Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Spring Branch ISD Athletics hosted the annual Student Athletic Training Workshop on March 8 at Don Coleman Coliseum, where 74 high school student-trainers and licensed athletic trainers from Memorial, Northbrook, Spring Woods and Stratford high schools participated in team-building activities, competitions and hands-on learning sessions. 

The group kicked off the day with breakfast and a conversation with guest speaker, Bene Barrera, athletic trainer coordinator at Houston Methodist West. Barrera shared her career path and her role working with performers affiliated with the performing arts, such as the Houston Ballet. Students were excited to hear about a different career path in athletic training. 

“This is a major annual event within our athletics program,” said Paige Hershey, SBISD Executive Director of Athletics. “During the workshop, our students bond with each other and are engaged in experiential learning activities, but they’re also exposed to real-world speakers that provide them with first-hand knowledge about potential career paths in healthcare and the greater workforce. It’s a great experience that I’m glad our students get to be a part of!” 

Followed by a team-building scavenger hunt focused on the emergency action plan at Tully Stadium, the group also heard from guest speaker Tim Stroud of the Easter Seals of Greater Houston, who works with the Wounded Warrior Project. Stroud highlighted his career as an army medic and his subsequent work with service dogs and veterans. 

Participants also engaged in various station work that included a heart anatomy lesson, a review of CPR/AED and Stop the Bleed procedures, the use of polar pods to combat heat illness and spine boarding protocols. 

The long-awaited Student-Trainer Taping Contest had students cheering for their high school representative, as they were tested on the stability, neatness, comfort and time of the ankle taping. 

With a combined score of 47 points, Sydney Richmond, Memorial sophomore, won the competition and was thrilled to have her name engraved on the prestigious Student-Trainer Taping Contest plaque. 

“I’m very happy to have won!” said Sydney. “I’ve worked really hard in this program and I can see my work is paying off as I become more agile in these activities.” 

SBISD Athletics is fortunate to have many supporters of this event. SBISD’s official healthcare provider, Memorial Hermann - Memorial City, provided lunch for all the participants and post-secondary and summer camp scholarships. Dr. P. Timothy Sprockel of Methodist West, Dr. Stephen Simonich and Dr. Peter Sabonghy of UT Physicians, also provided scholarships to students. Dr. Mark Provenzano of the Orthopedic Sports Clinic sponsored all participants’ event shirts, which were designed by the athletic trainers for the event.

Scholarship recipients include:

Northbrook High: 

• Alondra Bemal, $250 higher education scholarship 
• Natalie Bemal, $500 summer camp scholarship
• Angelina Calvillo, $500 summer camp scholarship
• Xitlaly Constante, $500 summer camp scholarship
• Allison Galan Romero, $250 higher education scholarship
• Paloma Gutierrez, $500 higher education scholarship
• Dahlia Saucedo, $500 summer camp scholarship

Spring Woods High: 

• Aylin Castaneda Galvan, $500 summer camp scholarship
• Ronald Lee, $250 higher education scholarship
• Jasmine Lopez, $250 higher education scholarship
• Bryan Mendoza, $500 summer camp scholarship
• Karol Valenzuela, $250 higher education scholarship

Stratford High: 

• Patricia Suarez, $500 higher education scholarship
• Peyton Whitton, $500 summer camp scholarship

Paloma Gutierrez, Northbrook senior and scholarship recipient, was excited to receive a $500 scholarship. She hopes to attend the University of Texas at Austin and pursue a bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in kinesiology. 

“I got involved in athletic training because my sister was part of the program years prior and she really enjoyed it,” said Paloma. “It has been an amazing learning experience and I have developed my leadership and communication skills greatly. I am happy to be part of the team behind the team.” 

The crowd cheered as students walked to receive their scholarship awards. Athletic trainers proudly handed each student their check and congratulated them. 

Marianne Landon, Stratford Head Athletic Trainer, understands the importance of the program and the skills it provides students, as she was a student athletic trainer at Stratford.

“I learned a lot while I was in the program. It helped me learn how to work well with others, provided me with universal skills in case of emergencies and helped me build connections with my peers,” said Landon. “These students are going to do great things and this is where it starts!” 

View a video and a full gallery of the workshop!