Aldine ISD Celebrates Top 10 Scholars From Each of its High Schools

Disponible en:

The Top 10 seniors from MacArthur High School pose with the medals they received at the Superintendent’s Top 10 Scholars Celebration on Thursday, May 11, at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center. Pictured with the students are MacArthur Ninth Principal Yule Everline, left, and MacArthur High School Principal Shauna Showers.

Aldine ISD held its fourth annual Superintendent’s Top 10 Scholars Celebration on Thursday, May 11, at the M.O. Campbell Educational Center.

The event is held annually to recognize the Top 10 scholars at each of the district’s 10 high schools.

The Top 10 students were treated to ice cream and received medals to signify their standing as the top academic achievers at their respective high schools.

The students were also given an opportunity to share with the audience what college or university they would attend and what they would major in. This group of Aldine seniors has been accepted to John Hopkins, Harvard, Yale, the University of Michigan, Boston College, the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, the University of Houston, Stanford, and many other prestigious institutions of higher learning.

Chief of Staff Sheleah Reed delivered the welcome and congratulated the seniors for their hard work to reach Top 10 status in their respective classes.

“This is truly a special event, and I am so excited that we can gather to celebrate the academic accomplishments of our outstanding scholars,” Reed said. “Graduation is right around the corner, and a new journey is about to begin. It’s a big deal to receive the rank of 1-10. You’ve worked hard to get here. Continue to reach for the stars as you embark on your collegiate careers. Keep the work ethic that earned you this recognition here today.”

Reed then introduced the keynote speaker, Blanca Soto. Soto is a graduate of Aldine High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental design from Texas A&M University and her Master of Architecture from the University of Houston. She is a project manager at PBK Architects, a Houston-based firm that designs educational facilities. She is also a licensed architect in the State of Texas.

Soto shared with the students the story of her journey that took her to where she is today.

She knew at 12 that she wanted to be an architect.

Soto was born in Mexico, and at the age of one, she and her family immigrated to Houston with few resources, with two small children unaccustomed to the language. Still, her parents were determined to provide her and her sibling with a good life.

“Because of my parents’ struggles, I think I had to grow up a little faster,” she said. “My humble beginnings made me understand that just being in this country is a blessing. I understood from a young age that I needed to take advantage of the opportunities that came my way and all the help offered.”

Soto challenged the Top 10 scholars to continue to work hard and take advantage of opportunities when they are presented to them.

“There is no straight path toward success,” Soto said. “Everyone has their own path and their timeline. A&M was no easy walk in the park. I went to school with people way smarter than me, with people with more cultural experience, and students with generations of college graduates in their families. But that was ok. I just had to keep working hard, and at the end of the day, I graduated alongside these same students, some of who became friends.

“Today, I am amongst some of the brightest students in Aldine who I know will achieve great things. You all have already heard so many cliches this senior year from your teachers, parents, and counselors; unfortunately for y’all, I’m joining the same list. It’s ok to work a little harder than most; it’s ok to fail; it’s ok that sometimes life gets in the way. You all have already achieved the honor of being the Top 10 students in your class. Don’t let it stop there. This achievement is yours. You’ve earned it, and I know you will work for a lot more.”

Following Soto’s remarks, Aldine ISD Superintendent Dr. LaTonya M. Goffney delivered remarks of her own, letting the Top 10 scholars know this event is one of her favorite of any school year.

She congratulated the Top 10 scholars as being some of Aldine’s “best and brightest students.”

Dr. Goffney also shared with the scholars the importance of the medals they each received.

“The medal you are wearing now symbolizes your hard work and dedication,” she said. “It reminds me of a quote that I go back to often that has served me well when I need a bit of motivation or just a push in the right direction: ‘Do what you have to do until you can do what you want to do.'”

She said she hoped the students would take that quote to heart as they advance in their academic careers.

“You all understand this because you’ve sacrificed many nights doing what you had to do – like all-night study sessions to pass a test or finish a project – to be where you are today. You understand that reaching a goal requires hard work and dedication – and that it isn’t always fun or easy. I’ve been there. I understand. Like you, I was an earnest and hard-working student. My grandparents, Big Mama and Papa, encouraged education and wanted me to work hard so I could go somewhere and do something good with my life, and I wanted to make them proud. I kept the middle initial “M” for my maiden name, McGowen, as a reminder of their sacrifices and support as I grew up. A first-generation college student, I was all business, all work, all the time. And thanks to that work ethic, I graduated from Coldspring-Oakhurst at the top of my class. I’ve been there.”

Dr. Goffney also challenged the Top 10 scholars to make the most of their opportunities in college and beyond.

“Make memories. Take every opportunity to participate in student government, choir, sports, and set. Try it all! And finish. Live your best life and have fun. Congratulations on a job well done on behalf of myself, our Board of Trustees, and the administrative team.”

The Top 10 scholars from each Aldine ISD high school are:

ALDINE HIGH SCHOOL

• David Villa
• Lauren Bains
• Valerie Castellanos
• Emely Reyes
• Emily Barcenas
• Jesse Flores
• Maria Gomez
• Melanie Rocha
• Rebecca Cervantes
• Yamilez Cortez

AVALOS P-TECH HIGH SCHOOL

• Jason Coreas
• Jocelyn Suerte
• Monica Flores
• Terryn Hargis
• Chelsea Mendoza
• Kayla Castaneda
• Marilyn Calderon
• Jesus Puente
• Angie Macias
• Christian Flores-Zavala

BLANSON CTE HIGH SCHOOL

• Ismael Diaz
• Sophia Mari Waterhouse
• Elena Lai
• Vanessa Tapia
• Elisabeth Zapata
• Yahir Pastran
• John Ezekiel Cabalquinto
• Giovanni Cortes
• Delilah Alize Sandoval
• Ana Barbara Navedo Alvarez

CARVER HIGH SCHOOL

• Ryan Jamyra Randolph
• Eniola Oluwatoyin Awe
• Ryen Kynnedi Nellum
• Julianne Velez
• Mariam Joana Kamara
• Zane Larue Justice
• Skyla Imari Gallow
• Delores Monea Sells
• Miliani Jahmia Huff
• Jessica Alexis Rivas

DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL

• Tony Dinh
• Calvin Lee
• Jasmine Calderon
• Mariela Bonilla
• Uziel Beltran
• Joselyn Lemus Escamilla
• Leslie Gonzalez-Cisneros
• Jonathan Beltran
• Abner Yanes
• Miranda Hernandez

EISENHOWER HIGH SCHOOL

• John Nhat Duong
• Mia Dariana Palacios
• Carolina Castro
• Eric David Cardenas
• Sydney Rose Prier
• Michelle Le
• Maritza Cristal Apolinar
• Tahamid Jarif Bhyiyan
• Cathy Nguyen
• Katelyn Leah Reyes

HALL SUCCESS ACADEMY

• Jasmine Hardwell
• Johanna Sanchez
• Evelyn Zapata
• Conception Nunez
• Yvett Arroyo
• Moriah Davis
• Imzadi Lousteau
• Markus Perez
• Denisse Guerrero
• Jacqueline Arellano Castaneda

MACARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL

• Karla Duran
• Abeiro San Juan
• Ronnie Leija
• Nadxieli Jimenez Bielma
• Melanie Fabela
• Kaitlin Tello
• Jasmine DeLeon
• Maritza Avellaneda
• Desyree Acosta
• Melissa Avellaneda

NIMITZ HIGH SCHOOL

• Sarah Tabrez
• Oluwaseyi Pena
• Evelyn Rojas
• Pedro Pereira
• Jennifer Harrington
• Carlos Otalora
• Esmeralda Rodriguez
• Lauren Braxton
• Talyah Thomas
• Madyson Moore

VICTORY EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

• Yoselyn Rebekah Owolabi
• Nashaly Guadalupe Diaz
• Isabel Kaithlyn Pamfile
• Guadalupe Ledezma
• Andrea Cruz
• Cody C. Vilaiya
• Jonathan Alexander Ortega
• Jonathan Alexander Bush
• Mayowa O.S. Ogunbowale
• David Elias Almanzan