Week of April 9

As students participate in STAAR testing and EOC testing over the next two weeks, SMCISD will not allow visitors to campuses to avoid any distractions to student testing. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

The Rattlers took on the Unicorns of New Braunfels on Friday, April 12 needing a victory to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Rattlers delivered with a 7-6 victory on senior night and continue their playoff hunt this week as they host East Central on Friday, April 19.

San Marcos High School had a powerful crew of writers this academic year, and they worked hard in submitting their work to Scholastic Art and Writing, "our nation's longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens." We had four students earn awards for the entire Southern Region! Additionally, Brynn Gardner won the ACC Vision + Voice poetry contest.

Congratulations to the following SMHS students:
Brynn Gardner, 10th: Silver Key, Flash Fiction story "Aquamarine"

Georgia Recio, 10th: Honorable Mention, Flash Fiction, "The Jelly Incident"

Aaralyn Julian, 10th, Silver Key, Poetry, "Time to Rest"

Yamileth Gonzalez, 11th, Honorable Mention, Poetry, "o.m.w"

Brynn Gardner, Aaralyn Julian and Georgia Recio. (Not pictured: Yamileth Gonzalez).

De Zavala and Rodriguez Elementary held their annual STAAR pep rallies on Friday, April 12. Diamonds and Knights were reminded that they are the rockstars of the test and that all their hard work has prepared them to have the best performance! The Diamond staff even hosted a Masked Dancer competition to encourage all students to have the utmost confidence while taking their tests.

On Thursday, April 11, our Miller Rattlers were visited by SMHS state champion high jumper, collegiate athlete and educator, Mr. Allex Austin. Austin was joined by current student-athletes on the Texas State University Mens basketball team, including San Marcos alum, Kaden Gumbs. Austin and guests shared insight into his academic and athletic journey through candid recollections of the perseverance, integrity and discipline necessary of all of us when faced with adversity. Miller students were able to vocalize their own aspirations and how the GEAR UP program provides unique opportunities to grow in their own resilience each and every year.

San Marcos High School's National Honor Society, and Miller Middle School's Student Council both took part in river clean ups during the week of April 9. SMHS students took time to clean Rio Vista Park on Thursday, April 11. Miller students cleaned the trail from City Park to Rio Vista Park on Friday, April 12. Thank you to our Rattlers for being good stewards of the San Marcos River and our environment!

Crockett's Family Fine Arts & Literacy Night featured a poetry picnic, book fair, book presentations, outstanding musical performances, fun arts and crafts activities, and even an appearance by Clifford the Big Red Dog on Thursday, April 11.

Goodnight Middle School 8th grade student, Destiny Garcia, was one of 500 students from across the United State to receive the distinguished honor. The award is given to middle school students who show their commitment to the five pillars of NJHS: scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. With the award, Garcia received a $500 college savings plan to support her future educational aspirations.

Congratulations to our San Marcos High School UIL students and teams for qualifying for Regionals! Advancing to Regionals are the following SMHS students:

Ben Keller – 2nd Science; 1st Math (high score)

Phone Kant – 3rd Mathematics; 3rd Computer Science

Pranav Rastogi – 4th Science

Mathematics Team (Ben Keller, Olivia Bley, Phone Kant, Eleanor Smith, Pranav Rastogi, and Michael Torres)

Science Team – 2nd

Computer Science Team – 2nd

Lit Crit Team (Brynn Gardner 1st, Brisha Canahuati 2nd; 3rd Ruby Wilsford; 4th Kaila Adams)

Alternates:
Ben Keller – 5th Computer Science; 6th Number Sense

Phone Kant – 6th Calculator

Olivia Bley – 6th Mathematics

Jonathan Walker – 6th Computer Science

Phone Kant, Ben Keller, Olivia Bley, Eleanor Smith, Ruby Wilsford, Kaila Adams and Brisha Canahuati. (Not pictured: Brynn Gardner, Michael Torres, Pranav Rastogi and Johnathan Walker.)

Four SMHS students competed at the Texas HOSA State Leadership Conference in three different health professions events. During the first week of April, they traveled to Galveston for their events. Walter Navarro and Dayannara Cruz competed as a team in Emergency Medical Technician. Addyson Chomel completed in Nurse Assisting and Eva Moore competed in Home Health Aide. Addy earned a spot in the top 10 and Eva placed 2nd in the State! Eva will advance to the HOSA International Leadership Conference and will compete this summer.

San Marcos High School's Wind Ensemble visited Goodnight Middle School on Wednesday, April 10 to recruit future high school band musicians, and perform alongside their wind ensemble. Students were also able to ask questions about participating in the San Marcos HS Band!

Crockett Elementary celebrated Dropping Everything And Read (DEAR) Day on Friday, April 12. Throughout the day, librarian Mrs. Miller announced times to stop everything and read. Superstars were given multiple poses such as read like a zombie, read like a model and read like a surfer to take part in during DEAR Day!

Our San Marcos FFA Career Development Event teams competed in the Area CDE Contest on Saturday, April 6.

• The Floriculture team placed 11th with Natalie Genaro placing in the top 30 out of 100 individuals.
• The Horse Team placed 10th place with Cassidy Mandal placing 11th individually.
• Vet Science individuals: Clayton Engler placed 30th individually and Catherine Cortez placed 38th individually, out of 138.
• The Entomology team placed 6th as a team and advanced to the State CDE Contest in Lubbock on April 20th. Additionally, Rice Tipps placed 4th individually in Entomology.

Congratulations to all the FFA CDE teams and the FFA advisors on all their hard work and dedication this season!

Goodnight AVID students took a field trip to visit UTSA on Friday, April 5. Our Rattlers toured the campus, visited classrooms and learned about the programs UTSA offers during their college visit.

To celebrate Principal Dr. Analeasa Holmes completing her doctorate program, our Crockett Superstars surprised her with a campus-wide parade on Friday, April 12. Students lined the halls chanting "Dr. Holmes" and popping streamers into the air as Dr. Holmes walked the school's hallways.

Additionally, Mendez Elementary Campus Instructional Specialist, Cecilia Trujillo-Lozano also defended her dissertation with Texas State University to earn her PhD in School Improvement, all while managing being a working mother and fabulous member of the Striker community.

Congratulations to Dr. Trujillo- Lozano and Dr. Holmes on this tremendous accomplishment. San Marcos CISD is so proud of you both!