Everything Nac

As Stephen F. Austin State University senior Morgan Dison from Tatum flips open the book, colorful illustrations cover the page and invite the kindergarten students sitting in front of her to learn more about Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic female astronaut.

Recently, SFA elementary education students in Dr. Lauren Burrow’s social studies methods course wrote and illustrated children books about lesser-known historical figures for a class project. On Monday, SFA students shared their books with a kindergarten class at Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary School in Nacogdoches.

“In social studies, we talk a lot about untold stories and lesser-known historical figures,” Burrow said. “We want all students — both SFA and the students we work with in elementary schools — to become more familiar with and celebrate the accomplishments of people from all walks of life.”

Dison and her classmates, seniors Jenny Nance from Pearland and Corie Nonken from Hemphill, were one of eight groups to create a book for this project.

“This was a learning process because it was hard to figure out how to fit the story to a kindergartner’s mindset,” Dison said.

Nance, who works at the Boys and Girls Club in Nacogdoches, worked with children there to illustrate the book.

“This is the coolest thing ever. It’s great to see it through and actually get to read the book to the kids and do an activity with our book,” Nance said.

Group members read their book to and completed a related activity with the kindergarten students.

“This project is like the rest of our education classes because you get to experience everything firsthand as a teacher,” Nance said. “That’s what I think is so great about our classes — they actually put you in the situation you’d be in as a teacher.”

The class dedicated and donated the books to the BQJ Library, and Burrow said she hopes to do this project again.

The Stephen F. Austin State University SFA Gardens will host a garden seminar, “Deck the Halls: Using Evergreens to Decorate for the Holidays,” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Evergreen branches and garlands once served as symbols of enduring life and a fruitful year to come. Join Dawn Stover, research associate at SFA Gardens, to learn how to create elegant wreaths and garlands using materials from the garden.

Participants will learn principles of wreath, garland and centerpiece construction and make a wreath to enjoy and take home for the holidays.

In addition to the traditional wreaths and garlands, Stover will introduce new crafts using natural items from the garden and forest. All materials will be provided.

Class size is limited, so register in advance by calling (936) 468-1832 or emailing sfagardens@sfasu.edu. The cost is $25 for SFA Garden members and $30 for non-members.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Jacks Council on Family Relations has surpassed its goal by serving more than 120 families through its annual Thanksgiving Homebound project.

Since October, the student-led group has asked members of the Nacogdoches and SFA communities to donate Thanksgiving meals to families in its adopted organizations, which include the Solid Foundation, GETCAP Head Start and The Family Crisis Center of East Texas.

Kelsey Ticer, JCFR president and SFA graduate student from Wolfe City, has been instrumental in coordinating the food drive.

“Thanksgiving Homebound is an opportunity to gather other students or individuals, either from campus or the community, to serve others who may not have the chance or ability to have a Thanksgiving meal,” Ticer said. “We always strive to reach more people so more families can enjoy their holidays without the worry of how they are going to provide for their families.”

Through this project, JCFR matches participants with families and sends participants a description of a family and checklist of items to purchase. The checklist includes grocery items such as potatoes, cornbread mix, vegetables and dressing. Participants also are asked to purchase a $25 gift card to help their family buy perishable items such as meat, butter, milk and/or eggs.

Dr. Jennifer Newquist, JCFR faculty adviser and assistant professor in SFA’s School of Human Sciences, said the group had 82 people adopt one or more families this year.

“I am so happy that the human development and family studies students, SFA students and community organizations have come together to provide a much-needed service to our Nacogdoches community,” Newquist said. “Not only did we have organizations and departments contribute, but we also had individual students and community members adopt families.”

This Friday, the participating community organizations will pick up the food items to distribute to the families.

“This project has impacted me by seeing the teamwork that comes from both the SFA and Nacogdoches communities,” Ticer said. “The sense of unity we have at this time of year is always great to experience and it shows that even through hard times we can still depend and support one another by providing food.”

For more information, contact JCFR at sfasujcfr@gmail.com.

The Wind Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will present an “Autumn Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

“This concert is the culmination of our fall rehearsals,” said Fred J. Allen, director of bands at SFA. “It features various styles of music.”

Among the featured works will be “Kingfishers Catch Fire” by American composer John Mackey.

“The piece captures the beauty of the colorful kingfisher bird,” said Allen. “It is in two movements: a slow brooding opening, followed by an exciting fast movement that pictures the birds taking flight.”

Dr. Tamey Anglley, assistant director of bands at SFA, will serve as guest conductor on Percy Grainger’s “Children’s March.”

A piece for brass by Baroque Italian composer Giovanni Gabrieli will open the concert, followed by “Serenade” by Richard Straus, which is primarily for woodwinds, Allen said.

Also on the program will be pieces by John Philip Sousa and Johann Sebastian Bach.

The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.