Southwest ISD Points of Pride
February 2, 2024
Welcome to Points of Pride, our weekly 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.
Business Minds Soar: Southwest High School BPA Chapter Secures Spot at State
Business Professionals of America (BPA) Students will travel to Corpus Christi to compete at the State Leadership Conference this month and did well at Regionals. Abigail Westman, President of the BPA, said, "I think what's special about this group is that we are ready to prepare young individuals for the world of being professional. Corporate America is building up, and I think it's essential for them to build those skills while they're still young". Jesmarian Candelaria, the Secretary for the BPA, explained to us how the teamwork and communication of the group helped her grow. Preston Reveille, the senior historian for BPA, shared the same sentiment: "It is just amazing to be around and be a part of such a large community, to experience new things, and to grow as a person." Geraldine Molina, Business Teacher and BPA Advisor, said the group has grown from 10 to 45 students in just a few years. She also explained that 40 students made it to the state to compete in business, finance, accounting, speech, interviewing skills, video production, podcasting, graphic design, law, and medical competitions. Finally, Ms. Molina said she hopes to grow the team and be a resource for young adults looking to prepare for the future!
SWISD Student Spotlight: Allison Lopez, MCN
Meet Allison Lopez, a dynamic 6th grader taking full advantage of the Student Club Life at McNair Middle School. Allison actively immerses herself in school and deeply engages with student clubs like dance, yoga, and reading. Allison and her family are initially from California, and she attended multiple schools before becoming a McNair Challenger, so Allison knows the importance of making friends. Allison wants to be the friend “that is a positive influence on others,” and she always tries to create a positive impact wherever she goes. Allison’s teachers say that Allison goes out of her way to be helpful to others and is so caring.
Allison’s favorite class is Ms. Silva’s math class. She says, “Everything (in math) just clicks for me, and Ms. Silva makes it easy to understand.” To Allison, McNair is more than just academics; the student clubs offer an avenue for community building. She likes the Yoga Club because it helps her relax, and the Reading and Dance Clubs are interests she already finds captivating and enjoyable.
As she looks toward the future, Allison aspires to become an educator. She is inspired by teachers like Ms. Silva, who guide students through challenges with empathy and insight. Allison says she wants to be a Math Teacher.
With her desire to make meaningful connections with others, Allison embodies the spirit of growth and possibility at Southwest ISD. Allison, good luck with your future endeavors, and keep up the good work!
Full STEAM Ahead in Eagles Robotics
HCSA welcomed a special guest, Mechanical Engineer Mike Garcia, a 2022 graduate from Johns Hopkins University. He spoke to our future Eagle Engineers and shared his expertise in coding and his career in Engineering. Students learned how to write code and worked together to troubleshoot their code to make their "robot" move across the room. The students were engaged and excited to contribute to this project.
Pearls of Radiance: Southwest Gamma Sigma Girls and Gamma Sigma Pearls Investiture Ceremony.
Earlier this week, the Southwest Gamma Sigma Girls and Gamma Sigma Pearls hosted their Investiture Ceremony to celebrate the inductions of newly selected female students in various grade levels from Scobee, Resnik, Mcauliffe, and Legacy High School. The Southwest Legacy High School ceremony marked their acceptance into a ‘sorority-like’ sisterhood and leadership program centered on building confidence, courage, and commitment to lifelong learning for future success.
Sigma Gamma Girls and Sigma Gamma Pearls is a school program designed to foster connections among students of common interests, providing a supportive and guided environment. The only requirement for students to be in grades 6 through 12.
The CEO of Girl Scouts of Southwest Texas, Angela “Angie” Salinas, Major General U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.). explains, “The hope is to assist these young women in this age group so they can branch off to find new adventures and make friends from different backgrounds.” Major General U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.). Salinas acknowledged all the professionals helping run the program when she said, “Without them [representatives and district officials], we would not have any of this. They are the major backbone and our keys to success for students.”
The ceremony concluded with students reciting the oath outlining the requirements and responsibilities for membership into Sigma Gamma Girls and Sigma Gamma Pearls.
Revolutionizing Education on Wheels: The Mobile Dairy Classroom Experience
The Mobile Dairy Classroom visited a few of our campuses earlier this week. The mobile classroom is an innovative program that features a traveling milking parlor, a live cow, and an engaging presentation. This learning experience is provided by the Southwest and Southland Dairy Farmers. The organization comprises dairy farmers from Texas, New Mexico, Kansas, Missouri, Arizona, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Collectively, they provide resources to promote consumer education. During the presentation, the instructors delivered lessons on the milking process, the anatomy of a cow, the importance of dairy foods to our health, and modern environmental and food safety practices. They also explained how milk goes from a farm to the consumer. It was a thrilling experience for both teachers and students.
Homegrown: Jessica Hall-Martinez
We are proud of our SWISD graduates and want to share their accomplishments. ‘Homegrown' is our weekly segment highlighting successful Southwest ISD alumni who grew up in the SWISD community. We also look at how SWISD ignited their success, goals, and career. This week we hear from Southwest Legacy Girl's Soccer Coach, Jessica Hall- Martinez.
Coach Martinez enjoys learning from her kids, just as much as she loves to teach them. "Kids teach you a lot of things." She is a proud alum of SWISD and is happy to have her children attend the schools that she did. "I feel working here, growing up here; it just gives me a deep insight to my kids education."
If you know of alumni who work in the SWISD district that you would like to nominate to participate in this segment, please email Dr. Sam Ruiz at sruiz9098@swisd.net.
SWISD Teacher Feature: Gabriela Leal
SWISD Unified Sports Basketball Tips Off In Inaugural Season
SWISD has created an inclusive sports program named the SWISD Unified Sports Program. Shannon Wells is one of the coaches for this program and shares, "(The Unified Sports Program) provides a unique opportunity for students in general and special education to build relationships and friendships through participating in a competitive sports program. "Wells says the program has gained tremendous support from our awesome athletic and special education departments and our Superintendent and board members!
"Getting the word out would help to improve the program by increasing the number of participants as far as athletes and unified partners." The SWISD Unified Sports Program sports include a unified swim relay team, a unified basketball team, and a unified track and field team.
The Unified Dragons and Titans hoops teams have two friendly competitions scheduled versus each other before the Area 20 Special Olympics Basketball Competition later this month. The first Unified Hoops Fire and Armor game tips off on February 8 at 6:15 pm at the Southwest High School Gym. The round-robin game will be played at SW Legacy Gym on February 21 at 6:15 pm. Then, both squads will take their skills and compete in the Area 20 Special Olympics Basketball Competition on February 25 at Northeast Lakeview College.
It's an exciting time for both squads this season; they are putting in the work on the court and having fun doing it with their teammates. "My greatest joy comes from watching it all come together!" Wells Says, "I love to see their parents' reaction and excitement to see their child competing. Seeing how much they have grown from day one to now is awesome! In basketball, on day 1, they struggled to hold and shoot a basketball. Now, they are competing alongside one another."
Students and parents interested in joining Unified Sports teams can contact the SWISD Athletic Department for more information. Thank you to both teams and coaches for spreading the word on Snippets about the innovative programs happening for all of our students through Unified Sports and SWISD Athletics.
Little Learners, Big Dreams: SWISD's Pre-K For All!
On this week's Beyond The Arches, we visit a few elementary campuses to learn about the importance of early education in our Pre-K classrooms. From engaging activities to nurturing environments, discover how Southwest ISD laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning with its Pre-K For All program!
Titans Freshman Diver Making A Splash In The School Record Books
In our lifetime Freshman year of High School means a new chapter in our lives. New beginnings that begin to mold your future. For SW Legacy Titan Diver Caylee Villa, she’s already making a historic splash in her freshman year setting records for the Titans Swim and Dive team.
“Making school history and setting a school record for Legacy is an astonishing accomplishment for me, my family, and my school since I'm the first one to accomplish this.” shares Caylee and says, “When I think about it, it feels surreal to think I've come this far and made it to regionals. I feel so ecstatic, proud, and lucky that I got this opportunity to have reached my goal.”
Caylee’s first venture into diving started back when the school year started in September. With five months of experience under her belt, Caylee says practice, a balanced diet and most of the consistency of daily routine is what motivates her to be successful in her everyday life in the pool and in the classroom. “It's all about passion and dedication; if you're passionate and dedicated, you'll thrive and succeed in what you want to do.” Cayle shares.
This successful season has made the entire experience a memorable one for Caylee who mentions, “The best part of diving is the people you meet on the way and the memories you make. Meeting my friends Aiden and Lauren during dive was the best thing to have happened since they really helped me and pushed me all throughout this adventure. I was also lucky to be blessed with my amazing coaches, Megan Ashoo, and Monica Fernandez.
The future is promising for Caylee as she advances to Swim and Dive Regionals, where she wants to do her best with a shot at making it to the State meet. Although her college years are three years away, Caylee hasn’t chosen a school yet but says she wants to major in psychology, then earn a doctorate in psychology too plus hopes to also swim and dive at the collegiate level. Great ambitions for a successful start towards Caylee’s future.
“I just want to say thank you to you and everyone who has supported me through all this and has shown me love. I'm so grateful and lucky to have received all this love, support, and recognition. The next stop is state, hopefully.”
Congratulations and Good Luck Caylee! SWISD is proud of you. Go Titans!
Investing In The Future
On today's show we talk about the early track season, basketball dominance, soccer standings, softball, baseball, golf, and the many investments that have helped push SWISD athletics to the next level!
JOIN THE SWISD FAMILY!
Ready to make a difference in the lives of students? Then, we want YOU! SWISD is on the lookout for passionate individuals to join our dynamic team! As the sixth-largest growing school district in San Antonio, we're committed to excellence, academic success, and creating a safe, nurturing environment for all. Explore exciting career opportunities with SWISD and be a part of our journey towards excellence. Apply today: https://bit.ly/3OrgxMk
Come out and watch our first ever local Unified Basketball competition on Thursday, February 8th at the Southwest High School Gym. The welcoming of athletes will begin at approximately 5:55 p.m. The tip off between Southwest HS and Legacy HS is scheduled for 6:15 p.m.
There will be no cost at the gate for spectators.
We want to welcome all runners to join the Panther Heartbeat Fun Run at Spicewood Park Elementary! Don't miss out on a great event, fun community health fair, and a FREE fun run T-shirt for the first 100 paid participants! A portion of the proceeds will also go to the American Heart Association.
San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Discounts
If you are looking to go to a Stock Show & Rodeo event, please visit the link provided. Each ticket purchased through the given link and unlock code will positively impact the show’s sales goals for scholarships for the youth of Texas. Offers are valid now - Tuesday, February 6, 2024
Southwest Education Foundation Spurs Night
We are excited to announce that this year’s Southwest ISD Spurs Night will take place on February 29th. Go Public will donate $5/ticket sold to Education Foundations. Ticket purchasers will select their district at checkout.*
The first 250 tickets sold get the Exclusive VIP Early Access Pre-Game Warm Up. Early access to the arena and sit courtside to watch the players warm up!
Random drawings for the Post-Game Free Throw
All tickets purchased get a San Antonio Spurs Tote
Purchase your tickets here: https://bit.ly/SpursNight24