The Coyote Insider
The Coyote Insider
2025 COMMENCEMENT IN THE BOOKS
Congratulations to all the students who received diplomas during the 2025 LSC-Kingwood Commencement! Roughly 725 students attended the ceremony President Dr Melissa Gonzalez welcomed students and their guests. LSC Chancellor Mario K. Castillo and members of the LSC Board of Trustees were in attendance to shake hands and wish students well on their future journeys. The commencement speaker was Honors College student Tyler Bobo, who shared his story of prevailing over adversity The graduation ceremony also included 289 early college high school students from Avalos PTEC, Davis High School, Infinity Early College High School, iSchool Atascocita, The Guy Sconzo Early College High School, Splendora Early College High School and Tarkington High School. Many of those students were receiving their associate degrees before their high school diplomas. Congrats to all! More pics here
Message from Dr Melissa Gonzalez
President LSC-Kingwood
Hello, Coyotes!
You did it! You chased your dreams and turned them into reality during our commencement ceremony last month
Hundreds of students walked across the stage to the cheers and tears of family and friends We are so proud of all you have accomplished!
We hope you take the summer to relax, recharge, and then reset for your next chapter, wherever that may be.
--- Go Coyotes!
CONTINUING EDUCATION CEREMONY
The Lone Star College-Kingwood Continuing Education Department hosted their Achievement Event on Thursday, May 15 , at 6 p.m. in the Student Conference Center. th Lucero Villafaña, a former CE Dental Assisting student and current Dental Hygiene student, was the speaker Twenty-eight students who successfully completed one of the 33 CE Workforce Certificate Programs attended. More than 200 friends and family members showed up for support.
At the end of the ceremony, a student drawing occurred and the lucky student received a $250 scholarship to be used toward a future college class
The next Achievement Event is scheduled for Wednesday, December 10 . th More pictures of the ceremony can be found here.
campus
TEACHER GRADUATION CEREMONY
On April 28 , thirty-seven graduates were recognized at the 16 Annual Joint Admissions Program for TeachingGraduation Celebration. Graduates earned their Associates of Arts in Teaching from LSC-Kingwood and Bachelor's degree from University of Houston Downtown. There were approximately 100 people in attendance to support them. Humble ISD's 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year, Jasmine Thomas, shared some encouraging words to the new teacher candidates. After the ceremony, all the participants enjoyed a beautiful reception sponsored by Julia Arceneaux with Gulf Coast Federal Credit Union th th
Special thanks to Dr Melissa Gonzalez, President of LSC-Kingwood and Dr Deborah Bordelon, Sr Vice PresidentAcademic Affairs and Provost for their support and dedication to our future teachers More pictures here.
POLICE ACADEMY GRADUATION
The Graduation Ceremony for LSC-Law Enforcement Academy Class 2024-C was held on May 8 at the SCC The class had 29 graduates who are heading to work for various local police agencies. Approximately 375 guests were in attendance at the ceremony. Lieutenant (Retired) Paul Smithers from the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, who is also an adjunct instructor for the Academy, served as the guest speaker. th More from the graduation can be found here.
FIRE SCIENCE GRADUATION
Congrats to the Fire Science Graduating Classes 21, 22, and 23! The classes of 41 cadets had their pinning ceremony on the evening of May 12 . th
Chief Robert Hudson with Caney Creek Fire and Rescue, who has more than 52 years of experience in emergency services, was the guest speaker
Richard Keen played the bagpipes to begin the ceremony, and music student Andres Aristimuño sang the National Anthem.
Awards included:
Highest GPA - Class 21 Andres Jimenez, Class 22 Sebastion
Gordon Claason (Dual Credit HS ), Class 23 Tiyoshi Morisheta Stoker's Award - (Highest grade in the live fire exercises) - Class 21 Andres Jimenez, Class 22 Sebastion Gordon Claason, Class 23 Charles Sanson
Neil Smith Award - (Most improved) - Class 21 Thomas Aaron Reed, Class 22 Cody Fox, Class 23 Elijah Fulton Newby Gary Staley Award - (Best overall cadet) - Class 21 Nathan Russkeller, Class 22 Brian Koelper, Class 23 Charles Sanson More pictures from the event can be found here
RESPIRATORY CARE PINNINGS
The Respiratory Care Pinning Ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 6 The class had 17 graduates The Academic Excellence Award went to Kimberly Mejia, and the Clinical Excellence Award recipient was Cindy Lutchman. Congratulations to all of the graduates and best of luck in your careers! More pictures here. th
campus NEWS
DENTAL HYGIENE PINNINGS
The Dental Hygiene Pinnings took place Friday, May 9 . Eighteen students graduated with the class. LSCKingwood President Dr. Melissa Gonzales welcomed the roughly 200 guests who attended Class President Roxana Reyes also gave a speech during the event th Awards included:
Academic Achievement Award – Jacelynn Head with a 3.76 GPA
Mentor of the Year Award – Violette Bright
Biggest Heart Award -- Ana Rodriguez, presented by Hearts of Alumni
Dental Hygiene Devotion Scholarship -- Yael Prieto, sponsored by Cloud Dentistry
Leadership Award – Roxana Reyes, presented by The Greater Houston Dental Hygiene Association
Colgate Star Award – Nikita Thapa Golden Scaler Award – Kelly Garza More pictures here.
CNA & EKG PINNINGS
On May 29 , the CNA (Clinical Nursing Assistant) program at LSC-East Aldine Center celebrated 20 student graduates. There were also nine EKG (Electrocardiography Technician) students who received certificates. Guest speakers included Myriam Saldivar (Vice Chair LSC Board of Trustees District 6) and Selina Valdez (President of the Green Forest Civic Club) Top CNA Student was Madeline Arreola and Top EKG Student was Mariela Bedolla. More pictures here.
EKG TOP STUDENT GUEST AT LSC BOARD MEETING
Top EKG graduate Mariela Bedolla was invited to attend the Lone Star College Board of Trustees Meeting on June 5 , where she was recognized for her accomplishment. Congratulations to her! th
Pictured on the left: Lone Star College Chancellor Mario K. Castillo and Mariela Bedolla
Pictured on the right: LSC Board Trustee Art Murillo and Mariela Bedolla
campus
ZEN ZONE
Rest and relaxation was the theme of Alpha Delta Nu Nursing Honor Society’s event, “Zen Zone.” The group shared giveaways such as bath bombs, spa face masks, candles, coloring books, and more. Visitors also had a chance to get a chair massage, which was a big hit. Thanks to Alpha Delta Nu for cultivating some calm for our Coyotes! Find more pictures from the event here.
ONE SWEET SUMMER EVENT
Student Life helped kick off summer with some sweet treats. Students and staff stopped by the SCC on June 5 to stock up on candy and snacks to fuel them for Summer School. They were also encouraged to write notes of kindness to others. th
POPS & PROPS
The Office of Student Life also made summer a little sweete grab popcorn and other snacks, and then make their own y g y
campus NEWS
SUMMER MOVIE NIGHT
Quite a turnout for the Summer Movie Night on June 3 . The Student Nurse Association showed the Disney film, “The Parent Trap.” Guests enjoyed popcorn, candy, and had lots of laughs. Thanks to the SNA for providing this family friendly event! More pictures here.
KINGWOOD KABARET: A TOUCH OF MYSTERY
“Kingwood Kabaret: A Touch of Mystery” was a huge success once more. This year, more than 260 guests attended, raising $4,866 for scholarships for music students. LSC-Kingwood Theatre Director Eric Skiles was the emcee and 24 vocalists, four instrumentalists, and four technicians -- made up of students, faculty, staff, and community members -- performed a variety of songs, from energetic numbers to moving ballads. Kudos to the stage crew for their hard work on putting together a stunning set and superb lighting and visual effects. More pictures can be found here.
staff & faculty
LSC-KINGWOOD MUSIC DIRECTOR TEAMS UP WITH “WICKED” COMPOSER FOR SUMMER OPERA PRODUCTION
Lone Star College-Kingwood Music Professor/Director Dr Robert Hunt is teaming up with Broadway Composer
Stephen Schwartz for an opera production in Houston this summer
Schwartz is the creator of popular musicals such as Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin.
Now he is collaborating with Dr. Hunt on the reorchestration of Séance on a Wet Afternoon. The original orchestration, which is based on the 1964 suspense novel by Mark McShane, originally premiered at the New York City Opera.
Kelli Estes, Founder and Artistic Director of Lone Star Lyric in Houston, reached out to Schwartz to ask about bringing the opera to a more intimate and accessible setting The theater is a non-profit opera and lyric theater committed to showcasing local artists. Estes is also a former music faculty member at LSC-Kingwood.
Schwartz then recruited Dr. Hunt for the project, after seeing some of his previous productions, and asked for him to create a new orchestration of Séance.
“Mr. Schwartz has been extremely gracious and has frequently expressed his appreciation of my work,” shared Dr Hunt “He has been easy to talk with, open and clear with his ideas, but respectful of the specific expertise I bring to the relationship ”
Schwartz had glowing remarks to share about working with Dr. Hunt as well.
“The musical director Robert Hunt has been my absolute hero, aided and abetted of course by Kelli Estes. There has been a lot to do to reduce the orchestration to this small intimate size, that required a lot of time and effort, some of which I just didn’t have because of my responsibilities with the upcoming Wicked movie and Broadway show I have And Robert Hunt has jumped into the fray and done absolutely brilliant work I’ll be eternally grateful to him ”
Two other faculty members from LSC-Kingwood are also in the cast. Professor Brian Yeakley plays Mr. Clayton and Professor Juan Garza is cast as a reporter.
f l h l g Theatre at the Gordy, 800 Rosine Street, Houston, TX, tickets, visit Tickets | LoneStarLyric.
EAST HARRIS COUNTY EMPOWERMENT COUNCIL TEAMS UP WITH LONE STAR COLLEGE CENTERS
The East Harris County Empowerment Council hosted an empowerment conference for middle school students from Galena Park I S D , Sheldon I S D , and the Rhodes School It was held at LSC-Atascocita Center with Dean Karen Woolley and LSC-Process Technology Center Dean Dr. Roger Chambers. Thank you to the sponsors of the event for providing such a wonderful opportunity for the students!
COMMUNITY & cULTURE
TEXAS A&M AGRI-LIFE EXTENSION PARTNERSHIP WITH LSCKINGWOOD
Lone Star College-Kingwood is proud to partner with Texas A&M AgriLife to strengthen the well-being of individuals, families, and communities in our region Together, we're launching initiatives focused on education, health, and empowerment. Stay tuned for more updates on how this partnership will benefit our students and the community.
Pictured: Dr. Sherry Wells (VPSS, LSC-Kingwood), Dr. Melissa Gonzalez (President, LSC-Kingwood), Dr. Manuel Pina, Associate Professor Emeritus (Texas A&M), David Wright, County Extension Director (Texas A&M), and Imee Villarreal (Mi Familia, Mi Futuro Manager, LSC-Kingwood)
ESOL (ENGLISH FOR SPEAKERS OF OTHER LANGUAGES) CEREMONY
The ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Ceremony took place on May 8 . During the event, seven graduates were recognized. Faculty and staff also gave out student awards, and guest speakers LSC-Kingwood President Dr. Melissa Gonzalez and former ESOL student Rowan Chang shared some inspirational stories. Guests also enjoyed musical performances from LSC-Kingwood students and faculty More pictures here th
COMMUNITY & cULTURE
SUMMER BRIDGE PARTY
Ready, Set, Bridge! Mi Familia, Mi Futuro hosted their Summer Bridge Party on June 17 . Summer Bridge is designed to help students make a successful transition from high school into college by providing support and guidance through the Mi Familia, Mi Futuro grant program, EDUC 1300, and daily activities arranged by Mi Familia, Mi Futuro throughout the duration of the summer class. th During the Summer Bridge Party, staff members assisted students with enrolling in the Summer Bridge EDUC 1300 class, and helped other students remove holds in their account. They also guided them to the appropriate departments to help them with Financial Aid. The students will continue the program through the summer. More pics of Summer Bridge Party can be found here
PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS FAMILY SUMMER CAMP
From June 23 to June 26 , Mi Familia, Mi Futuro hosted “Pathways to Success,” a dynamic Family Summer Camp, welcoming 7th and 8th grade students and their families Roughly 35-40 people attended each day. In partnership with the Lone Star College Kingwood’s Health Professions Building, East Aldine Center and the Process Technology Center, families explored campuses, career pathways, and technical programs. Day two featured financial literacy sessions from Prairie View A&M University’s Wellness in Houston and College of Business, and Ana Moros from EAC presented the various college financial aid options available. On Day three, families enjoyed a scavenger hunt supported by the LSC Outreach and Honors College teams. The week wrapped up with SMART goal setting, a Q&A with firefighter Manuel Torres, and a special mini graduation where participants received certificates and celebrated their journey together. Kylie Tellez, an 8 grade student who attended the camp, said it was an amazing experience. “Thank you so much for all the prizes and effective persuasion of this campus - I’ll expect to see y ’all in a few years - just like the rest of my LSC dedicated family!” More pictures can be found here rd th
th
PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS FAMILY SUMMER CAMP
COMMUNITY & cULTURE
JUNETEENTH HISTORICAL TOUR
Staff members with The Office of Student Life recently participated in a Juneteenth historical tour in Galveston, Texas, which proved to be both educational and deeply inspiring. During the visit, they explored the rich cultural heritage and historical significance of Galveston as the birthplace of Juneteenth the date marking June 19 , 1865, when Union General Gordon Granger arrived to announce the end of slavery in Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. th
The tour also provided a powerful look at the collaborative efforts of Galveston residents following the devastating 1900 hurricane, which remains the deadliest natural disaster in U S. history Staff members learned how individuals from all backgrounds, including the African American community, came together to rebuild the city in the aftermath. Additionally, they were introduced to the stories of notable Black figures who shaped Galveston’s history, including Jack Johnson, the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion, who was born in Galveston and became an international icon This experience deepened staff members’ understanding of the resilience, strength, and unity that define both Galveston’s history and the spirit of Juneteenth.
COMMUNITY & cULTURE
EAGLE SCOUTS SPRUCE UP LEARNING GARDEN
A group of Eagle Scouts from Troop 727 spent time sprucing up the LSC-Kingwood Learning Garden as part of a service project Tristan Lopez, the Eagle Scout who organized the Learning Garden event, said the project would focus on planting native plants to contribute to the local climate, which would require less water, and as a result, make the learning garden more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Tristan hopes the garden will promote biodiversity and support local ecosystems Meanwhile, the campus Garden Club also joined in to help ensure the garden is ready for the fall semester!
