Fall 2023 Scholarship Program Winners Announced! Highland Lakes Quilt Guild awarded four scholarships to adult women who are working to grow in their professions. The recipients all live in the Marble Falls or Burnet area of the Highland Lakes, and plan to remain in the the area when they complete their studies.
Emily Mendosa is working towards a Certification in Health Science Education within the iteach program. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Respiratory Care from Texas State University in San Marcos. She has worked in the medical field as a Respiratory therapist for over 15 years. She started out substituting at Burnet High School then Marble Falls High School in the RN office, but when a teacher suddenly left, she was asked to fill a CTE Health Science teacher position. Emily will be teaching CTE Health Science again this year to mostly 9th and 10th graders, while completing her studies to become certified. After she becomes certified she plans to complete a master's program in curriculum and instruction.
Kelsey Few is also working on her Alternative Teaching Certification through the iteach program. She currently holds a BA in History from Tarleton State University. She has worked in Human Resources for the last 7 years, but felt something was missing. She left Lubbock to come to Marble Falls and fill a need as a 5th grade teacher. She feels that teaching is her calling. Kelsey believes that continuing her Education and getting her Teacher Certification will show the kids that they too can conquer any challenge. Kelsey would like to teach for at least ten years and eventually move into a diagnostician role where she can work with kids who need that extra help.
Victoria (Tori) Benavides is working towards completing her Lactation Consultant Certification. She has a BS Degree in Early Childhood Education from Texas Tech and is currently teaching 2nd grade at Colt Elementary here in Marble Falls. After her daughter was born she became interested in Lactation and Breastfeeding. Tori has completed her Breastfeeding Specialist Certification and is working on completing the college courses required for Lactation Certification, at Austin Community College. Currently there is only one Consultant in our area and she will be starting a new job, so Tori will be filling an important role in our community when she completes her certification. She also plans to continue teaching while fulfilling this role.
Mariela Suarez is currently working on a BA in Accounting at Texas State, in San Marcos. She is the oldest of 4 children of immigrant parents and the first in her family to graduate from high school and go on to college. She currently lives at home while commuting to school, and helps out with her siblings and her grandmother. Mariela plans to graduate in the fall of 2024 with her Accounting degree. She hopes to find work in the area of Corporate or Public accounting and eventually continue working towards her Masters and taking the CPA Exams.
Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity is a worldwide program to assist needy folks to have a home in which they have participated in the construction of the house. One family per year is helped to have a home in the Guild area. Guild members make quilts for each family member; the quilts are presented to the families as they move into their completed homes.
Breast Cancer Patient Support Since 2008, we have provided Anti-ouch Pouches to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas, a patient support organization for women with breast cancer. Anti-ouch pouches are wedge shaped pillows with a shoulder strap, used to provide comfort after breast surgery. Kits are available at each Guild meeting. We also make Kangaroo Pouches which are used to hold drainage bulbs following surgery.
Learning with Quilts In 2014, we launched a program to introduce the quilting arts to elementary school children as part of our education mission. Books that incorporate quilts in their story, along with a replica of the quilt are provided to local school libraries.
Burnet County Area Fair The Fair is a 50+ year tradition in Burnet County. It is open to residents of the Counties of Burnet, Bell, Blanco, Lampasas, San Saba, Travis and Williamson for participation. The Highland Lakes Quilt Guild has provided the backbone of support to the Quilt Division through the use of our quilt stands, members volunteering to set up and present the quilts and, many times judging the Division.
The Library Quilts In the year 2000, the very first meeting of the soon to be Marble Falls Quilt Club met at the Marble Falls Library. For many years, the library opened their meeting room to the quilters in the area. We added membership and eventually out-grew the meeting room. We now display a quilt behind the front desk area in appreciation to the library for its support, and to provide education regarding quilting and it's traditions. Quilts usually change monthly.
Cryotherapy Mitts Providing hand and foot cold-mitts for cancer patients being treated with Doxil. This is used for women with advanced ovarian cancer and other cancers like Kaposi's sarcoma or multiple myeloma. A side effect is Hand-Foot Syndrome, leading to tingling or burning, redness, flaking, bothersome swelling, small blisters, or small sores on palms of hands or soles of feet. Patients must keep their hands and feet very cold for the first 48 hours of treatment to mitigate side-effects. Members sew the mitts and fill with special water-storing crystals purchased by HLQG.
