The big picture
The district hosted the 2023 Volunteer and Partnership Breakfast—an annual event to recognize the district’s supporters and volunteers—on May 5 at the Challenger Columbia Stadium Fieldhouse, according to a district news release.
In addition to the foundation being named community partner of the year, district officials recognized Max Garcia of League City Elementary School along with Jennifer Leonard and Pong Do of Clear Springs High School as volunteers of the year.
District officials also recognized other volunteers from several other schools.
The event’s theme was “Student Success: Symphony of a Community” and featured performances by the League City Intermediate Chamber Orchestra; Mossman Elementary School violinist Allison Yang; and River Jekel Chavez, Clear Falls High School saxophonist.
What they’re saying
Superintendent Karen Engle announced the foundation as the district’s community partner of the year through a video, recognizing its role in the launch and growth of the district’s The Leader in Me program.
“The impact of the foundation’s innovative mindset and fundraising strategies―to the tune of $5 million to date―can be experienced on every campus and hundreds of classrooms every day,” Engle said in the release. “The foundation and their network of donors leads the way in providing the investment and resources that distinguish our district and, more importantly, benefit the growing minds of our students in a tangible way.”
Xan Wood, League City Elementary School principal, and school counselor Michelle Baltazar announced Garcia as the elementary volunteer of the year. Garcia helped grow League City Elementary’s Watch D.O.G.S., or Dads of Great Students, program. The school’s new mascot will be named Max the Mustang in Garcia’s honor.
“Max is simply an integral member of the League City Elementary family,” Wood said in the release. “As president of the PTA, he helps us dream big at our school and makes big things happen.”
Megan Edlefsen, Clear Springs High School’s fashion design instructor, and Clear Springs High student Emily Howard announced Leonard and Do as secondary volunteers of the year. Both volunteers have supported the HUNCH, or High school students United with NASA to Create Hardware, program and help teach the class the production of soft goods for spaceflight.
“To see and feel the confidence Ms. Leonard and Ms. Do have in me and my classmates to successfully make something that will one day orbit the Earth supporting our astronauts is an experience I will never forget,” Howard said in the release.
