CYPRESS SCHOOL NEWS Source: CFISD News Media
CFISD Students Named 2022 National Merit Semifinalists
Bridgeland Runners Qualify for 2021 Cross Country State Championships
CFISD seniors representing seven high schools were confirmed as semifinalists in the 67th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, officials announced on Sept. 15, allowing academically talented students to continue in the competition for approximately 7,500 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $30 million. The following students have been named National Merit semifinalists: CYPRESS RANCH: Miguel Alarcon CYPRESS WOODS: Tanvi Khandekar, Phuc Le, and Benjamin Yonas The semifinalists are among 16,000 students throughout the U.S. that placed among the top 1 percent of approximately 1.5 million students who entered the Merit Program by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit School Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) during their junior year. To become a finalist, semifinalists must submit a detailed scholarship application, including information about academic records, participating in school and community activities, leadership skills, employment, and honors and awards. In addition to the scholarship application, semifinalists must be endorsed by a high school official and write an essay. Qualifying students will be notified of their final designation in February, with National Merit Scholarship winners announced beginning in April and concluding in July.
Cypress Ranch HS Band Named Grand Champion at Cypress Showcase
The Bridgeland High School girls’ cross country team and Cypress Springs High School sophomore Manuel Vela qualified for the UIL Cross Country State Championships at the Region II-6A Cross Country Championships on Oct. 25 at Lynn Creek Park in Grand Prairie. In addition, Cypress Ridge High School senior Devon Simmons qualified for the state meet at the Region III-6A Cross Country Championships on Oct. 25 at Kate Barr-Ross Memorial Park in Huntsville. The Bridgeland girls placed third at the regional championships with an overall score of 106 with senior Cassidy Graham finishing eighth overall (18:45.67). Senior Allison Millan followed Graham with a 21st-place finish (19:27.61). Also running for the Bears were senior Madeleine Wilson (23rd, 19:28.99), junior Emily Ellis (25th, 19:33.87), freshman Lily Fawcett (29th, 19:46.63), junior Macie Gunn (37th, 20:05.35) and senior Elisa Grillo (70th, 21:10.01). The state berth is the third for the Bears over the last four years in the state’s largest classification. “I'm really proud of the grit this team showed on the course on Monday,” said Tom Kennedy, Bridgeland girls’ cross country head coach. “Every girl fought her way to the line and we were able to qualify for state despite having a runner become ill during the race. Most teams would struggle to overcome that, but our girls found a way to make it happen. We look forward to running a healthy, full lineup at the state meet. It's going to be a lot of fun watching the seniors go out with a bang.”
The Cypress Ranch High School marching band was named the grand champion at the Cypress Showcase marching band competition, held Oct. 9 at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium. Hosted by the Cypress Ridge High School marching band, the Cypress Showcase welcomed 11 bands from across the Houston area competing in four different classifications based on marching band size. Cypress Ranch claimed first in its classification (Class V) in addition to winning all but one performance award and being named this year’s grand champion. “We are very proud of the students and their performance this past weekend. Being recognized among other great bands and band programs is a wonderful reward for their hard work,” said Alex Denton, Cypress Ranch head band director. “The season has only just begun, so we plan to stay process-oriented and use this recognition as a sign that our process is working. The students love the opportunity to make music, dance and perform, and are excited that this has translated into an appreciation for our show.”
22 November | December 2021
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