Travis High School’s One-Act Play wins First Place at State UIL Competition

FORT BEND ISD – The cast and crew of Travis High School’s one-act play were awarded the state championship after performing at the UIL One-Act Play competition on May 22 at Bass Concert Hall in Austin. 

Under the direction of Tommy Grubbs and assistant Tiffanie Thomas, Travis High School (THS) performed “Unexpected Tenderness” by Israel Horovitz. THS advanced to the state level after competing at the Zone, District, Area and Regional levels.  “Unexpected Tenderness” is a biographical memory play about a son who discusses his decision to end the cycle of abuse and centers around a dysfunctional Jewish family and its abusive, yet remorseful father whose demons ultimately drive his family away.

THS competed against seven other 5A high school theatre groups for the state title.  Cast members and individual awards include Jon Rivenburg (Best Actor and Samuel French Award), Shea Peterson (All-Star Cast), Carissa Cardy (Honorable Mention All-Star Cast), Andrea Rodriguez (Honorable Mention All-Star Cast), Duane Garcia-Facey, Taylor Winks, and Ryan Siller.  Crew members include Jose Sabillon, Claire Brady, Jules Iradukunda, Kyrah Schoenberger and Andrea Martinez. Reagan Moore, Tiffany Abreu, Rachel McCall, and Micheal Raby are alternates.

Several Travis students have contributed to the success of the show, including  Marjorie Cade, Tejal Thakor, Miles Agee, Sydney Moore, Katlyn Gupton, Manny Soto, Jonathan Blair, Quinn Kobrin, Brandon Willis, Marisa Emiliani, Trey Tobias, Ronel Edipokeya, Chris Uhlig , Ashley Blakeman, Courtney Crews  and many others.  The show includes many special and original props made by the technical staff led by Brady and McCall. The lights were designed by Kyrah Schoenberger. Jules Iradukunda worked on selecting vintage costumes and repairing them for stage use, and Andrea Martinez designed the sound. The award-winning technicians are led by outstanding stage manager, Jose Sabillon. THS Principal J.J. Kyle has also been a major contributor to the show’s success.

For more information about the State competition or Travis Theatrical Company news, please visit www.travistheatricalcompany.com.

The UIL One-Act Play Contest was founded in 1927 and is the largest high school play production contest or play festival in the world. 

Travis High School's UIL One-Act Play cast and crew.

##

2013 UIL State Track and Field Championship Winners named in Fort Bend ISD

FORT BEND ISD - Several Fort Bend ISD student athletes competed in the 2013 UIL State Track and Field Championship tournament, on May 10 and 11, and earned numerous awards, including five gold medals, 11 silver medals, and five bronze awards. In the team standings, Marshall High School Boys were recognized as the 4A State Runner-Up, the Bush High School Boys team was named third-place finishers, and Ridge Point High School’s Boys team came in sixth-place in the 4A Boys Standings.

Students at the following schools also won individual and team awards at the championship tournament:

Austin High School (5A Division)

• Bria Druilhet – 1^st place, Girls Triple Jump; 5^th place, Girls Long Jump
• Aleah Hurst – 4^th place, Girls Long Jump

Bush High School (5A Division)

• Rushell Harvey – 1^st place, Girls 100-Meter Dash; 1^st place, Girls 200-Meter Dash
• Chad Davis, Kasey Poole, O’Shea Wilson and Wayne Grice – 2^nd place, Boys 4x200 Meter Relay
• Darren Land, O’Shea Wilson, Chad Davis and Wayne Grice – 3^rd place, Boys 4x100 Meter Relay
• Jarra Owens – 4^th place, Girls 100-Meter Dash
• Tim Saddler, Kevon Murray, D’Andre Lewis and Chad Davis – 5^th place, Boys 4x100 Meter Relay
• D’Andre Lewis – 5^th place, Boys 800-Meter Run
• Jennifer Arinze, Jarra Owens, Vanessa Egwuata and Rushell Harvey – 8^th place, Girls 4x400 Meter Relay

Elkins High School (5A Division)

• Darvin Kidsy – 8^th place, Boys High Jump

Hightower High School (5A Division)

• Jeia Gillam – 4^th place, Girls Discuss; 5^th place, Girls Shot Put

Marshall High School (4A Division)

• Mylana Hearn – 1^st place, Girls Triple Jump
• Kendall Sheffield – 2^nd place, Boys 110-Meter Hurdles; 2^nd place, Boys 300-Meter Hurdles
• William Polley, Brandon Jenkins, Mark Barre and Kendall Sheffield – 2^nd place, Boys 4x100 Meter Relay; 4^th place, Boys 4x100 Meter Relay
• Jaelin Hatton – 3^rd place, Girls 100-Meter Hurdles

Ridge Point High School (4A Division)

• Cameron Burrell –  1^st place, Boys 100-Meter Dash; 2^nd place, Boys Long Jump
• Jalen LaCounte, Deante Ford, Mark Roman and Cameron Burrell – 4^th place, Boys 4x400 Meter Relay
• Blake Wesley, Jalen LaCounte, Mark Roman and Cameron Burrell – 7^th place, Boys 4x100 Meter Relay

##

Kempner High School’s Health Science Technology Class honored with fourth White House Silver Eagle Award

FORT BEND ISD - For the fourth consecutive year, Kempner High School’s Health Science Technology II class was honored with President Barack Obama’s White House Silver Eagle award for hosting its annual blood drive that harvested 763 units of blood. The Silver Eagle award is the highest honor a teenager can merit from the White House.

The 2013 class’ record harvest surpassed that of previous classes and set records in both Fort Bend and Harris Counties. The units of blood will benefit St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital’s blood bank, under the direction of Craig Valiare, and will be used to support Dr. Denton Cooley’s team of heart surgeons at the hospital’s Heart Institute.

The Sugar Land City Council honored the 27 Health Science Technology II students at a recent City of Sugar Land City Council Meeting. Mayor James Thompson presented Dr. Jeff Ricken, Health Science Technology instructor, with a proclamation on behalf of the City Council recognizing the class for receiving a national award for its record-breaking blood drive.

Photo 1: Members of Kempner’s Health Science Technology II class being honored at a recent City of Sugar Land City Council meeting.

Photo 2: Shown are the students who took part in Kempner’s annual blood drive that earned them the national White House Silver Eagle Award.

Photo 3: Dr. Jeff Ricken, KHS instructor, shown with students in their school’s new clinic.

FBISD Theatre Students to attend National Convention 

FORT BEND ISD - Several Fort Bend ISD theatre students will attend the National Convention of the International Thespian Society, which will be held on June 24-29 in Nebraska. At the conference, the students will have the opportunity to attend acting, dancing and theatre workshops, compete in various competitions, and present and attend plays performed by high school students from across the country. Juniors will also have the opportunity to audition for more than 60 college and university theatre programs.

The following FBISD students will represent their high schools at the convention:

Austin High School – Erin Lavespere (Costume Design)

Bush High School – BreAnna Holliday and Armando Huerta (Duet Acting); Evangeline Proctor and Noah Alderfer

Kempner High School – Evan Rossi (Monologue); Jacob Burkholder and Vanessa Lau (Duet Musical Theatre); Andrea Mendoza, Jamal Rahal, Kaleigh Treiber, Jacob Sorsoleil and Ben Zaruba (Group Acting); Nsela Ndando (attendee)

Ridge Point High School – Joanna Hobbie and Vince Vaughan (Duet Acting); Patrick Moccia (Short Film)

Travis High School – Shea Peterson and Jon Rivenburg (Coram Boy Lead Actors), Anna Smith (Coram Boy Chorus Member/Singer), Shea Peterson, Carissa Cardy, Jules Iradunkunda (Group Acting/Main Stage show); Claire Brady, Carissa Cardy, Jules Iradukunda, Rachel McCall and Reagan Moore (Coram Boy Hair/Makeup); Courtney Crews (Musical Theatre auditions)

##

Drug Take Back gets Big Response from FBISD Community

FORT BEND ISD - The Fort Bend ISD Police Department, Safe and Drug Free Schools Department, and the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition recently sponsored the Drug Enforcement Administration’s “National Drug Take Back Initiative.” This event gave Fort Bend ISD community members the opportunity to clean out their medicine cabinets of old, expired or unwanted medicine and avoid giving youth access to the medications, which can lead to abuse and addiction. Through the event, approximately 125 community members dropped off a total of 361 pounds of medicine for safe disposal.

Photo: Shown during the Drug Take Back event (from left) are Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition members Annette Henderson, Ron Rutledge, Mary Kiernan and Laura Jenkins.

Fort Bend ISD salutes its 2013 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

FORT BEND ISD - Fort Bend ISD is proud to announce the names of the 22 high school students who earned the distinct honor of being named the 2013 FBISD valedictorians and salutatorians. These top scholars earned the two highest rankings among their graduating classes after years of hard work and commitment to their academic careers. We congratulate them on their accomplishments and wish them continued success along their school and career pathways.

The FBISD 2013 valedictorians and salutatorians are:

Austin High School

Valedictorian: Oscar Dao (left) and Salutatorian: Yash Tarkunde (right)

Bush High School

Valedictorian: Kelly Medrano (left) and Salutatorian: Sheree Henry (right)

Clements High School

Valedictorian: Lilly Shen (left) and Salutatorian: Benjamin Tu (right)

Dulles High School

Valedictorian: Robert Shen (left) and Salutatorian: Michael Chen (right)

Elkins High School

Valedictorian: Samuel Konstanty (left) and Salutatorian: Milan Doshie (right)

Hightower High School

Valedictorian: Dhrumil Patel (left) and Salutatorian: Alwin Somasundaram (right)

Kempner High School

Valedictorian: Dainah Pham (left) and Salutatorian: Brittany Irizarry (right)

Marshall High School

Valedictorian: Nishat Momin (left) and Salutatorian: Christopher Stein (right)

Ridge Point High School

Valedictorian: Duff Dean (left) and Salutatorian: Alyson Miranda (right)

Travis High School

Valedictorian: Shreeya Patel (left) and Salutatorian: Swathi Ariyapadi (right)

Willowridge High School

Valedictorian: Dave Cachero (left) and Salutatorian: Bethany Easterling (right)

##

Fort Bend ISD Board Elects 2013-2014 Officers, New Trustees Sworn In

FORT BEND ISD – Two Fort Bend ISD Trustees were re-elected on May 11 and were sworn in at the May 20 Board meeting.  Jim Rice and Dave Rosenthal will serve three-year terms for Position 3 and Position 7, respectively.

The Board also elected officers for 2013-2014 to include: Jim Rice, president; Susan Hohnbaum, vice-president; Bruce Albright, secretary; and Grayle James, assistant secretary.

The Fort Bend ISD Board of Trustees official May 11 Election results are:

Trustee Position 3

Vanesia Johnson    1,456 (29.62%)
Jim Rice                3,460 (70.38%)

Trustee Position 7

Keciana Enaohwo          149 (2.94%)
Cynthia Lenton-Gary   1,871 (36.87%)
Rodrigo Carreon           184 (3.63%)
Dave Rosenthal          2,871 (56.57%)

For complete election results for the May 11 Board of Trustees Election, go to Fort Bend County Election Results.    

Pictured from left:  Dave Rosenthal and Jim Rice

The Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition encourages Families to Play it Safe during Seasonal Celebrations

Help spread awareness of underage drinking and the consequences of social hosting

FORT BEND ISD -The end of the school year brings several opportunities for families and friends to celebrate our youth. Many families are eager to host after-prom parties, graduation celebrations and Memorial weekend get-a-ways to welcome in the summer. While these celebrations make for great memories and family fun, they can also cause concern for those who worry about the availability of alcoholic beverages to their underage youth.

As a friendly reminder to the community, the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition encourages families to play it safe and avoid social hosting during celebrations. Social hosting, also known as “The Cool Mom Law,” is when adults knowingly allow a minor (who is not their own child) to consume alcohol or use other drugs within their private residence, land or secured property. Social hosting can also take place when adults are not on the premises and did not provide the alcohol, but allowed the party to take place.

While it may be common practice for some individuals to provide youth with access to alcohol, underage drinking is against the law. It's also against the law to make alcohol available to a person younger than 21 (other than your child or spouse) even in your own home and with their parent's permission. If you break the law, you face a maximum penalty of one year in jail, a $4,000 fine, and an automatic suspension of your driver's license for 180 days upon conviction.

See the effects of underage drinking

View the video, The Unconscious Truth, created by the Texas Young Lawyers Association to educate students and parents on the signs of alcohol poisoning and the legal and physical consequences associated with binge drinking. The video is inspired by actual events that took place at a house party.

The Facts

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration reports that more than 80 percent of children say parents are the leading influence in their decision to drink or not. Most six-year-olds know that alcohol is only for adults, but between the ages of 9 and 13, children start to think differently about alcohol. Many children begin to think underage drinking is acceptable, and some even start to experiment at an early age.

What you can do:

• Talk to your children about underage drinking.
• Refuse to supply alcohol to youth.
• Supervise your youth parties.
• Make sure that alcohol is not brought into your home on onto your property by your child’s friends.
• Create alcohol-free activities in your home.
• Report underage drinking by calling the anonymous, toll-free hotline at 1-888-THE-TABC (1-888-843-8222).

“I am excited to see the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition spreading awareness on the issue of social hosting and advocating real solutions on what can be viewed as ‘private’ issues,” said Deputy Jerome Ellis, Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. “A cool mom doesn’t break the law, but is engaged with her youth and demonstrates productive decision making when it comes to youth.”

Join the Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition in spreading awareness of the consequences of underage drinking and social hosting. Doing so may help save lives. For more information on Texas Underage Drinking Laws, visit the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission’s websites at www.tabc.state.tx.us/ or www.2young2drink.com/.

The Fort Bend Community Prevention Coalition, formed by Fort Bend ISD’s Safe and Drug-Free Schools division and the Fort Bend Regional Council on Substance Abuse, Inc., is comprised of individuals and organizations that support drug-free youth. The coalition’s mission is to prevent and reduce youth substance abuse by building healthy school and community environments. Coalition members represent 12 sectors of the community, including civic or volunteer, community, business, government, healthcare, media, parent, religious, school, youth-serving, and other organizations involved in reducing substance abuse.

##

Sugar Land Rotary Honors FBISD District Teachers of the Year and Finalists

FORT BEND ISD – The Sugar Land Rotary honored Fort Bend ISD’s District Teachers of the Year and other finalists during a Teacher Appreciation recognition program held at a recent Rotary meeting. The Rotary has recognized exceptional teachers through this special program for more than 17 years.

On May 8, Sugar Land Rotarians welcomed the teachers and their campus administrators to the event, expressing their gratitude to these remarkable teachers. Charles E. Dupre, Superintendent of Schools, introduced each honoree, who then shared what they enjoy most about teaching.

Honored were the FBISD District Teachers of the Year: Johnny DeJesus, Elementary Teacher of the Year from Heritage Rose Elementary; and Walter Benavides, Secondary Teacher of the Year from McAuliffe Middle School.  Also honored were finalists:  (elementary) Amanda Castro, Schiff Elementary; Amanda Levermann, Settlers Way Elementary; Amber Mann, Jones Elementary; Rosa Martinez, Parks Elementary; (secondary) Shakira Guillory, Progressive High School; John Glenn Ramon, Hightower High School; and Chelsea Waite, Bowie Middle School.  Unable to attend were Terri Court from Meadows Elementary, and Caroline Bartlett from Kempner High School.

Each teacher received a gift card from the Rotary in appreciation of their outstanding efforts as a teacher, as well as their dedication to the profession and their students.

Pictured at the Sugar Land Rotary teacher appreciation luncheon are (front row, left to right): Teacher of the Year finalists Amanda Levermann, Amber Mann, Amanda Castro, Chelsea Waite, and Shakira Guillory.  (Back row, left to right):  Charles E. Dupre, FBISD Superintendent of Schools; finalists Rosa Martinez and John Glenn Ramon;  Johnny DeJesus, Elementary Teacher of the Year; Walter Benavides, Secondary Teacher of the Year; and Ward Pendleton, Rotary Club President-Elect.

FBISD’s Extended Day Program offers Exciting Summer Camps for District Students

FORT BEND ISD - Fort Bend ISD’s Extended Day Program has exciting news for the summer. The program will host summer camps for students of various ages, including Camp PEP for preschoolers, Camp BLAST for grades K-5, and the SELF Program for students who have completed grades 5-7.

Camp PEP (preschool students)

Preschool students in Fort Bend ISD are invited to attend Camp PEP (Preschool Enrichment Program). The program will offer great enrichment, summer activities, and learning fun for eligible preschool students. The camp will be held at only one location this summer, the Ridgemont Early Childhood Center (5353 Ridge Creek Circle, Houston, 77053). To be eligible for Camp PEP, students must have turned four years old by September 1, 2013, or are entering kindergarten in the fall of 2013.

Camp BLAST (Grades K-5)

FBISD students who are completing grades K-5 are invited to attend Camp BLAST (Bringing Learning And Summer Together). The program will provide enrichment activities, field trips, and learning fun.  Students will take part in fun games and activities, explore island countries, study the water’s edge, explore art, and enjoy winter fun in the sun. Camp BLAST will be provided at 10 elementary campuses for eligible students.

SELF Program (middle school students)

The Extended Day Program also offers a summer program for FBISD students who have completed grades 5-7. The SELF (Success, Experiences, Leadership and Fun) Program provides students with project and inquiry-based activities that call on their critical thinking and collaborative skills. Students will also spend time hanging out, learning about themselves, visiting universities and improving their health and well-being. The SELF Program will be offered at the Technical Education Center, behind Dulles High School (540 Dulles Avenue, Sugar Land, 77478).

Registration at Extended Day Main Office

Parents may register for summer programs at the Extended Day Main Office (226 Lakeview Drive, Sugar Land, 77498), beginning May 20 through August 5, from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, Mondays through Fridays.

For information regarding Camp PEP, Camp BLAST or the SELF Program, visit the Extended Day Program website at www.fortbendisd.com/extendedday or call 281-634-4220.

##