American Legion celebrates 20th year in Aldine area

Greselda Onofre of Nimitz High School receives one of 13 scholarships awarded last Sunday at the American Legion Hall. At left

NORTHEAST HOUSTON– Over one hundred persons were on hand last Sunday afternoon, as the American Legion Post 578, on Aldine Mail Route, and Fort Bend County’s Vaqueros Trail Riders, combined their efforts to recognize and award scholarships to deserving college bound students from both of their service areas.
A total of 13 students received the scholarships of $1000 each for their college expenses. This included students from MacArthur, Aldine, and Nimitz High Schools in the Aldine District, and other schools in the greater Houston and Fort Bend areas.
The ceremony and luncheon were also a celebration for the local American Legion Post of their 20th year serving veterans in the Aldine/Greenspoint district. It was April 1988 that the post was founded, with several locations between then and now. According to Post Commander Rudy Barelas, the group has recently completed a remodelling and update to their buildings and facilities on Aldine Mail Route, and this was an opportunity to show them to the public.
The program also included talks for the benefit of the scholarship recipients. Speakers included Tatcho Mandolia, Jr., a professor at the University of Houston; Brittany Rivas, the 2007 Scholarship recipient; and Rudy Cano, a vice president of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Four of the scholarships were from funds raised by the American Legion post, with the help of the VFW Post 9187, and the balance from the Vaqueros, who said they expect to be able to raise even more next year.