Category Archives: High Schools

Meet the North Forest HS senior who already has his own radio show on KCOH

In this edition of I am HISD, which features district students, graduates, employees, and other team members, North Forest High School senior Joseph Vaughns talks about how he landed his own radio show on KCOH 1230 AM, which life struggles he considers a blessing, and what his plans are for after graduation.

Joseph Vaughns

You host the Generation Next program on Saturday mornings at KCOH 1230 AM. How did a high school senior come to be hosting his own public radio show?

I started at the radio station as an intern when I was in the eighth grade. I learned to work the board as a deejay and to produce the Saturday show call “Person to Person” with Lisa Berry-Dockery.

Time went on and the owners of the station changed; they no longer needed me. They told me they would call me if they needed me and eventually, they did. Early one Saturday morning, I received a call asking me to come in to the station because they needed someone in the morning temporarily. I filled in for about two Saturdays and they asked me if I was interested in the position. I’ve been there ever since.

Tell me a bit more about Generation Next. How long have you been hosting that show and when did it first start airing? What is it designed to showcase? Continue reading →

Your Voice feedback paves way for school improvement

HISD recently released the results of the 2013-2014 “Your Voice” survey, which gave thousands of students, parents and instructional staff the opportunity to share information on how HISD and individual schools have progressed toward district and campus goals.

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The survey, which was conducted for the second year in a row this past May, measures perceptions of safety, rigor and environment within the district. The survey also allows HISD to better understand the needs of its schools and to foster a culture of community engagement that will help guide future initiatives. Continue reading →

Community connections described as the key to successful middle college launch

Urban school districts are always exploring new ways to keep kids in school, and one of the most innovative is the middle college high school model. Designed to serve young people who find it hard to thrive at traditional high schools, these campuses provide students with smaller classes, more personalized attention, and the additional support needed to help them succeed.

HISD opened two such schools this fall, and Diana Del Pilar, the principal of the Gulfton-area campus, shared the benefit of her experience with a panel of visiting educators from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) on Sept. 12.

“Build relationships before you start, so students can feel that there really is a difference,” she told the group, which included AFT President Randi Weingarten. “If you don’t, you won’t have the framework in place to hold the structure together.” Continue reading →

Washington HS names first Hispanic drum major in school’s history

Brandon Pallares shows off some of the moves that earned him the drum major’s mace this year.

When Brandon Pallares walked into the center of Delmar Stadium on Sept. 4, he wasn’t just stepping out onto a football field—he was also stepping into HISD history.

This year, Brandon was named the first Hispanic solo drum major of the Baby Ocean of Soul in Booker T. Washington High School’s 120-year history, a reflection both of his skill as a leader and the growing diversity on the campus that was once known as Colored High School. Continue reading →

56 HISD students named National Merit semifinalists

Fifty-six students from six Houston ISD high schools are semifinalists in the 60th annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

The students, who attend Bellaire HS, Carnegie Vanguard HS, Challenge Early College HS, DeBakey HS, The High School for Performing and Visual Arts, and Lamar HS, are eligible to receive part of the $33 million pot of scholarships that will be awarded in the spring. There are nearly 16,000 semifinalists nationwide, and about 7,600 will receive scholarships. More than 22,000 students applied by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. Continue reading →

Grads Within Reach walk returns 59 dropouts to class

Fifty-nine high school dropouts are back in the classroom this week, thanks to volunteers with Houston ISD’s 11th annual Grads Within Reach walk.

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More than 200 volunteers canvassed the city to encourage students who had not returned to school this year to continue their education. The volunteers knocked on 1,400 doors and chatted with about 500 people. Continue reading →

Fallen firefighter’s foundation donates books to HSLECJ

The High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice has new textbooks for future firefighters, thanks to a generous donation.

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The Garner Foundation delivered the books to the school in early September. The foundation was created in honor of firefighter Robert Garner, who lost his life while battling a massive five-alarm fire at the Southwest Inn, 6855 Southwest Freeway on May 31, 2013. Three other firefighters also died battling that blaze. Continue reading →

Yates boys’ basketball teams receive title trophies

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Yates High School received the 2013 and 2014 Conference 3A Boys Basketball State Championship trophies on Tuesday. The University Interscholastic League (UIL) awarded the titles to Yates after they were forfeited by Dallas Independent School District’s Madison High School in August.

“This is a really exciting day. It means a lot for the community and the school,” Coach Greg Wise said. Continue reading →

Sharpstown HS to host food drive Sept. 6 with 97.9 The BOX

Almost 90 percent of the student body at Sharpstown High School qualifies to receive free or reduced price lunch, but that hasn’t stopped them from noticing that others are also struggling to keep food on the table.

That’s why students and administrators at that school are hosting a campus food drive on Saturday, Sept. 6, in partnership with 97.9 The BOX.

On-air personalities will be broadcasting live from the school from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. that day, thanks to the generous support of Godsey-Martin P.C. The law firm will also make a $10 contribution for every 10 food items donated, up to $10,000. Continue reading →

CenterPoint volunteers go to the phones for Grads Within Reach

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Taking time off from supplying the Houston area’s energy needs, 25 CenterPoint Energy employees spent Wednesday calling HISD students who have yet to report to school this year. The Grads Within Reach volunteers reminded the students how important it is for them to complete their education and encouraged them to return to school. Continue reading →

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