Student Spotlight - Christa LeJune

Name: Christa LeJune

Grade: Sophomore (10th Grade)
High School: Westchester Academy for International Studies (WAIS)

Favorite Subject: “My favorite subject is English. I adore reading different kinds of literature.”

Hobbies/Sports: “I am a member of the Anime Club at WAIS; I love to read and watch anime, then discuss my comments with the club.”

“I am a gymnast at Stars Gymnastics, currently training Level Eight. I spend most of my time at the gym working on my skills and perfecting my technique. I have sacrificed a lot of normal teenage things for gymnastics.”

How long have you been doing gymnastics? “I did gymnastics when I was really young, but I quit for two years to take care of my mom while she was sick. When I went back to gymnastics, I had to start from scratch because I lost all my skills. It has been about four years since then.”

What is the hardest part about being a teenage gymnast? “Gymnastics requires an unheard of amount of dedication and time commitment. It is hard to sacrifice things in order to make meets or practice, but we do it because we love to do it. The workouts are also really hard; sometimes I just want to cry it is so difficult. Gymnastics is a tough sport. Scoring is often based off the idea of a perfect routine, which is not even possible; sometimes it feels like you have failed before you even compete because the pressure for perfection is so high.”

How do you handle the pressure? “Stars Gymnastics is really great about dissolving the perfection standards. We are trained to focus on personal best rather than being the best.” In what ways have you benefited from doing gymnastics? “I think by immersing myself in the sport, I have grown more responsible and developed strong leadership skills. My team has become my family which is also really cool. We spend so much time with each other every day and have grown really close. Gymnasts have a certain appreciation and understanding of each other – It is something I cannot really explain.”

Favorite Music genre/artist: “I like listening to heavy metal and scream. Paramore is my favorite band. I have seen them three times in concert.” Favorite Book: To Kill a Mockingbird - “The plot is timeless and can be relatable to readers no matter the generation.” Career and College Plans: “As a sophomore, it is hard to say exactly what I want to do. I am really passionate about literature, so maybe something in the English field. As far as college, I have been looking at Alabama State. However, I plan on keeping all options open.”

-- This report compiled by Communications Dept. Intern Kali Venable.

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Winning Scenic Design

Memorial High School junior Kate Fester placed first in Scenic Design during the recently held Texas Educational Theatre Festival DesignFest and College Audition Process. For all her effort, Kate won a $150 prize.

 

The contest was sponsored by the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) and was held in Houston several weeks ago. 
 

Kate placed third overall last year in the UIL Theatrical Design contest for her design work on A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She recently submitted her design work on The Hobbit for judging, and she is one of the finalists in this year’s scenic design competition, which will be held this May.
 

She has qualified already in scenic design for a national competition this June in Lincoln, Neb., where she’ll display her portfolio in auditions for college admissions and scholarships.
 

Memorial High Theatre Director Nicole Rae Morgan credits family support and Fester’s variety of academic and fine arts interests for her top placement as a junior.
 

“Kate’s engineering and theatre classes paid off well. Numerous collegiate and professional set and scenic designers spoke highly of her work,” Director Morgan says. “We congratulate Kate, and we congratulate her family for supporting her in all her endeavors.”
 

Kate’s family credits the theatre director for Kate’s interest in stage design.
 

“Mrs. Morgan is being modest. She deserves so much credit for igniting Kate’s interest in theatre and in design. She has given Kate the opportunity to design everything from small props in her freshman year to large set pieces for their recently completed production of South Pacific,” Frederica Fester says.
 

Kate will be working with Director Morgan to design the entire set for the school’s next major production, Radium Girls.

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Project Lead the Way

Twenty-one students enrolled in a pre-engineering program at Stratford High School toured the Foster Wheeler offices in the booming Energy Corridor in west Houston.

They also spoke with the firm’s top financial officer in his penthouse office as part of their visit.

The Engineering Week visit to Foster Wheeler, a global engineering/construction company and power equipment supplier with 1,100 Houston-based employees, marked the second year of an ongoing, new partnership between Stratford High instructors Rory Frazee and William Hall and this industry leader. The students are learning engineering principles through a Project Lead the Way(PLTW) program class.

During the Feb. 19 Foster Wheeler visit, students met members of the corporate management team, who discussed their roles in the company and presented an overview of the engineering field. Chief Financial Officer Anthony Scerbo also met with the students.

He discussed the role of business and finance in the engineering process. In addition, students were given a tour of the 585 N. Dairy Ashford offices and a question-and-answer session was conducted on a major refinery project. Foster Wheeler employs 26,000 people worldwide.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a nationally certified program with more than 3,000 schools across America in its network. In Spring Branch ISD, the program is found at four high schools and several middle schools.

In addition to engineering instructors Frazee and Hall at Stratford High, PLTW is taught in Academy of Engineering Program classes by Shelly Montgomery at Memorial High. Marc Pollicove leads PLTW at Spring Woods High. John Hanson, Ed.D., former state director for the Texas Project Lead the Way, has joined Northbrook High to teach the engineering-focused program there, too.

Stratford High Principles of Engineering students who visited Foster Wheeler included:

Seniors (12th Grade)
John Kim
Yi Lee
Elaine Lui
Jesus Ramos
Pribadi Sulistyadi
Pribadi Sulistyawan
Jung Yang

Juniors (11th Grade)
Mohamad Almassi
Chris Brooks
Charles Edwards
Joe Kwak
Brian Linderman
Steve Ortega
Stockton Schipul
Matt Taber
Jeremy Tushnet
Christian Young

Sophomores (10th Grade)
Ryan Dodds
Ryan Mikula
Adrian Sanchez
HyunJung Shin

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Reliant Student Winner

Terrace Elementary School fifth-grader Lauren Kmiecik was one of 19 lucky student winners who heard pop singers Demi Lovato and Austin Mahone from a plush corporate suite Sunday during their Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo concert.

Lauren was among 2,500 students nominated to win suite tickets for themselves and for up to three family members or friends in the Reliant Student Recognition Program. The fifth-grader was nominated by teacher Sarah Morphey.

Only 19 elementary and secondary students won tickets based on a random drawing.

Reliant, a NRG company, sponsors the Rodeo-related competition to recognize students in kindergarten through 8th grade for academic excellence, continued academic improvement and outstanding citizenship.

Random or not, Lauren was teacher Sarah Morphey’s pick as one extraordinary young woman. She wrote the following about Lauren in her nomination:

“She embodies the best of our Spring Branch students in the areas of achievement, personal drive and citizenship. Her involvement at Terrace is far reaching, and she demonstrates it by tutoring kindergarten students, reading with second-grade students to build fluency, as well as peer tutoring,”
Morphey said.

“She has been a safety patrol on campus, performs in our Terrace ensembles, had a starring role in our holiday musical, served on the Terrace Service Club, has competed with our campus team in Odyssey of the Mind, and participated and inspired her classmates during our campus Girls on the Run program. That resume alone is all very impressive, yet her humbleness and kindness for others never wanes. Of course, it is important to point out that she is an amazing student who has earned straight A’s throughout elementary school. She is in constant search for new knowledge, and is an avid lover of American history. It is her goal to become a veterinarian after graduating from high school.”

Performing at the Sunday Rodeo were the singer-songwriter, musician, actress and anti-bullying spokesperson Demi Lovato and teen heartthrob Austin Mahone, whose viral videos included the popular song, “Say Something.”

Reliant student winners also took home a certificate of recognition and special t-shirts to mark a very special evening.

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Founders Day Award

A middle school art teacher who never stops helping students, a Board of Trustees member and dozens of volunteers who serve on local PTAs received special awards during a Founders Day Dinner and Celebration held Feb. 26 at Shadow Oaks Elementary School.

Click here to view photos from this event.

During the Fiesta-themed event, the Spring Branch Education Foundation presented a check for $6,000 to support student scholarships.

Founders Day celebrates the Washington, D.C., meeting in February 1897 that helped create the Parent Teacher Association in the United States. Today, the SBISD Council of PTAs has about 10,000 members.

This year’s annual dinner program included a message by Superintendent of Schools Duncan F. Klussmann, Ed.D., on the importance of contacting Texas legislators as they consider topics of importance like changes in STAAR/EOC student testing and graduation plans.



Landrum teacher Andres Bautista celebrates student success with grads from SBISD's Northbrook High School.

He also spoke about Spring Branch’s T-2-4 plan to double the number of students by 2017 who earn a technical certificate, a two-year or four-year degree. The spotlight for one of the evening’s brightest moments – the naming of the year’s School Bell recipient – shined on Landrum Middle School art teacher Andres Bautista.

During his career at Landrum Middle School, Andres was named a district Teacher of the Year and has been honored by several organizations for his work with young artists, including a well known local nonprofit group, the NewSpring Center on Blalock Road.

At Landrum Middle, Andres has volunteered for the past two years as treasurer of the Landrum Lions PTA in addition to a host of other student-focused duties and positions: He is the school’s yearbook sponsor and photographer, boys soccer team coach, and a Christmas program sponsor for those in need.

“Andres brings an inspirational, high achieving and enlightening attitude to his teaching that has captivated students and other teachers. He has sacrificed his personal time to stay after school so many countless hours during the week or on weekends to help students,” his nomination states.

“He truly cares for the future of all his own students, and he sees the importance in high school graduates pursuing a college degree. He helps many high school students complete their college applications and arranges frequent college field trips for students,” his nominators also stated.

During Winter Break, Andres organized a fund-raising drive from his family’s home in McAllen to assist families in a Spring Branch apartment building who had lost everything in a sudden fire. The NewSpring Center had named him a featured artist, and Andres helped a former student who is now attending college receive a scholarship from the local group.

“It brings joy to Andres’ heart to see his young artists pursue their dreams. Although he may seem like a superhero carrying many responsibilities, Andres is committed to his school and community, but most importantly to all his students.”

School Bell Award winners receive a personally engraved brass school bell. The SBISD Council of PTAs presents the award each year to an outstanding educator who promotes the objectives of the PTA and is an advocate for all children. A local bank also issues a stipend.

Other School Bell Award nominees this year included the following:

• Pam Pennington, Bunker Hill Elementary
• Ashley England, Cornerstone Academy
• Sally Craddock, Frostwood Elementary
• Belinda Henry, Hunters Creek Elementary
• Rhonda deLeon, Meadow Wood Elementary
• Paula Liming, Memorial Drive Elementary
• Stephanie Aguirre, Memorial Middle
• Suzy Lyles Godwin, Memorial High
• Karen Harrell, Rummel Creek Elementary
• Carroll Harkins, Sherwood Elementary
• Robert Fleming, Spring Forest Middle
• Lance Stallworth, Spring Woods High
• Christopher Juntti, Stratford High
• Rebecca Kim, Valley Oaks Elementary
• Andrew Maddocks, Westchester Academy for International Studies
• Kay Kennard, Westwood Elementary
• Sylvia Kirkland, Wilchester Elementary
• Stacy Burkhart-Brezina, Zebra Zone School for Early Learning

In another highlight of the evening, SBISD Board of Trustees member Katherine Dawson was presented the Council PTA Life Award. This is the highest award for volunteers who work to improve the lives of all students through the district Council of PTAs.

A Stratford High graduate, Katherine Dawson is a former district teacher and parent of three children who attend SBISD schools. She has been active in local PTAs, serving as both PTA president and treasurer. She was also president of the Council of PTAs.

At the district level, she has volunteered on the SBISD Finance and District Improvement teams, the Volunteer Advisory Board, and Employee of the Month and Teacher of the Year committees.

Katherine has also coached an Odyssey of the Mind team, served as a Girl Scout leader, and has remained active with the Junior League of Houston. Several Board of Trustees members showed their support for this year’s nominee.

Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) Executive Director Cece Thompson, SBEF Chair Mike Rome, and Board of Director Warren Matthews presented a symbolic $6,000 poster-sized check to fund scholarships for high school seniors.

In separate action, more than 100 people were honored as 2012 Texas PTA Lifetime Members.

This year’s Council of PTAs president is Susan Griffin, who welcomed guests. Event program presentations were made by Founders Day Chairs Veronica Herrmann and Melissa DeAyala, as well as Awards Chair Carrie Goolsby. Caroline Bennett, who is Council vice president for membership, presented the PTA's Lifetime Member awards.

Event program presentations were made by Founders Day Chairs Veronica Herrmann and Melissa DeAyala, as well as Awards Chair Carrie Goolsby. Dinner was catered by Los Tios Mexican Restaurant. The Northbrook High School Jazz Band provided entertainment.

2012 Texas PTA Lifetime Members

• Buffalo Creek Elementary Romelia Jimenez-Garza Elizabeth Rodriguez
• Bunker Hill Elementary Charlotte Adams Meredith Cooley Becky Drexelius Allison Knostman Lisa Linker Jeff Majewski Michelle Majewski Valerie Martinez Rachel Matthews Laura Ripkowski
• Cornerstone Academy Sheri Deluca Maria Galvan Beth Robertson Eva Sivon
• Frostwood Elementary Jennifer Carmichael Lindsay Fiuzat Laura Gauss Laura Mendoza Marion Thames Laura Whitnel
• Hunters Creek Elementary Pam Carmain Dawn Dixon
• Meadow Wood Elementary Meg Blitch Amanda Bush Jay Campbell Anna Farris Kevin Farris Amy Griffith Barbara Stabler Carl Stabler
• Memorial Drive Elementary Jill Collins Michelle Kelly Amy Lindsay Thea Marino Meghan Rao Colleen Zatorski Samantha Lancios—Extended Life Member Award
• Memorial High Carol Bowers David Kastor Yvette McMahan Marilyn Todd
• Memorial Middle Patty Aucock Jennifer Barker Kim Brown Pam Callahan Karen Lee Chris Thornton Mendy Wheeler
• Nottingham Elementary Karen Alexander Cynthia Arocha Gwin Bosco Shana McClintock Julianne Murphy Michelle Putnik
• Rummel Creek Elementary Athena Cashiola Carrie Goolsby Maureen Hamilton Karen Miller Deborah Moore Kim Wood
• Sherwood Elementary Sina Alvarado Jill Sherrill
• Spring Branch Middle Sheri Beggins Paige Weinstein Suzanne Greene—Extended Life Member Award Miriam Ramos—Extended Life Member Award
• Spring Forest Middle Donna Brown Darlynn Lydick Joshua Ritchie Sharon Sharadin Becky Singley Amy Watkins
• Stratford High Thomas Clancy Julie Gibson Anne Hachtman Pam Lundell Kim Wood
• Terrace Elementary Laurie Ramirez Amy Schomburg Cheryl Stazo
• Valley Oaks Elementary Jenny Fett Bob Kretschmer Laura Mullins Julie Nordin Susie Rampersaud Monica Rosenstein Becky Smith Teresa Weyer Shannon Whiting Sharon Zetka-Lightfoot Marty Ethridge—Extended Life Member Award
• Westchester Academy for International Studies Lori Bauer Leslie Enloe Jane Finneran Sylvia McInroe Camille Tarics
• Wilchester Elementary Cheryl Brady Debbie Dodds Elizabeth Elliott Holly Mosby Chris Vierra Pam Goodson—Extended Life Member Award

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