TFA Lane

TFA Lane:

Summary: Located in the hardscrabble South Plains of Rio Grande City, Texas, TFA (Teach for America) Lane is a veritable oasis amidst a dusty, and often rugged, border town. "The Lane" as it is often referred to by its inhabitants, consists of eight houses owned by Mrs. Alvarez, a rancher's wife and a former teacher at Roma Intermediate School. The row of houses, which are virtually identical, conjure up a military base. However, despite the uniformity of the accommodations, the residents are a "mixed bag" of folks from places as divergent as Vermont, Ohio, Kansas, and California.

History: It is not known for certain when TFA Lane officially began, although it became a very popular destination for migrants from the North as early as 2002. Residents typically only live on the Lane for two years, with some, such as Noah "Dirty" Durst staying as long as three. One of the reasons for the growing popularity of the Lane are the inexpensive prices that Mrs. Alvarez charges for rent. For example, As of 2006, a three bedroom, ranch style home rented for as low as $390.00 a month (Try getting that deal in New York City!).

Economy: All of the residents of the Lane make their living as teachers in either the Rio Grande City or Roma school district. Salaries are GeneRally high compared to the standard of living in the surrounding town, so residents enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and typically have a lot of discretionary income, which is more often than not spent on beer.

Political Climate: The residents of The Lane are generally left leaning in their political beliefs. Often in the past, this has led to heated debates between the majority of the residents and the community's lone conservative agitator, Riley Dugan. Statistics on the voter turnout for the 2004 Presidential election are unavailable, although it is presumed that some residents, such as Riley Dugan, were simply too lazy to vote.

Religion: There is a fair amount of religious diversity on the Lane, with Noah Durst being a Quaker and David Hughes being a former altar boy in the Catholic church. Some residents, such as Emily Nielson, are presumed to worship Baal.

Recreation: There is not a great deal to do on the lane, as it is almost 50 miles from the nearest movie theatre. Nevertheless, the residents still manage to have a great deal of fun. Popular activities include running, playing Madden Football, having bonfires, and compiling a log of the bowel movements taken in the home of Alan Crawford and Tyler Steffey. This latter activity, which began in earnest in 2005 and ended one year later, was championed primarily by David Hughes who, in a moment of great extremism, made a bowel movement in Crawford and Steffey's backyard.

Future: The Lane will last as long as there is a need for dedicated teachers in Roma and Rio Grande City. However, upon its inevitable dissolution, the memories of the geography and the spirit of its people will live forever in the minds of its residents, both past and present.