HOUSTON – April 12, 2019 – A senior from Carl Wunsche Sr. High School was a recipient Thursday of a $1,500 scholarship from the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce at a special luncheon to celebrate academic achievement.
“It’s nice to see all of my hard work pay off,” said Jazmin Carothers, whose scholarship was sponsored by Noble Energy. She thanked her family and teachers for supporting her dream to attend university, where she plans to pursue her interest in medicine with a major in either bioengineering or biochemistry.
“It’s really exciting,” she said of receiving the scholarship award.
Carothers joined other students from Aldine and Klein ISDs at the event, which also featured a superintendents’ panel with Spring ISD’s Dr. Rodney E. Watson, who currently serves as the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.
Joining him on the panel was Superintendent Dr. Bret Champion of Klein ISD and Superintendent Dr. LaTonya Goffney of Aldine ISD.
Watson thanked the audience and the Chamber of Commerce coming together on behalf of students for an event that drew trustees from all three districts, including Spring ISD Board Trustees Rhonda Newhouse, Jana Gonzales, Winford Adams Jr., Justine Durant and Dr. Deborah Jensen.
“Our districts are only as strong as our communities and our communities are only as strong as our school districts,” Watson told the audience. “Events like today really epitomize what we are trying to do. We each have our own separate visions but most importantly we all believe in public education and we all believe it is our charge collectively to make sure we are reaching every single student.”
Other students awarded $1,500 scholarships at the event were Kenia Guevara, of Davis High School, and Jerriah Wright of Victory Early College High School, both in Aldine ISD. Also winning a scholarship from Klein ISD was Kristie Yim of Klein Collins High School.
In addition to receiving the scholarships, the students also received commendations from Congressman Kevin Brady’s office.
For the first time, the Houston Northwest Chamber of Commerce also gave students from the three districts assistance in paying for certification exams related to their Career and Technical Education pathways.
Among those receiving that assistance was Ana Rosales, a senior at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, for the certified veterinary assistant exam. The 18-year-old plans to attend Texas A&M in the fall where she will major in animal sciences. Her goal is to go on to graduate school for veterinary medicine so she can be a vet. This summer, she hopes to put her skills to work as a certified veterinary assistant to earn both money for college and valuable career experience.
Also taking part in the event on Thursday was the Carl Wunsche Sr. High School Honor Guard, which presented the colors and led the pledges. Among those in audience was Wunsche Principal Andria Schur.
“I’m proud of all the Wunsche students here today,” she said.
Watson congratulated all of the students in attendance at the event and reminded everyone in the audience that no matter their zip code, the goal is the same.
“We have a common mission and our common mission is students. For the students here today, we would not be here if it were not for you,” he said. “We are only here to make sure you are meeting your goals for the future.”