ALAMO HEIGHTS PEP RALLY
Alamo Heights High School held their first Pep Rally of the year, taking it to the field at the newly renovated Harry B. Orem Stadium. Students enjoyed some outdoor games, featured performances by the Mighty Mule Band, cheerleaders, and Spurs dancers, and filled the stands with a whole lot of spirit! Photos courtesy of the AHHS Journalism Department.
Carrying American flags, seniors Beau Kleberg and Cody Burke run through the banner before the start of the Central Catholic game. “It was an honor to be able to carry the American flag before the game,” Kleberg said. The Mules won the game to go 3-0 in the season. Photo by Clarissa Cardenas, AHHS.
Hitting their mark, the Spurs Dance Team performs for the crowd
at the first pep rally of the year. The Spurs are led by Director
JessicaMarie Sanchez. Photo by Anna Beth Tipton, AHHS.
In the stands, the members of the senior class cheer during the first pep rally of the year. The pep rally was originally scheduled to be in the gym but was relocated to the new stadium. Photo by Anna Beth Tipton, AHHS.
AHHS STUDENT NAMED KENS 5 ALL-STAR
Dylan Corso, a junior at Alamo Heights High School, was surprised with the KENS 5 and UPS Store All-Star Student Award.
Dylan made his way to the front of Alamo Heights High School thinking he was going to be a part of promotional to be played on the school’s new videoboard at Harry B. Orem Stadium. Little did he know; the promotion would focus on him and all he does to promote and share the stories of his peers. Surrounded by his peers, Corso learned that he had been nominated for the honor by his Television Broadcast Teacher, Ann Carter, and Principal, Cory Smith,.
Dylan is an outstanding student who loves videography, video production and broadcast. He loves to create and share student and staff stories at Alamo Heights High School. He has long since been a part of the production and broadcast team at the high school and most recently stepped into a leadership role producing sports events for the new video board installed at Harry B. Orem Stadium just a month ago. With his first game under his belt, Dylan is passionate about his work and his enthusiasm is contagious. He is always engaged, thoughtful, asking questions, learning and finding ways to improve his product. He works with a talented team of fellow students and teachers who are beyond excited to be a part of something larger than themselves, rather, it allows them to share the stories and celebrations of others in the most creative ways.
Congratulations to Dylan Corso, the KENS 5 and UPS Store All-Star Student for Alamo Heights ISD!
AHJS TEACHER HONORED WITH EXCEL AWARD
Alamo Heights Junior School’s Tristan Salinas, a third year English Language Arts teacher and coach, has been recognized for his work and honored with the KENS 5 and Credit Human with the EXCEL Award recognizing outstanding teachers.
A 2018 graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science and a minor
in English, this new teacher has been making connections and building relationships with his students, attending their extracurricular activities to share his support for them both in and outside the classroom.
Salinas shares that a quote from Dr. James Comer helps him stay grounded in his work. Comer states, “No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.” Salinas shares, “This quote truly embodies how I feel about teaching. I feel like a student’s best work is created when they know their teacher cares about them and will do anything in their power to help them be successful both in the classroom and in their life in general. Teaching is all about relationships and as an educator I’m blessed to form those every day I set foot
on campus.”
Salinas serves Alamo Heights Junior School as a 6th grade English teacher, and 7th and 8th grade boys’ athletics coach. “I chose to become a teacher to make an impact on student’s lives and to inspire them to never set limits on themselves. I think being a teacher and a coach is one of the best professions in the world. The impact and relationships we are able to form with our athletes and students is something that I believe lasts a lifetime and truly makes a difference in their lives,” shared Salinas. “I am blessed every day to be a part of such a rewarding profession.”
Salinas is making an impact on his students and colleagues at AHJS. His campus principal, Laura Ancira, nominated him for the award, sharing, “Tristan is loved by parents and students. He values the importance of relationships and works daily to build relationships and connect with all students and their families.”
Salinas attributes his success to his amazing support system. He shares his gratitude for those who support him in his journey as a teacher, sharing that his fiancé pushes him to do his best every day. He is grateful for parents who have been great in supporting and encouraging him throughout his life, including two brothers who he calls his best friends. He shares his appreciation for his school family, acknowledging that he works alongside a great group of educators and coaches.
“I believe that I learn just as much from my students as they learn from me. My students and athletes push me to be the best educator and coach I can be, continuing to amaze me every single day I show up to school,” shared Salinas.
SAVE THE DATE TO REUNITE AT HEIGHTS
Are you an AH-alumnus? Last year, the Alamo Heights School Foundation welcomed 250 guests to Reunite at Heights, our inaugural Alumni, and Hall of Fame Celebration. Join us for this celebration on February 27, 2022 and take trip down memory lane while hearing from current students and teachers about the great things taking place at Heights. Tickets are on sale online at ahschoolfoundation.org.
50 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SECTION LEADING INTO 50 FOR 50
Over the last 50 years, Alamo Heights School Foundation has supported Our Children.
Over the last 50 years, Alamo Heights School Foundation has backed Our Teachers.
Over the last 50 years, Alamo Heights School Foundation has funded Our Schools.
50 years ago, our community established the first public school foundation in the great State of Texas. Throughout the last 50 years, numerous community leaders, parents, grandparents, and alumni have led the Foundation’s efforts to support our students, back our teachers, and fund our schools. This year we celebrate their vision while cultivating community support for the future. For more information about the Foundation and how you can participate visit our website at ahschoolfoundation.org.
POWERING THE PROFILE
John Sheppard has been recognized by his peers and campus leadership as a teacher who embraces and encourages the Alamo Heights ISD Profile of a Learner in unique ways for his students. Sheppard helps his students Seek Knowledge and Understanding by exhibiting intellectual curiosity, actively constructing and demonstrating knowledge and skills and encouraging students to inherently value their own learning. To see and share his work in action in the classroom, AHISD featured Sheppard in the latest episode of Powering the Profile. See the series, celebrating AHISD’s extraordinary teachers and how they bring the Profile of a Learner to life for students, on the district’s YouTube Channel: Alamo Heights Mules.
SMH TEACHER NAMED 2021 OUTSTANDING BIOLOGY TEACHER FOR TEXAS
Saint Mary’s Hall (SMH) Middle School Science Teacher Patricia Nicoll has been named a 2021 Outstanding Biology Teacher by the National Association of Biology Teachers (NABT), in conjunction with Carolina Biological Supply Company and the Texas Association of Biology Teachers (TABT). With 25 years of teaching experience, Nicoll has taught Form 7 Life Science at SMH since 1997. She also serves as a consultant with The College Board and Laying the Foundation, Inc.
Teaching ability, experience, innovation, initiative, positive student-teacher interactions, and cooperativeness in the school and community are criteria for earning the distinction. Awarded annually since 1961, the honor recognizes a teacher from each of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, other U.S. Territories, and Canada who have made invaluable contributions to their profession and have enhanced the learning of biology.
“I want each student to look back on their time with me as a fun journey of exploration, one that they endeavor to continue, and a foundation to the life-long development of their scientific minds,” said Nicoll.
The NABT will host a special presentation at its national conference in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to the certificate, Nicoll will be presented with a gift certificate from Carolina Biological Supply Company, a year’s complimentary membership in NABT, and a year’s membership in TABT.
