Alief ISD schools made the 2014 Texas Honors Circle based on their high Financial Allocation Study for Texas (FAST) rating. Holmquist, Sneed, Budewig, Mata, Miller, Youngblood and Alief Early College were honored. Awarded by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, the award recognizes campuses that have achieved significant student academic growth while keeping spending relatively low.

Kennedy Elementary students and staff were featured in the Houston Chronicle’s Gray Matters blog for their traditional performance of The Nutcracker. The campus first presented the musical in 1989, and the tradition was revived in 2004 by teacher Debbie Niko. The 2014 performance marks the 11th consecutive year the fourth grade classes have presented The Nutcracker.

Killough Middle School student Aracely Villegas was accepted into the 2015 Saturday Morning Science program at Baylor College of Medicine. Selected members will be exposed to careers in the biosciences.

Horn Elementary students and staff collected $3,001.09 in the Pasta for Pennies fundraiser to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Heflin Elementary teacher Ashley Shelton recently earned funding from DonorsChoose.org for three iPad mini tablets in sturdy protective cases to enhance the learning experiences in math, science and reading of her kindergarten students.

Taylor High School band student Adrian Ellison advanced to Texas Music Educator Association’s All-Area and will be auditioning for the All-State Band. Ellison (euphonium), Luis Delgado (alto saxophone), Travis Blanks (trombone), Henry Barrera (trombone) and Everett Lewis (tuba) also earned spots in the All-Region Band.

Hastings High School student Angelo Barrientos received a contract for the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps in San Antonio. He will be touring with them this summer all over the nation and will compete in the Drum Corps International World Class Marching Band Competition.

Olle Middle School was named the 7B, 8A and 8B district football champions. Holub Middle School was named the 7A champions.

23-6A All-District Football Nominees for 1st Team Offense 

  • Elsik: Alejandro Correa (tackle), Carlos Hooker (guard), Amorama Noel (tight end) and Ernest Davis (tailback)
  • Hastings: Arthur Wilson (guard)
  • Taylor: Enrique Garza (guard), Remi Olonade (quarterback) and Anu Somoye (wide receiver)

23-6A All-District Football Nominees for 1st Team Defense

  • Elsik: Jaleel Carter (tackle), Dontavious Jackson (linebacker), Chris Brown (secondary) and Aaron Jackson (secondary)
  • Taylor: Ogo Obukwelu (end), Louis Hamilton (linebacker) and Kenneth McGruder (secondary)

Many Alief ISD graduates recently competed in college football bowl games. University of Oregon’s Torrodney Prevot (Taylor) will be playing in the national championship game against Ohio State. Other Taylor alumni in bowl games included Obo Okoronkwo (Russell Athletic Bowl), Joshua Kalu and Givens Price (National University Holiday Bowl), Trevorris Johnson (Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl), Romello Brooker (Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl) and Chris Hardeman (TicketCity Cactus Bowl). Elsik alumni Malcolm Washington played in the Hawai’i Bowl, while Ishmael Zamora played in the Goodyear Cotton Bowl. Hastings graduate Sam Carter also played in the Peach Bowl.

View the PDF