Lifestyle

      Environmental Fluids broke ground on a chemical blending plant on Sims Lane - off Texas 60 betweeen Bay City and Wadsworth – Wednesday, with about 20 people attending.   
   The project is a $5-$30 million capital investment over four phases and is projected to create about 25 new jobs in its initial phase and more than 100 at peak employment, according to the Matagorda County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). 
   Environmental Fluids Principal Edward G. Esner told those at the groundbreaking that Matagorda County was chosen as the site for this facility due to its clean environment, dependable logistics, proximity to Houston and ability to connect to rail.
   The facility will warehouse and blend green surfactants or components of a variety of commonly used items like detergents, paints and coatings, agricultural materials, oil and gas industrial materials, and other materials, Esner said.

Palacios’ Serendipity Bay Resort received a tax abatement from Matagorda County Commissioners Court by a 3-2 vote Monday, May 21.
   County Attorney Denise Fortenberry told the court the resort and RV park fall within the Reinvestment Zone, the court created in October 2017.
   Under the terms of Serendipity’s five-year Chapter 312 tax abatement, the company will invest $2,925,000 into new facilities machinery and equipment and retain its five present employees and create four new full-time positions.
   The resort will receive a 25 percent abatement on the new additions, or about $725,000, Fortenberry estimated.
   No one spoke at a public hearing on the abatement request.

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   The mass shootings at Santa Fe High School last week led Bay City ISD officials to work over the weekend to ensure the district has the right response to keep its students safe, Superintendent Dr. Marshall Scott III told school board members Monday night, May 22.
   Scott, district officials and BCISD Police Department met over the weekend “to ensure we had all measures we need to keep kids safe,” the superintendent said.
   Those efforts include working on traffic plans for this Friday’s Bay City High School graduation at Memorial Stadium.
   In longer-range safety plans, Scott said the district’s goal is to add another officer to the ISD police force to have, ultimately, an officer at each campus. 
   “This is a scary, scary time to be a superintendent and a parent,” Scott noted.

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   The 222 seniors in the Bay City High School Class of 2018 will graduate and get their diplomas starting at 8 p.m. Friday, May 25, at Memorial Stadium.
   This year’s Valedictorian is Vishwa Shah and William Teague is Salutatorian.
   Both students will address their peers, friends, families and educators during the commencement ceremony.
   Following the Valedictorian and Salutatorian are the remaining Top 10 members of the class: Dandee Cabanay, Brittany Jenkins, Pralay Atodaria, Megan Ging, Elijah Lopez, Elizabeth Arnold, Otensha Milimo, and Jennifer Bischoffto.
   Overall the seniors earned about $1.3 million in scholarships and awards collectively.
   Graduates chose their class motto as: “Take pride in how far you’ve come. Have faith in how far you can go. But don’t forget to enjoy the journey,” by Michael Josephson.
   This year’s class flower is the Bluebonnet and class colors are blue and gold.

   Bay City High School’s class of 2018 Valedictorian is Vishwa Shah.
   She also is a National Honor Society member, Bollywood dancing enthusiast and the recipient of many scholarships to continue her education.
   She is the daughter of Satish and Shital Shah and has an older brother, Neel Shah.
   Shah will attend Texas A&M (TAMU), majoring in biomedical studies with plans to attend medical school for her M.D.

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  Bay City High School’s Class of 2018 Salutatorian is William Teague.
   He is the son of Kelly and Carol Teague and has an older sister, Erin Teague.
   Teague will attend the University of Texas at Dallas and major in physics.
   “I chose the University of Texas at Dallas because of its excellent physics and music programs,” he said.
   “I am captivated by the universe and its workings. That’s why I am majoring in physics.”
   Though he participated in tennis, band and the robotics team in high school. 

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   Tidehaven High School graduated 69 students during last Friday’s commencement ceremony.
   Salutatorian Marc Walters presented his address to his fellow classmates and graduation attendees.
   “There is no combination of words that can describe how excited I am about tonight, as I’m sure all the rest of our seniors are,” said Walters.
   “We have waited for this day for so long, and it is finally here. And I’m sure every last one of us is just as ready as I am for it to be done.”
   He also talked about how band changed his life and how he learned to value small town life.
   “Being a flute player really taught me to accept who I am and not let anyone get to me,” he said.
   “By learning how to accept who I am, I began to make friends out here. I slowly but surely started enjoying social gatherings, and slowly came out of my shell.”
   “Being in a small town means you see everyone every day. You can’t just disappear,” he added.

   Van Vleck ISD trustees reviewed a bond progress presentation by PBk Architects during their regular board meeting Monday night.
   “Phase 3 of the stadium project bidding came through last week,” said Sophia Dusek, PBK architect project executive.
   “We’re still going through the numbers and will be presenting them at the May 30 board meeting.”
   Phase 3 of the project includes possibly moving the football concession stand to a new location along with the restroom facilities.

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 From Eddie Russell and Staff Reports