From turning pages and creating award-winning art and writing to exploring advanced mathematics and preparing to become future educators, Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) students are finding meaningful ways to grow their talents.
At its September regular meeting, the SBISD Board of Trustees celebrated students whose dedication to learning earned district and national recognition. The recognitions highlighted curiosity, creativity and commitment across grade levels and gave trustees an opportunity to share in the excitement of students’ accomplishments alongside their families and educators.
Summer Reading Rockstars keep learning going
A summer break from school didn’t mean a break from learning for SBISD’s Summer Reading Rockstars. The district’s Summer Reading Challenge encouraged students to log at least 1,000 minutes of reading over the break. Students could explore books of their choice in print, e-book or audiobook formats, discovering new stories and interests while strengthening their reading skills.
Reading throughout the summer helps students maintain and improve those skills, building a foundation for academic success in the coming school year. The Board recognized the following students as the district’s top Summer Reading Rockstars, based on minutes read:
Bunker Hill Elementary: Ceyone Dawani
Cedar Brook Elementary: Dawson Dowd and Emerson Dowd
Valley Oaks Elementary: Sloan Herman
Frostwood Elementary: Timothy Pancherz and Nathan Zaragoza
Westchester Academy for International Studies, middle school: Leonardo Pisano and Riley Tobin
Spring Forest Middle School: Lia Ramirez, Layla Ramirez and Olivia Lappin
Stratford High School: Gabriella Peppard and Henry Whiles
Memorial High School: Hong Tran and Julie Liu
Westchester Academy for International Studies, high school: Benjamin Rampersaud
Six students named National Math Stars
The Board also celebrated six students from Valley Oaks Elementary and Spring Branch Academic Institute selected for the National Math Stars core program.
Launched in 2023, National Math Stars identifies mathematically extraordinary second- and third-graders and provides long-term, individualized support to help them develop their talents. Its multistage evaluation considers students’ mathematical aptitude, enthusiasm for deeper STEM exploration and the potential impact of the program on their future.
Selected from nearly 9,000 applicants nationwide, these SBISD students demonstrated what the program describes as “1-in-1,000” mathematical talent and aptitude:
Valley Oaks Elementary: Tobin Yen
Spring Branch Academic Institute: Sian Gao, Owen T. Cui, Dax Patel, Ella Zhang and Emily Zhang
As National Math Stars, the students will receive 10 years of support, including advanced mathematics learning opportunities, mentorship, financial support and STEM enrichment experiences.
Spring Woods future educators earn national honors
For Spring Woods High School students Lizbeth Lopez and Narhalie Padilla, a creative classroom tool became an opportunity to shine on a national stage.
After qualifying through the Texas state competition, the students advanced to the Educators Rising/TAFE National Conference in June, joining a field of 3,800 competitors from across the country. They earned Blue Ribbon recognition, the highest ribbon distinction awarded in the event.
Their achievement marked the first time Spring Woods students advanced to the national level in this competition.
The Board recognized Lopez and Padilla for their accomplishment, celebrating both their creativity and their growing interest in the education profession. Their success demonstrates how opportunities to apply learning can help students build confidence, develop career skills and envision their futures.
Student artists and writers recognized
The Board also recognized three students for their achievement in the 2026 I Am Texas contest.
Ruyi Chanel Wei, Memorial High School: Second place in High School Art for Thoughts of a Warrior, earning a $500 prize.
April Li, Memorial Middle School: Art finalist for Sunrise on the Farm.
Gabriella Peppard, Stratford High School: Short story finalist for The Weight of a Teacup.
Their work will be published in the 2026 I Am Texas Historian’s Journal and become part of The Bryan Museum’s permanent library collection. Finalist artwork will also be featured in the museum’s Student Art Expo in Galveston from Oct. 7 through Nov. 22.
Read the full story: Memorial’s Ruyi Chanel Wei earns statewide recognition.