Spring Branch ISD Featured News

 

For Nina Skae, a proud member of the Spring Woods High School (SWHS) Class of 2025, high school has been a transformative journey—one where she found her voice, shaped her path, and discovered who she truly is.

When Nina joined the speech and debate team at SWHS during her junior year, she was instantly hooked. The naturally talkative and outgoing senior discovered her true passion: using her voice to inform, persuade and inspire.

“Speech and debate have helped me fine-tune my writing and research skills, but even more importantly, it has broadened my horizons,” Skae said. “You get to hear different people’s experiences and points of view, and that shapes how you see the world.”

Her participation in speech and debate also helped her land a scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. She will start there this fall, eager to study environmental policy and public law in the College of Arts and Sciences, with the long-term goal of attending law school.

“Environmental policy sits at the intersection of science and public service. That’s where I want to make a difference,” she said.

Skae remembers the exact moment she was accepted to Penn. After being rejected by Vanderbilt and wait-listed at Rice, she was pleasantly surprised when she received Penn’s email. The message filled her computer screen with colorful confetti, sealing her fate for the next chapter of her life.

“I was so used to the rejections and being wait-listed that I expected the same thing from Penn,” Skae said. “My parents wanted to record my reaction to opening the email, and I’m so glad they did!”

Growing up in Spring Branch Independent School District, Skae’s roots in the community run deep. Her grandfather owned a shoe repair shop near Memorial, and she began her academic journey at Tiger Trail, one of the district’s preschool programs. She quickly acknowledges that the district provided her with the foundation to get into an Ivy League school and reach her full potential.

“The teachers in Spring Branch are amazing,” Skae said. “They are passionate about what they teach and truly make learning fun. Even in preschool, I could tell the teachers were happy to be there and vested in my success.”

She is especially grateful to Vicky Beard, who teaches speech and debate at Spring Woods High School.

“Mrs. Beard has been amazing. She’s shown me what dedication and passion look like,” she said.

With Beard’s guidance, Skae has soared in original oratory, crafting speeches that explore complex social and political topics.

She earned seventh place out of 350 competitors at the prestigious Harvard Debate Tournament, was a semifinalist at the Texas Forensic Association’s state tournament and qualified for the TFA State Tournament for three consecutive years. She also took sixth place at the national Grapevine Tournament and is heading to the National Speech & Debate Association’s national competition this summer. Her leadership extended beyond the debate team, as she also served as president of the American Latino Advocacy Society.

“Nina has the rare combination of intellect, heart and grit,” Beard said. “Watching her grow into a powerful, thoughtful leader has been a great joy.”

Skae looks forward to visiting the Penn campus with her parents this summer and is excited about the future. No matter where life takes her, she will always be grateful for the strong foundation of her Spring Branch education, realizing that the teachers made all the difference—from preschool to senior year.

“Teachers are often undervalued,” Skae said. “But great teachers truly transform lives. I know they transformed mine.”

We are proud to celebrate Nina. She is an example of resilience, growth and community spirit, and she embodies what it means to be a T-2-4 Ready graduate.

#SBISDProud