High School News Archive 2010-2011: Memorial High News

MEMORIAL HS PHOTOS: Vega Adds New York City Trip to Her Summer Canvas

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Jessica Vega, an award-winning artist from Memorial High, soaked up the sights and sounds of New York City earlier this month while attending the National Scholastic ceremony and Scholastic workshops.
Vega was accompanied on the trip by her mother and by Memorial High art teacher Adam Malek.
Vega visited museums, got to handle an original Van Gogh and met several celebrities, including Whoopi Goldberg, Tony Hawk and fellow artists David Salle and John Baldessari.
She was interviewed for "The Today Show" and visited her artwork on display at the World Financial Center and the Contemporary Art Museum.
(Right) Vega is show at Times Square and looking over her display in the Contemporary Art Museum.

MEMORIAL HIGH GRADUATION ALBUM: June 3, 2011

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Memorial High's Class of 2011 erupts in joy at the conclusion of its graduation ceremony.

Memorial High principal Dr. Angela Stallings presents a special diploma to a kindergarten student from Turner Elementary. Kindergarteners from Memorial's feeder schools were invited to attend and take part in the ceremony as special escorts. Each one crossed the stage and received a special diploma.

A kindergarten student joins in the procession with Memorial High seniors Taylor Brooks and Gabriella Braileano and faculty member Victoria Ellis.

A kindergartener tugs at her graduation gown as she makes her way into Hofheinz Pavilion.

Soaking up the sights and sounds of a near capacity crowd at Hofheinz Pavilion, a kindergartener follows Memorial High seniors as they walk to their seats.

Memorial High choir members sing the national anthem.

Dr. Angela Stallings, Memorial High's principal, delivering a welcome address.

A kindergarten student scans the arena while Memorial High seniors applaud the speakers.

Heather Woitena, Memorial High's valedictorian, gives the commencement address.

A kindergarten student focuses on the projection screen to see what's going on up front.

Dr. Stallings addresses the graduating Class of 2011.

A kindergarten student from Teague Elementary stands on a chair in order to see the stage at Memorial High's commencement ceremony.

Pasadena ISD Associate Superintendent for Curriculum Billye Smith greets a kindergarten student exiting the stage. Smith, Memorial High's former principal, greeted all of the graduates after receiving their diplomas.

Taylor Williams and Yasmin Valle savor the moment.

Cole Richardson gets a hug from faculty member Paulette Fawcett.

Board of Trustees members Jack Bailey (left) and Marshall Kendrick (second from right) join Pasadena ISD Superintendent Dr. Kirk Lewis in congradulating a Memorial High graduate.

Dr. Angela Stallings, Memorial High's principal, share a moment of jubilation with graduate Courtney Waddell, the last of approximately 3,000 names to be called at Hofheinz Pavilion on Friday.

MEMORIAL HS: SHINING STARS ALBUM

Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:00:00 -0500

The top 11 Memorial High School seniors (accounting for a tie) from the Class of 2011, honored at the Shining Stars Gala on Tuesday night. Presenters in each photo are (left) Jeanne Newberry and (right) Melissa Buell and Bill Barmore. Newberry and Buell are representatives of Dell Computers. Barmore serves as president of the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation.
Each senior is in the middle of the photo with the distinquished educator chosen by that student standing second from the left.

Senior Michael Anderson and Memorial High economics teacher Blake Emmons

Senior Ashley Arnold and Memorial High history teacher Terry Sheehan

Senior Josselyne Chano and Memorial High English teacher Mona Robinson

Senior Ralph Miguel R. Fonte and Memorial High biology teacher Kristy Chant

Senior Pedro Grimaldo and Memorial High economics teacher Blake Emmons

Senior Oanh Ngoc Hoang and Memorial High physics teacher David White

Senior Bethany Phelps and Memorial High English teacher Patricia Cain

Senior Joestine Marie D. Quezon and Memorial High algebra teacher Greg Eichhorn

Senior Carlos Ruiz and Memorial High health science teacher Kelly Cowan

Senior Clara Snelson and Memorial High English teacher Mona Robinson

Senior Heather Woitena and Memorial High history teacher Amy Duke

MEMORIAL HS PHOTO: Cavazos Joins ESL Wall of Fame

Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Junior Lizbeth Cavazos was selected for the Memorial High Wall of Fame and honored at a recent ceremony. Cavazos arrived from Mexico three years ago speaking no English. This year she passed all of her TAKS exit-level tests. She is the fourth student to be chose for the honor. (Below) Cavazos poses next to her spot on the ESL Wall of Fame.

MEMORIAL HS PHOTO: Tennis Champs Honored at Board Meeting

Fri, 27 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Four District 22-5A champions from Memorial's 2011 tennis team were honored at the Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday night (May 24). District champs for the Mavericks were Matthew McDonald and David Kolacny in boys doubles and Astrid Torres and Brandon Kafarela in mixed doubles.
(Below) Matthew McDonald, Astrid Torres, David Kolacny, Brandon Kafarela and Head Tennis Coach Oscar Torres.

Memorial's Alcala, Thompson's Nguyen Take Calendar Top Spots

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Memorial's Alcala, Thompson's Nguyen Take Calendar Top Spots

Memorial High's Stephen Alcala last week finished first in the senior division of the DOW Art Calendar contest, the second year in a row in which Alcala has been featured on the calendar.
Thompson Intermediate's Dona Nguyen finished first in the junior division. Both students earned $500 and another $1,500 for their schools.
A reception was held at Monument Inn for the winning students, their families, teachers and principals.
Nearly 400 entries were received from nine area districts. Pasadena ISD students dominated the awards, placing in eight of the 12 spots on the calendar. Annually, 20,000 calendars are printed and distributed internationally.
Other district students placing in the senior division were Brittany Seay, Memorial, second place; Chelsea Maclean, Memorial, third place; Brooke Hall and Tram Le, both from Memorial and both honorable mention.
Other district students placing in the junior division were Mariah Martinez, Queens Intermediate, third place; and Carin Gusman, De Zavala Middle School, honorable mention.
( Below) Thompson's Nguyen with her winning art piece.

Celebrating Memorial's big haul are teacher Miguel Herrera, student Tram Le, teacher Adam Malek and students Chelsea Maclean, Brooke Hall, Stephen Alcala and Brittany Seay.

Mini-Grant Funds Help Memorial High Artists Dabble in Robotics

Mon, 16 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Displaying the funds and the finished product are (back) Memorial High teacher Miguel Herrera, Jessica Vega, Kirsten Wilson, Jennifer Flores, Michael Contreras, Esteban Blanca and teacher Adam Malek; and (front) April Rosse and Amy Truong.

By BRITTA GAMINO
Pasadena ISD Communications
It was like Christmas in May a year ago when students in Memorial High's art department got the gift of their dreams, courtesy of the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation.
Down the halls streamed Education Foundation members into Adam Malek's art studio toting clanging clappers, towing balloons and, of course, an oversized check for $4,102. Malek's fantasy vision of "robotic art cars" was on its way to becoming reality.
Malek's dream was to some day enter the Houston Art Car Parade with miniature robotic vehicles. After applying for a mini-grant through the Education Foundation, Malek met with fellow faculty art teachers to see how he could improve math and science TAKS scores with art.
"We realized that we needed something the students had not seen before," Malek said. "We needed a different aspect of art that students would be intrigued by and excited to learn, while at the same time integrating math and science into the project."
In order for the students to fully understand the structure and the technology of robotics, Malek brought in industry leaders from the fields of technology, robotics and engineering to give students a sense of real-world application.
"The kids are so appreciative of the Education Foundation," said Malek. "They were thrilled that they were going to be able to actually start the project we had been talking about for so long."
But building basic remote-controlled cars wasn't enough for Malek. He wanted to push student creativity even further by challenging them with a surprise twist.
"Make these cars draw," Malek told his students.
Somewhat baffled, Malek's team of 55 students stared blankly at the cold, white linoleum floors which were now covered by a sea of robotic car pieces. In Lego fashion, the students began reassembling the remote-controlled cars piece by piece. It took over 40 hours, start to finish, for each project.
The students used special paint brushes, designed with paint inside, that would attach to the ends of the robotic cars and paint on any flat surface -- allowing the cars to draw.
Malek said he believes experience will build students' confidence in their work and encourage team-building.
Missael Galvan, a junior, incorporated mixed mediums of plaster, paper mache, paint and foam pieces to complete his dragon robotic art car.
"I wanted to create something that doesn't exist, something that could catch people's attention," said Galvan.
Fittingly named the "Mini Art Car Brigade," Malek and 30 of his students will make their grand entrance into the Houston Art Car Parade this Sunday, May 22.
The free event will kick off at Allen Parkway and Bagby, and end at Waugh Road.

MEMORIAL HS: Seay Wins Congressional Art Competititon, Leads Sweep

Sun, 15 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

An art submission by Brittany Seay, a student at Memorial High, was selected as the winning piece in the Congressional Art Competition held recently.
Her piece, titled "The Beginning," was chosen by U.S. Rep. Pete Olsen to hang in the capitol in Washington, D.C., for the coming year. Seay will also receive two plane tickets to Washington, D.C., courtesy of Southwest Airlines.
Art pieces by runnersup were selected by Rep. Olson to hang in his Washington, Sugar Land and Clear Lake offices. Runnersup were Julian Casares, Stephen Alcala and Samuel Stewart.
Memorial claimed the first four places in the competition.

MEMORIAL HS PRIZE PARADE: Mavs 'Move It Up' With Mini-Grant

Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Celebrating the arrival of a mini-grant check at Memorial are (back row) Dr. Angela Stallings, the school's principal; Steve Phelps, Abby Skowron and Suzanne Easley of mini-grant sponsor Phelps Insurance; and (front row) librarian Adrienne Raible; Melissa Harrison of Phelps Insurance; librarian Jennifer Brabston and John Phelps of Phelps Insurance.

PASADENA ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION MINI-GRANT
Applicants: Jennifer Brabston, Adrienne Raible (primary), Laurie Etnyre, Jonathan Gilbreath, Richard Alba, Kelly Cowan, Chad Chamberlain, Jennifer Baldwin, Cathy Roark, Chris Gross (secondary)
Mini-Grant Name: "Movin' On Up"
Abstract: The "Movin' On Up" college and career readiness program will redesign the current room. It will create a friendly environment that provides access to the best planning resources for students and parents. New laptops, current materials and building supplies needed to create a contemporary atmosphere will allow us to offer a place where students want to come and meets the needs of the 21st Century learner. Only 25 percent of Mavericks attend college after high school. Utilizing this grant will increase this number. The monies from this grant will help current students at PMHS and many students through the years.
Amount: $5,000
Sponsor: Phelps Insurance

MEMORIAL HS PHOTO: Four FCCLA Students Advance to Nationals

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 00:00:00 -0500

Four Memorial High students -- Lexi Abrego, Sheryl Hinojosa, Sarah Fleenor and Lily Rangel -- advanced to nationals in recent Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state competition.
Abrego and Rangel took first place at state for their Chapter Service Project Manual titled "Speak Now for Autism."
Hinojosa and Fleenor placed third for their National Program in Action project on literacy titled "Read Now for the Record."
(Below) National qualifiers Abrego, Hinojosa, Fleenor and Rangel.