Westbury High School graduating seniors learned during a video call with Michelle Obama that they are one of only 20 campuses in the nation and the only one in Texas to be named winners in a voter registration challenge co-chaired by the former first lady.

The competition was held by MTV and the national nonpartisan group When We All Vote (WWAV), which was launched in 2018 by Obama along with celebrities like actor Tom Hanks, pro basketball player Chris Paul and country music stars Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

“It is extremely impressive that our Westbury students had an opportunity to be on a call with Mrs. Obama,” HISD Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan said. “It is equally impressive that they put in the work and carried out a pledge to educate and register their peers to vote.”

Four Houston Independent School District graduating seniors have received $2,500 each from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, which selected them from a pool of more than 15,000 outstanding students nationwide.

One of the HISD students attends Bellaire High School, two attend Carnegie Vanguard High School and one attends Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.

Due to the threat of inclement weather, the Houston Independent School District and Houston Food Bank are rescheduling the mass community food distribution planned for Saturday, May 16 at NRG to ensure the safety of families, staff, and volunteers.

The rescheduled mass community food distribution will be held on Monday, May 18, from 2 – 7 p.m. in the NRG Yellow Lot. It will be operated by the Houston Food Bank.

Families also can continue to visit HISD’s regular, weekday food distribution sites next week. Each site can distribute up to 500 bags — or 15,000 pounds of food — per day.

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education issued a proclamation during its regular meeting declaring the month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in HISD. 

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month honors the enduring legacy of Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans, and also celebrates their significant contributions. Asian Americans and Pacific Islands Americans have played a significant role in our city and state, leading our community in such industries as education, medicine, finance, government, and international trade. The theme of this year’s May-long celebration of “This power of our stories gives power to the future.”

To join the district in celebrating APAHM, click here to download lesson plans, student activities, and guides designed for teachers seeking ways to include Asian Pacific American information in the classroom.