Brownsville graduate student wins chalk drawing competition

Ariel Plotkin, a Brownsville native and graduate graphic design student at Savannah College of Art and Design, took first place with her teammates for their sidewalk chalk drawing in the Gray's Reef Fantastic Fishes category at the annual Sidewalk Arts Festival recently.

Every year, students transform Savannah's Forsyth Park into a piece of original artwork all made of chalk.

Three Valley natives complete basic training

Army Pvt. Joshua J. Manuel, of Los Fresnos, Army Pvt. Joanne L. Torres and Army Pvt. Juan M. Lopez Jr., both of Brownsville, all graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, they studied basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training.

Manuel graduated from the Gulf Coast Trades Center in Harlingen in 2006. He is the grandson of Maria Pilar Manuel of Los Fresnos.

Torres is a 2006 graduate of Hanna High School. She is the daughter of Beatriz Rodriguez, and granddaughter of Gilberto Rodriguez, both of Brownsville.

Lopez is the son of Luis and Teresa Ramirez, of Brownsville, and is a 2005 graduate of Lopez High School.