Top 20 DHS graduates recognize special teachers

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1 Top 20 DHS graduates recognize special teachers Among the more than 449 Gator graduates this year was a group of 20 students who have led the class in grade point average, with a long list of achievements and accomplishments in academics, athletics and extracurricular activities. Many of these students will be taking their Gator Pride on the road as they enter colleges throughout Texas and even across the United States. Dickinson ISD started a new tradition last May by honoring the achievements of the top 20 students at the Education Foundation Gala. In addition, the students were asked to choose a teacher who made the biggest impact in his or her life. The students and their teachers were all recognized at the second annual Dickinson ISD Education Foundation Gala on May 26. The following are a few highlights about each of the top 20 graduates (in alphabetical order), along with the name of their distinguished teacher and how he or she made an impact in the student s life. Robin Bradley plans to attend either Wheaton College or Baylor University to play college soccer and major in pre medicine. She wants to attend medical school to become a reconstructive plastic surgeon. DHS soccer coach Lisa Manis is her choice for distinguished teacher. Throughout the past four years, Coach Manis has supported me and pushed me to be a leader on and off the field. She helped me to accomplish my goals and encouraged me to set new challenges for my future, said Robin. Timothy Burns will be attending Colorado School of Mines to pursue a career as a metallurgical engineer. He is the son of Mike Burns and Sharon Burns. DHS chemistry teacher Donna Yovan is his distinguished teacher. Mrs. Yovan made science an interesting and fun experience. She was my coach for the Science Academic UIL Contest. She also helped me in the Galveston Science and the Houston Science and Engineering Fair. She was a great inspiration to me, said Timothy.

2 Caleb Butler will be attending Southwest Baptist University in Missouri to play football and major in pre medicine. He wants to be an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. He is the son of Alice Catharina Oberholtzer and Patrick Lee Butler. His distinguished teacher is DHS football coach Johnny Sierra. Not only was he a football coach to me, but he also has been a role model and person that I look up to. He has always pushed me to work hard on and off the field. He has played a major role in my academic and athletic performance, said Caleb. William Calve plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin as a government major and plans on continuing to law school to become an attorney. He is the son of Ralph Calve and Victoria Calve. His distinguished teacher is Band Director Wade McDonald. Mr. McDonald has challenged me to strive for excellence and never be satisfied with less than my best. He has taught me about commitment, hard work and perseverance all while upholding high moral standards and encouraging all to reach their greatest potential, said William. Crystal Everding plans to attend Houston Baptist University to major in Christianity and Speech Communications to pursue a career in the field of ministry. She is the daughter of Donna Everding and James Everding, Jr. Retired McAdams Junior High math teacher Patti Wilson is her choice for distinguished teacher. Ms. Wilson was one of the best teacher I have ever had due to the fact that she genuinely cared about all of her students. She would talk and laugh with us, as well as give us advice. She was not just a junior high math teacher, but also a friend and mentor to many students, said Crystal. Andrew Godinich, the Class of 2009 Salutatorian, plans to pursue a degree in business administration at Columbia University. He is the son of Sarah Freese. Spanish teacher Jason Howell is his distinguished teacher. Mr. Howell has emboldened me to take chances, to not shy away from controversy and to stand behind my beliefs. Thank you, Mr. Howell, said Andrew.

3 Jacob Hooter will attend Baylor University to earn a bachelor s degree in music education. He is the son of Howard and Teresa Hooter. His distinguished teacher is DHS Band Director Wade McDonald. Mr. Mac not only expanded my knowledge about music but he was also a great spiritual mentor to myself and others around him, said Jacob. Jens Jensen IV plans to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in biology honors and a minor in Medicine and Society at the University of Houston. He is the son of Jens Charles Jensen III and Lisa N. Jensen. DHS swimming coach Blake Henry is his distinguished teacher. Coach Henry does an excellent job at training swimmers but as he has told me in the three year I have been around him, his priority is making all of us better people. Integrity, fairness, family, accountability and a challenging attitude are some qualities of his I find most pronounced and what he has used to make me a better person, said Jens. Nadiah Malik plans to attend the University of Houston to pursue a career as a dentist. She is the daughter of Norma C. Malik and Haroon R. Malik. DHS health teacher Kristi Pulkinen is her distinguished teacher. Mrs. Pulkinen inspired my life by teaching me the basic of being in the medical field. She set a wonderful example of how to be a great nurse and person overall. She encouraged me to excel in all my activities and school work and to never stop believing in myself no matter what I encounter. She is a really good teacher who is passionate about what she teaches, said Nadiah. Michelle Melendez will be majoring in pre dentistry at the University of Houston and then she plans on applying to the University of Texas for dental school. She is the daughter of Sylvia Montalvo and Robert Montalvo. Spanish teacher Jason Howell is her distinguished teacher. Mr. Howell has positively impacted my education since the first time I had his class as a sophomore. This year, he has done an amazing job of preparing me for life after high school using his own personal experiences as a guide. I will always appreciate Mr. Howell for being one of the best teachers I ve had and giving me one statement I can always live by trust but verify, said Michelle.

4 Katlyn Neubauer will be attending Sam Houston State University to receive a degree in biology and then move on to the University of Texas Houston for dental school to become an orthodontist. She is the daughter of M. Wayne Neubauer, Jr. and Julie Ann Neubauer. DHS soccer coach Lisa Manis is her distinguished teacher. Coach Manis has impacted my life in ways words can t explain. She taught me not only things to improve me as a player but also in life. Coach Manis cares about her athletes and tries to help them succeed in whatever way possible, Katlyn said. Erin Neves plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin. She is the daughter of Sharon Neves and Kerry Neves. Her mom, Sharon Neves, a mathematics teacher at DHS, is her choice for distinguished teacher. My distinguished teacher is not only the most intelligent woman I know, but also the most caring. Her dedication to the betterment of countless adolescent lives and mathematics education as a whole is truly inspiring to me. There are truly not enough words for me to thank her for the love, time, education and support that my mother and part time Calculus teacher has given me, said Erin. Haley Ringer plans to attend the University of North Texas to get a masters degree in music and a minor in business and then pursue music performance. She is the daughter Elaine Ringer and Tony Ringer. Her distinguished teacher is former DHS music teacher Jaclyn Glasscock. Mrs. Glasscock s skill in music always impressed me and I always tried my best under her direction to learn more in music. Although I was often doubtful and self conscious about my signing, my family as well as I noticed my confidence increasing under her direction, said Haley. Anita Saini, the Class of 2009 Valedictorian, will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to earn a Bachelors of Science degree and then attend medical school to become a pediatrician. She is the daughter of Shamsher Saini and Manjit Saini. World history teacher Ilija Milovanovic is her distinguished teacher. Mr. Milovanovic aided me during my sophomore year through his efforts to express history at its depth. He has taken knowledge to such an extent that one

5 would be surprised at how informative history can be. He has constantly pushed me to a higher level of thinking and has encouraged me to persevere through any life endeavor, said Anita. Katherine Schwille plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio to major in Civil Engineering and minor in Architectural Design. She is the daughter of Edward Martin Schwille and Lalit Mohan Singh. She chose DHS Engineering Design teacher Celeste Brooks as her distinguished teacher. Mrs. Brooks put my interest of science and math into one. She showed me how engineering is fun and a great career choice. Designing and creativity are apart of engineering which are another two subjects that interest me, Katherine said. Benjamin Seidensticker is attending Rice University to pursue an Engineering degree and either continue along that career path or become a teacher. He is the son of LeAnne Garcia. Paolo Sheaffer is his distinguished teacher. Mr. Sheaffer has shown me how to take into account opposing viewpoints and to seek out the true story behind events and people. Beyond just teaching a class, he taught me how to examine the world so that I could do the learning for myself, said Benjamin. Xanthe Shirley will be attending Texas A&M at College Station. She is the daughter of Clinton Allen Shirley and Christina Shirley. DHS dance team teacher Traci Mills is Xanthe s distinguished teacher. Mrs. Mills is a brilliant coach, teacher and friend. No only has she shown me how to dance from the heart, but she has motivated me to always follow my dreams. Her constant dedication and faith in God makes her stand out as an inspiration to all. The life lessons she has taught me are things I will carry with me forever, said Xanthe. David Robert Vitemb will enter the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M at College Station and perhaps the ROTC program on commission and then into the Air Force. He is the son of Gary Williams Vitemb and Jennifer Louise Vitemb. David chose Janey Cole from DHS as his distinguished teacher. From junior high to high school, Ms. Cole eased me into the world and taught me what it meant to be

6 human and to be admirable and normal in society. I thank her for being willing to persist against my stubbornness, and in being a true friend and an incalculable ally throughout all of my years in public school, said David. Brittnie Werner is going to attend the University of Texas at Austin for four years to double major in Journalism and History with hopes of one day writing for National Geographic. She is the daughter of Debbie Lynn Werner and Jeffrey John Werner. Her distinguished teacher is Geography and European History teacher Paolo Sheaffer. Brittnie said, Mr. Sheaffer was the first teacher to open my eyes to the world I live in. To this day, he continues to encourage me onward and I owe my great love for history to him. Sarah Wood plans to attend the Honors College at the University of Houston majoring in Political Science. After that she will either attend Graduate School or Law School. She is the daughter of Karen Ann Wood and Arthur Leo Wood, Jr. DHS Theatre teacher Laurel Powell is her Distinguished Teacher. Ms. Powell has been a cheerleader, a mentor and almost a third parent. She was the one who sort of pushed me into speech and gave me a creative outlet with theatre and always reminded me grades came first, said Sarah.