Fort Bend & Sugar Land Schools,
Sports, and Students April 2018
(L-R, front to back): Sophie Yangyi, Samuel Louis Steinman-Friedman, Matthew Gabino, Logan House, and Coach Kelsey Halfen; Coach Andrew Hartman, Moeez Tariq, Leighton Nylander, Tejas Tuppera, Jeffrey Zhang and Vani Vellore.
DHS ACADEMIC DECATHLON TEAM WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE STATE TITLE
The Dulles High School Academic Decathlon team earned its second consecutive state championship taking the top prize in the Large School category in February.
The team earned 27 medals, including several individual medals: Logan House, 1 medal; Leighton Nylander, 4 medals; Samuel Louis Steinman-Friedman, 7 medals; Moeez Tariq, 6 medals; Vani Vellore, 1 medal; Sophie Yangyi, 5 medals; and Jeffrey Zhang, 2 medals.
Steinman-Friedman won first place overall and holds the record for the third best Scholastic score in Texas history. The team earned the eighth highest score in the 35-year history of the Texas Academic Decathlon program, breaking records for Dulles High School and Fort Bend ISD.
The Dulles Decathlon team has a history of success at competition, but the feeling does not grow old, even since last year. “It feels surreal but amazing,” says coach Kelsey Halfen. “They are such a fun, silly, quirky group of kids who inspire me with their determination and dedication.”
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FORT BEND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY ATHLETES SIGN NATIONAL LETTERS OF INTENT
Fort Bend Christian Academy upper school students, faculty and families gathered on National Signing Day 2018 (the first Wednesday in February) to witness and celebrate three athletes as they signed NCAA National Letters of Intent to play football at the collegiate level.
Jared McDonald committed to play football for the Davidson College Wildcats in North Carolina. He has played football for seven years and has received multiple awards including First Team All-District Offensive Line and Defensive Line (twice), 2nd Team All-State Offensive Line and Academic All-State (twice).
Mathias Kpekpasse committed to play football with the Blue Devils at Lawrence Tech University in Michigan. His favorite memories playing high school football are running out of the tunnel and getting hyped up before games. He earned the TAPPS All-District Defensive Back award.
Bryce Archer committed to play football for the Lawrence Tech Blue Devils in Michigan. He has played football for seven years, and he has received numerous awards including Offensive MVP, MVP Offensive Back, 2nd Team All-District Running Back, and All-District Honorable Mention Defensive Lineman. Fort Bend Christian Academy is a
private, Christian college-preparatory school in Sugar Land.
Mathias Kpekpasse (center) was joined by his mother, Justine (right), and his sister, Sandra (left).
Bryce Archer (center) with his mother Lori Redmond, father William Archer, stepmother Jessica Archer, his aunt Valerie Redmond and grandmother Charlotte Cullum.
Jared McDonald with his father, John, his mother, Deanna, and his brother Aidan.
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FORT BEND ISD ANNOUNCES FINALISTS IN THE 2018 TEACHER OF THE YEAR PROGRAM
Fort Bend ISD has announced the finalists for the 2018 District Teacher of the Year (TOY)Program. The FBISD Elementary and Secondary TOY Judging Committees reviewed all campus entries and selected 11 finalists.
FBISD’s finalists for Elementary and Secondary Teacher of the Year include:
Elementary Finalists
GiGi Shadid, Colony Meadows Elementary
Alicia Garcia, Cornerstone Elementary
Leigha Bishop, Lakeview Elementary
Abraham Martinez, Meadows Elementary
Laura Hicks, Patterson Elementary
Michele Janke, Sienna Crossing Elementary
Secondary Finalists
Jeremiah Pojah, Crockett Middle School
Shaughn Thomas, Lake Olympia Middle School
Hannah Enad, Elkins High School
Edwina Breaux, Hightower High School
Katie Anselmo, Kempner High School
Each finalist will complete a classroom observation and interview phase. The finalists will be honored on April 19 at the District’s annual TOY Banquet, along with all FBISD Campus TOYs, where the 2018 District Teachers of the Year for elementary and secondary will be announced.
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SIX FBISD STUDENTS NAMED CANDIDATES FOR U.S. PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Six Fort Bend ISD students were recently named candidates for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. Each year, up to 161 students are selected for this prestigious title. In honoring the Presidential Scholars, the President of the United States symbolically honors all the graduating high school seniors of high potential.
Congratulations to the following FBISD students:
Jackson Neal, Austin High School
Brandon K. Wang and Faye H. Wang, Clements High School
Kadriye S. Almus, Amsal A. Kassam and Star J. Ni., Dulles High School
