By Karolyn Gephart
Making a Difference and Celebration of Excellence Awards were presented at the regularly scheduled meeting of the School Board October 12, 2020.
Five members of Friendswood ISD were presented a Making A Difference Award.
The award is given to employees and FISD members who exemplify the District’s beliefs. They are selected by administrators and departments within the district.
One FISD member honored was School Board member Denise Ruiz. She will be leaving the board after the November 3 election. She had chosen not to run for re-election.
Ruiz joined the board in 2006 and served a four year team. She later served as an appointed candidate and then was elected again through 2020. The Board and FISD recognized her achievements and honored her with the award in appreciation for her many years of service.
From Bales Intermediate, two individuals were honored.
Torrey Lusk was honored for her service as 5th grade science and social studies teacher. Lusk was recognized for her communication, collaboration and real-world connections in her work with students in her classroom. She has been in FISD for 19 years.
Nurse Randi Pipes was given a Making a Difference Award for her four years of service at Bales and the work she has accomplished there. In addition to being there for students, Pipes led COVID-19 training to all FISD employees this summer, as well as support and training to the new-to-district nurses.
From Westwood Elementary, Lindsey Heyder and Annalisa Ramirez were honored.
Heyder is a speech pathologist for early childhood students. .She works with staffing, RTI process and the testing process. She has been in FISD for seven years.
Ramirez is a PPCD 4/Special Education Team Leader. Not only does she work with students but she also schedules all of the paraprofessional support and re-evaluates the schedule as needed. She has been in the district five years.
Three individuals from Friendswood High School and a Junior High group were presented Celebration of Excellence Awards.
Gerald Musyimi and Justin Ouyang, FHS seniors, were honored for being named semifinalists in the 2021 National Merit Scholarship Program. The two can continue in the competition for Merit Scholarship awards worth $30 million that will be offered in the spring.
Senior Meghan Flanagan was honored for being named a Nationally Distinguished Student Leader at the National Student Council and the National Association of Secondary School Principals in September.
The Friendswood Junior High Percussion Ensemble, directed by Jason Abbott, were honored for being selected as a National Winner in the Mark of Excellence / National Percussion Ensemble Honors Project.
