Journalism students from Bridgeland, Cypress Falls and Cypress Ridge high schools participated in the Texas Association of Journalism Educators (TAJE) annual Fall Fiesta convention Oct. 19-21 in San Antonio and brought home many awards and memories.
The Fall Fiesta, a convention for student journalists across the state, featured a five-student advisory panel for the first time in 2019. Bridgeland Student Media junior Cara Hudson was elected as an inaugural member.
“It was really exciting to know that I was trying to get into something that would gain me more recognition in the journalism world and finding out that I got in was really amazing… [It was great] being put with these amazing journalists from all around Texas,” Hudson said.
Samantha Berry, Bridgeland Student Media adviser, ended the convention as the closing keynote speaker.
Bridgeland Band Wins “Battle at the Berry” and Cypress Showcase
The Bridgeland High School marching band was named the grand champion for the second consecutive year at the fifth annual “Battle at the Berry” marching band competition, held on Oct. 12 at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium.
Hosted by the Jersey Village High School marching band, the Battle at the Berry welcomed 19 bands from across the Houston area competing in four different classifications based on marching band size.
Bridgeland claimed first in its classification (Class V) in addition to winning all four performance awards and being named this year’s grand champion.
The band was also named the Grand Champion at the Cypress Showcase Marching Festival held Oct. 26 at Cy-Fair FCU Stadium. Hosted by the Cypress Springs High School marching band, the Cypress Showcase welcomed 27 bands from across the greater Houston area.
“The band has been working really hard on a very exciting show and it is nice to see their efforts rewarded,” said Shawn McAnear, Bridgeland High School director of bands. “I’m super excited for the kids and community to be named grand champion two years in a row.”
22 CFISD Students Recognized as National Merit Semifinalists
A total of 22 CFISD seniors representing nine high schools were confirmed as semifinalists in the 65th annual National Merit Scholarship Program, officials announced on Sept. 11, giving the talented students an opportunity to continue in the competition for approximately 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $31 million to be offered next spring.
The following students have been National Merit semifinalists:
BRIDGELAND
Joshua Fang
CY-FAIR
Thanh-Nhu Bui
Evelyn Pan
Roshan Rajan
CYPRESS CREEK
Hasan Abbasi
CYPRESS FALLS
Jacob Siboyeh
CYPRESS RIDGE
Neel Narayan
CYPRESS RANCH
Donald McAfoose
Michael Zhou
CYPRESS WOODS
Govind Chada
Sritha Cheemerla
Steven Cheng
David Chu
Walker Drury
Allison Hinaman
Brian Janger
Alexandra Pugh
Mariam William
Angela Zhong
JERSEY VILLAGE
Jane Nguyen
LANGHAM CREEK
Alia Nathani
Chloe Tang
Bridgeland Runners Sweep District Cross Country Titles
The Bridgeland High School girls’ cross country team clinched its second consecutive district title, while the Bridgeland boys’ cross country team won its first title at the District 14-6A Cross Country Championships, held Oct. 18 at Spring Creek Park in Tomball.
The Bridgeland girls won their second consecutive title, as the runners took the top seven spots earning 15 points.
1st Cassidy Graham
2nd Elisa Grillo
3rd Madeleine Wilson
4th Allison Millan
5th Brook Hensley
6th Haley Williams
7th Athena Reyna
The Bridgeland boys won their first district title, as two of their runners placed in the top 10, earning the team 47 points.
1st Randy Smith
5th Cody Gambrell
“To win a team championship is a true testament to the tremendous amount of work and sacrifice that each member of the team has committed to since June,” said Kevin Waters, Bridgeland boys cross country head coach. “When 60 young men commit to the process of getting better each day, then we have the kind of district meet we had last Friday, and to see the joy and pride in their faces when the results were given was a thing of beauty and I’m proud to be a part of their success.”
