Garland ISD news: June 22-26
STEAMposium brings future into focus for GISD students
Acting as architects, inventors and entrepreneurs, Garland ISD students showcased their creativity at the district’s inaugural STEAMposium. The event culminated a yearlong focus on science, technology, engineering arts and mathematics education.Participating in engineering challenges to build towers, bridges, egg drop devices, roller coasters and catapults, as well as robotics demonstrations, maker/creator conventions and science fair displays, several students earned awards and Area 1 won the STEAMly Cup.
To see a complete list of winners, visit the GISD STEAM web page.
Austin Academy earns musical awards
Taking their talents to a professional stage, Austin Academy for Excellence’s Honors Orchestra recently performed at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas. The group competed in the Spring in the Park Music Festival, earning a superior rating from all three judges and the Best in Class award. Austin was also named the Overall Grand Champion non-high school instrumental group.“This group really impressed me with their ability to transition from section to section, tempo to tempo, style to style,” commented one of the judges. “[There is] obviously some excellent teaching going on, and students are putting in the work to be able to perform at a very high level.”
Photo courtesy of Austin Academy for Excellence.
GHS seniors graduate at the top of the nation’s Class of 2015
Graduating at the top of the Class of 2015 nationwide, three Garland High School students are being recognized by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Lexie Ford was named a 2015 National Merit Scholar, while Mahimajanani Senthilkumar received a National Merit University of Chicago Scholarship, and Janet Aiyedun earned a National Achievement Scholarship.
More than 1.4 million juniors in approximately 22,000 high schools entered the 2015 National Merit Scholarship competition when they took the 2013 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). Last fall, approximately 16,000 Semifinalists were named, representing less than one percent of the nation’s seniors.
To compete for Merit Scholarship awards, each had to advance to the Finalist level of the competition by fulfilling additional requirements. Semifinalists were asked to submit a detailed scholarship application, which included writing an essay and providing information about extracurricular activities, awards and leadership positions. They also had to have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, and earn SAT scores that confirmed the qualifying test performance.
Garland ISD’s honorees represent the strongest competitors, showing a combination of accomplishments, skills and potential for success in rigorous college studies. They were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors and will receive $2,000-$8,000 for their designations.
Garland ISD Education Foundation awards thousands to staff
The Garland ISD Education Foundation surprised 48 teachers and paraprofessionals with grants and scholarships this spring. President Lisa Cox, along with board members, visited dozens of schools and administrative facilities to award honorees in front of students and colleagues. The Prize Posse awarded $24,500, all of which will go back into classrooms in the form of professional development, technology and supplies.Spring grant and scholarship recipients included:
· Brittnee Edmonds – Abbett Elementary School
· Vanessa Hernandez – Abbett Elementary School
· Jessica Tanguy – Abbett Elementary School
· Sherri Beal – Armstrong Elementary School
· Chelsea Atwell – Austin Academy for Excellence
· Sara Messina – Bradfield Elementary School
· Richard Raleigh – Bullock Elementary School
· Pamela Vance – Bussey Middle School
· Marissa Alvarado – Carver Elementary School
· Sabina Bawany – Carver Elementary School
· Zenia Mitchell – Centerville Elementary School
· Claudia Ramos – Centerville Elementary School
· Amanda Powell – Club Hill Elementary School
· Peter Chan – Cooper Elementary School
· Jennifer Coulombe – Cooper Elementary School
· Joni Harris – Couch Elementary School
· Shamane Smith-Grant – Couch Elementary School
· Anna Roome – Coyle Middle School
· Kristie Werfelman – Coyle Middle School
· Alera Budd – Daugherty Elementary School
· Eira Rodriguez – Daugherty Elementary School
· Gina Saldana – Davis Elementary School
· Rhonda Simpson – Dorsey Elementary School
· Sara Rond – Ethridge Elementary School
· June Singletary – Freeman Elementary School
· Julianne Henderson – Garland High School
· Marta Hernandez – Golden Meadows Elementary School
· Mayra Vasquez – Golden Meadows Elementary School
· Sonya Coburn – Handley Elementary School
· Linda Williams – Handley Elementary School
· Julie Xu – Hickman Elementary School
· Karen Crocker – Hillside Academy for Excellence
· Anne Kamper – Hudson Middle School
· Kathy Penn – Kimberlin Academy for Excellence
· Marianne Ross – Luna Elementary School
· Emily Jandrucko – Manuel & Maria Valle Student Services Center
· Lilia Lopez – Manuel & Maria Valle Student Services Center
· David Seren – Sachse High School
· Nayelli Lopez Moreno – Sam Houston Middle School
· Farideh Banks – Schrade Middle School
· Holly Hardin – Sewell Elementary School
· Danielle Massey – Sewell Elementary School
· Taylor Marham – Shugart Elementary School
· Cindy Najera – South Garland High School
· Savitri Brown – Southgate Elementary School
· Anja Bartke – Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence
· Susan Garner – Weaver Elementary School
· Martha Bilbrey – Webb Middle School
SGHS student selected as AVID Summer Institute speaker
A recent South Garland High School graduate had the chance to inspire hundreds of students and educators with her moving story. Keyle Williams was invited to share her journey to college at the annual Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) Summer Institute June 22-24.At the encouragement of her teachers, Williams applied to speak at the Dallas event, submitting a 500-word essay about her personal quest to secure a college education. After weeks of anticipation, the 18-year-old learned she bested thousands of candidates in April.
“I was surprised when I found out I was selected to speak. All of the speeches I have heard at the Summer Institute were really dramatic,” Williams said. “I have been through a lot, but I did not think it was on that level. My mom passed away from cancer when I was in third grade, and I do not know my dad. I basically do not have anyone, except for my grandma.”
Williams’ personal life has motivated her to strive for success—an admirable trait her teachers and peers praise.
“Keyle is not your average kid,” said AVID teacher Amanda Wilds. “She is an amazing, hardworking student, and her story proves that she is an overcomer. The fact that she went off to Harvard’s Summer School program her sophomore year, as well as her motivation to get outside of this area and explore new opportunities, means that she is going to do great things.”
Williams credits AVID as one of the reasons she is driven to reach such high achievements.
“I have been in AVID since sixth grade, and it is a support system for me,” she explained. “People in my family have been to college, but they never finished. I knew I wanted to go to college, change that history and be different. AVID gave me the tools I needed to go for it.”
Detailing how she obtained her AVID tool belt at the Summer Institute, Williams hopes others will follow in her footsteps and pursue their dreams.
“I really want to touch people’s lives and give them hope. I want them to see how AVID can impact a student’s life.”
Williams will attend Hofstra University in Long Island, N.Y. in the fall, majoring in pre-med.
GHS student to attend renowned Interlochen Arts Camp
Although Garland High School student Juanito Riveros is just 15-years-old, he has already made a name for himself in the world of fine arts. Recently ranked the No. 2 harpist in the state, the sophomore was awarded a full scholarship to attend Interlochen Arts Camp—an invitation just 2,500 artists from more than 40 countries receive every year. Riveros will commence this esteemed six-week experience June 27 in Michigan.
“At Interlochen Arts Camp, student-artists learn from world-class instructors and produce hundreds of presentations each summer in dance, theatre, creative writing, visual arts, music and film,” states a press release. “Approximately 10 percent of the nation’s professional orchestra musicians have roots at Interlochen, and the alumni community has been awarded nearly 100 Grammy Awards.”
Riveros will soon join that elite group of alumni, which includes singer-songwriters Norah Jones, Josh Groban and Rufus Wainwright, as well as jazz pianist Eldar and actor Anthony Rapp.
The talented teen will study in the Harp Program at Interlochen, which features solo, small group and large ensemble rehearsals and shows.
“In addition to hundreds of performances, presentations and readings by young artists, Interlochen brings leading artists and performers to the northern Michigan campus,” the press release details. “In recent years, guest artists have included Joshua Bell, the Decemberists, the Avett Brothers, Harry Connick Jr., Branford Marsalis and many more.”
While this summer program will serve as Riveros’ first experience with the world’s premier fine arts program, it will not be his last. The incoming junior was invited to complete his high school education at Interlochen Arts Academy—a development the Riveros family credits to Garland ISD.
“GISD has been wonderful in getting him to this point, and it all started with Ms. Pruitt at Kimberlin Academy for Excellence,” said mother Mary Riveros. “We are very grateful for the teachers and programs that provide our students guidance and solid foundations as they pursue their dreams.”
Texas Instruments awards three GISD teachers $10,000
Starting the summer with some extra spending money, three Garland ISD teachers recently won $10,000 grants. The district’s Education Foundation partnered with Texas Instruments (TI) in the spring to offer TI Foundation Innovations in STEM Teaching Awards. This honor recognizes educators who promote science, technology, engineering and math.GISD’s inaugural recipients include Hudson Middle School science teacher Gye Kraemer, Sachse High School computer animation teacher Erik Bushland, and South Garland High School engineering teacher Creighton Bryan. Each was selected by a committee after being nominated by their principal and submitting an application.
TI Foundation Director of Major Education Grants Ann Pomykal presented the trio with $5,000 checks for their personal use during GISD’s May 26 board meeting.
“Teacher effectiveness is a focus of our Foundation, and the teachers tonight represent the best of the best,” she said. “They foster enthusiasm and generate excitement for science, technology, engineering and mathematics as they work with their students.”
“I would like to thank TI for the award and the district for all the support I have received over the years,” added Bushland. “At any time, someone could have said no to something that I was trying to do. Everyone was so supportive that it allowed us to start pushing the envelope to prepare students for what is out there.”
Winners will receive an additional $5,000 in the fall for STEM-related professional development, technology and classroom materials.
Board announces plan to fill Place 4 seat
The Garland ISD Board of Trustees announced a plan to fill its Place 4 seat, which will become unoccupied after Dr. Cindy Castañeda’s resignation takes effect Aug. 18. The Board of Trustees plans to fill this vacancy by appointment.
To select this appointment, the board will accept applications from qualified individuals interested in filling the position and serving the district. Applications must be received by Aug. 28, 2015. Each applicant must be a registered voter in Garland ISD and should apply by submitting a resume and cover letter.
The resume and cover letter should be mailed or hand delivered to:
Garland Independent School District
Attention: Larry Glick, Board President
501 S. Jupiter Road
Garland, Texas 75042
Attention: Larry Glick, Board President
501 S. Jupiter Road
Garland, Texas 75042
After the application deadline, the board may conduct interviews, and will appoint a new member to sit on the board until the next election in May 2016. At that time, the appointee can seek election for the remainder of the Place 4 term. All Garland ISD Trustees serve the district at-large.
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