Board Recap for April 22, 2025

Testing season is upon us, and I am so proud of our students and staff. This time of year is challenging, but I know your hard work will shine through; good luck to those still in the thick of testing (math tomorrow and then make-ups the rest of the week).

Our fine arts programs are making waves! Our talented mariachi musicians at AJB Middle School, Barnes Middle School, and Seguin High School earned first division ratings at the Robstown Mariachi Festival earlier this month. Our elementary and high school ballet folklórico students put on two wonderful performances recently, wrapping up a big year for their programs. We are also excited for our student actors moving on to Region in the UIL One Act Play competition this Friday. Break a leg, Matador Theatre!

The Seguin High School colorguard is also here tonight to celebrate their successful season; you’ll hear more about them in just a few minutes.

Our student athletes aren’t slowing down either. Seguin High School’s baseball and softball teams are in the playoffs; softball starts its postseason this Friday. Golf competed at regionals last week, tennis will compete in regionals early next month, and several of our track athletes are headed to state. We are so proud of all of you; go Matadors!

We are also preparing to celebrate our employees for their years of service, upcoming retirements, and our teachers of the year next week. Let me be the first to say congratulations and thank you for all that you have done for our students and our district.

We hope you’ll also join us for a few upcoming events, starting with the official groundbreaking of our Agricultural Science facility on Friday morning. Thank you to those who supported the project as part of the Bond 2022 project. We are so excited to have this beautiful addition.

Mark your calendars for Decision Day at Seguin High School on April 29, Matador Minds Matter at the Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center on April 30, and the Matador Movie Bash at Matador Stadium on May 1. All are invited to attend, but please note that all visitors for Decision Day must check in at the Seguin High School front office.

To our students, teachers, and staff: this is the home stretch, but we must continue our hard work heading into the last few weeks of this school year. I am proud of everything you have and continue to accomplish. Remember the Matador Mindset: we are one team, learning together, elevating excellence. Olé! Let’s finish this year strong, Matadors!"

Rodriguez Elementary is represented by third grader Gabriella Batista. She was described as dedicated, driven, kind, and respectful. Gabriella’s vice principal, Ms. Reyes, says she is also a student who always tries her best on everything she does.

The 28 talented students represented their high school and Seguin ISD at several competitions this season. They placed in several competitions and earned third place at State. Three students also received scholarships from the Texas Educational Colorguard Association.

The students here for tonight’s board meeting would like to celebrate their season by personally thanking the board for their support. They’ve also brought a few tokens of their appreciation for each trustee.

I’d like to introduce the students here this evening as they greet our board members and superintendent:

Kahlie Arroyos

Gabriella Balderas

Nayeli Bentancourt

Lily Bloch
Brooklyn Crayton

Eliyah Farmer

Elicya Figueroa

Kaydence Gonzales

Jesikah Gonzalez

Astrid Martinez

Genevieve Padron

Paloma Perez

Tessa Pullin

Karmela Rodriguez

Taylor Sanchez

Ariana Villarreal

They are also joined by director Heather Brown and assistant director Kameron Ridgeway. Congratulations, all!"

This month’s recipient has been with Seguin ISD for five years, but I’m sure it’s already clear that they have made a lasting impression in such a short time. See for yourselves.

We are grateful to have a Seguin native who learned the art of Ballet Folklórico right here in our community. Since the age of 4, this talented individual has worked with Teatro De Artes De Juan Seguin’s Ballet Folklórico De La Rosa, starting as a young dancer and eventually growing into Artistic Director.

Teatro De Artes’s executive director, Dr. Yvonne De La Rosa, says this individual has “always distinguished himself as a dedicated educator, trusted mentor, and respected colleague; always placing the needs and well-being of his student dancers at the heart of every decision he makes.”

Seguin ISD’s Ballet Folklórico program has flourished under his guidance since 2020. I have witnessed his commitment to students through the proud updates on their achievements. He also worked to introduce Ballet Folklórico to our ACE students at all 7 elementary schools - complete with shoes for the students, thanks to a grant he received from the Seguin Education Foundation.

65 of those students recently performed at the high school. That show inspired this note from our ACE director, Allison Seidenberger.

“The pride, confidence, and commitment that students demonstrated while featuring beautiful traditional dances, sharing the stories of various times and locations, is the gift of his heartfelt work.”

I am honored to introduce the April Superintendent Apple Award recipient, Beto Rincón."