Category Archives: Achievement/Recognition

Six HISD students win National Merit College-Sponsored Scholarships

Six Houston Independent School District students from four schools were announced this week as winners of National Merit Scholarships financed by U.S. colleges and universities.

The students — from Bellaire, Carnegie Vanguard, DeBakey, and Lee high schools — received college-sponsored National Merit Scholarships from the University of Houston, University of Oklahoma, University Texas at Dallas, Texas Tech University, and Vanderbilt University.

The scholarships provide between $500 and $2,000 annually for up to four years of undergraduate study. Many post-secondary institutions also award additional scholarships to students who are recognized as National Merit scholars. Continue reading →

Elementary school leaders are Harvard bound

Hines-Caldwell and Briargrove elementary principals selected to attend summer leadership institute at Harvard

Hines-Caldwell Elementary School Principal Torrye Hooper and Briargrove Elementary School Principal Eden Jones-Hinds are heading to Harvard this summer thanks to Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonprofit advocacy organization working to strengthen and improve public education,

Hooper and Jones-Hinds were selected by the non-profit to participate in a summer leadership program at The Principals’ Center at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The two will join campus leaders from around the globe to engage in training and workshops led by national and international experts in the fields of education and leadership.

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Student Spotlight: Short digital safety videos from HISD students win national recognition

HISD students have been busy this spring making short videos to teach their fellow students about digital safety.

The district’s Educational Technology department received 39 multimedia submissions from 61 HISD students (four high schools, two middle schools, and five elementary schools) regarding online safety, digital citizenship, and privacy security.

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Challenge Early College HS grad looks forward to life of service

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Editor’s Note: Thousands of seniors have received their diplomas during graduation ceremonies across the district. Many of our students have overcome challenging circumstances during their educational journeys. We are sharing a few of their stories.

Chianti Price chose his future profession for two reasons: faith and medicine.

“I want to be an RN,” the valedictorian at Challenge Early College High School says. “From a young age, I’ve always wanted to learn about the human body.”

When he’s not helping patients, he will be preaching his faith. He hopes the irregular work hours of a nurse will allow him to carve out time for regular pioneer service as a Jehovah’s Witness.

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Washington Post ranks 37 HISD high schools among nation’s best

Seven HISD high schools crack top-100 list of
America’s Most Challenging High Schools

The Washington Post’s 2016 list of America’s Most Challenging High Schools features 37 Houston ISD schools, led by Energized for STEM Academy in the No. 4 slot.

Four out of every five HISD high schools made this year’s list recognizing the top 10 percent of campuses across the nation. HISD schools also accounted for 19 of the top 100 schools in Texas. The rankings are based on the number of seniors taking college-level Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and Cambridge tests.

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Seniors share inspirational stories about their journeys to graduation day

Editor’s Note: Thousands of HISD seniors will receive their diplomas during graduation ceremonies across the district through the weekend. Many of our students have overcome challenging circumstances during their educational journeys. We are sharing a few of their stories this week. Continue reading →

Bellaire High School wins national economics competition

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A team of Bellaire High School students successfully put their economic skills and knowledge to the ultimate test to win the top prize at the 16th annual National Economics Challenge held this week in New York City.

Bellaire now has won two of the last three of these challenges in the advanced placement, international baccalaureate and honors students division of the competition. The team was among eight finalist schools to compete in the two-day competition hosted by the Council for Economic Education. The competition began with more than 10,000 students. Continue reading →

Refugee flourishes at Westbury HS, will graduate with full scholarship to study physical therapy

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Editor’s Note: This week, thousands of HISD seniors will receive their diplomas during graduation ceremonies across the district. Many of our students have overcome challenging circumstances during their educational journeys. We are sharing a few of their stories this week.

Ludreche Bouanga was 11 years old when he moved to Houston with his family from Gabon, a country bisected by the equator on the Atlantic coast of Africa.

The young refugee spoke no English and knew little about American culture when he started as a middle-school student in HISD. Seven years later, the 18-year-old is graduating from Westbury High School with a scholarship to attend Allen Community College in Kansas, where he plans to study physical therapy and run track and cross country.

“I didn’t think it was possible,” he said. “But I met some people who helped me along the way.”

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With full scholarship in hand, Davis HS senior is first in her family to go to college

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Editor’s Note: This week, thousands of HISD seniors will receive their diplomas during graduation ceremonies across the district. Many of our students have overcome challenging circumstances during their educational journeys. We are sharing a few of their stories this week.

Odallis Almendarez is the first in her family to go to college. She has been awarded a full scholarship to Dickinson College in Carlisle, which is located in southeastern Pennsylvania. She plans to study political science.

Almendarez was an English Language Learner when she began school.

“It was really challenging, but it didn’t stop me from working hard and always striving to be in the top 10 percent of my class,” she said. “I wanted to make my parents proud and be a role model to my little sister, who is 12.”

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Sharpstown International senior credits self-motivation, strong work ethic for achievements

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Editor’s Note: This week, thousands of HISD seniors will receive their diplomas during graduation ceremonies across the district. Many of our students have overcome challenging circumstances during their educational journeys. We are sharing a few of their stories this week.

Take care of business.

That has been Miguel Gutierrez’s mantra throughout his high school career, and it’s been a philosophy that has served him well since leaving his parents behind in Mexico to fulfill his dreams here in Houston.

“At first it was hard, but they raised me to be a responsible person,” said Miguel, who has lived with his older brothers the past four years. “I’ve paid attention in school because I know the opportunities are worth it.”

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