FBISD Magazine | Spring 2025

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

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2024-25 FORT BEND ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES Kristin K. Tassin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Rick Garcia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice President Stay connected with us to get the latest district news and events. Visit fortbendisd.com and connect with us on social media.

David Hamilton. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary Angie Hanan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member Adam Schoof. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member Dr. Shirley Rose-Gilliam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member Sonya Jones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Member

The FBISD Magazine is produced by the Fort Bend ISD Communications Department.

Dr. Marc Smith, Superintendent of Schools

Message from Fort Bend ISD Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith Let’s Finish Strong!

We are in the home stretch of the 2024-25 school year!

I encourage everyone to “leave it all on the field” - a sports term for putting forth absolute maximum effort with the goal of achieving the best possible results.

We have many examples of that this year.

In about a month, we will confer high school diplomas upon approximately 6,600 Class of ’25 graduates.

We presently have 74 National Merit Scholarship finalists.

The scholarship winners are presently being announced and we will know our final count in July.

Our high school students have completed a total of 28,643 dual credit hours and our seniors are going to receive 81 associate degrees this year. These young people will receive two-year college degrees at the same time they receive their high school diplomas— at no cost to them and their parents!

We have almost 20 schools that were recognized for providing superior academics while serving student populations that are economically disadvantaged.

The recognitions come from Children At Risk and the Educational Results Partnership.

The Marshall High School boys basketball team and the Hightower High School girls basketball team had amazing seasons that took them all the way to the state championship games in San Antonio. We are extremely proud of them and look forward to both teams winning it all next year.

At Aldridge, Mission and Henry elementary schools, crews are entering the final phases of construction so these campuses can welcome students in August.

Work on Clements High School’s new building is in full swing. It will be ready in time for the 2027-28 school year.

I am excited about all the amazing things we will accomplish in FBISD in the future, and I know we can achieve all our goals by working cohesively as a team and doing our best to finish strong!

Contents

01

2023 Bond Update

03

Ridge Point’s Class of 2025 includes quadruplets

05

Instructional specialist weaves fine arts into classroom curriculum to engage students of all learning styles

07

FBISD Piano Technician Program offers ‘keys to success’ for high school students

09

Fort Bend Education Foundation visionary retires after more than 25 years of impactful leadership

13

Clements High School athlete’s journey from tragedy to collegelevel success

15

Teacher of the Year

19

From Fort Bend ISD graduate to successful orthopedic surgeon: Meet Ashvin K. Dewan, M.D.

21

FBISD’s Rodeo Roundup!

2023 BOND UPDATE FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

FBISD introduces mascots for three elementary campuses opening in fall 2025 FBISD recently introduced the mascots and logos for the three elementary campuses opening in fall 2025.

District leaders worked closely with the families of campus namesakes Allen Aldridge and Ferndell Henry to create mascots and logos that reflect their lives and legacies.

Allen Aldridge, Jr. had a successful football career that began in FBISD and led him to the NFL. He returned to his roots as a beloved coach at George Bush High School, where he made a lasting impact before his unexpected passing. The Defender mascot honors his successful football career and reflects his role as a champion for his students.

students throughout his 40-year teaching tenure with FBISD. Astronauts symbolize exploration, innovation and reaching for the stars.

They inspire curiosity and ambition.

Mission Elementary students will dream big and achieve their goals.

For additional updates and videos, visit fortbendisd.com/bond

Known for their fearless ability to climb steep rocky terrains, rams exhibit strength, determination, leadership and resilience – qualities Ferndell Henry instilled in his

NEW

PRE-K3

HEAD START PROGRAM! Enroll your child in Fort Bend ISD's Pre-K3 Head Start Full-Day Program!

Starting August 2025, this program will be available at Aldridge, Jones, Hunters Glen ELC, Holley, Mission, and Ridgemont ELC. 1

¡Inscriba a su hijo(a) en el programa de día completo de Pre-K3 Head Start de Fort Bend ISD! A partir de agosto de 2025, este programa estará disponible en Aldridge, Jones, Hunters Glen ELC, Holley, Mission y Ridgemont ELC.

Pre-K3 Webpage Sitio web de Pre-K3

The Extended Day Program is for students in kindergarten through Grade 5, open before and after school to keep students safe and engaged.

Homework Time

SPARK Curriculum and Clubs

Program Options: Morning Only Afternoons Only Morning & Afternoon Combo

To register, go to

Physical Activities

Tuition is paid monthly.

Early Dismissal Day and Full Service Day child care is available.

fortbendisd.reg.eleyo.com ExtendedLearning@fortbendisd.gov fortbendisd.com/ExtendedLearning

6:30 a.m. - 7:30 a.m.

3:25 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Ridge Point’s Class of 2025 includes quadruplets For the first time in its history, Ridge Point High School will have four siblings graduating at the same time. They are the Blair quadruplets: Matthew, Andrew, Nick and Avery.

The school had triplets in a graduating class some years ago but to have quadruplets is extremely rare – more so because the Blairs were naturally occurring quadruplets. The odds of that happening without the aid of fertility drugs are about 1 in 750,000.

“They were born in Houston at 28 weeks and two days,” their father Michael Blair said.

Their births in 2007 would have made news but he and his wife Kristen opted out of media coverage. The largest of the quads at birth was baby number three Nick, who weighed 2.4 pounds. Matthew, the oldest, weighed 1.1 pounds. Baby number two Andrew weighed 1.2 pounds, and the youngest -and only girlAvery also weighed 1.1 pounds.

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“To us, we’re just normal, but our normal to everyone else is completely different,” Andrew said.

Each of the quads who just turned 18, has their own individual traits. Two have red hair and two have brown hair. Their parents playfully describe them as: the muscle (Matthew), the negotiator (Nick), the supportive one (Andrew) and the boss (Avery).

“I think I just kind of picked it up (being the boss) because that happens in most families,” Avery said.

“Normally, it’s the older sibling and in my case I’m the youngest.”

For all their differences, the teens have this in common

– they are respectful, intelligent, responsible and neat as a pin.

From the time they were little, the Blair quads were taught to tidy up after themselves, otherwise their mom said clutter and messes would have spiraled out of control.

1 in

750,000

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

QUADS’ FAV TEACHERS Ms. Payne, Scanlan Oaks ES - Helped with Avery’s Dyslexia Mr. Tanguay, Ridge Point HS - Always There for Them Mr. Sanders, Ridge Point HS - Mentor, Instilled Confidence QUADS’ FAV SCHOOL ACTIVITY Academic Decathlon They Lettered in It TIPS FOR MANAGING FOUR KIDS

1

ARENTS SLEEP IN SHIFTS P DURING INFANT PHASE

2

EACH THEM EARLY TO T CLEAN UP AFTER THEMSELVES

3

ACH WAS GIVEN THEIR OWN E COLOR FOR DISHES, TOYS AND OTHER BELONGINGS

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UT THEM IN THE SAME CLASSES, P OTHERWISE YOU’RE INTERACTING WITH ABOUT 30 DIFFERENT TEACHERS AT ONCE

DO THEY WANT MULTIPLE BABIES THEMSELVES ONE DAY? The Boys Said Perhaps; Avery was a Hard No!

“We couldn’t do a lot without their help,” mom Kristen said, “Because we are outnumbered every day.”

After attending FBISD schools since elementary - with near perfect attendance the siblings will now continue their education at Houston Christian University. All received scholarships; two of the awards are full ride.

Matthew plans to study artificial intelligence; Andrew has his sights set on architecture and construction; Nick plans to major in business; and Avery wants to be an interior designer. She is specifically interested in

designing chemotherapy infusion centers to be brighter and more uplifting spaces. She was inspired to do so after accompanying her mother when she underwent breast cancer treatments this past year.

To us, we’re just normal, but our normal to everyone else is completely different,

Like the high-functioning team they are, the quadruplets worked to keep everything at home running smoothly and in tip top shape during the days that were most challenging for the family.

“They have been great kids,” Kristen said.

“They truly have been great kids.”

“Every day, I’m amazed,” Michael said. “They have excelled in ways we never would have expected.”

Andrew 4

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

FBISD instructional specialist weaves fine arts into

classroom curriculum to engage students of all learning styles FBISD’s Arts Integration Instructional Specialist Katie Clayton recently led first graders at Lexington Creek Elementary on a trip to the ocean, a pond and an aquarium— without ever leaving the classroom.

She specializes in weaving fine arts into classroom curriculum to engage students of all learning styles.

Clayton led students on an imaginative journey using items in their “actor toolboxes” including special “explorer cameras” to examine natural habitats. They had fun acting out the plants and animals they observed while learning how living and non-living organisms depend on each other.

Clayton compares her teaching style to getting kids to eat their vegetables.

“It’s like slipping broccoli into their macaroni and cheese,” she said.

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Research shows incorporating theater, music, dance and visual arts into core subjects enhances student engagement, critical thinking, problem-solving and creativity.

The innovative approach is beneficial because instructional methods such as lectures and testing can exclude students who benefit from other types of learning.

Clayton also leads professional development for teachers who want to incorporate the arts into their lessons.

The district launched the program at Ridgemont Early Literacy Center in 2018 through Title I funding, but its expansion was slowed by the pandemic. Now in its fifth year, the program will reach as many as 1,500 students. That’s how many Clayton alone will directly teach. The number does not include teachers who are integrating the arts independently in their own classrooms.

Secondary students also respond to the integrated lessons.

Clayton helped Dulles High School’s band develop their marching show by prompting them to identify themes in their music that influenced their movements on the field.

And, a 10th grade English Language Arts class created and acted out scenes using different literature archetypes – heroes, villains, and more – that Clayton introduced to them while watching the movie Shrek.

Before joining FBISD, Clayton worked at Houston’s Alley Theatre where she was introduced to arts integration through their community engagement program and she was inspired to pursue her alternative teaching certification.

Next year, the district has plans to expand the program with a second specialist position.

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

I like to say Ms. Clayton has celebrity status when she walks through the door. Students are so excited to learn and play her games. I think my favorite part is how it levels the playing field. Each student has a chance to shine. Students who might typically struggle with the typical paper and pencil lessons might thrive in this type of creative display of learning. After teaching for so many years, Arts Integration is what I needed to remember teaching can be and is supposed to be fun. It is easy to get caught up in our scripted lessons, grades and testing and it can be easy to forget kids need and deserve active engaging opportunities, Candy Fenwick, Second Grade Teacher, Lexington Creek Elementary

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FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

FBISD Piano Technician Program offers ‘keys to success’ for high school students From baby grands to uprights, pianos require professional care to retain their beauty and stay in tune.

FBISD’s Piano Technician Program offers a rare and remarkable opportunity that turns high school students into skilled piano technicians, mastering the delicate art of tuning, maintaining and restoring pianos - setting students up with the keys to success.

This innovative Program of Choice is housed at Marshall High School and is a collaboration between FBISD and the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music.

After graduation, students can pursue opportunities for advanced training as a Master Piano Technician.

“This work requires a lot of patience and is very detailed,” Romig said.

The pianos used for learning are donated by Steinway and area churches or they come from the district. Students also utilize fullsize action models that allow them to see what a piano looks like on the inside and how it works. First, they learn the various parts of a piano and then they learn how to manipulate and regulate the pieces. Romig describes it as a “chiropractic adjustment of the piano.”

“The piano gets played and played, things wear out over time, and then you need to readjust everything to get it back in fighting shape,” he said.

The program’s instructor James Romig is in his third year of teaching in FBISD. He recognizes the growing demand for skilled technicians.

Romig is a proud recipient of the Fort Bend Education Foundation’s Founders Grant $20,000 to outfit his classroom with the necessary equipment for his students’ success.

“Not many people know about this as a career opportunity,” Romig said. “There is a massive need out there for repair work, not just for pianos but for every instrument. Fort Bend ISD is the first school district to create a piano technician program.”

He was able to purchase three regulation stations that teach students how to adjust key depth and hammer height, additional action models from Steinway, as well as a tool chest that includes strings and professional tuning levers.

Currently, there are 30 students in the program.

“Without the proper tools, this program wouldn’t be possible,” Romig said.

Two of the students - Celeste and Jose - have been working on aural tuning, developing the ability to distinguish beats and fine-tune pianos by ear.

Former student London Washington said he wasn’t quite sure what he would do after high school.

“I did orchestra all of my years in middle school and my mom started me on an instrument pretty young, so that definitely helps me with my sense of pitch and figuring out intervals,” Celeste said. “Mr. Romig has helped me with the specifics.”

“My proudest moment was when I completed my first ever full piano tuning,” Jose said.

Romig provides opportunities for critical thinking and hands-on learning for his students. They rotate through workstations focused on restringing, hammer repair and ear training. Students also construct fully functioning, mini action models that take about three weeks to complete.

7

“The idea of working on pianos interested me,” he said. “After I took the class for a year, I was still curious as to what the field had to offer. By my second year, I was fully committed to being a piano tech.”

Washington recalls an especially proud moment while in the program.

“Mr. Romig had a chart where he would give stars to individual students for each lesson we mastered or sufficiently learned,” he said.

“I was proud to have gained so many stars on that chart. It showed how far I had come as a technician.”

Now, an intern at the University of Houston, Washington continues to explore new

opportunities in the field, all thanks to the foundation he built in FBISD’s Piano Technician Program.

To learn more about the program, visit the Piano Technician Program website.

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

This class is hands-on, and you need problem solving skills because a lot of pianos work differently.

When the opportunity came to join piano tech, I took the chance and found a new special skill and hobby.

Kendell Vannor

Elijah Mitchell

The most valuable lesson I learned from the program is to push through struggles.

Jeremiah Pierson

Program Instructor James Romig

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FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

Fort Bend Education Foundation visionary retires after more than 25 years of impactful leadership Fort Bend Education Foundation visionary and Chief Executive Officer Brenna Cosby will retire in May, leaving behind a legacy of more than 25 years of dedicated service that has significantly impacted FBISD students and teachers.

Cosby’s journey with the foundation began as a volunteer while working as a substitute teacher and pursuing her alternative teaching certification. She realized she could make a greater impact on the district through the foundation and accepted the job of being the organization’s sole employee in the role of executive director. She ultimately grew the organization into one of the nation’s most successful education foundations.

“I felt I could best serve Fort Bend ISD’s students by raising money for the district’s teachers and schools,” Cosby said.

Under her leadership, the foundation’s annual fundraising campaign grew from $125,000

to $1.4 million and the staff expanded from a single member to a team of eight.

“Brenna has earned the deep respect of our community,” Fluor Community and Public Affairs Senior Manager Barbara Jones said. “She possesses a remarkable ability to connect with people and collaborate effectively.”

Last year, the foundation awarded over $770,000 to FBISD teachers and campuses to fund programs and initiatives that enhance student success.

The one thing that has remained constant with Brenna is her enthusiasm and heart for the children of Fort Bend ISD. Dr. Halford

9

Walker Station Elementary second grade teacher Marianne Hall submits a grant application every year.

“It is because of her that I always have a plethora of books to choose from to help my students with reading,” Hall said. “I can’t thank her enough for always inspiring me to inspire my students’ love of reading.”

One of Cosby’s proudest achievements in her quarter century of leading the foundation was the expansion of the Auxiliary Committee which now boasts more than 500 volunteers and reflects the district’s diverse community.

“She has an incredible ability to attract the right volunteers,” Fort Bend Education Foundation President Shefali Jhaveri said.

Under Cosby’s leadership, numerous systems were streamlined and she introduced Key Performance Indicators for the board of directors to help them fulfill the foundation’s mission.

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

Annual fundraising campaign increased from $125,000 to $1.4 million FBISD’s Coding and Robotics Clubs grew from two to 65 Received the Partners in EducationGovernor’s Volunteer Award in 2017 More than $35 million raised for schools and teachers under her leadership

A long-time Fort Bend County resident and alumna of Dulles High School, she is passionate about giving back to her community.

Dr. Dennis Halford, a founding and still active member of the foundation, has worked with Cosby throughout the years.

“The one thing that has remained constant with Brenna is her enthusiasm and heart for the children of Fort Bend ISD,” Halford said.

Even when planning for her retirement, Cosby carefully selected her successor to ensure the foundation’s mission and vision endure.

“I can say without hesitation our education foundation board is in a good place moving forward,” Halford said. “Brenna’s actions pointed our foundation in the right direction so we can continue our work to enhance the lives of our students, teachers and staff.”

As she looks ahead to her next chapter and a move to the Texas Hill Country, Cosby said she will most miss working with students and volunteers.

MEET THE FORT BEND EDUCATION FOUNDATION’S NEW LEADER Hillary Dunn was appointed as the new executive director for the Fort Bend Education Foundation.

She began working for the foundation in 2017 where she coordinated marketing and fundraising events.

“As an FBISD alum and a proud parent of a current student, I’ve seen firsthand the meaningful impact the foundation has on our students, teachers and the district,” Dunn said. “I’m excited to carry forward its mission and build upon the strong legacy that Brenna established.”

Dunn is a graduate of the Fort Bend Excellence for Non-Profit Leadership Program and the Fort Bend Leadership Forum. When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter and fur babies.

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FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

Clements High School athlete’s journey from tragedy to college-level success

Clements High School senior Aileen Ghomian’s introduction to rowing wasn’t sparked by a natural interest in the sport but out of necessity.

At the time, Ghomian lived in Kazakhstan. She moved to Sugar Land at the end of her 8th grade year where she continued rowing for rehabilitation and joined a local rowing club.

Ghomian was involved in a tragic car accident when she was 12 leaving her with a fractured hip and ribs.

The turning point from recovery to competition came after she completed her first 2,000-meter test, which she initially did as a joke. She was surprised to learn her time was better than many of her friends who had trained in rowing for years.

As part of her recovery, her physical therapist recommended using a rowing machine to strengthen her hips.

I want to help people with their physical struggles having experienced what it’s like to be limited by them.

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Attending a camp at the University of Texas piqued her interest in rowing at the collegiate level and she began emailing coaches.

“Many of them found it interesting that I was able to achieve such competitive times without any coaching, which helped me stand out,” she said.

Ghomian’s local rowing club is small and does not offer coaching. She maintains her own training plan and schedule.

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

“The hardest part is the mental battle of pushing myself every day,” she said. “It takes a lot of discipline to get on the rowing machine and give it everything for hours, even on days when I have no motivation.”

Ghomian’s typical training day starts at 5 a.m. with on-water rowing practice.

After school, she completes another 90-minute routine of lifting weights and physical therapy before going to work at one of her two jobs.

In the evening, she works out again on a rowing machine.

Ghomian will attend the University of Central Florida this fall and row for their Division 1 team. She plans to study kinesiology.

“I want to help people with their physical struggles having experienced what it’s like to be limited by them,” she said.

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TEACHER OF THE YEAR

These Teachers are at the Head of the Class!

Along with the Principals and Rookies of the Year Fort Bend ISD honored its 2025 teachers, principals and rookie teachers of the year at its annual banquet in April.

Elementary Teacher of the Year

Ashley East Secondary Teacher of the Year

Monique Williams

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

ELEMENTARY FINALISTS

SECONDARY FINALISTS

Keon Addai is a 2nd grade teacher at Ridgegate Elementary who comes from a family of educators. She says in her classroom students know they are part of a family – they belong.

Joseph Chen is the band instructor at Elkins High School who is a former FBISD student. He says because of his life-changing teachers, he is able to help his students become the best possible version of themselves.

Yancy Aguilera who is a 1st grade

Erin Cole teaches 6th grade social studies at Hodges Bend Middle School.

She says the kindness and compassion demonstrated by her favorite high school teacher and by her mother who worked at her school as a paraprofessional, inspired her to bring the same kind of light and love to her students.

teacher at Ridgemont Early Literacy Center used to be a student at Ridgemont. She says it is truly a privilege and an honor to be able to teach in a community that holds such deep personal meaning to her.

Ashley East is a K-5 Action Based Learning Teacher at Blue Ridge – Briargate Elementary. She says a child’s success is not only measured in grades but also in their ability to overcome obstacles, develop a growth mindset and recognize their potential.

Dana Keen is a Campus Literacy Interventionist at Seguin Elementary who is a 23-year veteran of the classroom. In college, she switched majors from pre-med to education so she could become a teacher who could inspire and encourage students the way her favorite teacher did for her.

Margaret Steinert is a kindergarten teacher at Commonwealth Elementary. She is a FBISD alum who says she believes in the old-school tools like big books and letter stamps. She says in her classroom they celebrate every big win of the district’s littlest learners.

Briana Portis teaches 8th grade science at Thornton Middle School and began her career as a substitute teacher.

However, she found that every interaction with students filled her with a love of teaching. She says she discovered that teaching is about connection and understanding each child as an individual.

Angela Stanley teaches 8th grade math at Crockett Middle School and believes strongly in teaching the “why” so that lessons are more meaningful to students. She says she maintains high expectations for her students and gives them the support they need to meet those expectations.

Monique Williams is an upperlevel math teacher at M.R. Wood Center for Learning. She is a veteran educator who has been a math coach at both the campus and district levels. She says teaching in an alternative setting gives her the opportunity to connect with students from diverse backgrounds and help them overcome challenges so they can reach their full potential.

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FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

ROOKIES

Of The Year

Fort Bend ISD’s six Rookie Teachers of the Year are making a significant difference in their very first year in the classroom.

Anthony Encarnacion Sullivan Elementary

Alisha Maniece Dulles Elementary

Curry M. Porter Thornton Middle School

Rachel Pringle Sartartia Middle School

Georgia Sparkman Schiff Elementary Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith (L) shares a proud moment with Secondary Principal of the Year Dr. Reginald Brown at Dulles Middle School.

PRINCIPALS

Of The Year

Kristi Durham,

Dr. Reginald Brown,

Madden Elementary School

Dulles Middle School

FBISD’s 2025 Elementary Principal of the Year Kristi Durham considers it a privilege to have spent her entire 29-year career in the district, serving in a variety of roles.

Dr. Reginald Brown has been an educator and leader for a total of 26 years, 18 of those years have been in FBISD.

“I love being a principal,” she said. “I love leading the staff. I love watching the kids grow and learn. It’s not an easy job but at the end of the day, knowing we’ve made a difference makes it all worth it.”

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At Dulles Middle School, the former professional football player encourages his students to demonstrate “above the line” behavior, which means being accountable, responsible and open to learning.

“When you live above the line and strive for excellence, good things happen,” he said.

Genesis Vazquez-Hernandez Dulles High School

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

Teacher of the Year 2025 YouTube Video

Attendees were all smiles at the 2025 Teacher of the Year Banquet.

2025 FBISD Teacher of the Year Banquet Flickr Images

Beaming with pride Principal of the Year Kristi Durham celebrates alongside her school’s spirited mascot—the Huskie—and Superintendent Dr. Marc Smith at Madden Elementary.

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FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

Photo courtesy of Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital.

From Fort Bend ISD graduate to successful orthopedic surgeon: Meet Ashvin K. Dewan, M.D. Dr. Ashvin Dewan’s journey to becoming an orthopedic surgeon began in Fort Bend ISD, where he was part of the inaugural Medical Science Academy at Hightower High School and valedictorian of its first graduating class in 2001.

He credits part of his success to the unique opportunities the academy provided.

“That very early and unique exposure to the medical field was real-world learning,” he said.

“We were able to rotate through hospitals which was unheard of back then for high school students. I think it definitely set me up for success in medicine.”

Now a highly accomplished orthopedic surgeon, some of his fondest memories include delivering the school’s first-ever valedictorian speech and the excitement of competing on the math and science team.

“It was a very special moment because it was the first time Hightower had a graduating class, and I had the honor of giving a speech 19

to the student body, telling them, ‘We’ve set a high bar,’” he said.

“On the math and science team, we traveled all over the state, winning competitions,” he recalled. “Those late-night bus rides and close-knit friendships made it so much fun.

We had a very strong core group of math and science teachers, and because we were a small program at the time, we had a very close relationship with them.”

Dr. Dewan remembers the impact of his former teachers: Ms. Minard, Ms. Crestani, Dr. Trinh, Ms. Singleton, along with Principal Debbie Dunlap. They all played pivotal roles in shaping his academic and professional career.

“Dr. Dunlap was very close with her students, and was committed to the program’s success,” he said. “She still keeps in touch with me.”

Dr. Dewan’s passion for medicine was sparked at a very young age and was deeply personal – his sister was born with congenital health issues.

“We practically lived in the hospital when I was a kid,” he recalled. “My sister was given just a 10 percent chance of living past age 10. I had a fascination with the doctors that would help her. I saw how much they changed her life. She defied the odds and is a very successful nurse practitioner.”

Initially drawn to cardiology because of his sister’s condition, he fell in love with orthopedics while in medical school.

He was accepted into Rice University’s highly competitive medical program, which grants automatic admission to medical school for only a few students nationwide each year.

“I was very lucky that I got into that program,” he said. “I went to Rice and then straight into medical school after that and I didn’t have to worry about applying to med school because I had already gotten admission.”

Dr. Dewan earned his Bachelor of Science in bioengineering from Rice University, graduating summa cum laude before

FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

attending Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. After graduating in 2009, he completed his internship and residency in orthopedic surgery at Johns Hopkins University and a fellowship in arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

For students dreaming of a medical career, Dr. Dewan says it is a long career path that requires a lot of commitment and dedication.

“After graduating college, I had four years of med school, five years residency, there are two years of fellowship,” he said. “You don’t want to get so far down that path that you look back and decide this is not for you and have

to go back and start over. I think the amazing thing that the Medical Science Academy offers is the ability to get a taste of it very early on while in high school.”

Dr. Dewan also credits FBISD’s diversity with shaping his worldview—something he did not fully appreciate until he left.

“You don’t realize the beauty and benefit of that until you leave it,” he said. “Growing up in such a diverse environment, especially in your formative years, broadens your perspective, exposes you to different things and impacts how you see the world. It gives you opportunities to learn from other people.”

After nearly a decade away, Dr. Dewan returned to Texas to practice orthopedic

surgery when an opportunity at Methodist Hospital in Sugar Land opened up.

“Sign me up!” he said. “I want to be in Sugar Land. Fort Bend is home for me.”

Growing up in FBISD, he attended Mission Glen Elementary, Walker Station Elementary, Lake Olympia and Garcia middle schools.

He was zoned to Austin High School before entering the Hightower Medical Science Academy.

When asked what he would tell his younger self, he said “Don’t be so serious. I think I took things too seriously and missed out on fun and unique opportunities. There’s a time to work hard and a time to play hard—I wish I had learned that balance sooner.”

I had a fascination with the doctors that would help her. I saw how much they changed her life.

Dr. Ashvin Dewan with his sister and inspiration, Ritika Dewan.

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FORT BEND ISD MAGAZINE // SPRING 2025

FBISD’s Rodeo Roundup!

FBISD was well-represented at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as a teacher, a middle schooler and high schooler won on some pretty big stages.

Elkins High School senior Hyewon Joy Park painted a portrait titled “Night at the Arena” that brought in $200,000 at the rodeo’s charity art auction. The work shows a cowboy on horseback in a roping competition.

Park was named Reserve Grand Champion, receiving $19,000 of the auction funds.

With her huge success this early in life, Park said art is definitely in her future, but she also plans to become a pediatric dentist. A total of 16 FBISD student artists were recognized at the Rodeo School Art Program Awards Ceremony this year, more than any other school district in the competition.

Dulles Middle School student Juliet Zhou also fared well in the charity art auction. Her painting of a horse called “Henry” sold for $30,000. She receives $2,500 with the remainder going to the education fund.

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Settlers Way Elementary School music teacher Amanda Faulkner sang the National Anthem once again this year at the rodeo. This was the third year the HLS&R volunteer took the stage to sing the “Star Spangled Banner.” She has been teaching music at Settlers Way since 2008. She’s not just a FBISD educator, she’s also a former student- a proud graduate of Kempner High School.

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