Photos in this article provided by AnnBeck
The KennedaleISD Education Foundation
held its annual Top 10% Banquet May 2nd to recognize the top students in the 2016 graduating class of Kennedale High School and each student’s exceptional teacher. {{more:[read more]}}
This year the event was held at South Oaks Baptist Church with the meal provided by Dickey?s Barbeque with additional sponsorships provided by Ann Beck Photography, Minuteman Press of Mansfield, Complete Emergency Care, Dan Curry, Ann Foutenot with Ford Eye Center, Frost Bank, Kennedale High School, Donna Eastman with Summit Security and United Educators Association.The following are the students honored and their teacher that they chose to honor. Students are listed in alphabetical order.
Noet Ellesse Avila is the daughter of Dr. John and Genevieve Avila. She plans to study biology and pursue a career as a veterinarian. Julie Naugton is a CTE Teacher for the Human Services Cluster and is in her 14th year teaching at KHS. She currently teaches Counseling and Mentoring, Principles of Human Services, PAL and Peer Mediation Classes.
Marissa Brennan is the daughter of Marti Harris and Shawn Brennan. She will be attending the University of Notre Dame and plans to study mechanical engineering. Linda Graddy has been teaching for 27 years, 18 in Kennedale. She is the GT and Challenge Lab teacher at James Arthur Intermediate.Allison Claire Cook is the daughter of Blair and Diann Cook. She plans to attend Baylor University to study secondary mathematics and become a teacher. Barbara Johnston has been teaching in KISD since 2006, teaching 8th grade English and Reading at KJHS and since 2014 she has been at KHS as a CTE teacher in the Ready, Set, Teach! program and the cheer coach.
Vanessa Chloe Galindo is the daughter of Pablo and Janet Galindo. She plans to study environmental science at the University of North Texas. Richard Earle has been a teacher for over 20 years in Amarillo, Monahans, Temple and the last nine year at KHS. He teaches 9th grade English and coaches.
Ilena Daniella Gamillo is the daughter of Gilbert and Lori Gamillo. She plans to study business accounting at either the University of North Texas or UTA. Elizabeth Brooks has been teaching at Kennedale High School for 14 years. She currently teaches AP English IV, Creative Writing, Humanites and AP Art History.
Iryna Danielle Hall is the daughter of Luba McMillian. She plans to study business at the University of Texas at Austin and to pursue a career as a lawyer. Carolyn Cullum taught elementary art in Midlothian before moving to Kennedale Junior High. This year she moved to Kennedale High School where she teaches Advanced Art and Art I & II.
Claire Hamilton is the daughter of John and Jennifer Hamilton. She plans to study spanish education at East Texas Baptist University while playing soccer with the goal of becoming a Spanish teacher or to do mission work. Jennifer Hamilton has taught the last 10 years at Kennedale Junior High, teaching 7th grade Science and Pre-AP Science. And, yes, she is the mother of Claire.
Jessica Anahi Hernandez is the daughter of Enrique and Maria Hernandez. She plans to study biology and medicine at the UTA and become a pediatrician. Chriss Burke has been education for 21 years, 11 at Kennedale High School. He currently is a CTE teacher in the Health Science Technology Cluster at KHS teaching Principles of Health Science, Medical Terminology and practicum classes.
Victoria Lynne Huggins is the daughter of Guy and Julie Huggins. She plans to attend Texas A&M in Bryan to study biology and become a large animal veterinarian. Erol Oktay is in his 14th year as Director of Bands for Kennedale High School and in his 24th year of teaching. He also taught in Arlinton ISD and Burkburnett ISD.
Colton Jakubisin is the son of Eric and Marla Jakubisin. He plans to attend Texas A&M University to study Kinesiology and become a Physical Therapist or a Trainer. Patrick Potter started a 2nd career after retiring from the City of Arlington by becoming a teacher at James Arthur Intermediate, teaching 6th grade math for 13 years.
Anna Karen Llamas is the daughter of Mario and Mariam Llamas. She plans to study Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at University of Texas at Arlington. Jennifer Cook has been teaching for 17 years, the last 11 at Kennedale High School. She currently teaches AP Calculus and Algebra I.
Jillian Melbourne is the daughter of David and Mandy Melbourne. She plans to study neuroscience at the University of California Los Angeles (ULCA). Her goal is to become a neurologist. Dimitri Higginbotham is in his 5th year at KISD as the Percussion Coordinator, Concert Band and Jazz Band Director.
John Mitchell is the son of Bill and Tricia Mitchell. He plans to attend Texas A&M with a double major in finance and accounting and to pursue a career in finance. Clint Funderburk has been a math teacher for 7 years, the last 4 at Kennedale High School. He currently teaches AP Statistics and Algebra II.
Tyler Ngo is the son of Tran Ngo and Ashley Tran. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington to study chemistry. Derek Lopez is finishing his 2nd year as a CTE teacher at Kennedale High School teaching Anatomy & Physiology and Lifetime Nutrition & Wellness.
Minh-son Khac Nguyen is the son of My Ngyyen and Kim Pham. He plans to study public health or biology with the goal of becoming a pharmacist. Monica Stephens is completing her 22nd year teaching high school Spanish. She currently teaches Pre-AP and AP Spanish and Spanish II.
Heather Phillips is the daughter of James Phillips and Yen Vu. She plans to attend the University of North Texas to study chemistry with a goal of becoming a pharmacist. Wendy Thacker has been teaching 16 years, the last 15 at Kennedale High School teaching English. She is currently teaching Pre-Ap English III and English II.
Jordan Pough is the son of Roger and Dana Pough. He plans to attend Texas A&M and study civil engineering. Matt Munson has been in education for 7 years, the last 6 at Kennedale High School. He currently teaches Pre-AP World Geography and AP Human Geograpghy and coaches.
Maggie Pyles is the daughter of Chris and Kathy Pyles. She will be attending the University of Arkansas at Monticello playing volleyball and studying nursing. She would like to become a neonatal nurse. Jennifer Patterson has been teaching and coaching for 13 years, the last two years are Kennedale High School. She is a CTE teacher and is currently teaching Professional Communications.
Danielle Adjekai Mansa Quaye is the daughter of Victoria Quaye. She plans to attend the University of Texas of Arlington to study biology and to become an optometrist. Allison Boubel has been at KISD for 20 years, six years as a 7th grade English teacher and the last 14 at Kennedale High School as the Librarian.
Samantha Randolph is the daughter of Jeffery and Annabelle Randolph. She will be attending the University of Southern California to study Occupational Therapy. She wants to open a non-profit occupational therapy practice. Gia Bowens has been a science teacher at KHS since 2010. She currently teaches Pre-Ap Biology and AP Biology.
Alexis Thornton is the daughter of Jim and Kelli Thornton. She will be attending Southern Methodist University, studying health science and playing soccer. She plans to be a physician?s assistant in sports medicine. Michael Strange has taught 13 years as a high school physics teacher, the last 4 at Kennedale. He currently teaches Pre-AP Physics and coaches.
Steven Lukas Williams is the son of Jeff and Tracy Williams. He plans to attend Texas A&M University to study kinesiology. He wants to become a physical therapist. Paul Trantham has been teaching and coaching for 34 years, the last 24 at Kennedale High School. He currently teaches AP US History, US History and Sports History.
Nolan Wixson is the son of Ehren and Karen Wixson. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington and to study aerospace engineering. Doug Groff has been teaching for 21 years, the last 13 at Kennedale High School. He teaches Economics and coaching basketball.
Jonathan Zeilinski is the son of Jeff and Rebecca Zielinski. He will be attending Southwest Baptist University and study computer science and playing football. His goal is to eventually work for NASA in the space program. Shaheen Matuni has been in education 10 years and has taught computer science for the last nine years. He currently teaches Research in IT, Computer Programing and Advance Programing.
The Kennedale ISD Educational Foundation is an independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit taxexempt philanthropicorganization governed by a volunteer board of directors made up of business, community, and educational leaders that partners with parents, teachers, and community to enhance education in KISD, fosters creative approaches to education through private grants and involvement and benefits KISD students and staff by supporting activities.
