Student Editorial By: Guadalupe Del Campo, Robert E. Lee High School Junior

Memorizing facts, listening to teachers talk for hours, essays due by midnight - and having to balance your own personal life outside of the classroom on top of all that. And I start to think, where’d all the time go? I wish I could just go back to kindergarten, where my biggest concern in the world was making sure I knew how to count to a hundred, or better yet - graduate and get it all over with. Now instead of crying over a scraped knee, I cry over my math homework. When did letters get involved anyway? These are supposed to be the best years of my life, childhood and adolescence. Yet all I, and others like me, do is take them for granted. We want to be adults - independent, mature, we want to be grown-up.

But I'm here to tell my fellow warriors in the battle we call school, it’s not just about the grades, awards, or your class rank. It’s not even about the clubs you’re in or your extracurricular involvement. Our school years are so much more. They’re about those small, unforgettable moments that we’ll miss once we’re out of school. I mean, just a couple of years ago, I was convinced flying cars were to be the norm by the time I was a high schooler. It’s almost weird to even think about how much has changed since then. The mentality, maturity levels, aspirations and dreams.

Back in grade school, I remember looking at the middle school girls as if they were royalty. The ones who didn’t have babyish bows in their hair, with cool non-themed backpacks and even mascara on their lashes. The cool girls who knew way more than I did. In middle school I did the same, looking up to the “trendy” high school girls. But as I transitioned into that “trendy” high school girl, the only thing I truly worried about was getting older. The realization that the years of measuring my life in school-years are coming to an end, which in a way meant my childhood was too. Somewhere in between the chaos of impossible science projects, deadlines, and the curiosity of what the future upholds, I never truly slowed down to appreciate what I had around me. Always looking ahead, never realizing the present is right here - it’s now.

It’s bittersweet. I truly wouldn’t exchange my memories for the world. As I carry on with the remainder of my time as a student, I’ll reflect about the sweet, ephemeral flow of time in between my late night study sessions. So this is not only a reminder to my peers to make the most out of your school years, but a tribute to the forever students who once walked the halls I have, and the future students who will one day walk the halls we once walked. School isn’t just a building, it’s a timecapsule of our youth, ugly and all. Those four walls we gripe about right now will someday hold our memories, history, and love.

Story by: Nancy Bonds, GCCISD Director of Communications

Across Elementary Campuses Goose Creek CISD (GCCISD) celebrated World Read Aloud Day on February 4 by bringing the joy of storytelling into elementary classrooms across the district.

District administrators and staff members, including Superintendent Joe Rodriguez, visited campuses to read aloud to students, emphasizing the importance of literacy and the powerful connection created through shared stories. World Read Aloud Day is dedicated not only to reading but also to the art and practice of reading aloud.

By participating in World Read Aloud Day, Goose Creek CISD highlights its commitment to promoting literacy and fostering a love of reading, while honoring storytelling as a meaningful tradition that continues to inspire learners of all ages.

Story by: Nancy Bonds, GCCISD Director of Communications

Goose Creek CISD (GCCISD) proudly recognized the outstanding accomplishments of its student artists during the 2026 Rodeo Art Reception, celebrating those who earned distinction in the highly regarded Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Competition.

The annual event showcased the creativity, technical skill, and dedication of student artists from across the district. Families, teachers, district staff, and community members gathered to honor the many students whose artwork advanced through campus and district judging to represent GCCISD at one of the nation's largest student art competitions.

Dr. Ray Lavan, Director of Fine Arts, emphasized the impact of visual arts education and the pride felt across the district. “Our Rodeo Art Reception is an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable talent of our students and the educators who inspire them each day. Visual arts programs provide students with powerful avenues for creativity, expression, and personal growth, and we are proud to see their work recognized at such a prestigious level.”

The program recognized students across multiple award categories, with blue, red, and white ribbons honoring district-level winners and teal ribbons identifying finalists advancing to the next round of judging at NRG Center. Top distinctions included Gold Medal, Best in Show, and Special Merit awards, with select artwork displayed in the Hayloft Gallery at NRG.

Among those honors, senior Mattie Dotson earned GCCISD’s High School Best of Show for her piece, The Lost Cow, which was also selected for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo School Art Auction. Her artwork will be auctioned on March 15, 2026, with a portion of the proceeds supporting her education next year. This recognition is one of the highest in the competition and reflects the exceptional talent of GCCISD student artists.

Highlights from the 2026 Rodeo Art Awards

Director’s Choice Award Winners

• High School: Trinitee Fredrick, 11th grade, Sterling (Teacher: Brandie Barriga)
• Junior School: Carissa Gaines, 8th Grade, Horace Mann (Teacher: Josh Crowhurst)
• Elementary: Lunzibeth Ortiz Ibarra, 2nd grade, Alamo (Teacher: Emory Atilano)

Superintendent’s Choice Award Winners

• High School: Allysa Gonzalez,12th Grade, Sterling (Teacher: Annie Watson)
• Junior School: Aaleya Castillo, 8th grade, E.F. Green (Teacher: Rachel Deleon)
• Elementary: Victoria Alatorre, 5th grade, Austin Elementary (Teacher: Tristen Brunson)

Gold Medal Winners

• High School: Leslie Castillo, 12th Grade, Lee (Teacher: Canace Ferguson) and Iyana Johnson, 12th Grade, Sterling (Teacher: Brandie Barriga)
• Junior School: Carla Benavides, 8th Grade, E.F. Green (Teacher: Rachel Deleon)
• Elementary: Kaylee Ramos, 5th Grade, Carver (Teacher: Harry Barber)

Best of Show Winners

• High School: Mattie Dotson, 12th Grade, Sterling (Teacher: Annie Watson)
• Junior School: Jax Husband, 8th Grade, Gentry (Teacher: Jennifer Martin)
• Elementary: Josiah Smith, 2nd Grade, Clark (Teacher: Viridiana Navarro)

Special Merit Winners

• High School: Jackeline Carpio, 11th Grade, Lee (Teacher: Melissa Rangel)
• High School: Suzanne Gonzalez, 10th Grade, GCM (Teacher: Johnna Morris)
• High School: Nayeli Perez, 12th Grade, Sterling (Teacher: Annie Watson)
• High School: Kennedy Williams, 10th Grade, Lee (Teacher: Melissa Rangel)
• Junior School: Aneah Cuevas, 7th Grade, Horace Mann (Teacher: Josh Crowhurst)

Story by: Amanda Kennington, GCCISD Healthy Community School Coordinator

Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District proudly hosted the GCCISD Family Wellness Festival on January 31, 2026, at Sterling High School, welcoming families for a vibrant morning dedicated to health, wellness, and community connection. The campus was filled with energy, laughter, and learning as families explored resources designed to support the whole child.

The festival drew an impressive 1,309 attendees, including students, families, staff, and community members, representing all GCCISD campuses—a testament to the strong engagement and commitment of the Goose Creek community. Mayor Charles Johnson declared the day Family Wellness Day in Baytown, encouraging citizens to reflect and participate in health-promoting behaviors in and near our city.

“Our volunteers—both adults and students—were the heartbeat of this event,” Lori Rumfield, Healthy Schools Special Projects Specialist, shared. “Their passion and dedication ensured families felt supported the moment they walked through the doors.”

Nutrition and food security were central to the festival’s mission. Aramark Nutrition Services provided 190 Grab & Go meals for youth ages 18 and under. In partnership with Hearts & Hands of Baytown, the festival distributed 13,050 pounds of food, serving 150 families through the Hearts & Hands Food Distribution. Families had access to 39 resource vendors, offering free health, wellness, educational, and community services.

The event went beyond physical health by supporting families with food literacy and access to resources that help students thrive both in and out of the classroom. Literacy support was also highlighted, with the Curriculum & Instruction ELA Team distributing 400 books and literacy flyers to encourage reading and learning at home.

Educational sessions provided meaningful opportunities for learning and reflection. The Social Emotional & Student Wellness Team hosted “Stressed Out & Puffing It Away: Understanding Student Stressors,” offering families practical strategies for navigating stress and promoting healthy choices.

“It was wonderful to observe parents and children interacting in open, meaningful conversation about current stressors,” said Thresa Caldwell, Behavior & Mental Health Coordinator. “These genuine interactions reflected strong family connections and highlighted the importance of creating supportive spaces where families can openly communicate, listen to one another, and work through challenges together.”

The festival also featured hands-on activities that brought joy and excitement to families of all ages. United Way donated 300 kite kits, and 23 entries were submitted for the kite contest, filling the sky with color and creativity. Monimoon Heng, a student at Gentry Junior School, will have her design incorporated into next year's event t-shirts.

The event was made possible through the support of 10 sponsors and in-kind donors. Nineteen GCCISD campuses hosted interactive booths through their Campus School Health Advisory Committees (C-SHACs) and participated in mascot dance-offs and student performances, including dance, cheer, and student club showcases.

“This festival truly shows what’s possible when a district and its community partners come together with a shared purpose,” said Amanda Kennington, Healthy Community School Coordinator. “Our families left not only with resources, but with a sense of belonging and support—and that’s something worth celebrating.”