Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

50 HISD students named 2019 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists

Students will have opportunity to compete for more than $31 million in scholarships 

Fifty seniors from eight Houston Independent School District high schools have earned one of the top academic honors in the nation by qualifying as semifinalists in the 64th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The students attend Bellaire, Carnegie Vanguard, Lamar and Westside high schools, DeBakey High School for Health Professions, Houston Academy for International Studies, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and Sharpstown International School.

The students are among 16,000 from across the country to earn the semifinalist designation, allowing them the opportunity to continue in the academic competition and vie for more than $31 million in scholarships that will be awarded next spring. Continue reading →

Science teacher at Longfellow ES named Teacher of the Month for November 

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It was a science experiment brought to life when science lab teacher Jennifer Howell was surprised by Chief Academic Officer Noelia Longoria as the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for November on Wednesday.

Howell’s fourth-grade students were getting a lesson on the types of batteries used in keyless remotes, specifically for push-start cars, when they learned their teacher’s recognition came with a special gift—a 2019 Acura TLX, courtesy of Sterling McCall Acura.

“This has been an overwhelming experience, and I’m indebted to the district for the recognition,” Howell said. “Every day, I’m driven to create enriching lessons that will push all 800 of my students.”  Continue reading →

HISD Communications wins three Lone Star Emmys  

The HISD Communications Department was honored with three Lone Star Emmy awards on Saturday in Houston.

HISD Communications brought home the gold for work on three separate projects produced during the  2017-2018  school year.

“The powerful stories of determination and success of our students, families, teachers, staff, and community is what makes our school district HISD strong,”  Chief Communications Officer Rebecca Suarez said. “I am proud to be part of a team that is made up of truly gifted storytellers.”  Continue reading →

HSPVA principal receives top honor from national arts group 

The nation’s largest organization for specialized schools for the arts has named R. Scott Allen, Principal of Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, its top administrator of the year.

The Arts Schools Network stated it selected the Houston Independent School District principal for its most coveted honor, the Jeffrey Lawrence Award, because he exemplifies an uncompromising commitment to excellence in arts education and arts training.

“What an honor to be recognized for doing something I love,” Allen said. “Watching our young people grow into the next generation of artists is unbelievable, and this is what I do every day.” Continue reading →

HISD Police Department honors recipients at 21st Annual Awards Luncheon

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The Houston Independent School District Police Department gathered Tuesday to celebrate the outstanding customer service and achievements of officers and personnel during their 21st Annual Awards Luncheon.

Continue reading →

Mickey Leland College Prep principal named NABSE’s Principal of the Year

Dameion Crook

Principal Dameion Crook of Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy has been named Principal of the Year by the National Alliance of Black School Educators in Washington, D.C.

The alliance noted that Crook was selected because he excels in the field of education and provides great contributions to African-American students and educators. Earlier this year, Crook was named Texas’ Principal of the Year by the alliance.

“I am incredibly honored to be recognized by such a prestigious organization,” Crook said. “I have to give credit to the entire Mickey Leland staff and community for the hard work being every day to educate our scholars.” Continue reading →

Inaugural STAAR award recipient announced

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Sam Houston SMTC junior Vanessa Luna Tinoco received the Sofia John STAAR Achievement Award recently for having the most improved score on the second round of STAAR science testing. Tinoco received $600 and a story about her posted on the  school’s website.

Continue reading →

HISD grad receives $40K on Good Morning America

The CollegeBoard announced that it is investing $25 million over the next five years for its new Opportunity Scholarship. And to kickstart that commitment, Booker T. Washington High School 2017 graduate Matthew Blue has been awarded a $40,000 scholarship to continue his studies at Langston University in Oklahoma.

Blue is one of the very first recipients of CollegeBoard’s Opportunity Scholarship, and the award was unveiled live on Good Morning America. Blue was a pioneer in making Official SAT Practice at Khan Academy a household name in HISD. Using Khan Academy, he increased his SAT score by more than 200 points, expanding both his scholarship and college options. Continue reading →

HISD to name student winners of 2018 holiday greeting card competition

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31 finalists selected from nearly 100 entries this year

The Houston Independent School District on Monday, Nov. 5, will unveil the winners of the district’s 2018 holiday greeting card student art competition.

This year, 31 students from HISD elementary, middle, and high schools have been named finalists from a total of 94 entries. The 31 finalists were chosen by the district’s area superintendents. During a ceremony at Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th St., 77092), the winning cards will be announced by HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan, who will select a winner from each school level.

The winning students will be present for the unveiling. All of the finalists’ holiday cards will be on display and available for purchase at HoustonISD.org/HolidayCards.

Wiggins named one of Time’s 50 Most Influential People in Health Care

Betti Wiggins, HISD’s officer of Nutrition Services, is no stranger to accolades. She was previously featured in a PBS special and her work was also recognized by General Mills, who gave her a Wheaties box emblazoned with her photograph.

Most recently, she was named one of TIME Magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in Health Care for 2018.

This year was the first time the magazine compiled the Health Care 50 list, asking “a team of health editors and reporters to nominate people who significantly changed the state of U.S. health care” and evaluating their work “on key factors, including originality, impact, and quality,” according to TIME Magazine’s website. Continue reading →