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Our Giant Student of the Month for September 2026 is Prince Rodriguez Washington, a fourth grader at Antonio Bañuelos Elementary.

Over the past two years, Prince has grown tremendously. He approaches each day with quiet leadership, setting a positive example for his peers through his reliability, kindness, and active involvement at Bañuelos Elementary.

Our Giant Staff Member of the Month for September 2026 is Johnny T. Clark, Jr. Elementary Nurse Kristin Verbick, a compassionate caregiver.

Nurse Verbick is widely recognized for her ability to step up in moments of crisis and in daily school life. Last year, when a severe car wreck occurred directly in front of the school, she immediately rushed out to provide emergency care to those involved, including a four-year-old girl. After the child’s family later visited the campus to express their gratitude with flowers, life came full circle this school year. That same little girl is now a student on campus, and despite lingering effects from the accident, she was overjoyed to discover that her real-life "guardian angel" is her very own school nurse.

Our Giant Student of the Month for April 2026 is Melina Arriaga, a senior at Impact Early College High School and a standout student within the Goose Creek CISD community.

Melina is remarkable. She balances a rigorous academic schedule with significant professional and extracurricular commitments. Currently ranked in the top 20 of her class, she has earned membership in both the National Honor Society at Impact and Phi Theta Kappa at Lee College. Her dedication to her studies is matched only by her initiative on campus, where she founded "The Pokemon Club" to provide a welcoming space for her peers.

Our Giant Alumnus of the Month for April 2026 is Kristi Malpass, softball coach for the Texas Bombers and Sterling High School class of 2006 graduate.

Kristi’s journey as a standout athlete began at Sterling High School, where she earned a spot on the varsity softball team as a freshman. Her talent and discipline on the mound led to a full-ride scholarship to pitch for Houston Christian University (formerly HBU). Today, she translates that high-level collegiate experience into a coaching career that is transforming the lives of young athletes across the state.

Our Giant Staff Member of the Month for April 2026 is Timothy Mullican.

Tim currently serves as the FOCUS teacher at Robert E. Lee High School, where he does an amazing job supporting his students and the broader school community. He is a constant, reassuring presence on campus, and you can always find him in the commons during lunches or monitoring the halls during transition times. He is consistently willing to step in as a supporting adult to ensure the school day runs smoothly, proving that his care for the student population extends far beyond his own case load.

Our Giant Alumnus of the Month for March 2026 is Jennifer Monier-Mendez, a former standout of the Global Business Academy at Goose Creek Memorial High School.

Jenny is currently pursuing a degree in business at the University of Texas at Austin, where she has turned her personal history into a roadmap for others. As a first-generation college student who immigrated to the United States as a child, she faced the complexities of navigating a new country and an unfamiliar education system. Rather than simply overcoming these hurdles, Jenny documented her journey from immigration through high school and into higher education to ensure future students would not have to walk that path alone.

Our Giant Staff Member of the Month for March 2026 is Jade Cherry, an English teacher at Robert E. Lee High School and a vibrant force within the Gander community.

Currently teaching English 1, Mrs. Cherry plays a pivotal role in helping freshmen navigate their transition into high school. Beyond the English classroom, she leads a thriving AVID class, where she focuses on college readiness and helping students build a foundation for future success. Known for her unique and engaging teaching style, she consistently finds ways to make learning fun, inspiring her students to look forward to their time in her classroom each day.

Our Giant Student of the Month for March 2026 is Cody Patterson, a senior at Robert E. Lee High School.

Cody is a beacon of motivation and persistence. No matter what hardships he encounters, he continues to strive for excellence with a drive to be successful in every facet of life. A dedicated athlete for his entire high school career, he has balanced the physical demands of football and track while taking an active role in his education as a dual credit student.