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THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS OF ‘09
FRIDAY NIGHT HEIGHTS MINI MULES CHEER AT HOMECOMING
Future Mule Cheerleaders, ages ages four to 13 participated in the Friday Night Heights event sponsored by the AHHS Cheerleaders.
Teaching future and current Mules the essentials for celebrating and cheering on our Mules was key to the event, which allowed attendees a coveted spot on the field next to their instructors during the AHHS Homecoming Football Game.
The extended cheer team, captured by photographer Brandi Sutherland.
DEDICATED TO TEACHING KIDS
The National Merit® Scholarship Program is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships.
Congratulations to the following students from the Class of 2022 who are receiving recognition through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) for their performance on the PSAT/ NMSQT. Approximately 1.6 million high school students enter the program each year.
The 2022 Semifinalist Scholars are: Andrew Holzbach and Gabrielle Walrath.
The 2022 Commended Scholars are: James Byrd, Logan Iruegas, Madelyn Leonard, Richmond Lagueux, Daniel Robelo, Marc Thiltgen, Elizabeth Walsh, Jacob Williams, and Gavin Wiltshire.
The National African American Recognition Program Scholars are: James Byrd, William Hervey, and Gavin Wiltshire. The National Indigenous Recognition Program Scholars are: Keoni Rose and Gabrielle Walrath. The 2022 National Hispanic Recognition Program Scholars are: Sergio Alvarado, Joseph Anguiano, Alexander Bates, Carolina Benavides, James Byrd, Cullum Cantu, Carson DeLeon, Ana Dippel, Paul Eguia, Ava Esquivel, Agustin Esteva, Eric Guzman, Jett Harrison, Sarah Hernandez, Logan Iruegas, Braden Kerby, Claudia Mendible-Diaz, Jamie Mayes, Andrew Perez, Daniel Robelo, Layla Rocha, Amalisa Rodriguez, Rebecca Rodriguez, Zane Romero, Rodrigo Rosas, Keoni Rose, Rocio Salgado Soberanes, Matthew Silva, Emma Thompson, Victoria Torres, Gabrielle Walrath, and Reagan White.
There are two teachers at Woodridge Elementary who are celebrating their 50th year of service in education. Together, that’s 100 years of service! Woodridge teachers Debbie Dixon and Carol Walters have dedicated their careers to education and their students.
Alamo Heights ISD is so grateful to them for their service.
Congrats to this pair who continue to shine in extraordinary ways and who make a difference in the lives of their students and colleagues.
MAKING THEIR MARK
The AHHS Wind Ensemble, under the direction of David Stephenson, was selected as the national winner in the Mark of Excellence / National Wind Band Honors Project.
The group was selected out of 236 of the finest musical ensembles from 38 states in the nation.
TEDDY BEAR PICNIC
Howard littles know the importance of family and the role they play in their educational lives. To celebrate them, students invite their parents, grandparents, and siblings to visit their school and enjoy a Teddy Bear Picnic with them. Our AHISD families enjoy this popular event evident by the number of families that attend to spend time with their Pre-K and Kinder kids. Principal Yvonne Munoz shared, “We are happy to be able to welcome our families into the outdoor setting to celebrate family and fellowship and the importance of these relationships for our students and our schools.”
STUDENT ART CELEBRATES TEACHERS
In celebration of World Teachers’ Day, TeachersCan, a statewide organization of over 125 businesses, organizations, universities, and educational associations, dedicated to supporting teachers and elevating the status of the teaching profession, invited all 11th and 12th grade students to participate in a statewide art exhibition and competition in partnership with the Texas Art Education Association.
The theme for the event, in response to the pandemic and the many challenges overcome by our schools, was “Teachers Can Light the Way Forward.” Students were asked to create either a 2D or 3D art piece that addressed the theme of honoring teachers, the career of teaching, the positive impact a teacher had on them, or the passion for art inspired by a teacher. Each region was awarded three scholarships. AHHS student, Reed Karcher, was the recipient of one of the $1,000 scholarships.
Karcher, created his own work of art and wrote an accompanying statement about how teachers make a difference. Karcher shared, “Often times we overlook the positive impact that teachers have on students, and how that relationship can drastically change the student for the better.”
Casey Fallis, Reed Karcher’s Art teacher is the one who inspired his art.
LEAVING A LEGACY LONG-TIME SAN ANTONIO MUSIC TEACHER HONORED WITH EDUCATION FUND
The San Antonio Choral Society (SACS) is proud to honor the memory of long-time SACS member and San Antonio music teacher Sandi Ashworth by creating the Sandi Ashworth Memorial Music Education Fund.
Sandi dedicated her life to music education and choral music. SACS is pleased to create this fund to continue that legacy in San Antonio. This fund will support the SACS’ student programs for mentees, college scholarships and college conducting interns, promoting music education as Sandi did her entire life.
Sandi was a talented member of SACS for 28 years and a music teacher for 42 years in the Alamo Heights School District. Even in retirement, she continued to substitute and teach weekly guitar lessons to 4th and 5th graders at Woodridge Elementary School. Sandi was also the music director at Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church for many years.
115 student athletes representing 61 high schools have been chosen for the San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game, presented by H-E-B which will showcase top local high school players on Saturday, January 8 at the Alamodome. The area’s top senior players will take the field at 5 pm for the 44th anniversary of the game. The game follows the All-American Bowl which kicks off at noon.
Three Alamo Heights Mules have been named to the Gold Team: James Sobey, QB, Boone Hetrick, C, and, Roan Erwin, ILB.
One ticket serves as admission for both the All-American Bowl and San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game presented by H-E-B. The San Antonio Sports All-Star Football Game, presented by H-E-B, will feature players who are committed to play for some of the top universities in the country as well as those looking for an additional chance to impress college scouts with potential scholarships to offer. 63 players who were in the 2021 All-Star Game signed to play college football, with 25 going to NCAA D1 schools, including six committing to University of the Incarnate Word and five to UTSA. San Antonio loves high school football, and game day will be an incredible showcase of high school football talent. San Antonio Sports is proud to partner with Dave Campbell’s Texas Football in bringing recognition to the great high school talent in the San Antonio area.
Village on the Green 555 E. Basse Road Suite 103 San Antonio, TX 78209 210.829.8885
The Rim Shopping Center 6028 Worth Pkwy STE 105 San Antonio, TX 78257 210.558.3411
SMH CELEBRATES BELOVED ANNUAL TRADITION
In October, the community joined Saint Mary’s Hall (SMH) for its annual Fiesta celebration, a fun-filled school carnival inspired by the San Antonio festival of the same name. It marks the first time since the pandemic began that SMH was able to host the event in-person and on campus for the community.
First held in the 1940s, Fiesta was originally a fundraiser, where booths were created and run by students representing a variety of school clubs. Today, Fiesta is a “fun-raiser,” with more than 1,000 students, parents, alumni, faculty, and staff enjoying an afternoon of food, fun, and games.
Families experienced numerous activities, including Plinko, face painting, bounce houses, a dunk tank, and spin-a-fish. Food included a Cheesy Jane’s food truck, a donation of 200 chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-A, and dozens of pizzas from Papa John’s. The El Mercado Sweet Shop also made a triumphant return, with sweets donated by SMH families. Parents donated their time by volunteering to work the event and help make the festival a resounding success.
“Fiesta brought me back to my childhood, a time of being carefree, full of laughter, and memories of happy times with friends. Helping with all of that was worth it to see the smiles, hear the laughter, and watch the special memories being made,” said Flor Richards, SMH parent, and volunteer.
While the event was shortened this year from three hours to two hours, it was jam-packed with excitement and fun and provided an opportunity for the SMH community to celebrate a tradition dating back more than 70 years.
