Teachers receive grants from Galveston ISD Educational Foundation

The Galveston Educational Foundation recently announced grant award winners for the Spring 2012 semester. Executive Director Eliza Quigley visited seven schools to deliver awards worth nearly $19,000 for special projects dedicated to improving the quality of learning in Galveston schools. The grants were awarded based on submissions from GISD teachers for different programs they would like to pursue in the classroom ranging from $200-$5,000.

All of the grants awarded by the Galveston Educational Foundation were made possible through charitable donations by generous community sponsors. Money contributed goes straight towards grants for teachers. The foundation has raised over $2.1 million for GISD schools since its inception in 2002.

Click here to find out the grant winners... 

Photo 1: Sarah Piel (far-left), Gina Spagnola (third from left), Richard Rupp, Vice President of Programs (second from right), and Galveston ISD Educational Foundation Executive Director Eliza Quigley (far right) present Ball High Journalism teacher Britney Godfrey (second from left) with a $5,000 grant to help start a photojournalism class.    

Photo 2: Central Middle School teacher Casilda Rippard (second from right) is presented a $3,000 grant for a Japanese anime project by Central Principal Annette Dailey (far left), Galveston ISD Educational Foundation Executive Director Eliza Quigley (second from left) and Richard Rupp, Vice President of Programs (far right).   

Photo 3: Ball High's Lisa Koonce (second from right), receives a $5,000 grant to reduce the cost of Advanced Placement tests for Ball High students from Gina Spagnola (far left), Sarah Piel (second from left) and Executive Director Eliza Quigley (far right).    

Central Middle School Media Arts Academy will host an open registration for the 2012 Cheerleading Camp led by the renowned National Cheerleaders Association that offers incoming seventh and eighth grade students..

"If a student is interested in becoming a cheerleader, regardless if they have little or no experience, this camp will teach them the fundamentals in a fun and structured environment," Cheerleading Sponsor Lupe Ruttiger said.

The three-day camp is from August 8-10, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and will focus on perfecting jumps, stunts and routines. 

"Cheerleading is more than just knowing a chant," Assistant Sponsor Barbara Woods said. "It's about school spirit, leadership and camaraderie,"  

The cost is $175.00. Students will have the opportunity to participate in fundraisers throughout the summer to offset camp cost. Upon completion of camp, students will receive a certificate of completion and will be able to join the Central cheer squad if they attend the school in the Fall. 

In addition, participants can earn ribbons and awards--including the All-American Award, which allows them further opportunity for travel and performance.

"I'm excited about the upcoming season," said this year's Captain Jaiya Fields said. "I was on the team last year and can't wait to lead my team and school!"

All students must have a completed physical on file to participate. More information can be found on the school's website or contacting the school directly at 409-761-6200.

"We are excited that Mrs. Ruttiger has agreed to be the cheerleading coach," CMS Principal Mrs. Dailey said. "She brings much enthusiasm as well as dance and cheer experience,"  

Reserve your summer cheer camp spot today and become a part of the CMS cheerleading team!

Ball High students visit China  

Over Spring Break in March, students and staff of Ball High School traveled to China. They visited the capital of Beijing, toured the Forbidden City, and climbed the Great Wall. They also saw the Terra Cotta Warriors and visited Shanghai, the world's largest city. To learn about next year's trip, email matthew_neighbors@gisd.org or go to www.eftours.com/1200504 .  

Photo: (From left to right): Susana Flores, Abrielle Johnson, Hilda Moran, Angie Castro, Lori Cabrera, Tessie Howard, Ellie Cherryhomes, Rosemary Lindley, Eric Lindley, Dianna Gonzalez, George Santos, Matthew Neighbors, Hannah Pillar, Laura Wolfe, and Amanda King.

Ball High Cheer Team takes awards at national competitions

Congratulations to the Ball High cheerleaders that recently participated in two national competitions, winning awards at both. The first was in Conroe, the Fun Cheer, where the team won first place. The second was the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Competition, which the team won second place. The Ball cheerleaders are sponsored by Ball High teacher Stephanie Mendoza. 

Photo: The 2012-2013 Ball High varsity cheerleader team. 

Ball Pre p features 2012 STEM Conference Student Poster winners

Ball Prep T-STEM students were recently awarded as two of the four winners of the 2012 STEM Education Conference Student Poster Session by the Moody Foundation.   

The 2012 T-STEM (Texas Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) Coalition and STEM Education Conference was sponsored by the UTMB Southeast Regional T-STEM Center, January 12-14, 2012 at Moody Gardens. The T-STEM conference occurs annually at a STEM Center site and offers best practices workshops to teachers. The conference also hosts a 9-12th grade student poster session. Students across the state of Texas participate in the student poster session. 

This year, five teachers from GISD Ball Prep TSTEM (Mark Girton, Amber Greer, Carissa Hairrell, Jean Langevine, and Ellie Pate) were workshop presenters on best practice strategies and 25 Ball Prep T-STEM students participated in the poster session. 

Winners of the student poster session contest were as follows: Tripp Illingworth from Math, Engineering, Technology and Science Academy (METSA) at R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, Natalia Tesh from Ball Prep T-STEM at Ball High School in Galveston, Camille Barrientos from Harmony School of Science High School in Sugarland, and Naomi Duru from Ball Prep T-STEM at Ball High School in Galveston.  

Congratulations!  

Photo: (from left to right) Jean Langevine, Ball Prep TSTEM Faculty, Mayor of Galveston Joe Jaworski, student poster session winners Natalia Tesh and Naomi Duru, and Mark Girton, Ball Prep TSTEM faculty. 

Ball High basketball player signs with University of St. Thomas

Ball High senior Taylor Mitchell recently signed a letter of intent to play basketball at the University of St Thomas. Mitchell ends her Ball High career with 12 varsity letters and All-District and All-County honors in both volleyball and basketball. The UST Celts compete in the NAIA Red River Conference.

Photo: From left, are Larnell Mitchell, UST Head Coach Mike Ricks, Coach Corey Sanders, Trey Mitchell, Diane Mitchell and Coach Wayne Green.