orleans."

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Victoria couple featured on 700 Club

Chad Ganaway hummed to background music as the 14-minute picture slideshow he created played on his TV screen Sunday.

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Two brothers, one guitar: Local band Love Me Last releases album

One writes poetry. The other plays guitar.

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Education comes first for Shiner triplets

SHINER - It's the middle of the summer, and St. Paul High School graduates Michael, Brandon and Justin Pesek are still going to school.

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Teach your kids early about money

By Dave Ramsey

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Owner of Rock N' Blues Academy teaches guitar students worldwide via Internet

Owner of Rock N' Blues Academy enlightens guitar students worldwide

With his guitar in hand, Sean Christiansen strummed a soulful sound.

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Juneteenth documentary debuts as first installment of new Advocast

Welcome to the new and improved Advocast at VictoriaAdvocate.com.

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College students can get Pell Grants for summer school

WHARTON - For the first time in the history of the Federal Pell Grant, students who have used all of their Pell Grant eligibility in the fall and spring semesters can receive additional grant funding for summer school.

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Refugio husband and wife open only winery in Crossroads

REFUGIO - You can make wine out of almost anything - coffee, tomatoes, jalapenos.

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South Texas Wind Vineyard and Winery

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Mother of 4 prepares to graduate for her children

Mom earns associate's degree while raising kids, working

Raising four children while going to school full time and having a job hasn't always been easy for Amber New.

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Okla. boy, 12, an Internet hit with Lady Gaga song

EDMOND, Okla. (AP) - A 12-year-old Oklahoma boy has become an Internet sensation with a video of his performance of the Lady Gaga song "Paparazzi."

Favorite Videos

Earth day expo at area schools

Favorite Photos

Pollard, photographing Erika Warner, created the Mommie Chic branch of her photography business, L-Ann Imaging, a couple of years ago featuring sexy and glamorous portraits for pregnant women.

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A quick look at the history of the Aransas lighthouse

VIDEO: The Advocate follows Bayside Historical Society members on a video tour of the Aransas Pass Light Station.

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Why Johnny doesn't remember the Alamo

This column was first printed in "Heritage" Volume 1, 2010.

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Cuero High School senior uses love for math and science to earn 9 gold UIL medals

CUERO - When Cuero High School senior Nick Gamez was younger, his grandfather used to test his math skills.

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Remember Goliad

Re-enactment educates public on area's history

GOLIAD - Lancers on horseback menaced as cannons blasted in an open field Saturday in Goliad.

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7 things you didn't know about St. Patrick's Day

1. St. Patrick is one of the most famous Irishmen of all time. The only thing is, he's not actually Irish. He was born in Britain and was kidnapped as a teenager by Irish brigands who brought him to the Emerald Isle, according to the National Geographic Web site. He served in bondage for six years before escaping, and then 14 years later he returned to spread the Christian faith throughout Ireland.

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Did my trees and bushes die this summer?

The 15 months up to July 3, saw record-breaking drought conditions for our area. Total rainfall was 18.16 inches, 34 percent of our normal rainfall, 7.06 inches below the previous record - 1918's drought.

Events

Victoria College V-DAY 2010

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People get education on matters of heart

DeTar displays inflatable exhibit tour at Victoria Mall

Braiden Letsinger, his mother and little sister circulated through the human heart, Wednesday.

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First black man to walk in space to speak at Calhoun High

Dr. Bernard A. Harris Jr. became the first African-American to walk in space in 1995.

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Re-enactment camp coming to Presidio La Bahia

Camp that teaches all about re-enacting coming to Goliad's Presidio La Bahia

Texas is full of history. Each year, hundreds of people pay tribute to that history by re-enacting it all across the state.

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Q&A with Wayne Dierlam, incumbent Victoria County Commissioner, Precinct 4

Jan. 14: Our editorial board will host a live question and answer session with Wayne Dierlam.

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Home-schooling means good education for young students

Editor, the Advocate:

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Love of collecting arrowheads became lifelong hobby

84-year-old Port Lavaca native recalls arrowhead hunting days

PORT LAVACA - Charles Husak can still remember how cold his bare feet made that three-mile trek to his school near Olivia in the 1930s.