Points of Pride
Southwest ISD November 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.
Bob Hope ES Students, First Wave of SWISD Guest Writers for Live on the Southside Online Magazine
Students Meet with Recruiters During SWISD's College Fair
Students and parents had the opportunity to start planning for life after Southwest ISD during the District's annual College Fair. Nearly 50 colleges and universities set up informational booths at Southwest Legacy HS during the fair. In addition to exploring opportunities, families also received valuable information regarding financial aid, the college application process, career paths and the PSAT.
Southwest ISD Holds Inaugural Student Cadet Swear-In at Police Pinning Ceremony
SWISD held a police swear-in and pinning ceremony for its newest police officers and for the first time ever, three student cadets. Each officer took an oath symbolizing their commitment to protecting the well-being and safety of Southwest ISD students, staff, and members of the surrounding community. Welcome police officers Dennis Phillips, Marco Reyes, and Able Cervantes.
The three students are the first Dragon Cadets to be sworn-in. The cadets were selected for their display of great leadership and community involvement. Congratulations to Chief Isla Gutierrez, Deputy Chief Jorge Ramirez, and Sergeant Madison Dacosta.
Dragon Cadets is a local chapter of the Public Safety Cadet program. PSC is a new, national non-profit organization founded and managed by active and retired law enforcement officers and business leaders dedicated to preparing young adults for careers and leadership in the public safety profession. SWISD Police Chief Richard Palomo and Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar swore in the district’s newest officers and student cadets.
Veterans Day Celebrations
Student Spotlight: Charles Massey
“I feel like this school has matured me in ways that I could not have predicted before.”
Charles attends CAST STEM High School. He says his experiences at the school helped him learn how to use his voice correctly. He describes himself as quite talkative now.
“My freshman year, I was reserved and didn’t speak much. Now I’m a lot louder and vocal."
During his first year at CAST STEM, Charles chose the engineering pathway, and the once shy introvert quickly evolved into what he calls a “social butterfly.” Charles credits his dynamic development to the school’s close-knit community and innovative curriculum.
“Everything we do here at CAST STEM we try to apply to the real world. Some of the issues we advocated for during the Speak Up, Speak Out events have led to real laws that have been passed.”
Charles is now taking the skills he honed at CAST STEM and his love of music to highlight a serious issue many teens are dealing with: mental health. He says he believes the effects of the fast-paced world are stressing young people and he wants to explore solutions. Charles is creating an album that focuses on mental health awareness for his capstone. It’s a project he never imagined he could have tackled had it not been for his experience at CAST STEM.
“No matter what you are or what you feel like you are, there is a place for you here at this school. I find that very appealing.”
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 sets their future in motion, no matter where they decide to take it.
Middle School Basketball Teams Go Head to Head Before Spurs Game
SWISD Football Teams Wrap Up Season as Bi-District Champions
Southwest HS Football Season Highlights
The Dragons finished a successful 2021 season with an appearance in the second round of the 5A Division One playoffs. This marked the 16th consecutive season the Dragons made the Texas High School Playoffs. The Dragons finished with eight wins and four losses. The Dragons picked up wins over South San, Medina Valley, Rio Grande City, Southside, Laredo Cigarroa, Laredo Martin, and Eagle Pass CC Winn. In the playoffs, the Dragons beat the Kennedy Rockets to earn a Bi-District Championship.
During district play, the Dragon defense gave up a total of 23 points in six games! That is under four points a game! Against Laredo Martin, the defense gave up 68 total yards en route to a shutout on the road. The Dragon offense again did most of their damage on the ground. Behind a strong offensive line, the Dragons easily averaged more than 200 yards rushing each game. Leading rusher Jake Friesenhahn rushed for 1,450 yards with 17 touchdowns in total for the season. The Dragons also received many accolades and received 21 first or second-team 14-5A All-district selections. Highlights include Jake Friesenhahn being selected as the District’s Most Valuable Running Back and Blake Chessher receiving the District’s Most Valuable Linebacker. Ryan Pena, Trey Cano, and Polo Salazar were selected as first-team on both sides of the ball. Offensive Tackle Jaidyn Birts and Safety JP Zuniga-Rodriguez were selected to represent the Dragons in the San Antonio Sports All-Star Game played in the Alamodome.
Southwest Legacy HS Season Highlights
The 2021 Titans always competed with a purpose. They lost some great senior leadership last year and the senior leaders did a great job for the Titans this year. The varsity team had some great games against Burbank with some goal line stance. The Titans also lost a close game to the Floresville Tigers with a few seconds on the clock. After the loss the Titans went on to an amazing eight game winning streak. The Titans took home the win in the Fire & Armor Bowl against Southwest HS. Southwest Legacy HS was undefeated in district play and finished the regular season with a 9-1 record. For the second year in a row the Titans were Bi-District Champions and an area finalist. District coaches recognized several student athletes and Coach Bruce for their efforts on the gridiron:
Most Valuable DL-Isaiah Ulibarri
Most Valuable DB-Ramon Renteria
Most Valuable OL-Roberto Armendariz
MVP-Javier Murrillo (Unanimous)
Offensive MVP-Zezar Tovar
Defensive MVP-Ethan Tullos-Chapa
Offensive NOY-Alex Garza
Coach of the Year-Robert Bruce
2nd Team Receiver-Jeremiah Sifuentes
2nd Team Offensive Tackle-Reynaldo Hinojosa
SWISD Middle School Band Members Qualify for TMEA Region Band
Congratulations to all of our middle school students who competed and performed at the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Region Band Competition. Students from Scobee, McNair, McAuliffe, and Resnik qualified to play in a special performance a week after the competition. This is a great experience for our students to play with high-caliber students from around the region.
Southwest HS Mariachis Travel to New Mexico for Mariachi Festival & Conference
Winners Take All in District Spanish Spelling Bee
Just before the Thanksgiving break students from around the District took the stage at Southwest High School and competed in the Spanish Spelling Bee. Each level of competition was a nail-biter of a contest but only a lucky few came out on top. Congratulations to all students who participated.
Spanish Spelling Bee Winners (2021)
Elementary - Competition held Tuesday, November 16 at SW Legacy HS
1st place - Yetzareli Godina (Sun Valley)
2nd place - Lizbeth Villalobos (Sky Harbour)
3rd place - Violeta Garnica (Sun Valley)
4th place - Anthony Arzola (Southwest)
5th place - Oscar Sierra (Elm Creek)
Middle School - Competition held Wednesday, November 17 at SW Legacy HS
1st place - Santiago Tello (McNair)
2nd place - Gabriela Ibarra (McAuliffe)
3rd place - Jose Perez (Resnik)
4th place - Brisa Najera (McNair)
5th place - Diego Partida-Ruiz (Scobee)
High School - Competition held Thursday, November 18 at SW Legacy HS
1st place - Dante Cortez (Legacy)
2nd place - Jose Espitia (Legacy)
3rd place - Monique Trevino (Southwest)
4th place - Maria Mateo Sanchez (Southwest)
5th place - Luis Rangel-Saucedo (Southwest)
SWISD Hosting COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
The pediatric vaccine is a specialized vaccine for children and includes a lower dose, a third of the dose given to adults and teenagers. The dose size was chosen to strike the right balance between providing strong immunity and limiting side effects. It was found to be nearly 91% effective at preventing COVID-19. It is given via smaller needles for smaller arms.
The District will hold a second vaccination clinic Saturday, December 4 at McAuliffe MS from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Adults need to bring an ID and insurance card. For minors, please bring a birth certificate or immunization (shot) records and an insurance card. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult to receive a vaccination shot.
Cool Projects Take Center Stage at STEM Extravaganza
Southwest Legacy HS Best Buddies Host Exceptional People's Pageant
Sky Harbour Hosts Le Cirque Artists Live Press Conference
Life Skills Student Enjoy Outing to Morgan's Wonderland
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