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Advanced Learning Academy Graduation
Wednesday, June 4 at 10 a.m. 
Alamo Convocation Center
Click for livestream

Graduation Speakers
Oradores de graduación

Introduction
Will Shoaf

What are your plans for next year and why did you choose this path?

Next year I’m going to Stephen F. Austin State University. I’m going to major in English and minor in education and hopefully become a high school English teacher. 

I’ve always been really passionate about writing and English. It’s been a strength of mine for a while. I didn’t realize it until recently, but I also naturally tend to lead people or help people, especially learning, lots of people always say that I would be a great teacher.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome in your education and how did you overcome it?


I’ve struggled with ADHD, though I didn’t realize it, for my entire life. I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t do these things that everybody else can do. Eventually I figured out that I had ADHD and after I started taking the steps to treat myself like I have ADHD and not like it’s a personal failing, I got a lot better and now I don’t struggle with it as much anymore. 
 
My former physics teacher, who is now my environmental science teacher, Mr. Lerma, was very influential to me. That was the first year I started thinking of myself in the terms that I have ADHD and I need extra help. It was very difficult. It was accepting that I had a disability.
At some point I was not understanding a topic very well. One of the things I used to do was shut down and quit. If I didn’t understand it the very first time, I wouldn’t’ understand it ever. 
 
Mr. Lerma noticed that I was struggling. He actively helped me and asked me what I needed help with. That moment was a catalyst for me feeling like I could do this – I could get better and ask for help.  It made me think about how I want to teach and what kind of teacher I want to be when I become a teacher.

Senior Message

Patricia Spill

What are your plans for next year and why did you choose this path?

I’m going to go to Trinity University to major in neuroscience. For a while I was thinking about becoming a nurse, but they don’t have that major at Trinity, so I was just thinking about something broader in STEM. That one seemed the most interesting. I think neuroscience is a combination of a lot of different sciences, so I don’t have to limit to just one thing.

Who has been most influential to you in your education this far and why?

My mom. My dad passed away when I was little, so as a single mom, my mom had to play both the mom and dad figure, while also balancing a full-time job. She is just kind of that resilience that I aspire to be.

As a leader of the Class of 2025, what is your hope for the class as they move on to the next chapter of their lives?

I hope that they don’t get discouraged. I hope they complete their further education and not think that if they don’t look a certain way, or are a certain way, that they can’t be as good as other people.

Closing
Kaylee Lopez

What are your plans for next year and why did you choose this path?

I will be attending Texas State University to major in early childhood education with a minor in dance. I’ve always had a passion for teaching. It’s something I have wanted to do since I was little. I got to see my little sister grow up and so her going to elementary school made me super passionate about that. With ALA, we get so many opportunities to mentor younger students at Euclid. Or even here at Fox Tech, I assist with sixth grade dance. I chose my minor because I have been dancing since I was three. I just wanted to be able to keep that in my life.

How have SAISD schools shaped you into the person you are today?

I joined SAISD four years ago when I came to ALA. Here in SAISD, they really let you advocate for yourself. ALA has really helped me become a better student and it’s really impacted my education a lot being able to have all these opportunities. With whatever I decided to do, I knew I would have the support of the district and also ALA.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome in your education and how did you overcome it?

Overcoming mental health issues. I’ve had a lot of support from family and friends and our counselors here are amazing. I’ve really learned how to regulate that myself, but I struggled with that a lot and I know it happens a lot in high school, soI just want to bring more awareness to it.

Closing
Malikye Ramon

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome in your education and how did you overcome it?

Speaking. Speaking had always been a big challenge for me. ALA really helped. They are really big on project-based learning, and with projects, you have to talk. In the beginning, I would just shut down. 

My freshman year, I took a leap and decided to join an after-school activity – theatre. I figured the only way you get over it is if you do it. 

I did really well that first year. I was a first-string actor on our UIL and we made it all the way to regionals. As a freshman that was terrifying. And the next year I did the Texas Thespian Festival and I made it to the international festival. Doing all that, I decided this is what I want to do.

Next year I will go to Texas Tech University in Lubbock to pursue a degree in acting.
 
There is no easy way to do public speaking. And now that’s what I do. 

I further help it by doing tours. I have done at least 43 tours from big middle schools to individual family tours. 

 
As a leader of the Class of 2025, what is your hope for the class as they move on to the next chapter of their lives?

I’ve been here at ALA since its opening. I was in the fourth grade class. I started at this campus originally before the renovations. I can say it has shaped me well and I have also shaped the school as well. 
 
The graduating class of 2025 is the guinea pigs. I started at this campus originally before the renovations. We’ve gone through so much. COVID hit and we were also the first freshmen to come back in person. We did the first international trip. I hope this class proves the model works - that they are already prepared, they know what they are going to do out in the world. I’m hoping we can prove ourselves and prove the value of ALA so we can have more schools like it.

 

Will Shoaf
introducción

¿Cuáles son tus planes para el próximo año y por qué escogiste ese camino?


El próximo año iré a Stephen F. Austin State University. Quiero especializarme en inglés con una subespecialización en educación con la esperanza de convertirme en docente de inglés de preparatoria. 

Siempre me han apasionado la escritura y el inglés. Ha sido una de mis virtudes desde hace algún tiempo. No me había dado cuenta hasta hace poco, pero también tiendo por naturaleza a guiar o ayudar a la gente, sobre todo para aprender, mucha gente siempre dice que sería excelente docente.
 
¿Cuál es el mayor desafío que has superado en tu educación y cómo lo superaste?

He lidiado con el TDAH, aunque no me diera cuenta, durante toda mi vida.   No entendía por qué no podía hacer esas cosas que todos los demás hacían, eventualmente me di cuenta de que tenía TDAH y después de que empecé a tomar las medidas como una persona con TDAH y no como si fuera un fracaso personal, mejoré mucho y ahora ya no lucho tanto con ello. 
 
Mi antiguo maestro de física, que ahora es mi maestro de ciencias ambientales, el Sr. Lerma, fue de gran influencia para mí. Ese fue el primer año que empecé a considerarme como una persona con TDAH y que necesitaba ayuda adicional. Fue muy difícil. Era aceptar que tenía una discapacidad.

A veces cuando no entendía un tema muy bien. Una de las cosas que solía hacer era cerrar mi mente y rendirme. Si no lo entendía a la primera, no lo iba a entender nunca. 
 
El Sr. Lerma se dio cuenta de que estaba batallando. Me ayudó activamente y me preguntó con qué necesitaba ayuda. Ese momento catalizó en mí la idea de que podía hacerlo, de que podía mejorar y pedir ayuda.  Me hizo pensar en cómo quiero enseñar y qué clase de docente quiero ser cuando lo sea.

Patricia Spill
mensaje a los estudiantes de último año

¿Cuáles son tus planes para el próximo año y por qué escogiste ese camino?

Asistiré a Trinity University para especializarme en neurociencia. Por un tiempo estuve pensando en convertirme en enfermera, pero en Trinity no tienen esa especialidad, así que pensé en algo más general en STEM. Es que me pareció más interesante. Creo que la neurociencia es una combinación de muchas ciencias diferentes, así no tengo que limitarme a una sola cosa.
 
¿Quién ha influido más en tu educación hasta ahora y por qué?

Mi mamá. Mi papá falleció cuando yo era pequeña, así que, como madre soltera, mi mamá tuvo que hacer de mamá y papá a la vez, mientras que también balanceaba un trabajo de tiempo completo. Ella es la clase de resiliencia que yo aspiro a ser.
 
Como líder de la Clase de 2025, ¿cuál es tu anhelo para la clase mientras avanzan al siguiente capítulo de sus vidas?

Espero que no se desanimen. Espero que completen su educación superior y que no piensen que, si no se ven de cierta manera, o son de cierta manera, no pueden ser tan buenos como los demás.

Kaylee Lopez 
cierre

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Advanced Learning Academy
Class of 2025

Pages will be updated as program information is received from schools.
Las páginas se actualizarán a medida que las escuelas finalicen la información del programa.

SCHOOL COLORS
Blue and Green

 

SCHOOL MASCOT
Alligator

 

SENIOR CLASS OFFICERS

President Will Shoaf
Vice President Mizael Solis
Secretaries Mathew Maleno and Henry Schell
Treasurers Angela Vazquez Bernal, Marciano Cantu and Malikye Ramon
Community Liasons Carlos Munoz and Isabella Ramirez
Social Media Manager Kamara Matthews and Anthony Brown

CLASS SPONSOR
Luke Freeman

  • Advanced Learning Academy Administration

    PRINCIPAL
    ALA TECH
    Stephanie Cash

    PRINCIPAL
    ALA EUCLID
    Jennifer Barber

    ADMINISTRATORS
    Edwardo Rios
    Vincent Briseno
    Erica Castillo
    Agueda Cantu

    COUNSELORS
    Nicque Ontiveros
    Irasema Martinez
    Natalie Walker

  • Procession

    		 Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Opus 39
    Sir Edward Elgar, Composer
    Opening Remarks Stephanie Cash
    Principal, ALA Tech
    Presentation of Colors Luther Burbank High School
    JROTC Color Guard
    National Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner
    Francis Scott Key, Lyricist
    Performed By: Gabriella Aureli
    Pledge of Allegiance to
    the U.S. and Texas Flags    		 Lily Lopez
    Welcome Message Will Shoaf
    Introduction of Guests Viviana Vilanueva
    Senior Message Patricia Spill
    Message from
    CAST Network    		 Jeanne Russell
    Executive Director of CAST Schools
    Faculty Address Ryan Maney
    Principal’s Address Stephanie Cash
    Principal, ALA Tech
    Presentation of the
    Class of 2025    		 Stephanie Cash
    Principal, ALA Tech
    Acceptance of the
    Class of 2025    		 Dr. Mike Villarreal
    SAISD School Board Member
    Awarding of Diplomas
    and Scholarships    		 SAISD Board of Trustees
    Turning of Tassels Stephanie Cash
    Principal, ALA Tech
    Recognition of Families Nathan Cadena
    Jerusalem Cervantes
    Recognition of Faculty Jarehd Garcia
    Orion Wickham
    Closing Remarks Kaylee Lopez
    Malikye Ramon

     

    Recessional

SAN ANTONIO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT
BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President Christina Martinez
Vice President Alicia Sebastian
Secretary Arthur V. Valdez
Trustee Ed Garza
Trustee Jacob Ramos
Trustee Stephanie Torres
Trustee Dr. Mike Villarreal

Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Jaime R. Aquino

Deputy Superintendent
Dr. Shawn Bird

Deputy Superintendent
Patti Salzmann

Instructional Superintendent
Dr. Melissa Alcala

Graduation Candidates

Samuel Alcala
Anita Alonso
Jazmine Biviana Armendariz
Gabriella Faith Aureli
Benjamin Elliot Beaudoin
Sebastian Valentin Bonilla
Jeniel Angelica Breeden
Anthony Wayne Brown
Nathaniel Edward Cadena
Marciano Alberto Cantu
Madeline Abigail Caro
Jonas Javier Cedillo-Cortez
Jerusalem Cervantes
Aundrea Nicole Cortez
Rachel Elizabeth Crum
Isaac Clay Dehart
Emilio Sebastian Elizarraraz
Juarez Ignacio Elizarraraz
Griffin Jett Fisher
Jarehd Garcia
Javan Garcia
Marisol Estrella Garcia
Emma Natalia Garrido
Emma Juliana Gonzalez
Brianna Michelle Guerrero
Draven Richard Huizar
Kennedy Amiyah Ingram
Isis Roselynd Jisel Jimenez
Joaquin Eliseo Linn
Sofia Yarael Lopez Martinez
Kaylee Serena Lopez
Lily Sienna Lopez
Mathew Xander Maleno

Kamara Jaliyah Matthews
Jordan Lee Mchazlett
Gabriel Joaquin Miller Saucedo
Emarion Deontae Rynell Minor
Carlos Arturo Muñoz
Jeremiah Nevarez
Isabella Ramirez
Malikye Kalani Ramon
Ricardo Ramos-Saavedra
Christian Miguel Rodriguez
Paloma Genoveva Garcia Rodriguez
Ryo-Ohki Kylala Rosas
Noah Eduardo Ruiz
Diego Javier Sanchez
Isabella Raine Sanchez
Henry Lewis Schell
Maximiliano Angel Herrera Shelton
Liliana Shoaf
Vivienne Elizabella Sifuentes
Mizael Paz Solis
Carson Charles Sparks
Patricia Christina Mari Spill
Zoe Stith
Chase Ryan Suggs
Elijah Kayin Fernando Torres-Lopez
Angela Daniela Vazquez Bernal
Viviana Alessandra Villanueva
Summer Noelia Bredvad Vinton
Jazmin Lashaun Whitley
Natalie Rose Wickham
Elizabeth Louise Wymer
Darian Zamarripa
Madeleine Gina Zertuche

REGALIA DESIGNATIONS

ALA Trailblazer
Blue Cords

University of Texas OnRamps Dual Credit
Orange & White Cords

San Antonio College
Red & Blue Cords

Greehey Scholar
Teal Cords
Gold & Teal Cords
Gold & Orange Cords

Spanish National Honor Society
Red & Gold Stole

Thespian National Honor Society
Blue & Gold Stole

Completed UTSA Course
Orange & Blue Cords

Internship Participation
Green Cords

Career and Technical Education Graduate
Forest Green & Silver Cords

Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee Representative
Red, White & Blue Cords

Presidential Scholarship
Red Cords

Community Service
Silver Cords

POSTSECONDARY PLANS
CLASS of 2025
COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ATTENDING AND SCHOLARSHIPS RECEIVED AT TIME OF PROGRAM PUBLICATION

SAMUEL ALCALA
The University of Texas at San Antonio
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Scholarship

ANITA ALONSO
San Antonio College

JAZMINE BIVIANA ARMENDARIZ
San Antonio College

GABRIELLA FAITH AURELI
Texas State University
• Baumberger Endowment Scholarship
• Texas State University Distinguished Scholarship
• Austin College Presidential Scholarship

BENJAMIN ELLIOT BEAUDOIN
Lewis and Clark College
• American University Scholarship
• Lawrence University Scholarship

SEBASTIAN VALENTIN BONILLA
St. Philip’s College

JENIEL ANGELICA BREEDEN
San Antonio College

ANTHONY WAYNE BROWN
The University of Texas at San Antonio

NATHANIEL EDWARD CADENA
The University of Texas at San Antonio
• Texas State University Achievement Scholarship
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Distinguished Presidential Scholarship
• University of the Incarnate Word Presidential
Scholarship
• Baylor University Distinction Award

MARCIANO ALBERTO CANTU
San Antonio College

MADELINE ABIGAIL CARO
University of the Incarnate Word
• University of the Incarnate Word Provost
Scholarship

JONAS JAVIER CEDILLO-CORTEZ
Enlistment in the United States Navy

JERUSALEM CERVANTES
San Antonio College

AUNDREA NICOLE CORTEZ
San Antonio College

RACHEL ELIZABETH CRUM
San Antonio College

ISAAC CLAY DEHART
University of North Texas
• University of North Texas Excellence Scholarship

EMILIO SEBASTIAN ELIZARRARAZ
The University of Texas at San Antonio

JUAREZ IGNACIO ELIZARRARAZ
Texas State University
• Baumberger Endowment Scholarship
• University of North Texas Scholarship
• Texas State University Distinguished Scholarship
• Baylor University Distinction Award
• University of New Mexico Scholarship

GRIFFIN JETT FISHER
Texas State University
• Texas State University Distinguished Scholarship

JAREHD GARCIA
The University of Texas at San Antonio
• Texas State University Distinguished
Scholarship
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Distinguished Presidential Scholarship

JAVAN GARCIA
St. Philip’s College

MARISOL ESTRELLA GARCIA
San Antonio College

EMMA NATALIA GARRIDO
The University of Texas at Austin
• Arizona State University Scholarship
• American University Presidential Scholarship
• Loyola University Maryland Dean’s Scholarship

EMMA JULIANA GONZALEZ
Palo Alto College

BRIANNA MICHELLE GUERRERO
University of the Incarnate Word
• University of the Incarnate Word Provost Scholarship

DRAVEN RICHARD HUIZAR
The University of Texas at San Antonio

KENNEDY AMIYAH INGRAM
Gap Year

ISIS ROSELYND JISEL JIMENEZ
San Antonio College
• Rotary Scholarship
• Grace College Scholarship
• University of Dallas President’s Scholarship
• Southwestern University Ruter Scholar Award
• Oklahoma Baptist University Academic Scholarship
• Houston Christian University Scholarship
• Rhodes College Scholarship

JOAQUIN ELISEO LINN
The University of Texas at San Antonio

SOFIA YARAEL LOPEZ MARTINEZ
University of Michigan
• Texas State University Merit Scholarship
• Arizona State University Dean’s Scholarship
• American University Scholarship
• Loyola Marymount University Arrupe Scholarship
• SAISD Foundation Opportunity Scholarship

KAYLEE SERENA LOPEZ
Texas State University

LILY SIENNA LOPEZ
Palo Alto College
• St. Mary’s University Santa Maria Scholarship

MATHEW XANDER MALENO
St. Philip’s College

KAMARA JALIYAH MATTHEWS
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
• Columbia College Dean’s Scholarship

JORDAN LEE MCHAZLETT
Texas Tech University
• Texas Tech University Presidential Merit Scholarship

GABRIEL JOAQUIN MILLER SAUCEDO
The University of Texas at San Antonio

EMARION DEONTAE RYNELL MINOR
St. Philip’s College

CARLOS ARTURO MUNOZ
The University of Texas at San Antonio
• Francis G. Greiner M.D. Memorial Scholarship
through the SAISD Foundation

JEREMIAH NEVAREZ
St. Philip’s College
(Welding)

ISABELLA RAMIREZ
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
• Hawaii Pacific University Dean’s Scholarship
• Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Scholarship
• Louisiana State University Scholarship

MALIKYE KALANI RAMON
Texas Tech University
• Texas Tech University Presidential Merit Scholarship

RICARDO RAMOS-SAAVEDRA
University of the Incarnate Word
• Oklahoma Wesleyan University Scholarship
• University of the Incarnate Word Provost Scholarship
• Baylor University Distinction Award
• University of Montana Academic Achievement
Scholarship
• Montana State University Scholarship
• University of Wyoming Scholarship
• Tarleton State University Scholarship

CHRISTIAN MIGUEL RODRIGUEZ
San Antonio College

PALOMA GENOVEVA GARCIA RODRIGUEZ
St. Mary’s University
• University of North Texas Excellence Scholarship
• St. Mary’s University Madeleine Scholarship

RYO-OHKI KYLALA ROSAS
San Antonio College

NOAH EDUARDO RUIZ
The University of Texas at San Antonio
• Valero Alamo Bowl Scholarship
• Baumberger Endowment
• SAPAGA Scholarship

DIEGO JAVIER SANCHEZ
The University of Texas at San Antonio

ISABELLA RAINE SANCHEZ
San Antonio College

HENRY LEWIS SCHELL
The State University of New York
• University of New Mexico Scholarship
• Texas State University Merit Scholarship

MAXIMILIANO ANGEL HERRERA SHELTON
The University of Texas at San Antonio

LILIANA SHOAF
Stephen F. Austin State University
• Stephen F. Austin State University Academic
Excellence Scholarship

VIVIENNE ELIZABELLA SIFUENTES
San Antonio College

MIZAEL PAZ SOLIS
Yale University
• Martin Luther King Jr. Commission Scholarship
• University of Richmond Scholarship
• Yale University Scholarship
• Amherst College Scholarship
• Trinity University Murchison Scholarship
• Vassar College Scholarship
• The University of Texas at Austin Scholarship
• The University of Texas at Austin Impact Scholarship

CARSON CHARLES SPARKS
Trinity University

PATRICIA CHRISTINA MARI SPILL
Trinity University
• Baumberger Scholarship
• Minnie Stevens Piper Scholarship
• St. Mary’s University Presidential Scholarship
• Texas Lutheran University
• University of the Incarnate Word Presidential
Scholarship
• Trinity University Murchison Scholarship

ZOE STITH
Fordham University
• Pace University Honors Scholarship
• Trinity University Murchison Scholarship
• Fordham University Scholarship

CHASE RYAN SUGGS
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs

ELIJAH KAYIN FERNANDO TORRES-LOPEZ
San Antonio College
• Hofstra University Presidential Scholarship
• University of Delaware Provost Scholarship
• Saint Leo University Freshman Presidential
Scholarship

ANGELA DANIELA VAZQUEZ BERNAL
San Antonio College

VIVIANA ALESSANDRA VILLANUEVA
San Antonio College

SUMMER NOELIA BREDVAD VINTON
San Antonio College
• Louisiana State University Scholarship

JAZMIN LASHAUN WHITLEY
University of Arizona
• Kalamazoo College John Theophilus Williamson Award

NATALIE ROSE WICKHAM
Trinity University
• Trinity University Dean’s Scholarship

ELIZABETH LOUISE WYMER
San Antonio College

DARIAN ZAMARRIPA
The University of Texas at San Antonio

MADELEINE GINA ZERTUCHE
University of the Incarnate Word
• University of the Incarnate Word Provost Scholarship

Advanced Learning Academy Faculty and Staff
2024-2025

Melissa Arangua Johnson
Ernestina Artalejo
Ivan Ayala
Payton Ayala
Jessica Ballard
Eryn Bell
Sarah Beverly
Jeremiah Birmingham
Carlos Borrego
Tomeka Brown
Briones Javier
Andrea Bustos
Lydia Campos
Brenda Cantu
Victoria Carey
Sonya Castro
Nicholas Champion
Ryan Chavez
Matthew Colliflower
Alicia Covarrubias
Sandra Cox
Angel Curry
Sean Danweber
Kyla Day
Jacqueline De Santos
Erin Eggers
Lara Eklund
Kyle Forar
Dalton Foster
Luke Freeman
Ileana Garcia
Letisia Garza
Michelle Garza
Samuel Glass
Kristie Gonzales
Brandy Guevara
Jacqueline Hammond
Ellen Hart
Jens Hauge
Natalie Hierholzer
Teri Hilbrandt
Candace Jackson
Elizabeth Jenner
Denise Jones-Nartey
Kate Jones-Waddell
Kristin Krenz
Raquel Lara
Christina Leal
Hugo Lerma
Norma Longoria
Manuel Lopez
Daniel Mallette
Ryan Maney
Yvonne Martin
Rachel McDonald

Erandy Mora-Munoz
Jasania Morales
Kellen Morgan
Lisa Murphy
Cristina Navarro
Brent Ostos
Robert Packer
Sarah Padilla
Sarah Panzarella
Carol Passant
Hope Pedraza
Andrea Perez
Stacy Perez
Alanna Pikla
Benjamin Proscelle
Ana Rabago
Jennifer Rabat
Sarah Ramirez
Amaris Renteria
Stephanie Reyna
Gabryela Rivas
Rebecca Rockeymoore
Ivan Rodriguez
Samantha Rodriguez
Senga Rounds
Leslie Sabala
Mario Salazar
Leticia Sanchez
Mary Helen Santillan
Laura Sisson
Patricia Snider
Amy Stengel
Misty Tegeler
Dina Toland
Cheri Tondre
Stephanie Trevino
Diana Turner
Shirin Uddin
Lindsay Unsworth
Cynthia Vacek Trevino
Crystal Valdez
Michael Walk
Heather Westerfield
Jaylon Whitney
Lee Willing
Nelvia Womble
Ce’Nese Wooten
Kelley Young
David Zamarripa
Miranda Zindorf

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