South Houston HS Hall of Honor inductees announced; Harvey hero among honorees

South Houston HS Hall of Honor inductees announced; Harvey hero among honorees
Posted on 08/31/2018
South Houston HS Hall of Honor inductees announced; Harvey hero among honorees

South Houston High School Induction Ceremony, Sept. 28
Reesha Brown
PISD Communications & Alumni Development

Three former teachers and three alumni are the newest additions to the South Houston High School Hall of Honor. They will be honored during an induction ceremony on September 28, 2018 and recognized before the Trojans’ homecoming football game that day.

The event annually highlights the achievements of SHHS graduates and faculty for their commitment to excellence and for bringing honor and pride to the community.

The three faculty members selected for induction are: Betty Munz, Katherine Reid and Kitty Frazier Wilson.

The alumni inductee list includes: Kenneth Esterak (deceased), Class of ’66; Bret Mixon, Class of ’76; and Jim Vaughan, Class of ’78.

Betty Munz

Munz served the Trojans as an algebra teacher for 26 years. Highly regarded by many people, she remains close to faculty members at the school and regularly participates in school activities.

Katherine Reid

Reid garnered the respect and admiration of many students during her time as an art teacher, from 1964 to 1977. Word spread about her love for teaching throughout the school district, and eventually she was honored as Pasadena ISD’s Teacher of Year in 1974.  

Kitty Wilson

A 1969 South Houston alum, Wilson returned to her alma mater after college to teach biology. She retired from the position after 35 years of mentoring and inspiring the SHHS Trojans.

Kenneth Esterak-Class of 1966

Esterak was a farmer and rancher who made a bundle in oil and gas exploration. Before he passed away, Esterak decided to share his fortune with others and left instructions in his will to create a scholarship endowment for students at SHHS. The SOHO scholarship was established three years ago.

Bret Mixon-Class of 1976

Bret Mixon moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in special effects. Most of his work is in post-production visual effects with a specialty in rotoscoping, a kind of animation done over live-action sequences. He has over 100 films to his credit, including “Terminator 2 – Judgment Day,” “True Lies” and “Last Action Hero.” Bret is the twin brother of Bart Mixon, a 2017 SHHS Hall of Fame inductee who also worked in special effects with his brother.

Jim Vaughan-Class of 1978

Vaughan is the founder and president of Texas Aquatic Harvesting, a Florida-based company that manufactures and operates the world’s largest aquatic weed harvesters. Vaughan moved the company from Texas to Florida because of the high demand for aquatic harvesters in that area. The success of his company has enabled Vaughan to give back to the community. After Hurricane Ike, he arranged for contractors to repair the homes of classmates impacted by the storm. During Harvey, he dispatched a fleet or airboats from Florida, complete with crews. His boats were credited with rescuing hundreds of flood victims. He also arranged for a large drum of gasoline to be delivered to Freeway Manor where residents could get gas for free.

The induction ceremony to honor the faculty and alumni has been set for Friday, September 28, 2018, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. The honorees will also be recognized before the homecoming football against the Kingwood High School Mustangs at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

All South Houston High School graduates are encouraged to attend.

Other festivities include:

Homecoming Pep Rally – 2 p.m.

Alumni Mixer – 4-6 p.m. at Pepper’s Restaurant in Pasadena Independent School District

PISD Athletics Hall of Fame Museum Open House – 6-8 p.m.

Homecoming Football Game – 7 p.m.

South Houston High School Induction Ceremony, Sept. 28