Alaniz Excellence in Education Foundation

Groundbreaking Held for

Carrizo Springs Sports Complex 

After more than a year of planning and negotiations the Alaniz Excellence in Education Foundation was able to break ground on the first phase of the much needed Sports Complex Facility at the corner of Cactus Drive and Highway 85.

The ceremony which was held at noon on Saturday June 26th was under the protection of a large tent, with Chamber of Commerce Manager Paula Seydel serving as the Master of Ceremonies.  After a few words about the project and the history and obstacles that Dr. Alaniz has faced trying to make this monumental effort come to fruition Mrs. Seydel introduced the speakers, including Dr. Alaniz, Key Note Speaker State Representative Tracy O. King, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew and Jessie (Beltran) Bell, from the Bell Family Foundation, and other local officials lending their support to the project including County Judge Frank Ponce, County Commissioner Rodrigo Jaime, City Councilman and Mayor Pro-tem Roy Ortiz, Mr. Martin Garza and Mrs. Katherine Salazar on behalf of HEB Tournament of Champions.

Dr. Alaniz stated that "persistence is key to success, and that the difference between success and failure is failing to try again" further adding "that regardless of those individuals that held personal grudges against myself this goes to show that anything is possible if you believe you are doing the right thing for the community and more importantly the children."

As of Monday June 28th bull dozers and other heavy equipment were already at work to prepare Phase I of the Sports Complex for the fall soccer and pee-wee football leagues.

Endowment in Honor of Joel Garza Established

Alaniz Excellence in Education Foundation President, Dr. Ricky V. Alaniz announced today that a $5,000 Endowment Fund was established in Honor of Joel Garza.

The Fund was established through a generous donation from Renato Ramirez, President and CEO of International Bank of Commerce (IBC)-Zapata.  Mr. Ramirez's son Ricardo is married to Erica Garza, sister to the late Joel Garza.  Mr. Ramirez has been a tireless advocate of education, because his own experience has helped him understand what academic achievement can mean to the futures of children in the border region.  Mr. Ramirez has not only earned his MBA but also earned credits towards a PhD and served as a university professor befor returning to his hometown of Zapata to begin his career with IBC.

Among his many achievements Mr. Ramirez is one of the founding directors of the Laredo Community College (LCC) District Education Foundation, in 2005 Mr. Ramirez was awarded the prestigious Bernard and Audre Rapoport Philanthropic Award for Human Rights, he served as President of the Zapata County Independent School District Board of Trustees, has funded a $1 million dollar scholarship endowment at Texas A&M International University, and he and his family have sponsored a scholarship program, which offers $3,000 scholarships annually, for graduates of Zapata High School.  Mr. Ramirez is also deeply involved in honoring and preserving the impact of Hispanic culture, by donating not only funds but his valuable time to the Capital Tejano Monument effort in Austin and the National Hispanic Institute, and also helps support the Texas Civil Rights Project.

Dr. Alaniz stated that he "was honored to have such support from Mr. Ramirez and his family, Mr. Ramirez's history shows that he is a true advocate to higher education" further adding that, it is because of individuals like Mr. Ramirez and his family that all children have access to higher education and a better future for generations to come." 

Ground Breaking Ceremony Set for Carrizo Springs Sports Complex 

The Alaniz Excellence in Education Foundation has announced the ground breaking ceremony for the Carrizo Springs Sports Complex to be June 26, 2010 from 12 noon to  3 PM at the corner of Cactus Drive and Highway 85.  The land which was previously used by the Carrizo Springs Youth Soccer Association was recently sold by the City of Carrizo Springs to the Alaniz Excellence in Education Foundation.

Foundation President, Dr. Ricky V. Alaniz was proud to announce that State Representative Tracy O. King has graciously accepted to be the key note speaker at the ground breaking ceremony.  Representative King is a 1979 graduate from Carrizo Springs High School later attending Southwest Texas Junior College, Sul Ross State University and Texas A&M University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Engineering.  Representative King has always been active in public service first being elected to the House of Representatives in November 1994, and is currently seeking his 8th term.

Dr. Alaniz stated that "after a year of planning, organizing and fundraising the Carrizo Springs Sports Complex will finally come to life" further adding that "this monumental effort to serve the children and citizens of Dimmit County and the surrounding area, is the reason he decided to establish a foundation."

H-E-B Tounament of Champions Makes $10,000 Donation to Alaniz Excellence in Education Foundation

The H-E-B Tournament of Champions has made a donation of $10,000 in support of the Alaniz Excellence in Education Foundation.

In a letter to the Foundation, Tournament of Champions Trustee Ms. Winnel Hoerron stated "We are pleased to recognize the contribution of you organization has made to the well-being of Texans.  It is our sincere hope that this TOC donation will help enhance the success of your program."

The donation will be used to support the planned sports complex for Carrizo Springs and the surrounding youth. 

The Alaniz Excellence in Education Foundation receives a $25,000 long term gift commitment from the Bell Family Foundation

The Bell Family Foundation based out of San Antonio, Texas is proud to announce a gift in support of the Sports Complex being built for the youth of Carrizo Springs, Texas by the Alaniz Excellence in Edcuation Foundation.  This multi-year gift of at least $25,000 will help fund a variety of needs for the project.  Part of the commitment is going to fund the main concession stand in honor of and in memory of Jesus A. Beltran.  Jesus was a long time member of the Carrizo Springs community and was well known for his love of serving food, especially his signature Bar-B-Que brisket, to his friends in the community.  Another part of the gift will fund the main scoreboard on behalf of the Bell Family Foundation.  Extra and substantial gifts are also planned and announcements will be forthcoming as the project comes along.

The Bell Family Foundation is run by Matt and Jessie Bell of San Antonio, Texas and has been a long time supporter of youth projects.  The Bell Family Foundation was started to assist children in need and has supported numerous worth causes such as Water Well programs in West Africa in alliance with Living Water International, child clinics in impoverished parts of West Africa, Scholarships for students with special medical needs, support of orphans through St. Jude's Ranch for Children, and missionary efforts to thee homeless in Los Angeles.

Jessi Bell (Maiden name Jessie Beltran) is a native of Carrizo Springs having graduated from Carrizo Springs High School in 1989 and is a proud veteran of the armed forces.  Matt Bell is originally from San Diego California and  moved to Texas in 1992.

Foundtion President Matt Bell stated that "We are proud to be able to help with such a great cause as youth and adult sports in Carrizo Springs.  We share the long term vision of Dr. Alaniz to bring the community together through a state of the art facility that will benefit the families here in Carrizo Springs.  We look forward to the planned ground breaking ceremony on June 26th and hope that all resources the city, county, and community has available is brought to bear in this worthy cause."

Groundbreaking Photos

Chamber of Commerce Manager, Paula Seydel

State Representative & Key Note Speaker Tracy O. King

Matt & Jessie Bell

County Judge Frank Ponce

City Councilman Roy Ortiz

Commissioner Rodrigo Jaime

Honorable Judge Mendoza and Judge Esquivel