Cougar Excellence Awards October 2024

Crosby, TX (October 21, 2024) - The Crosby ISD Board of Trustees awarded more than a dozen students, teachers, staff, and community members "Cougar Excellence" awards for October 2024. These awards celebrate those who show the values we cherish in Crosby: hard work, a sense of purpose, and achievement.

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

First from Crosby Kindergarten Center, Allison Pernas Aguilar. Allison is a kindergarten student in Ms. Hartley's class. She first caught Principal Minor's eye in the car rider line. Allison is always watching her surroundings. When she spots a new student or a student who needs assistance getting in line, she will go to them and ask them to line up. Allison is a true portrait of a future graduate and, with these early traits of greatness, we're sure she'll be the best firefighter, her dream job, ever! We are proud to recognize Allison this month.

From Newport Elementary, Ava Katherine. She is an outstanding fifth-grade student who brings energy and enthusiasm to everything she does. Principal Price says she can be seen showcasing her Crosby spirit as a Cougarette or leading her peers as an active member of the NES student council. Ava Katherine's positive spirit and dedication to excellence make her a jewel to have as a student.

From Barrett Elementary, Anthony Cornejo. Principal Ornelas says Anthony’s daily dedication to success is nothing short of inspiring, and the remarkable growth he’s shown this year speaks volumes. With a growth mindset, Anthony sets personal goals and works tirelessly to achieve them. His teachers rely on him as a classroom leader, where he not only supports his teammates but also models stellar communication skills. Anthony shines brightly at Barrett Elementary. We are so proud of you, Anthony—keep soaring!

From Crosby Elementary, 5th grader, Anastasia Diaz. Principal Kratky-Fox says Anastasia has a heart of gold. She displays compassion and kindness towards others in a genuine way, never expecting recognition. Anastasia steps out of her comfort zone to lead her peers in the classroom and as a Cougar Council Representative. She was one of the prayer leaders at See You at the Pole event this year.  She bravely prayed for her school community with a heartfelt and sincere prayer in front of students, families and community members.  Anastasia has really blossomed as a true leader at CES this year.

From Drew Elementary, Bentlee Chambers. Bentlee is a very dedicated, sweet and smart kindergarten student! Principal Hall says she is a great leader and always willing to help out in the classroom, and even with running errands to the front office or around school.  Fun facts about Bentlee: She sings along to Disney with Mrs. Randazzo all the time, and she’s going to ask Santa for a kitty cat this Christmas. At least that’s what she said!

From Crosby Middle School, 8th grader Jaxon Nibarger. Principal Lozano says Jaxon is one of our outstanding office aides. He always greets everyone with a smile as he assists. He takes pride in helping his peers and ensures tasks are completed efficiently during his time with us. Jaxon remains respectful toward peers and adults, setting a positive example throughout school. It is truly a pleasure to have Jaxon at Crosby Middle School. His positivity and dedication brighten our office every day!

From Crosby High School, senior Wesley Yarbrough. Wesley recently broke the school record by rushing for 304 yards in a game against Friendswood, earning his place in the Crosby High School record books. As the star running back and team captain, Wesley helped lead the Cougars to a 4-0 start in district play. His outstanding performance on the field has also earned him a scholarship to play in the Big 12 at the University of Arizona. Not only is Wesley an exceptional athlete, but Principal Hadnot says he is also a dedicated student who excels in the classroom. Congratulations to Wesley for all of his achievements—on and off the field! Keep making Crosby proud!

TEACHERS OF THE MONTH

From Crosby Kindergarten Center, Ms. Sabrina Jordan. Ms. Jordan has demonstrated leadership with her team and students. She is a highly organized and focused teacher who excels in team planning and collaboration. Her attention to detail and clear communication makes her a key contributor to her team. She doesn't mind sharing her ideas with the team for our students. She understands the importance of bell-to-bell instruction and is committed to excellence in the classroom. Her commitment to student success is evident in her thoughtful and structured approach to teaching. Crosby Kindergarten Center recognizes Ms. Jordan for this month's Cougar Excellence Award.

From Newport Elementary, Ms. Charley Moe. Principal Price says Ms. Moe is a remarkable first-grade teacher who has a gift for cultivating a warm educational environment that makes students feel seen and valued. She leads her classroom with a smile on her face and kindness in her speech. She works diligently to push every student to maximize their potential. Her hard work and passion for teaching shine through in everything she does, making a positive impact on her students and peers. NES is very grateful to have such a compassionate and talented educator!

From Barrett Elementary, Ms. Melania Dominguez. Principal Ornelas says Ms. Dominguez is a phenomenal second-grade teacher. She has taken on the team leader role this year and transformed team collaboration, guiding meetings with the PLC model and inspiring her fellow teachers to laser-focus on what students are truly learning in every lesson. She does it all with grace, kindness, and that signature smile that lights up the room. Ms. Dominguez, thank you for everything you do!

From Crosby Elementary, Ms. Jennifer Ellisor. Principal Kratky-Fox is proud to recognize Ms. Ellisor as an outstanding 4th-grade teacher who goes above and beyond to connect with her students and inspire them as learners. She fosters a nurturing environment where each child feels valued, while also pushing them to reach their full potential. Ms. Ellisor is always willing to lend a hand, whether it's supporting her colleagues or students, and she does so with a consistently positive attitude. Her dedication to education and her passion for student growth are truly exceptional. We are fortunate to have her as part of our team, making a lasting impact on our school community.

From Drew Elementary, Ms. Catherine Simpson. Ms. Simpson is a dedicated and hard-working 1st grade teacher at Drew. Ms. Simpson is a wonderful team player who consistently goes above and beyond to support her colleagues and students. She's always coming up with great ideas to help the team and is dedicated to making a positive impact. Ms. Simpson also boosts morale and makes every day more enjoyable with her infectious positive energy, bringing a sense of fun and joy to the hallway, classroom, and school. We're so lucky to have her on our team! By the way, Ms. Simpson is a returning champion! She earned a Cougar Excellence award before, in February 2022.

From Crosby Middle School, Ms. Marilyn Rodriguez. We are thrilled to welcome Ms. Marilyn Rodriguez as a new teacher at Crosby Middle School. Her team members deeply admire her unwavering positivity, strong work ethic, and genuine kindness. Ms. Rodriguez consistently greets everyone with a warm smile and demonstrates exceptional flexibility in meeting the needs of our students. Though new to the Cougar family, Ms. Rodriguez has already made a meaningful and lasting impact on our school community. Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez, for embodying the spirit of excellence, dedication, and care!

From Crosby High School, Coach Jabara Williams. Principal Hadnot is proud to announce that our Varsity Football Defensive Coordinator and I-C-S (In Class Support) teacher, has been selected as the CHS Cougar Excellence Award Winner! Coach Williams recently earned high praise from the Special Education Department for his exceptional work as a SPED case manager during an ARD meeting. Coach Williams' amazing and upbeat personality shines through in everything he does. His dedication and willingness to serve exemplify what it means to be a Cougar.

PARAPROFESSIONALS OF THE MONTH 

From Crosby Kindergarten Center, Ms. Yasenia Alvarez. Principal Minor would like to recognize Ms. Alvarez for being a team player and welcoming new staff to the Pre-K building. Since the first day of school, Ms. Alvarez has jumped into action working with our Pre-K students, helping them feel comfortable and teaching routines. She has done a phenomenal job working with our students at Cougar Court, an elective they love going to. Most recently, she began working closely with a teacher hired in mid-September. She shared ideas she herself picked up last year from a veteran teacher who taught her great teaching strategies. She is flexible and adapts to anything that comes her way. CKC is proud of Ms. Alvarez!

From Newport Elementary, Ms. Leyanett Saucedo. Ms. Saucedo is the sunshine that brightens the front office at Newport Elementary. As the receptionist, she greets everyone with her warm smile and  friendly presence. Principal Price says she is dependable, hardworking, and truly dedicated to making every person feel welcome. Mrs. Saucedo handles every task with a positive attitude and a gracious spirit. Her kindness and commitment make her the perfect candidate for the Cougar Excellence Award, and we are incredibly grateful for the warmth she brings to our NES family!

From Barrett Elementary, Ms. Nannette Janeway. Principal Ornelas says Ms. Janeway radiates sunshine every morning and afternoon in the car rider line with her bright, welcoming smile. As an instructional paraprofessional, she delivers invaluable lessons and academic support to our special education students, building strong, trusting relationships that help them achieve their goals. Her dedication to our Cougars shines both inside and outside the classroom, and we can always rely on Ms. Janeway to go above and beyond for our students' success.

From Crosby Elementary, Ms. Mayra Pineda. Principal Kratky-Fox says Ms. Pineda consistently demonstrates an outstanding work ethic and dedication to providing in-class support for students with accommodations, ensuring their individual needs are met. Mrs. Pineda brings creativity and passion to the classroom, always engaging students with a warm smile and kind soul. Her ability to connect with students is remarkable, fostering a positive and supportive learning environment. We are truly grateful for her exceptional attendance, love for teaching, and commitment to Crosby Elementary School.

From Drew Elementary, Ms. Rashanda Myles-Garcia. Mrs. Myles-Garcia consistently provides service with a smile, bringing a sense of warmth, fun, and helpfulness to everything she does as the Library Para. Whether she's hosting a book fair, teaching a small group, or boosting morale around campus, she is always ready to jump in wherever needed. Her willingness to go above and beyond makes her an invaluable asset to our team, and we're grateful for her positive energy and dedication!

From Crosby Middle School, Ms. Francisca Arellano. Principal Lozano says she is the welcoming face of Crosby Middle School, providing guidance and support to parents as they arrive. She consistently upholds high professionalism, greeting everyone with a warm smile. Her flexibility is critical to her success as a receptionist, managing the steady flow of parents throughout the day with grace and efficiency. We are grateful for her outstanding work in maintaining our school's positive and professional image. Thank you, Ms. Arellano, for your dedication and contribution to our community!

From Crosby High School, Ms. Edith Cook. As the dedicated assistant registrar, Ms. Cook manages the enormous task of substitute coverage each day at CHS, ensuring our school runs smoothly. Principal Hadnot says her consistent hard work, helpful nature, and always-positive attitude make her an invaluable member of our team. Edith is a bright spot in the office, always ready with a smile and willing to assist with any need. Please join us in congratulating Edith on this well-deserved honor!

BUSINESS PARTNERS OF THE MONTH

This school year, we are featuring a “Business Partner of the Month” each month. What a wonderful time we’ve been having inviting a local business owner or employees who spend a few hours each month volunteering at one of our campuses. This month’s business partner is Lyondell Basell.

In August, LyondellBasell also gave away dozens of free backpacks and supplies at our Back to School Bash.

Then, three employees recently volunteered at Crosby Elementary School. Noel Escalante, Art Board, and Tracy Rodriguez visited the library to help read and learn with students.

They visited Ms. Guzman in the computer lab and spent recess with first-grade students from Ms. Berthelot’s class.

They also attended Accelerated Instruction sessions with fifth graders learning from Ms. Cuellar and Ms. McPhail, while third and fourth graders studied with Ms. Ellisor and Ms. Keltz. Ms. Cuellar taught figurative language, by showing students the differences between similes and metaphors. Ms. McPhail helped reinforce context clues with dice games. In her room, Ms. Ellisor shared stories of the American Revolution to assist students in their comprehension of narrative non-fiction. 

They did a great job on lunch duty, too! We appreciate LyondellBasell and its employees for being such a big supporter of the students and staff members in our district. They enjoyed their time volunteering so much that LyondellBasell asked them to return every so often to volunteer at CES. Thank you, Principal Kratky-Fox, and your team, especially Ms. Green, for rolling out the red carpet for LyondellBasellvolunteers. Come on up Noel, Art, and Tracy! We have some proud Cougar parents among the LyondellBasell crew. Noel is a proud mom of a CES second grader, and Art’s daughter graduated from Crosby High School in 2020. 

 ALUMNI OF THE MONTH - "COUGARS FOR LIFE"
 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fz9yG5ertpA

Finally, the Crosby ISD Board of Trustees recognized the Alumni of the Month for October 2024. Coach Aston Walter and his brother, Austin, (Crosby High School Class of 2014) hold many football records at Crosby High School. He’s now gone off to inspire younger men to be their best. Coach Walter is an offensive assistant at the University of Tennessee. Our story also features the five Crosby High School graduates who are coaching our hometown team for the 2024-25 season. Aston's mother - Dian Walter - accepted the honor on his behalf.

SPONSORS

Thank you to each of the sponsors for the Cougar Excellence Awards. Each month, HEB generously donates a $25 gift card to our students of the month. Chick-fil-A of Crosby also donates a prize pack for our students, teachers and paraprofessional of the month.  Also, each student of the month will leave here tonight with one of these yard signs! We want our entire community and your neighbors to know the great work your students are doing in our District. We thank Marco’s Pizza and local franchise operator, Mr. Clarence Howell, for sponsoring these yard signs.