Spring Branch ISD Featured News

Stratford High School hosted the first Fine Arts Signing Day on May 18, where seven students signed letters of intent to pursue the fine arts post-graduation. Classmates, friends, family and teachers cheered the students on and celebrated their accomplishments. 

Raymorris Barnes, Stratford principal, kicked off the ceremony by congratulating the students and applauding their hard work and dedication. 

“We are excited to host the first Fine Arts Signing Day and we hope it encourages others to celebrate our fine arts students,” said Barnes. “By strengthening all areas of our school, we help Every Child build their confidence and inspire them to pursue their passions.” 

During the ceremony, each student’s teacher listed their accomplishments and announced the university they would be attending and the major they would be pursuing. This Signing Day, students committed to schools across the country including the University of Michigan, Northwestern University and Indiana University and will be majoring in theater design and production, music education and vocal performance, among others. 

Spring Branch ISD is committed to ensuring that every graduate reaches T-2-4 success. Events like the Fine Arts Signing Day strengthen that vision and spotlight students that are actively reaching those goals. 

Nic Rhew, a Stratford senior and Fine Arts Signing Day participant, will be attending Baldwin Wallace University and pursuing musical theater. He recently won a Tommy Tune award for Outstanding Lead for the role of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in Young Frankenstein and will also compete as the Jimmy Awards nominee winner at the national Jimmy Awards ceremony in June in New York City. 

“It is very exciting to see the community coming together to support us!” said Nic. “The fine arts are very important and I hope other students are inspired and realize their passions are worth pursuing.” 

The Stratford community hopes to continue hosting Fine Arts Signing Days to recognize and cheer on talented students. 

Congratulations to these Stratford Fine Arts students: 

• Sammer Ali, University of Michigan

     Theatre Design & Production 

• Ryder Anderson, Stephen F. Austin State University

     Music Education

• Mackenna Mullins, Indiana University

     Vocal Performance 

• Bailey Reoh, Southern Methodist University

     Studio Art

• Nic Rhew, Baldwin Wallace University

     Musical Theatre

• Anna Rigo, Northwestern University

     Musical Theatre

• Katelyn Valdez, Stephen F. Austin State University

     Interior Design

View the full album of the celebration!