INSIDER
Local graduating senior saved mother’s life, took care of siblings and started a business
Read full article: Local graduating senior saved mother’s life, took care of siblings and started a businessA San Antonio-area graduating senior saved his mother’s life, took care of his siblings and started a business all during his senior year.
Latina Holy Cross High School senior hopes to break down barriers, become female pilot
Read full article: Latina Holy Cross High School senior hopes to break down barriers, become female pilotHigh school started off rough for one senior at Holy Cross, but thanks to her family and the support of her school community she was able to graduate on a high note and now has big plans for herself.
Senior from Frank Tejeda Academy has highest math scores in school's history
Read full article: Senior from Frank Tejeda Academy has highest math scores in school's historyA great graduate from Frank Tejeda Academy earned a full four year scholarship and had some of the top math scores in her school's history.
Great Graduates: San Antonio student earned associate degree before high school diploma
Read full article: Great Graduates: San Antonio student earned associate degree before high school diplomaTrinity Adams, a student at St. Philip’s College Early College High School earned her associate degree before graduating from high school.
Three John Jay Science & Engineering Academy grads headed to coveted US Naval Academy
Read full article: Three John Jay Science & Engineering Academy grads headed to coveted US Naval AcademyOnly about 10% of those who apply to enter the Naval Academy are accepted, so the odds of having three from one city yet alone the same high school is very rare. Three John Jay Science and Engineer Academy students however, have done it.
Clark High graduate’s journey includes fleeing war, overcoming health problems, learning third language
Read full article: Clark High graduate’s journey includes fleeing war, overcoming health problems, learning third languageHajar Abdulraham remembers being 5-years old when a war forced her to leave her country to seek shelter and medical help in Turkey. In June the 18-year old will graduate from Clark High School.
UTSA graduate hopes to increase the number of Black women faculty in higher education
Read full article: UTSA graduate hopes to increase the number of Black women faculty in higher educationJasmine Victor graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in public relations from the University of Houston.
A mother’s love for her son motivates her to complete her schooling, bring awareness to childhood cancer
Read full article: A mother’s love for her son motivates her to complete her schooling, bring awareness to childhood cancerA mother’s love for her child has motivated her to complete her schooling and create art, all while bringing awareness to childhood cancer.
Great Graduates 2023: Johnson High School student makes impact with volunteerism, leadership
Read full article: Great Graduates 2023: Johnson High School student makes impact with volunteerism, leadershipA Johnson High School senior in the North East Independent School District has been selected as one of KSAT12′s Great Graduates for 2023.
Stevens High School paralympic athlete trying for olympics next year in Paris
Read full article: Stevens High School paralympic athlete trying for olympics next year in ParisStevens High School Senior Elicia Meairs has big goals, as she is trying to make it to the Paralympic Olympics next year in Paris for track and field.
Great Graduates: Jahsiah Gonzales, East Central ISD
Read full article: Great Graduates: Jahsiah Gonzales, East Central ISDJahsiah Gonzales was dealt a tough blow when his father died of covid at the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The death threatened to derail him from his studies, but Gonzales persisted.
Great Graduates: Hud Baese, Canyon High School
Read full article: Great Graduates: Hud Baese, Canyon High SchoolOur Great Graduate segment is meant to highlight graduating seniors from across our community. We introduce you to local students who, in some cases, have overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles and are set to thrive as future leaders.
Great Graduates: Sierra Christa, Medina Valley High School
Read full article: Great Graduates: Sierra Christa, Medina Valley High SchoolSierra Christa was born and raised in Castroville and started her education at age three, and along with six other students she would share a classroom with them for many years to come.
Clemens High School grad overcomes disease and loss
Read full article: Clemens High School grad overcomes disease and lossDevin Bosch is number six in his class. He got into seven prestigious universities, including schools like Pepperdine and the University of Texas, but has decided to go to Boston University to study medicine and physical therapy.
Lanier High School senior hopes to help build rockets that go to the moon
Read full article: Lanier High School senior hopes to help build rockets that go to the moonLanier high school senior Penelope Maldonado isn’t afraid to take charge and fix things herself. And she does so in a predominantly male class.
Great Graduates: Jaycob Sifuentes, South San Antonio HS
Read full article: Great Graduates: Jaycob Sifuentes, South San Antonio HSJaycob Sifuentes is no ordinary senior at South San Antonio High School, as his academic career has been a constant juggle between performing as a student athlete and hitting the books.
Saint Mary’s Hall great graduate inspired to help others after battling neurological disease
Read full article: Saint Mary’s Hall great graduate inspired to help others after battling neurological diseaseA local graduating senior is using what she learned while fighting a neurological disease to help a small community in Mexico.
Medina Valley HS senior receives prestigious award for charity, acts of kindness
Read full article: Medina Valley HS senior receives prestigious award for charity, acts of kindnessA Medina Valley High School senior was recognized on the state level for her community service and will attend The University of Texas at Austin in the fall.
Great Graduates 2021: Teresa Gamez of Brackenridge High School in SAISD
Read full article: Great Graduates 2021: Teresa Gamez of Brackenridge High School in SAISDTeresa Gamez of Brackenridge High School in the San Antonio Independent School District didn’t let a tough journey and a language barrier slow her down.
Central Catholic High School great graduate’s extracurricular involvement brings out his leadership skills
Read full article: Central Catholic High School great graduate’s extracurricular involvement brings out his leadership skillsFrom JROTC, to National Honor Society, to Eagle Scouts, faculty members say one Central Catholic High School senior is a leader.
College Great Graduates 2021: Gustavo de la Fuente, Texas A&M University San Antonio
Read full article: College Great Graduates 2021: Gustavo de la Fuente, Texas A&M University San AntonioGustavo de la Fuente comes from a small town in the Rio Grande Valley. He was raised by a single mother who immigrated from Mexico when she was a little girl. “It was really difficult for her, quite honestly, for her raising us. But she really persevered and she gave us all the options she could that she didn’t have.” Gustavo said.
Henry Ford Academy graduate hopes to make it to Hollywood
Read full article: Henry Ford Academy graduate hopes to make it to HollywoodHigh school senior Jessica Willis says she has always had a big personality and has always loved the arts and performing. She says that passion for wanting to be on the stage grew while studying musical theater at Henry Ford Academy.
First generation college great graduate determined to make her late mother proud
Read full article: First generation college great graduate determined to make her late mother proudCollege can be tough for a student, especially when you work full time, lose a loved one and have to learn during a pandemic.
Henry Ford Academy great graduate hopes to help LGBTQ youth
Read full article: Henry Ford Academy great graduate hopes to help LGBTQ youthIn 10 years Chris Bills says he doesn’t just want to be involved in some type of nonprofit work but also hopes that he can be a support system to LGBTQ teens who don’t have anyone else to turn to for support.
STEM Early College High School senior overcomes a tragic loss to achieve a full college scholarship
Read full article: STEM Early College High School senior overcomes a tragic loss to achieve a full college scholarshipA STEM Early College High School senior overcame the darkest moment of her life to get to graduation day.
Northeast Lakeview College great graduate shows resiliency in completing school following Hurricane Harvey
Read full article: Northeast Lakeview College great graduate shows resiliency in completing school following Hurricane HarveyA Northeast Lakeview College student shares how she found success after encountering many hurdles during her education.
Pitcher for Samuel Clemens High School baseball team embraces life’s obstacles with positivity
Read full article: Pitcher for Samuel Clemens High School baseball team embraces life’s obstacles with positivityJackson Baack has been playing baseball since he was in the second grade. Now he is a pitcher and one of the captains for the Samuel Clemens High School baseball team.
St. Anthony Catholic High School senior keeps his family tradition alive by choosing to attending Notre Dame
Read full article: St. Anthony Catholic High School senior keeps his family tradition alive by choosing to attending Notre DameAlex Castillo has managed to play football, basketball and baseball, finish in the top 10 of his class and complete 100 community service hours during his four years at St. Anthony Catholic High School.
College Graduates 2020: Brittanie Rivas
Read full article: College Graduates 2020: Brittanie RivasSAN ANTONIO St. Philips College is celebrating the accomplishments of graduate and Army veteran, Brittanie Rivas. Rivas enrolled at the East Side campus as her first step towards helping others. During her time at St. Philips, Rivas accomplished another dream: starting a family. Through the help of professors, Rivas was able to adjust to a new standard to earn her pre-nursing degree from St. Philips College. Army veteran, Brittanie Rivas, enrolled at St. Philips College to pursue a degree focus on helping others.
Clemens High School graduate went from shy kid to all-state choir
Read full article: Clemens High School graduate went from shy kid to all-state choirSAN ANTONIO Senior Tristino Ali said he used to be super shy, but it was choir that truly broke him out of his shell. I was really shy, like really shy, Ali said. Like someone walked past me... it wouldnt happen.After achieving several awards through honors choir over four years at Clemens High School, Ali said making all-state choir this year was the most rewarding. One of his school counselors, Vicki Williams, said his accomplishments are impressive and she is extremely proud of his hard work. He is just a phenomenal young man.Ali said he just wants to use his music degree to one day be a high school choir teacher.
US Presidential Scholar Award recognizes local student
Read full article: US Presidential Scholar Award recognizes local studentSAN ANTONIO – Alamo Heights High School continues to celebrate the accomplishments of this year’s graduating class. He’s a member of several organizations including the National Honor Society, Young Engineers and the Alamo Heights Rocketry Club. “They sent out an email telling me that I was nominated for the U.S. Presidential Scholar Award,” Lloyd said. Alamo Heights High School - Great Graduates 2020“I’m going to Duke University next year to the School of Engineering for biomedical engineering,” Lloyd said. Lloyd is one of 161 students in the nation and one of four Texans to receive the U.S. Presidential Scholar Award this year.
Great Graduates 2020: Rachel Kamata
Read full article: Great Graduates 2020: Rachel KamataSAN ANTONIO An art contest in the fifth grade helped Rachel Kamata realize she had potential as an artist. There was a Parent Teacher Association art competition, Kamata said. Through the years, Kamata has been able to explore new art mediums like oil panting, clay and block painting. For this piece, it's really talking about my Japanese heritage and my grandparents who live in Japan, Kamata said. Kamata was able to make copies of her print and sent one to her grandparents for Mothers Day.
Great Graduates 2020: Valeria Valle
Read full article: Great Graduates 2020: Valeria ValleSAN ANTONIO Valeria Valle is the valedictorian at Jefferson High School and she is very excited about going to the University of Texas at Austin in the fall, where she plans to study biochemistry. Valle is also excited about getting into medical school in the future so, she can become a dermatologist. It was just a career where I think I would be able to excel because it's something I enjoy doing, said Valle. Aside from her community, Valle says she wants to take care of her family, especially her three younger sisters, especially now, after her father passed away. He recently passed away in early March, which was really hard, said Valle.
Great Graduates 2020: Alex Kubon
Read full article: Great Graduates 2020: Alex KubonGreat Graduates 2020: Alex KubonPublished: May 26, 2020, 12:08 pmBig goals and a positive attitude, that’s how Alex Kubon said he was able to achieve a major milestone that helped him standout to several universities.
Great Graduates 2020: Alex Kubon
Read full article: Great Graduates 2020: Alex KubonSAN ANTONIO – Big goals and a positive attitude, that’s how Alex Kubon said he was able to achieve a major milestone that helped him standout to several universities. Kubon is graduating in the top ten of his senior class at NISD’s Communications Arts High School and was accepted to both Trinity University and Purdue University. But I thought you can’t have self-doubt in your head like that when you’re twelve years old and you’re trying to do something,” he said. “I’m going to Purdue University and I’ll be majoring in data science,” he said. With his skills and a future degree from Purdue, thats what Alex hopes to do for an analytics department of a major league baseball team.
Great Graduates 2020: Francey Childress
Read full article: Great Graduates 2020: Francey ChildressGreat Graduates 2020: Francey ChildressPublished: May 25, 2020, 12:21 pmOne KSAT12 2020 great graduate is set to graduate high school and wants to be a veterinarian, saying her pets are what kept her going after having a heart transplant eight years ago.
Great Graduates 2020: Francey Childress
Read full article: Great Graduates 2020: Francey ChildressGreat Graduates 2020: Francey ChildressPublished: May 25, 2020, 12:06 pmOne KSAT12 2020 great graduate is set to graduate high school and wants to be a veterinarian, saying her pets are what kept her going after having a heart transplant eight years ago.
Great Graduates 2020: Jewel Medel
Read full article: Great Graduates 2020: Jewel MedelSAN ANTONIO – The class of 2020 is graduating in the face of unique challenges this year and in our Great Graduates series we feature outstanding graduates from across the city. Jewel Medel is the valedictorian at the Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Medel is in the National Honor Society, the Young Poet’ Society, volleyball, basketball and track and field and she’s received a full scholarship to Brown University. I want her to know if I can do it, she can do it.”Michelle Grajeda is an AP and dual credit instructor at SAISD’s Young Women’s Leadership Academy. Grajeda has been Medel’s instructor for four different courses over the past 4 years and also heads the Young Poet’s society.
Great Graduates: Clyde Harvey, Central Catholic High School
Read full article: Great Graduates: Clyde Harvey, Central Catholic High SchoolWithout a previous sign of medical issues, Harvey suffered a stroke at the age of 15. The last three years for the Central Catholic High School senior haven't been easy. "Clyde had a seizure in geometry, and since then, I had worked one-on-one with his mom," said Millicent Marcha, of Central Catholic. After the seizure, the school helped organize a hybrid system so Harvey can still graduate on time with his classmates. After Harvey graduates, he plans to attend college at the University of the Incarnate Word to study osteopathic medicine or pharmaceutical science.
Great Graduates: Leif Griffin
Read full article: Great Graduates: Leif GriffinSAN ANTONIO – Four years of early mornings, long days and tough classes might seem overwhelming but for one Southwest High School JROTC cadet, those sacrifices paid off. Leif Griffin is heading to Oregon State with a goal to serve his country as a nuclear engineer with the Navy.