Shawn A. Akers

2 weeks ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Shawn A. Akers

Of the many duties I’ve enjoyed as the managing editor of The Victoria Advocate for the past 10 months, I would have to say that producing our Discover 361 magazine has been among the most gratifying. It’s given me the opportunity to oversee what I believe to be a quality publication. As a staff, we produce Discover 361 every two months.

3 weeks ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Shawn A. Akers

As a long-time sportswriter and someone who “cut his teeth,” so to speak, on high school athletics, I readily recognize when a very special moment comes along in the prep realm. I’ve covered state championship teams and celebrated along with the players and coaches who appreciate the attention, and it’s pure joy to see what a state title does for a small-town high school.

1 month ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Shawn A. Akers

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Tuesday has signed SB 2361, making official the transfer of the University of Houston-Victoria to the Texas A&M University Education System. The formal transfer will begin on June 1 and is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 1. The official signing of the bill puts to rest a long journey for UHV toward the Texas A&M System and comes to the delight of many public officials, including Texas House District 30 Rep. AJ Louderback, former Texas House District 30 Rep.

1 month ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Shawn A. Akers

Growing up, I had four uncles on my mother’s side and, to my knowledge, they all served in the military at one time or another. Two of them were a bit difficult to get close to because of their demeanor—like my grandfather Charlie—but the other two, my Uncle Adrian Gale and my Uncle Paul Gale, were always jovial and I shared some pretty good childhood memories with them. Uncle Adrian served in the Navy during the Korean Conflict, while my Uncle Paul served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War.

1 month ago | victoriaadvocate.com | Shawn A. Akers

For a few moments earlier this week, I thought I had stepped into the Twilight Zone. I have been in Victoria for just over eight months and, in all that time, I have never had to have a battery replaced in any of my three watches. It just so happens that the battery in the watch I wear almost every day—my treasured University of Alabama watch—stopped working the other day. I looked at the others and they had both stopped as well, so I figured to kill three birds with one stone (forgive the cliche).