FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE

DATE:  May 28, 2004

CONTACT:   Vicki Hewitt, Tuloso-Midway ISD Communications and Development Specialist, 361-903-6403 or 215-8493

New Cum Laude Banquet Tradition Recognized Honor Graduates and TMISD’s Most Inspiring Teachers

The Tuloso-Midway Independent School District Board of Trustees ushered in a new tradition on Tuesday, May 18, by holding the first Cum Laude Banquet to honor star graduates and the teachers selected by those graduates as the teachers who influenced their lives the most. Forty-one Cum Laude seniors and their parents, along with each student’s honored teacher, were recognized at the banquet.

High School Principal Donald Garrett awarded honor cords to each student to wear at graduation. Each distinguished student scholar gave the teacher who had encouraged him or her the most a special 2004 “Igniting the Spirit” recognition. The new flame-shaped award symbolizes the teacher’s ability to inspire and ignite a passion for learning in their students.

Tuloso-Midway ISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Rue and TMISD School Board trustees also congratulated the students and teachers, and a student octet sang “Keep the Flame Alive,” by Carl Strommen.

“One of our main goals for the event was to encourage our teachers who give so much day after day. We wanted to thank them for the innovative ways they continue to teach and relate to our students. Teachers really do have the power to ignite a passion for learning in the students they teach. We are grateful for the inspiration this group of teachers has provided to these young scholars, and we hope the students take that passion with them into their chosen fields of study,” Rue said.

Teachers were touched at the recognition they received from their students and school administrators.

“It was the warmest feeling I have had as a teacher in a very, very long time,” English teacher Angela Steagall said. “The kind words from board members and Dr. Rue made everything all the more wonderful.”

High school chemistry teacher Nora Martinez agreed.

“I cannot express what the Cum Laude Banquet meant to me,” Martinez said. “It was such a special evening filled with excitement and joy. I will cherish my ‘Igniting the Spirit’ Award forever.”

Cum Laude seniors are those who attain an overall academic average of 90 percent or above while enrolled in the rigorous Distinguished Achievement Program curriculum. 2004 Cum Laude students recognized at the banquet were: Abby Ainsworth, Drew Anderwald, Danielle Baen, Ross Barber, Rudy Barrera, Courtney Bartlett, Villy Bhakta, Brittany Boyd, Robert Burkhalter, Christina Carrigan, Christine Crook, Elisa Deffendall, Sarissa Finch, Bernadette Flores, Karla Givens, Amanda Helm, Lacey Hofstetter, Adam Langenkamp, Sydney Lee, Jorin Leija, Aissa Longoria, Jessica Lopez, Aubrie Lysinger, Zachary McCain, Vanessa Mercado, Jonathan Merritt, Sara Miller, Jose Mireles IV, Danielle Parinello, Grant Peters, Trent Pruett, Allison Ramos, Ericka Saenz, Robert Sharpe, Adrian Simnacher, Tara Simpson, Pam Soles, Joan Swetlick, Katie Wallace, Jeffrey Winton and Morgan Wyatt.

2004 “Igniting the Spirit” teacher honorees were: Carole Babineaux, Barbara Cann, Nanette Chapa, Yvonne Chavera, Bobby Craig, Michelle Davis, Sandra Dudley, Kay Hammond, Manny Hernandez, Zeke Hernandez, Diana Johnston, Janice Knezek, Nora Martinez, Judy Moore, Steve Riojas, Larry Sanchez, Steve Snyder, Angela Steagall, Linda Utter and Rodney Williams. Some teachers were selected by more than one student.

-TMISD-