tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-275969196637621252024-03-13T05:56:58.556-05:00The School ZoneSpring Branch ISD's Online News RoomUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1608125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-14505747435624045052018-12-10T12:15:00.003-06:002018-12-10T12:15:47.775-06:00Visit Our Updated Newsroom<h2>
Please note: SBISD no longer uses this site for news. For the latest news and headlines, please visit our new site at the link below. </h2>
<h2>
Thank you!</h2>
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.springbranchisd.com/news" target="_blank">SBISD Newsroom</a></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-57010411320994128142018-06-25T11:39:00.000-05:002018-06-25T11:39:18.638-05:00SBISD Superintendent Named to Chiefs for Change<br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">June 20, 2018</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Spring
Branch ISD Superintendent Scott R. Muri, Ed.D., was named today as one of four
new members of Chiefs for Change, a bipartisan network of state and school
district chiefs that represents some of the nation’s boldest and most
innovative education leadership.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chiefs
for Change, a 3-year-old nonprofit group, includes a diverse group of leaders
who believe that every child deserves a high-quality education and pathways to
college and meaningful degrees. Members lead public educational systems serving
more than 7 million students, 435,000 teachers and 14,000 schools.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
nonprofit increases to 31 members with the recent appointment of Dr. Muri and
three other district superintendents. Joining SBISD’s leader are Superintendents
Emmanuel Caulk of Fayette County Schools, Ky.; Sharon Contreras of Guilford
County Schools, N.C.; and Donald Fennoy with The School District of Palm Beach
County, Fla.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“We
are pleased to welcome this impressive group of educators into our community,”
said John White, board chair for Chiefs for Change and the state superintendent
of education in Louisiana. “They have shown a deep commitment to expanding
opportunity for all children and are leading innovative work in their
districts. As members of our network, they will play an important role in our
national and state-level efforts to promote policies and practices that are
best for students.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
selection of Dr. Muri and others followed a rigorous review process that
included extensive research and staff conversations with potential candidates. The
group’s Board of Directors approved their membership earlier this month. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dr.
Muri and the three other new chiefs “have implemented a range of school choice
initiatives to give families greater access to excellent schools and
instructional programs, supported efforts to provide all teachers with top-tier
instructional materials and related professional learning, and developed
programs and partnerships to set students up for success long after
graduation,” Chiefs for Change states in a news release.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Chiefs
for Change is a group of state and district leaders with fresh, out-of-the-box
thinking about how to create schools that personalize learning,” Dr. Muri said.
“Much like our work in Spring Branch ISD, the members are developing new
approaches that center around students’ unique skills, interests and learning
styles.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“With
the [federal] Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) providing greater opportunities
for innovation, this is an exciting time for us to share ideas and design
entirely new instructional models,” Dr. Muri also said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Dr.
Muri was named SBISD’s Superintendent of Schools three years ago. From his
first role as a classroom teacher, Dr. Muri has followed a career path with
increasing administrative duties, but his heart is still in teaching because
that’s where he believes the key work that matters takes place – with children
in the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Of
the 25 active chiefs in membership, 16 are school district chiefs and nine are
state educational leaders. More than half of the members are leaders of color,
and more than 40 percent are women. Four key areas have been the focus of
advocacy for this group:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Equitable access to outstanding schools<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">High-quality curriculum and the supports for
teachers to use it effectively<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">College affordability and completion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Safe and welcoming schools where children are
free to learn, free from fear<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chiefs
for Change CEO Mike Magee said the four new members share all these values, but
also “have a track record of acting on those beliefs and standing up for kids.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">“Each
one of them is a strong, effective leader,” Magee said. “They are committed to
creating schools that will allow every child to achieve his or her potential
and realize the American dream.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Chiefs
for Change members include these district and state leaders:<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" />
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Malika Anderson: Former Superintendent of the Achievement School District,
Tennessee <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Katy Anthes: Commissioner of Education, Colorado <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Robert Avossa: Former Superintendent of The School District of Palm Beach
County, Florida <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Desmond K. Blackburn: Superintendent of Brevard County Schools, Florida <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Tom Boasberg: Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Colorado <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Steve Canavero: Superintendent of Public Instruction, Nevada <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Emmanuel Caulk: Superintendent of Fayette County Schools, Kentucky <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Christopher D. Cerf: Former Superintendent of Newark Public Schools, New Jersey
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Tommy Chang: Superintendent of Boston Public Schools, Massachusetts <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Veronica Conforme: Former Chancellor of the Education Achievement Authority,
Michigan <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Sharon Contreras: Superintendent of Schools in Guilford County, North Carolina <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Paolo DeMaria: Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ohio <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Lewis D. Ferebee: Superintendent of Indianapolis Public Schools, Indiana <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Donald Fennoy: Superintendent of The School District of Palm Beach County,
Florida <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Deborah A. Gist: Superintendent of Tulsa Public Schools, Oklahoma <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
William R. Hite, Jr.: Superintendent of The School District of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Barbara Jenkins: Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, Florida <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Hanseul Kang: State Superintendent of Education, District of Columbia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">● Christina M. Kishimoto:
Superintendent, Hawaii <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Pedro Martinez: Superintendent of San Antonio Independent School District,
Texas <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Candice McQueen: Commissioner of Education, Tennessee <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Scott Muri: Superintendent of Spring Branch Independent School District, Texas <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Kunjan Narechania: Chief Executive Officer of the Recovery School District,
Louisiana <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Paymon Rouhanifard: Superintendent of Camden City School District, New Jersey <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Robert W. Runcie: Superintendent of Broward County Schools, Florida <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Christopher Ruszkowski: Secretary- Designate of Education, New Mexico <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Sonja Santelises: Chief Executive Officer of Baltimore City Public Schools,
Maryland <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Hanna Skandera: Former Secretary of Education, New Mexico <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
John White: State Superintendent of Education, Louisiana <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">●
Antwan Wilson: Former Chancellor of DC Public Schools, District of Columbia <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">● Carey M. Wright: State
Superintendent of Education, Mississippi <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">For
more details on Chiefs for Change, please visit: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="http://chiefsforchange.org/">http://chiefsforchange.org/</a></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-49332767403879618492018-06-14T16:24:00.002-05:002018-06-14T16:24:57.099-05:00EMERGE Seniors Choose Colleges and Universities<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">More
than 40 seniors who attended Spring Branch ISD high schools and participated in
the EMERGE program made May 1 college and university decisions.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
EMERGE program operates in several Houston-area public school districts,
including SBISD. EMERGE prepares high-performing students from underserved
communities to apply, attend and graduate from the nation’s most selective
colleges and universities.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">From
sophomore through senior year, EMERGE students receive added support, including
after-school programming focused on building college knowledge, workshops for
families, individualized college advising, standardized test preparation, and
summer college tours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">EMERGE
student decisions in SBISD this year include the following:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Albion College, Albion, Mich.
– Frank Hernandez, Spring Woods High <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Austin College, Sherman, Texas
– Youna Song, Stratford High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Bard College,
Annandale-on-Hudson, N.Y. – Glenda Molina, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Brandeis University, Waltham,
Mass. – Diana Soria, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Brandeis University, Waltham,
Mass. – Blanca Rodriguez, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr,
Pa. – Sandra Melgar, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Clark University, Worcester,
Mass. – Madison Graham, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Colgate University, Hamilton
Village, N.Y. – Brissa Gaona, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Connecticut College, New
London, Conn. – Juana Lopez, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Cornell University, Ithaca,
N.Y. – Abel Aguilar, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Denison University, Granville,
Ohio – Anel Sosa, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Earlham College, Richmond,
Ind. – Jessenia Fanini, Stratford High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Howard University,
Washington, D.C. – Jasmine Anderson, Westchester Academy for International
Studies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Knox College, Galesburg, Ill.
– Kenya Coffman, Westchester Academy for International Studies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lehigh University, Bethlehem,
Pa. – Evelyn Batres, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Lewis & Clark College,
Portland, Ore. – Ariely Mejia, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Mount Holyoke College, Paola
Granados Jaramillo, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Northwestern University,
Evanston, Ill. – Sydney Simmons, Stratford High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Rice University, Houston,
Texas – Sergio Espinoza, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Skidmore College, Saratoga
Springs, N.Y. – Myriam Dominguez, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Swarthmore College,
Swarthmore, Pa. – Wilber Dominguez, Stratford High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Syracuse University,
Syracuse, N.Y. – Kimberly Acosta, Westchester Academy for International Studies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Texas A&M University,
College Station, Texas – Emily Resendiz, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Texas A&M University,
College Station, Texas – Paul Kim, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Texas A&M University,
College Station, Texas – Lucio Ramirez, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Texas A&M University,
College Station, Texas – Kathryn Weimer, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Union College, Barbourville,
Ky. – Genesis Gonzalez, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Chicago, Chicago,
Ill. – Omar Hussein, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Dallas, Dallas,
Texas – Donte Castillo, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Houston,
Houston, Texas – Thanh To, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Houston,
Houston, Texas – Nitzarindani Angeles, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Houston,
Houston, Texas – Azucena Huerta, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Houston,
Houston, Texas – Lisette Chavez, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Houston,
Houston, Texas – Juan Rivera, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Houston,
Houston, Texas – Lorena Zelaya, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Houston,
Houston, Texas – Eunice Martinez, Westchester Academy for International Studies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Rochester,
Rochester, N.Y. – Melissa Vicente, Westchester Academy for International
Studies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Texas, Austin,
Texas – Erick Chungata, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Texas, Austin,
Texas – Hyunwoo Lee, Stratford High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Texas, Austin,
Texas – Moises Olmos, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">University of Texas, Austin,
Texas – Yamiletz Lucio, Westchester Academy for International Studies<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Wagner College, Staten
Island, N.Y. – Jasmin McClinton, Spring Woods High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Wellesley College, Wellesley,
Mass. – Meliza Perez, Northbrook High<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Wellesley College, Wellesley,
Mass. – Naudia Johnson, Northbrook High</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-17764458232324904232018-06-14T16:24:00.000-05:002018-06-14T17:03:28.654-05:00Omar Hussein: His Father Would Be Incredibly Proud<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1O648SDrw8iCaWtJKydbx0U_itIBOmzsaa3rHAOCgDbzgM36VOMkda_8mx1wB3lDXVqWWpeDJHiZ_Wx56bwESqnO_leCzemW11SdHf7cTPSSMSXwIh4bKoXJrl1Vml87wudKrtSatuE/s1600/hussein_swhs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-1O648SDrw8iCaWtJKydbx0U_itIBOmzsaa3rHAOCgDbzgM36VOMkda_8mx1wB3lDXVqWWpeDJHiZ_Wx56bwESqnO_leCzemW11SdHf7cTPSSMSXwIh4bKoXJrl1Vml87wudKrtSatuE/s320/hussein_swhs.JPG" width="320" /></a>The American Dream never dies. Here’s how one remarkable recent Spring Woods High School graduate summed up his childhood, which was marked by family tragedy and great personal achievement:<br />
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<i>My name is Omar Hussein.</i><br />
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<i>I am the youngest son of two immigrants – a Mexican mother and a Pakistani father.</i><br />
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<i>I am smart. I am driven.</i><br />
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<i>And when I was in kindergarten, my entire life changed when my father was brutally murdered in our family store. Within a matter of hours, our family of four became a family of three, and I had to grow up – fast!</i><br />
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When Omar walked across the stage at Don Coleman Coliseum on May 26 and received his Class of 2018 diploma, he had exceeded the expectations of many of his own teachers and even astonished family members.<br />
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This fall, Hussein enters the freshman class at the University of Chicago, one of only a few EMERGE program seniors in Spring Branch ISD to get full-scholarship awards to their “dream” colleges.<br />
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Admitted to the University of Chicago by early decision, Hussein had the time in the months leading up to May graduation to let many others learn about his personal and school journey. It’s worth the time to hear.<br />
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His father, Saeed Hussein, was murdered at the family’s electronics store in southeast Houston after Hurricane Katrina. An attacker has never been found. Omar was just 5 years old. He was then left with his mom, an older brother, and a grandmother.<br />
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He has lived in Spring Branch ISD with his mom, Martha Hussein, and his grandmother, Ines Cervantes, through school years. He’s a graduate of Westwood Elementary, Cornerstone Academy and Spring Woods High.<br />
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In his youth, he was known as a bit of a class clown, but smart enough to get regular A’s. “I’m sure my teachers would have appreciated a different me. I managed to get work done, but they would have appreciated me far more if I wasn’t so talkative. I was pretty energetic, and I moved around a lot,” Omar recalls.<br />
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The fun loving Omar hid another young person. “I became a provider for my mother, and a stable force of positivity in our home. While school was the place where I focused my energies, I often struggled to balance my time between academics and working to support my own family,” he told an audience at one public event.<br />
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Omar needed no lessons in time management. As he grew up, he helped in the family store, Party Piñatas, on Gessner. By age 12, he was a tutor for Kumon Learning in math and reading. A positive, natural ability to connect with others then led to a middle-school age counselor position at Memorial Drive United Methodist Church, where he worked for several years.<br />
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Before being chosen for the EMERGE student program, Omar viewed his college prospects as low. “Texas A&M or UT, those were out of my reach,” he recalls thinking.<br />
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EMERGE program support and encouragement from a program manager, Sherese Woolard, changed his view. He upped his high school game with AP classes, the Debate team and Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) program at Memorial Hermann Memorial City Medical Center.<br />
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The University of Chicago, where he aims to be a successful pre-medical student, was off his radar completely until he learned that a cousin was a student there.<br />
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“I didn’t know that the University of Chicago existed before my junior year,” he said. The university flew him up for a visit and interview. After a night in a dorm room, he was sold on the Hyde Park campus and the Windy City.<br />
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When the early decision notice came last December, he drove immediately to his mom’s piñata store. “I told her that I had been accepted, and she was in tears. It was a great moment in my life, and it made me so proud that she was so happy,” he said.<br />
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His father would be extremely proud that his son was headed to a top-level college, Omar believes. “A child achieving his dream is something that any parent can support. My father would have been overjoyed that I can live out my dream,” he says.<br />
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The Spring Woods High teachers and other adults who know Omar well consider him an amazing story. EMERGE manager Sherese Woolard is using the word “exceptional” to describe his drive and commitment.<br />
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“Despite many significant challenges that Omar has had to overcome in the last 18 years of his life, Omar persevered and pushed himself to achieve a level of academic success that is truly remarkable,” she said.<br />
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“I was so impressed with how hard Omar worked completing applications, crafting a strong resume, and revising essays often, all while balancing a demanding work schedule and full course load,” Woolard also said.<br />
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Omar is not the only good news EMERGE story in SBISD. More than 40 seniors participating in the program made decisions to attend colleges or universities nationwide, ranging from well-known East Coast names to a number of top colleges in the Midwest, West and here in Texas.<br />
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The EMERGE program operates in several Houston-area public school districts, including SBISD.<br />
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“What we do in EMERGE is ensure that students who have great potential are able to navigate systemic barriers to fully realize the potential in their lives,” Woolard said. “The hardest part of this job is seeing students who have done everything ‘right’ face the barriers that come with applying to college as a first-generation and/or low-income student in our country. The most gratifying part of this job is seeing students take on those barriers, overcome them, and despite the odds, achieve success. Omar is the epitome of this success.”<br />
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Spring Woods High Debate Team’s instructor, Victoria Beard, worked with Omar for just two years, but he did “more than many have accomplished in four years.” Omar earned Special Distinction for winning his tournaments in Congressional Debate. He also competed in extemporaneous speaking.<br />
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“Omar is not just an excellent debater, he has a compassionate heart for his fellow man,” Beard said. “He mentored and tutored novices on my team, and genuinely cares for each one of them. He is passionate about volunteering in the community. Omar is truly one in a million. I know that no matter what path he chooses in life, he will be successful and make a huge difference.”<br />
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Woolard agrees. “Omar has set a standard that I hope will continue to inspire and encourage other students to reach for the stars and advocate for the support they need to see their dreams become reality,” she said.<br />
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Omar is both nervous and excited about his future that begins this fall. “I am excited to graduate and to leave Spring Woods High School, but I’m nervous to move to a new city, and live in a dorm, and learn to study for that level of academics,” he says.<br />
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His family is helping him forward focus. “I will be upset to leave here and leave my family, but they have been so excited for me, and they view my decision as an opportunity of a lifetime. I’m more nervous than them!”<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-48571338998804213462018-06-12T13:09:00.001-05:002018-06-12T13:09:00.923-05:00Summer End of Course Testing<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #7f7f7f; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><b>Summer End of Course Testing</b></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="color: #1f4e79; font-family: Bell MT,serif;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><b>The June STAAR EOC tests will be administered as follows:</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<ul style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 14pt;">
<li style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">June 25, 2018 (English I)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">June 26, 2018 (Algebra I)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">June 27, 2018 (English II)</span></span></span></span></li>
<li style="background-color: white; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Calibri,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">June 28, 2018 (Biology, US History)</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Please report for check-in at 7:30am.Testing will begin promptly at 8:00am.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><b>Please note the new Spring Branch location:</b></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><b>Northbrook HS</b></span></span><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />#1 Raider Circle</span></span><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"><br />Houston, TX 77080</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">Because the TAKS and TAAS tests are no longer being administered, former TAKS and TAAS examinees (including former TEAMS examinees) will take the STAAR EOC Algebra I and/or appropriate part of the STAAR EOC English II test(s). STAAR EOC scores will be matched to the appropriate TAKS and TAAS passing standards.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">On the day(s) of testing, examinees should arrive at the test site 30 minutes before the designated testing time. Examinees must present picture identification, such as a driver’s license, DPS ID, military ID, school ID, or resident alien card to test. Examinees will not be allowed to take the test(s) without a picture ID.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 15pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #747678; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">If you have any questions about OOS registration, please contact Spring Branch ISD Assessment and Compliance at 713-251-2266.</span></span></span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-75425350899553462192018-06-11T11:31:00.000-05:002018-06-11T11:41:04.447-05:00Newspring Awards Five $5,000 Scholarships<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmr6XgRHTwnSBEH7_jAh4xk6aw4bJoWon3zyEdwOJCSuT85RIsIcImJmpYrUR41zHpOESo9JFQxhMj4dFfW-ehKliuK8pQANJIWaSNJOgcCydY2T1hSlaA1ZRG-OS8JKbLa7ByA7eIwg/s1600/butterflies02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmr6XgRHTwnSBEH7_jAh4xk6aw4bJoWon3zyEdwOJCSuT85RIsIcImJmpYrUR41zHpOESo9JFQxhMj4dFfW-ehKliuK8pQANJIWaSNJOgcCydY2T1hSlaA1ZRG-OS8JKbLa7ByA7eIwg/s1600/butterflies02.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Butterflies on display earlier this year at Memorial City Mall.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Newspring awarded each of five students with a $5,000 scholarship recently at the annual Student Art Auction, each one an “impressive student working to make a better future for herself and her family,” according to release from the organization.</span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv640bnG78Ez4G9jWYykiunhq-Ck8xEAxnxYAnI2HwrYJjDP0eNXB2OXbJ5qteDBvEczfP_MMkzh6HRDBVohv12XSSi73dNg-8coRHuSvYUCpBOs4RZkYQk-5sPJ-PHyp0IZ-S39Ud8ko/s1600/newspring01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv640bnG78Ez4G9jWYykiunhq-Ck8xEAxnxYAnI2HwrYJjDP0eNXB2OXbJ5qteDBvEczfP_MMkzh6HRDBVohv12XSSi73dNg-8coRHuSvYUCpBOs4RZkYQk-5sPJ-PHyp0IZ-S39Ud8ko/s1600/newspring01.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Newspring scholarship winners at the Student Art Auction.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Receiving scholarships were:</span></span></span></span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Daniela Cruz</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, Northbrook High School, who will study geosciences and studio art at Stephen F. Austin State University.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Emalee Higgins</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, Northbrook High School, who will study graphic design and fine arts at Sam Houston State University.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Sandra Melgar</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, Northbrook High School, who will study the arts at Bryn Mawr College.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Alicia Villalta</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, Northbrook High School, who will study science at the University of Houston and hopes to pursue a career in a medical field.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>Natividad Mosqueda</b></span></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, a University of Houston-Downtown senior pursuing a degree in mathematics and art with a certification in secondary education.</span></span></li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ay_00Riss_bYRX4Ty8nQDJVpHHnOB2uMQB1eCi3FkEuDjb9ZiNrdbjziNT1_0P2ErotbGXjm4qodDC8STmVEnWfJMRIr6-Cq_1sfDZJ-XoXjmAKaiR9Ef8IyDoe24IHpksGztD5NbkA/s1600/butterflies03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ay_00Riss_bYRX4Ty8nQDJVpHHnOB2uMQB1eCi3FkEuDjb9ZiNrdbjziNT1_0P2ErotbGXjm4qodDC8STmVEnWfJMRIr6-Cq_1sfDZJ-XoXjmAKaiR9Ef8IyDoe24IHpksGztD5NbkA/s1600/butterflies03.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Collaborative Spirit at work on the butterfly on the left between Rummel Creek Elementary and Sherwood Elementary.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The scholarships were funded through an original donation from the now-closed First Baptist Church of Spring Branch and sales of large butterflies over the past 18 months.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">The butterflies, on display various places around the Spring Branch-Memorial area, are five-feet across and “as unique as the artists who create them” – art students and teachers who bring to life designs submitted by art classes and professional artists.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_joFmz2eAUXkFKi5xXExw_sXP-HaSTNirs1G4WQrFwk1p3memroGwEi7EW04VuZz3Dtqq8je96YogBTC0WEXipqKbKNC-hy_pMs7bXAwv6ITL-7ux-VKCdOk8vqiMVE06NsE_zjH6Ac/s1600/butterflies01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="464" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_joFmz2eAUXkFKi5xXExw_sXP-HaSTNirs1G4WQrFwk1p3memroGwEi7EW04VuZz3Dtqq8je96YogBTC0WEXipqKbKNC-hy_pMs7bXAwv6ITL-7ux-VKCdOk8vqiMVE06NsE_zjH6Ac/s400/butterflies01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Sherwood Elementary students with the Sherwood butterfly.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Spring Branch ISD schools that decorated the aluminum butterflies include Buffalo Creek, Housman, Ridgecrest, Sherwood and Terrace elementary schools; Landrum, Northbrook and Spring Woods Middle Schools; and Memorial, Northbrook and Spring Woods High Schools.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“When we imagined this project, we chose the butterfly because it’s a symbol of transformation,” said Robert Westheimer, chairman of Newspring, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to making a positive social and economic impact in the Spring Branch area. “(T)hese butterflies will transform our community landscape, and the proceeds will fund scholarships for at-risk students and transform their lives.”</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Some of the butterfly “kaleidoscope” (a swarm of butterflies) can be seen at Memorial City Mall. Other butterflies have made their way to other points across the district.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Sponsorships ranging from $7,500 to $50,000, are available. Contact Robert Westheimer at </span></span><a href="https://owa.springbranchisd.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=FvhVBNPx9bT5oQMV4XFZbxmmPIRmg3-LVhmt1vsMNLkYDPuZuM_VCA..&URL=mailto%3arwestheimer1%40comcast.net" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">rwestheimer1@comcast.net</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> for more information.</span></span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-90399894502845324242018-06-11T11:17:00.000-05:002018-06-11T11:29:38.208-05:00Celebrating Woodview Elementary's SPARK Park<div style="font-family: 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; text-align: start;">Woodview Elementary principal Becky Hagan addresses students and dignitaries at the May 31 dedication of the school’s new SPARK Park.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Local dignitaries joined Woodview Elementary students and principal Becky Hagan recently to dedicate the school’s new SPARK Park, a playground area that can be enjoyed by the community after school hours. Major funding for the park came from generous institutional givers, but the Woodview school community raised $12,000 of the park’s $125,000 cost. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.666666984558105px;">Chatting under the entry arch to Woodview Elementary’s new SPARK Park.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Parents, students and staff organized a penny drive, a fun run with Hunters Creek Elementary (Woodview’s sister school), PDQ meal cards and engraved brick sales. Local artist Rose Toro and art teacher Kathleen Firth worked with students to create ceramic tiles for serpentine concrete seat walls and in entry columns to the park. Woodview Elementary is at 9749 Cedarview.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Go <a href="https://owa.springbranchisd.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=YRgXq0_RvUyVE3p7NVSOOEbOOkQIGuYrGLdrX7EmOPg9eaZpts_VCA..&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsbisdsnapshots.blogspot.com%2f2018%2f05%2fwoodview-elementary-sets-spark-park.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> for another story on the dedication.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Go <a href="https://owa.springbranchisd.com/owa/redir.aspx?C=jYTnt9bplbqTit2yyMOyb2EvplVGRvweJm2iWK0dWVs9eaZpts_VCA..&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsparkpark.org%2f" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a> to learn more about SPARK parks.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-65537966949626859942018-06-07T09:28:00.004-05:002018-06-07T09:28:35.352-05:00Summer 2018 Health Department LetterSPRING BRANCH ISD WILL SERVE UP GOOD NUTRITION FOR LOCAL CHILDREN THIS SUMMER<br />
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Bringing healthy summer meals to Spring Branch children ensures kids have a healthy vacation and return to school ready to learn.<br />
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Houston – This summer, Spring Branch ISD will connect children 18 years old and younger with healthy Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) meals at no cost to the child. SFSP is a U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition program administered in the Lone Star State by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). For the children who rely on school meals during the academic year, these meals offer a source of good nutrition when school is out for the long summer vacation.<br />
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For the full letter, dates and locations of where the meals will be distributed, click <a href="https://springbranchisd.com/pdfs/CNS_SUMMER_2018.pdf" target="_blank">here</a>.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-7268608533480122512018-06-07T09:13:00.001-05:002018-06-07T16:23:11.820-05:00Posse Scholar Shines Light on Great Art Teacher<div style="font-family: -apple-system-font; font-size: 12px; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; line-height: 16px;">
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Somewhere up in heaven, former Landrum Middle School art teacher Andres Bautista is looking down on one new Northbrook High School graduate, Sandra Melgar, and beaming brightly.<br />
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Melgar, who is also a graduate of the high school’s special Posse and Emerge student program cohorts, will attend Bryn Mawr College, near Philadelphia, this fall where she plans to study fine arts and education.<br />
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As a top-rated student, gifted artist and Posse Scholar, Melgar heads off to an Ivy League college with a full-tuition scholarship valued at $200,000, or more. Melgar today is not the tentative middle school art student she once recalls.<br />
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Bautista, a storied and highly acclaimed art instructor, died in 2015. A Teacher of the Year in SBISD, he had a special ability to connect with students and to identify their potential talents in art and related areas.<br />
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Melgar was one of Mr. Bautista’s Landrum Middle students, many of whom have also gone on to receive scholarships in art and other academic areas.<br />
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“I was stubborn. Mr. Bautista told me I had potential in my first year, but I did not listen. But the next year, I submitted one of my works to Newspring (a local arts organization program and annual student competition) and it was accepted. I realized through him that I really did have potential,” she said.<br />
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Both Melgar’s potential and her strong body of art works led the Newspring organization several weeks ago to award her and four other student artists scholarships valued at $5,000 each. Through Newspring, Melgar has sold more than a half dozen personal art works in recent years.<br />
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She has received recognition for her work, too, through Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and other art organizations. She loves abstract art, likes to paint and has worked on locally produced aluminum butterfly sculptures, a new and highly visible, Newspring community project.<br />
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“When I was given the task of nominating students for Posse, Sandra was one of the first students I thought of. During the interview process, I was fortunate to spend more time with her and got to know her well. Through our conversations she told me her story and talked about the people like Mr. Bautista, who have mentored her and helped her create change in her life,” Northbrook senior counselor Anne Styler said.<br />
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“Sandra is smart and driven, and an amazing artist. She has had help and encouragement, but she has done the hard work. I am thrilled that she has the opportunity to attend Bryn Mawr College. She is going to do great things in her life,” Styler also said.<br />
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This soon-to-be Bryn Mawr freshman came to the United States at age 8 with her brothers from Honduras. She attended Housman Elementary for two years, and then Landrum Middle and Northbrook.<br />
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A National Honor Society member, Melgar ranked No. 11 in the Class of 2018 at Northbrook. A summertime visit to Bryn Mawr helped her decide the college was far enough from Houston (“I need that”) and flexible for a student like her who may wish to take college courses at nearby schools and universities, one of Bryn Mawr’s selling points.<br />
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Her native Honduras, a troubled land today, pulls at her heart. Melgar is thinking about teaching there after college, in part because of the needs in Honduras, and partly because of the current U.S. political situation.<br />
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“Everything happening is leading me in the direction of being a teacher. I have thought about art education as a possible way to combine both arts and education, but at this point I am open (to the future), she said.<br />
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Melgar credits both Posse and Emerge programs for her bright prospects. The Posse Foundation was created to identify, recruit and grow students with top leadership potential. Posse Scholars like Melgar often earn four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarships from Posse partner colleges and universities.<br />
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Nine out of 10 Posse Scholars graduate from college, compared to about six in 10 college students who graduate nationwide.<br />
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The Emerge program now operates in several Houston-area public school districts, including SBISD. It connects high-performing students who live in underserved areas or have minority backgrounds with select U.S. colleges and universities.<br />
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From sophomore through senior years, Emerge students are given added support, including after-school meetings and programs, workshop options, individual college advising, standardized test preparation and college trips and tours during summer breaks.<br />
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Melgar says that the test preparation, exposure to college options, and all the advising and networking provided was “amazing” in her own journey. “They were always there to guide me,” she said of Emerge.<br />
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When she looks forward today, Melgar is not certain about her future, but Mr. Bautista’s invisible hand may still be guiding her.<br />
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The careers she has identified all have “art” in their titles – art studio owner, art business owner, art teacher.<br />
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Sandra Melgar found a big part of her future story back in middle school.</div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-40225214604064090022018-06-05T16:42:00.001-05:002018-06-05T16:42:13.036-05:00Memorial Duo Crowned State Mixed Doubles Tennis Champions<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MHS mixed doubles 6A state champions<br />Andrew Esses and Drew Morris</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Memorial High tennis team
had an amazing showing during recent state team competition play. As defending
doubles champs, Andrew Esses and Drew Morris once again won the mixed doubles
state championship held on May 18.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Memorial Coach Bud Booth
reports that Esses and Morris had an undefeated season, winning six separate
doubles titles: Corpus Christi, Spring Branch ISD, Kemah, District, Regionals
and State. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The tennis doubles pairing
finished a perfect season with a three-set victory over a Lake Travis High
doubles pairing, winning 6-0, 6-7, 6-2 to stack another gold in Mustangs’
tennis history.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In addition, freshman
Aleksandra Dimitrijevic finished as a state semifinalist. She won a bronze
medal after losing a tough, three-hour match that went three sets against a
University of Florida-signed player ranked fifth in the nation, Booth said.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Also earning a state bronze
medal was the Memorial boys doubles team of Artur Zigman and Ben Westwick.
Zigman was a defending state champion; Westwick was a state finalist. The two
fell to a strong Austin Westlake High team that went on to win the state title.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The mixed doubles team of
Cole Rassner and Natalija Dimitrijevic finished out as state quarterfinalists
after a tough match against a Lake Travis team, which then advanced to state
finals.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Congratulations all around to
Mustang Tennis!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The Houston Chronicle
published this story May 19 about Esses and Morris:</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16.0pt;">Memorial
ends stellar year with mixed doubles tennis title</span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">By
Adam Coleman, Houston Chronicle</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.chron.com/sports/highschool/article/Memorial-ends-stellar-year-with-mixed-doubles-12926430.php" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 9.0pt;">https://www.chron.com/sports/highschool/article/Memorial-ends-stellar-year-with-mixed-doubles-12926430.php</span></a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.0pt;">COLLEGE
STATION –</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> Memorial
bookended its first team state championship in tennis in the fall with more
gold in the spring.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Senior Andrew Esses and
freshman Drew Morris won the Class 6A mixed doubles title at the UIL Tennis
State Tournament on Friday at Texas A&M University.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The duo defeated Lake
Travis’ Mitali Khoje and Jesse Wikso, 6-0, 6-7 (4), 6-2. It’s one of three
individual tennis titles for the Houston area this spring.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">“After winning the state
championship in team tennis, these guys in mixed, they had an amazing year,”
Memorial coach Bud Booth said. “They’ve won every tournament they’ve played in.
Lake Travis is a good team. I knew that was going to be a tough match. But you
know, they haven’t lost this season and just to finish it off. We knew we could
do it but you still have to play well. And they did. They played great. Very
proud of them.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The duo are on the
opposite ends as far as classifications go. For the senior Esses, it caps off a
landmark year for the program.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">“It’s my senior year.
It’s my last go around. So being able to cap it off with two state
championships means the world to me,” Esses said.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-14092172750607389622018-06-04T07:19:00.002-05:002018-06-07T16:19:51.276-05:00WAIS Senior Likes the Many Dimensions of IB Program<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquKeOQ5pqLEQxN0YuDGSmrQHyf8VrJ0aHfYriYf57itfPyjjb_OHu23eC_FIs0oSIpPyYzSOzSxbnC8nfW2n-Aml_5ZgiIeTtbbIEzjneQvK0so6KFjLRnbPKnErdvTHeYYnJSNvbNo8/s1600/rania01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquKeOQ5pqLEQxN0YuDGSmrQHyf8VrJ0aHfYriYf57itfPyjjb_OHu23eC_FIs0oSIpPyYzSOzSxbnC8nfW2n-Aml_5ZgiIeTtbbIEzjneQvK0so6KFjLRnbPKnErdvTHeYYnJSNvbNo8/s320/rania01.jpg" width="320" /></a>A conversation with Rania Dali is cruising along when it’s asked if she knew English when she came to the United States from Algeria five years ago.</div>
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“No,” Rania said, with something of a sheepish smile. “I learned English here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Not surprisingly, she’s fluent in both French and Arabic (the North Africa country of Algeria is a former French colony). She’s learned English through school, and that English seems flawless as well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her parents, Abdelkader Dali and Soraya Rahmane, moved to Houston so that Rania and her younger brother, a WAIS seventh-grader, could have a better education. That the family landed in Spring Branch ISD is pure serendipity.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She spent eighth grade at Spring Oaks Middle, then ninth grade at the Academy of Choice (AOC), where she took advantage of the smaller classes and more one-on-one with teachers. At AOC she learned leadership through the Restorative Justice program, and enjoyed going to political events with her former history teacher, the late Joyce Roberta Miller-Alper.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“She was active in politics,” Rania said. “She took me to about everything.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rania found Westchester Academy of International Studies (WAIS) and the International Baccalaureate (IB) program for her sophomore year, and is working on her IB diploma.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s great,” she said of the WAIS and the IB program. “It allows me to dig deep into the background of subjects.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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She said she was – and is – really excited about the IB program.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s not just AP (advanced placement) classes,” she said. “You need service hours so it’s not just class-based.” She said students also have to be conscious of events both internationally and nationally.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’s particularly interested in biology, and has taken the deep dive through the IB program and is now into her second year. “It’s tough, but intriguing,” she said. “I have a passion for biology.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She also appreciates the international aspect of the IB program – in fact, she said it prepared her well for an internship with the Organization of Community Advocates, a <span style="background: white; color: #333333;">national civil rights organization of community advocates dedicated to advancing the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">“(The internship) was a great opportunity for using the IB diploma,” Rania said. At OCA she helped organize a film festival, develop programs for students and learned about civic engagement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">She’s a member of the Thespian Honor Society, and Interact, a service club for teens that operates under the auspices of Rotary International. Through Interact she helped organize an Interact clothing drive for refugees.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Counselor Beverly Martin said that Rania is an “outstanding young lady” and a “world changer.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">“If she sees a person needing assistance or an area needing attention, she is generally the first to step forward and meet that need,” said Martin. “I’m impressed by her altruistic, giving nature, and I appreciate the impact she has had on Westchester while a student here.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Rania will be going to Bryn Mawr College on a Posse scholarship. Posse scholarships group together a support group of sorts for college-bound students of similar backgrounds, and who all attend the same elite college.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">She learned about Posse through Collegiate Challenge and her counselor, Beverly Martin. She was originally headed to UT-Austin but the school pulled out, leaving Rania headed to Bryn Mawr, in Pennsylvania, just outside Philadelphia.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">Her parents are happy for her but concerned about how far away the school is. Rania shares their emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #333333;">“I’m excited,” she said, “but nervous.”</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-27549576397832172382018-06-04T07:09:00.000-05:002018-06-07T16:25:42.815-05:00Senior Finds Leaving WAIS Like Leaving Home<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZjFSSKUiuf08Dy22vbUPir8Q9yL9QEMZRASsu5tEzTwciQEJnRX4z-XhxF_50uWQrwKuj6YdVr1yi_4fJSWVGqi-9zO9lGhFHIinOQizwgtLZ_GeP8O9bRtnF9yfwjme9MzsBQKC2vo/s1600/WAIS_armstrong01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizZjFSSKUiuf08Dy22vbUPir8Q9yL9QEMZRASsu5tEzTwciQEJnRX4z-XhxF_50uWQrwKuj6YdVr1yi_4fJSWVGqi-9zO9lGhFHIinOQizwgtLZ_GeP8O9bRtnF9yfwjme9MzsBQKC2vo/s320/WAIS_armstrong01.jpg" width="320" /></a>It may be too early to call Austin Armstrong a Renaissance Man, but then again, maybe not.<br />
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A short list of the Westchester Academy of International Studies (WAIS) senior’s activities includes:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Advanced Choir</li>
<li>Theater</li>
<li>Thespian Honor Society</li>
<li>Wildcat Dance Team (he DJs, and has even danced with them)</li>
<li>Interact</li>
<li>National Honor Society</li>
<li>National Technical Honor Society</li>
<li>IB Career Program</li>
<li>Eagle Scout (in progress)</li>
</ul>
“I’m very invested in Westchester,” Austin said. “I don’t think I’ve fully processed (that I’m leaving) yet.”<br />
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Understandable. Austin has been at WAIS since sixth grade, after attending elementary school at Valley Oaks, with a brief period at Awty International School.<br />
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“Westchester has had a huge impact on my life,” he said. “I love Westchester. You can tell by all the things I’m involved in.<br />
<br />
“(Westchester) is small so you get to know everybody so well. I know just about everybody, at least by face.”<br />
<br />
You might even call him the mayor of Westchester, sort of. He did get to play Mr. Mayor in last year’s production of Seussical.<br />
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Austin’s also technically and digitally savvy, taking computer courses at the Guthrie Center and putting that knowledge to work in digital communications at WAIS, working on projects with teacher Shaun Wegscheid.<br />
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“I’m pretty well versed in technology,” he said.<br />
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So much so that he will major in computer engineering at Texas A&M in the fall. A good student, he was automatically admitted to both UT-Austin and Texas A&M, but scholarship offers tipped the scales in favor of the Aggies.<br />
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“It just worked out that way,” he said. He’s getting $15,000 in scholarship money to attend A&M. He’s also getting a $20,000 scholarship from the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one that he’s particularly proud of.<br />
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“My dad is a big volunteer at the rodeo, a lifetime member,” said Austin. “I’ve been to the rodeo every year since I was born … it’s really, really exciting.”<br />
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He shows a reporter a photo of a smoker that he designed and built for his sophomore project, with the help of a friend who has a metalworking shop. He’s used the smoker to prepare meats for the WAIS senior auction and other events.<br />
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He cites his mother, Jo Anne Armstrong, as a “huge role model.” Now a real estate agent, Mrs. Armstrong has a degree in fashion design and Austin thinks that’s where he gets his artistic passion and talent.<br />
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His father, Daryl Armstrong, owns SSQQ Dance Studio near the Heights. The studio took on nearly seven feet of water during Harvey, but Austin said the family has found another location and is beginning build-out. The studio has special significance for the Armstrongs – Daryl and Jo Anne Armstrong met there before becoming owners.<br />
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Austin’s other family, though, is at Westchester, especially theater. He and his younger sister, Ali, a ninth-grader at WAIS, performed a duet of “Footprints” for the school recently that had everybody crying. “It’s like a good-bye from me to her,” he said.<br />
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He said that counselor Karren Sims, who’s known Austin since sixth grade, calls him her “favorite little project.”<br />
<br />
Simms said that Austin is “an amazing young man (with) an incredible sense of honor.” She said met Austin that sixth-grade year when he accompanied her on a recruiting trip to an elementary school.<br />
<br />
“I was so amazed at how poised he was,” she said. “Of course, now it makes perfect sense. He’s been so involved in our advanced choir and theater department. He is incredibly bright and has a great future ahead of him at Texas A&M in the engineering department.<br />
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For Austin, leaving Westchester is bittersweet.<br />
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“I spend more time here than at home,” he said. “I’m still processing the fact that I’m leaving.<br />
<br />
“I’m excited but sad.”<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-41702331386885036882018-06-01T16:13:00.001-05:002018-06-04T16:57:43.606-05:00Open Hearts at Spring Woods High Support Graduate<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILUjT_IwSufUptnD1JGo5gH3PevjLYgpkeWVipTr9gVu8zxVR_wS0N0537Mm-llb1HkLDTYv9ZCEOYTT6IRI7GfvPCynHbyeX5pix5jrjN8yAN5rCiyOjZ5J9NEW-h_AZcgdxY63pN8Y/s1600/patty_hernandez01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiILUjT_IwSufUptnD1JGo5gH3PevjLYgpkeWVipTr9gVu8zxVR_wS0N0537Mm-llb1HkLDTYv9ZCEOYTT6IRI7GfvPCynHbyeX5pix5jrjN8yAN5rCiyOjZ5J9NEW-h_AZcgdxY63pN8Y/s320/patty_hernandez01.jpg" width="320" /></a>Look up the word “strength” in the dictionary, and you’re
likely to see Patricia Hernandez’ photo.</div>
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<br />
Freshman through junior years were packed with activities
and accomplishments: soccer, student council, class council, Health Occupation
Students of America, pep squad, athletic trainer program, National Beta Club.
She was student council president her junior year. She participated in
internships at Memorial Hermann Medical Center and at an oral surgery center.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She chose challenging academics as well. Except for
electives, she took all AP classes and was on the Honor Roll each year. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She had the strength to do it all and do it well.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Senior year got tough. She was already having problems at
home. She and her older brother had moved to Houston when she was 7 years old
to live with their mother. Patty’s relationship with her step-dad was rocky,
but it got worse. And her mother working two jobs added new stress. Everything
felt out of control. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Patty spent more and more time in her room, including New
Year’s Eve when her mother hosted a party. Before the night was over, her
mother came into her room, and began to argue.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I was so tired of everything,” she says. “I knew this was
not okay.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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She grabbed her work clothes and left, eventually moving in
with her brother’s girlfriend’s family. Things did not improve between Patty
and her mom. They talked, but it was clear that moving back home was not a
healthy option. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And this is where “strength” changed from getting things
done to persevering.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Patty became depressed. How could she support herself? How
would she finish school? How could she face the people at school who knew her
as a success?<o:p></o:p></div>
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What she found was kindness. Spring Woods High staff and
teachers opened their hearts to her. Though her grades had fallen, and she was
no longer on the honor roll, teachers gave her opportunities to a make up work
and attend tutorials. Her grade-level principal, Katie Kavanagh, gave her a
ticket to the prom and arranged funding for her cap and gown.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her brother’s mother-in-law, Laura Iniesta, became her
second mom. “She helped me so much,” Patty says. “She helped with insurance and
so much more. She gave me food and shelter.” She also provided Patty a condo.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Though Patty worked part-time for the oral surgeon, she
needed more work. She got a second job as a server at Plucker’s where she works
most every day. As a Seventh-day Adventist Church member, she is restricted
from working Friday night and Saturday. On Sundays, she works double shifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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She is completely self-sufficient – rent for her condo,
food, clothing and school expenses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her days are packed. She’s at school by 6:15 a.m. for an
internship class. By 8 a.m., she’s at Houston Community College for psychology
or British literature classes, then back to SWHS for calculus and environmental
science. She continues her extracurricular activities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Patty applied to several colleges, but Laura’s family are
all Texas A&M fans. When they took her to visit the campus, she accepted
the school’s offer the next day. Scholarships will pay half her expenses, and
she’s applying for jobs on campus.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She’ll major in biomedical sciences. “That’s been my
interest throughout high school. I’m fascinated by all things medical. When I
shadowed doctors during my internship, I paid special attention to the nurses.
I loved what they did step by step.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Patty is a model of perseverance. “I still struggle, but I
find a way through. I’m set now. My home is peaceful. There are no arguments. I
find strength in prayer.”</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-46854343573353478672018-06-01T15:58:00.001-05:002018-06-07T16:26:19.694-05:00Running Helped Him Repair His Life and Graduate<br />
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For Jonathan Loebl, freshman year at Spring Woods High School was the pits. “I was full of myself, wanting so badly to fit in,” he remembers. “I was trying to be someone I wasn’t, and people didn’t like me that way.”<br />
<br />
Life at home was even worse. Following his older sister’s example, he dove headfirst into the drug scene, and his family descended into an abyss of arguments until the environment became too confrontational. On Christmas day of sophomore year, after an especially explosive fight, Jonathan went for a walk to blow off steam. During the walk, he received a text from home: “Be out by Monday.”<br />
<br />
Jonathan stayed one night at his girlfriend’s house, but he didn’t want to be a burden to her family. After retrieving a backpack of belongings from home, he walked and cried until 2 a.m. His girlfriend’s mother, Kim Harlow, insisted he return to her home – and he’s been there since.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately, Jonathan’s downward spiral wasn’t over. He continued using drugs. He became depressed and suicidal. He cut himself. Finally, after a major meltdown, he talked with Kim most of the night. He eventually heard two things from her: “I will not tolerate drugs.” and “You are a member of this family now.”<br />
<br />
Through Kim’s guidance, he got more heavily involved with school activities. He was already on the swim team; she signed him up for water polo, too. He already ran five miles every other day to clear his head; he joined the track team to run cross country. Over the summer, he got a job as a lifeguard.<br />
<br />
And though Jonathan and his girlfriend broke up, his relationship with her family didn’t. Now, the two are close friends.<br />
<br />
The final cut with the past came when Jonathan was out with his old friends and they were involved in a car accident. “I saw a side of them I didn’t want to see. It opened my eyes to their lifestyle. They were getting deeper into the pit I had left.”<br />
<br />
Running became a metaphor for the transformation high school was providing him. He learned where he wanted to go; running would get him there.<br />
<br />
By senior year, the pit was a distant memory. He stopped swimming and invested all his time in track and cross country. He took AP classes and maintained high grades. And he repaired a lot of relationships.<br />
<br />
Jonathan has been accepted into the Entrepreneurial program at Sam Houston State University where he will walk on to the track team and pay for his education with scholarships, grants and loans. Chiropractic school will follow.<br />
<br />
“I’m super grateful for the work I put into the last two years,” he says. “My future looks bright. I want to pay it forward, helping whoever needs me.”<br />
<br />
He has advice for other students who are struggling to find their footing: “As cheesy as it sounds, there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Find someone to talk to. Find a Kim. She was there as my No. 1 cheerleader all along the way. I adore her. She’s one of a kind.”<br />
<br />
He’s grateful to others as well.<br />
<br />
Coach Zachary Morgan has been a huge influence. “He pushed me to make my goals and dreams a reality. He did everything in his power to help me achieve them.”<br />
<br />
His sophomore English teacher, Blaire Zuvich, helped him through the bad days. “I was filled with anger, but in her classroom, I felt at peace. I spent my lunch periods there.”<br />
<br />
When he accidentally hurt his back, Jonathan met another mentor, Dr. Kurt Juergens, who has plenty of practical advice for pursuing a chiropractic career.<br />
<br />
Jonathan entered Spring Woods High School as a cocky kid trying to fit in. He will leave it as an humble young man who definitely fits in.<br />
<br />
It was a struggle, but he knows who he is now. “I’m a nice and kind kid who will help anyone. In the last two years, I’ve put myself out there establishing relationships. I’ve tried to be a leader for my freshman cross country teammates. Now I have to leave them. I’m going to miss this place.”<br />
<br />
Graduation will be bittersweet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-89066689741161130082018-06-01T10:38:00.002-05:002018-06-01T10:38:32.315-05:00Journey from El Salvador to Swarthmore College<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftq889COXJe-Z2NHxaP4fHz0AR4B-2_7D1_IBF7ddzzB61PQ0Oea9qzyRtsS3fEm8Gnnt__aGaiSPL4ZdT03XJmvmguqUHR_ZbsL4uF_e55sVUkqmf4XRJRopfLpU_ohs_eiP28S9KNc/s1600/wilbur_dominguez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftq889COXJe-Z2NHxaP4fHz0AR4B-2_7D1_IBF7ddzzB61PQ0Oea9qzyRtsS3fEm8Gnnt__aGaiSPL4ZdT03XJmvmguqUHR_ZbsL4uF_e55sVUkqmf4XRJRopfLpU_ohs_eiP28S9KNc/s320/wilbur_dominguez.jpg" width="320" /></a>Ten years ago, when Wilber Dominguez came to Houston from El
Salvador with his mother, neither of them spoke a word of English.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, his English is perfect; he’s graduating as a
valedictorian from an academically challenging high school; and he has a
near-full-ride to Swarthmore College, the nation’s third-ranked liberal arts
college. Princeton University should get ready – he hopes that’s his next stop
on the way to an astrophysics PhD. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wilber had a plan for himself during middle school and ninth
grade. He played in the band, where he discovered the trumpet defines his soul,
mind, spirit and character. But as far as academics went, “My mindset was go to
school and do well.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The plan worked. Until something magical happened.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Spring Branch ISD selected him to join in the Houston
Chapter of the National Hispanic Institute. The summer after his freshman year,
he participated in NHI’s Great Debate at Austin College.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“That was my first time out of my comfort zone,” he says. “I
collaborated with other high achieving Latino students from across the state.
Many are among my best friends. After that, I couldn’t keep to myself. I had found
my voice.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After his sophomore year, he was part of NHI’s Lorenzo De
Zavala Youth Legislative Session and made friends from across the nation. “When
we got there, we had no idea what would be asked of us. It was the best
experience ever.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next summer was the Collegiate World Series, which
included Inquiry Based Learning. Participants were given obscure, difficult
problems and expected to find solutions. To say these experiences stretched him
would be an understatement. His excitement is palpable as he discusses the
networking opportunities and personal growth.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As a volunteer, he trains Houston-area freshmen for this
summer’s Great Debate. “It’s been such a big part of my life, I’ll continue
volunteering through college.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The EMERGE program was the second magical part of Wilber’s
high school years. He was one of six Stratford students selected to participate
in the program that empowers and prepares high-performing students from
underserved communities to attend and graduate from selective colleges across
the nation. EMERGE Fellows participate in after-school, weekend and summer
programs from sophomore to senior years and continue to receive support through
their college journey.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
EMERGE opened the world for Wilber. He chose Swarthmore for
its seminar-style learning after the sophomore year. “I learn from others’
viewpoints. I love hearing how other people think.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“EMERGE increased my confidence in what I can do and where I
can fit in academically. Before working with Abygayl Flores, my program
manager, I would have majored in engineering at a state school.” She expanded
his vision and helped with the application process.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wilber emphatically says he hopes SBISD will continue both
programs. “My personal confidence grew with the National Hispanic Institute. My
academic confidence grew with EMERGE.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The confidence also increased the social life of the young
student who wanted to go to school, do well and go home. Not only does he have
friends from across the country, he has plenty throughout Stratford. He describes
the school as a mindful and supportive community, especially the teachers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He uses Mr. Poetzl as an example. “I enjoy math, so I came
in to AP statistics with a negative attitude. But he is so passionate about
statistics, I began to enjoy it and to truly learn. Ms. Sharp was the same way
with English. And Ms. Glover with physics. I picked my college major because of
Ms. Glover’s class.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wilber has great respect for his mom, who took the leap of
faith to come to the United States. “She did that for me. She saw that I was a
good student and wanted me to have opportunities. Ten years later, it’s paying
off.” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In El Salvador, his mom was an anesthesiologist technician.
In Houston, she worked in restaurants and cleaned buildings to make ends meet.
She also earned a phlebotomy certification and now works in a plasma bank. “She
proud that I’m doing what I want to do,” he says. The pride is mutual.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wilber remembers his first day at Stratford High School, “I
stepped through the doors with the goal of walking out with no regrets. I think
I will do that.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-6624575067425381452018-06-01T10:25:00.002-05:002018-06-01T10:25:47.017-05:00Fashion Dreams Lead to College Scholarship<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
When Tuesday Pears begins college in the fall, she’ll take
advantage of a full-ride at Kent State <br />
University. Well, almost a full ride.
The first year, she’ll pay the difference between in-state and out-of-state
tuition.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaaK410esogYqBRy56uCulRWYBvlEys5pOMmDWrpB6kgUfOlSJ2SQKfqofWsMxEuMPeP_Xjs4Ht9eZah57_3kyQgEddIlGj_Qk0mYUHNf_iI-gjnYLXE_5hci6eQhv4OH8_rpdyIgof8/s1600/pear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTaaK410esogYqBRy56uCulRWYBvlEys5pOMmDWrpB6kgUfOlSJ2SQKfqofWsMxEuMPeP_Xjs4Ht9eZah57_3kyQgEddIlGj_Qk0mYUHNf_iI-gjnYLXE_5hci6eQhv4OH8_rpdyIgof8/s320/pear.jpg" width="320" /></a>This will be the next step toward becoming a fashion
designer. The journey started at age 9 when Tuesday taught herself to use a
sewing machine, a gift from her mom. She’s been designing and sewing clothes
ever since, including this year’s prom dress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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She had a break-through when she took fashion design as a
sophomore elective. “Everything I knew, I had taught myself,” Tuesday says.
“Ms. Lucas taught me things I didn’t know.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday moved to Houston from Detroit second semester of her
freshman year. “My mom researched good places to live and the best schools for
my little brother and me. I knew I’d be going to Stratford before we got here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She compares Stratford to her school in Michigan. “Cass Tech
was taller. Stratford is wider.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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There are other differences, of course. From a fashion
viewpoint, she appreciates not wearing uniforms. Classes are quieter at
Stratford, so it was hard to make friends at first. Luckily, she had art and
biology where the activity and lab periods made it easier to meet people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It was difficult to adjust to the A/B class schedule. School
wasn’t necessarily harder here, but she had to adjust to different expectations
and grading scales. She found her stride because except for one B as a
freshman, she’s made all As.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Tuesday is philosophical about high school. “If you stay
focused, you can get it all done. Don’t stress. We’re young. This is only the
beginning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On the social scene: “Don’t exclude yourself to one group of
students. The more people you know, the better.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On making choices: “Always do the right thing, then you
don’t have to worry about consequences. And you feel better if it doesn’t work
out.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The One Goal program was a huge influence in helping Tuesday
galvanize her goals and make them a reality. Coach Mixon was instrumental in
the process. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One Goal is a three-year college access and
success program that runs junior year in high school through freshman year in
college. Junior and senior years, it supports students through SAT and ACT
prep, college match, college applications and the financial aid process. Then,
it continues during the college freshman year to help with enrollment, class
schedule and facing all the academic, financial and social challenges. One
Goal coaches are just an email or FaceTime conversation away.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Besides Ms. Lucas and Coach Mixon, Tuesday says there have
been many adults who have helped her prepare for college and life after. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
“Ms. Johnson is the principal everyone should have. She
listens and gives good advice. No matter what you think, she doesn’t make you
feel you’re wrong.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Her mom, Diane, is her greatest influence. In addition to
finding Stratford, it was her idea to consider Kent State. Diane will move the
family to Ohio in the fall, and Tuesday plans to live at home. “I think parent
involvement is important at this stage of my life. My mom made a good decision to
come to Texas. I’ve had more opportunities here.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Harvey was her first hurricane. “I had never seen anything
like it,” she says. “I knew about snow storms, but not this.” Tuesday, her mom
and little brother have their own weather story. When they came to Texas four
years ago, they drove through snow and ice storms and white outs. It took six
days to get here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday isn’t a fan of cold weather. She took to Houston’s
heat very easily. So why return to the cold in Ohio? Because Kent State has one
of the top fashion design programs in the country. Because the school offered
her a deal she can’t refuse. And because her mom will use the opportunity to
return to school and further her nursing career.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just like the last move, this one will be a family affair.<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-30687909116800022522018-06-01T10:19:00.000-05:002018-06-14T16:43:06.628-05:00Stratford High Twins Too Tough for Harvey<br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTtZiwlH66TtSYCHz2iH1y36W9guC_1LCct_4qhiSlF2TnHgRwOj7NoKlBdbMuzE425CUiZEUD247lRfLn_2kLE9KN4bwKVkB-QjQk4c7Io7LaZqabf357IUO5SLcFC3-yMWqT0z4VOQ/s1600/stratford_twins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUTtZiwlH66TtSYCHz2iH1y36W9guC_1LCct_4qhiSlF2TnHgRwOj7NoKlBdbMuzE425CUiZEUD247lRfLn_2kLE9KN4bwKVkB-QjQk4c7Io7LaZqabf357IUO5SLcFC3-yMWqT0z4VOQ/s320/stratford_twins.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems everyone has a Harvey
story. Twins Amanda and Meredith Williams, who look nothing alike, have one.
Meredith is the one with brown, curly hair. Amanda’s is straight and blond.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">There are other differences. They
have different dreams, and this fall will head to different parts of the
country. Meredith will pursue an electrical engineering degree at Illinois
Institute of Technology in Chicago, and Amanda will major in theatre at Loyola
Marymount in Los Angeles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">There are also similarities. Both
are class salutatorians. They’re conscientious and loving daughters and
friends. Both are energetic and vivacious. They’re each other’s biggest fan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">And they both say Hurricane Harvey
shaped their senior year. Their home was one of the first to flood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: black;">On the night the rain started,
Amanda went out with friends in spite of weather reports and her parents’ fear
she would get stranded. She was sure that wouldn’t happen – until it did. She camped
out at a Whataburger until her parents rescued her, then she went to bed
thinking the worst was over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Little did the sisters know, the
worst – and the best – was yet to come.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">At 5 a.m., the family started
moving everything upstairs. By 10 a.m., there was a foot of water in the house.
A neighbor rowed the family to the front of the neighborhood with their four
dogs, phones and a few </span><span style="color: #1f497d;">T</span><span style="color: black;">-shirts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">The family of one of Amanda’s
theatre friends, Abby, hosted the Williams family for a week. “The Haralsons
were wonderful and welcoming,” Amanda says.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">The Williams family moved into a
townhouse for the foreseeable future. The girls give their parents, Phillip and
Margie, credit for making the ordeal an adventure. They would eventually sell
their home and buy another flooded house, which they are now remodeling.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">The girls spent their time
applying to colleges. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">A look at the pre-Harvey sisters:
They are active school and church volunteers. Both are talented. They have
participated in Stratford’s choir and have received recognition at the regional
level. (This year, Meredith sings at the state level.) Both are talented
basketball players. Meredith competes year-round on an Amateur Athletic Union
(AAU) team. She’s the only girl on the team – and she’s 5’2”! A thespian all
four years of high school, Amanda gave up basketball her senior year to
concentrate on theatre and would play the lead in two of her three senior
productions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">There are many more
accomplishments, but this story is about Harvey.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Though they were scared and out of
their element, thinking of college helped them survive.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">“Our parents did a good job of
keeping us focused on the future,” Meredith says. “Dad always says, ‘Focus on
the task at hand.’ It works.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Harvey taught them a lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Meredith: “When life throws
obstacles, you have two choices. You can whine and cry, or you can be
productive. Do what makes the situation better. That’s how our parents
approached it. My job was to get good grades and talk to college coaches.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Amanda: “Be kind. Be kinder than
you have to be. Our neighbor who canoed us out – his house had flooded too, but
he was smiling and helping us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">“Senior year is stressful, and in
high school, stress brings on drama – especially when the year begins with a
hurricane. Kindness outlives any other attitude. My friends have been so kind
to me. The only thing I can do is to give that kindness to other people.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">“Harvey shaped me as a person,”
Meredith says. “I wouldn’t be as grateful. We don’t know what we have until we lose
it. I have more drive now. I am determined to help my parents, whether it’s by
getting scholarships or walking the dogs.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">“It prepared me to take on more
experiences and to handle situations gracefully,” Amanda continues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Their focus on college paid off.
Amanda will pursue acting in the city known for it. She felt at home when she
visited Loyola Marymount, where she will have a view of the ocean on one side
and the Hollywood sign on the other. Best of all, the students were welcoming.
Meredith was recruited to play basketball at Illinois Institute of Technology.
Both received generous merit and academic scholarship packages.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">They agree it will be hard to
leave Stratford behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Amanda says, “This is where I
transitioned from basketball to theatre. I found myself here. I owe Stratford a
lot for shaping me. I can’t imagine life without these friends and this
environment, but Stratford has prepared me for good things ahead.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">It will be hard to leave each
other. “In high school, we found different passions,” she continues. “No one
has seen me grow up like Meredith has.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Meredith says, “Twins are
different than siblings. We are so different, but at the core, we’re so
similar.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">Almost at once, they say, “I’m so
proud of her,” and move on quickly before the tears begin.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">What advice would they offer their
freshman selves? Meredith says, “Be grateful for everything, all life’s little
blessings.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">And from Amanda: “Life is so much
bigger than high school. Enjoy each moment. There will be life after this.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black;">So there, Harvey!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-16771687547499530092018-06-01T09:43:00.002-05:002018-06-07T16:27:56.074-05:00Graduate Honors His Family by Finishing School<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Nineteen-year-old John Castillo graduated from Academy of Choice for himself and for his future, but importantly to him also for a dad who has endured serious illness. His father’s sickness almost killed both of them.<br />
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Castillo joined his classmates on May 22 for a graduation ceremony at the non-traditional high school, located on the former site of the Spring Branch Education Center on Westview.<br />
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The school district’s Academy of Choice (AOC) offers options to students with unique curriculum and graduation needs -- a few credits to graduate, credit recovery, unusual school day issues, or other academic needs.<br />
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Castillo, by his own account, needed a special place that would accept him after a period of opioid abuse led to personal depression and a dismissal from another district high school. He returned to AOC after spending two years at Archway Academy in Houston, a recovery high school.<br />
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He fell into depression and serious drug abuse about four years ago after his father, the light of his life, fell ill with liver related complications leading to a bypass operation and multiple hospital stays.<br />
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Castillo’s dad sweated out heating, ventilation and air conditioning for three decades, and he was the person who introduced his then 4-year-old son to an all-American game called baseball. Ever since, Castillo’s passion for his dad’s health and well-being and for baseball have been linked in his heart.<br />
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“A big part of why I came back to school here was my dad being ill, and for me how he had sacrificed all he did. I owed him my finishing high school. It does take humility and my own integrity to come back, but I’ve been on my knees on the baseball field, and I’ve learned to get back up,” he said.<br />
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He spiraled down after watching his father’s illness lead to hospitalizations. Castillo said the recovery high school saved him and sobered him up, in part, through intensive outpatient program and counseling, and focused recovery strategies and tactics.<br />
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“I was forced to grow up young and be the man of the house,” he recalled, looking back on his personal journey on the morning he graduated.<br />
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For his dream future, Castillo would be a walk-on for the Astros, playing in the big leagues. He was a pitcher, first baseman and an outfielder in Little League, and both Showcase and Select baseball teams. “I love pitching,” the talented left-hander said.<br />
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On a practical level, he is considering Blinn and Angelina colleges, both of which also happen to have baseball teams. His dream career is veterinary medicine, dogs and cats. A toy poodle, Willie, is a loved family companion that was always there for Castillo.<br />
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His counselors and teachers think the world of him. Pete Gilmore, his U.S. history, economics and film history teacher, shared a love of sports. They discussed the Astros, Rockets, LeBron James and Castillo’s own playing career and dreams almost daily.<br />
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“John has a great sense of humor and a level of maturity and awareness well beyond his years,” Gilmore said. “John has had to deal with some adversity and challenges outside of school, but he didn’t let them get in the way of finishing school.”<br />
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“John was a leader in my classroom. He often assisted his classmates and always engaged in class discussions. He is a very likeable young man, and I will miss having him around in class,” Gilmore also said.<br />
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Castillo credits AOC with catching him up as quickly as possible on several missing semesters of high school work. He praised AOC counselors Angie Svetlik and Lindsey Heinzman for their open-door policies, too.<br />
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“I love the fact that the counselor’s offices here don’t seem like offices. The counselor’s office is a place where you can be yourself, and there is a truly awesome support network here [at AOC],” he said.<br />
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“John is a great example of someone with grit, or a growth mindset. Despite many roadblocks that have been thrown his way in the past few years, he has kept going and never given up on himself,” counselor Angie Svetlik said.<br />
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Lindsey Heinzman often had a quick chat with Castillo when he stopped by her counselor’s office between classes, often to grab a peppermint. Castillo was as confident talking philosophy and current events as sports teams and game results.<br />
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“I have come to know John’s heart for people, especially his family and those that have helped him on his road to recovery. John is insightful, compassionate and hard-working, and he will truly be missed on campus,” she said.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-37124386091475309392018-06-01T09:39:00.000-05:002018-06-14T16:43:28.614-05:00Ramos Lopez Learning His Way Around English, Community<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGt5pGAUdiXHi37rX6j-d5REMsUsfts3BELF4llfWoEToh4DBhuzc7sM2He76vhyphenhyphenrIi_RdHOQVTTQjENFFJYEgRTAfqlSOphloG-35LHml-1N-WTZr_iFrFsNXEaIS9zNPgOys3Lz0VE/s1600/daniel_lopez_mhs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGt5pGAUdiXHi37rX6j-d5REMsUsfts3BELF4llfWoEToh4DBhuzc7sM2He76vhyphenhyphenrIi_RdHOQVTTQjENFFJYEgRTAfqlSOphloG-35LHml-1N-WTZr_iFrFsNXEaIS9zNPgOys3Lz0VE/s320/daniel_lopez_mhs.jpg" width="320" /></a>Daniel Ramos Lopez can be excused for sounding like a young
man on a mission.</div>
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The Memorial High School graduating senior came to Houston
two years ago from Santiago, Chile, when his father, a Church of God minister, took
the opportunity to pastor a congregation here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Daniel overcame some obstacles to walk across the stage on
May 26, including a miserable initial experience. Besides being the “new kid” that
day, he also knew no English when he got here.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“The first day here was bad. It was awful,” he said. “I
didn’t know anybody, I didn’t know English.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kindness from the front-desk clerk got him through that
first day, he said, and he hasn’t looked back.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For instance, the casual observer could never tell that he’s
only been learning English for two years, and learning by osmosis.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I’ve learned by watching movies, reading and listening to
people around me,” Daniel said. “I’m always listening and learning.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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He said the capacity for language comes naturally.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I had to learn (English) if I wanted to get good grades and
get into a good school,” he said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Indeed. Even with his limited English, he’s taken classes in
U.S. history, anatomy, health science, math and business and management. That’s
a hefty load for native English speakers.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He really only speaks English with his MHS community – at
home and at church he helps out his parents with English but mostly speaks
Spanish.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But Daniel Ramos Lopez can’t be defined by overcoming his
English-language deficiencies. No, he’s much more than that.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He’s been active with his family’s church, helping his
parents – Daniel Ramos and Jeannette Lopez – both with language barriers (they
speak little English) and the church’s work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He’s helped out with families dealing with flooding both in
Louisiana a couple of years ago, and Hurricane Harvey last fall. Besides doing
some actual mucking, he produced a video for the worldwide Church of God (more
than 8 million members) to help procure resources.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He’s active in the Health Occupation Students of America
(HOSA) and makes rounds at local hospitals with health-care professionals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It’s a very interesting experience,” said Daniel. “I get to
see things and I get to interact with patients. It’s one of the things I enjoy
most with HOSA.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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And he’s been learning music – like his English, a
relatively new experience. He’s learned to play guitar and is learning to play
piano and drums. He’s learning drums, he said, to better control his musical
movements.<o:p></o:p></div>
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He misses his dog, Sebastiana, who lives with his older
sisters back in Chile. He’s been able to visit with his Sebastiana, a bichon
fries, the couple of times she’s come to Houston for visits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“(Daniel) is a student with a diverse skillset – he might be
comforting a patient during his hospital rotation on Friday, organizing a
community event on Saturday, and making a film on Sunday,” said 12<sup>th</sup>-grade
counselor Catherine Atwal. “An honest and caring young man, he approaches
everyone with respect and humility and always goes out of his way to help
others.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what’s next? Daniel said he’ll likely take a gap year, to
learn more English and to travel. “It takes 12 years to become a physician,” he
said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So you want to be a doctor?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Maybe,” he said. “Or a musician.”</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-8326001101815505712018-06-01T09:34:00.003-05:002018-06-20T09:59:38.371-05:00Leadership Comes Easy When Serving Others<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qdwAwCsjh69iM_bfMnOYxYXWD_jvSYsPHr5IcfDb6aYt6f5dflENRha2xBPPxr26OZyukMq-P_COHjapE1uXV6UTCLfANc2GX_AX13vPasourzVHrTYzic-hHfxOljnjgcqGki9peiQ/s1600/perillo01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1600" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0qdwAwCsjh69iM_bfMnOYxYXWD_jvSYsPHr5IcfDb6aYt6f5dflENRha2xBPPxr26OZyukMq-P_COHjapE1uXV6UTCLfANc2GX_AX13vPasourzVHrTYzic-hHfxOljnjgcqGki9peiQ/s320/perillo01.jpg" width="320" /></a>Caroline Perillo likes to serve. More accurately, Caroline
Perillo <i>loves</i> to serve.</div>
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The Memorial High School senior has done charity work since
sixth grade but her service spiked significantly once she got to high school.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s when she and her older sister founded the Youth
Action Council – the YAC (pronounced yack) – of Easter Seals Greater Houston,
to help raise money for the venerable charity that serves as a resource for people
and families living with disabilities.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Over Caroline’s four years at Memorial (her sister is now a
student at Vanderbilt), the YAC has raised some $50,000 for Easter Seals. The
YAC also makes dog leashes for service dogs and takes on other projects.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“It seems small, but the little things make a big
difference,” said Caroline.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Indeed they do. Caroline said that she and her board of 12
MHS students had a simple goal this year – each member would reach out and get
10 friends to donate $50 each. The strategy clearly worked – the team raised
nearly $11,000 this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She said she that leadership just comes with the territory.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I don’t do it to be the leader,” she said. “I do it to help
people. But it is an awesome thing to inspire others.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her record of service includes helping out at summer camps
for children with disabilities, participation in the National Charity League
(NCL) and volunteering at Brookwood, a local facility serving adults with
disabilities. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In something of an understatement, Caroline said that she
“really enjoys service to others.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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MHS Assistant Principal Catherine Atwal agrees.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Caroline Perillo is a trailblazer,” said Atwal. “Hard
working, cheerful and mature, Caroline is a true leader in our school and
community.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Atwal rattles off a host of Caroline’s activities –
lacrosse, Mustang Sweethearts, NCL – as well as pioneering a national Youth
Action Council for Easter Seals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As Caroline heads off to the University of Texas at Austin
to major in education (“I want to continue helping people,” she said) she also
wants to keep in touch with YAC and Easter Seals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“I have so much invested in YAC and Easter Seals,” she said.
“I don’t want to let go. It’s a great way to learn a lot of things, and it’s a
great way to get involved.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Our YAC raised $50,000 in four years,” she said. “I think it’s going to be huge.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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When she’s not studying or volunteering, she’s sort of a
typical high school student who enjoys hanging out with her friends. She’s
enjoyed the summer camps she attended for herself, and was also a delegate to
Girls State.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The daughter of Joe and Donna Perillo, Caroline attended
Memorial Drive Elementary, Spring Branch Middle School and graduated on May 26
from Memorial High School.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Her Memorial High School counselor can’t wait to see what
Caroline does next.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 11.0pt;">“Both peers and teachers hold her in high esteem
and appreciate her diligence and spirit,” said Catherine Atwal. “We look
forward to seeing how Caroline will better the world!”</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-88488266692837209242018-06-01T08:52:00.002-05:002018-06-01T08:52:33.239-05:00Spring Branch Education Foundation Announces 2018 Grants<h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2LNLtkGwJPN03jey1XvjSB6J5mbAP0dfyJygHV3f6O5jxf0ztcQATKAp4kXpzNIlN8Bot7hJGYbrz856i9LjLiP21qfegG3QlEvZbHU-22uXQpehTIeHNPJSa5L5zsNq6xLvAZBa0_g/s1600/New+SBEF+Logo+7.2015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="109" data-original-width="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO2LNLtkGwJPN03jey1XvjSB6J5mbAP0dfyJygHV3f6O5jxf0ztcQATKAp4kXpzNIlN8Bot7hJGYbrz856i9LjLiP21qfegG3QlEvZbHU-22uXQpehTIeHNPJSa5L5zsNq6xLvAZBa0_g/s1600/New+SBEF+Logo+7.2015.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">$139,982 awarded to projects for SBISD students</span></h3>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">At its May 24 Board meeting, Spring Branch Education Foundation (SBEF) approved $139,982 in grants to fund innovative education-enhancing projects throughout Spring Branch Independent School District.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
Each year, the Foundation calls for grant applications, up to $5,000 each, from any of its 46 school campuses. District-wide projects are eligible for larger grants. Faculty members and volunteers are encouraged to apply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
“SBEF grants provide students and staff with opportunities for innovative projects,” says Donnie Roseman, a member of the SBEF Board of Directors and chair of the Program and Assessment Committee. “Community members make the grants possible by donating to the Foundation and by supporting its fundraisers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
“We are especially pleased this year to fund every grant application. Early in the school year, we appealed to the community to help care for staff and student families who were displaced by Hurricane Harvey. In addition to contributing more than $1 million to the SBEF Harvey Relief Fund, donors generously made these grants possible.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br />
The Foundation awarded four district-wide grants: </span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum – The grant will fund Road Shows that take the museum to first-grade classrooms and Study Trips for second graders who travel to the museum. A third program, Tall Tales and Art, is a community summer reading and art experience led by SBISD art teachers. All are closely coordinated with grade-level curriculum.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">J. Landon Short Mini-Grants for Educators – This block grant provides individual grants to SBISD educators who seek transformational ways to enrich the learning environment. The grants provide a small amount of funding to make possible big ideas in classrooms.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">SpringBoard Mentoring Program – Almost 500 students on 36 SBISD campuses spend an hour each week with community mentors thanks to this grant. The relationships help students who are on the brink of success build self-confidence, develop communication and interpersonal skills, discover their passions and find meaningful connections between school and the future. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Vanguard Fellowship – Vanguard Fellows are teachers who stretch themselves as risk-takers and design-thinkers who refine their practices through job-embedded coaching. This grant will provide recognition for their efforts.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Other grants were designated for campus projects:</span><br />
<ul type="disc">
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bendwood Elementary School – SPIRAL classrooms for students in grades 3-5 will receive additional computers for individual research.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Bunker Hill Elementary School – Kindergartners will begin their lifelong love for reading with materials in Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project classroom library kits.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Cedar Brook Elementary School – Chromebooks and iPads will help teachers personalize lesson plans for students in grades 2-5.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hollibrook Elementary School – Students will receive new grade-level books for their home libraries before summer and winter breaks.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Hunter’s Creek Elementary School – With individual Chromebooks, fourth graders will work independently, engaged in personalized learning.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Memorial Drive Elementary School – A field trip to the George Ranch Historical Park will help fourth graders relate to Texas pioneers of the 1820-30 period.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Memorial Middle School – An innovative program using VEX building kits and computers will introduce students to engineering concepts and encourage them to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) programs.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Northbrook Middle School – Incoming students will enjoy a summer bridge camp, the innovative STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) Leadership Academy.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nottingham Elementary School – Use of Teacher’s College Reading and Writing Project study units will ensure personalized opportunities for students in grades 3-5 to pursue their interests and growth potential.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Pine Shadows Elementary School – All students will benefit from the redesign of interior courtyards into outdoor classrooms.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Ridgecrest Elementary School – Kindergartners through second graders will enjoy a STEMates Robotic Club where they will build on their budding STEM experiences.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Rummel Creek Elementary School – New software and technology will help fifth graders overcome reading and learning challenges caused by dyslexia and dysgraphia.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Sherwood Elementary School – Flexible classroom seating, from bean bags to standing desks to stability balls, will meet the needs of students who require movement without distracting other students.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Spring Branch Elementary School – A STEM Studio for grades 3-5 will help students learn Design Thinking: understanding a challenge and the people if affects, generating possible solutions and developing a final product.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Spring Branch Middle School – EVERY student will have an opportunity to learn from a field trip experience to the Holocaust Museum Houston, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center or The Health Museum.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Spring Forest Middle School – SFMS is the district’s most diverse campus. A communication kiosk in the school’s front office will provide information in each parent’s native language to increase parent involvement and student success.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Spring Woods Middle School – The Learning Together Strengths Academy curriculum will build hope, resiliency and engagement for incoming sixth graders.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Stratford High School – All students will benefit from the computer lab revitalization, including new devices and the latest software platforms.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thornwood Elementary School – A project-based STEAM library program will allow fourth graders to collaboratively work to solve problems from water crises to food production. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Westchester Academy for International Studies – Eighth graders will use touch screen tablets to master math skills, as teachers use formative data to assign interventions for remediation and enrichment.</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“We encourage PTAs, principals and teachers to apply for grants,” said SBEF Executive Director CeceThompson. Community members who wish to support a specific program at a designated campus can make a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation and earmark it for that school. Call 713.251.2381 or visit <a href="mailto:sbef@springbranchids.com" target="_blank">springbrancheducationfoundation.com</a> for more information.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><strong>About Spring Branch Education Foundation:</strong><br />
Spring Branch Education Foundation is committed to supporting SBISD students and educators. It partners with the district and community to fund programs that enhance education and ̅prepare students for the future. In 2016, Caruthers Institute ranked SBEF 42nd in the nation among 188 K-12 education foundations and in the top 10 of its division of foundations with $1 million to $1,999,999 in revenues. Since 1993, the Foundation has donated more than $11 million to the district. SBEF is a 501(c)3 organization; all donations are tax deductible.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-4370813487270629432018-05-24T15:25:00.002-05:002018-05-25T09:23:47.099-05:00Memorial Sophomore Leaps for a State Gold Medal<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">One Memorial athlete has
jumped long and high enough this year to make Texas history in two track and
field events.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BLttmlQMiICpA_V-h5XjdCjT9P7bVIF7jhr6jr4jF8pzEK7K063_gxbdNcrkccYXOlUZpMbN1BT5LYfoeXkCFKXShr3-wuCzNcTXQuA6T9A6GhnkwGf-wLau5H-kIIATEmCBF1AU3qM/s1600/claire_bryant_mhs3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="723" data-original-width="964" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BLttmlQMiICpA_V-h5XjdCjT9P7bVIF7jhr6jr4jF8pzEK7K063_gxbdNcrkccYXOlUZpMbN1BT5LYfoeXkCFKXShr3-wuCzNcTXQuA6T9A6GhnkwGf-wLau5H-kIIATEmCBF1AU3qM/s320/claire_bryant_mhs3.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">In one big jump, Memorial
High sophomore Claire Bryant set a personal lifetime best and new high school
record, and became state champion in the long jump. For first place in state,
she jumped 20 feet, 4 ¾ inches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">As if that’s not enough to
celebrate, she also jumped 5 feet, 8 inches, in high jump during the recent
state meet, finishing third overall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The University
Interscholastic League (UIL) track & field state meet was held May 12 at
the Mike Myers Stadium on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">It’s not totally rare, but
uncommon for a high school athlete to medal in athletic areas that call for
separate body type, muscle strengths or performance skills. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Her legs serve her well. At 5
feet, 7 inches, and about 125 pounds, Bryant views herself as more of a finesse
high jumper than a “power” focused athlete. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Whatever she does, works.
“God got me to state, and I thought that if I jumped well and stayed focused,
then I could do well,” she says. “I’m the kind of person who is very invested
in track. I knew my standings in long jump. I was seeded </span></div>
<br />
as second (in the state) going in, and
fourth in high jump.”<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Bryant tied her best high
jump at 5 feet, 8 inches. The competitor in her wanted second place and a
silver medal. Her attempts at 5 feet, 9 inches, fell short when her ankle
brushed the bar light enough for it to fall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Long jump, which Bryant’s mom
calls her “bread and butter,” was an incredible win and achievement. Her
personal record had been 20 feet, 2 inches. Her gold medal came with a long
jump of 20 feet, 4 ¾ inches, a significant gain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxme4VcxYZife-5vDfms9g-ue4FUABsWUh30P9ka-KqKlZ5iamw-U1rWi1OZHAT_2J0N3HgL4wKcEqdWYXH' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“It was a weird feeling,” she
says, looking back. “I was crazy about getting out to 20 feet, but I wasn’t
nervous (on her gold medal jump).”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Coach Vicki Bevan at Memorial
High is one of many who are crazy happy about Bryant’s state jumps and her gold
and bronze medals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Claire had an extraordinary
season, breaking her own long jump school record four times this year. After
having a monster meet at Rice (University), she then qualified in three Texas
Relays events and medaled in two,” Coach Bevan said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">The state meet in Austin was
momentous, too, Coach Bevan said. “For Claire, this meet represents a new
lifetime best, a new school record, and state champion – all in one leap. She
is a coach’s dream to coach and all of our coaching staff is so very proud!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Bryant’s interest in track
and field dates back to fifth grade. A graduate of Spring Branch Middle School,
she attended Second Baptist School for elementary years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">She combines speed, power and
technique for the long jump. As one of the best high school long jumpers in the
nation, she may have her pick of colleges. Bryant is thinking about a career
that combines medicine and sports.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">Maybe the Olympics? “Now that
would be really amazing,” she says, speaking like both a competitor and true
Texas state champion. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "calibri" , sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">In separate but related
state track and field news, Christyan Sampy of Stratford High School was a
state qualifier in the pole vault.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-20550014542533553832018-05-21T16:11:00.003-05:002018-05-21T16:26:41.490-05:00Girlstart STEM Program Gains Local Interest <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About 80 fourth- and fifth-grade girls from Spring Branch ISD elementary schools attended a recent Girls in STEM Conference held in Austin. Next year, Girlstart’s annual meeting will move to Houston as interest climbs in this nonprofit educational program.<br />
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Five SBISD campuses currently operate afterschool programs based on the Girlstart model of introducing girls early to the STEM career fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics through professional workshops and hands-on learning led by qualified women.<br />
<br />
SBISD’s elementary campuses with Girlstart afterschool programs include Hollibrook, Pine Shadows, Spring Shadows, Spring Branch and Woodview. These programs are made possible in SBISD through generous support by corporations, foundations, individuals and some government entities.<br />
<br />
The March 24 Girlstart conference in Austin included sessions for both elementary and middle girls to meet and learn from women working in STEM related professional roles.
Corporate sponsors ranged from the well-known like Microsoft to others like MilliporeSigma, creator of a Curiosity Cube, a retrofitted shipping container operated as a mobile science lab, which it brought to the Austin meeting.<br />
<br />
Girls from Spring Branch and Alief ISDs made up a third of the Austin conference attendance, reports district Elementary Science Lead Terry White. He helped organize Girlstart afterschool clubs two years ago.<br />
<br />
GirlStart was just the group Headi Matthews was looking for, having sat in on a group session held at a separate professional conference.
Matthews, a Pine Shadows instructor, had 50 girls register immediately to join afterschool clubs last year, resulting in two separate student clubs of about 25 girls.<br />
<br />
This year, Pine Shadows ran fall and spring semester club sessions for about 50 girls.
“Each week, our girls are introduced to a STEM career. They learn about what it is that that particular engineer or scientist does,” Matthews said.<br />
<br />
“The girls learn about what they have to study in school to be able to have such a career, and then the focus for the week is usually put on what that engineer or scientist does through a hands-on lesson involving STEM.<br />
<br />
This fits in so perfectly with our SBISD mission of T-2-4.”
Most well-paying STEM career positions in the United States are still held by men.
“The Girlstart afterschool program allows girls a place that is just for them,” Matthews said.<br />
<br />
“They get to have fun, be with their friends, and make new friends. They learn about STEM careers and paths for their futures that they may not have ever had exposure to. Our girls absolutely love club.”
Fifteen Pine Shadows students attended the Girlstart conference in 2017.<br />
<br />
This spring, 27 girls attended the Austin conference. This June, a weeklong Girlstart Summer Camp at Pine Shadows Elementary will focus on space exploration, and related careers.<br />
<br />
“Some of our girls have never been on a charter bus. Some of our girls have never been out of Houston, or out of our Pine Shadows neighborhood. The [Austin] trip was such an amazing opportunity for our girls to learn about STEM from amazing women in STEM professions,” Matthews said.<br />
<br />
The March conference attracted about 500 girls enrolled in 4th through 8th grades. Founded in Central Texas almost two decades ago, GirlStart has expanded to Houston and North Texas, with plans for more outposts across the nation.<br />
<br />
“Girlstart’s mission is not just about teaching girls to love STEM,” Tamara Hudgins, Girlstart executive director, said in a press release. “It’s to show them what’s possible when they get to college, study in STEM fields, and graduate to STEM careers.”<br />
<br />
To learn more, visit www.girlstart.org.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-12520261389515934202018-05-21T16:09:00.003-05:002018-05-23T11:24:51.912-05:00Stratford Golfer Ranks Best in State; Teams Do Well<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoRCifCaGtpTcneWA-OljjL1sQyg6JGdePAhtO1UuGOoUej_gEbCDiEnIQgT_q4GuuCYfhlanRCFZW21n1yEgV5S_wPJHpgRkpwj_ZWJRfOe-7rWNfNjGljHenm_m1V57CJgJUHZpsIw/s1600/riedel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHoRCifCaGtpTcneWA-OljjL1sQyg6JGdePAhtO1UuGOoUej_gEbCDiEnIQgT_q4GuuCYfhlanRCFZW21n1yEgV5S_wPJHpgRkpwj_ZWJRfOe-7rWNfNjGljHenm_m1V57CJgJUHZpsIw/s1600/riedel.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Stratford High golfer Matthew Riedel, 6A UIL State Champion</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Stratford High golfer Matthew Riedel returned from the UIL Class 6A boys state golf tournament on May 15 with a one-of-a-kind trophy and ribbon that reflected his individual title as best in Texas. (See full news story below)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">In related state playoff news, Memorial High’s boys golf team has finished in third place, and the Stratford High’s boys golf team also qualified for the state competition.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Memorial High’s golf team included Taylor Troup, Colin Guinn, David Tietz, William Moll, Jackson Taff and Carson Zellers. Coach John Noel said that he was proud of the boys for playing so well.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK9D0b8j18_XD5XagAa9S1hHAq7i9-UitG70i1Z7AZoFWGSGzZYR4aP5i8ti7f-Z63owuQUAMAmFbYoXfubY2SMiWxaQx1uIOcbunSL1azvAJSrp-YOoTLpOI4L6gdgXD-C0SU0mqKDo/s1600/golf_mhs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK9D0b8j18_XD5XagAa9S1hHAq7i9-UitG70i1Z7AZoFWGSGzZYR4aP5i8ti7f-Z63owuQUAMAmFbYoXfubY2SMiWxaQx1uIOcbunSL1azvAJSrp-YOoTLpOI4L6gdgXD-C0SU0mqKDo/s1600/golf_mhs.jpg" /></span></a></div>
</td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Memorial High Boys Golf Team Finishes 3rd in State. Photo, left to right, Taylor Troup, Colin Guinn, David Tietz, William Moll, Jackson Taff, Coach John Noel, Carson Zellers</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“I think that we have been one of the top three to five teams in the state throughout the year and the boys played their best ‘team round’ of the year with three guys under par when it mattered most so the good finish was so well deserved,” Coach Noel said. “They should have a shot at winning state next year!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Stratford High’s team includes Drew Murdock, Jack Kelly, Matthew Riedel, Jack Diamond, Brooks Ballard and Luke Weitzel. Team coaches are Ryan Cozad and Cody Stiff.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3Qtqr31aao6YbfkeyiBWnKAmChiG1JtpE74pgFTwXfZUTjIzbUz6bv0AouefRzor6npj64SdsaYulRclTzcToy-1eyY8bdqibghUPENAk3XXL80ndWFtu5NsUVMqZc9b7Di4ikOKWxU/s1600/golf_shs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja3Qtqr31aao6YbfkeyiBWnKAmChiG1JtpE74pgFTwXfZUTjIzbUz6bv0AouefRzor6npj64SdsaYulRclTzcToy-1eyY8bdqibghUPENAk3XXL80ndWFtu5NsUVMqZc9b7Di4ikOKWxU/s1600/golf_shs.jpg" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Stratford High Boys Golf Qualifies for State. Photo, left to right, Coach Ryan Cozad, Drew Murdock, Jack Kelly, Matthew Riedel, Jack Diamond, Brooks Ballard, Luke Weitzel, Coach Cody Stiff</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Girls UIL 6A State Golf Tournament will be held Monday and Tuesday, May 21-22. Memorial High girls who are state qualifiers include Zoe Slaughter, Tiffany Nguyen, Jacqueline Nguyen, Courtney Bryant and Ashleigh Stoehr. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Two senior golfers, Courtney Bryant and Tiffany Nguyen, will play next year in college picks, respectively, at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn., and Houston Baptist University.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Coach Holly Paulk said before the state tournament that players discussed what it would take to bring home a championship, especially after district.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">“We realized how important a competitive, spirited and confident attitude is to compete to our full potential,” Coach Paulk said. “I have a uniquely talented group of student-athletes – even though they don’t always realize that – that I couldn’t be more proud to coach!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">The following story on golfer Matthew Riedel was published in the May 16 edition of the <em>Houston Chronicle</em>:</span></b><strong> </strong></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">By John Harris, <i>Houston Chronicle</i> freelance writer </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">GEORGETOWN - Stratford junior Matthew Riedel built on a strong first day to win the individual title at the UIL Class 6A boys state golf tournament Tuesday. Riedel, who made a flurry of clutch birdies in the final round, finished nine-under 135 at Legacy Hills.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Riedel opened the final round in second place one shot behind Austin Westlake's J. Holland Humphries. But he made quick work of the deficit with a string of big shots and rode an unprecedented wave of confidence while taking out a measure of revenge on the golf course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Plano's Tommy Boone and Austin Westlake's Matthew Denton tried for second at 137. League City Clear Springs' Andre Jacobs tied for fourth at 139.
"I knew I was one shot back. There were a lot of good guys behind me and one really good one in front of me," said Riedel, who shot a 67 Tuesday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"I was 1-over through six. I made birdies on Nos. 7, and 8, made an eagle on 10 and another birdie on 15. The hole became a lot bigger, and I was really confident. I made the putts I needed to make."
Riedel said his eighth place finish at last year's state tournament motivated him.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"I had a triple bogey on 17 on the second day last year, or I would have finished second. I kind of wanted some revenge on this course," Riedel said with a smile.
Stratford coach Ryan Cozad couldn't stop smiling.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Not only did his top golfer win the state title, the Mustangs had a total score of 598 and tied for seventh.
"I'm just thrilled for Matthew Riedel. He's one of the hardest working kids I've ever met. He absolutely sets the tone for us," Cozad said.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"It's exciting for me to see him be successful on this stage because not many people get to see how hard he works behind the scenes to be the best he can be, He spent hours and hours preparing for this.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"> "We only have one senior. Four of the five are returning," Cozad added. "I'm definitely excited about the direction we're going."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Memorial, also representing Houston, captured third place with a total score of 582. Memorial would have forced a playoff with Austin Vandergrift for second place but Vanderbilt-bound junior William Moll's putt at 18 lipped out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Westlake won the team title with a total score of 573, eight strokes better than Vandergrift and nine strokes ahead of Memorial.
"I hit a good shot. I thought it was going in," said Moll, who finished sixth in the state with a score of 140 after placing second in the state last year.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">"I was a little nervous. I have to try to stay calm in pressure situations and act like it's just another putt."
Said Memorial coach John Noel: "Absolutely. Definitely, William is the one I would have picked to take that shot., He was runner up in the state last year. He's a heck of a player."</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Clear Springs was fifth int he final team standings with a total score of 592, followed by Kingwood (594) in sixth place. Atascocita finished 11th (607).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27596919663762125.post-25300605411713328992018-05-21T15:57:00.001-05:002018-05-21T16:24:53.706-05:00Parent English Learners Expect Brighter Family Futures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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More than 100 parents who reside in Spring Branch ISD, but hail from a dozen or more nations across the world, gathered at Spring Woods Middle School in early May to celebrate completion of a basic conversational English class.<br />
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For many, being able to speak casual English has the potential and the power to improve their own lives, as well as the educational prospects of their daughters and sons who now attend SBISD.<br />
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The English program is supported by SBISD. Called the Daily Dose, it is taught by volunteers with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormons.<br />
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The program was offered at eight SBISD campuses this year: Northbrook, Spring Forest and Spring Woods middle schools; Ridgecrest, Spring Shadows, Treasure Forest and Woodview elementaries; and Tiger Trail School for Early Learning, a district prekindergarten.<br />
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At the May 3 ceremony and celebration, certificates were handed out in front of classmates, guests and LDS missionary teachers. Each school selected a parent to speak.<br />
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Many parents said they were grateful and excited for the future thanks to their newly acquired skills.
“This program helps me for my life, for a better job, and to help my son,” said Diana Aleman, the mother of a Spring Forest Middle eighth-grader. “It is very important for all people to learn English.<br />
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It can help them provide a better opportunity for their children’s education.”
SBISD offers parents like Aleman an avenue to be lifelong learners while they also support their children during their own “Learner’s Journey” in the district.<br />
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For 43-year-old Ashwaq Gheni, it was the first certificate she has ever received. Gheni has two sons at Meadow Wood Elementary. She was able to complete the course at Spring Forest Middle School, the family’s feeder pattern campus.<br />
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Learning conversational English-speaking skills also play a critical role in a child’s education because they give parents the ability and confidence to communicate with their children's teachers and school.<br />
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“This is my first English class, and I am happy to learn a second language,” said Reina Carretillo, a native of the Mexican state of Guerrero, and mother of two. “It has helped me communicate with people, and I can help my son with his homework.”<br />
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After all the certificates were issued and the applause had subsided, the parents headed to the back of the meeting room to enjoy lunch. Tables were lined with a variety of rice, meat dishes, tortillas and even special desserts like Coco Flan.<br />
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Parents beamed as they shared food from their homes with newfound friends in a new and wonderful country.<br />
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They believe that their possibilities are greater today after learning to speak the dominant language of their new home and nation.
The Daily Dose program is supported by SBISD’s Trina Morford, located at Spring Forest Middle School.
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