San Antonio ISD

CAST Tech High School Graduation
Wednesday, June 4 @ 1 p.m.
Alamo Convocation Center
Click for livestream

Graduation Speakers
Oradores de graduación

English
Español

Graduation Speaker
Madelynn Aparicio

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

I have been wanting to join the mariachi at Texas State University since I was a sophomore. I hope to major in music studies and become a mariachi director.

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

SAISD has shaped me through all the events I have been able to participate in. Especially in the mariachi – we are always trying to build each other up, and that is really encouraging to see.

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

My most influential person has been David Zamarripa, the mariachi director at Fox Tech, CAST Tech, and ALA. The reason is his attitude. He is always energetic and always looks at the bright side. He is always someone to count on, always getting things done, even though they seem impossible.

Graduation Speaker
Gavin Garza

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

I have only been to SAISD schools, so that’s all I have known. I met my best friends at the schools I’ve been to, and my teachers also shaped me into who I am.

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

The person who has been most influential to me in my education has been my AP U.S. History teacher, Mr. Flores. He really believed in me and reminded me of how great a student I really was. Mr. Flores pushed me to greatness and nothing less.

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?

My hope for the Class of 2025 is that they find happiness in the little moments and cherish it all. I want everyone to take their time and live life slow. You only live once and you need to live like it.

Graduation Speaker
Alanis Stewart

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

The person, or rather people, most influential to me would probably be the teachers at CAST Tech, as their passion for what they teach made me genuinely excited to learn.

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

The greatest challenge I have overcome was the challenge to put myself out there. I decided to just go for what I wanted so I wouldn’t have any regrets. I felt that I shouldn’t let contemplations become missed opportunities. CAST Tech made me an opportunist as before I’d freak out about the idea of speeches or leading tours but now I volunteer any time I have to better the school.

Graduation Speaker
Melina Ornelas-Hart

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

I plan to pursue higher education in college, specifically majoring in design. I hope, post-graduation, to become a User Experience Designer. I chose this path as I am a problem-solver and I want to consume my life helping people.

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

CAST Tech has completely broken me out of my shell. I am completely confident in the skills I have learned here. I would not be as confident and as prepared for the future without all the opportunities and relationships I made here. I have been raised to a higher standard because of teachers like Sandra McClure. She has always encouraged me to be better.

Madelynn Aparicio
oradora de graduación

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

He querido unirme al mariachi de Texas State University desde que era estudiante de segundo año de preparatoria. Espero especializarme en estudios de música y convertirme en directora de mariachi.

¿Cómo te han formado las escuelas de SAISD para ser la persona que eres hoy?

SAISD me ha formado a través de todos los eventos en los que he podido participar. Especialmente en el mariachi, siempre intentamos ayudarnos mutuamente, y eso es muy reconfortante.

¿Quién ha influido más en tu educación hasta ahora y por qué?

La persona que más me ha influenciado ha sido David Zamarripa, el director de mariachi de Fox Tech, CAST Tech y ALA. Por su actitud. Siempre está lleno de energía y siempre ve el lado positivo. Siempre puedes contar con él, siempre logra hacer las cosas, aunque parezcan imposibles.

Gavin Garza
orador de graduación

¿Cómo te han formado las escuelas de SAISD para ser la persona que eres hoy?

Solo he estado en escuelas de SAISD, así que son lo único que conozco. Conocí a mis mejores amigos en las escuelas que he estado, y mis maestros también me moldearon para convertirme en lo que soy.

¿Quién ha influido más en tu educación hasta ahora y por qué?

La persona que ha sido más influyente para mí en mi educación ha sido mi maestro de Historia AP de EE. UU., el Sr. Flores. Él realmente creyó en mí y me recordaba lo buen estudiante que era. El Sr. Flores me impulsó hacia la grandeza y nada menos.

Como líder de la Clase de 2025, ¿cuál es tu anhelo para la clase mientras avanzan al siguiente capítulo de sus vidas?

Mi anhelo para la Clase de 2025 es que encuentren la felicidad en los pequeños momentos y lo aprecien todo. Quiero que todos se tomen su tiempo y vivan la vida sin prisas. Sólo se vive una vez y hay que vivir como tal.

Alanis Stewart
oradora de graduación

¿Quién ha influido más en tu educación hasta ahora y por qué?

La persona, o más bien las personas, que más me han influenciado probablemente son los profesores de CAST Tech, ya que su pasión por la materia que enseñan hizo que realmente me entusiasmara por aprender.

¿Cuál es el mayor desafío que has superado en tu educación y cómo lo superaste?

El mayor desafío que he superado ha sido el de exponerme. Decidí ir por lo que quería para no arrepentirme de nada. Sentí que no debía dejar que las contemplaciones se convirtieran en oportunidades perdidas. CAST Tech me ha convertido en una persona oportunista, ya que antes me asustaba la idea de discursos o de dirigir recorridos, pero ahora me ofrezco como voluntario en cualquier momento que tenga para mejorar la escuela.

Melina Ornelas-Hart
oradora de graduación

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

Planeo seguir la educación superior en la universidad, para especializarme específicamente en diseño. Después de graduarme, espero convertirme en diseñadora de experiencia de usuario. Elegí este camino porque soy una solucionadora de problemas y quiero dedicar mi vida ayudando a la gente.

¿Cómo te han formado las escuelas de SAISD para ser la persona que eres hoy?

CAST Tech me ha sacado completamente de mi caparazón. Tengo total confianza en las habilidades que he aprendido aquí. No tendría tanta confianza ni estaría tan preparada para el futuro sin todas las oportunidades y vínculos que he hecho aquí. Gracias a maestros como Sandra McClure he llegado a un nivel más alto. Ella siempre me ha motivado a ser mejor.

CAST Tech High School
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
Orange and Gray

School Mascot
Cyber Knight

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

Accenture
Chase Bank
Weston Urban
Tech Bloc
Geekdom
Catalyst
Ready to Work SA
Web Head
SATX/SA Works
Charles Butt Charitable Foundation
H-E-B
80/20 Foundation
Tijerina 4 Enterprises

USAA
SAISD Foundation
San Antonio Independent
School District
The City of San Antonio
Firstmark Credit Union
University Health System
Silver Hammer Analytics, LLC
Documation
CPS Energy
Plus One Robotics
Walton Family Foundation

Commencement Exercises

Prelude	Senior Salute Video
Procession	Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1, Opus 39 Sir Edward Elgar, Composer
Opening Remarks	Jacob Barber Principal
Presentation of Colors	Luther Burbank High School JROTC Color Guard
National Anthem	The Star-Spangled Banner Francis Scott Key, Lyricist
Pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. and Texas Flags	Elliott Quijano*
Welcome and Introduction of Guests	Sophia Tolly*
From Me to We	Madelynn Aparicio*
Executive Director’s Address	Jeanne Russell Executive Director of CAST Schools
Living Fowards, Understanding Backwards	Gavin Garza*
Principal’s Address	Jacob Barber Principal
Take a Chance on Yourself	Alanis Stewart*
Presentation of the Class of 2025	Jacob Barber Principal
Acceptance of the Class of 2025	Dr. Mike Villarreal SAISD School Board Member
Awarding of Diplomas and Scholarships	Jacob Barber Principal
Valediction and Turning of Tassels	Melina Ornelas-Hart*
Recessional	Recorded

* Denotes Members of the Class of 2025

The students who shall be speaking at the graduation ceremony were selected based on neutral criteria to deliver messages of the students’ own choices. The content of each student speaker’s message is the private expression of the individual student and does not reflect the endorsement, sponsorship, position, or expression of the District.

SUMMA CUM LAUDE, GPA of 100+
with Highest Honors

Hector Beltran
Robert Gonzales
Julian Hall
Derek Juarez
Alex Le

Juan Poveda Barbosa
Elliott Quijano
Calum Ralph
Kirat Singh
Alanis Stewart

MAGNA CUM LAUDE, GPA of 95-99
with Great Honors

Antonio Arocha
Sarah Beltran
Ezra Benson
Alonso Castillo
Andrew Flores
Gavin Garza
Olivia Gonzales
Jose Gutierrez III
Jackson Karney

Zechariah Lopez
Jason Lucio Jr.
Mariela Martinez
Mateo Nicolas
Elias Rafael
Melyna Rivera
Sophia Tolly
Jennah Vela

CUM LAUDE, GPA of 90-94
with Honors

Madelynn Aparicio
Izabella Barrera
Henry Barrientes
David Cansino
Blaiz DuQuette
BellaFelisa Flores
Juan Garcia
Normari Gutierrez
Ayden House
Anthony Lopez
Marcus Luna
Audrey McLachlan
John Mendiola
Giovanni Morales

Gabriel Ojeda
Melina Ornelas-Hart
Dylan Paxson
Zakia Peterson
Lisa Rendon
Lael Rivera
Andres Rodriguez Alcala
Nadya Saldivar
Emily Salinas
Esteban Torres
Kaylee Upham
Scarlet Velazquez
Javier Villarreal

CAST AWARDS GRADUATES

CHARACTER

Ezra Benson
Robert Garcia
Gavin Garza
Kaylee Gomez
Aiden Herrada
Cesar Huerta
Derek Juarez
Alex Le
Christopher Miera
Zakia Peterson
Lisa Rendon
Andres Rodriguez
Alcala
Sophia Tolly
Jennah Vela
Victoria Vergara

SERVICE

Antonio Arocha
David Cansino
Kaylee Gomez
Robert Gonzales
Julian Hall
Ayden House
Cesar Huerta
Derek Juarez
Jason Lucio
Melina Ornelas-Hart
Elliott Quijano
Elias Rafael
Alanis Stewart
Sophia Tolly
Victoria Vegara

ATTITUDE

Alonso Castillo
Juan Garcia
Olivia Gonzales
Julian Hall
Ayden House
Trayvion King
Alex Le
Baldomero Palomo
Edgar Payan
Juan Poveda Barbosa
Hailey Rodriguez
Andres Rodriguez
Alcala
Emily Salinas
Jonah Tonick
Esteban Torres
Kaylee Upham

TRAILBLAZER

Andrew Flores
Gavin Garza
Robert Gonzales
Normari Gutierrez
Amaris Guevara
Mariela Martinez
Elliott Quijano
Lael Rivera
Melyna Rivera
Sophia Tolly
Esteban Torres
Kaylee Upham
Victoria Vegara

NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY

CHAPTER OFFICERS

Gavin Garza
2024 Vice President

Elliott Quijano
2023 President

Mateo Nicolas
2023 Secretary

Sophia Tolly
2023 Historian

Members of the Assembly

Madelynn Aparicio
Antonio Arocha
Hector Beltran
Andrew Flores
Olivia Gonzales
Robert Gonzales
Jose Gutierrez III
Julian Hall
Ayden House
Derek Juarez
Zechariah Lopez
Jason Lucio Jr.

John Mendiola
Melina Ornelas-Hart
Juan Poveda Barbosa
Elias Rafael
Calum Ralph
Augustin Reinaas
Lael Rivera
Melyna Rivera
Emily Salinas
Kirat Singh
Alanis Stewart
Jennah Vela

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

Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Melissa Alcala

CAST Tech High School Administration

Principal
Jacob Barber

Carly Dodd
Assistant Principal

Dr. Russell Krummell
Assistant Principal

Analisa Vasquez
Partnership Coordinator

Patricia Montalvo
Lead Counselor

CENTER FOR APPLIED SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President Lisa Lewis, CPS Energy Chief Administrative Officer
Member Dr. Shari Albright, Charles Butt Foundation President
Member Rene Dominguez, Velocity TX President & CEO
Member Katie Chain, H-E-B Education & Workforce Manager
Member Erik Nieves, Plus One Robotics CEO
Member Dr. Lyssa Ochoa, Founder & Surgeon The SAVE Clinic
Member Leslie Cantu, Toyotetsu Vice President of Administration

Executive Director of CAST Schools
Jeanne Russell

Deputy Director
Jennifer Maestas

Senior Partnership Director
Eddie Rodriguez

School Experience Director
Dr. Carol Harle

CAREER READY GRADUATES
The following graduates have earned an
Industry Based Certification recognized by the State of Texas

CompTIA: IT FUNDAMENTALS
Hector Beltran
Andrew Flores
Derek Juarez
Alex Le
Mateo Nicolas
Juan Poveda Barbosa
Nadya Saldivar
Sophia Tolly

NOCTI: CYBERSECURITY

Miles Arredondo Wilson
Jadelyn Barajas
Ezra Benson
Demarco Byrd
David Cansino
Abrianna Cantu
Alonso Castillo
Andrew Flores
BellaFelisa Flores
Gael Garcia
Juan Garcia
Robert Garcia
Noah Garza
Kaylee Gomez
Robert Gonzales
Julian Hall
Shealyn Holveck
Logan Huston
Derek Juarez
Anthony Lopez
Zechariah Lopez

Jason Lucio
John Mendiola
Giovanni Morales
Mateo Nicolas
Juan Poveda Barbosa
Elliott Quijano
Calum Ralph
Andres Rodriguez Alcala
Aaron Rodriguez
Hailey Rodriguez
Jorge Salazar
Nadya Saldivar
Emily Salinas
Kirat Singh
Xavier Solano
Sophia Tolly
Jonah Tonick
Kaylee Upham
James Villarreal
Javier Villarreal

ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SMALL BUSINESS

Miles Arredondo Wilson
Izabella Barrera
Henry Barrientes
Hector Beltran
Gavin Garza
Kaylee Gomez
Olivia Gonzales
Jose Gutierrez III
Julian Hall
Alex Le

Anthony Lopez
Giovanni Morales
Zakia Peterson
Juan Poveda Barbosa
Elias Rafael
Melyna Rivera
Jonah Tonick
Esteban Torres
Brandon Villanueva
Javier Villarreal

CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION
Postsecondary plans stated below were
received and verified at time of program publication

Tristan Andrade
South Texas Electrical JATC

Madelynn Aparicio
Texas State University

Antonio Arocha
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Miles Arredondo Wilson
San Antonio College

Jadelyn Barajas
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

Izabella Barrera
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

Henry Barrientes
Pathway to Industry

Colton Beardsall
Pathway to Industry

Destiney Belmonte
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Hector Beltran
Trinity University

Sarah Beltran
Northwest Vista College

Ezra Benson
The University of Texas at Arlington

Elianna Briones
Palo Alto College

Demarco Byrd
St. Philip’s College

Jaden Calderon
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

David Cansino
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Abrianna Cantu
Pathway to Industry

Alsono Castillo
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Angelina Cordaway
Pathway to Industry

Gabriel De La Rosa
Pathway to Industry

Blaiz DuQuette
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

Mariah Duran
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Zaide Escamilla
Pathway to Industry

Alexis Escareno Fermin
San Antonio College

Sebastian Esquivel
San Antonio College

Alexander Flores
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Andrew Flores
St. Philip’s College

BellaFelisa Flores
San Antonio College

Gael Garcia
Palo Alto College

Juan Garcia
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Robert Garcia
Pathway to Industry

Diamond Garza
San Antonio College

Gavin Garza
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Noah Garza
Northwest Vista College

Carlos Gomez
San Antonio College

Kaylee Gomez
St. Mary’s University

Olivia Gonzales
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

Robert Gonzales
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Amaris Guevara
San Antonio College

Jose Gutierrez III
Texas A&M University– Corpus Christi

Normari Gutierrez
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Julian Hall
Texas A&M University– College Station

Andruw Hernandez
San Antonio College

Juan Hernandez
Northwest Vista College

Aiden Herrada
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

Shealyn Holveck
The University of Texas at an Antonio

Ayden House
Texas State University

Cesar Huerta
San Antonio College

Logan Huston
University of North Texas

Derek Juarez
Trinity University

Jackson Karney
Pathway to Industry

Trayvion King
Pathway to Industry

Alex Le
The University of Texas at San Antonio

David Linares
Northwest Vista College

Anthony Lopez
University of North Texas

Jazmin Lopez
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Samuel Lopez
Northwest Vista College

Zechariah Lopez
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Jason Lucio Jr.
Trinity University

Marcus Luna
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Shawn Lyon
Palo Alto College

Mariela Martinez
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Martha Martinez-Tobias
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Audrey McLachlan
The University of Texas at San Antonio

John Mendiola
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Angelina Mendoza Read
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

Christopher Miera
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Giovanni Morales
Pathway to Industry

Mateo Nicolas
The University of Texas at Dallas

Noe Ochoa
Northwest Vista College

Gabriel Ojeda
St. Mary’s University

Wheatley Olison
Pathway to Industry

Melina Ornelas-Hart
Baylor University

Xavier Ortiz
San Antonio College

Baldomero Palomo
United States Marine Corps

Dylan Paxson
United States Navy

Edgar Payan
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Zakia Peterson
San Antonio College

Juan Poveda Barbosa
The University of Texas at Austin

Elliott Quijano
San Antonio College

Elias Rafael
University of Houston

Calum Ralph
Trinity University

Victoria Ramirez
Northeast Lakeview College

Harley Rangel
Pathway to Industry

Augustin Reinaas
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Lisa Rendon
St. Philip’s College

Lael Rivera
San Antonio College

Melyna Rivera
Pathway to Industry

Andres Rodriguez Alcala
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Aaron Rodriguez
Northwest Vista College

Aliana Rodriguez
University of the Incarnate Word

Hailey Rodriguez
St. Philip’s College

Francisco Rojas
San Antonio College

Jorge Salazar
Palo Alto College

Nadya Saldivar
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Emily Salinas
Northwest Vista College

David Santos-Torres
Pathway to Industry

Kirat Singh
The University of Texas at Austin

Xavier Solano
San Antonio College

Brady Solis
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Gentry Spoon
San Antonio College

Alanis Stewart
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Sophia Tolly
Stephen F. Austin State University

Jonah Tonick
Northwest Vista College

Cristian Torrento
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

Esteban Torres
The University of Texas at San Antonio

Isaac Trevino
Northwest Vista College

Lola Turack
Texas State University

Kaylee Upham
San Antonio College

Jennah Vela
Oklahoma State University

Ethan Velasco Morales
San Antonio College

Scarlet Velazquez
St. Philip’s College

Osiel Ventura
San Antonio College

Victoria Vergara
Concordia University

Brandon Villanueva
Texas A&M University– San Antonio

James Villarreal
Pathway to Industry

Javier Villarreal
St. Philip’s College

Brooklyn Williams
University of the Incarnate Word

REGALIA AND HONORS

Exemplary Character, Attitude,
Service & Trailblazing
CAST Pins

Summa Cum Laude
Graduates
Gold Double Cords

Magna Cum Laude
Graduates
Silver Double Cords

Cum Laude
Graduates
White Double Cords

Superintendent’s Student Advisory
Committee Representative
Multi-Color Cords

Completion of College, Career
& Military Readiness Indicator
Orange Cords

Completion of Pathways Courses,
Senior Activities
Cyberknight Stole

National Honor Society (NHS)
White Pendant Stole

Scholarship & Award Offerings
SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS RECEIVED AT TIME OF PROGRAM PUBLICATION
Class of 2025

EZRA BENSON
• The University of Texas at Arlington Institutional Scholarship

GAVIN GARZA
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship

KAYLEE GOMEZ
• St. Mary’s University Bordeaux Scholarship
• St. Mary’s University Institutional Scholarship

ROBERT GONZALES
• Cesar E. Chavez Legacy & Educational Foundation Scholarship
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship

JOSE GUTIERREZ
• Institutional Achieve Scholarship

JULIAN HALL
• President’s Scholarship
• Groundbreaker Scholarship
• Distinguished President’s Scholarship
• Texas State University Merit Scholarship
• Rose-Hulman Merit Scholar
• RHIT Endeavor Scholarship
• Texas Tech University First Year Presidential Merit Scholarship

ANTHONY LOPEZ
• University of North Texas Institutional Scholarship
• University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

JAZMIN LOPEZ
• University of the Incarnate Word InstitutionalScholarship

JASON LUCIO JR.
• Northeastern Promise
• President’s Scholarship
• Distinguished President’s Scholarship
• Academic Excellence Scholarship
• Pitzer Scholarship
• Trinity University Institutional Scholarship

MARIELA MARTINEZ
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship

MATEO NICOLAS
• Southern Methodist University Distinguished Scholar Award
• Mason Excellence Award
• Maverick Academic Scholarship
• Heald Scholarship
• Discovery Scholarship
• George Mason Institutional Scholarship

CALUM RALPH
• President’s Scholarship
• Baylor Distinction Award
• Dean’s Scholarship
• Presidential Merit Scholarship
• President’s Scholarship
• Trinity University Institutional Scholarship

ALIANA RODRIGUEZ
• The University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

ANDRES RODRIGUEZ ALCALA
• Rochester Institute of Technology Institutional Scholarship
• Champlain College Institutional Scholarship

NADYA SALDIVAR
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship

ALANIS STEWART
• Academic Excellence Scholarship
• Distinguished Presidential Scholarship
• University of North Texas Excellence Scholarship
• Maverick Academic Scholarship
• Texas State University Achievement Scholarship

JONAH TONICK
• Northwest Vista College Institutional Scholarship

ESTEBAN TORRES
• The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship

CAST Tech High School
CyberKnights Faculty and Staff 2024-2025

Laura Aguilar
Ryan Aguilar
Stella Affognon
Jacob Barber
Hector Camarillo
Selena Casanova
Carly Dodd
Silvia Fernandez
Luis Flores
Kendra Garza
Griselda Gonzalez
David Guadiano
Lisa Jones
Richard Juarez
Dayton King
John Kretlow
Russell Krummell
Ramon Martinez

Sandra McClure
Lauren McDonald
Patricia Montalvo
Krystal Naranjo
Julia Palmer
Melissa Quintanilla-Vasquez
Elijah Ramirez
Benedicto Ramos
Susan Ramos
Mario Rodriguez
Yaritza Rodriguez
Joseph Sanchez
Christopher Thompson
Analisa Vasquez
Gema Vasquez
Lisa Vega (in memoriam)
Jason Walley
Cade Wood