2019–2020 Student Highlights
By: Andrea Arias-Zarate
The Courier staff would like to remind the Cougar community that although the year did not end in a way anyone could have imagined, there were still so many accomplishments, awards, and great memories created. With that being said, we wrap up the 2019–2020 school year with a brief overview of just a few of our phenomenal student’s accomplishments.
Seniors Jenny & Chloe
Valedictorian Jenny and Salutatorian Chloe from the Crockett class of 2020 received their Associate’s degree within three years under the ECHS program. Both students are also NHS officers who will attend UT next semester.
Seniors Jewel Salazar & Valerie Castaneda
Jewel and Valerie hand-painted a mural in the main office, which was praised by all who witnessed it. The artists included a quote from Lao Tzu that says, “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.”
Gunner Willie & Junior Claire Zamora
Crockett tennis players, Gunner and Claire, won the Capital Area Tennis Association High School MVP Award due to their high school tennis achievements. The award was given by the Capital Area Tennis Association Junior Development Committee, which is distributed to High School MVP’s annually.
Softball Academic All-District Players announced:
These players include sophomores Vivika Green, Alyssa Miller, and Lilyanna Rangel. As well as junior Ciera Dickey, and seniors Grace Ross, and Emmy Sanchez.
Senior Morgan Garrison received 2–1st place ratings at the Visual Arts Scholastic Event in February.
One of her pieces went on the State competition, where she received another first-place rating. Morgan plans to go into art at the business level. Yay, Morgan!
Crockett Cougar Band advances to the UIL Area Marching competition for the second year in a row.
Two students in the Crockett Band, Nolan Hart, and Michael Vasquez made first chair bass trombone and bass guitar, respectively, at the 2020 TMEA Region Jazz Ensemble auditions. The band would have sent over 20 students to compete at the state level for the Texas State Solo & Ensemble Contest in May, if not for the pandemic.
Alex Mejia gains an internship with the City of Austin:
He is in the process of being published to the Apple App Store. The app, Arrtex, would allow people to take a picture of a piece of public art, learn about the significance of the sculpture, and report any vandalism that needs to be cleaned up. Alex was invited to present at the TASSCC State of the State Conference this year — a conference focused on bringing new talent to Texas to work. The conference consisted of high ranking officials from organizations all over Texas, including Dell, Deloitte, Dell Med, AT&T, Lenovo, and more. They talked about how we are moving to a more technology-based workforce, and the state lacks individuals in that talent. Alex was invited to speak about his experience with the internship program because it was designed to find talent in the technology field. He was asked about his app, but also how companies can attract more young, technologically skilled talent. Because of his advocacy, a local company made a renovation to their office and was inspired to do more. He is proud to help companies make changes for his generation of young employees.
Morgan Garrison and Walter Esparza create a business: Barronsol.
The two waste-conscious entrepreneurs created compostable, environmentally friendly, bicycle tires with a five-year life span. They were finalists in PitchYea regional entrepreneurship competition. Their concept won 4th place at the Austin Regional Science Fair in Earth and Environmental Sciences, and received an award from the Austin Geological Society!
Marissa Nunez selected to represent Crockett HS & CIS at annual partner appreciation luncheon:
She participated in a student panel that will discuss school climate and how students can have a voice in how we influence school climate. She’ll be talked in front of a crowd of about 300 principals, superintendents, school board members, and community partners. I am super proud of her! After she spoke, she described this as a “life-changing event.”
ECHS Students become first graduating cohort from CHS:
Most ECHS students begin this rigorous academic pathway in 9th grade, giving them four years to complete the program — this year’s cohort did not have that opportunity and still was amazingly successful. These students each earned 60+ college credit hours and received their Associate Degree in THREE YEARS! We have eight seniors graduating this year with their Associate Degree, all making well above a 3.0 college GPA.
Aya Cathey and Andrew Tilghman become inaugural members of SOAR:
Aya and Andrew represented the senior class as the founding members of the Students Organized For Anti-Racism Student Equity Council. The Austin ISD Race Equity Council has identified student voice and leadership as a crucial component of Culturally Proficient learning in Austin ISD. Student voice in schools is essential to eliminate barriers that have historically limited the achievement of racial equity and are often unseen by adults. SOAR, Students Organized for Anti-Racism, is designed to empower young people of ALL races to become catalysts for change through leadership for racial equity. Crockett HS is the ONLY high school in AISD with a SOAR program. SOAR is a path for student leadership development. Aya and Andrew have paved the way for open and honest discussions that address issues surrounding race, identity, and academic achievement through meaningful and ongoing conversations between student and student to adult. SOAR provides a face to face opportunity to nurture student voice for equity leadership and to build their capacity as a voice for change in their schools.
Evelynn Kelley & Jordan Mujica maintain CHS garden:
Three seniors in the garden club have consistently come to the weekly weed and feed sessions and have taken out Saturday time volunteering to help clean up the beds and plant strawberries, kale, carrots, and herbs. We sure hope the urban wildlife enjoys the food in our absence!
Najai McKenzie Robinson balances school & work-life effectively:
Najai has been balancing schoolwork, a job, and creating and managing her fashion line, Kenzer Quest. She is a very dedicated and creative student who has brought her fashion line to life. She has presented her line to several industry professionals and has committed to gaining higher education on fashion design and distribution.
Alex DiTullio:
Senior Alex Ditullio has become the first player ever to earn the Academic All-State 2nd Team award.
AVID Seniors:
This year, Crockett High School has the largest group of AVID seniors in the history of AISD, with 100 students graduating this year. This record shows how dedicated the students of Crockett high are committed to being college-ready.
