Westfest
This past Saturday, I attended Westfest, an annual festival in West to celebrate the city's Czech heritage. I enjoyed participating in the parade on Main Street, along with community members. Visitors came in from across Central Texas, adding to the sense of unity and shared heritage.
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The parade was one of many activities. I also witnessed polka dances and kolache-eating contests. These traditions have been part of the community for generations, linking the City of West to its cultural roots. The marketplace at the center of Westfest and both the history and entrepreneurial spirit of West was on full display. Vendors offered various products to showcase the community's ingenuity and distinct culture. 
GWAMA is a public magnet school that offers students in grades 10 through 12 from across McLennan County an opportunity to enroll in specialized trade programs. Students can choose from four specialized tracks: architecture, robotics, welding, or construction science. Throughout the program, they gain valuable certifications in sheet metal work, carpentry, robotics, architectural design software, and more. Young individuals who attend GWAMA are achieving remarkable accomplishments for their age.
I'm especially proud to highlight that my efforts in Congress directly contributed to securing $1.5 million in federal funding for this important project. These funds and additional contributions have transformed the CTCR from an idea into a fully operational center for cybersecurity excellence.
