Hays CISD Students Shine At Competitions
By, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor
Hays Consolidated Independent School District strives to “nurture students to become extraordinary citizens through unique, personal educational experiences through an innovative community of learners while celebrating our diversity and legacy.”
Hays CISD is home to two four-year high schools, six middle schools (6-8 grade), fourteen elementary schools, an alternative high school of choice and disciplinary center.
Hays CISD has over 20,000 students enrolled between its 24 campuses according to the district’s website.
Here is a quick look at what Hays CISD students and staff were up to the week of February 25 — February 28.
Several Tom Green Elementary students participated in this weekend’s Austin Energy Regional Science Fair. The students that attended placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in their grade levels at their campus Science Fair, and that qualified them to participate in the Austin regional fair.
Participating students were:
- Bailey Wright & Sienna Leon – 1st Place
- Keiley Yi – 2nd Place
- Kenzie Davila – 1st Place
- Nyla Witt – 1st Place
- Bella Garcia – 2nd Place
- Jake Wright – 2nd Place
- Paula Zapata – 2nd Place and Health Through Science Award Honorable Mention
This week, Hays CISD was fortunate to have two Girl Scout Troops with their moms and Troop Leaders volunteer at the Hays CISD Clothes Closet.
“The enthusiasm these young ladies and our volunteers bring to the Clothes Closet makes a world of difference,” the district said.
The Hays High School UIL Computer Science Team attended the Hays UIL Tournament in Computer Science this week.
Levi Barksdale won 4th place in the Written test; Anthony Douglas, Kevin Champagne and Jacob Medel won 3rd place in the Team and the Hands on Programming categories.
In honor of Career and Technical Education Month, the district highlighted some of their award winning CTE students.
- Grand Champions – Hays County Livestock Show
- Lehman High School: Garrett Moore – Broilers, Hayden Lugo – Market Duroc Swine, and their teachers, Joe Henderson, Lindsey Perry, Carly Speir, Ricardo Cruz, and Asiah Munnings
- Hays High School: Jack Giberson – Turkeys – sweeping the categories, Katie Edwards – Rabbit Showmanship, and their teachers, Brandon Henry, Katy Henry, and Mindy Camp
- State-Advancing – Skills USA Cosmetology Quiz Bowl Team – Hays High School: Kaylee Talamantes, Bryhana Lara, Chloe Molina, Maddie Ramos, and Lilly Sutton, and their teachers, Gabriel Lopez & Aimee Foster
- State-Advancing Crime Scene Investigation Team – Hays High School: Amy Reyna, Kayleigh McCaslin, and Mariah Gonzales, and teacher, Andrew Dodd
The district thanked the CTE Culinary Arts students, under the direction of Chef Ryan Georgi, for making dinner on Feb. 25 for the Board of Trustees as part of CTE Recognition Month.
In addition to these honorees, the district had an additional CTE student speak during the Public Forum section of the Board meeting.
His name is Vincent Perez. He is the Team Nova Lead Design Engineer. He is a sophomore in the Lehman PLTW engineering class, and his teacher is Matt Hanf.
Perez talked about all he has learned as a part of the F1 program, and he encouraged the Board and Hays CISD administration to find room in the school schedule for a class where the F1 students could work on their craft.
The district said they are incredibly proud of all of their CTE winning students; many will be going on to compete at the state level later this semester.
CTE courses and their component competition groups prepare students for high wage and high demand careers.
The district offers certifications that will allow these students to enter the workforce a step ahead of their peers – right out of high school.
The program provides students with a chance to explore various career options and enhanced earning potential while continuing their education after high school. The CTE programs in Hays CISD are under the direction of Director, Suzi Mitchell.
The board also recognized the district’s Two Hays High School United States Marine Corps Junior ROTC Marksmanship Teams.
- Lyandra Martinez
- Andrew Larson
- Jacob Nealis
- Jason Champagne
- Franco Fabela
- Chloe Patterson
- Alexis Velazquez
- Tristan Jordan
- Dominic Ramirez
The teams are under the direction of Senior Marine Instructor, Lt. Col. Donald K. Wimp, and Gunnery Sergeant, John S. Glaister.
In December, both of Hays CISD’s Marine Corp JROTC marksmanship teams dominated competition to win the top two team slots in Texas. In addition, students from Hays High School took the top three individual spots.
For the second year in a row, the number one individual shooter in Texas is team captain, Andrew Larson, Lyandra Martinez came in second, and Jason Champagne completed the podium sweep with a third place win.
Earlier this month, the two teams placed 3rd and 5th at the national Marine Corps championships earning them spots to compete in March for the national champion marksmanship team across all military service branches. Hays High School is the only high school in the nation to qualify two shooter teams for this competition.
It started with more than 3,000 teams and now it’s down to the final 28 in the nation.
Two students have been named members of the All-State Honor Choir: David Garcia Suarez, Lehman High School, and Sarah Gianotti, Hays High School.
Each fall, 70-THOUSAND students across Texas audition to become part of the Texas Music Educators Association honor choirs and bands. Only a few eventually reach the top honors and we are proud to have two in our school district!
TMEA sponsors the Texas All-State audition process to promote students’ dedication to their musical knowledge and skill.
Lehman High Scohol’s Lobo Choir rolled up a number of honors at the last weekend’s UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest, hosted by Austin’s McCallum High School. Lobo Director Thomas Duebner and Assistant Director Mary Grasso saw ten of their soloists and one ensemble qualify for State Solo and Ensemble!
Soloists earning a “1” (Superior) rating (advancing to State) on Class 1 solos included seniors David Garcia Suarez and Daniella Lopez, juniors Ashlynn Arzola, Kayla Loupe, and Caleb Neal, sophomores Alexandra Dorantes, Mikayla Ojeda, Madi Rivas (not pictured), and Alyssa Jizelle Rodriguez (not pictured), and freshman Jayda Scarborough.
The Lobo ensemble “1” included senior members David Garcia Suarez, Keven Martinez, and Jayden Raymond, and sophomores Jared Brown and Logan Robison. Finally, five more Lobo soloists scored “2” (Excellent), including seniors Marco Balderas, Sarah Greenfield, and Taelor Pena, junior Nejon Bride McStubbs, and freshman Gabi Rivas. (Lead photo is of ALL levels of recognized Lobos).
Members of the HHS Choir participated in the annual UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest at McCallum High School. Ten students qualified to move on to Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest as vocalists later this spring.
Those students are Sophie Andersen, Bodhi Chae, Hannah Cook, Taylor Cooper, Savannah Elkins, Sarah Gianotti, Lily Miller, Koryn Siddiqui, Victoria Sosa, and Christina Thies.
Ben Smith will also advance to TSSEC for his performance on the piano!
Kellie Fletcher, Isabella Hilton, Mariam Kimpel Flores, Paolina Sada Nieto, Casper Smith, Anna Zeigler, and Melanie Guebara earned Superior Ratings for their solos, and Sarah Brager and Eden Martinez earning an Excellent Rating for their performances.
Earlier this month, the Lobos traveled to Grand Prairie TX to compete at the T.A.M.E. (Texas Association of Mariachi Educators) State Mariachi Festival, earning 5th place among the best 6A high school mariachis in the Lone Star State.
Riding that momentum, Los Lobos ventured south to Edinburg TX, to participate in the UIL State Mariachi Festival, where they earned unanimous superior ratings from a panel of three esteemed collegiate Mariachi professors.
In addition to this accolade, an individual “Outstanding Performer” gold medal was awarded to Sonny Hunkin, a senior violinist of Los Lobos and a four year veteran of the program.
The group represented their school and district with integrity, wisdom and pride.
Mariachi Los Lobos’ year is far from over, however. The group will be performing at Texas State’s “Noche de Mariachi” next week on March 6th, at 7:50 PM, among other mariachi groups from the Central Texas area.
Future endeavors include competitions in Robstown on April 13th, Laredo on April 27th, and Albuquerque NM on July 13th.
