Driscoll students lead NEISD board meeting
Two outstanding students from Driscoll Middle School were chosen to lead the North East ISD Board of Trustees regular meeting in May. Introduced by their principal Lori Murach, students Andrew Moneer shared the invocation and Joel Sondashi led everyone in the pledges to the U.S. and Texas flags.
Andrew is an eighth grade honor student, member of National Junior Honor Society, a PAL, and he has played football, basketball, track and golf while at Driscoll. He will attend MacArthur High School next year. He was joined at the meeting by his parents Michael and Shannon Moneer, and his sister Julia who will be graduating from MacArthur in two weeks.
Joel Sondashi is an eighth grade honor student, a member of National Junior Honor Society and the Robotics team. He plays tenor saxophone and percussion in the Driscoll band. He qualified for the region band in 7th grade, as well as earned Division 1 ratings at Solo and Ensemble contest in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. He has also played on the football, basketball, track and soccer teams at Driscoll. He will attend MacArthur High School next year. He was joined at the meeting by his parents Christopher and Olivia Sondashi, and siblings, Oliver, Mia and Hope.
Other impressive student accomplishments were also highlighted at the board meeting, including the following.
NEISD Student Volunteer of the Year
The recipient of this year’s NEISD Student Volunteer of the Year Award is Fatima Madero. Fatima is a senior at Johnson High School. She has dedicated over 165 hours to her school and community through the organizations she is involved with. Fatima volunteered with San Antonio Public Library, at the Encino and Parman Branch libraries, where she helped direct the Teen Club Program and organize events and activities for the Children’s Summer Program. In addition, she has been volunteering as a multilingual tutor for the Cultural Outreach Program before and after school for the past two years. She co-founded this first student led tutoring program where she provided academic support and guidance to more than 50 Johnson students in various courses and languages besides English. She also volunteered for a holiday drive called Secret Angles Drive and with her church for Vacation Bible School. She will attend the University of Nebraska in the fall. She was joined at the board meeting by her mother Ana Lujan and father Hernan Madero.
Do the Write Thing campaign
The Do the Write Thing essay campaign gives middle school students the opportunity to write about how violence has impacted their lives and what solutions they can offer to better help peers.
North East ISD students, Zeke Peterson and Maya Ruedas-Blanco from Jackson Middle School, were recognized for their writing. Zeke is named the first place National Student Ambassador from Bexar County, and Maya is the NEISD Finalist. Zeke will travel to Washington D.C. in July on an awards trip with his mother and teacher. His essay will also be archived into the Library of Congress. Maya was awarded a new computer for her winning essay.
Skills USA
SkillsUSA offers competitive activities in which students strive to achieve in a variety of occupational skills and leadership areas. Occupational skill contests include the building trades, health occupations, automotive technology, the electrical industry, and personal services.
This year, we had many students compete and win in several different trade areas. These students were recognized by our Board of Trustees.
1st place State Residential Wiring – Jonathan Wendell who will also be advancing to Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.
1st place State Industrial Motor Controls – David Navarro who will also be advancing to Nationals in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.
2nd place State National Electrical Code Test – Fransisco Banda
2nd place State Carpentry – Jackson Maika
3rd place State Material Identification Test – Daniel Murueta
11 Electrical projects that received state Superior Blue Ribbons.
(First Place State Superior Electrical Boards)- These are projects that students created to resemble an authentic residential wiring build.
Board #1 First place State Superior - Isaac Casares – Mason Mcclintick
Board #2 First place State Superior - Maria Torres-Guardado – Alexa Martinez-Ramirez
Board #3 First place State Superior - Sadrac Gonzalez – Jesus Cisneros
Board #4 First place State Superior - Daniel Murueta – Hunter Colbath
Board #5 First place State Superior - Spencer Newkirk – Leland Villa
Board #6 First place State Superior - Alexander Montoya
Board #7 First place State Superior -Brandon Garcia – David Navarro
Board #8 First place State Superior - Mustafe Muse – Megan Ashworth
Board #9 First place State Superior - Olivia Araiza
Board #10 First place State Superior - Jonathan Wendell
Board #11 First place State Superior - Daniel Browne
Reagan Girls Golf Team
The board honored the Reagan High School Girls Golf team. This talented group finished second overall at the UIL 6A Girls Golf State Championship.
These athletes include Lydia Portlock, Danielle Bailey, Marissa Loya, Lauren Patterson, Paula Ortiz Zamora and Baylee Huff. They were joined by their coaches Aki Russell and Stephen Martinez.
UIL 6A State Track and Field Meet finalists
The board recognized the amazing accomplishments of several high school track athletes for their performance at the state level. They are:
From Reagan High School:
Samuel Abati, Pole Vault State Champion
Gavin Chapa, 1600m Run Silver Medalist
Isabella Degrosa, 300m Hurdles Silver Medalist
From Churchill High School:
Alejandro Rosales, 800m Run Silver Medalist