Student voice: CAST Med High School student Keera Bhakta creates student group to promote diabetes prevention 

Student: Keera Bhakta, CAST Med High School sophomore

CAST Med students can be placed in internships as early as the summer following their first year of high school. One of the industry partners who has offered students this opportunity is Dr. Lyssa Ochoa at the San Antonio Vascular and Endovascular (SAVE) Clinic. Sophomore Keera Bhakta, was so inspired by information she learned from Dr. Ochoa that she started a new student group, Diabetes Education Prevention Organized Team, or DEPOT. The DEPOT group, now with about 10 members, meets on Thursdays and is in the process of filming a video about diabetes prevention, including the importance of healthy eating, symptom recognition, and testimony from patients battling the disease. Through connections at the CAST Network, DEPOT will also now work with Culinary Health Education for Families (CHEF) to help with their focus on healthy eating.   

“Dr. Ochoa showed me this really neat PowerPoint and map of amputations based on zip code, and I thought there really is a need for something that addresses diabetes,” Bhakta said. “CAST Med has given me a better experience than I would have had at other schools,” Bhakta said. “At this school, we get a lot more work and a lot more opportunities than at a normal high school.” 

Bhakta is an example of a student who is not waiting until "she grows up" to make a difference in her community. San Antonio has for a long time been a hot spot for diabetes and for all the maladies that come about as a result of the disease. Troubled by the even higher incidence rate on the South side of San Antonio, Bhakta did not just settle for a few social media posts with hashtags. She put her good intentions into action. And the positive momentum for the CAST Med High School DEPOT team continues to grow.

Calendar items

April 5 and 7 (Tues, Thurs) – Free tax preparation at SAISD’s CAST Tech High School
4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., CAST Tech High School, 637 N. Main Ave, 78205 
CAST Tech High School is hosting a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site on its campus to help households making $65,000 or less file their income taxes for free. CAST Tech students in Principles of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Practicum of Business classes do the data entry, while supervised by tax experts. The program assisted 146 taxpayers last year and has a goal of 200 this year. For more information, call (210) 554-2700. For a full list of dates and what to bring, visit: https://www.saisd.net/page/article/1089

April 5-9 (Tues-Sat) – SAISD students at official Fiesta events or hosting Fiesta events on campus 
SAISD is ready to take center stage at Fiesta. The many talents of SAISD students will be on display during this year’s Fiesta festivities on the main stage at official events or Fiesta activities on campus. From marching bands to mariachi ensembles, and from JROTC battalions to cheer and spirit groups, SAISD provides a primary presence of accomplishment for the entire city of San Antonio to enjoy. Here is the list of Fiesta events hosted by SAISD or where our students will perform.

April 5 (Tues) 4 p.m., Fiesta Float Making Factory, Carvajal Elementary, 225 Arizona Ave, 78207

April 6 (Wed) 2 p.m., Fiesta Shoebox Float Parade, Graebner Elementary, 530 Hoover Ave, 78225

April 7 (Thurs) 
• 9 a.m./9:15 a.m., Fiesta Float Parade, Carvajal Elementary, 225 Arizona Ave, 78207
• 9:30 a.m., Fiesta Hat Parade, Foster Elementary, 6718 Pecan Valley Dr, 78223
• 2 p.m., Outdoor Fiesta Parade, Schenck Elementary, 101 Kate Schenck Ave, 78223
• 2:10 p.m., Fiesta Book Float Parade, Ball Elementary, 343 Koehler Ct, 78223
• 3:30 p.m., Highland Hills Fiesta Festival (Food, fun and games), Highland Hills Elementary, 734 Glamis Ave, 78223
• 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Fiesta Battle of the Bands - All SAISD comprehensive high schools - Alamo Stadium, 110 Tuleta Drive, 78212 

April 8 (Fri) 9:30 a.m., Fiesta Battle of Flowers Parade - All SAISD Comprehensive High Schools - Downtown San Antonio 

April 9 (Sat) 
• 9 a.m., King William Parade - Brackenridge High School Band - beginning on E. Guenther at Eagleland, the Parade travels through the King William Fair Zone, and ends on Adams at Eagleland. 
• 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., Fiesta Flambeau Parade, Downtown San Antonio
o The Sam Houston High School JROTC will participate in the Fiesta night parade by carrying the Flambeau Parade Association flags.