By   Special to the Times

SIFE TAMIU showcased seven projects the student organization focused on during the 2009-10 academic year and received second place for its “I-Transgreen” project in the “Sam’s Environmental Challenge” special topic competition, sponsored by Sam’s Club – Laredo. The team first won at the South Texas Region level, earning a prize of $1,000 and moving to the second round as a Top Five Finalist to compete for the national award. The group won a trophy and a $4,000 cash prize.

In the project, SIFE TAMIU helped El Mesón de San Agustín Restaurant and Alicia Ruíz Elementary School to become more environmentally friendly and adopt cost-saving measures. As a result, El Mesón was able to derive a cost savings of more than $500 a month. Families participating in the Alicia Ruíz Elementary School project saved $25 per month in their homes’ electricity bills.

“We are very excited about this competition,” said Miguel Chávez, TAMIU SIFE treasurer, “It’s definitely something that we are proud of and it will help us motivate our new members next year.”

The student organization was also named one of the top 20 finalists in the “Business Ethics Competition,” for its project titled, “Understanding Disability Success,” sponsored by Sealed Air Corp., for presentations the organization made to local businesses on the contributions that people with disabilities can make to the workforce.

Chávez said that SIFE will utilize its competition award to fund community-oriented, volunteer projects this year.

The SIFE TAMIU team is comprised of students from all disciplines who take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it to real-life situations.