With parents and guardians, teachers and administrators proudly looking on, 20 Spring ISD high school seniors received Career and Technical Education (CTE) 2022 scholarships – awarded by Spring ISD’s CTE Advisory Board – during a special reception held April 28 in the Randall Reed Center at the district’s Planet Ford Stadium facility. It was the group’s first live event since 2019, with scholarships being awarded during virtual ceremonies since the start of the pandemic.

“We were so happy to be back in person to recognize and honor our students for their accomplishments,” said Spring ISD CTE Director Cynthia Williams after the ceremony. “It makes it all worthwhile, the work that we do, because we do it all for the students.”

The CTE scholarship awards recognize the accomplishments of district seniors who have progressed successfully in their CTE coursework during high school and plan to continue their studies after graduation.

Representing a range of CTE pathways – from pre-med and pre-law to business, engineering and law enforcement – the 2022 scholarship winners were united in their gratitude for the CTE program and the ways it had helped prepare them, not just for college and continued technical and career training, but to make the most of opportunities and find success and fulfillment in whatever they focus on in their careers.

“CTE just taught me a lot about what I want to do in my future,” said Dekaney senior Michelay Rochon, who will study nursing at Prairie View A&M University after graduation. “CTE means a lot to me, and everybody in CTE is amazing. Everybody is so helpful.”

During a special keynote speech, Spring ISD graduate and U.S. Army Capt. Quanzel Caston addressed this year’s CTE scholarship winners, praising them for all they had already accomplished and encouraging them to continue pursuing excellence.

“CTE has given you the head start,” Caston said, telling the soon-to-be graduates how his own experience in CTE while attending Westfield High School and studying in the Law Tower at Carl Wunsche Sr. High School ultimately led him to a coveted spot at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and to his current career as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, where he’s seen firsthand the importance of an education grounded in the CTE philosophy.

“CTE is the perfect intersection of knowledge and application,” Caston said, “attaching real-world practices to the concepts and all the things that we learn in school today.”

The event also honored several CTE teachers who were awarded grants to support their innovative efforts in the classroom, including a STEM program grant awarded to Carl Wunsche Sr. High School teachers Bobby Bruce, Stephanie Galloway and Cristal Johnson, along with a Culinary Arts grant awarded to Westfield High School CTE teacher Raechel Friedman.

Composed of more than 100 volunteer members, Spring ISD’s CTE Advisory Board each year reviews scholarship candidates to select the final group of highly qualified seniors for recognition and scholarship awards.

Below is the complete list of 2022 CTE $1,000 scholarship winners:

• Gabrielle Arvie, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, plans to major in biology at Loyola University New Orleans. Scholarship sponsors: H5 Strategic Alliances LLC, James and Phylicia Hill.
• Vintrent Brisby, Westfield High School, plans to major in biomedical science at Texas A&M University. Scholarship sponsors: TAS Trucking Company, Thomas and Loreal Smith.
• Janiya Brooks, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, plans to major in nursing at Texas A&M University. Scholarship sponsors: Cynthia and Michael Williams, in memory of Bernice Fiest.
• Kelsey Bruno, Spring High School, plans to major in biology at Xavier University of Louisiana. Scholarship sponsor: Fallbrook Church, Sr. Pastor, Michael Pender.
• Alejandra Cozajay, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, plans to major in biochemistry at Texas A&M University. Scholarship sponsor: CTE Advisory Board.
• Perla DeLeon, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, plans to major in government at The University of Texas at Austin. Scholarship sponsors: Chase Jones Law Firm and the Jones/Munford Family.
• Sanaa Douglas, Westfield High School, plans to major in psychology at Sam Houston State University. Scholarship sponsors: Sherry and Leonard Dunlap, in memory of Jacqueline Dukes and Relious and Mary Lou Dunlap.
• Jacquelin Guzman, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, plans to major in political science at University of Houston. Scholarship sponsor: Bentley & Associates, P.C.
• Karla Juarez, Westfield High School, plans to major in pre-law at University of Houston. Scholarship sponsor: Seth Sharr.
• Lauren Lawson, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, plans to major in government at The University of Texas at Austin. Scholarship sponsor: Dr. Julie F. Hill.
• Miguel Flores, Dekaney High School, plans to major in business administration and marketing at Lone Star College. Scholarship sponsor: The Brown Property Group.
• Angela Molina, Dekaney High School, plans to major in political science at University of Houston. Scholarship sponsor: Fallbrook Church, Sr. Pastor, Michael Pender.
• Cyrus Ng, Westfield High School, plans to major in physical therapy at Springfield College. Scholarship sponsor: Fallbrook Church, Sr. Pastor, Michael Pender.
• Krystal Nuñez, Westfield High School, plans to major in nursing at Lone Star College. Scholarship sponsors: Lone Star College-North Harris, President, Dr. Archie Blanson.
• Devryn Perteet, Westfield High School, plans to major in computer science at Dillard University. Scholarship sponsor: Marcus Ford and Family, in memory of Randy Washington, Sr.
• Cindy Phan, Westfield High School, plans to major in nursing at The University of Texas at Austin. Scholarship sponsor: Donna Lewis and Family.
• Frankie Phung, Westfield High School, plans to major in mechanical and aerospace engineering at University of Houston. Scholarship sponsor: Anne Courtright.
• Sol Reyes, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, plans to major in marketing at Sam Houston State University. Scholarship sponsor: CTE Advisory Board.
• Michelay Rochon, Dekaney High School, plans to major in nursing at Prairie View A&M University. Scholarship sponsor: Willie Jones Jr. and Family, in memory of Betty Jones, RN.
• Taylor Sims, Westfield High School, plans to major in political science at University of Houston. Scholarship sponsor: Dr. Julie F. Hill.