Points of Pride
Southwest ISD Newsletter
Welcome to Points of Pride, our monthly district e-newsletter featuring highlights from around Southwest Independent School District. If you have a story or highlight that you would like to submit, email communications@swisd.net.
SWHS Aviation Students Ready to Take Flight
This school year has seen great progress on Southwest High School’s Supreme Dragon
Aviation airplane build. The class airplane, a Van's RV-12iS Special Light Sport Aircraft, has
had internal wiring, fuel lines, air system plumbing, control cables and electronic flight
instrument wiring harnesses installed. Engine wiring has been completed and the propeller
assembly is being built. The most recent milestone is the connection of the tail section: the
empennage, with the passenger section: the fuselage. The next big step will be starting the engine for the first time. The Rotax 912 iS Sport airplane engine produces 100 horsepower and can take the plane to an altitude of over 19,000 feet. One of the steps in building an airplane is obtaining a tail number. This formal registration with the Federal Aviation Administration allows builders to select from available numbers following certain numbering rules. Aircraft registered in the United States all have numbers starting with “N” and comply with certain restrictions, like only 5 characters after the N. For the “Supreme Dragon Aviation” build the number N988SW was chosen. The year 1988 was a “Year of the Dragon” on the ancient lunar calendar and the SW stands for Southwest. Recent speakers include the Tex Hill Wing of the Commemorative Air Force and the Dean of Hallmark Aviation University, located at the San Antonio International Airport. The Dean and his outreach director talked to our aviation students about job placement, industry credentialing and other keys to having a successful technical career.
The Aviation program of study introduces students to the occupations and education opportunities related to inspecting aircraft, maintenance procedures, air navigation aids, air traffic controls, and communication equipment to ensure conformance to federal safety regulations. To learn more about the program click here.
Former Custodian Finds Calling as Special Education Aide
Most school days, special education aide Isidro Chavarria can be found doing what he does best: working closely with students at Elm Creek Elementary School.
“I never pictured myself working in a school, let alone the special education department,” said Mr. Chavarria.
It’s quite a change from when the 37-year-old first started working at Southwest ISD nearly six years ago as a custodian. Mr. Chavarria said he was inspired to pursue a career in education after he bonded with a troubled student.
“There was a Life Skills student that kept getting in trouble so I started checking up on him and would ask him to help with tasks and I noticed it had a positive effect on him. I looked around and realized there were other students who didn’t have a male role model and needed that type of guidance.”
School administrators noticed his influence on students and when the opportunity arose for a position as a special education aide, he was asked to apply. Mr. Chavarria got his certification and quickly made his mark with students.
“They are not my actual kids but they are like my kids. I love them.”
Mr. Chavarria is currently working in the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities (PPCD). He says it’s a natural fit for him.
“I know these kids need love and patience. As a father to five children, I have the patience to work with them.”
Mr. Chavarria isn’t slowing down anytime soon. He is working on getting his bachelor’s degree and a teacher certification. His goal is to one day have his own classroom at SWISD.
“The years that I have spent working here I see that we really are a family and we all get along. I want my own kids to graduate from SWISD and I want to help other students pursue their dreams.”
Hidden Cove STEAM 6th Graders Start Business
Hidden Cove STEAM Accepting Applications for the 2022-2023 School Year
Indian Creek ES Students Participating in L.E.A.D. Highlighted in TV News Story
Students Take to the Race Track for 4th Annual ACE Race
Two teams from Southwest ISD competed in the Alamo City Electrathon (ACE) in January. The ACE Race is a National Sanctioned Electrathon Event with Electrathon America, one of approximately 12 in the nation. This event is exclusive to students enrolled in academic institutions with a STEM curriculum. Teams from Southwest Legacy High School and CAST STEM High School competed in the race which took place Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Alamodome.
“The best part was being able to get the car on the track. We were still making adjustments and modifications to the car so being able to pass inspection and get the car on the track to race was the best part. I was proud that we never needed to make a pit stop, we never had any problems with it (car). Everything was perfect.” said Southwest Legacy High School senior Brandon Cortez.
Students started working on the cars their freshman year. Every year since then, the students were supposed to compete in the ACE Race but were unable to participate the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Students spent the past year working after school and on weekends in addition to spending class time on the cars. During the two day competition, the teams went through a series of electrical, mechanical, driver, and dynamic inspections. On race day teams participated in two one-hour races. The team with the most laps combined from the two races won. The race was not a speed race, but rather a race of endurance.
“So we built it from scratch, we figured a lot of things out. Our first year, we had a lot of problems with the chain. We focused on how the chain was moving and why it kept popping off. Eventually we discovered there was not enough friction and tension to keep it from bouncing,” said CAST STEM High School senior David Veliz.
The students say they enjoyed the camaraderie and teamwork over the last few years, but nothing compared to race day.
“The best part was getting to drive in the race. I think working on something with the passion that you have is really good. ” said CAST STEM High School senior Nathaniel Flores.
District Spelling Bee Winners
A BIG congratulations to our District Spelling Bee Winners. Four competitions were held for the different grade levels. The Spelling Bee was held January 4-7. All of our contestants did a great job!
1st Grade Winners:
1st place - Luis Gonzales (Elm Creek)
2nd place - Emma Malin (Big Country)
3rd place - Caleb Sepulveda (Spicewood)
4th place - Desmond Trevino (Medio Creek)
5th place - Jetioluwa Shittu (Big Country)
2nd Grade Winners:
1st place - Gavin Trevino (Medio Creek)
2nd place - Jeremiah DeLaCruz (Medio Creek)
3rd place - Abel Garcia Sandoval (Sky Harbour)
4th place - Aleisa Garcia-Martinez (Bob Hope)
5th place - Remy Perez (Indian Creek)
3rd-5th Grade Winners:
1st place - Janessa Perez - 3rd grader (Elm Creek)
2nd place - Rafael Cornejo - 3rd grader (Sun Valley)
3rd place - Magnus Watkins - 5th grader (Southwest)
4th place - Kaytlynn Chong - 5th grader (Bob Hope)
5th place - Adalina Garcia - 5th grader (Indian Creek)
Middle School Winners:
1st place - Leonel Tavera - 8th grader (Resnik)
2nd place - Henry Das - 8th grader (Scobee)
3rd place - Wyzetta Backhus - 6th grader (Resnik)
4th place - Rafael Perez - 6th grader (Resnik)
5th place - Morrigan Kafel - 7th grader (McNair)
Rising Senior Credits Success to Experience at CAST STEM High School
CAST STEM High School Senior Joshua Bernal has accomplished a lot in his young life. He is the first high school student to earn his A.A.S. in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. He is also the first high school student invited to participate as a team member on the Palo Alto College Logistics Team. Watch the video below to find out why he credits his success to his experience at CAST STEM.
CAST STEM Accepting Applications for the 2022-2023 School Year
CAST STEM is currently accepting applications for the 2022-2023 School Year. CAST STEM allows students to explore careers in engineering, advanced manufacturing, energy & power, and global logistics. Students learn to build and program robots, drones, and electric cars and travel to competitions with teams. The chance to experience a college setting during high school and to work directly with industry mentors sets CAST STEM students apart and puts their future in motion, no matter where they decide to take it.
Southwest Lady Dragons Begin Season with a Strong Start
SWHS Boys Basketball Battle for Playoff Spot
A New Beginning for Southwest Legacy Boys Soccer Program
The start of the 2022 Soccer season marks a new beginning for the Legacy Titan Boys Soccer Program under the new direction of Head Coach Juan Sandoval and Assitant Coach Joe Martinez . The Titan Soccer Program is growing and working hard to have a successful season. With the return of senior varsity athletes Edgar Ortega (Captain), Hsaw Reh and Benjamin Medina, the Titan varsity soccer squad is staying positive and aiming towards the first playoff appearance in school history.
The young Titan Varsity squad plays with a lot of heart and intensity, leaving it all on the field. In January, the Titans competed in two preseason tournaments helping them improve their skills and build team chemistry. The Titans are establishing the foundation for a successful and unified program. The ultimate goal for the Titan soccer program is to create success for each individual athlete on and off the field.
SW Legacy High School Cheer Team Places First in Cheer America State Competition
The Legacy High School Cheer Team competed at the Cheer America State Competition on Sunday, January 3 in the Co-Ed Varsity Game Day/Sideline Division and placed 1st! This is the first competition for Legacy Cheer in the school's history! The team has put in a lot of hard work and time and looks forward to its next competitions in March. The Game Day division consists of a band chant, sideline cheer, cheer and our schools fight song.
SWHS Girls Varsity Basketball Rebuilding with New Faces
SW Legacy Varsity Girls Basketball Looking to Capture Third Playoff Appearance
SW Legacy Varsity Boys Basketball Hunt for Playoff Position
National Law Enforcement Day
Across the country on January 9th each year, citizens take the lead to show support on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day.
Law Enforcement Officers of every rank and file have chosen a profession that puts their life on the line every day for their communities. They’ve answered a call to public service that is demanding and often unappreciated.
From local, state, and federal agencies, their duties command dedication. The jobs are often thankless and take them away from their families for long hours. Rarely do they know what their days have in store for them. Often, law enforcement are the only paid emergency resource a community has. More often, they work in coordination with other local, state, and federal organizations to make communities safer.
On National Law Enforcement Day, we have an opportunity to thank officers for their service and offer a token of respect. A special shoutout to our own Southwest ISD Police Department for their exceptional work with our community, students and staff!
SWISD Welcomes Officer Nelia Cedillo
SWISD Communications Department
Email: news@swisd.net
Website: www.swisd.net
Location: 11914 Dragon Ln, San Antonio, TX, USA
Phone: 210-622-4408
Facebook: facebook.com/SWISDsatx
Twitter: @swisd