Bringing the World's Largest Student Rocket Competition to West Texas

Bringing the World's Largest Student Rocket Competition to West Texas

What happens when 2,000 engineering students from over 20 countries descend on Midland, Texas to launch rockets into the West Texas sky? Cindy Payton sits down with Steve Taylor, president of the Experimental Sounding Rocket Association (ESRA), to talk about the International Rocket Engineering Competition — known as IREC — and why Midland is at the center of it.Steve shares how a childhood fascination sparked by the Apollo moon landing turned into a lifelong passion and eventually a mission to develop the next generation of aerospace engineers. ESRA, which has been running for over 20 years, is now the largest student rocket competition in the world — and this year's event is coming to Midland.The competition kicks off on June 15 with a free public poster session at the Horseshoe Pavilion, where student teams from around the world display a full year's worth of engineering work. The launch takes place at a site outside of Saragosa in Reeves County, where rockets are fired at altitude targets — with everything from aerospace to electrical engineering to business and multimedia represented on each team. The week of June 15 is the critical window, and volunteers are needed at every level — from runners and merchandise to registration and food service. No rocketry experience required.The award ceremony wraps everything up, drawing 2,000 students hooting and hollering as category winners are announced. The Blake Planetarium will also livestream the launches for those who want to experience it in the air conditioning.Learn more and find out how to get involved at https://esrarocket.orgChapters:0:00 Introduction — Welcome to Good Work West Texas0:54 Meet Steve Taylor — president of ESRA and lifelong rocketry enthusiast1:54 Inspired by Neil Armstrong — and the current race back to the moon3:56 What is ESRA? The history and mission of the organization5:08 Multidisciplinary teams — aerospace, electrical, business, multimedia and more6:27 The world's largest student rocket competition — 170+ universities, 20+ countries7:07 Jay's question: what would you say to a student thinking about getting involved?8:43 ESRA meets with Midland ISD, Midland College, and UTPB — free to attend10:51 IREC comes to Midland — June 15 at the Horseshoe Pavilion, free and open to the public11:37 What the poster session looks like — students explain their projects to visitors12:41 A year-long project — applications in October, safety reviews, technical publications13:44 Learning from failure — the stories that stick with Steve15:18 Teams from Turkey, Australia, UAE, New Zealand — experiencing Texas culture16:38 Midland's hospitality — what sponsors and teams said after last year's event17:15 Jay's question: how many volunteers does it take to pull this off?19:00 The volunteer breakdown — core team, judges, flyers of record, and community roles20:40 What community volunteers actually do — runners, food, merchandise, registration21:29 You don't need to know rocketry to help — Cindy on what she can actually do23:00 Jay's question: what's the one reason a volunteer would never want to leave?24:03 The launch site experience — what it's like to actually be there26:05 Building a space economy alongside oil and gas in Midland27:15 Every Neighbor's mission and what it means to invest in people28:22 Steve on his father's legacy — the origin of his own spirit of giving back29:47 ESRA website and YouTube channel — esrarocket.org30:19 How to participate, volunteer, or donate31:09 The launch site — outside Saragosa in Reeves County, roads and all32:36 The award ceremony — 2,000 students, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat33:03 Closing — thank you Steve Taylor and ESRA

The Heart Behind Advance Church in the Permian Basin

In this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Dustin Pearce and Jacobe Kendrick of Advance Church — a growing movement rooted in deep relationships, everyday discipleship, and serving people where real life happens.Dustin and Jacobe share their stories of coming back to the Permian Basin, why Midland has become home, and how their vision for Advance Church was built on a simple but powerful idea: invest in people, not just programs.From house churches to community investment, from walking with people through messy parts of life to equipping everyday believers to live out their faith — this conversation is a refreshing and inspiring look at what it means to serve, lead, and love others in West Texas.Whether you're part of a church, volunteering in the community, or looking for a deeper purpose where you already are, this episode will challenge and encourage you.Chapters00:00 – Cold Open00:30 – Welcome to Good Work West Texas01:10 – Meet Dustin Pearce & Jacobe Kendrick04:00 – Why They Love Midland06:45 – The Power of Community & Relationships10:30 – How Dustin & Jacobe First Met13:00 – The Birth of Advance Church18:40 – What “Advance” Actually Means23:15 – Investing in People vs. Inviting People27:00 – Equipping Everyday People for Ministry30:50 – Serving in Practical, Everyday Ways35:00 – Navigating Messy Real-Life Discipleship41:20 – A Story of Transformation45:30 – The Cost & Beauty of Long-Term Relationships48:00 – Their Dream for the Permian Basin52:00 – Quote Card Reflections54:30 – Final Thoughts & How to Connect55:45 – Episode Wrap

Providing Hope and Healthcare: Inside Community Children’s Clinic

In this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Executive Director Renee Meiner and Medical Director Dr. Casey Mraz, MD of Community Children’s Clinic—a nonprofit serving local families who fall between the gaps of traditional healthcare.Renee shares the clinic’s inspiring origin story dating back to 1984, when a small group of community members came together to ensure children could receive medical care regardless of insurance or income. Dr. Mraz discusses her personal journey from residency at the clinic to becoming its medical director and the impact of their $20 all-inclusive visits for Midland County families.Together, they highlight how the clinic bridges access to healthcare, provides on-site pharmacy services, and collaborates with partners like Midland Memorial Hospital and Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. They also share volunteer opportunities, community partnerships, and their annual “Dink & Dine” Pickleball Tournament, which raises funds to keep kids healthy and cared for in our community.It’s a heartfelt look at how compassion, collaboration, and faith continue to make a difference for thousands of children across Midland.Chapters00:00 – Intro01:00 – History of the Community Children’s Clinic02:00 – Serving uninsured and low-income families04:00 – Inside the daily operations of the clinic07:45 – Who qualifies for care10:50 – Stories of families served12:40 – The cost of care and donor support16:25 – Renee’s journey to nonprofit leadership19:40 – How volunteers and board members help21:45 – “Dink & Dine” fundraiser and community fun23:35 – Dr. Mraz’s background and calling to serve26:10 – Awareness and collaboration goals31:10 – Legacy stories of families helped through generations35:30 – The importance of Every Neighbor’s partnership38:25 – Closing reflections and final thoughts

Senior Life Midland — Serving 5 Million Meals and Counting

n this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Kathleen Kirwan-Haynie, Executive Director of Senior Life Midland, and Saul Herrera, who has served the organization for over 30 years.They share heartwarming stories of connection, compassion, and community through programs like Meals on Wheels, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, and the Foster Grandparent initiative. From delivering over five million meals to providing purpose for volunteers of all ages, Senior Life Midland is making a difference every day across the Permian Basin.Discover how a single knock on the door can bring hope, how volunteers become family, and how every act of service—big or small—creates a stronger, more caring community.Learn more: https://seniorlifemidland.orgChapters00:00 – Intro: Meals, Volunteers, and Community Impact02:00 – Saul’s 32-Year Journey with Senior Life07:30 – Kathleen’s Calling to Serve Seniors10:00 – How Meals on Wheels Changed Her Family’s Life14:00 – Serving Families, Not Just Seniors17:00 – The Hidden Need in Midland19:00 – Reaching Six Million Meals and Counting21:30 – Everyone Has Purpose and Value23:00 – Inspiration and Leadership Through Service27:30 – Programs You Might Not Know About30:00 – Generational Learning Through Foster Grandparents32:00 – Volunteers from Ages 7 to 9937:00 – How $10 Can Feed and Encourage a Neighbor39:00 – Safety Checks and Saving Lives42:00 – Cookie Fridays and Generational Legacy44:30 – Dreams for Senior Life’s Future47:00 – Every Person Has Ability and Value49:30 – Closing Reflections and Gratitude

Giving a Voice to the Visually Impaired | Recording Library of West Texas

In this episode of Good Work West Texas, hosts Cindy Payton and Leslie Crisp sit down with Rachel Stone, Executive Director of the Recording Library of West Texas, and Anthony Rodriguez, board member and HR leader, to explore how this remarkable organization brings words to life for people who can’t see them.Since 1963, the Recording Library of West Texas has served individuals across the region — from Midland and Odessa to Tennessee — providing free audio recordings of newspapers, books, ads, and more for the blind, visually impaired, and anyone with reading barriers such as dyslexia or Parkinson’s.Rachel shares her 16-year journey from volunteer reader to Executive Director and how the power of a human voice creates connection and comfort for those who often feel isolated. Anthony discusses the deeper meaning of accessibility, his passion for service, and the importance of leadership and community in the nonprofit world.Together, they reflect on the transformative act of volunteering, the organization’s dream of one day owning their own building, and the vital role of donors and volunteers who make this mission possible.👉 Learn more about the Recording Library of West Texas or get involved at https://recordinglibrary.org👉 Discover volunteer opportunities across the region at https://everyNeighbor.com#GoodWorkWestTexas #EveryNeighbor #RecordingLibraryofWestTexas #MidlandTexas #VolunteerMidland #Accessibility #CommunityImpact #Nonprofits #BlindCommunity #WestTexasStoriesChapters00:00 – Welcome and introduction02:00 – Rachel’s Midland roots and how she discovered the Recording Library06:50 – The mission: reading for those who can’t11:00 – Anthony’s story and connection to the nonprofit world15:45 – How remote reading began during COVID19:45 – The human touch behind every recording25:00 – How clients receive their recordings29:30 – Empathy through sound: stepping into the listener’s world32:00 – People who inspire us to serve38:50 – Passing down a legacy of giving46:45 – The dream: a building of their own and a stronger volunteer team50:30 – The importance of donors and volunteers52:00 – Closing reflections and gratitude