On Sunday, February 23, I had the pleasure of congratulating hundreds of our district’s outstanding African American elementary, middle and high school students at the 31st annual AISD African American Heritage Celebration.
Students and their families filled the hall at Palmer Auditorium for a ceremony that featured dance and musical performances by students from the Ann Richards School for Young Leaders.
This year, these ten high school seniors were named Senior Scholars, having been named Outstanding African American Students for each of their four high school years:
Nia Thomas, Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders
Vanessa Banks, Crockett High School
Brandon Nobles, Eastside Memorial High School
Divine Ntomchukwu. Lanier High School
Jasmine Bertram, LASA
Aja Dunn, McCallum High School
Marcus Cole, McCallum High School
Shawn Smith, Reagan High School
Ilya Maxwell, Travis High School
Marcus Fowler, Travis High School
The following AISD staff members, volunteers and community organizations were honored with awards:
- W. Charles Akins Award: Gilbert Hicks, AISD Associate Superintendent for Area 3 Schools
- H.L. Gaines Award: Patrick Patterson, Executive Director of the UT Outreach Center, Division of Diversity and Community Engagement
- Darlene Westbrook Leadership in Education Award: Jacqueline Porter, AISD Director of Early Childhood Education
- Distinguished Teacher Award: Debra Overton
- Distinguished Teacher Award: Don Haynes, Director of Bands, LBJ High School
- Community Service Award: Neighborhood Longhorns Program
- Volunteer Service Award: Larry Comer, Public Relations Director, Association of Texas Professional Educators
- Unsung Hero Award: Ormide Armstrong, Director of Bands, Reagan High School
Congratulations to these Student Essay Winners:
10thGrade:
First Place: Shara Henderson, Ann Richards School
Second Place: Perla Grimaldo-Ramirez, Ann Richards School
Third Place: Jose Pimentel, Lanier High School
4thGrade:
First Place: Kenny Silva, Brentwood Elementary
Second Place: Rome Henderson, Boone Elementary
Third Place: Emily Achterman, Barton Hills Elementary
Fourth Place: Anna May Stouse, Casis Elementary
Fifth Place: Quinn Bryan, Menchaca Elementary