School board offers state and national qualifiers
During the May meeting of the Bandera ISD School Board, BISD students who qualified for competition at the state or national level were recognized by their sponsors and coaches and presented with a certificate of merit.
This special recognition included 41 students and 13 sponsors/coaches from the areas of academics, athletics, career and technology, and fine arts.
“We are incredibly proud of these young people and the outstanding coaches and sponsors who have prepared them for success,” Superintendent Dr. Jerry Hollingsworth remarked. We’ve known for a long time that Bandera ISD is a great place to learn and grow. It’s just wonderful when our amazing students and organizations are recognized on a state and national level.”
The U.S. Academic Decathlon National Small School division championship team was presented by Coach Dan Zavorka. Team members were Luke Bitzkie, Christian McKnelly, Megan Mize, Rebecca Ellingson, Rodrigo Gutierrez Gonzales, Sidney Timmons, Samuel Nimmrichter, Michelle Linson, Riley Longobardi and Laurel Morsi.
Texas Association of Future Educators sponsor Morgan Groff recognized students who will advance to national competition later this year. These were Amerberly Patterson, Dorothy Magee and Samantha Reyna. Qualifying at the state level in the University Interscholastic League Calculator Applications competition, Coach Bryan Koerlin presented Christian McKnelly, Luke Bitzkie, Duggan Persyn and David Guerra. UIL Coach Bryan Koerlin presented Gunnar Winkler for his participation in the state level Lincoln Douglas Debate competition. Choir Director Catherine Holmes presented Rebecca Ellingson and Sierra Visser who will advance to State Solo and Ensemble in choir later this month.
Coach Bobby Lalanne presented Harvey Isaac Guerra for being named Texas High School Coaches Association Academic All State in football. He also presented Garrett Meier for being named 2nd team THSCA Academic All State. Volleyball Coach Sandana Molina presented Cami Chesler and Cailee Schroeder for being named to THSCA Academic All State.
Basketball Coach Brady Keane presented Lukas Jackson for being named to the THSCA 1st team Academic All State and the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches Academic All State, Ryan Zimmel for being named to the THSCA 2nd team Academic All State and TABC Academic All State. Keane also presented Harvey Isaac Guerra for being named THSCA Honorable Mention Academic All State in basketball, TABC Academic All State and TABC 4A Student Assistant of the Year. Texas Girls Coaching Association Academic All State honorees for basketball, presented by Coach Kierstyn Sells, were Breanna Stimmell and Elizabeth MacNeil. Stimmel, MacNeil and Samantha Kennedy were also recognized for being named to TABC Academic All State.
Tennis coach Ginger Fry recognized Christian McKnelly for being named to Texas Tennis Coaches Association Academic All State and THSCA Academic All State.
In powerlifting, Coach Manny Martinez recognized Emily Garcia, Kylee Hensley, and Arya Mendiola for being named to the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association Academic All State. Martinez also recognized Mathew State and Kaleb Son for being named to the Texas High School Powerlifting Association Academic All-State team.
Soccer Coach Westley Miller recognized Josh Short and Bailey Cox for being named to the Texas Association of Soccer Coaches Academic All State. Girls Soccer Coach Keith Kuenzel presented Maci Morrison for being named to the Second Team All State. He also presented Halena Rios for being named to the THSCA Second Team Academic All State and the Texas Girls Coaching Association Academic All State. Courtney Dowda was also named to the TGCA Academic All State.