More than 200 Clear Creek ISD leaders and community members converged in the Challenger Columbia Stadium Community Room to celebrate the partners and volunteers who lend their hands and hearts to the 41,000 students, 5,000 staff members and 45 schools of Clear Creek ISD throughout the year.
The 2022 CCISD Volunteer and Partnership Breakfast, sponsored by Balfour and Photo Texas Photography, was themed “Here Comes the Sun” as a celebration of the bright spots and special people in the community.
Under the direction of Anna Minder, the Bay Elementary Ukulele Choir set a joyful tone performing the Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun” to kick off the program.
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Eric Williams delivered a community impact report detailing the many achievements and successes of “Team CCISD” throughout the 2021-2022 school year.
“I want to call attention to something,” said Williams. “Notice how nearly every student or school success this year – those bright spots – have a significant volunteer or partner supporting, lifting, or even financing that achievement. This ‘one community mindset’ is what fuels and inspires us,” he said.
Williams announced the City of League City as the 2022 Community Partner of the Year. With 23 CCISD schools in League City, Williams expressed appreciation for the dedicated manpower and resources committed by the City in support of Bond 2017 projects and other District facility needs. The City’s active engagement of students and staff in their many art initiatives was also celebrated.
“The school district is a great partner with us because they are the primary reason that people move to this city,” said Mayor Pat Hallisey. The City is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year. “CCISD is our partner in success for the future, and when we get to 125 years, I know we’ll still be appreciating this school district for the great job that they do,” he said.
Bay Area Houston Economic Partnership President Bob Mitchell was also recognized during the morning event.
“We are the only region in the country that can claim the Center for Human Spaceflight, thriving maritime, medical and specialty chemical industries, and a budding Spaceport,” said Williams. “I am proud to recognize a leader who has had a big hand in attracting and growing these industries and laying a visionary and sound foundation for our students and future workforce,” he said, inviting Mitchell up to receive a token of the District’s appreciation.
Every campus also names a 2022 Volunteer of the Year, which are listed at the end of this article, from which an Elementary and a Secondary Volunteer of the Year are announced at the breakfast. Williams asked that they each stand to be recognized by all in attendance.
Weber Elementary Principal Cheryl Chaney introduced Melissa Page as the 2022 CCISD Elementary Volunteer of the Year.
“Melissa’s care and support for the students and staff at Weber is endless,” said Chaney. “It’s important to her to not only help meet our campus’ needs but to make sure everyone feels valued and morale is high. When substitute teachers were in high demand this year, Melissa took her helpfulness to the next level and signed up to be a substitute and recruited others to do the same.”
From Clear Brook High School, Mary Queen Catholic Church and parishioner Chris Austgen were named the CCISD Secondary Volunteer of the Year for their thoughtful support of families facing hardship. From providing clothing and school supplies to Thanksgiving meals and bicycles for transportation needs, Austgen and Mary Queen have made it their mission to team with the District and Communities in Schools to topple barriers to a successful future.
“We have some students who are accepted into universities that are far from home and do not have the means to get everything they need for dorm life,” said Dr. Sharon Lopez, principal of Clear Brook High School. “With the support of the Mary Queen Catholic Church community, Ms. Austgen takes them shopping so the student can select their bedding, towels and room décor. She also surprises them at the very end with a new laptop!”
The Volunteer and Partnership Breakfast concluded with the traditional announcement of the Volunteer Champion Campus, which is determined by the campus with the highest number of PTA members factoring in student enrollment. Clear Creek Community Council of PTAs President Lisa Polansky announced Falcon Pass Elementary as the winner and keeper of the traveling trophy for the next year.
