Pat Bennett, nurse at First Colony Middle School, was honored by Houston Baptist University for outstanding service to the College of Nursing and her commitment to excellence in nursing education. In her role as a school nurse, Pat has assisted HBU in setting, achieving and maintaining excellence in nursing education as it prepares graduates for entry into practice. Her high expectations for entry-level nurses have enhanced the University's ability to shape its curriculum to ensure the development of strong graduates. Pat was among 15 outstanding teachers, representing various healthcare arenas, to be honored, on April 22, at a celebration ceremony at HBU. Additionally, she was recognized by the American Red Cross for contributing 1,000 hours of outstanding volunteer service in Health and Safety programs.

Mary Constant, ROPES practitioner at Hightower High School, received the "Practitioner of the Year" Award at the 14th annual Texas Experiential ROPES Association Conference, held March 27, at Camp Family Greene in Bruceville, Texas. The award recognizes dedicated practitioners who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the ROPES / Challenge Course / Adventure-based Activities arena, and who have provided superior programming and exhibited those exemplary practices that make the industry proud.

Area Superintendent Gary Crowell was re-elected to serve as member of the UIL Legislative Council's Standing Committee for Academics, representing the 5-AAAAA schools in Region III (which covers Houston, Galveston and Beaumont). The 32-member Legislative Council is the governing body for all UIL activities in the state (including academic, music, fine arts and athletics). During his four-year term, Crowell will help propose amendments and adopt contest rules as they apply to the UIL Constitution.

Congratulations to Safe School Facilitator Trudy Higgins and Zero Tolerance Project Campus Sponsors Barbara Burnham of Hightower High School, Barbara Hoffman of Kempner High School and Dena Darroh of Austin High School on their efforts in earning Fort Bend ISD a state award from the Texas Association of Student Councils and Texas Association of Secondary Principals during the recent State Student Council Convention. Fort Bend ISD's ZT project was recognized during the convention as one of the Top 10 student programs in the state this year. The project empowers students to address the issue of underage drinking by meeting with judges, city council members, and police departments to develop a community plan of action. The program is currently being piloted among Student Council groups at Austin, Hightower, and Kempner High Schools, with plans to extend to all high schools next year.