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April 2025
An Unbreakable Bond
3 BROTHERS, COUNTLESS MEMORIES
If you’re a regular newsletter reader, you know how much family means to me. In past editions, I’ve shared memories from holiday celebrations, my children’s successes, and more. It’s always nice to reflect on all the experiences and moments you’ve shared with your loved ones, but for this edition, I want to focus on a couple of very important people I don’t talk about often in the newsletter. My brothers have been by my side through thick and thin, and I couldn’t be more grateful for them and our relationship. I am the eldest of three brothers. Brad is three years younger than me, and we were always shooting hoops or throwing baseballs growing up. My brother Andrew wasn’t born until I was a teenager; he was a great guinea pig for Brad and me when it came to learning how to parent. Brad and I remained very involved in Andrew’s childhood, holding him regularly as a baby and even coaching his T-ball team when he was old enough to play. We remained close as we grew older. Brad followed my educational path, attending UT for his undergraduate studies and law school, while Andrew went to Baylor to get his degree. However, he maintained his loyalty to UT thanks to his upbringing! We’re still incredibly close to this day. We all live within 45 minutes of each other, and we frequently get together. I try my hardest not to take our relationships for granted. I know many people do not get along with their siblings, and I’m glad that’s not an issue with us. We all love UT sports and spend a fair amount of time around one another at UT sporting events. For example, we usually meet up before every UT football game and, win or
lose, gather at the same gate together as we exit the football stadium. Brad’s oldest kids are about the same age as mine, and we actually put together a baseball team when they were younger so they could all play together. We also love to travel together. We’ve gone all over the place, from Hawaii to the Caribbean. Traveling with a large family leads to great memories and stories. One favorite family story involved a trip to the Cayman Islands. Right around the time of the trip, spray sunscreen was first becoming a thing. Andrew, who was then pretty young, gave it a try but failed to properly spray his feet. They got so sunburned that he couldn’t wear shoes for much of the trip! We still joke about that vacation (at least two of us do). Reflecting on all my experiences with my brothers gives me a greater appreciation for my kids and their close relationships with each other. They could easily be considered best friends. Many times, I’ve told one of my kids about something going on, and they’ll already know from talking to my other kid. It was the same way with my brothers and me. I’m just so grateful my kids are close, and their relationship resembles the one I have with my brothers. The relationship we have with our siblings has the potential to be one of the most valuable and important in our lives. In honor of National Siblings Day this month, I plan on taking some time to share my appreciation for my brothers. No matter what happens, they’ve remained an essential part of my life. As I said during Brad’s wedding, even if we don’t see each other or talk for a long period of time, it always feels like we were never apart the moment we get back together!
- Brooks Schuelke
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SCIENTISTS’ SURPRISE: STUDENTS SERVED RADIOACTIVE OATMEAL GOING DANGEROUSLY ROGUE
objections at the time. At the dawn of the Atomic Age, most Americans saw science as a powerful force for progress — the Atomic Energy Commission approved dozens of human experiments with radioactivity. The importance of ethics review boards and informed consent of research subjects was nowhere on scientists’ radar at the time. Not until 1972, when the Associated Press reported on a Tuskegee Institute study in which Black men with syphilis were promised treatment they never received, did Congress finally pass legislation protecting people from unethical research. Scientists later determined the boys at Fernald didn’t suffer serious health effects; one said the exposure was about the same as 30 chest X-rays. For students like Boyce, however, the injuries ran deep. Thirty former Fernald students later sued Quaker Oats and MIT and were awarded $1.85 million in a 1998 settlement.
10–17 were eager to join the Science Club mainly for the perks enjoyed by members. Boyce, who was sent to the school after his parents abandoned him, also hoped the scientists might intervene on the students’ behalf and report dismal conditions at Fernald, where students, many of whom were mentally disabled, were abused and treated brutally. Boyce and others received no help from the scientists, however, and weren’t even informed they were subjects of a scientific experiment until more than 40 years later.
Students at a state special-needs school in Massachusetts decades ago flocked to join the school’s Science Club, lured by gifts, promises of field trips, and hopes of emotional support from the scientists in charge. What they received instead was a daily dose of radioactive oatmeal. As part of a secret experiment by the Quaker Oats Company and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), dozens of boys at Fernald State School during the late 1940s and early 1950s were fed oatmeal laced with radioactive tracers. The goal was to study their bodies’ absorption of iron and calcium and prove the cereal’s nutritional benefits. Some boys also were injected with radioactive calcium.
“We didn’t know anything at the time,” Boyce told Smithsonian magazine.
“We just thought we were special.”
The study at Fernald,
originally named the Massachusetts State School for the Feeble-Minded, was led by an MIT professor of nutrition. No one raised
A student named Fred Boyce and about 70 other boys ages
Please Don’t Be Used Against Me in Court Dear Diary,
incident and looking into Vanessa Guerra, a suspect in the case, a law enforcement officer allegedly found her diary. He flipped through the pages, looking for any information that would catch his eye, when he stumbled upon an entry from Aug. 12, the same day a 2004 Ford Freestar van was stolen and resold at an auto salvage business. “Totally stole a car today! Something I never thought of doing,” Guerra allegedly wrote in her diary. Guerra was charged with receiving stolen property and theft, although she claims she didn’t know the vehicle was stolen. However, workers at the auto salvage business informed law enforcement they recognized Guerra as the seller of the stolen vehicle.
Many of us have fond memories of writing in diaries or journals throughout our youth. We would share our thoughts and feelings in a book we would keep hidden from friends, family members, and others. It was our sanctuary where we could be ourselves without worrying about judgment or embarrassment. You may even remember the feeling of rage or hopelessness when you spotted your brother or sister holding your diary. Thankfully, there usually wasn’t anything too incriminating in our teenage diaries, and some of us have continued the practice well into adulthood. However, a recent news story proves we should be cautious about the information we share in our private journals.
Most people will probably not blab to others about crimes they have committed, especially if they are currently unsolved. This case reminds us to be just as cautious about what we write in private journals. While your diary may be your safe place to share your innermost thoughts and feelings, your entries could come back to haunt you if you’re involved in a criminal case, especially if you blatantly admit to the crime.
Last year, a Minnesota woman was arrested for auto theft. While investigating the
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Unpack Parenting’s ‘Mental Load’
TAKE A BREAK
Finding Peace in Modern Parenting
Parenting is a labor of love, but let’s face it — sometimes, it just feels like labor. The mental load of raising kids and running a household creates a constant to-do list in your head: planning parent-teacher conferences, organizing meals, managing schedules, and worrying about everything in between. With nearly half of parents saying their stress is overwhelming, it’s clear we’re carrying more than we can handle. But the good news is that you don’t have to carry it alone. Forget the Instagram Fantasy We’ve all been there — scrolling through picture-perfect family photos on social media and wondering how everyone else makes parenting look so effortless. But let’s get real. No one’s life is as polished as their posts. Instead of measuring yourself against unrealistic standards, focus on what makes your family happy and healthy. Spoiler alert: It’s not homemade Pinterest lunches or spotless playrooms. Find Your Village (and Use It!) Parenting wasn’t meant to be a solo sport. Whether it’s friends, family, or other parents, building a strong support system can make all the difference. And if you have a
partner, open conversations about sharing the workload can lighten the load for everyone. Remember that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a superpower. Perfect Is Boring — Be Real Instead Let go of the idea that you need to be the perfect parent. Perfection is overrated and impossible.
Classic Fish Fry Inspired by FoodNetwork.com
Ingredients
• 2 tbsp water • 2 cups plain bread crumbs • 1/2 tsp mustard powder • 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper • Lemon wedges
• Vegetable oil • 2 lbs fresh cod • Salt and pepper, to taste • 1/2 cup all-purpose unbleached flour • 2 large eggs
Life throws curveballs, and part of raising resilient kids is showing them how to handle challenges without losing your cool. Be kind to yourself, and embrace the “good enough” mindset. You don’t need to do it all, and your kids don’t need you to be flawless — they need you to be present. Go From Overwhelmed to Empowered The mental load of parenting will never disappear entirely, but it doesn’t have to weigh you down. When you ditch unrealistic expectations, lean on your village, and embrace imperfection, you can find more balance and joy in the chaos. Parenting is messy, exhausting, and sometimes downright hard — but it’s also beautiful, rewarding, and full of unforgettable moments. So, take a deep breath, give yourself some grace, and remember: You’re doing a great job. You’ve got this.
Directions 1. Pour 2 inches of vegetable oil into a large skillet over medium-high heat. 2. Cut cod into 4 servings and season with salt and pepper. 3. Place flour into a pie tin. Whisk egg and water in a second pie tin. Combine bread crumbs, mustard powder, and cayenne in a third pie tin. 4. Coat your fish in the flour tin, then the egg tin, then the bread crumb tin. 5. Set coated fish in hot oil and fry for 5 minutes on each side. 6. Serve with lemon wedges and enjoy!
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
1100 B Guadalupe Street Austin, Texas 78701
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Sibling Solidarity
A Chilling Tale From the Annals of Science
When Your Diary Becomes Evidence
Classic Fish Fry
3
The Mental Load of Parenting: You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone
A Pizza Delivery Nightmare in Florida
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When Delivery Disputes Go Too Far A $2 TIP TURNS VIOLENT
to shield her daughter and reached for the motel phone when Alvelo allegedly began attacking her with a knife, inflicting multiple stab wounds to her legs, arms, chest, and abdomen. The attackers fled the scene, and Irizarry was taken to a local hospital. In addition to 14 stab wounds, Irizarry suffered a ruptured lung during the attack. While receiving treatment, she also discovered she was pregnant. Alvelo was later arrested and charged with multiple counts, including attempted murder, kidnapping, and home invasion with a firearm. Her accomplice remains at large. Unusual Nature of the Case This case stands out not only for its brutality but also because it flips the typical narrative involving delivery drivers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, delivery drivers are more at risk of assaults
What started as a birthday celebration for a 5-year-old girl quickly took a dark turn when a Florida delivery driver stabbed a woman multiple times over a bad tip. According to court documents, the December 2024 incident occurred at a Central Florida motel where the victim, her boyfriend, and daughter were staying. The Incident After placing a $33 delivery order from Marco’s Pizza, the victim, Melinda Irizarry, tipped the delivery driver $2. Dissatisfied with the tip, the driver, 22-year-old Brianna Alvelo, reportedly returned to the motel with an unidentified male. Alvelo and her accomplice allegedly forced themselves into Irizarry’s motel room, brandishing a revolver. The attackers forced Irizarry’s boyfriend into the bathroom, and Alvelo produced a pocketknife before rummaging through the group’s belongings. Irizarry turned
than other professions. While disputes over tips are not unheard of, they rarely lead to violence. However, reports of assaults among delivery workers, particularly in the gig economy, are surprisingly common. Studies show that 1 in 5 food app workers are assaulted on the job, and over one- third of delivery drivers feel unsafe. Regardless of who is on the receiving end, cases like these underscore how everyday activities can lead to life-altering events with serious consequences for all involved. Always be vigilant.
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