NEWSLETTER OF THE SOUTH SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

Victor Alejandro III Valedictorian

The University of Texas at Austin

Vivian Hernandez-Serna The University of Texas

at Austin

Enid Ibarra Washington University

in St. Louis

Jimmy Martinez, Jr. St. Edward’s University

Clarissa Alvarez St. Mary’s University

Ruben Ureño Salutatorian

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Jacqueline Guerra Texas A&M University

Gloria Ortiz University of the Incarnate Word

Luciano Sosa Juarez III The University of Texas

at San Antonio

Ethan Guerrero The University of Texas

Arlington

South San Antonio High School Class of 2017 Top Ten Graduates

Volume 17, #11 June 2017

The South San Antonio High School class of 2017 graduated 527 students. This is an increase over 4% from the previous year. In addition, over 4.5 million dollars in scholarships were awarded to our seniors to attend colleges in Texas and across the nation. Our district experienced numerous successes and accomplishments this year. Our STAAR scores overall showed improvement as we continue to focus on the instructional needs of every student. The students at the Early College Academy obtained 2,143 college credits in the Fall and Spring semesters. Several of our athletic teams qualified for the playoffs, with our softball and girls basketball teams reaching the regional quarterfinals. Our band was awarded 1st Division in the UIL marching competition. At the elementary and middle schools, our curriculum is designed to prepare our students for the rigor of college courses. South San Antonio ISD is dedicated to providing our students innovative and challenging experiences to produce successful learners.

I am confident that the education offered at South San Antonio ISD is unmatched to any school in our area. The vision of our district empowers students to make decisions and we provide our children numerous educational and extracurricular opportunities to enjoy successful education experiences. As a designated District of Innovation, our goal is to create a learning environment where students will be prepared for whatever path they choose; college, career, or military. For the 527 graduates, I am confident they will have the foundation and skills necessary in whatever future they create. I would like to thank our students, parents, employees and Board of Trustees for their role in making South San Antonio ISD a great district. Our teachers and employees are devoted to the success of our students. Our school board members are committed to improving student outcomes and work endlessly to ensure the vision of our district is fulfilled. Combined with our community, South San Antonio ISD is a proud district with a bright future.

Have a great summer and I hope you return with a renewed sense of energy to be college and career ready in creating your future through South San Antonio ISD.

Sincerely,Abelardo Saavedra, Ph.D. South San Antonio ISD Superintendent of Schools

MESSAGE FROM THE BOARD PRESIDENT

MESSAGE FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT

Congratulations students on another successful school year full of achievement! The class of 2017 recently celebrated their commencement ceremony June 9th. Our seniors accomplished a number of noteworthy achievements including accumulating millions in scholarship funds to go toward their future studies. We know our graduating seniors will make us proud as they continue to achieve their dreams.

The school board is already preparing for the next school year even though summer has just began. This year we had to make difficult decisions and we will certainly face challenges in the future. We want to remind our community that all of the district’s decisions are made with student’s best interest in mind, and we will only withstand adversities if we work together as one school district.

I want to encourage all of our students to welcome new faces with open arms, and remember, we are all one united South San. I also encourage everyone to spend their summer relaxing and being with family and friends. I hope we all use this time to reflect on the last year and use it as inspiration to begin the next school year eagerly. The first day of classes is August 21st, and it will be here before you know it.

I want to wish students, parents and employees all the best for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year.

Sincerely,Angelina Osteguin

South San Antonio ISD Board of Trustees

The 21st annual South SanSational Awards!

Our district celebrated the accomplishments of the class of 2017 with our first-ever Signing Day celebration! Seniors who accepted an offer to universities across the country and those who are enlisting in the armed forces were congratulated by their peers. Friends and family were also invited to take part in this special day.

Representatives from universities across the state and those from the Army, Air Force and Navy were there to welcome their new students into the family.

The students walked away with t-shirts and pennants from the representatives, and what’s sure to be the start of a new sense of pride. Head counselor Charles Gallardo organized the event along with the school’s Booster Club.

It was a great day, and what we hope is a new tradition for our district!

SSAHS holds first-ever signing day for Seniors!

Our students were recognized for all their hard work throughout the year during the 21st Annual South SanSational Award Ceremony. The categories that students were nominated to receive an award included the Super Citizen Award, Most Improved Award, Leadership Award, Overall Student Award and Academic Excellence Award.

The South San Antonio High School’s top 5% were also acknowledged as well as the “Top Cats”, the valedictorian and salutatorian of the class of 2017.

Trustees from our school board handed out the awards to each student and even our Board President Angelina Osteguin was able to give her daughter an Academic Excellence trophy.

The district is very proud of all the students in attendance, and we were pleased to honor these students for their hard work!

Oscar Acevedo, Jr. Jeremy Aguilar Marissa Aguilar +Savanna Hope Aguilar Juan Antonio Aguilar Contreras Aliscia Selma Jean Alaniz Edgar Roberto Alatorre Nicholas Joel Alderete Victor Alejandro III +Jose DeJesus O. Alfaro Alicia Maria Alvarado April Alvarado Cassandra Jayde Alvarado +Destiny Monique Alvarado Jessica Marie Alvarado Kathryn Scarlett Alvarado Stephen Andrew Alvarado Clarissa Medellin Alvarez +Isaac Amulek Alvarez Nohely Arianna Alvarez Ulisses Gilberto Alvarez Miranda Ambriz Gomez Gabriel Isaiah Anaya +Xavier Andrade Yasmine Marie Andrade Julia Rose Antu Eugene Abel Apolinar, Jr. Lillian Natalie Arcos Alexander Arellano Romello Anthony Arellano Daniel Arenas, Jr. Kelsey Arguello Audrey Lynn Arredondo Jasmine Dalila Avelar David Alexis Avila Jacob Thomas Avila Saul Ayala Jayde Stephany Bailleres Natalie Balderas +

Armando Compean Dmitri Matthew Conde Armando Contreras II Yessica Rubi Contreras-Imperial +Arturo Angel Contreras Santos Jorge Timoteo Cordova, Jr. Cristela Coronado Maricruz Cortes-Hernandez Ramona Anneliese Cortez Alexis Joy Cramberg Yvette Cruz Jesus Cuevas Garcia, Jr. Jose Luis Davila Matthew Alexander Davila Jesus Dimas De La Rosa Ariel Blaze De La Vega Abigail De Leon Miranda Ashley De Luna Jaime Homero De La Garza, Jr. Lydia Monique De Leon Jason Delgadillo Leah Leslie Delgado Samantha Brianne Diaz Adrian Dominguez Demi Rae Dominguez +Lindsey Michelle Dominguez Jarryd Raynae Duarte Ceasar Anthony Duquette Romelia Duran Ramos Juan Wescott Duron, Jr. Celeste Manglery Echeverria Angelica Eggers Adrian Elizondo Angelica Elizondo Amanda Michelle Escamilla Ryan Evin Esparza Jessica Eddith Esparza Najar Jose Antonio Espinoza Jose Angel Espinoza Alcorta Cristina Esquivel Elvira Esquivel Garcia Jason Nathaniel Estrada Jonathon Eric Estrada Justine Amber Estrada Saul Alejandro Estrada Zapata Savannah Lena Evans +Carlos Javier Exon Johanna Jewel Fiala Alfred Arnold Flores Christian Xavier Blade Flores +Fermin Ricardo Flores, Jr. Jazmine Rose Flores Jocelyn Flores Rafael Antonio Flores, Jr.

Noemi Martinez Barajas Marcelo Barboza Jaelyn Miranda Barrientes Autumn Jonell Behee Cesario Bela III Richard Gutierrez Belton III Jesse J.J. Beltran, Jr. April Marie Bermea Emily Samantha Black Albert Blanco Raeanne Gisele Blanco Vincent Rene Bosmans Stephan James Bouldin Abygail Ann Bryand Mariah Nicole Bustos Nicholas Ray Butler Jaime Lee Cabrera, Jr. Tiffany Alina Cabrera Kayla Marie S Camarillo Abigail Brianna Campos Clarisia Marie Cantu Danielle Cantu Frances Elaine Cantu Synnamon Mollie Carabajal Christopher Matthew Cardenas Hector Guadalupe Cardenas, Jr. Martin Angelo Cardona Stephen Moses Carlee Amanda Marie Carmona Angela Rose Carmona Ana Maria Casillas Renteria +Dania Olivia Castillo Lizeth Anahi Castillo Melanie Danielle Castillo Mildre Gemally Castillo +William Dylan Castillo Martin Brianna Lee Castro Destiny Nicole Castro Kassandra Jazmine Castro Martha Patricia Castro Frank Castruita, Jr. Enrique Cazares Raquel Lizette Cerda Jennifer Ruby Cervantes Osornio Robert Joe Chavarria Anner Francisco Chavarria Soza Alejandro Antonio Chavez Christopher Isrrael Chavez Julissa Isabel Chavira Coleman Mitchell Chipman +Joseph Carrion Cisnero Joshua O. Clement Cassandra Leigh Cocolan Kayla Raylene Collins

Pictured: After receiving diplomas, senior class president Yessica Rubi Contreras-Imperial motions for her classmates to move their tassels to the left.

Juan Dominic Garza, Jr. Justin Scott Garza Kayla Ashley Garza Raul Garza, Jr. +Andres Garza Arias Sureima Magaly Garza Sanchez Brandon Lee Gatica Sarah Alexis Gibbs Hope Alexandria Gloria Derek Andrew Gomez Jose Gilberto Gomez Lauren Nicole Gomez Rolando David Gomez Xavier Efrain Gomez Alexis Nicole Pena Gonzales Andrew Gonzales, Jr. Andrew Ryan Gonzales Faith Evelyn Gonzales Jason Jacob Gonzales Juliana Marie Gonzales Philip Armand Gonzales Reagan Alexander Escobedo Gonzales Alfred Gonzalez, Jr. Felipe Gonzalez Gilbert Gonzalez, Jr. Isaac Alexander Gonzalez Jada Lynn Gonzalez +Joshua B. Gonzalez Juan Severiano Gonzalez

Sabrina Flores Serena Rose Flores Warren John Flores Ambrosia Unique Fonseca Nadine Monae Franklin Ofelia Sandrine Franks Victoria Ann Fuentes Jaziel Esau Fuentes Varela Lee Ann Mendez Gallegos Thomas Lee Roy H. Gallegos Israel Gamez Jaren Tyler Flores Gamez +Alexis Maxine Gaona Aaliyah Sianne Garcia +Adrian Garcia Anthony Aguilar Garcia Belen Garcia Flavio Garcia Ruiz Jaime Ellias Garcia Kaylen Leigh-Ann Garcia Kirstyn Gloria Garcia Marissa Garcia Mark Anthony Garcia Michael Jacob Javier Garcia Naomi Lynn Garcia Yesenia Joleen Garcia Luis Alberto Garibay, Jr. Ashley Evelyn Garza +Gavin Joe Garza

Monique Kali Gonzalez Victor Alexander Gonzalez +Roberto Daniel Gonzalez Najar Arely Granados-Chavero Danielle Lucinda Guajardo Jacqueline Guerra +Rene Guerra, Jr. Eduardo Guerrero Ethan Eric Guerrero +Jonathon Wendell Guerrero Julian Guerrero, Jr. Julisia Sophia Guerrero Leo Brandon Guerrero III Megan Danielle Guerrero Sandy Starr Guerrero Alaina Renae Guevara Jazlyn Renee Guevara Rosendo Guevara Francia Galilea Guevara Vera Kimberlin Seleny Gutierrez Cerrato Richard Gutierrez III Alejandro Felipe Guzman, Jr. Arianna Gabrielle Hernandez Christian Jay Hernandez Christopher Hernandez Steven Ray William Hernandez Vivian Hernandez-Serna +Alyssa Nicole Herrera Joe Herrera, Jr. +Luis Antonio Herrera Michael Anthony Herrera Ray Herrera Nicole Alyssa Howard Eric Christian Huanosta Cesar Alejandro Ibarra, Jr. Enid Carolina Ibarra +Hector Edward Imery, Jr. Victoria G. Ireta Christopher Lashawn Ivery Austin Jaramillo-Herrera Theresa Jane Jimenez Kevyn LaJaune Johnson Luciano Sosa Juarez III +Ryan Juarez Laura Elena Jokebed Juarez Velazquez +Melanie Rae Kretz John Augustine Lara Antonio Juwon Lattimore Jr. Alexander Michael Leyva Isaiah Tristan Limon Seth Thomas Locke Adrian Matthew Lopez Antonio Lopez III Christian V. Lopez

Karel Anahí Padilla Calderón +Savanah Destiny Padilla Richard Damien A. Palacios Jylene Patlan Craig Jeremy Pelayo Desiree Alxis Peña Destiny Amber Peña Jennifer Peña Christian Andres Perez Silva Dylan Issak Perez Lizeth Perez Tazman Vicente Perez Zitlalli Perez +Luis Ariel Perez Ochoa Alexis Nicole Pineda Jessica Marie Pinkerton Sierra Monique Polk Brandon Joseph Pompa Christopher Simon Pompa Joaquin Kelly Dyan Porter +Gregory Michael PradoFatima Quemada Negrete Joseph Alexander Quijano II Jessie Angel Quinonez Savannah E. Quinonez + Dominique Marie Quintanilla Heriberto Quintero Malarie Ashlan Quiroga Ashley Yamilet Rabago Andres Ramirez Christian Alexis Ramirez Gonzalez Jesus Emiliano Ramirez + Leandro G. Ramirez III Marco Antonio Ramirez, Jr. Ariyah Nicole Ramos Devin Erich Ramos Diamond Marie Ramos Enrique Ramos, Jr. Miranda Raquel Ramos Timothy Ray Duke Ramos + Nathalia Ramos Aleman Serina Lavonne Rangel Aileen Andrea Rendon Alivia Danielle Rendon Bethel Ann Reyes Chaseryn Reyes Edward Reyes, Jr. Emerson Rose Reyes Guillermo Jaden Reyes, Jr. Roberto Gabriel Reyes Salvador Ferreira Reyes III Charlie Anthony Reyna Jasmine Andrea Rico Andrea Danielle Ricondo + Michael Anthony Riojas

Ernest Emmanuel Lopez +Esmeralda Lopez +Jasmine Eve Lopez Jordan Anthony Lopez Joseph Eric Lopez Katryna Raye Lopez Aurora Deyanira Lozano Chavez Delilah Michelle Lugo +Eric Matthew Lugo Nathaniel Ian Lumbreras Alejandro Luna Nicholas Luna +Mia Lutzenberger Alyssa Michelle Macias +Elvia Lynn Macias Jaime Magallanes, Jr. +Zachery Magallanez +Samantha Magaña +Armando Jacob Maldonado Mauro Alejandro Maldonado Vazquez Lluvia Guadalupe Mancha Nathan Issac Marez Antonio Luis Marichalar Noelle Joy Marks Yvonne Marroquin Ashlyn Renee Martinez Brittney Ann Martinez Cassandra Lee Martinez Catherine Vivian Martinez +Christy Lynn Martinez Isabel Francisca Martinez Isaiah E. Martinez Jessette Marie Martinez +Jimmy Martinez, Jr. +Jordan Alexander Martinez +Kimberly Martinez Lupita Martinez Matthew Joseph Martinez

Melina Martinez Stevie Nicole Martinez Astrid Martínez Gúzman Armando Martínez Mata Victoria Ann Mata Jaylin Mercedes McCumber Chloe Marie McGraw Leslie Jenette Medina Martha Julia Medina Alyssa Janelle Medrano Carlos Medrano, Jr. Heaven Rae Medrano Jada Frances Rae Mejia Caleb Joe Melchor Michael Melendez Diego Rafael Mendez Balli Arlet Margarita Mendoza Godfrey Mendoza Isaiah Bernie Mendoza Matthew Rey Mendoza Stevie Angel Mojica Lisette Molina Marcinda Shanelle Lee Molina Carol Anne Montelongo +Citlally Alexa Montelongo Alyssa Renee Montes Lorenzo Armando Montes Christian Rene Mora Malina Rae Mora April Lizette Morales Gabriela Morales +Isaias Jocsan Morales Samaniego Christopher Alecozay Moreno Richard Anthony Moreno +Andrea Montserrat Moreno Manzo Mark Anthony Morones Bethany Gormate Mosser +Matthew Alexander Muños Brianna Marie Munoz Zachariah James Murray Lizette Antonia Nava +Leroy Niño Joshua Ismael Ochoa Daniel Olivares Samantha Yvonne Olivio Brianna Marie Orta Jovan Jonathan Ortega Cerna Veronica Damaris Ortega Marrufo Gloria Geanelle Ortiz +Kamryn Alexis Ortiz Maycol Alexis Ortiz Lara Cristian Pacheco Isaiah Nicholas Pacheco Luis Alvarado Pacheco, Jr. Isaias Emmanuel Pacheco Ceniceros

$$4,473,700 MILLION and counting in scholarships

awarded2016-2017

Dana Cheyenne Rios Jesus Thomas Rios Gisselle Anahi Rios Tamez Abel Ali Rivas Jacqulyn Danielle Rivas Jose Luis Rivera, Jr. Naomi Ylleana Rivera Ruby Shimmerystar Rivera Sabrina Amanda Rivera Uriel Alejandro Rivera Vanessa Monique Rivera Ezequiel Robledo Selena Robles Bernal Joe Richard Rocha Gabriel Enrique Rodarte Adrian Reyes Rodriguez Ayla Ann Marie Rodriguez + Melissa Rodriguez Miranda Reann Rodriguez Nicholas Rodriguez Perla Berenice Rodriguez Perla Yulissa Rodriguez Peter Syrus Rodriguez Stephanie Rodriguez Veronica Rodriguez Luis Alejandro Romero Jacob Daniel Romo Justin Robert Romo Francisco Javier Rosales, Jr. Miranda Alicia Rosas Chaurice Jonsette Ross, Jr. Juan Angel Rueda Abdiel Manuel Ruiz IV Edgar Rafael Ruiz Juan Ruiz Kristina Janette RuizJoseph Saenz Alexander Henry Salazar Isis Faith Salazar Jian Carlos Bernal Salazar, Jr. Jessica Marie Saldana Jacob Anthony Saldivar Samuel Ari Salinas Abigail Rean Sanchez Christian Sanchez Dalina Danielle Sanchez Isabel Sanchez Jesus Alejandro Sanchez Villarreal Skila Sanchez  Star Lynn Sanchez Thomas Isiah Sanchez III Jonathan Santillana Lopez Justin David Sendejo Josbe Moises Sepulveda Zuñiga Tommy Rey Serna

Alejandro Adan Servantez Jose Antonio Sevilla Don Pedro Francisco Silva Eliacim J. Silva Jordin Marie Silva Keren Silva Matt Dillen C. Silva Marcus Antonio de Jesus Solano Carlos Ignacio H. Solis Jonathan Alexis Solis Mariah Christine Sonora Julian Eugene Sotelo Mario Alberto Sustaita, Jr. Jay Pete Chuko Tavera Rachel Tellez Autumn Hayley Thompson Jose Alberto Tillery Caballero Tatiana Aleah Tinsley Andrea Yakelin Tobias Perales Adriana Jaqueline Torres Holguin Amanda Naydine Torres Ariana Nicole Torres Jackeline Torres Noah Orion Torres Steven Anthony Torres Ariazne Paola Tovar Garcia Allison Lynn Trevino Lexus Shay Trevino Maria Fernanda Trevino Miguel Trevino Amber Alexia Trujillo Deanna Marie Trujillo Ruben Anthony Ureno +Ryan Jaquez Urrabas Des'Rae Denise Usher Kayla Nicole Valadez Alyssa Giselle Valdez Brandon Valdez Christopher Michael Valdez Jonathan Martinez Valdez +Victor Anthony Valdez Naida Ann Valenciano Rodolfo Valenzuela III Amanda Barba Vallejo Jerry Vargas Abel Vasquez III Diego Armando Vasquez Gabriel Vasquez, Jr. Jazmine Danielle Vasquez Joshua Matthew Vasquez Justin Vasquez Marivel Vasquez Mireya Vasquez Jose Raul Vazquez Zacarias Lyric Angel Vega

Denise Velasquez Leonard Viera II Angel Villanueva, Jr. Jose Guadalupe Villanueva, Jr. Abigail P. Villarreal Josiah Fabian Villarreal Cleo Dorothy Ann Voigt Christopher-Robinson Arce Williams Joseph Albert Williams Joseph Aaren Williamson Airiana Jossette Wolfe

Best Wishes in your

endeavors!

+ Denotes Top 10% of the Senior Class of 2017 This list is a duplicate of the SSAHS 2017 Commencement program.

Keeping the Tradition Alive South San Alumni Andrew Guevara poses with our newest alumna, his daughter Alaina.

That’s what friends are for! Senior Rene Guerra helps out Coach Serna with a quick wardrobe fix.

SSAISD PD show support for C/O 2017 Students take a photo with SSAISD Chief of Police Eugene Tovar and Lieutenant Ruben Elizondo.

Students gather to take a photo with a few members of our school board, (L-R) Mrs. Connie Prado, Trustee, Mrs. Linda Longoria, Secretary and Mrs. Leticia Guerra, Vice President.

“Our own SSAHS, long may it stand...” Graduates cross arms to sing their alma mater.

We did it! Graduates proudly display their diplomas.

SSAHS JROTC, led by Major Ruiz, gets ready to begin commencement with the Presentation of Colors.

Students use sign language to applaud their fellow hearing-impaired classmates.

MoMents froM the Class of 2017 CoMMenCeMent CereMony Friday, June 9th, 2017

Lending a helping hand Classmates help each other get ready to walk the stage!

#SupportSystem Family and friends show up to support their graduate!

Senior Jordan Lopez keeps the late Coach Arturo Soto’s memory alive during graduation.

In Memory Of...

South San Antonio ISD Board of TrusteesMrs. Angelina Osteguin

President Mrs. Leticia Guerra

Vice President Mrs. Linda Longoria

Secretary

Mr. Louis Ybarra, Jr. Trustee

Mrs. Connie Prado Trustee

Mrs. Helen Madla-Prather Trustee

Mrs. Elda L. Flores Trustee

Compiled by the South San Antonio Independent School District

Editors: Jocelyn Durand and Carissa Valdez

Communications Office

Special thanks and photo credit: ss.mamarazzi 5622 Ray Ellison Blvd.

San Antonio, Texas 78242 Ph: 210-977-7000