NHS top scholars honored

By STEVE SNYDER Examiner editor

Years of academic hard work toward a collegiate future were finally rewarded for several dozen Navasota High School seniors May 22.

The students were honored at the district's first-ever scholarship awards dinner, which saw 69 student get about $530,000 in scholarship money

"The students we are recognizing this evening have excelled beyond all expectations," Navasota High School Principal Brent Rumbo said. "Students, as you receive your scholarships this evening, I want you to reflect on what success will be in your future."

He told them it would ultimately be not in college grade point averages or salaries, but in life lessons learned and self-belief developed.

"Your academic successes will allow you to believe in your potential," he said.

In all, 73 individuals and organizations offered almost 100 scholarships totaling about $530,000 in value to the 69 honored students.

Among those, the Examiner made a presentation of a scholarship to Rana Banks. The award was based on a combination of need and an interest in journalism.

Banks plans on going to Sam Houston State University in Huntsville.

"I want to look at doing print journalism," she said. "Mainly I want to write, but also do photography."

She explained why the field of journalism had her attention.

"I was interested in magazines early on (in life), and curious."

Among her NHS-based awards is three years on Who's Who Among American High School Students.

At the end of the program, Superintendent Jennings Teel saluted the Navasota School Board for helping make this possible, for the future of the students represented.

Courtesy of NHS counselor Bill Irvine, here is the complete list of scholarships:

Plantersville Masonic Lodge: Raven Kimich, Whitney Wetuski

John Geib Memorial: Jasmine Curtis

Wal-Mart: Corey Felton, Vanikin Sanders

NHS Band Boosters: Travis Carr, Lilianna Tovar

Blinn Band: Ericka Guzman

GW Carver Alumni: Jason Holiday, Jasmine Creeks, Sarena Johnson, Carriesha Williams, Vanikin Sanders, Elana Rameriz

Tenaska Frontier: Corey Felton, Jasmine Creeks

Starthwell Johnson Community: Jasmine Creeks

Delta Kappa Gamma: Vanikin Sanders

Grimes County Go-Texan: Amanda Sanders, Peggy Cashiola, Melissa Campbell, Kandis Schulte, Elizabeth Nalley, Brian Busse, Lauren James, Krystyne Compean

Shelly Nobles Memorial: Tanner Shiflett

Nav Lions Club - Meschke: Lauren James

Brotherhood of Grimes County: Manita Wesley

Texas A&M Corp: Garrett Neumann

NHS FFA

Brian Busse, Raven Kimich, Amanda Harris, Logan Parsons

Jane Lott Music Club: Mary Sullivan, Jose Vidal

ATPE: Corey Felton

Baylor:Jasmine Creeks, Lauren James, Elizabeth Nalley, Travis Carr

Navasota Teen Court: Tywineka Burton

Paul Shiflett Memorial: Ocia Sweed

EW & Ida Mae Harris Medical: Krystyne Compean

EW & Ida Mae Harris Trust: Monica Hirsch

Navasota Garden Club: Mary Margret Gross

Texas Christian University: Travis Carr

Our Lady of the Lake University: Elva Galvan, Ken Norton, Paul Garza

Texas A&M: Lauren James, Elizabeth Nalley, Vanikin Sanders

Sam Houston State University: Travis Carr

NHS Cheerleading: Briana Anzaldua, Leanna Noto, Laura Malek, Jasmine Creeks, Manita Wesley, Jose Vidal, Lauren James

Trinston Harris SR & JR Memorial: Brittany Henderson

Nav Masonic Lodge 299: Jay Pool

Navasota Grimes County Lions: Fatika Mason

Albert Cadle III Memorial: Mindy Brewer

VFW Essay: Denise Gonzalez

Gloria S. Sale Bryan Coca Cola: Fatika Mason, Elizabeth Nalley

Navasota Examiner: Rana Banks

La Casita: Elana Rameriz

Shaylynn Nobles Memorial: Jose Vidal

Navasota Art Club: Jasmine Curtis

MidSouth: Laura Malek, Vicki Castillo

Stephen F. Austin: Travis Carr, Jose Vidal, Liliana Tovar

Missouri Valley: Chris Acaosta

McClennon College: Jana Hubbard

UT Dallas: Jasmine Creeks

Robert Imhoff Memorial: Hudson Moon

Diamonettes: Melissa Campbell, Sierra Cervantes, Jessica Clement, Amanda Harris, Mary Sullivan, Meghan Suarez

Grimes Farm Bureau: Garrett Neumann, Lauren James

John & Cathe Hayes Memorial: Meghan Suarez

NHS Choir: Jose Vidal, Mindy Brewer, Mary Sullivan, Melissa Campbell

Sangster Sisters - First Baptist Chuch: Jay Pool, Heather Valenta

Grimes County Law Enforcement Association: Chris Acosta

Thomas McIntyre Memorial: Briana Anzaldua

Grimes St Joseph Auxiliary: Elizabeth Nalley, Krystal Peterson

Lee Condrey Memorial: Lauren Anthony

Annette Moore Memorial: Whitney Wetuski

Grimes County Poor Boys: Brian Busse, Lauren James

Gary Evans Memorial: Brian Busse

MidCoast St. Gertrudis: Logan Parsons

State Fair Dallas: Logan Parsons

Dr. J. Garland & Laurie Watson: Raven Kimich

Betty Hall Memorial: Kandis Schulte

Bryan Coca-Cola: Troy Smith

Interstate Southwest: Marlee Berger

CW Lucas Memorial: Eddie Ray Jackson

Harvey Turner & Valeria Turner: Jana Dalzell

Elgin & Stone Binford Memorial: Jessica Clement

GW Schroeder Memorial: Zerrick Lowery

Tommy Hood Memorial: Lauren Anthony

LULAC: Briana Anzaldua, Chris Acosta, Samuel D. Merritt, Meaghan Suarez

St. Mary's Men's Club: Peggy Cashiola

Ford Motor Company: Lauren James