Tag Archives: Cool to be smart

EMERGE senior surprised with gift of new car

This year, thanks to generous donations from the HISD Foundation and Smart Financial, HISD’s Cool To Be Smart program was able to award two lucky students – one junior and one senior – with a car.

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One lucky graduating senior to drive away with new car Sunday

Smart Financial Credit Union donates 2015 Toyota Corolla for Cool to be Smart

One lucky HISD senior will drive away with a brand new car at HISD’s annual Cool to be Smart event on Sunday, May 17, at the Bayou City Event Center. The 2015 Toyota Corolla was donated by Smart Financial Credit Union,  a long-time supporter of HISD and the district’s commitment to expanding student access to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate , and dual-credit courses.

“It’s an honor to sponsor this great program which rewards the hard work of HISD students,” said Smart Financial Credit Union CEO Gary Tuma.  “We only wish we could afford to give every outstanding HISD graduate a car to let them know congratulations, you are important, and job well done.”

Smart Financial and Joe Myers Toyota are taking the car on a “road trip” this week to visit several HISD high schools, so students can check out the new Corolla. Watch the video below to see the reaction from students at Eastwood Academy.

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Waltrip HS senior wins car at Cool to Be Smart

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Nearly 2,000 HISD sophomores, juniors and seniors got together Sunday to let the world know it’s Cool to Be Smart. It also pays to be smart – many students left with prizes — and one senior won a brand new car.

The event honored students who have taken Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or dual language courses and their corresponding exams.

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Bellaire High School Graduate Wins New Car at ‘Cool to Be Smart’ Celebration

Bellaire HS grad Kevin Dwyer with the car he won at the Cool to be Smart celebration

Bellaire High School graduate Kevin Dwyer, who caught a ride with his friend to the event, left the third Annual Cool to Be Smart celebration on Sunday in a brand new 2013 Dodge Avenger donated by the HISD Foundation and Helfman River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

“This is really cool!  I never thought I’d win,” said Dwyer who will be studying electrical engineering at Texas A&M University this fall.  “My friend’s dad joked around that I would win, but I never imagined it would actually happen.”

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HISD to Give Away New Car at Third Annual ‘Cool to Be Smart’ Celebration

HISD Foundation supports the event for third year in a row

Nearly 1,000 recent graduates will have the chance to enter a drawing to win a brand new car and more than $10,000 in scholarships at the upcoming third annual Cool to Be Smart celebration on Aug. 4 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bayou City Event Center, 9401 Knight Road.

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HISD to Giveaway New Car at Second Annual ‘Cool to Be Smart’ Celebration

The Houston Independent School District is contacting more than 1,000 recent graduates who qualify to win a brand new car at the upcoming second annual Cool to Be Smart celebration on Aug. 5.

The purpose of this annual event is to encourage and recognize scholars who completed five or more Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses or a combination of both and took the corresponding exams.  Students who score high enough on these exams are eligible to earn college credits.  Click here to watch a video and read about last year’s inaugural Cool to Be Smart event.

“In HISD, not only have we raised the standards and rigor for all our students, we also celebrate their hard work and achievements,” Superintendent Terry Grier said.  “Cool to Be Smart recognizes students who challenged themselves academically by completing college-level coursework. I am so proud that more and more students in HISD are taking these courses and earning college credit during high school.” 

The number of AP exams taken by HISD students that resulted in scores high enough to earn college credit has increased 35 percent since 2009.  All HISD high schools currently offer at least 15 AP courses.

HISD staff will be calling all of the qualifying Class of 2012 students from more than 40 high schools in July to ensure they are present to enter the drawing and win prizes.  These recent graduates will also receive an official invitation by mail.

The grand prize, a new 2012 Dodge Caliber, was donated by Helfman River Oaks Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram.

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