Colorful performances, cultural displays and student achievements took center stage on May 27 as Spring ISD hosted its inaugural Multicultural Coalition International Festival. Held at Dekaney High School’s Star Theater, the districtwide event brought together students, families and staff to celebrate the cultures, traditions and stories that help shape the Spring ISD community.  

The festival marked a new chapter for Spring ISD by bringing together three celebrations that had previously been held separately throughout the school year — Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.  

“Tonight marks the beginning of what we hope will become a meaningful tradition in Spring ISD,” said Spring ISD Board of Trustees Vice President Natasha McDaniel. “One that brings people together through learning, celebration and shared experiences.”

By bringing the three heritage celebrations together under one roof, the festival created opportunities for students and families to share their own traditions while learning about the experiences and cultures of others. That spirit of inclusion was evident throughout the evening, from the performances on stage to the student leadership behind the program.

Dekaney High School students Maverick Cruz Rojas and Marcikeyra Diaz Angeles served as bilingual emcees, guiding attendees through the event in both English and Spanish and reflecting the rich diversity of the Spring ISD community.

“This is such an amazing opportunity to recognize some of our outstanding student artists and writers that are around the district,” said Cruz Rojas. All of the creativity, talent and hard work really shows how diverse this community is.” 

Superintendent Dr. Kregg Cuellar continued the message of unity, highlighting diversity as one of the district’s greatest strengths. 

“The diversity here in Spring ISD,  it really is our superpower,” Cuellar said. “It is what we are known for in everything that we do, because we are one family. I encourage everyone to learn from one another and experience the incredible richness of our Spring ISD community. When we celebrate our differences, we strengthen what brings us together.”

The performances that followed brought that message to life, highlighting the cultures and traditions represented throughout Spring ISD. 

• Mariachi Alas de Plata from Dueitt Middle School performed in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. 
• The Dekaney High School Diamonds energized the audience with their performance of “Black and Gold” in celebration of Black History Month. 
• Roberson Middle School seventh graders Kim Hoang and Allie Huynh concluded the cultural showcase with a Vietnamese dance honoring Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. 

Following the performances, Dr. Brandi Godino-Brotherton, Assistant Superintendent of Academics, and Dr. LaTracy Harris, Chief of Staff, presented awards recognizing students whose artwork and writing showcased creativity, cultural understanding and appreciation for diverse traditions. Winners from campuses across the district were recognized for their outstanding submissions.

For Momentum High School, the recognition carried special significance. Learning Specialist Claudia Lara said events like the Multicultural Coalition contests give students a platform to shine and share talents that might otherwise go unnoticed.

“For our students, these cultural heritage contests provide one of the few opportunities to showcase their talents and be recognized at the district level,” Lara said. “Seeing them celebrated for their hard work and creativity means so much to our campus.”

The evening also recognized the individuals who helped bring the event to life. Social Studies Curriculum Specialist Samba Goddard, a longtime member of Spring ISD’s Multicultural Coalition and one of the driving forces behind the festival, was recognized for his years of leadership and commitment to multicultural programming. 

For Goddard, the event represented more than a celebration of heritage. It reflected the values that make Spring ISD unique and the district’s commitment to embracing and learning from one another. 

“Spring ISD  is a very special place,” Goddard said. “The fact that we embrace people’s differences, the fact that we literally speak to working together — that’s something that I’m blessed to be a part of. And every student should be proud of who they are and where they come from.”

This year’s top winners include the following: 

Black History Month Winners

• Allison Cortez, Aubrey Rodriguez, Angel Barba and Jorge Trochez – 1st Place Art Group, PK-2 Category, Eickenroht Elementary School
• Karrington Carr, Mia Barnett and Kaylynn Jones – 1st Place Art Group, Grades 3-5 Category, Burchett Elementary School
• Annamaria Busti, Katherine Perez, Fabiana Marquez, Amanda Laffita and Valery Cerrato – 1st Place Art Group, Spanish Category, McNabb Elementary School
• Jared Salgado and Andrew Ruiz – 1st Place Art Group, Middle School Category, Bailey Middle School
• Marquies Townsend, Amyriah Haynes and Tyshay Smith – 1st Place Art Group, High School Category, Momentum High School
• Roderths Hernandez Ornialla, William Tabique Martinez, Aaron Mesa and Jean Herrera – 1st Place Writing Group, Spanish Category, McNabb Elementary School

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Winners

• Caileigh Bowser – 1st Place Art Individual, Eickenroht Elementary School
• Brittany Moreno – 1st Place Art Individual, Major Elementary School 
• Francheska Aba-A – 1st Place Art Individual, Roberson Middle School
• Hillary Galarza –1st Place Art Individual, Momentum High School
• Erick Cedillos Limas, Aubree Rodriguez-Montiel and Annette Aviles – 1st Place Art Group, Eickenroht Elementary School
• Rafael Sanchez Alarcon, Leonardo Verdin, Amy Coronado and Christopher Fajardo Pineda, 1st Place Art Group, Major Elementary School
• Michael Ford – 2nd Place Art Individual, Jenkins Elementary School
• Brennan Nguyen – 2nd Place Art Individual, Thompson Elementary School 
• Loriel Davis and Alicia Jones – 2nd Place Art Group, Eickenroht Elementary School
• Silvia Ramos – 3rd Place Art Individual, Lewis Elementary School 
• Saige Kinney – 3rd Place Art Individual, Burchett Elementary School
• Lanier Dang, Vivian Thai and Drayton Chretien – 3rd Place Art Group, Anderson Elementary School
• Sebastian Velasquez – 1st Place Writing Individual, Lewis Elementary School 
• Marlie Trevino – 1st Place Writing Individual, Momentum High School 
• Nathan Martinez and Jay Davila – 1st Place Writing Group, Jenkins Elementary School
• Brennan Nguyen – 2nd Place Writing Individual, Thompson Elementary School

Hispanic Heritage Month Winners

• Darianna Rios – 1st Place Art Individual, PK-2 Category, Beneke Elementary School
• Dilan Gonzalez – 1st Place Art Individual, Grades 3-5 Category, Ponderosa Elementary School
• Hannah Zammarron – 1st Place Art Individual, Spanish Category, Northgate Crossings Elementary School
• Luciana Espinosa De La Rosa, Tatiana Gomez and Yasleen Ruiz – 1st Place Art Group, Spanish Category, Grades 3-5 Category, Northgate Crossings Elementary School
• Dana Gamez Reyes – 2nd Place Art Individual, Grades 3-5 Category, Beneke Elementary School
• Reece Guiton – 2nd Place Art Individual, PK-2 Category, Thompson Elementary School
• Mia Ochoa – 2nd Place Art Individual, Spanish Category, Northgate Crossings Elementary School
• Mariabelen Leija – 3rd Place Art Individual, PK-2 Category, Jenkins Elementary School
• Katherine Perez – 3rd Place Art Individual, Grades 3-5 Category, McNabb Elementary School
• Jession Bolanos – 1st Place Writing Individual, Spanish Category, Grades 3-5 Category, Ponderosa Elementary School
• Skylar Tezeno – 1st Place Writing Individual, Grades 3-5 Category, Jenkins Elementary School
• Jencarlo Angel and Darry Rosales – 1st Place Writing Group, Spanish Category, Grades 3-5 Category, McNabb Elementary School
• Daniela Olivares – 2nd Place Writing Individual, Spanish Category, Grades 3-5 Category, Beneke Elementary School
• Arely Hurtado Tellez – 2nd Place Writing Individual, Grades 3-5 Category, Thompson Elementary School
• Jimena Martinez – 3rd Place Writing Individual, Spanish Category, Grades 3-5 Category, McNabb Elementary School
• Amy Gomez – 3rd Place Writing Individual, Grades 3-5 Category, Beneke Elementary School