Jocelyn Bedolla’s acrylic painting, a vibrant portrayal of *Roots and Routes*, and Emily Lucio’s photograph, a poignant interpretation of the same theme, both secured second and third positions in the 2024 MASBA District Art Contest. Jocelyn, a student at Avalos P-TECH School, and Emily, from Aldine High School, have showcased their unique artistic expressions with great success.

Their works were displayed and judged at the 2024 MASBA conference held recently in San Antonio. Jocelyn’s outstanding work was rewarded with a $750 award, while Emily’s talent was acknowledged with a $500 prize. This recognition validates their hard work and dedication and encourages them to continue pursuing their artistic passions.

Carolyn Watkins is Jocelyn’s art teacher at Avalos P-TECH School, and Birgit Langhammer is Emily’s art teacher at Aldine High School. 

Congratulations to Oyindamola Akintola from Alief Early College High School for receiving a $5,000 CITGO scholarship in the Service and Leadership category. Oyindamola’s commitment to serving others and leading by example is truly commendable. Her dedication to making a difference continues to inspire those around her.

Big congratulations also go to Yusroh Salami from Alief Elsik High School for being awarded a $5,000 CITGO scholarship in the Career and Technical Education category. Yusroh’s passion for CTE and dedication to pursuing a bright future in this field is evident through her hard work and accomplishments.

Finally, congratulations to Paola Cardenas from Alief Early College High School for being awarded a $5,000 CITGO scholarship in the Beating the Odds category. Paola’s journey, marked by her strength and determination, proves that challenges can be overcome, and her perseverance continues to inspire others.

These students have been recognized for their remarkable achievements, and their scholarships will help them continue to push boundaries and reach new heights.

Kempner High School’s yearbook staff recently earned the Award of Distinguished Merit, the highest honor given by the Interscholastic League Press Conference (ILPC), for their 2024 yearbook *The Prowler*. ILPC, a division of the University Interscholastic League (UIL), recognizes excellence in student publications and promotes high standards in journalism through contests, seminars, and workshops.

Judges praised *The Prowler* for its high-quality photography, with yearbook staff member Haylie Reyna noting, “We had really good photographers, and we worked hard at improving our storytelling. The diversity of events we covered really shined through.”

Several individual achievement awards were also presented to the students:

- Faunn Fraga, second place, class spread  

- Tina Nguyen and Layla Argote, third place, blended coverage  

- Anthony Nguyen, third place, photo portfolio  

- Tina Nguyen and Layla Argote, honorable mention, feature spread  

- Saira Chaudhury and Joanna Okusanya, honorable mention, clubs/organizations spread  

- Saira Chaudhury and Joanna Okusanya, honorable mention, academics spread  

- Anthony Nguyen, Tiffany Tondre, and Faunn Fraga, honorable mention, sports spread  

This recognition highlights the dedication and hard work of Kempner High’s yearbook team, celebrating their achievements in storytelling and journalism.