NICHE RANKINGS
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
As we settle into the new school year, I want to extend a warm greeting to all our Village families and staff! I am incredibly proud of the energy and dedication of the Village School Enrichment Organization (VSEO) and our board. VSEO exists to provide vital financial support and unique opportunities that directly enhance our students’ experiences across a variety of programs in all divisions.
Since we want to be responsible and strategic with every dollar you donate, we follow a school-driven funding process. Requests for program needs must be formally submitted by the program teacher or coach and approved by the Program Director or Division Director, and Head of School. Only then does the request go to the VSEO board, where we vote to ensure it aligns with our mission and complies with IRS guidelines. The VSEO board supports the school's vision; we do not decide which programs or items to fund on our own.
Thanks to your incredible support, our organization has raised over $380,000 in the two years of operation! We are actively putting your fundraising dollars to work: These funds act as the "icing on the cake," allowing us to purchase nice-to-have items and significant enhancements for our programs not covered in the tuition. Thanks to the proceeds from last year's gala, we've purchased important additions like cooling mist fans and a much-needed upgraded Medic Golf Cart, providing our students with a safer and more comfortable environment.
This support goes beyond equipment, offering essential opportunities for student growth. Over the summer, Village Enrichment provided scholarships that sent students to national-level competitions. Thanks to our generous community, we were able to remove the financial burden for families, funding everything from students' trips to the National Speech and Debate competition to helping our Theater students attend the Tommy Tune Awards (often called the "Oscars" of Texas high school musical theater).
We are also thrilled to be able to support Robotics this year! They plan to use the funds raised thus far to purchase parts and tools for competition bots and practice bots. We look forward to outfitting their dedicated builder space with equipment that will help them grow and excel!
To ensure our musicians are set up for a successful year, Village Enrichment funded six specialist music workshops at the beginning of the school year. This marks the second year we have been able to provide this critical support. These workshops were requested by program directors to provide students with targeted instruction in their specific instruments, ensuring all students start the year with a strong, shared foundation. This consistency helps make year-long classes more effective for everyone!
Beyond instruction, VSEO provides essential logistical support: we funded the apparel items for the Chicago Teen Musical and provided a ticketing platform for the Middle School Little Mermaid workshop. These efforts highlight our partnership with our teachers, ensuring they have the platform, resources, and funds necessary to better support their programs.
I am excited to welcome two wonderful new members to our board: Megha Basu, a new parent with two children in Pre-K who joined Village in January, and Sarah Chawda, who has been actively involved in our school community for some time.
We are also excited to share the launch of our Alumni Engagement and Legacy Initiative! This initiative is important because it will foster lifelong engagement and networking for our students, strengthen our community, and help preserve the legacy of The Village School for years to come. I am truly excited for the many things planned this year and can’t wait to share our continued success with everyone as we grow and support our students and teachers!
With gratitude,
In the first two years of operation, we raised over $380K
ALUMNI
LAUNCHING OUR ALUMNI ENGAGEMENT AND LEGACY INITIATIVE
Village Enrichment is excited to officially launch our Alumni Engagement and Legacy Initiative! We want to give a special shout-out to Jen Thomas, who has already done a great job establishing communication and connections with our alumni—we are now building and expanding upon her work. Our mission is to ensure that the connections made at Village continue long after graduation, benefitting both our alumni and our current families.
Why an Alumni Network Matters
Foster Lifelong Engagement & Support: We aim to build enduring relationships with our graduates, ensuring they always feel connected to the Village family.
Create Mentorship and Networking Opportunities: Alumni can mentor current students, share professional insights, and offer invaluable career networking opportunities to the next generation.
Strengthen Community & Preserve Legacy: A strong alumni network reinforces the history and values of the school, helping to preserve the unique legacy of the Village community.
Attract Future Families: An active, thriving alumni community serves as a powerful testament to the value and lifelong impact of a Village education.
We look forward to connecting with our alumni and will be planning an Alumni Reunion in March 2026 hosted by Village Enrichment! Be on the lookout for the Alumni Spotlight coming soon in each month’s newsletter!
STEM/ROBOTICS NEWS
FLL AND FTC TEAMS PROGRESS
Two of our middle school FLL teams presented their Innovation Project ideas to an expert last week and received valuable feedback to guide their prototype development. They are now actively working on building their prototypes. We’re still seeking additional experts in Engineering, Information Technology, and Archaeology who can listen to student presentations and offer constructive feedback.
Our 8th grade FTC team participated in a scrimmage alongside high school teams. They successfully built a pushbot, formed alliances, and had a great time learning and collaborating with their peers. It was a fantastic opportunity for growth and teamwork!
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: CHRIS WANG CODING FOR SOCIAL IMPACT
Eighth grader Chris Wang is solving real-world problems with code! Chris was recently featured on KPRC 2 Click2Houston for inventing an amazing prototype: an offline language translator. The device, built using a Raspberry Pi mini-computer, can listen to what is said and instantly translate it between multiple languages without needing an internet connection. This offline capability is its most critical feature, making it far more reliable than Google Translate or other apps when facing communication barriers in areas without Wi-Fi or cellular service. Chris initially developed the tool for a trip to Japan but quickly realized its massive potential for disaster relief workers or travelers in remote locations, improving the speed of translation from 30 seconds down to just 7 seconds. He is now collaborating with Ms. Vergara, the MS robotics teacher, to secure a social impact grant, with the goal of developing the prototype into a usable device for mass production. Way to go Chris!
STEM/ROBOTICS NEWS
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT: ICE VENKATESH - SUPPORTING GIRLS IN STEM AND EDUCATION
Lemonade with Ice is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by 10th grade Village student, Ice Venkatesh, in 2017, with the core mission of empowering young, underprivileged girls through education. The organization works to transform lives by ensuring every girl has access to the resources, mentorship, and support needed to reach her full potential. Initiatives include comprehensive educational support like school supplies, tutoring, and scholarships, with a dedicated focus on STEM Education for girls. Supported by a large network of volunteers and global partners, the organization raises funds through efforts like its annual gala (the 9th Annual Gala is scheduled for October 26, 2025) and product sales. You can find more information about the program here: STEM Education for girls.
SPEECH & DEBATE
N E W S
The Speech and Debate season kicked off with 200 attendees, including parents, at our recent Potluck Info Night! With 100 students on both the Middle and High School teams this year, we are thrilled by the enthusiasm and excited for the teams to break records again!
Click on the presentation to learn more about the MS and HS Teams!
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM
The High School Speech and Debate Team has already launched into the tournament season, competing successfully every weekend since August! With approximately 100 students on the roster this year, we’ve enjoyed a very successful season debut, already crowning champions in various events. Freshman Shivam Singh (9) has already secured full qualification (bids) for the prestigious TOC (Tournament of Champions) and the State Tournament in Congressional Debate! This early success is matched by Kabir Rai (9), who is also State-qualified in Extemporaneous Speaking, an incredible feat so early in the season!
Over the summer, Village Enrichment proudly funded scholarships for students attending the NSDA National Speech and Debate Centennial Tournament in Des Moines, IA, where 7,000 students entered from 1,500 schools all across the country. We want to recognize the students who attended and represented The Village School: Kolade Feyisitan (Dramatic Interpretation), Sophie Newman and Viola Giudici (Duo Interpretation), Farida Anbar (Program Oral Interpretation), Eshani Gale (Big Questions Debate), Caleb Anstee and Anthony Psyllos (Humorous Interpretation), Nirav Mandhani (Congressional Debate - House), Selina Zhang and Adrienne Wang (Policy Debate), and Tanmay Rai (International Extemporaneous Speaking). We are incredibly proud of their achievements and passion for this activity!
NSDA NATIONALS IN DES MOINES, IOWA
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM
NSDA NATIONALS IN DES MOINES, IOWA
The Village Middle School Speech and Debate Team competed at the National Speech and Debate Tournament in Des Moines, IA on June 17-21, celebrating the NSDA organization's 100th Anniversary.....and WOW, do we have some incredible news to share!
For the fifth year in a row, The Village Middle School has been named Top Overall School of Excellence at Nationals!
We came home with: Several Octafinalists, Quarterfinalists, and Semifinalists TEN National Finalists (Top 6 in the country!) And THREE individual NATIONAL CHAMPIONS! Mrs. Huffman was awarded her 2 Diamond Award for coaching! nd
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM
NSDA NATIONALS IN DES MOINES, IOWA
VMS S&D is also incredibly proud to have had the following speakers and debaters represent our program at the National Tournament:
Ayse Demirbas, Camila Gatica Espinoza, Charlotte Walker, Frederico Campello, Michael Wiegand, Ishwari Patel, Anushna Mohan, Rohan Agrawal, Amber Deng, Dahlia Lalaji, Amruta Gollakota, Annika Patel, Zayden Lalani, Avyan Sharma, Lucy Pike, Vrisan Shah, Sahasra Madireddy, Luke Rovere, and Beiyi Dang.
The Coaches also want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the AMAZING chaperones, judges, and parent volunteers who gave us unparalleled support throughout the week: Mr. Delbrugge, Ms. Vergara, Mr. Willmore, Mr. Silveira, Connor Huffman, Girija Patel, Mandy Pike, Noshin Khoja Lalani, Altaf Lalani, and Vicente Campello.
Thanks to the incredible generosity of our community and succ ed ove hool and als!
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
MIDDLE SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE TEAM
NSDA NATIONALS IN DES MOINES, IOWA
SPEECH & DEBATE NEWS
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SPEECH AND DEBATE
We are thrilled to announce a new program for our 4th graders this year! Students now get to experience Speech as part of their rotations, specifically focusing on Storytelling taught by Mr. Gale. This event, which is a popular competition category in Middle School, is the art of retelling a children’s storybook in an animated, theatrical, and captivating way—as if the audience were children themselves. Students not only memorize the narrative but use dynamic vocal variety and physical movement to make the story jump off the page and draw the audience in. It’s an amazing and foundational way to get our students involved with and loving Speech and Debate, as well as theater, early on in their academic careers! We are already impressed with what our 4th graders have been working on this early in the school year! Watch the video below as they practice and perform to younger students!
ATHLETICS N E W S
ATHLETICS PURCHASES OVER THE SUMMER
Over the summer, Village Enrichment significantly boosted our Athletics program by funding several key items that fall outside the school's standard budget. These items were requested by the program director and were made possible by funds raised from this past year's gala. These additions directly enhance student well-being and program infrastructure: our elementary school P.E. students and athletes can now be outdoors more comfortably in the heat thanks to new cooling mist fans; we've improved safety and rapid response with a much needed upgraded Medic Golf Cart; and we can proudly display the program's successes with additional trophy cases. Furthermore, we are thrilled to announce that the two bench shelters generously donated by VSPA from the Gala Athletics Wishlist will be arriving in early November! We can't wait for our students to have a protected place to sit and gather, safe from the heat and rain, ensuring a safer and more comfortable environment for all our student-athletes.
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Courtesy of Village Athletics
FOOTBALL TEAM SCORES 29-0 AT HOCO UNSUNG HEROES: VIKING SPORTS MEDICINE TRAINING STUDENTS ATHLETICS NEWS
TheVillageVikingsHighSchoolFootballteamdeliveredanunforgettable performanceatthisyear'sHomecomingGame,securingadominant29-0 victory!Theenergyfromthestandswaselectrifying;itwasarguablythebiggest crowdVillagehashosted,andahugethankyoutoeveryonewhocameoutto cheertheteamon.Theatmospherewastrulyamplifiedbythetirelesseffortsof ourBand,whodeliveredafantasticperformanceandkeptthecrowdpeppedup, andourSpiritTeams,whodidagreatjobignitingtheVikingspiritthroughout thenight!GoVikings!
Theathletictrainingstudentstrulyoutdidthemselvesduring theHomecomingGame.Theirdedicationandexpertise ensuredthattheVikingswereintopform,readytofacetheir opponents.Thesestudentsworkedtirelessly,providing immediatecareforanyinjuriesandkeepingtheplayersin optimalcondition.Theirquickthinkingandefficient managementofthesidelinewerecrucialinmaintainingthe team'sperformancethroughoutthegame.
AsAugustfootballgamesareoftenaccompaniedbyhotand humidweather,hydrationbecomesavitalcomponentof playersafetyandperformance.Theathletictrainingstudents werevigilant,ensuringthateachplayerstayedhydrated before,during,andafterthegame.Properhydrationhelps preventcramps,heat-relatedillnesses,andmaintainsoverall playerhealth.Byprioritizinghydration,thesestudentsplayeda keyroleinthewell-beingoftheteam,demonstratingtheir understandingofsportsmedicineandtheircommitmentto theathletes'health.
Theirproactiveapproachnotonlysafeguardedtheplayersbut alsosetastandardforexcellenceinsportsmedicineatour school.
ATHLETICS NEWS
HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETICS
Courtesy of Village Athletics
VOLLEYBALL WINS GOLD BRACKET CONSOLATION
Our varsity volleyball team had a strong showing, bringing home the Gold Bracket Consolation Championship from O'Connell Island Invitational Volleyball Tournament.
On the first day, Village was dominant, going undefeated (3–0) in pool play. The offense was led by Kyra Siva (All-Tournament Player) and Tomi Dada, who combined for double-digit kills and aces across the matches. Consistent serving and strong defensive play from the back row kept opponents on their heels and set the tone for a successful first day.
On the second day, the girls faced a tougher opponent in bracket play. After a hard-fought three-set loss in their opening match, the Vikings regrouped and showed their resilience. Behind powerful swings from Tomi Dada, clutch serving runs from Gia Bursztyn, and steady leadership from setters Sabrina Martinez and Lucia King and defensive specialist Anaya Moore, the team rallied to win their final two matches. That determination earned them the Gold Bracket Consolation title!
Congratulations to our athletes and coaches on an outstanding performance and a well-deserved trophy!
VIKINGS CROSS COUNTRY MAKES THE INAUGURAL RUN
The cross country team initiated the Village School's new track at the start of the school year by holding a mile time trial. Runners generally performed very well, with some newer athletes dropping as much as three minutes off their personal best, and more seasoned runners finishing as much as 15 seconds faster. We can't give the new surface the credit though, it's as simple as hard work and dedication paying off. As we move into the middle of the season we hope to continue seeing such signs of progress. To celebrate our first week back on the track, the team closed out with a surprise water balloon fight. After coaches launched their sneak attack and the balloon supply dwindled, runners got ahold of the ice water in the cooler and set their sights on their coaches. Coaches Walker and Ratliff sheltered in the VAC, and the noble Coach Garibay dutifully took the hit for them. Of course, being responsible student athletes, the team went to the trouble of cleaning up after themselves before stretching.
Parents recently spent the day cheering on our amazing runners as they hit the course at the Annual SBS Soaring Eagle Cross Country Meet! We’re so proud of all the hard work and dedication the team put in. A huge THANK YOU to all the parents and families for coming out to cheer, support, and capture such amazing moments—your encouragement means the world!
A R T
TARGETED INSTRUCTION AND PROGRAM SUPPORT FOR SUCCESS
To ensure our musicians are set up for a successful year, Village Enrichment funded six specialist music workshops at the beginning of the school year. This marks the second year we have been able to provide this critical support. These workshops were requested by program directors to provide students with targeted instruction in their specific instruments, ensuring all students start the year with a strong, shared foundation. This consistency helps make year-long classes more effective for everyone!
Beyond instruction, VSEO provides essential financial and logistical backing: we funded the costume and apparel items for the Chicago Teen Musical and provided a vital participation fee collection platform for program expenses. We also provided Middle School Little Mermaid workshop. All these efforts ensure that program directors have funds and resources available to directly support their students' success.
N E W S
BAND HYPES UP THE CROWD
The incredible atmosphere at the Homecoming Game was made possible by the powerful presence of our Pep Band, High School Concert Band, and student leaders from the Jazz Program, who were instrumental in hyping up the crowd! We truly love our band programs, as they are the heartbeat that gives us our team and school spirit, bringing the entire community together through the power of music and energy. Thank you for making the night unforgettable!
SEE THE LATEST FINE ARTS NEWSLETTER FOR ALL THE STUDENT SPOTLIGHTS: Alice Duan, YuvI Agarwal, Deetya Sri, Andy Woo, Amber Deng, Kayla, Evan, and more!
IN-KIND DONATION THANK YOU
ATSSB JAZZ AUDITION RESULTS FINE ART NEWS
CongratulationstoourtalentedHighSchool jazzmusicianswhosuccessfullyauditionedfor theATSSB(AssociationofTexasSmallBands) JazzprogramsinBelleville!Thesestudents havenotonlyqualifiedforStatebutwillalso participateintheesteemedAll-RegionClinic andConcertlaterthisyear.Thisisa tremendoushonorthatrecognizestheir dedicationandmusicalexcellence!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CAST OF THE WOMEN OF LOCKERBIE
Maddie Livingston : Rose Scamaroni
Bill Livingston: Kunal Pikle
Adam Livingston: Aayan Bhutani
Olive: Kolade Feyisitan
George Jones: Charles Hawtin
The Women : Anne-Frederique Bellrose, Presleigh Duncan, Eshani Gale, Audrey Bain, Selena Liu, Zara Zaidi, Diya Benny, Maya Thai, Raphaelle Bellerose , Carolina Kong, Daphne George, Emmaline Strauss
Director: Mr. Eric Porter
The Tragic Story of the Pan Am crash in Lockerbie Scotland 1988.
Show Dates: October 23, 24, 25 (matinee and evening performance)
Show times: 7: 30 (evening performances) 2:30 (matiness performance)
Black Box Theater / 60 minutes in length approximately
Tickets : $5.00 students/ faculty $10.00 general admission
FINE ART NEWS
UNDER THE SEA, ON THE STAGE: INTRODUCING THE CAST OF THE LITTLE MERMAID
WearepleasedtosharecastingforLittleMermaid,cominginNovember!Congratsto allofourphenomenalArtistswhoauditioned!
Cast:
Ariel-AnnikaIversen
Flounder-CharlieBecker
Flotsam-CoraSwancoat
Jetsam-SamirraKumaran
PrinceEric-VivaanDev
Grimsby-CharlotteWalker
Scuttle-ParizaPunjwani
Sebastian-SafaAhmed
Pilot-ViolaFierro
Ursula-EmilijaKolak
Mersisters/Princesses-AvaHong,Jordyn Stewart,CaeYenKhoo,AshritaDeori, MeridaCantin,CecileMorgan
KingTriton-ZarahKhan
Carlotta-AlinaSyed
ChefLuis-Zoe-JadeBellerose
Seahorse-LeaBeckett
Understudies:
Ariel-AlinaSyed
Flounder-AvaHong
Flotsam-LorelaiSun
Jetsam-JaclynBond
Scuttle-KenzieChile
Ursula-MinaalRiaz
Mersister/Princess-LeaBeckett
Ensemble:
AlinaSyed,LorelaiSun,JaclynBond,Kenzie Chile,MinaalRiaz,LeaBeckett,KavyaAgrawal, AvaHong,JordynStewart,CaeYenKhoo, AshritaDeori,MeridaCantin,CecileMorgan, ZarahKhan,Zoe-JadeBellerose,ViolaFierro
Carlotta-KavyaAgrawal Fine Arts Newsletter
FINE ART NEWS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
October:
10/20
MS/HS ChoirConcert 6:00 Auditorium
10/22
MS/HS OrchestraConcert
5:005th/6th 6:307&8Orch/HS Auditorium
10/23
HighSchool VisualArtsMFAHFieldTrip Manning,Bautista,Willmore 10am-3pmMFAH
0/27
MS/HS BandConcert 5:00MS6:30HS Auditorium
10/29
HS
DirectorsSeries2:ScaryMovieFilmFestival 3:00pmBlackBox
November 11/5
MS/HS DanceWinterConcert 4:00pmD200
11/8
MS/HS ATSSBBandAuditions 9am-6pm,SealyHS
11/12
MS/HS DirectorsSeries3:MusicalTheatre Showcase Polley 3:00pmBlackBox
11/15
MS/HS ATSSBBandClinic/Concert 9:00am-7:00pm RoyalHS
Didyouknowthat65%ofFortune500companiesoffera matchinggiftprogram,andsomecompaniesevendouble, triple,orquadrupledonations!Asa501(c)(3)nonprofit, VillageEnrichmentqualifiesformostcorporatematching programs.Matchinggiftsareatypeofgivingprogramsetup bycompaniesandcorporationsasanemployeebenefit Employeematchinggiftsaredonationsanemployermakes tomatchitsemployees'charitablecontributions.Afteran employeedonatestoanonprofit,theycansubmita matchinggiftrequesttotheiremployerandthecompany willmakeanadditionaldonationtothatnonprofit.Matching giftprogramsincentivizeacompany'semployeestogive backtotheircommunityandsupporttheiremployees' philanthropicendeavors.
1.Visithttp://kroger.com
2 Createorlogintoanaccount
3.Goto“MyAccount”atthetop rightcornerandclickon “CommunityRewards”.For mobileapp,clickon“Rewards” then“CommunityRewards”
4.SearchforTheVillageSchool EnrichmentOrganizationorenter codePJ550andClick“Enroll”
EachtimeyoushopatanyKrogersstore,aportionofyour purchaseisgivenbacktouswhichhelpssupport extracurricularprogramsforstudentsandteachersatThe VillageSchool.AttheverybottomofyourKrogerreceipt,it willshowyouarelinkedtoourorganization Youmust renewtheorganizationselectionevery12months. ThankyouforsupportingourVillagecommunity!