Articles for The Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans

AAMA Emeritus Board Member Maria Cristina "Cris" Garza, who served 22 years on the board of directors, died Saturday at her home in Pearland after a long illness. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague and we extend our sympathy to her family," said Beatrice Garza, AAMA president and CEO. "Cris inspired us all with her bright spirit and commitment to the education of Latino children." In ...

Third row: Berenice Bonilla, NCLR Líderes Initiative Manager. Second row left to right: Veronica Costilla, Daisy Garcia, Angel Estala, Aurora Diaz, Kassy Toledo, Adrian Munoz, Genaro Llave, Youth Leadership Committee. Front row left to right: Amanda Croft and Susy Armendariz Sanchez Charter School Counselors. Eight Sanchez Charter School students have embarked on a year-long quest to develop their leadership skills as ...

More than 100 friends, family members, staff, students, and board members past and present gathered in January to pay tribute to long-time board member and educator Maria "Cris" Garza and rename AAMA's multi-purpose building in her honor. The newly-named Maria "Cris" Garza Student Center sits at the heart of AAMA's Gulf Freeway campus and houses classrooms, library, and the combination gymnasium, cafeteria, and auditorium. Garza marked her 22ndyear of service on the ...

For the first time in history, Sanchez Charter School's middle school and high school Science Olympiad teams both placed in the state Science Olympiad. Activites for this year's contest included building a balsa bridge, building a paper tower, designing and building a paper plane and an impromptu activity which was stacking a deck of cards. Members of the middle school team include; John Gutierrez, Hope Alaniz and Marco ...

Our Sanchez Charter School Eagle Knights placed Second with 13 wins at the Houston Chess Association tournament in January. Benny Torres and Isaac Luna both won 4 out of 5 games and tied for Second in their section and division. Daniel Delarosa won 3 out of 5 games and tied for 7th place in the same division. Marco Isidro had 2 wins securing AAMA's Second Place finish. "Overall our students shined at the competition. I am extremely proud of our ...

José dropped out of school at the age of 15. He went to Mexico to live with his grandmother, but there was nothing for him to do there and no work. When he returned to Houston, he worked with his uncle as a roofer. Although the pay was good; the hours were long, the work hard, and the heat unbearable. His uncle encouraged him to go back to school. Because José had been out of school for a few years, most schools directed him to a ...

Ramiro Jimenez, a senior at AAMA's Sanchez Charter School, was inaugurated in October as one of 39 members of the Mayor's Youth Council (MYC). Jimenez was selected from more than 400 applicants across Houston, based on a competitive written application and personal interview, and is the first student from Sanchez to serve on the MYC. Modeled after the elected City Council, the MYC meets twice a month in public session. Members of the council help make ...

Only a few months ago, Vanessa Ramirez felt she was in a "black hole" and would always live with her family and work in a fast food restaurant. Today, thanks to a partnership between AAMA's Sanchez Charter School and Genesys Works, this high school senior says, "I know I'm going to make it." Vanessa was a featured speaker at the Genesys Works Breaking Through ceremony where 145 interns were recognized for their ...

The Drug Enforcement Administration; Houston Crackdown, the anti-drug division of the Mayor's Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security; and Clear Channel Communications named AAMA as one of Houston's Community Stars for 2011. The Community Stars program annually recognizes organizations and individuals for their efforts to eradicate drugs in our communities. As part of the award, AAMA will be featured on a full-size billboard on a major ...

Congratulations to the Sanchez Boys' Varsity Basketball Team and Coach Mitton for winning the 2010-2011 TCAL 3A District and State Championships. The team won all rounds in the State Championship in Waxahachie last Friday and Saturday. This is the Boys' Varsity Basketball Team third consecutive year as State Champs. According to Athletic Director Mason, they played with a lot of teamwork and determination to defeat some very good teams.  ...

Celebration echoed through the halls of AAMA as we congratulated the new 2010-2011 Texas Christian Athletic League District Champions, George I. Sanchez Boys' Varsity Basketball team. They defeated Baytown Christian to land the title of District Champs. The Eagles go on to play in the 3A Boys State Championship in Waxahachie, Texas Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26. Help us cheer on the Varsity Boys as they compete for the State Championship.

Congratulations to the Chess Club Eagles at George I. Sanchez Charter School for winning second place in the Texas Charter School Academic and Athletic League state chess competition on January 29, 2011. Team Captain Jesus Acosta along with teammates Isaac Luna, Benny Torres and Daniel Daniel traveled to Austin for the competition in the State Capitol Building after dominating in the Houston Regional Qualifier. The Chess Club Eagles placed first in the ...

HOUSTON (Feb. 3, 2011) - Due to predicted severe weather, AAMA is closing its George I. Sanchez Charter School, AAMA Adelante adult education program and Health and Human Services activities in Houston and San Antonio today beginning at 12 p.m. through Friday, Feb. 4. After-school activities, child care and other services at all Houston and San Antonio area locations also are cancelled. For updated information about closures, please visit our website at www.aama.org.  ...

For Immediate Release: June 30, 2010 40 Stories 40 Years As we embrace 40 years of service to the Houston Latino Community we would like to take a step back and acknowledge everyone AAMA has served since its inception in 1970. AAMA started because a small group of young Latino professionals saw a need to discuss how they could reduce drug abuse, keep teens in school, provide wholesome recreational opportunities and prepare students for the workforce or higher education. As a ...

GIS Teen Mom receives scholarship.

AAMA proudly recognizes the following students at George I. Sanchez Charter High School who have been accepted into the highly selective internship program through Genesys Works. Mayra Diaz Catalina Gomez Monica Ortiz Diana Rangel Ascension Rodriguez Andrea Sandoval Mariela Serratos Claudia Zuniga Genesys Works is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that enables inner-city high school students to break through barriers and ...

Students of George Sanchez High School are honored for their work in the community and contribution to the Texas Children's Pediatric Associates A summary of the "Ceiling of Healing Art Show" Yesterday on Thursday, May 6, a celebration was held for the students from Mrs. Mahler's class of George Sanchez High School for their impact on the AAMA community. Councilman James Rodriguez commended the students for their work in the community by ...