FBISD juniors explore judicial system
Members of Fort Bend Independent School District’s Student Leadership 101 program recently had the opportunity to spend the day with two Fort Bend County judges, the Juvenile Detention Center superintendent and the district’s police chief.
The students’ first stop was the Juvenile Detention Center to meet Superintendent Frankie Hill for a tour of the facility.
The students next visited judges Susan Lowery and Toni Wallace and other officials of the Fort Bend County Court of Law No. 3.
Finally the students met Fort Bend ISD Police Chief David Rider.
FBISD named a fitness friendly workplace
The American Heart Association has designated Fort Bend Independent School District a Gold Fit-Friendly Worksite in recognition of its efforts to build a culture of wellness.
Through the district’s LiveWell campaign, employees take part in an annual health awareness fair, marathon challenge, nutrition classes, workout programs and more.
Visit www.heart.org/FFWrecognition for information.
HCC Honors College plans for growth Houston Community College’s Honors College will expand this fall to the school’s Stafford and Spring Branch campuses.
The expansion includes two new directors: professors Deanne Schlanger at Stafford and Dan Flores at Spring Branch.
Visit www.hccs.edu/honorscollege for information.
Needville ISD elections set for May 7
Two new faces will join Needville Independent School District’s school board after the May 7 election, as neither Shawn Warncke nor Jan Black, incumbents in positions 1 and 2, filed for re-election.
John West and Len Masengale have filed for Position 1, and Scott Valchar is uncontested for Position 2.
Trustees serve threeyear terms. Early voting will take place April 25 to May 3.
National program honors youths
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards has recognized 10 Texas students as Distinguished Finalists for their community service activities, among them: Kianna Hawkins of Manvel; Genesis Smothers of Cypress; Kalpana Vaidya of Sugar Land; and Mathew Walther of Cypress.
Hawkins, 17, a senior at Lamar High School, founded EyeCare4TeenVision, an initiative to raise awareness about eye health and provide basic eye care services to children in need.
Smothers, 17, a junior at Cypress Ranch High School, created an interactive reading workshop for kindergarten through third-grade students to make reading fun and to improve reading comprehension.
Vaidya, 18, a senior at Stephen F. Austin High School, created “The World of Science,” an interactive STEM event for children in kindergarten through eighth grade that attracts 400 participants each year.
Walther, 17, a senior at Cypress Ranch High School, raised $1,100 to purchase the materials to build two free-standing mini libraries in two lowincome housing developments.
For information, visit www.spirit.prudential.com.
FBISD honors Rookie Teachers of the Year
Fort Bend Independent School District has named eight Rookie Teachers of the Year.
The elementary Rookie Teachers of the Year are: Michelle Svehla, Holley Elementary School; Nicole Henderson, Madden Elementary School; Sarah Munday, Mission Glen Elementary School; and Heather Kelley, Quail Valley Elementary School.
The secondary Rookie Teachers of the Year are: Mayra Miranda, Baines Middle School; Sabah Ali, Dulles Middle School; Katherine Nguyen, Sartartia Middle School; and Aaron Sanderson, Travis High School.
The honorees were recognized April 19, along with the Teacher of the Year finalists and Campus Teachers of the Year, at the Fort Bend ISD Teacher of the Year banquet.
Groups create pocket prairies for butterflies
The Katy Prairie Conservancy has joined Rice University, University of Houston and University of St. Thomas through the Grassroots for Change Challenge to build habitats for monarch butterflies on each campus.
Each school’s alumni, students, professors and supporters are being challenged to help raise the funds needed to create these pocket prairies for monarch butterflies and other native wildlife. KPC will post results at www.crowdrise.com/grassrootsforchange.
Mo City student joins All State Band
Alvin Community College student Karenmaria Oswalt has been named to the Texas Community College All State Band.
She performed recently in the All State Band Concert in San Antonio and received an honorable mention at a Houston Flute Club competition.
Houston Texans linebacker Brian Cushing helped recognize 10 outstanding teachers at the Stars in the Classroom luncheon Feb. 16 at the Houston Texans Grille.
Fort Bend Independent School District’s Austin High School orchestra teacher Carolyn Vandiver was among those recognized with game tickets, Texans memorabilia, a $500 donation to her school and a surprise classroom visit by wide receiver Cecil Shorts III.