Students in Spring ISD recognized Black History Month this year by delving into the district’s 2024 Black History Month theme, “Celebrating African Americans and the Arts.” 

Through a special collaboration with the district’s Performing & Visual Arts Department, students learned about African American artists, musicians, performers, writers and others who embody the creative human spirit and who have helped shape the arts and culture.

Having worked on individual and group projects, students and families from across the district gathered on Monday, Feb. 26 in the Dekaney High School Star Theater to celebrate with music, theater, dance and step performances, and the official announcement of the winners of this year’s Spring ISD Black History Month Program.

Spring ISD Board of Trustees President Winford Adams Jr. helped kick off the celebration, welcoming parents, students and staff and speaking about the importance of the event.

“Every February we honor the impact of Black History and further spread the message that Black History is American History,” Adams said, introducing a passage from James Baldwin on the need for African Americans to reclaim a sense of their own history as part of the larger story of the history of the nation, and for all Americans to acknowledge and learn from it.

“There are people who would have us forget about that history – American History, again I say,” Adams continued. “I think it’s critically important, right now in this country, that we learn all of the history, even the history that some folks don’t think we need to learn, about the struggle and the triumphs, the good and the bad. And so, I want to celebrate the children that did the important work for the expo this year – and who continue to do the work – and I also want to celebrate the teachers.”

Performers for the program included the Roberson Middle School Choir – who helped open the event with a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” that invited all to raise their voices together in song – and the school’s GEMS step team. Members of the Dueitt Middle School Theatre Arts program were also on hand to offer a presentation honoring African American playwrights. Also hailing from Dueitt, eighth graders Maranda Spencer and Eddie Idemudia served as emcees and hosts for the program.

Outside the auditorium, projects were also on display, with families and district staff enjoying a chance to see some of what students had produced for this year’s contest. Meyer Elementary School second grader Veronica Chong – whose artwork featuring Rosa Parks won 1st Place in the individual Pre-K through Grade 2 category – was shy when asked about her winning project, but happily offered a brief synopsis of what she had learned about the Civil Rights icon she chose to portray.

“She was on the bus, and someone told her to give up her seat, but she didn’t,” Chong said.

Chong’s mother, Stephanie Hartner, said she was impressed that students at all ages in Spring ISD were being given the opportunity to engage – at a level that was appropriate to their grade – with such important material about U.S. history and culture.

“I don’t remember being at a young age and learning about these things,” Hartner said. “I mainly remember it in high school, maybe late middle school, so I think it’s a good thing for them to learn now, when they’re younger. I think it’s great.”

Asked how she felt when news came of the contest results, Hartner said she was proud, and glad that students were asked to engage in the topics using their artistic talents.

“I was happy; I cried,” said Hartner, adding how much her daughter loves to draw, color and work on art projects. “The fact that the school put her in the competition, I thought it was great, and it gives her more confidence, and makes her want to do it more.”

During her remarks, Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa told attendees that celebrations like Black History Month were an important reminder of how the district’s diversity helps make it stronger, and why the district’s commitment to excellent, equitable outcomes for all students is so central to its mission.

“Here in Spring ISD, we come together to celebrate our community, specifically to celebrate our diversity,” Hinojosa said. “We have a strong community that’s very diverse, and that’s what makes us special.”

Select winners will attend the March 19 Spring ISD Board of Trustees meeting to be recognized.

A complete list of this year’s Spring ISD Black History Month Contest winners, together with their project titles, can be found below.

Elementary School Winners – Art

PK-2 Individual Category

• 1st Place: Veronica Chong, Meyer Elementary School 
• 2nd Place: Daniel Blanco, Lewis Elementary School 
• 3rd Place: Matthew Esponoza, Northgate Crossing Elementary School 

PK-2 Group Category

• 1st Place: Alexandro Martinez, Ella Brito, Emily Barrendey, Roberto Cortez, Grace Ray-Nwachukwu & Kelvyn Trevino, Northgate Crossing Elementary School
• 2nd Place: Christopher Brito, Krishvi Singh, Kenny Washington, Gisell Martinez, & Kenndi Price-isom, Northgate Crossing School 
• 3rd Place: Na’lah Andrews, Messiah Hancock, Rylee Neal, Benjamin Valdez and Tra’nyce WIlliams, Anderson Elementary 

3-5 Individual Category

• 1st Place: Tyler Magee, Marshall Elementary 
• 2nd Place: Jasmine Rodriguez, Eickenroht Elementary School 
• 3rd Place: Kayla Rosales, Eickenroht Elementary School 

3-5 Group Category

• 1st Place: Jhonesty Bolden, Chance Bisor, Zy’ Niyah Pleasant-Thomas, Cheyenne Gladney, Hirsch Elementary School 
• 2nd Place: Arianna Morban & Lauryn Miller, Marshall Elementary School 
• 3rd Place: Monica Rodela & Sofia Montoya, Link Elementary School 

Middle School Winners – Art

6-8 Individual Category

• 1st Place: Gustavo Rodriguez, Roberson Middle School 
• 2nd Place: Amayah Garza, Dueitt Middle School 
• 3rd Place: Jayleen Bishop Dueitt Middle School 

6-8 Group Category

• 1st Place: Abigail Sanchez, Alejandra Hernandez, Nailea Rivera, Spring Leadership Academy 
• 2nd Place: Caitlyn Molden, Allondra Machado, Samantha Fuentes, Keri Nguyen, Claughton Middle School

High School Winners – Art

High School Individual Category

• 1st Place: Sarai Ventura Barahona, Westfield High School 
• 2nd Place: Alexa Lozano-Monje, Westfield High School 
• 2nd Place: Maria Karla Diaz Tabrarue, Spring High School,
• 3rd Place: Ashley Elizabeth Bonilla, Spring High School 

Elementary School Winners – Writing

3-5 Individual Category

• 1st Place: Katherine Vo, Lewis Elementary School 
• 2nd Place: Dallas Brown, Hirsch Elementary School
• 3rd Place: Diego Puig, Marshall Elementary School

3-5 Group Category

• 1st Place: Taiz Anastacio & Jacqueline Perez, Lewis Elementary School 

Middle School Winners – Writing

6-8 Individual Category

• 1st Place: Juliana Caberera, Bailey Middle School 
• 2nd Place: Eilyn Escobar, Dueitt Middle School 
• 3rd Place: Madison Benson, Wells Middle School 

High School Winners – Writing

High School Individual Category

• 1st Place: Hadiya Walker, Spring Early College High School
• 2nd Place: Kinya Elkins, Westfield High School 
• 3rd Place: Nyla Spikes, Spring Early College High School