Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Koryn Pleasant

"Koryn has one of the strongest work ethics of any student I have ever taught. Any task I present to him, Koryn gives 110%. He is an incredibly respectful and kind person. He is always the first one ready to play in class, and he exudes a calm and centered presence to those around him. I love having Koryn in class, and I will truly miss him when he is at Stratford next year. - Christine Kennell, Band teacher at Spring Forest Middle School

What inspired you to participate in fine arts at SFMS? My older sister inspired me the most to do fine arts. She was so good at acting, singing and dancing. I wanted to be just like her.

What do you like most about participating in the arts? My favorite part about participating in fine arts is all of the performances and making new friends. It's always fun to see your hard work pay off with those around you.

Is there a favorite moment you’ve had at SFMS? A favorite moment I have from one of my fine arts is performing in the production of Guys and Dolls with Bobcat Playhouse. It has always been my favorite musical since I was five, and I was able to be casted as Arvide.

How have your teachers and/or directors inspired you or helped you? My band directors Mr. Garcia and Mrs. Kennel have always pushed me to be better every time I play my horn. My band directors always pointed me to the way to success of playing with my trumpet.

What skills have you acquired that will help you in the future? During my time in SFMS fine arts, I have learned to lead by example. This leadership skill will go a long way in life no matter what I end up doing whether it is acting, playing a musical instrument or any of the above. Another skill I learned was communication. I learned to not be scared to ask for help, and I also learned not to be scared to help someone in need. Communicating with my peers will be very important for me in the future.

What Core Characteristic(s) have you developed most by being part of this activity? Being in these activities helped me to be Persistent and Adaptable. It also helped me develop the Core Characteristic of Resourceful Problem-solver. I am always trying to improve and always find more ways to do so.

Emma Ramirez

"Emma is an amazing performer with Bobcat Playhouse! Her ability to lock in and focus under any number of circumstances is absolutely outstanding. Never willing to settle, she continuously works on her skillset and will often come in before and after school for additional rehearsal time. Emma Ramirez is a shooting star in Spring Branch ISD and continues to make us proud!" - Kelly Harkins, Drama teacher at Spring Forest Middle School

What inspired you to participate in fine arts at SFMS? What inspired me to be a part of the fine art program at Spring Forest is the excitement I heard from others how much fun it is. By joining the fine arts program, I would not only learn new techniques, but find something I enjoy. 

What do you like most about participating in the arts? What I like most about participating in the arts is that you learn that being you is okay, and the arts are a very accepting field. I got to meet some of my best friends through the arts. I like how you can be unique, and show your individuality. Fine arts helped me find out my interest, and who I am. 

Is there a favorite moment you’ve had at SFMS? I have many favorite moments in my fine arts classes, but one of my favorite moments in fine arts was when my friends and I were getting prepared for the orchestra concert. We were practicing, and one of my friends was going around and filming for broadcast, while my two other friends were practicing with me and warming up.

How have your teachers and/or directors inspired you or helped you? The SFMS fine arts teachers don't give up on students. They always tell us to give it our all, and achieve our best. My teachers always encourage me to apply myself in whatever I'm doing. They are always giving me advice that I think is good to hear. They make me try my very best when working in class, and when practicing for orchestra. 

What skills have you acquired that will help you in the future? We always make sure we make each other feel good about our playing before concerts, and we give each other words of encouragement while making sure we are playing the right tempo and notes.

What Core Characteristic(s) have you developed most by being part of this activity? Fine arts have helped me develop being Empathetic & Self-aware. Being in fine arts allows us to understand people more closely. We do arts for people to appreciate, so we keep them in mind while developing our art. In art, I am involved in National Junior Arts Honor Society and we do art for different purposes to help out. It has helped me grow in becoming Ethical and Service-minded. We did drawings and paintings for children in the hospital.

We also did art to help promote animal adoptions in class. Fine arts also help develop the characteristics of Persistence and Adaptable because teachers support you getting better and better at your music, your acting, your art until it is ready to share with others.

Sometimes this is hard and frustrating because I want to be done with it, but we learn from our teachers to not give up on ourselves and they encourage us to try a little harder and believe in ourselves. I think that all of the Core Characteristics are a part of fine arts, but these three seem to be especially strong.