Letters from the President of the Oratory Schools

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May 15, 2008

Dear Students,

This anniversary year, 2007-2008, was a very special one in the twenty-five year history of the Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System. Having been the Directress that first year, the fall of 1983, I have seen the miracles our Lord, through the intercession of Our Lady and St. Philip Neri, has bestowed upon the Pharr Oratory Schools. We have gone from fifteen students in the living room of Casa Maria, an Oratorian counseling home for women built on Rancho Blanco Road, to six hundred and eighty students enrolled for the 2008-2009 academic year in our newly constructed administration building, library, and primary and secondary wings. Through these years, the surrounding faith and business communities have continued to grow in their commitment to see a two-campus system become one campus on 1407 West Moore, In Pharr Texas. Through time, the sacrifice of a few Oratorians, laity and clergy, became the miracle of the Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri Catholic School System, PK3 – 12th grades.

To the Kindergarten, Eighth Grade, and Senior Graduates, I would like to extend my warmest and most sincere congratulations! God bless you and your families for choosing a dual language Catholic education that offered a quality education and most importantly a Catholic environment whereby you were able to receive the sacraments and celebrate the Holy Mass.

“Out of the shadows of darkness and into the light” is the motto of our Oratorian schools. During your life’s journey, avoid the darkness of ignorance and poverty of spirit, and reach for the light of God’s grace that will continue to guide you down the path of wisdom and salvation. May the joy of our patron, St. Philip Neri, find its home in your heart forever. In closing, remember to keep the Pharr Oratory Schools always in your prayers, and know you will forever be in ours.

Yours in Christ and St. Philip Neri,
G. Yvonne Pérez, President

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Mother's Day Card

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See Noche de Alegría Photos

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Sacred Spaces and Playground News

After successful raffle ticket sales and giving campaigns, the President’s Office will begin construction of two sacred spaces,"St. Philip’s Garden" and "The Cross". Funds raised were also used to purchase a play unit for ages 6-12. Thank you to those who purchased or sold ring, car, and raffle tuition tickets or who gave a direct donation!

Plans are to continue raising funds for a play unit for ages 3-5. Parents or friends wishing to make a donation for the play unit for this age group, may contact the President’s Office at 781.3056, Ext. 601. Our goal is to raise $ 32,000 to include the unit, a solar shade, the surfacing, installation, and freight costs.

G. Yvonne Pérez
President & Co-Founder

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Commencing a New Era

Dear Friend in Christ,

“Noche de Alegría” is our annual gala fund raising dinner sponsored by the Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System. This is our 25th Anniversary Year. Therefore, our goal is to raise the most funds ever for the advancement of our schools, PK-12th grade! Our goal, in honor of the twenty-five years of service, is $250,000.00! Can we do it? With your dollars, we can make change!

Our theme for this year’s gala is “Commencing a New Era”: the next twenty-five years of Catholic education at the Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System. Our theme came from a lovely Marian painting by American artist, Joseph Stella, who named his rendering, “The Virgin”. It depicts the moment that Our Blessed Mother first felt her infant Son stir within her womb. For those who are mothers, we know that miraculous moment when we feel the slightest flutter for the first time. In that instant, Mary knew that she felt within her womb, the “commencing of a new era”.

Your generous SPONSORSHIP will:

1. commence a new era in offering Catholic education
2. support an internationally and state accredited educational institution
3. promote PK-12 Catholic dual-language private school education in south Texas
4. improve the quality of education in Hidalgo County
5. receive advertisement in various mediums
6. be recognized forever in our philanthropic “Giving Tree” donor wall to be placed in the new Administration Building.

Be a part of “Commencing a New Era” for the Oratory Schools. Be a SPONSOR and make change happen!

Corinthians Banquet & Special Events Center Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 7:00 PM

Yours in Christ and St. Philip Neri,
G. Yvonne Pérez
President & Co-Founder

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Campus Fundraising
1^ST Semester Results

Click above to see larger image.

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Pharr and McAllen Proclamations - October 20, 2007

Pharr Proclamation McAllen Proclamation

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Open House Welcome Address - Saturday, October 20, 2007

WELCOME ADDRESS
BY G. YVONNE PEREZ
President, Oratory of St. Phillip Neri School System

Dear Your Excellencies,
Most Rev. Raymundo Peña, Bishop of Brownsville, Very Rev. Felix Selden, C.O., Delegate of the Holy See for the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Vienna, Austria, Dr. Alberto Bianco, Secretary to the Very Rev. Edoardo Cerrato, C.O., Procurator General of the Confederation of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri, Rome, Italy, Very Rev. Antonio Rios, C.O., Former Delegate to the Holy See,

Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is with great joy that I welcome you to the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Congregation of the Pharr Oratory and the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Pharr Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System being held today at the new Administration building on our campus in Pharr, Texas.

With this ceremony, we are just beginning to celebrate our 25th & 40th Anniversary. Later today we have a Ribbon Cutting, a reception, a tour, a fall festival, 2 fundraising raffles, a Mass, and dinner. Only Divine Providence could have planned for these two anniversary celebrations and the completion of our new campus, all come together. It seems just like yesterday, I was the only paid employee working in the living room of Casa Maria, an Oratorian ministry for women, located on Highway 281 and Rancho Blanco Road. Today, I find myself here, filled with deep emotion and thanksgiving in this state-of-the-art Administration Building’s Lecture Hall. God’s Divine Providence and the work of His faithful servants have made this dream, a state accredited dual-language immersion Catholic school system that excels in the academics as well as creating a cultural environment rich in traditions, celebrations, languages, and history of the border area between south Texas and Mexico, a reality

In 1983, we began with 15 early childhood students with two volunteer part-time teachers, Elida Sotelo Newell, who invited me to join the effort, and Lala Cantú, loyal friends whose love and support has sustained me throughout these 24 years. There was one full-time teacher/Directress, me. The Oratory Academy of St. Philip Neri was born and began as a state licensed Day Care Center. We continued to grow adding one grade level a year. In 1990, we became a PK-6 grade level campus; Grades 7 and 8 were added in 1996. Two years later, in 1998, the Fathers of the Pharr Oratory, members of the Governance Board, and some staff, attended the 400 Anniversary of the death of our patron, St. Philip Neri, in Rome, Italy. We found ourselves humbled and deeply inspired and upon returned we decided to accept not one, but a double challenge. First, we initiated our high school, the Oratory Athenæum for University Preparation, with a ninth grade class of a handful of students. That same year, an elementary school, the Newman Institute of the Oratory was opened in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico with 30 students. Today, October 20, 2007, we celebrate and give thanksgiving for the Oratory Academy with 484 elementary and middle school students. Our high school, the Oratory Athenæum for University Preparation, has 106 students, and the Newman Institute with 140 students. As an international school system, we have 68 faculty and staff and serve a student population of 730 on both sides of the Rio Grande River.

In a few moments you will be a witness to the blessings and the commentaries of our special guests and member of the Pharr Oratory. I am eager for you to remain with us after the morning’s program and join us in the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, some refreshments, and the tour of the grounds, classrooms, and a Cesare Baronio Catholic Library. We invite you to feel at home in our midst.

Again, welcome and thank you for being with us on this most joyful and momentous occasion. Before closing, I would like to thank my family for their love and support, to Fr. Leo-Francis for giving me and other laity, the opportunity to serve, to the Governance Board Members, for their dedication and work.

In closing, I will say a few words in Spanish, for it would be remiss of me not to do so.

Otra vez mas les damos nuestras mas sinceras gracias por estar con nosotros en esta convivencia al celebrar nuestros aniversarios. Nos sentimos muy orgullosos y llenos de alegría tener con nosotros a todo Uds., y en particular los representantes de la iglesia y el Oratorio de San Felipe Neri. Que Dios los bendiga.

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December 2, 2007

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Saint Juan Diego - December 9

Born: 1474, Tlayacac, Cuauhtitlan, Mexico
Died: May 30, 1548 Tenochtitlan, Mexico City, Mexico
Beatified: April 9, 1990, Vatican, Rome by Pope John Paul II
Canonized: July 31, 2002, Basilica of Gualalupe Mexico City, Mexico by Pope John Paul II
Major Shrine: Basilica of Guadalupe, Mexico City, Mexico
Feast: December 9
Attributes: Tilma

(Information from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia)

Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin was an indigenous Mexican who reported an apparition of the Virgin Mary as Our Lady of Guadalupe in 1531. He had a significant impact on the spread of the Catholic faith within Mexico. The Roman Catholic Church canonized him in 2002, as its first indigenous American saint.

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September 18, 2007

Dear Parents and Friends of the Pharr Oratory:

As President of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System, I often pray and reflect on my main responsibility, the advancement and the future development of our Catholic schools, the Academy (PK-8th) and the Athenæum, (9th-12th). This summer, as Providence would have it, I found myself one evening reflecting on this goal, when I came upon a cable television program on a book review written about “those who give” to charitable causes. According to the author, his findings led him to list some of the characteristics of those who “give”. One among many observations in his research was that those who “gave” continued to “give”. They never tired of giving and always found the means to do so. He also observed that children, who lived in a home where parents modeled charity, also formed this virtue and continue it later in life. In other words, the author stated, “the more the heart gave, the bigger the heart got!” In giving, they found themselves recipients of great joy in their heart in helping others and the grace to continue giving.

The author continued by giving an example. He predicted that a family of one child would be more able and willing to participate in charitable giving. However, he discovered that they gave less and with less frequency than households with more than one child. As I reflected on this study of social behavior, the motto for my Advancement Campaign became:

“The more the heart gives, the bigger the heart gets!”

To give this campaign its Christian and Philippian identity, a logo evolved. This logo, so beautifully and graphically designed by graphic artist, Javier Portales, became the twenty-fifth anniversary logo for this years major development fund raising campaign for the schools. Designed within the number twenty-five, our founder’s inflamed heart, filled with the Holy Spirit, continues to burn in the hearts of those who “give” in turn receiving the warmth and protection of God’s love and grace as we hear Our Lord’s words:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35b)

In closing, I ask for your continued support for the advancement of God’s work.

Yours in Christ and St. Philip Neri,

G. Yvonne Pérez, President

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May 25, 2007

See message in PDF

Dear Parents, Students, and Friends of the Oratory Schools,

During the school year, I have spent much of my time promoting and raising funds for the construction and campus needs of our schools in Pharr. As projected, our needs, which include the infrastructure for operations, security, and technology, will come to approximately six million dollars. And so, you can imagine how busy the administrators and I have been. As committed as we all felt to completing another successful school year, we also found ourselves visiting the construction site and imagining and preparing for all the possibilities that would be available to our students in the very near future. During this time in our history, it is no wonder that we often reached out to Our Lord, and without fail, He lifted us up. Together with Him, “we walked on water in faith” and did the impossible. I, with twenty-four years as a co-founder and part of the faculty and administration of this beloved institution, know how important the community and parent support has been. We would not be at this juncture in our history with a state-of-the-art campus and a liberal arts dual language curriculum to include online curriculum and distance learning opportunities, without your prayers, love, and financial support beyond tuition. It surprises some parents to know that tuition and fees, together with campus fund raisers, do not cover the total cost of a student’s education. It is the catalogue sales, and the fall festivals, and student projects that help the operations going and the tuition from rising. The development fund raiser projects and campaigns (Annual Giving, Prophet of J.O.Y. Capital Campaign, Major Raffles, Grants, Noche de Alegría,) are primarily what help with the cost of construction and many of the needs that follow to include landscaping, fencing, play grounds, sacred spaces, infrastructure for educational technology and school management systems, security, new furniture, etc, etc., etc. For this I say with a humble heart, thank you.

Next year, be prepared for a great 25th Anniversary Celebration! We will be having banquets, a fabulous Open House and Tour, an Alumni Homecoming, our first Fashion Show, and many more surprises and activities to celebrate at school and in the community. Watch your mailbox and school web site, www.oratoryschools.org, for the calendar of anniversary activities, one for each month of the year. Until then, my prayers and my heart are with you all during the summer months. Stay well, pray often, and keep in touch. Yours in Christ and St. Philip Neri,

G. Yvonne Pérez, President

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Thank You! Noche de Alegría 2007 Sponsors

Dear Friends of the Oratory of St. Philip Neri School System,

Throughout the years we have had our charity gala in different cities and sites. We have danced and dined in open-air locations such as the beautiful “San Vincente Ranch”. After a few years of experiencing anxiety attacks with worry about the weather, the planning committee decided it was time to give up the open air and all its menacing elements for the comfortable enclosed space, unlimited decoration opportunities, and air-conditioning of event halls. And so, this year’s ninth annual “Noche de Algeria” will be at Corinthians Banquet and Special Events Center, Mission, on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at 7:00 P.M.

Our tradition for this event is to give homage to Our Lady. This year we have chosen an image of Mary gently holding her infant son Jesus as she softly gazes into His face. From birth to his death, she never lost sight of her Son. As we take on the biggest challenge of our schools’ history, the construction and completion of a six million dollar complex built to serve 900 students grades PK-3 to twelfth, we too must not lose sight of Jesus.

Over 2000 years ago Jesus performed many miracles, of which one was walking on water. In Mathew 14:28-31, Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk toward Jesus. But once he steps on the water his gaze is torn from Jesus as he focuses on the turbulent waters below. His eyes shift from Jesus and as he stares below, becomes afraid because what Jesus has done and what he is about to do is impossible! Peter sinks when his faith begins to falter. Like Peter, we have stepped out on the water, but like Mary, we have kept our eyes on Jesus. For years, this is what the Oratory and its families have done . . . “walked on water”. In honor of this act of faith for 24 years, our theme for this gala is “Walking on the Water in Faith”.

The Oratory has accomplished what most thought impossible. In truth, there were times when we found ourselves in turbulent waters. We too had thoughts that it might not be possible. Would the Christian and Catholic families of surrounding communities support such an effort to further Catholic dual-language education? The winds blew, the water swelled, but like Mary, we kept our eyes on Jesus and moved forward with our plans. In the fall of 2007, with God’s grace and by His holy will, we will have our Open House on the 25th Anniversary year of the Oratory Schools.

Only Providence could have made it so.

Yours in Christ and St. Philip Neri,

G. Yvonne Perez, President

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A Christmas Wish From the Eyes of Our Children

More Student Christmas Art.

Art teacher, A. Tobin, takes a moment to share her student's Christmas art work . It is with great joy and pride that she presents them to the President's Office for display on the WEB as a Christmas blessing to all to log onto oratoryschools.org.

View art slide show here: Previous Slide Next Slide

Previous Slide Next Slide

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September 30, 2006

Dear Parents,

As we build for the future, the Development Office has begun one of its Annual Giving projects for the year. This venture is named SchoolMall . This is a "quick and easy" way to earn additional money for our students without the usual fundraising work. By means of SchoolMall, participants will have available over 200 online merchants that will give a percentage of the sale to our schools. Among these are, Dell, J.C. Penney, Office Depot, Disney, Oriental Trading Company, and many others.

For two days, September 25 and 26, students were sent home with a set of 10 post cards. Each family was then asked to participate in this "Postcard Campaign" by addressing the cards with the names and address of family and friends. In turn, these friends and family will be informed as to how to shop online using the SchoolMall program with the percentage of the sales coming straight to our schools for a full year! These online store prices are comparable to the lowest found on the Internet.

Monies raised from SchoolMall will go directly toward building a new playground PK-6 and a soccer field on Moore Rd. Therefore, please do your best to encourage your post card clients to shop online all year long, from October 2006 to October 2007! Also, it is very important that they indicate the Oratory Schools as the beneficiary of the sales percentage.

So, the next time you need to buy something for birthdays, celebrations, office, or the Christmas holidays, remember.

KEEP YOUR SCHOOL IN MIND AND SHOP ONLINE!!!!!!!!
www.schoolmall.com

Yours in Christ and St. Philip Neri,

G. Yvonne Pérez, President

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Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Dear Oratorian Families,

To parents joining the Oratory School System for the first time, I extend a warm and cordial welcome on behalf of the Congregation of the Oratory, the Governance Board, and our Faculty and Staff. Having had the opportunity to speak to many of you at the new parent orientation, I was very encouraged by your enthusiastic response to the Schools' invitation to "fall in love" with your Faith and the Oratory. Today you may be asking yourself, how is this made possible. I will briefly expand on at least three ways you can "fall in love" with your school. First, is to become a parent volunteer; second, be informed about our curriculum, most especially our new technology projects; and third, participate to the fullest in the spiritual and physical growth of our schools by sharing of ourselves, our time, and our treasure.

Beginning August 30th at "Meet the Teacher" you will receive a booklet called PENS. This is our parent volunteer program, Parents and Educators Networking in the Spirit. Parents may sign up then, but no later than September 8. Teachers have been encouraged to make a special effort this year to create a strong bond with their students' parents by means of a home/school partnership. Campus Coordinators, Mrs. E. Allen and Mrs. I Díaz, will work with small parent groups to organize such activities as: field trips, library readers, fall festival, book fairs, etc. My office will be working with projects to raise major gift donations. This includes our very successful annual gala, "Noche de Alegría" and Capital Campaign.

In the field of Technology Integration, we have three major highlights. The first is TVS, Texas Virtual School Initiative. This web-based learning initiative is designed to meet the needs of Texas school students and educators. The mission is "to provide extended and flexible learning opportunities for secondary students and educators through web-based programs". This is a for-credit course. Our high school students, the Athenæum, will be taking classes in the area of Social Studies. Second, we have purchased a very special and award-winning instructional tool designed by Vantage Learning and heralded as one of the best online writing programs on the market today. "My Access" is the most motivating writing tool available to improve the writing skills of students' grades three to twelve. IntelliMetric powers this program; an artificial intelligence scoring engine that instantly grades open-ended essays as accurately and reliably as human expert scorers. For more information, ask to speak with Vice-Principal, Fr. José Losoya, C.O.

Last, we are proud to announce an international project called the "Denmark Project". In conjunction with Region IV Education Service Center and the Texas Education Agency, the Oratory Schools is offering classes in AP Psychology and AP Government online using Blackboard Academic Suite . Our students, together with a class from Denmark will begin after Labor Day. All assignments will be directed from a team of certified Blackboard instructors. Fr. José will be among them. I will assist by overseeing the progress of our students and the success of this exciting international experience.

This school year promises to be a very special chapter in the history of the Oratory Schools of St. Philip Neri. We are going beyond the walls of our classrooms and beyond the boundaries of our state and country to create "classrooms without walls" and teachers using artificial intelligence to enhance student learning. May God bless the work of our hands and yours as we begin this very special journey. May our "hearts" burn as one and in harmony with the Holy Spirit who will guide us as educators and parents to keep our family holy and to work as one.

Yours in Christ and St. Philip Neri,
President
Oratory School System

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Welcoming Note for Faculty & Staff - August 22, 2006

...there seemed to be a fire burning in my heart.

Jeremiah 20:9

Hearts on Fire

I wanted it. Desired it greatly. Yearned for its coming.

But when it did come I fought, resisted, Ran, hid away.

I said, 'Go home!'

I didn’t know the fire of God could be more than a gentle glow or a cozy consolation.

I didn’t know it could come as a blaze.

A wildfire uncontrolled, searing my soul, chasing my old ways, smoking them out.

Only when I stopped running, gave up the chase, surrendered, did I know the fire’s flaming as consolation and joy.

Only then could I welcome the One whose fire I had long sought.

May I Have This Dance? by Joyce Rupp View the graphic.

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From the President's Desk, May 2006

At the beginning of 2005-06, the initial year of the President's Office, a strategic development plan for the Oratory Schools was developed for the next three years. However, a few months after beginning the school year, I had to undergo emergency bypass surgery. Had it not been for the prayers of my immediate and Oratorian families, I am convinced that I would not be writing this note today. I thank you for your gifts, flowers, kinds words, rosaries, masses, and prayers. The children wrote and sent some very unique cards and notes to wish me a quick recovery. The teachers, I know, encouraged this, and so I thank them for the time they took to direct the students in creating their cards, big and small. The cards were thoughtful and colorful, but one in particular caught my attention. It was from an elementary student who said, "I do not know you very well, but I am told that your heart is sick. I send you mine to make you better". Next to these words was a simple heart drawn with a red crayon, with some lines drawn all around it as if sending it into space to where I was.

God bless each and every one of you. To those who leave us this year, especially the seniors, may God be with you always. I wish you well in all you do, and know that the Oratory Schools is your home. To those who will continue learning within these hallowed halls and classrooms, you will continue to grow in your faith and in His grace and wisdom.

God has given us the command to "Go teach!" Without these new classrooms, we cannot continue to teach and offer quality Catholic education. God's kingdom is built one brick at a time, and bricks cost money. Children will be turned away, and Catholic education will be denied to those who seek it. To date, initial presentations have been made to the majority of parents with literature to pledge or give. In addition, a spirit-filled and successful groundbreaking was held on May 5 to ask for God's blessing for this construction project. This summer and next fall, my office will be preparing to move onward with a successful capital campaign. I look forward to meeting with you in small groups and in your homes. Pray that I will receive the necessary blessings and knowledge to lead the faith, school, and civic communities to build the Oratory Schools and to secure its future for many years. God love you and keep you in His heart.

G. Yvonne Pérez

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Thank You Noche de Alegría 2006 Sponsors!

Distinguished Benefactors - $15,000

Cruz & Oralia Cantú

Special Benefactors

Mark & Roxanne Cantú - $10,000
Ronnie Cantú Insurance/Allstate - $10,000
Lone Star National Bank - $7,500
L & F Distributors, LTD - $7,500

Gift of Love

RF Construction, Inc. - $2,500
Mission Paving - $2,500
Texas State Bank- $2,500
El Tigre- Carlos A. Garza- $2,000
Judge & Mrs. Fernando Mancías - $1,500

Gift of Faith - $1,000

Parker School Uniform
John R. Griffith & Laurie Griffith
Dr. Gustavo & Juanita Ramos
Valle Escondido, LLC & First National Bank
Mr. & Mrs. Manuel N. Pérez
Mr. & Mrs. José Rene Garza
South Texas Pump Co.
Carina Cantú
International Bank of Commerce
Rio Grande Steel, Inc.
Dr. & Mrs. Ofsman Quintana
Raul Fabela Construction
Top-Con, Inc.

Gift of Hope - $500

Mr. & Mrs. Chris Hinojosa
Radiant Realty Services, LLC
Gomez, Mendez, Saenz, Inc.
Adan & Diana Farías
South Texas Omni Medical Products
Dr. & Mrs. Manuel Reinoso
Montalvo & Ramirez, Attorney at Law
Rio Valley Realty, Inc.
Dr. Juan A. Guardia & Dr. Maria Esther Hoffman
Quintanilla, Headley & Associates, Inc.
Dr. & Mrs. Cesar Coronado
Dr. & Mrs. Max Hernández
Dr. & Mrs. Ramiro Caballero
United Contracting, Inc.
Felici & Sauceda Families
Guerra Construction
Gonzalez-Dickson Family

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