SMEF Inducts Six Outstanding Graduates Into SMHS Distinguished Alumnus Hall Of Fame
Six San Marcos High School graduates who have achieved national recognition and outstanding success in their careers and civic lives were inducted into the 2020 San Marcos Education Foundation’s Hall of Fame during the fifteenth annual event during the recent Rattler homecoming football game.
“This honor recognizes San Marcos High School alumni who have demonstrated notable achievement, professional excellence and/or distinguished service to their communities,” said Rosina Valle, Vice President of Alumni Relations of the foundation’s board of directors.
This year’s honorees are Jennifer LaCoss (1995), Mary Golson McBeth (1969), Yolanda Diaz Musquiz (1993), Chase Stapp (1988), and Angela Webber (1997).
“These individuals, all successful in their own right, have one thing in common: they were educated at San Marcos High School. The Distinguished Alumni are not only a source of pride but role models for our students,” Valle said.
As part of the foundation’s mission to recognize excellence in education, the Alumni Relations committee presents the annual Distinguished Alumnus Awards. “This award celebration has been one of our greatest sources of pride as a community,” said Valle.
“The purpose of the Distinguished Alumni Award event is to recognize and honor former graduates of the San Marcos High School whose achievements, the strength of character and citizenship serve as models to inspire and challenge today’s youth,” she added.
“As our students and their families learn about the stories of these individuals’ amazing successes, they see that the sky really is the limit for all SMHS students.”
Honorees were recognized during the presentation, which included a special video of all recipients discussing their achievements and how being educated by San Marcos CISD contributed to their success. The video can be viewed at the SMEF Facebook page at facebook.com/sanmarcoseducationfoundation
The foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization is made up of community volunteers who support the San Marcos Consolidated Independent School district through fundraising to support student and teacher recognition activities, innovative teaching grants, alumni relations activities and scholarships.
Jennifer LaCoss (1995)
Jennifer LaCoss, nominated by Cathy McBride Stoughton, is a medical doctor. After graduating from San Marcos High School in 1995, she attended Texas Lutheran University, where she played softball.
In 2001, she earned a Master of Forensic Science at the National University in San Diego, CA.
She served as a forensic scientist for the City of Houston Crime Laband Austin Police Department Crime Lab, and then decided to pursue a medical degree from Ross University School of Medicine in Dominica, West Indies.
After medical school, she completed residency training in Internal medicine at the University of Oklahoma in Tulsa and then pursued fellowship training in Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio.
She remains in San Antonio where she continues to serve the community.
She took cues from her father, and longtime coach and educator, and her mother, a palliative and hospice care nurse, and she embarked on her journey of helping others as a profession.
At SMHS, she was an all-district athlete in softball, also playing varsity volleyball, and basketball. She graduated in the Top 10% of her class and went on to play softball for Texas Lutheran University where she earned her degree in biology.
Today, she is focused on the well-being of her patients during a global pandemic. The skills of teamwork, competition, perseverance, and determination that she developed at San Marcos High School are now what drives her to serve those in need of her medical expertise.
Throughout this year, she has been on the front line combating the coronavirus. She has witnessed the pain and struggle that her patients have endured during the pandemic.
Dr. LaCoss is currently the Medical Director of Palliative Care at University Hospital in San Antonio, a physician and assistant professor of Hospice and Palliative Medicine at the Long School of Medicine in the Department of Medicine/Geriatrics, and is director of Wellness for the Hospice and Palliative Medicine Fellowship program.
She is also an Adjunct Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of the Incarnate Word, School of Osteopathic Medicine, and is a physician for Vitas Hospice.
Throughout her career, mentoring medical students has been a passion. She has mentored more than nine medical students, helping them advance through a most difficult career path.
Community service is a big part of Dr. LaCoss’ life. She has been a board member for End Violence Against Women International since 2015 and continues to volunteer as a STEM presenter for St. Matthews Catholic School.
In 2019, Dr. LaCoss’Palliative Care team at University Hospital received the Circle of Life Award from the American Hospital Association and was nationally recognized as a program that can serve as a model for other health care organizations working to embed palliative and end-of-life care in a variety of settings.
Mary Golson McBeth (1969)
Mary Golson McBeth, a 1969 graduate, was nominated by Lizbeth Champagne Johnson, and is a life-long educator. She earned her Masters in Education at UTSA after graduating from, then-Southwest Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science in Education.
At SWT, McBeth was a member of Chi Omega Sorority and a member of the Strutter Dance Team.
She began and ended her teaching career in Northside ISD in San Antonio, as an English Ill Teacher at Tom Clark High School, where she served as the TAAS/TAKS Campus Writing Coordinator, Campus Academic Technology Facilitator for English Department, and led numerous staff development and training courses for her colleagues in writing and learning strategies. She was also the University Interscholastic League Writing Coach and sponsor of the Rotary Interact Club.
From there, she went to Warren High School, where she was a Campus Instructional Technologist, training teachers and staff.
In 2006, she was promoted to Academic Technology Coordinator for Special Schools, when she directed and wrote the training manuals for Distance Learning for AP Students at Alternative High School, Alternative Middle Schools, Homebound, and Hospital Students using Skype, Facetime, Google Hangouts, and VGo Robots and Coordinated the District Media Fair
After leaving Northside ISD, McBeth embarked on a literary path, co-authoring a children’s book, “Splash Tails,” which promotes good river stewardship through the eyes of two mermaids, their salamander friends, and a turtle.
She continues to do school presentations to promote keeping rivers and waterways beautiful and promoting water safety.
A Rattler at heart, she has served on committees for every reunion celebration for the SMHS graduating class of 1969 and prepared technology that captures the memories, moments and special music so reminiscent of those days and times.
An active supporter of the Strutters, McBeth, has been on the Texas State Strutters Always Alumni Board of Directors since 2013.
She was president of the board from 2015-2017, and became a part-time staff member, where she manages the Linda Gregg Fields Strutters’ Gallery, coordinates the Strutters Always Social Media, the Strutters Always Membership Drive and the Step up for State for Strutters initiative.
She was also instrumental in the 2019 Strutters Always 60th Reunion Committee.
An active member of First Baptist Church San Marcos, her faith has inspired her to devote a major part of her life to community service, from preparing youth who became UIL Ready Writing and Spelling District, Regional Placers and State Qualifiers numerous years to serving as the chair for the Jump Rope for Heart at Roosevelt High School and a stint as the Roosevelt High School Patriots Dance Team Director.
McBeth has been recognized for her achievements. She is the recipient of the 2003 Texas Excellence Award for Outstanding High School Teachers, a 2001 Nominee for NFL National Teacher Award by Dallas Cowboys Wane McGarity, 1998 Ken Patranella PTA Award for Distinguished Teacher, 1997 Lifetime PTA Teacher Award, 1995-1996 Tom C. Clark High School Teacher of the Year, 1996 Paul Harris Fellow Award from Oak Hills Rotary, 1989 Texas Excellence Award for Outstanding High School Teachers and 1987-1988 Roosevelt High School Teacher of the Year.
Yolanda Diaz Musquiz (1993)
Yolanda Diaz Muzquiz, Class of 1993, was nominated by Michelle Knight. Her outstanding teaching career has been with San Marcos High School, where she has chosen to dedicate her life to this most vulnerable population.
She is a current Special Education Teacher, working with students in English I, II, III, and IV Resource, serving as a Co-Teacher in English I, II, III, IV, and serving as Department Chair.
A true campus leader, Muzquiz has served in a variety of roles to help promote campus/community connections to help maximize learning outcomes and the school’s reputation.
In each of these roles, Because Yolanda is a strong leader, she is committed to helping students develop their leadership skills on our campus.
Yolanda serves as our Student Council Faculty Advisor and is at the core of countless campus activities and events including class officer elections, Homecoming, community service projects, leadership retreats, and pep rallies.
No matter the event, Yolanda teaches students how to collaborate with others, plan, manage, fund raise, set goals, and work to meet those goals. She does this in a way that allows our students to learn leadership and watch their work come to life on our campus is ways that keep “Rattler Spirit” and “Rattler Pride” very much alive.
With positive student outcomes also in mind, Muzquiz is committed to helping students develop their leadership skills. Her leadership is the core of countless campus activities and events including class officer elections, Homecoming, community service projects, leadership retreats, and pep rallies, when Muzquiz teaches students how to collaborate with others, plan, manage, fundraise, set goals, and work to meet those goals.
She keeps “Rattler Spirit” and “Rattler Pride” very much alive. Muzquiz establishes a culture of support and high expectations that helps all students find success and meet their goals.
She served as Special Education Department Chair, Texas State Intern Cooperating Teacher, Texas State Student-Teacher Cooperating Teacher, SMHS New Teacher Mentor, Campus Leadership Team member, Student Council Advisor, Campus Improvement Team member, Campus Attendance Committee member, and Campus Safety team member.
Among her numerous accolades is SMHS Teacher of the Year in 2018 and 2014, TAFE Teacher of the Month, SMHS Distinguished Scholars Teacher Mentor, SM Lions Club Teacher of the Month, and Diamond Line Teacher of the Week.
With developing better outcomes for all students in mind, Muzquiz is committed to helping students develop their leadership skills.
Muzquiz is at the core of countless campus activities and events including class officer elections, Homecoming, community service projects, leadership retreats, and pep rallies, when Muzquiz teaches students how to collaborate with others, plan, manage, fundraise, set goals, and work to meet those goals. Very much alive.
Chase Stapp (1988)
San Marcos native and die-hard Rattler, Chase Stapp, Class of 1988, was nominated by Rebecca Ybarra. Stapp, who has served as the City of San Marcos’ Director of Public Safety since Sept. 2019.
A respected law enforcement officer, Stapp’s dedication to public safety is demonstrated by his 28-years of experience in law enforcement with the San Marcos Police Department.
Stapp’s servant leadership spirit led him to attend his hometown university where he pursued a degree in criminal justice and worked as an emergency communications dispatcher. Chase’s family, life, and heart lives in San Marcos.
It is his servant’s heart that encouraged him to begin his career as a police officer with the San Marcos Police Department, but it was his leadership, empathetic heart, and love for his community that elevated him to serve as the Chief of Police for his hometown.
Stapp now serves as the Director for Public Safety for the City of San Marcos and has since watched his two sons follow in his footsteps as graduates of San Marcos High School and law enforcement officers.
A graduate of then-Southwest Texas State University, Stapp earned a bachelor’s degree, with Magna Cum Lude honors.
He continued his education with Certified Public manager credentials from Texas State University and is a graduate of the University of Virginia’s Leadership, Education, and Development (LEAD) program, as well as Leadership in Police Organizations certification from the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Stapp was Chief of Police in San Marcos from 2014 through 2019, after completing a four-year stint as the Assistant Chief of Police.
Chase’s level of compassion for his fellow citizens is a value that he has worked diligently to instill throughout the men and women of the San Marcos Police Department as well as in his newly minted capacity as Assistant City Manager for Public Safety.
Starting as a police officer in January of 1992, Stapp’s talent, expertise, and leadership skills guided his rise through the ranks, including membership in the Narcotics Task Force, Uniform Patrol Division, Detective with the Hays County Narcotics Task Force, and Police Corporal.
In 2000, he earned the rank of Sargent, became the commander of the Narcotics Task Force before assuming duties as Police Commander over the Criminal Investigations Divisions.
Chase is a man of faith, values, and integrity. Through all of his career, Chase has risen above all others in unparalleled fashion. He ultimately was appointed the first in-house candidate to ever serve as Chief of Police.
Angela Webber (1997)
Angela Webber, Class of 1997, nominated by Daniel Guerrero, works for the US State Department in Diplomatic Security, Corporate Executive Protective Security, and as a bodyguard.
Growing up in San Marcos, Weber enjoyed listening to grunge music, wearing her Doc Martin Boots and loved her father who was a Texas DPS Trooper. She would beam with pride when her dad would come to SMHS for career day presentations.
She spent a short time dancing with the Diamond Line, was an outstanding member of the choir, and served on the cast of two high school musicals.
Angela’s true passion and eventual career was to follow her father’s lead into law enforcement. More specifically, the protective services.
After graduating from San Marcos High School, Weber attended Southwest Texas State University where she earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice.
She was recruited by the U.S. State Department to train and serve as a diplomatic protective officer for elected officials and diplomats of the United States.
She has been responsible for the protective services of President Barack Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Secretary Rex Tillerson, and numerous Olympic athletes.
She has traveled around the world to lead teams of federal agents and prepare for various events. Today, she is a strategic security leader for numerous high-profile corporate executives.
Since 2018, Weber serves Chevron Corporation as the Global Security Advisor- Executive Protection in San Ramon, CA. where she provides security support to the Chairman/CEO, senior Chevron executives, and the Board of Directors, performing advance planning and threat vulnerability assessments, responds to emergencies and perform medical operations and liaises with local law enforcement and U.S. Embassies.
For two years prior, she was a Special Agent for the Diplomatic Security Service, U.S. Department of State, with assignments in Pyeongchang, South Korea (Olympics); Cotonou, Benin; and Kingston, Jamaica.
She also served as Assistant Regional Security Officer, U.S. Embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname; Special Agent, Counterintelligence Division in Rosslyn, Virginia, and Special Agent, Houston Field Office in Houston, Texas. Her career has taken her to service in many other countries including Guangzhou, China; Sochi, Russia (Olympics); Laredo, Texas; and Vancouver, Canada (Olympics).
She started her distinguished career with the U.S. Border Patrol after serving as an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Texas State University.
Among her accolades is receipt of the Meritorious Honor Award (recognition of a special act or service) in 2016, 2015, and 2013.
For more information about the foundation, visit www.smeducationfoundation.org.
