On April 8, Spring Woods High School (SWHS) welcomed back alumnus Randy Braband, a former standout linebacker for the Texas Longhorns, who returned to campus to contribute to the school’s athletic legacy.

A 1973 Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP and 2025 Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame inductee, Braband donated his trophy to the school for permanent display.

“Spring Woods is where everything started for me,” Braband said. “To be able to bring this trophy back home means a lot. I hope it reminds these students that hard work, discipline and pride in where you come from can take you as far as you’re willing to go.”

Known as an intense and fearless defender, Braband made his mark at the collegiate level. Over three Cotton Bowl Classic appearances, two as a starting linebacker, he recorded 33 tackles, including 19 in Texas’ 17-13 victory over fourth-ranked Alabama in 1973. Serving as senior defensive captain, he delivered a dominant performance that helped secure the win.

“Having Randy Braband return and give back in this way matters for our students,” said Andrew Rohrs, campus athletic director at Spring Woods. “They see firsthand what’s possible through commitment, discipline and teamwork. We’re grateful to Mr. Braband and his family for sharing this moment and allowing us to display his accomplishments as part of our program’s history.”

During his visit, the 1968 graduate met with students during athletic periods, presenting the trophy along with additional memorabilia from his career. The experience connected past and present, giving current student-athletes a tangible example of where their path can lead.

“This is more than a trophy, it’s a symbol of what students can achieve,” said Paige Hershey, executive director of athletics. “Moments like this reinforce the standard we set for our programs and the opportunities our students have to succeed beyond high school.”

Explore the SBISD Athletics website to see the full range of programs and opportunities available for student-athletes.

#SBISDProud

View event photos here.

Megan Carpenter, an elementary health and wellness teacher at Sherwood Elementary (SWE) in Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD), fell in love with running and its many benefits: physical health, mental clarity, emotional balance, and social connection. 

“As a young mom, I found running to be a healthy outlet, and I regularly participated in half marathons, marathons, and even one ultra marathon,” she said. “It was a way to clear my head and a form of self-care.”

Not too long ago, however, an injury sidelined her, and she had to hang up her running shoes. But that setback didn’t stop Megan from making sure her students learned about the power and beauty of running. She channeled her love for the sport into coaching her students through Let Me Run and Girls on the Run. Her goal: to encourage less active students to move more and give more energetic students space to release their energy. 

Let Me Run is a seven-week after-school program designed specifically for boys in the spring. Participants meet twice a week for 90-minute sessions that include track walking, running intervals, endurance training, team support, and goal setting, all leading up to a final 5K race. Although the program doesn’t have a big following in Houston, Megan hopes to see it continue to grow because of the way it builds character and provides a space for students to express themselves authentically, free from societal expectations.

She recalls one of her favorite memories from a lesson on the “boy code.” 

 "One of the examples given was a stereotype that boys don't like pink since it's a 'girl color'. 4 or 5 of my boys were wearing pink to practice that day,” she said.  “It made my heart so happy that the lesson was reinforcing what some boys already knew.” 

The boys recently completed the Green 6.2 5K at CityCentre, and Megan couldn’t be prouder of them for their commitment. 

“Race day is my favorite part of working with these students because they get to experience a sense of accomplishment, pride in completing something challenging, and the joy of achieving a goal as a team,” she said.  

Megan has led the Sherwood Let Me Run chapter for five years and was recently recognized as the organization’s volunteer of the month for her dedication to coaching. 

In the fall, you can find Megan mentoring third- fourth- and fifth-grade girls through the school’s chapter of Girls on a Run, a program focused on the sport that emphasizes helping young girls gain confidence and grow emotionally. It also culminates in competing in a 5K.

“I love helping these students in this way and giving the same outlet that has benefitted me so much,” she said. “My hope is that each one of them takes away confidence, teamwork, and the belief they can do hard things,” she said. 

#SBISDPROUD

On the same day the Artemis II mission returned to Earth after its historic journey around the moon, 10 students from Memorial High School visited Spring Branch Middle School to share what they have learned in STEM and discuss some of the exciting projects they helped bring to life.

In addition to the four astronauts on the mission, a part of MHS traveled alongside them. The names of 20 MHS aerospace engineering students along with their teacher, Ms. Robinson, orbited the moon on an SD card aboard the Orion spacecraft.

During the visit, the students proudly displayed their Artemis II boarding passes, highlighting their connection to the mission. This experience illustrates how MHS aerospace engineering students are making history while inspiring the next generation of SBISD STEM leaders.

View photos from the event here.