Alief ISD Points of Pride Week of January 7, 2016

Help us share the news about our Points of Pride!

Seven Alief ISD seniors were named Posse Scholars. The students were selected for their extraordinary academic and leadership potential. They will each receive a four-year, full-tuition leadership scholarship from the Posse Foundation’s partner colleges and universities.
Congratulations to the following students:

  • Alief Early College High School
    • Drew Bernard (The University of Texas at Austin)
    • Hastings High School
    • Christian Gonzalez (The University of Texas at Austin)
  • Kerr High School
    • Mariah Menendez (Carleton College)
    • Jannette Nguyen (University of Virginia)
    • Khuong Nguyen (University of Virginia)
    • Emmanuel Valencia (Texas A&M University)
  • Taylor High School
    • Allison Sanborn (Texas A&M University)

Two Alief ISD student groups performed in the community during Winter Break on December 21. The Alief Middle School Girls’ Harmony Choir performed on Univision’s Morning Show, and the Collins Elementary Choir performed a holiday song at the Toyota Center. The AMS performance was part of the pre-game show before the Houston Rockets took on the Charlotte Hornets.

Hastings High School students Cristian Gutierrez (tuba), Dennis Pena (clarinet), Gideon Mukoro (french horn), Hector Mexquitic (trumpet), Saul Diaz (trumpet) and Jose Gutierrez (euphonium) earned spots in the Region 23 Honor Band. Dennis Pena and Cristian Gutierrez also advanced to area competitions, where they will audition for the Texas All-State Band.

Kerr High School teacher Steven Bolting was presented the 2015 Inspiration Award by The University of Texas at Dallas’s Erick Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science. Bolting, who was nominated by his former students, was recognized for motivating and inspiring future computer scientists.

Educational Diagnostician Candace Cockrell recently received her doctorate degree from Sam Houston State University in Educational Leadership. Her dissertation focused on the academic performance of students attending early childhood programs.

O’Donnell Middle School teacher Dr. Richard Spitz performed with the Theatre Under the Stars orchestra in the recent production of A Christmas Story.

Heflin Elementary teacher Irene Oloko received funding for two projects through DonorsChoose.org. She received funding for healthy snacks to help keep kindergarteners’ brains alert and energized for school work. She was also awarded iPads as learning tools.