Tag Archives: graduation

Genderfluid Heights HS graduate takes bold steps toward a more inclusive future

Historically, the night of senior prom is supposed to be a magical capstone that defines our high school experiences. It’s the night to which we compare all other nights that make up our adolescence. We don’t know what to expect, but that’s part of the excitement. Anything can happen. You’re dressed to the nines, surrounded by your friends in a fancy environment that makes you feel like an adult—and after all, aren’t you an adult? Graduation is only weeks away, and then you enter the real world, whatever that means. This is your last night to define High School You™ and to show your peers how you want to be remembered when you look back on your high school career.

When Heights High School student Miles Steinmeyer walked into his senior prom, he didn’t know what to expect. He was excited. But that excitement, as it always is when Miles takes bold steps into the unknown, was colored by fear. Miles is tall on an average day, but as he strode into prom in a pair of four-inch heels, he towered over his classmates, statuesque. There was no way for Miles to blend in. He didn’t want to blend in.

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Graduation ceremony schedule, venue information available for the Class of 2018

Hundreds of HISD seniors will walk across the stage this spring during graduation ceremonies planned for May 26 through June 9.

Most ceremonies will take place at various locations around the city (primarily the Barnett Fieldhouse, Butler Fieldhouse, Delmar Fieldhouse, NRG Arena, NRG Stadium, Texas Southern University campus, and Wilkins Pavilion).

A few will be taking place early (HSPVA and E-STEM on May 26 and May 31, respectively) or later (Liberty HS on June 10), so be sure to check the schedule for times and locations at HoustonISD.org/GraduationCalendar. Continue reading →

HISD senior “grad walks” help inspire younger peers 

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Cheers, chants, and high-fives echoed through the hallways at HISD elementary schools this week as high school seniors marched single-file past their younger peers – a tradition of “grad walks” that are gaining in popularity every year.

The walks were held not only to give the seniors a sense of pride, but to help inspire the elementary students to follow on their own paths toward becoming Global Graduates.

High schools that held grad walks this year include: Austin HS, Sterling Aviation HS, Northside HS, Sharpstown HS, Sharpstown International School, Wheatley HS, and Westside HS.

Nearly 11,000 seniors from HISD will graduate in dozens of ceremonies across the city starting today.

Madison HS senior graduates despite health challenges 

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Surrounded by his family and doctors, as well as HISD Board President Wanda Adams, Madison Principal Orlando Reyna, and staff members, senior Erick Reyes donned a graduation cap and gown for a moving bedside ceremony at Texas Children’s Hospital on Friday.

Fox News was there and posted this story on their website.

Erick has been suffering with bone cancer for the past two years and was recently moved to hospice care. He enrolled at Madison in 2012 and was well on his way to graduation when he was diagnosed with bone cancer.  Erick struggled to continue his studies while receiving treatment but had to stop due to the severity of his illness. He went into remission and returned to campus to finish his final classes, but unfortunately, the cancer returned. Although Erick was unable to complete his dream of walking across the stage with his classmates, he was pleased to be honored with his diploma.

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