Student Voice: Top-tier college could be a ‘game changer’

Student: Natalie Reyna, senior at Brackenridge High School

Brackenridge High School senior Natalie Reyna wants to be a game designer when she graduates from college. The National Honor Society student joined the Cisneros Scholars Program and Leadership class in its inaugural year. Because of the program, Reyna now has her eyes set on a top-tier school upon graduation from Brackenridge. What’s more is that Reyna is also a QuestBridge scholar applicant. If selected for the program, she would be matched with a prestigious school and receive a full scholarship, including room and board. Reyna says she is interested in a career in game design to use her skills in reading, writing and creating – creating worlds that have endless possibilities, just like the real-life version she is creating for herself as she begins the next phase of her life. Some of the schools she’s interested in include Stanford, Boston University, Notre Dame, the University of Southern California, and Hamilton College.

Subject Expert: First Cisneros Scholars Program cohort
  
Expert: Liz Ozuna, executive director, College Readiness and Post-Secondary Initiatives
 
On their way to becoming future leaders, seven SAISD students recently completed the first George and Elvira Cisneros Scholars Program and Leadership Class. The program's goal is to set students' sights on greater opportunities through confidence building. Monthly classes are held on topics such as College and Career Choices, SAT Prep, Time Management, and Financial Aid/Student Loans. The program was launched under former San Antonio Mayor and HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros. Students are nominated to participate by their teachers. The four campuses represented include Brackenridge, CAST Tech, Jefferson and Lanier high schools – and they were selected because of the connection the Cisneros family has with those communities. These top students will be able to put the leadership program on their resumes. The Cisneros family believes that they deserve an education wherever they desire, but the hope is that they return home to make San Antonio a better place. Recruiting for the next class has already begun, and that cohort will start next summer.

Calendar items 

Oct. 8 (Fri) – John Quinones to speak to students at his alma mater 
1:30 p.m., Rhodes Middle School, 3000 Tampico, 78207
ABC News personality John Quiñones, a graduate of San Antonio ISD, will speak to students during his trip to our city as part of the SAISD Foundation’s Inspire Awards ceremony. Quiñones was the emcee and keynote speaker for the alumni event, which was held Wednesday night. Quiñones will speak to students on the Rhodes News Team about conducting interviews, and he will also speak to all students in the auditorium. When a student in SAISD, Quinones attended Brackenridge High School, Rhodes Middle School and Carvajal Elementary School.

Oct. 11 (Mon) – SAISD holiday
Schools and offices will be closed.

Oct. 12 (Tues) – SAISD Board Meeting A
5:30 p.m., SAISD Central Office, 514 W. Quincy St., 78212
The regular SAISD Board meeting will take place inside the Central Office Board Room and also livestreamed.

Oct. 14 (Thurs) – SAISD Bond 2020 community design “charrette” public meeting
6-9 p.m., Brackenridge High School, 400 Eagleland Drive, 78210
A series of community design “charrette” meetings (a French word meaning an intense period of design or planning) is scheduled throughout October and November 2021. The meetings allow for public input and review of improvement projects planned for more than 30 SAISD schools as part of the 2020 bond proposal approved by voters on Nov. 3, 2020. This first meeting will cover the campuses of Brackenridge High School, Bowden Academy, and Lamar Elementary School. It will begin with a general session and then break out by school for more in-depth conversations about each of the campuses. 

Oct. 15 (Fri) – Inspiring Latina Women
Noon, Fox Tech High School Learning Staircase, 637 N. Main, 78205
With Hispanic Heritage Month as the backdrop, Bexar County Judge Catherine Torres-Stahl will host a talk and follow up conversation with high school young women at the Fox Tech Campus. Torres-Stahl is an alumna of Fox Tech. This begins a series of talks centered around Inspiring Latina Women. Torres-Stahl was honored last week, Oct. 6, during the SAISD Foundation’s Inspire Awards, recognizing SAISD alumni who make a big difference in their communities.

Oct. 15 (Fri) – Inspiring Latina Women
2:40 – 3:25 p.m., Highlands High School, 3118 Elgin Ave., 78210
Suzanne Scott, a Highlands High School graduate and state director of The Nature Conservancy, will give a talk and follow up conversation with young women of Highlands High School on Friday, Oct. 15. The series aligns with Hispanic Heritage Month and is presented as part of a SAISD Foundation initiative. Scott was honored last week, Oct. 6, during the SAISD Foundation’s Inspire Awards, recognizing SAISD alumni who make a big difference in their communities.

Oct. 16 (Sat) – Teacher Job Fair
9 a.m. – Noon, SAISD Central Office, 514 W. Quincy, 78212
Calling all teachers! San Antonio ISD is seeking qualified elementary and secondary teachers in the areas of ELAR, math, science, bilingual, special education for the 2021-22 school year. This is an in-person, face to face event. For the safety of everyone involved, face masks are required. Registration is requested in order to connect potential employees with campus leaders. Registration information can be found by clicking here. Applicants are asked to bring multiple copies of their resumes, which are required to enter the event.