Dr. Luis Landa served as the principal of Sharpstown International High School for two years before becoming the Executive Director of Feeder for HISD’s West Division. He oversaw significant achievement growth at the campus, and his dedication to his students and staff and belief that everyone who passes through Sharpstown’s doors has the potential for greatness is what makes him this week’s HISD Star Educator.
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Lights. Camera. Lead. HISD spotlights Star Educator Reggie Bush
Reggie Bush is deeply connected to the cultural diversity at Wisdom High School, where he serves as principal. All seven continents are represented in Wisdom’s student body, and maintaining a learning environment that helps students from all walks of life thrive is what makes Principal Bush this week’s HISD Star Educator.
Continue readingHISD students engage with politics with presidential debate watch parties
A recent Harvard poll indicates that more than half of young Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 definitely plan on voting in this November’s Presidential election. For many high schoolers, this November will mark the first major election in which they will be eligible to vote, and excitement is high in HISD. High school students turned out by the dozens on Tuesday night to watch the debate between former president Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris at several campus-based watch parties throughout the District.
Lights. Camera. Lead. HISD spotlights Star Educator Diego Linares
This week’s Star Educator, Dr. Diego Linares, is a seasoned educator with experience helping schools meet their full potential. When Linares was named principal of Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center High School in 2022, he was more than prepared to help guide the school into a successful future.
Continue readingLamar High School valedictorian prepares to change the world with activism, empathy
During his 13 years in HISD, Lamar High School graduate Michael Hamad collected quite a few superlatives. He maintained perfect attendance from kindergarten through his senior year, and he was named the 2024 senior class valedictorian. Maintaining perfect grades is a herculean task on its own, but Hamad’s ambitions far surpass going above and beyond for his own acclaim. In addition to his exceptional academic record, Hamad has a vision for a brighter and more equitable future, and he has big plans to make it happen.
Continue readingLights. Camera. Lead. HISD spotlights Star Educator Alisa Zapata
Dr. Alisa Zapata has served as principal of Westside High School since 2022, where she and her team work to provide a vital, engaging educational experience for their zoned students, Westside’s STEAM magnet, and Futures Academy of Health Science students. She is this week’s HISD Star Educator.
Continue readingHISD seniors turn tassels a second time at HCC graduation
Days after receiving their high school diplomas, HISD dual-credit seniors accepted their associate degrees or professional certificates at Houston Community College’s (HCC) 2024 commencement ceremonies on Thursday, June 13.
Continue readingHISD senior awarded full scholarship to “Little Ivy” university
No person is born at their fullest potential. Troy Jackson, a senior at HISD’s Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy, would tell anyone that much. Jacksonnever expected greatness, but with hard work and perseverance, as well as guidance from a handful of trusted adults, he is preparing to attend Swarthmore College in the fall on a full academic scholarship.
Continue readingHISD seniors honored with scholarships at Superintendent Scholars Luncheon
As another school year draws to a close, HISD seniors are not only preparing for exams, prom and graduation, but for the vast and unknowable world that awaits them after high school. In acknowledgement of the bright and exciting futures that await them, HISD granted the Superintendent Scholars Award to an outstanding senior from each high school, and bestowed an additional honor to the Superintendent’s hand-picked top 10.
Continue readingHISD sophomore combats food insecurity with nonprofit food delivery service
Layla Lee, a sophomore at Young Women’s College Preparatory Academy, is only fifteen years old, but she is already on a mission to change the world around her for the better.
Lee founded and runs a nonprofit organization called Community Cuisine, a project devised to combat food insecurity in her community. Inspired by a school visit from the Pangea Network, an organization devoted to empowering women and youth, Lee applied for their Young Women’s Leadership Challenge (YWLC), a program that encourages young people to start their own community service projects.
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