Education Foundation - Klein Independent School District

Honoring the 

Top 10 

Graduating Seniors 

Photo caption: Klein ISD 2013 valedictorians and their distinguished educators. 

Distinguished educators are chosen by the students for their profound educational impact. 

Education Foundation 

Congratulations and Best Wishes Graduates 

Klein ISD Education Foundation Board of Directors

SPONSORS 

PLATINUM UNDERWRITER 

Campus Kids, LLC 

Donald R. Collins Distinguished Klein Educator Award Sponsor 

Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & Mott, LLP 

DISTINGUISHED SCHOLAR & HONORED EDUCATOR AWARD SPONSORS 

Absolute-All Sports 

Bay-IBI Group Architects 

Durotech, Inc. 

RBC Capital Markets, LLC 

SHW Group 

Tellepsen 

TABLE SPONSORS 

• Absolute-All Sports 

• Bank of America 

• Bay-IBI Group Architects 

• Campus Kids, LLC 

• Dahill, A Xerox Company 

• D & L Global Consulting, Inc. 

• Durotech, Inc. 

• Cindy Hardy 

• Herff Jones 

• Hometown Insurance 

• Houston Northwest Chamber of 

Commerce 

• InvesTex Credit Union 

• Joiner Partnership - Architects 

• Jones & Carter, Inc. 

• Tom & Sue Kikis 

• Klein Equities 

• Klein Forest High School 

• Klein ISD Board of Trustees 

• Lone Star College - Tomball 

• Lone Star College - University Park 

• Duong Nguyen Family 

• North Harris County Regional Water 

Authority 

• Outlook Financial Group, LLC 

• PBK Architects 

• Perdue Brandon Fielder Collins & 

Mott, LLP 

• Prestige by Lifetouch 

• RBC Capital Markets, LLC 

• Radcliffe Resources 

• Rogers, Morris & Grover, LLP 

• SHW Group 

• Smart Financial Credit Union 

• Steven & Debbie Smith 

• Sunrise Custom Homes 

• Tellepsen 

• The Collins Family 

• State Rep. Sylvester Turner, District 139 

Program printed courtesy of Dahill, A Xerox Company 

Program photos courtesy of Prestige By Lifetouch

The Klein ISD Education Foundation 

Academic Banquet 

Monday, April 22, 2013 

Program 

Welcome 

Cindy Hardy, Treasurer 

Klein ISD Education Foundation 

Dr. Jim Cain, Superintendent 

Klein ISD 

Invocation & Pledge of 

Allegiance 

Dr. Mark Young 

Methodist Willowbrook Hospital 

Donor Recognition 

Cindy Doyle, Director 

Community Relations and Education Foundation 

Keynote Speaker 

Derrick Brew 

Klein Forest High School, Class of 1996 

Recognition of 

Distinguished Scholars & Educators 

Cindy Hardy, Treasurer 

Klein ISD Education Foundation 

Klein ISD Education Foundation Directors 

Student Comments 

Donald R. Collins, 

Distinguished Klein ISD 

Educator Award 

Closing Remarks 

Haley Marek, Klein High School 

Tram Nguyen, Klein Forest High School 

Ryan Bradley, Klein Oak High School 

Kurt Lantion, Klein Collins High School 

Dr. Jim Cain, Superintendent 


Cindy Doyle, Director 

Community Relations and Education Foundation

The Klein ISD Education Foundation Honors 

Dr. Nancy Reeves Radcliffe 

2013 Donald R. Collins 

Distinguished Klein Educator Award 

Previous Honorees: 

Dr. Donald R. Collins, Ed & Wanna Hickey, Betty L. Dodd, Frank Lemmon and Dr. Robert LeBlanc

Klein High School 

Nicholas Nguyen, Wesley Cossick, Diana Evans, 

Kevin McMahon, Peter Yu, Haley Marek, Afiya Ali, 

Abhishek Pillarisetti, Alexandra Reed & William Bing Hua 

Principal: Larry Whitehead

Academic & Extracurricular 

Activities: 

French Club 

French National Honor Society 

Orchestra (Region IX & Texas Music Scholar) 

Mu Alpha Theta 

Health Occupations Students of America 

Business Professionals of America 

United States Achievement Academy 

Science Scholar 

Performing Arts Institute 

Boston University, Summer Honors Intern 

Most Outstanding French Student 

Most Outstanding Musician 

Leadership Positions: 

French Club, Vice President 

French National Honor Society, Treasurer 

Community/Volunteer Service: 

French National Honor Society, French Tutor 

National Honor Society, Math Tutor 

Boy Scouts of America 

Retirement Home Musician 

Nicholas Nguyen 

Valedictorian 


Plans After High School: 

Major in biology at either Stanford or 

Johns Hopkins University and pursue a 

medical profession. 

Distinguished Educator: 

Sandra Miller 


“Bonjour mes choux! Qui aime la rentrée? Every summer I couldn’t wait to hear these words as the first 

day of school approached. I am one of the few people who was lucky enough to study under Madame 

Miller for all four years of high school. To tell you the truth, Madame is not only my French teacher; 

she is also my English and History teacher as well as my pronunciation coach. But most importantly 

she is my life mentor. I cannot express how much it means to me whenever she shows concern for my 

well-being. Madame is the quintessence of kindness, intelligence, and sincerity. Even after school, she 

takes time out to help us further our knowledge in the French language. Meetings with her for French 

Club and French Honor Society will forever be engraved in my memory. Without her jovial anecdotes, 

our meetings would be dry and flavorless. I owe a big part of who I am today to her. Merci Madame 

pour tout ce que vous avez fait. Vous serez toujours dans mon coeur.”

Wesley Cossick 

Salutatorian 



Attend either the University of Texas or Baylor 

University and major in computer science. 


Kathryn Miller 



Activities: 

National Merit Finalist 

Standleader 

Owner, Next Step Webs LLC 

Texas Youth Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist 

National Federation of Independent 

Businesses, Young Entrepreneur Award 

Semifinalist 

Band 

Latin Club 

National Honor Society 

Computer Science Club 

Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor 

National Junior Classical League 

Latin National Honor Society 


KHS Band, Section Leader 

Latin Club, President 

Champion Forest Baptist Church Media 

Crew, Director 


Champion Forest Baptist Church, Media Crew 

Gospel Lakes 

Houston Habitat for Humanity 

Annual Mission Trips 


Caroling at Nursing Homes 

Toy Drives for Christmas 

Champion Forest Baptist Church, Vacation 

Bible School 

“When people think of exciting academic courses, Latin typically isn’t the first subject that comes 

to mind. However, Ms. Miller brings life to what most people consider a dead language. At the start 

of my freshmen year, I could never have imagined that Latin would quickly become my favorite 

subject, largely due to outstanding teachers like Ms. Miller. She challenged us with material that not only 

prepared us for her class, but also improved our understanding of the English language and 

broadened our vocabulary. Ms. Miller shows a genuine concern for her students, and invests the time to 

learn the individual abilities and unique personalities of each. It was a privilege to have her as my third 

year Latin teacher, and I have enjoyed the opportunity to assist her in the Standleader adopt-a-teacher 

program during my senior year. It is teachers like Ms. Miller who make Klein an outstanding school.”


Activities: 


Advanced Placement Scholar with Distinction 

4 years Varsity Track- ranked top 25 in State 

4 years Varsity Cross Country, 

Most Valuable Runner 

Most Valuable Freshman and Junior 

Daughters of the American Revolution, Good 

Citizen Award 


Junior Varsity Soccer, Most Valuable Defender 

Student Council 


National Honor Society, President 

Spanish National Honor Society, Officer 

Junior Guild Volunteer Organization, 

Parliamentarian 

Student Leader on Mission Trip to El Salvador 


Spanish National Honor Society, Tutor 

Faithbridge Church, Mission Trips 

Mittelstadt Elementary School, Mentor 

National Honor Society, Volunteer 

Junior Guild Volunteer Organization, Volunteer 

People to People, Student Ambassador 

Diana Evans 



I will be attending Duke University where I plan 

to major in economics and potentially minor in 

statistics, computer science or Spanish. 


Tim Rice 


“If you can count on one thing when you have Mr. Rice as a teacher, it’s that class won’t be traditional. Don’t 

expect to be bored with PowerPoints and monotonous lectures, but instead, prepare yourself to laugh, speak 

out in class, question what behavioral disorder your teacher is demonstrating today, and learn lots and lots about 

psychology. What really made Mr. Rice stand out to me as a teacher was his originality and unpredictability. 

From his certificates on the walls claiming that he is a certified Buddhist monk (which are fake, by the way) to 

his hilarious stories about encounters with the psychologically abnormal in Whataburger, Mr. Rice ensured 

that we didn’t just learn about psychology, we experienced it. Soon I found myself eagerly anticipating his 

class every day, and he genuinely kept me interested in learning the subject matter. Mr. Rice, thank you so 

much for your dedication to keeping school fun and interesting. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of your class 

and I’m sorry to hear that future students will not get the privilege of having you as a teacher after you retire.”


Activities: 

Academic Decathlon 

National Junior Classical League 

Band 

Full Orchestra 

Boy Scouts of America 


National Merit Commended Scholar 

Advanced Placement Scholar 

Kevin McMahon 



Band Brass, Captain Section Leader 

Latin Club, Co-Scribae 

Latin Olympics, Organizer 


I plan to attend Colorado School of Mines and 

major in petroleum engineering. 


45 and Hope, Feeding the Homeless 

Northwest Assistance Ministries: 

Meals on Wheels 

Habitat for Humanity 

Mixed Race Marrow Registry (MRMR) Volunteer 


Alicia Eichhorn 


“Despite not knowing Ms. Eichhorn until this year, she has had an enormous impact on me in this short 

span. As an English teacher, she has imparted to me a greater appreciation for the value of literature, 

and I hope to carry this with me for the rest of my life. As one of my Academic Decathlon coaches, 

she played a major role in helping me develop the self-confidence that I needed to be successful. This 

confidence has proven beneficial to me in many aspects of my life, and has allowed me to realize the 

truth in Henry Ford’s famous words: ‘Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you’re right.’ 

Words cannot express the depth of my gratitude for the impact she has had on my life. I consider myself 

lucky to have had the opportunity to learn from her.”


Activities: 

Texas Music Educators Association 

All-State Orchestra 

Academic Challenge 



French Club 


French National Honor Society, Treasurer 

Orchestra, Section Leader 


Church, Volunteer 

Camp Barnabas 

Baptist Mission Centers of Houston 

Peter Yu 



Major in bioengineering/biomedical 

engineering at either Rice University or the 

University of Texas at Austin. 


Vicki Hermsdorf 


“A gift is only as warm as the heart it comes from. In the same way, learning is a gift from teacher to 

pupil, and its effect has much to do with the effort in which the teacher works. For what reason is the 

teacher working? Is there a heart in this present that the students are receiving, or is it merely being 

forced down their throats? Clearly for Mrs. Hermsdorf, it is not the latter. Although I have known her for 

only a short year, it is evident from her teachings that there is depth to her words, spirit to her lectures, 

and energy in her instruction. She has shown me the joy in knowledge of chemistry and the many 

adventures it contains. Her constant support, lively disposition, and overall kind-heartedness make her 

that much more inspirational. I’m grateful for the chance to experience a foreign sense of comfort in 

an otherwise challenging class, and for a refreshing learning experience that I won’t forget. Thanks.”


Activities: 


Health Occupations Students of America - 

National Competitor, State Competitor, 

Lettered 


Speech and Debate Team 

Theater Production 

Haley Marek 



I plan to attend either the University of Texas 

at Austin or the University of Alabama and 

major in biochemistry (pre-med). 


Legacy League, Inc., First Vice-President, 

Second Vice-President Elect, Nominating 


DeBakey Diet and Medical Spa, Volunteer 

Helped teachers move into the new building 

Abercrombie Academy, Tutor 

Vacation Bible School, Teacher 

Silverado Senior Living Center 

Legacy League - 

Spring Assistance Ministries 

Northwest Assistance Ministries 

Keep Pace 

Cypresswood Clubhouse 

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation 


Kristen Haggard 


“As I’ve told her many times before, to call Ms. Haggard just my teacher would be an insult. She has 

become so much more than that over the past two years, and I am truly blessed to have had her in my 

life. As my teacher for Health Science Technology, Ms. Haggard gave me the opportunity to experience 

medicine firsthand, coached me in proper interview techniques, and helped me map out my future 

career. Her guidance has proved time and time again to be beneficial, and I value her opinions and 

suggestions above almost everyone else’s. I can’t imagine making any important decisions without 

consulting with her first, nor do I plan to do it anytime soon. She has become one of my true best 

friends, my confidant, and a fellow goofball. There are no words to encompass the gratitude I have for 

all that she has done for me over the past two years. I just hope that one day I can be a fraction of the 

person she is. I love you Ms. H!”


Activities: 


Klein Islamic Thought 


Student Teens Aiding Resource Students 

Spanish National Honor Society 

Distributive Education Clubs of America 



Health Occupations Students of America, 

Secretary 

Student Teens Aiding Resource Students, 

Historian 

Afiya Ali 



Champions Mosque 



Klein Islamic Thought 


I plan to attend the Honors College at the 

University of Houston; my major is undecided. 


Phyllis Head 


“Throughout high school I have had many teachers who have had a lasting impact on my education. One 

such teacher, Ms. Head, stands out in my mind. I was lucky enough to have Ms. Head for two courses- 

World History AP and European History AP. Being in Ms. Head’s class helped shape my high school 

experience. Her passion and commitment to teaching have instilled in me a palpable determination to 

succeed. The love she has for the subjects she teaches and her witty sense of humor have brought 

history to life for me. The patience she has with her students is endless and her genuine caring for them 

is obvious. Her classroom is one that inspires a love of learning and a thirst for knowledge. Every day 

she has a new “Fact of the Day” written on the board and different quotes by influential people in history 

hung up in her room. It’s the small things like this that greatly contribute to her unique teaching style. 

Ms. Head truly epitomizes all the qualities of an amazing educator.”


Activities: 

Math Club 

Texas Math and Science Coaches Association 

State Contest, 2nd in Number Sense 

UIL Science Club Team 

Academic Decathlon, 2nd in Interview in State 

Academic Challenge Team 

Abhishek Pillarisetti 



I plan to major in electrical engineering and go to 

Columbia University or Rice University. 


Math Club, Vice President 

Science Club, Vice President 


National Honor Society, Tutor 



Don Robinson 


“When I set foot in my first physics class in my life at Klein High School, I became immediately intrigued 

by Mr. Robinson. His calm demeanor and passion for physics that oozed out of him was bestowed on his 

students like me, after which we could not help but love physics just as much as he did. But for me, Mr. 

Robinson did not just instill his craving for physics; he also pushed me to work harder and to get the most 

out of my abilities. Whether I spent my time after school preparing for upcoming Decathlon competitions 

or Academic Challenge, it was Mr. Robinson who urged me to try new and unique activities to diversify my 

knowledge, so I would not be susceptible to carrying the title of a “one-trick pony.” So, as I leave Klein and 

go off far away to college, I will always keep in mind the lessons that Mr. Robinson taught me as I tackle 

life’s difficult challenges, wherever they may take me.”


Activities: 

Drama 

Tommy Tune Best Leading Actress Nominee 

International Thespian Society 

Speech and Debate 

Texas Forensics Association, State Qualifier 

National Forensics League 


French Top Scholar 

UIL Literary Criticism 


Commended National Merit Scholar 

Advanced Placement Scholar 


Drama, Publicity Head 

French National Honor Society, Secretary 

Speech and Debate, Historian 


Mission Trips to Kentucky, Montana & 

Baja, Mexico 

Faithbridge United Methodist Church Student 

Ministry, Missions Consultant 


Alexandra Reed 



I plan to attend the University of Texas, Plan II 

Honors Program, majoring in psychology. 


Josie Mallery 


“When Mrs. Mallery steps up to the whiteboard, not only does her genius radiate throughout the room, 

but her passion as well. It’s not just letters and numbers, it’s about mind expansion and problem solving; 

it’s about real life problems and real life solutions. It’s about going down the slide and through the tunnel, 

killing Bambi, sexy curves, whooping cranes, and cooling off that cake for the math team. For the first 

time ever, I can honestly say that I genuinely enjoy my math class. If there is a teacher out there who 

is more dedicated to her students than Josie Mallery, I certainly have never heard of them. The amount 

of hours she invests in her kids is unfathomable, and it’s all because she cares about us and sincerely 

wants us to succeed. By sharing her excitement for Calculus, her patience, and (my personal favorite) 

her anecdotes, Mrs. Mallery inspired me to push myself; now I know that I’m capable of so much more 

than I originally thought.”

William Bing Hua 



I am undecided on my college choice but plan 

to major in statistics, computer science 

and finance. 


Activities: 

Orchestra, Regional Qualifier 

Debate, State Qualifier 

Business Professionals of America, 

State Qualifier 

Distributive Education Clubs of America, 

State Qualifier 

Tennis 






Distributive Education Clubs of America, 

Secretary 

Student Teens Aiding Resource Students, 

Treasurer 



Student Teens Aiding Resource Students 

Houston Northwest Medical Center 


Ryan Hennessey 


“When I first joined debate during the second semester of my sophomore year, I had absolutely no 

idea what I was doing. I had a fear of public speaking, knew nothing about philosophy or public policy, 

and was constantly confused by debate jargon. RH managed to help me through dealing with all my 

problems and even qualify me for state during my junior year. RH’s biggest impact on me is developing 

my ability to think. For every argument I ever made, he forced me to question everything: the wording, 

the assumptions, the evidence, everything. He taught me to always think from the opponent’s point of 

view and imagine how they would respond. The skills that I learned in my debate shifted the way that I 

think and has drastically altered my views on issues such as religion and politics. Debating under RH’s 

expertise was an incredibly rewarding experience and has made me a more open minded individual.”

Congratulations from the Staff of Campus Kids. 

We proudly salute the student scholars and 

distinguished educators who continue to strive 

for excellence. 

campuskidsllc.com

Klein Forest High School 

Tram Nguyen, Briana Nguyen, Rachel Wesson, Tan Luu, 

Camille Broadus, Victoria Nguyen, Apeksha Sandesara, 

Sunny Patel, Darrion Nguyen & Roechelle Torres 

Principal: Patricia Crittendon



Activities: 


Outstanding Artist Award 


National Art Honor Society 


Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, Honorable 

Mention 

Published in Aquilae Stilus 



National Honor Society, Vice President 

Interact Club, President 

Octathlon, Team Captain 

Habitat for Humanity, Vice President 

Aquilae Stilus, Art Editor 

Teacher Assistant 


Our Lady of Lavang Church 

Alzheimer’s Association 

Hope Initiative 

BEAResource for CPS Kids 

Greens Bayou Clean-Up 

Northwest Volunteer Fire Department 

Speak Up to Vote Vietnamese Outreach 

Houston Chevron Marathon, Volunteer 

Tram Nguyen 

Valedictorian 



Study mechanical engineering at the 



Cynthia Griffin 

“Three hours into my first day of high school, Ms. Griffin proved everything I knew about art wrong. 

I thought it was a hobby, a thing to pass the time. Instead, her charisma and zeal about the subject 

showed me that art was a burning passion inside every soul. I remember the day she handed me my 

first set of acrylic paints and paintbrushes and told me to get out of my comfort zone. However, it is 

evident that she did much more than that. She pushed me out, gave me wings, and let me truly grow 

as both a person and an artist. Ms. Griffin helped me learn to love the paint in my hair, the graphite 

smudged against my hands, and the chalk pastel rubbed on my jeans. She continues to inspire me 

every day with her enthusiasm and magnetic personality, and she never fails to make me laugh with her 

quirks and witty remarks. Ms. Griffin, thank you for the last four years of my life, and you are definitely 

more beautiful!”


Activities: 


Math National Honor Society 

Advanced Placement Scholar with Honor 

Chamber Orchestra 



Interact Club 


Key Club 

Briana Nguyen 

Salutatorian 



I plan to attend the University of Notre Dame; 

my major is undecided. 


Danae Perez 




Math National Honor Society, Vice President 


St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital 

St. Luke’s Hospital at The Vintage 

Cypress Creek YMCA 

Lone Star College, Leadership High 

School Program 

Our Lady of LaVang Church 

Collier Branch Houston Public Library 

Autumn Grove Cottages - Alzheimer’s Home 



Interact Club 

“I walked into Ms. Perez’s class thinking - “First year as an AP teacher? This should be a piece of cake!” 

and boy was I wrong. Every agonizing Thursday was a timed essay and every Monday was the impossible 

AP multiple choice. In my mind and in those of my peers, we all sort of thought she was crazy. As I 

progressed through the year, though, watching myself fall in love with her book selections for the class 

and seeing myself complete a hand-written three-page essay within forty minutes, I realized the effect of 

her work on me. And then came my five. Never before had I ever been lucky enough to have a teacher so 

passionate in her goal to create better readers and powerful writers. For everything, thank you, Ms. Perez.”


Activities: 

Orchestra 

Aquilae Stilus 

Academic UIL 


Decathlon 


Aquilae Stilus, Editor-in-Chief 


Second Baptist Church, Volunteer 

Northwest Volunteer Fire Department, 

Volunteer 

Grace England Pre-Kindergarten Center, 

Volunteer 

Swim Meet Volunteer 

Reforestation Volunteer 

Rachel Wesson 



I plan to study English at Texas A&M University 

or the University of Arizona. 


Kristi Brockman, Retired 


“My first contact with Mrs. Brockman was an email, sent while I was in eighth grade. I was interested in 

both her Creative Writing class and the school anthology, Aquilae Stilus. I thought they looked like fun, 

and I wanted to be involved. So Mrs. Brockman was one of the first teachers at Klein Forest that I met. 

I joined Aquilae-I took Creative Writing, during sophomore year-and I learned that Mrs. Brockman was 

more than a teacher. She was a Muse, the Literary Goddess. Her enthusiasm and creativity brought the 

class to life. Her approach was less to tell us how to write than to inspire us to write, which made Creative 

Writing-with its music, art, and first-day trust exercise-a unique and favored course. Even outside of class, 

Mrs. Brockman proved to be awesome; for instance, there was a certain incident with a kangaroo. And 

as for my experience with her as the sponsor of Aquilae, I am so proud to have had that experience. 

Mrs. Brockman will live in my memory as a treasured, integral part of my high school experience.”


Activities: 




Interact Club 

Tennis 

Tan Luu 



Math National Honor Society, President 

Interact Club, Historian 


I plan to go to the University of Texas at 

Austin, where I will study natural sciences. 


Amy Chang 


“I never knew that I would find someone so similar to me, especially a teacher. Since the first day I met 

Ms. Chang, I had a feeling she was going to be a lot of fun. Some days, I stayed after school with her, 

helping her with things such as the next day’s lab. In return, she feeds me snacks from her “hidden 

snack drawer,” which isn’t so hidden to me! Her enthusiasm and passion to help me with any problem 

I had, such as prom, college, and school, has created a bond between us. I will miss her quirkiness 

because she is like an older sister I have never had. I know that Ms. Chang has taught me many 

important things besides biology, even if we do argue about homework sometimes. She has taught me 

the joy of being myself within the classroom, with my lab coat, light saber, and all the things that make 

me, me. I will forever cherish this bond, as she has become an inspiration to me.”


Activities: 

Cross Country 

Track 

Swimming and Diving 

Orchestra 




French Club 

Academic All State Cross Country Team 

Regional Swim Team Qualifier 

Outstanding Artist Award 


National Honor Society, Treasurer 

Mu Alpha Theta, Secretary 


Elves & More Annual Bike Build 

Elves & More Bike Race 

Elves & More Charity 

Northwest Volunteer Fire Department 

Epps Island Turkey Trot 

Houston Chevron Marathon 


Camille Broadus 



I plan to study biomedical engineering at either 

the University of Texas or Texas A&M University. 


Leslie Wylie 


“I chose Leslie Wylie to be my honored educator. She has been my coach for cross country and track 

since my freshman year at Klein Forest. Coach Wylie has motivated me to excel not only in my pursuit 

of sports but in my academics as well. Her ability to lead such an amazing team each year I’ve been 

at Klein Forest has given me the drive to pursue my goals and strive to be great. Coach Wylie not 

only has been there to encourage me as I was running a race but has been there throughout my high 

school career encouraging me to be among the top ten people of my class. Being on a team led by her 

has been remarkable and I know it won’t be the same once I leave for college. I greatly appreciate her 

magnitude of patience and leadership and I am blessed to have been able to be on a team that felt like 

my second family. She has instilled in me a passion for sports and a drive for excellence. Thank you 

Coach.”


Activities: 

Cross Country 

Track 


Class Officers 

Octathlon 




Victoria Nguyen 



Senior Class, President 


Barbara Bush Library, Volunteer 


I plan to go to Texas A&M University and 

major in biology. 


Michelle McCharen 


“It takes a special person to take out their time and make an effort to help change the lives of other 

people. I feel that Klein Forest has been blessed with a person that does all that and so much more 

in having Mrs. McCharen as their college and career counselor. Throughout much of my senior year, 

Mrs. McCharen has mailed off countless copies of my transcript to different schools, notified me of 

any qualifying scholarships, and introduced me to numerous college advisors. Her caring manner and 

positive determination shines through to show that she is passionate in helping students reach their 

full ambition and absolutely loves her job. She always offers me words of encouragement that have 

inspired me to attain my own goals. I’ve been so grateful to have her there to guide me through such 

an important time in my life and help me make the right decisions in my choice of college and major so 

that I can achieve my dreams. She has done so much not only for me, but countless other seniors, in 

helping them reach their future goals.”


Activities: 

International Business Academy 


Pakistani-Indian Student Association 

Interact Club 

Advanced Placement Club 




Pakistani-Indian Student Association, 

Art Director 

Advanced Placement Club, Treasurer 


National Honor Society Service 

Interact Club 


Operation Christmas Child 

Northwest Assistance Ministry Food Drive 

Apeksha Sandesara 



Major in business at either the University of 

Houston or the University of Texas at Austin. 


Dr. Norman LaFave 


“High school is a balancing act. With the constant workload from classes and clubs, it can be an 

emotional rollercoaster. If something has stayed the same in these four years of mayhem, it is my love 

for Dr. LaFave and his involvement in my life as my sponsor, teacher, and mentor. I first met him in 

2008 when I took part in KF’s annual Culture Shock show organized by the Pakistani-Indian Student 

Association. I was inspired by his cheerful personality and undying dedication towards his club. His 

strong support for cultural awareness and the community is inspiring and enlightening. After two years 

of membership in his club, I had the opportunity to learn physics from him, a subject I was not looking 

forward to. Science is just not my cup of tea, but Dr. LaFave pushed me to face the challenges that 

came before me rather than avoiding them. Thank you, Dr. LaFave, for being such an important role 

model in my life and sharing your love for culture and knowledge with me.”


Activities: 

Orchestra 

Decathlon 

Scholastic Arts and Writing -- Honorable 

Mention, Gold Key and Harris County 

Department of Education Trustee’s Incentive 

Award 

Lone Star College, Leadership High School 

Program 

Sunnysuraj Patel 



I plan to attend Stanford University or Rice 

University and major in computer science. 


Orchestra, Equipment Manager 

Mu Alpha Theta, Vice President 


Interact Club - 

Walk to End Alzheimer’s 

Juvenile Diabetes Relief Fund Walk 

Chevron Houston Marathon 


Matthew Smith 


“Though I’ve had many teachers whom I respect and who motivate me, Mr. Smith has shown me that 

any subject can be interesting if viewed in the right way. In the three years that I have known him, he has 

been nothing but a knowledgeable, lighthearted, and vivacious man. He’s made his students feel like a 

circle of friends, and that makes the environment to learn not only entertaining but also that much more 

comfortable. Mr. Smith shows a love for his subject, and it inspires me to find a subject I can enjoy equally 

as much. He speaks to all students with respect and never fails to bring a bit of humor into the room. No 

soap radio!”


Activities: 


Varsity Swimming 

UIL One Act Play 

Klein Forest Musicals 

Klein Forest Play 

International Thespian Society 

Superintendent’s Advisory Council 

Chamber Orchestra 

Drama Club 


Klein Forest’s Announcement Team 


Academic Octathlon 


Interact Club, Vice President 

National Honor Society, Secretary 

Superintendent’s Advisory Council 


Interact Club 


Darrion Nguyen 



Major in chemistry and biology at 

the University of Texas at Austin. 


Kim-Ling Sun 


“Prior to taking Mrs. Sun’s English Dual Credit class, I honestly felt unprepared for college. I didn’t 

know what to expect from a college course except for the long and tedious essays; however, my 

perspective changed when I first sat in Mrs. Sun’s room. She’s able to bond with all her students 

and her creative teaching methods help each student easily comprehend the material. She goes 

out beyond the classroom, and treats all her students as if we’re kids of her own. Besides this, 

her class reassured me that though college may seem hard, perseverance will get me through 

everything. Her enthusiasm for teaching English is both intriguing and inspiring and taught me the 

pleasure of constantly challenging myself. Mrs. Sun, the word thank you cannot simply describe 

how much I appreciate what you have taught me. To me, you’re more than a teacher; you’re family.”


Activities: 

Orchestra 



Cello Teacher 

Roechelle L. Torres 



Montrose Street Reach, Volunteer 

Grace England Pre-Kindergarten Center, 

Volunteer 

Church Volunteer 

Fire Department Volunteer 

Attendance Office Assistant 


I plan to attend either Sam Houston State 

University or North Park University and major in 

music education. 


Laurie Arnold 


“Ever since I met Ms. Arnold, I could tell that she loved the cello. Her passion for music showed in 

everything that she did, whether it was making random references to various works of music to simply 

describing it. Whenever she taught or played the cello, she gave you an image so vivid and beautiful 

that you couldn’t help but fall in love with music even more than before. Her crazy descriptions and 

comparisons were always so perfect, no matter how irrelevant they seemed. Ms. Arnold’s devotion to 

music and to her students has allowed me to grow and mature as a musician. Her constant guidance 

and encouragement has transformed me from the completely lost freshman in orchestra who had no 

idea what she was doing to the slightly less lost senior who almost knows what she is doing. Ms. Arnold 

has always been there and has never given up on me; whenever I felt like giving up in orchestra, her 

dedication reminded me why I joined in the first place. She has inspired me to continue pursuing the 

cello, and my hope is that when I grow up, I am able to give the joy and beauty of music to the rest of 

the world in the same way she does every day.”

Amarillo * Arlington * Austin * Conroe * Houston 

Lubbock * McAllen * Midland * San Antonio * Tyler * Wichita Falls 

Visit us at www.pbfcm.com

Klein Oak High School 

Lauren Beccue, Tahir Hafeez Malik, Chelsea Grace 

Jamieson, Sally Jean Choi, Hira Saleem Chaudhary, 

Meghana Chappidi, Lauren Carina Canady, Brock James 

Medlin, Ryan Matthew Bradley & Rukan Nissa Huq 

Principal: Ron Webster


Activities: 

National Merit Scholar Finalist 




Spanish Club 

Gifted and Talented Program 

Church Youth Group 


St. Timothy Lutheran Church, Vacation Bible 

School Leader 

Algebra and Pre-Calculus, Tutor 



Abandoned Animal Rescue Shelter 

Spring Creek Greenway Nature Center 

Relay for Life 

Coreluv International Orphan Care Walk 

Debate Tournament Judge 

Houston Food Bank 

Toys for Tots 

Northwest Assistance Ministries, Holiday 

Food Drive 

Group Workcamps, Home Repair Mission Trip 

Lauren Beccue 

Valedictorian 



I plan to attend the University of Texas 

at Austin and major in journalism. 


Mindy Faber 


“Throughout the past four years of high school, I have had the privilege of learning from many intelligent 

and inspiring educators, but Mrs. Faber has had the biggest impact on me by far. I feel incredibly lucky to 

have been one of her students during both 10th and 11th grade. Her enthusiasm and deep appreciation 

for literature and writing not only made her class enjoyable and interesting, but also motivated me to 

pursue my own interests. She taught me lessons that I have found to be invaluable both in and out 

of the classroom: most importantly, to never be afraid to challenge myself. I know that in the years to 

come, I’ll be facing a future filled with uncertainties and obstacles. Yet I believe that I am ready to face 

them, and I have her to thank for that. I truly hope that she realizes just how much all of her support and 

encouragement as a teacher have meant to me.”

Tahir Hafeez Malik 

Salutatorian 



I plan on attending Rice University and majoring 

in biology. Afterwards, I plan on attending medical 

school and obtaining my doctorate in medicine to 

become a neurosurgeon. 


Randy Tumlinson 



Activities: 

Debate 

Science National Honor Society 







Academic Octathlon 

Public Forum Debate Quarter-Finalist 

UIL District Extemporaneous Finalist 

1st place Economics Regional Octathlon 

1st place Math Regional Octathlon 

1st place Economics District Octathlon 

1st place Social Science District Octathlon 

1st place Art District Octathlon 

1st place Geology District Octathlon 

Top Score District Octathlon 


Debate, Secretary & Executive Council Member 

Science National Honor Society, Sergeant-at-Arms 


St. Luke’s Hospital Volunteer Program 


Academic Tutoring 


Gulf Coast Regional Blood Drives 

“Mr. Tumlinson redefined the way I think by guiding us as we considered boundaries, frameworks, and 

the truth. We pushed past the superficial, exploring the vast depths beyond. While Descartes never 

said, “I think, therefore I am,” this misquote applied to us every single day in that classroom. As we 

changed the way we thought, we changed ourselves. We matured and grew into thoughtful beings. Mr. 

Tumlinson, someday I’ll read Gulliver’s Travels, and every time I see a jar, I’ll wonder where I should put 

it. I’ll never forget to look for the nuances in my words, and I’ll think before I speak and then I’ll think again. 

The differences between “same” and “similar” are too great to be discounted. But the greatest lesson I 

learned is to not be afraid to voice my opinions no matter what they were. Thank you, Mr. Tumlinson.”


Activities: 

Band - Region Band 4 years 



Tri-M Music Honor Society 


French Club 

French Symposium - 1st Place Drama Group 


French Club, Freshman Representative 

Tri-M Club, Treasurer 


Texas Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition, 

Baby Bird Feeder 

Nursing Home Visitation 

Preschool, Assistant Sunday School Teacher 

Tree Planting - Hermann Park, Houston 

Arboretum, ProVision School 

Trail Clearing - Houston Audubon Society 

Gospel Lakes (Inner City Youth Camp) 


Fundraising Walks - Care Net, Aid Sudan, 

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 

Cystic Fibrosis 

Chelsea Grace Jamieson 



I plan to attend Samford University and major in 

environmental science and minor in math. I hope 

to attend graduate school and study ornithology. 


Mike Spencer 


“I’ve always been good at math, but this year I discovered that, as strange as it sounds, I love calculus! 

By sixth period, I would usually be dreading another class, but this year it has turned out to be the 

best part of my day. Mr. Spencer somehow manages to take a subject that most people think is dull 

and boring and make it understandable and entertaining. His subtle humor always brightens my day. 

When I think back over my day, the highlights usually come from Mr. Spencer’s class. I admire that he 

genuinely cares about each of his students. Whenever we walk into class, he makes an effort to relate 

to us. Mr. Spencer puts a lot of time and effort into teaching, grading, and being available for questions 

before and after school, always with a smile on his face. It’s not just a job to him. He actually enjoys 

it. His passion for teaching calculus has made me realize how much I enjoy math. I’m still not sure of 

what career I want to pursue, but I’ve learned from Mr. Spencer that it’s important to do what you love.”

Sally Jean Choi 



I hope to attend Yale University for my 

undergraduate studies and major in 

molecular biophysics and biochemistry. 


Brad Rice 



Activities: 



Science Club 

Science UIL 

Klein ISD Superintendent’s Council 

Band 





Texas Bluebonnet Girls State 

Completion of Neurobiology-S50 course through 

Harvard Secondary School 

Silver Award on Spanish National Exam 

National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine 

University of Texas Honors Colloquium 

United States Achievement Academy Mathematics 

National Award 


Science National Honor Society, Vice President 

Science Club, Vice President 

Spanish National Honor Society, Senior 

Representative 

Superintendent’s Council, Member 


Tomball Regional Medical Center, Volunteer 

Atria Cypresswood Senior Living, Volunteer 

First Korean United Methodist Church, Volunteer 

“Each day, I spend two math class periods with Mr. Rice, and every day his abounding intelligence 

kindles my flirtations with Math. His explanations of the “why” and of the “what” provided me with a 

whole new perspective and understanding of his lessons. There’s also no way we could let Pi Day pass 

without properly celebrating the fun Pi Day festivities! Mr. Rice’s classes have revived my passion for 

math, and I look forward to these class periods every day. His class is by no means one in which I was 

handed everything wrapped in a pretty gift bow, but instead I found myself with both the freedom and the 

responsibility to take care of my own work. He sacrifices his own convenience for his consideration for 

his students’ unforeseen obstacles in their schedules, so he established a lenient homework schedule 

that often left him with 900+ DyKnow slides of homework to grade on quiz days. Best of all, Mr. Rice 

treats his students as competent adults. Thank you, Mr. Rice, for all that you have taught me.”


Activities: 




TaeKwonDo (Universal Martial Arts), 

Black Belt 




International Baccalaureate (IB), 

Senior Class Project 


Tae Kwon Do Junior Instructor 

Biology Tutor 

Hira Saleem Chaudhary 



St. Luke’s Hospital 

Barbara Bush Library 





I am considering several schools including Rice 

University. I plan to study biology/biomedical 

science and hope to go to medical school. 


Brenda Fabian 


“I love all my teachers, so it was difficult to choose only one. However, Mrs. Fabian has been an 

amazing teacher, as many of her students would attest. I’ve had her for three years and her class really 

challenged me and forced me to learn to take good notes. Although she can seem strict at times, she 

really cares about preparing all of her students for IB and AP exams and does a very good job of it. She 

often stays long hours after school to oversee her students’ experiments and is always available for 

questions. I’m in her class almost every morning and she is always ready to answer anything I might 

ask as well as give me advice on various things. Knowing we have busy schedules, she is often willing 

to postpone due dates for the numerous worksheets and labs we have to do for Higher Level Biology. 

She puts thought into all our activities and gives memorable examples; I’ll miss her expert guidance 

when I take Biology in the future.”

Meghana Chappidi 



I hope to attend Yale University and plan to 

major in chemistry. 


Activities: 

Band 

Texas French Symposium 

Science Club 



Music Honor Society 

Interact Club 



Tennis, Freshman District Singles Champion 

Piano 


Science Club, President 

Science National Honor Society, President 

Music Honor Society, Vice President 

French National Honor Society, Publicist 


Tomball Public Library 

The Village at Gleannloch Farms 


Interact Club 


Kathy Shipper 

Doerre Intermediate School 

“Although I took Mrs. Shipper’s English class seven years ago, it had a lasting impression on me. For 

example, Albert Einstein said “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression 

and knowledge.” In other words, I was awakened to the joys of writing and reading. Even now I vividly 

remember many of the works we read, such as Call of the Wild, The Lottery Rose, and Maniac Magee. 

Other activities included diagraming sentence relays (In all honesty, Mrs. Shipper was the only teacher 

who made learning grammar fun!), visiting the library, and the career project. I will never forget how 

persistently Mrs. Shipper pushed me to read for pleasure. Reading became my window into other 

worlds. Furthermore thanks to Mrs. Shipper, I truly began to fall in love with writing. After 6th grade 

I pursued writing through ready writing contests and entering literary works to the Scholastic Writing 

Contest. In the future I hope to continue this passion by combining writing with whatever field of study 

I choose to pursue! Thank you, Mrs. Shipper.”


Activities: 

Band (Marching and Concert) 







National Merit Hispanic Scholar 

Freshman Honor Band Member 

All-District Band Member 


Klein Oak Band, Drum Major and 

Drill Instructor 

Science National Honor Society, Treasurer 

Spanish National Honor Society, Senior 

Representative 


Tomball Regional Hospital, Junior Volunteer 

Assistant Swim Lesson Teacher 

Vacation Bible School, Crew Leader 

Lauren Carina Canady 



I plan to major in economics with a minor 

in psychology at Texas A&M University. 

I then plan to attend medical school and 

become a pediatrician. 


Kathleen Rushing 


“Some memories of high school that will linger with me forever happened in the band hall, in the 

cafeteria, in the parking lot, and even in the chemistry lab. The memories that I will keep from that 

chemistry lab are of my favorite teacher. She is always so kind, generous, knowledgeable, and helpful. 

I always feel so at home in her classroom whether I am learning a lesson, decorating her board, taking 

a test, working on an Internal Assessment, or making Borax ornaments for Science Club. Specifically, 

what she did to impact my education was to simply teach me chemistry. I had a hard time at first but 

through her help and guidance and amazing ability to make science fun, I was able to master the 

subject, and this boosted my self-confidence in mastering other subjects in school. Mrs. Rushing, 

thanks for making chemistry fun and for being my teacher.”


Activities: 





Marching Band 

Meritorious Award 

Outstanding Woodwind Member 

Brock James Medlin 



I plan to attend Michigan State University or 

Texas A&M University and major in physics. 


Texas Boys, State Representative 

Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership, Ambassador 


Spring Baptist Church, Nursery Assistant 

Relay for Life, Volunteer 

Vacation Bible School, Drama Team Member 

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, Donor 


Susan Parent 


“When I entered Mrs. Parent’s classroom, I was a relatively shy tenth grader, who had only barely begun to 

distinguish myself above my peers. However, all of that was to change under Mrs. Parent’s tutelage. Mrs. 

Parent allowed me to express myself in ways that I had never conceived of before, by being spontaneous 

and creative, while at the same time learning new and exciting things and opening myself to ideas and 

topics I had never considered before. I discovered how to laugh and interact with my teachers beyond 

the traditional student-teacher relationship, transforming those relationships into mentor and mentee, all 

due to Mrs. Parent allowing me to make that initial bond with her. Mrs. Parent also exposed me to my first 

taste of AP classes, and helped to prepare me for the requirements for all of my future AP classes. Above 

all, Mrs. Parent’s personality and teaching helped me to learn to be myself in the classroom, and to never 

shy away from that, no matter how quirky that character may be.”


Activities: 

Marching/Concert Band 

Texas Music Educators Association Region 9 

Wind Symphony 


Drafting Club 

Texas Technology Student Association 

State Contest, 1st in Architecture Plan 

Spanish Club 

Advanced Placement Scholar Award 


Marching Band, Drill Instructor & Soloist 

Concert Band, Section Leader 


Abandoned Animal Rescue, Volunteer 

Tri-M Music Honor Society, Performed Clarinet 

for The Village at Gleannloch Farms 

Ryan Matthew Bradley 



Major in aerospace engineering at 



Donna Wicker 


“If anyone asks who the best teacher I’ve ever had is, without a doubt I would answer, “Mrs. Wicker.” 

I’ve always been one who enjoyed math and consider it my favorite subject, but Mrs. Wicker made me 

enjoy it even more. She made sure we understood everything she taught us, and explained everything, 

down to the last complex equation. She even went above and beyond and made videos of her lessons 

and quizzes, so that we could catch up if we missed a day or just wanted to simply review. She’s such 

a great teacher that whenever I would hear a student taking Algebra II complaining about their teacher, 

I would tell them to just wait for they would have Mrs. Wicker next year, the best math teacher they 

would ever have. Now, unfortunately Mrs. Wicker is retiring, so I cannot say that anymore. But without 

a doubt in my mind, Mrs. Wicker will always be the best teacher I have ever had and I wish her the long 

and enjoyable retirement she rightly deserves.”


Activities: 

International Baccalaureate Programme 

Klein Oak Band 





Spanish Club 

International Baccalaureate Advisor 

Interact Club 

Rukan Nissa Huq 



I plan to major in neuroscience at the 



Klein Oak Band, Secretary 

Spanish National Honor Society, Secretary 


St. Luke’s Hospital at The Vintage 

Tomball Regional Hospital 

Barbara Bush Branch Library 


Masjid Al-Salam 

The Village at Gleannloch Farms 

Abandoned Animal Rescue 



Kimberly Perez 


“I always imagined Spanish as merely a high school course requirement for graduation, until I met 

Señora Perez. After three years in her class, I can proudly say that I would not be the person I am 

today without her. Not only has Señora Perez ingeniously cultivated an appreciation for the Spanish 

language and culture in my mind through her dedication, but she has taught me lessons I will carry the 

rest of my life. Aristotle said, “educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all,” 

and I cannot think of another teacher that epitomizes these words better than Señora Perez. With her 

wealth of knowledge, she has always been there to assist me with school or offer advice to solve my 

dilemmas. She has been a friend that I can count on to lend an ear when I need to vent or to believe in 

me when I have no confidence in myself. Thank you Señora, for picking me up when I am down and for 

persistently inspiring me to be the best possible version of myself.”

Congratulations to the 

outstanding scholars and 

educators of Klein 

Independent School District! 

Durotech is proud to have been a part of 

the team that built the Klein ISD 

Multipurpose Center for a school district 

that recognizes and promotes excellence 

in education. We wish you continued 

growth and success in the future. 

11931 Wickchester Lane, Suite 205 

Houston, Texas 77043 

www.durotechgc.com 

281.558.6892

Klein Collins High School 

Zoe Matranga, Makenzie Miller, Ian Arbuckle, 

Lauren Fennel, Michele Higgins, Raveena Patel, 

Cathryn Blackman, Kurt Zen Lantion, Krystal Rhodes & 

Ashley Brighton 

Principal: Randy Kirk


Activities: 

Colorguard 

Winterguard 

Band Council 


Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors 

Klein Collins Gay-Straight Alliance 

Students Taking a New Direction 

Winterguard International (WGI), 

Regional Champions 


Guard, Team Captain 

Guard, Flag Captain 

Drill Instructor 

Zoe Matranga 

Valedictorian 



Mentoring 

Christmas Eve Feast 

Food Kitchen Server 

Band Volunteer Work 


I plan to attend Rice University and 

study social sciences. 


Tiffany Quinones 


“Even before my first day in high school, my color guard director Tiffany Quinones was there to support 

and guide me. She is such an incredible and influential person. Her infallible judgment and her ability 

to understand and communicate with people have inspired me over the past years. Thinking back to 

my very first auditions, I remember being inexperienced and terrifyingly nervous. However, Tiffany has 

this way about her that puts everyone at ease. Even as a novice member, she put her trust in me, and 

gave me the chance to see my own potential. I have worked ever since to make her proud. I have felt 

her unwavering support, and it has allowed me to build and achieve goals I never would have dreamed 

possible. I cannot imagine a stronger woman. Tiffany has helped me find and nurture my desire to do 

big things with my life, and single-handedly made me believe I could. Four years later I am privileged to 

have had my life changed by such a powerful, insightful, trustworthy, and delightful person.”

Makenzie Miller 

Salutatorian 



I plan to major in biology at either Duke University, 

Texas Tech University or Auburn University. 


Mike DelDonno 



Activities: 



National Art Honor Society 

Key Club 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes 

Jogging Photography Club 

Varsity Track and Field, 4 Year Letterman, 

MVP, Regional Qualifier 

Varsity Cross Country, Letterman, 

Regional Qualifier 

Cypresswood Sharks Swim Team, Ponderosa 

Invitational Finalist 

Bannon’s Gymnastix Team 

Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors 


National Honor Society, Treasurer and Teacher 

Help Committee Head 

Track and Field, Senior Team Leader 

Bannon’s Gymnastix, Optional Team Member 



Teacher Helper 


Spanish National Honor Society, Volunteer 

National Art Honor Society, Volunteer 

“Any athlete dreams of having a coach like Mike DelDonno. Caring, calm, encouraging, dedicated and 

gifted with impeccable taste and an extensive knowledge in running shoes. He easily and rightfully earns 

the respect and admiration of all his athletes. When I first met Coach DelDonno during my freshman 

year, his passion for running was unmistakable. Throughout the three memorable years I had him as a 

coach, Coach DelDonno’s passion remained unwavering and nurtured my own lasting love for running. I 

owe much of my success in Track and Cross Country to the countless amounts of time and effort Coach 

DelDonno sacrificed for both programs. At meets and practices, he encouraged me to perform outside 

of my comfort zone, enabling me to achieve goals far beyond my expectations. I am certain that I would 

not be the athlete I am today without Coach DelDonno’s guidance, and for that I am forever grateful.”


Activities: 

Boy Scouts of America (Eagle Scout) 

Junior ROTC 

Orienteering 

Private Pilot 



Latin Club 

Ultimate Frisbee Club 

Church Youth Group 



Latin Club, President 

Senior Class, Officer 

Boy Scouts, Junior Assistant Scoutmaster 

Ultimate Frisbee Club, President 

Junior ROTC, Squadron Commander 

Orienteering, Team Captain 



Boy Scouts 

Mission Work 


Ian Arbuckle 



I will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy and 

plan to major in aerospace engineering. 


Juergen Schulz 


“Mr. Juergen Schulz is a very difficult character to describe with anything smaller than an encyclopedia. His 

numerous idiosyncrasies give his classroom an unmistakable charisma and create a learning environment that 

is like no other. He is able to take full advantage of his superior intelligence to display a very unique approach to 

learning and often encourages his students to do the same. I have learned the importance of skepticism and 

intellectual creativity. He challenges us often and rewards our successes richly; our inevitable failures form us 

into better, more motivated students. I often come to class excited to meet some unforeseen challenge - pop 

quizzes and jeopardy-like competitions over recently covered materials are not uncommon. It is clear that Mr. 

Schulz spends an extraordinary amount of time and effort preparing our lessons to ensure that we do not fall 

into an intellectual rut. I am sad to say that it is unlikely that I will ever experience a learning environment like 

this again. I will forever treasure the lessons and insights I have gained from my stay in the JSchulzGov.”


Activities: 


Varsity Swim Team 



Junior Guild 

Academic Integrity Committee 

Terra Nova Swim Team, Ten Year Swimmer Award 

Standleader 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes 

Lauren Fennel 



I plan to attend Texas A&M University to major 

in nursing, with a specialty in neonatal. 


Kim Bickham 



Student Council, President 

Varsity Swim Team, Captain 

Advancement Via Individual Determination 

(AVID), Tutor 

Sunday School Teacher 


Park Manor Nursing Home 

Pearl Fincher Museum 


Spring Assistance Ministries 

Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center 

St. Timothy’s Anglican, Youth Mission Trips 

Despite for Respite 

“Mrs. Bickham is one of those exceptional teachers who truly care about the education of their students. 

She first taught me my freshman year for Biology, and then again my senior year for Anatomy and 

Physiology. Before high school, I was not a big fan of the sciences. Although, after being in her class, 

I was fascinated by the human body, and she inspired me to pursue a career in the medical field. In 

addition to sparking my interest in anatomy, Mrs. Bickham gave me the confidence I needed to excel. 

Being the youngest of four, I had always lived in my siblings’ shadows. Yet, she taught me I could be so 

much more than the “little Fennel.” From smiley faces on my papers to her excitement as she shared 

the news of me “setting my first curve,” her vivacious manner became the driving force behind my 

academics. I do not think I would have achieved half as much as I had if it were not for her, and I know 

without a doubt she will continue to have an impact on her students. Thank you, Mrs. Bickham, you are 

a rare find.”


Activities: 

Choir, All-State Choir Member 

Legacy Press Newspaper 


Latin Club 

Collins Crew 

Musical 


Academic UIL (Journalism) 


Choir, Historian 

Latin, President, Secretary 

Legacy Press Newspaper, Section Editor 

Michele Higgins 




Race for the Cure 

Choir Events and Performances 


I plan to attend Oklahoma State University or 

Georgia Tech University to study chemical engineering. 


Kasey Pope 


“When the former choir directors left my sophomore year, I expected my choir experience to suffer 

greatly for my remaining two years. All of my fears soon became laughable when Mrs. Pope was 

introduced as the new lead choir director. I quickly realized that her fun spirit and caring nature could 

do nothing but enhance my high school experience. As director, Mrs. Pope has gone beyond her duties 

as an educator, taking a personal interest in each student and ensuring our happiness. In a particularly 

difficult time in my life, Mrs. Pope took the time to help and provide me with safe environment within 

the choir family, becoming a confidant and more importantly, a friend. With her help, I made it through 

a very hard, if not the hardest, time of my life. I will not soon forget all that Mrs. Pope has done for the 

entire choir program and me. Thank you so very much for making my final two years amazing years; I 

cannot imagine my high school experience without you.”


Activities: 




Key Club 

Distributive Education Clubs of America 

Leuva Patidar Samaj of America 

Youth Leuva Patidar Samaj of Houston 

Raveena Patel 




Vice President 

Spanish National Honor Society, Treasurer 


I plan to major in pre-medicine at either Rice 

University, Texas A&M University, Baylor 

University or the University of Texas at Austin and 

pursue a medical profession. 


National Honor Society Service 


Tutor/Mentor Students 

Blood Drive 


Elaine Drugan 


“ Ever since I was a young kindergartner mastering basic addition and subtraction, I have always enjoyed 

the world of mathematics. Although calculus seemed intimidating at first, Mrs. Drugan enlightened my 

passion for the subject. Whether it be learning the volume of cross sections, finding integration by parts, 

or even determining which test I should use for an infinite series, Mrs. Drugan mastered the power 

of educating her students through her dedication to calculus. With her sense of humor and effective 

teaching methods, Mrs. Drugan’s class was never a bore. Her genuine happiness is quite encouraging 

and unlike any enthusiasm I have ever witnessed. Mrs. Drugan radiates the quintessence of genuine 

passion, a devotion that I hope to emulate in my future.”


Activities: 

Band 

All-State Band 

Houston Youth Symphony 



Christian Youth Theater, Pit Orchestra 

UIL State Solo & Ensemble 

Klein Collins High School Musical, 

Pit Orchestra 



Band, Drill Instructor, Historian, Drum Major 

Cathryn Blackman 



Church Preschool Ministry 

National Honor Society, Mentoring Committee 


I plan to major in music education at Baylor 

University or the University of Houston. 


Bridget Walker 

Strack Intermediate School 

“When I signed up for band as my elective in sixth grade, I was a little hesitant about my decision. My 

fears subsided the moment Ms. Walker started class with a smile, and I soon knew that band was where 

I belonged. Her passion for music quickly became apparent during our rehearsals and was impossible 

not to share. I still remember the rhythm grid we practiced every day in band class. Ms. Walker made 

what otherwise would have been a tedious exercise entertaining by having us draw a random path 

through the rhythm grid, sometimes diagonally or backwards, and attempting to play the result. Her 

enthusiasm and exciting approach to teaching were what inspired me to become a band director. 

Even through my high school years, her continued support has fostered my growth as a musician and 

encouraged me to pursue all of my musical dreams.”


Activities: 

Interact Club 


Drafting Club, 1st in State for 4 Years 




Programming Team 

Kurt Zen Lantion 



I plan to major in petroleum engineering at 



Interact Club, President 

Drafting Club, Secretary 

Programming Team, Captain 


Interact Club 

K2 Academy of Kid’s Sports 

Parents’ Night Out 

Park Cleanings 

Dragon Boat Festival 


Lisa Finkner-Templeman 


“An inspiration. Someone who I got to in the last period of the day and genuinely tried to keep me awake 

long enough to learn something. Someone who got me to wake up at 6:30 for test corrections. Someone 

who truly cared about her subject, but was willing to learn about others. Someone who isn’t afraid to 

make a fool of herself to get a point across, especially concerning solids. Lastly, and most importantly, 

someone who truly cares for her students and wishes them well. Thanks for the inspiration. Thanks for 

acting like a rotating solid, smiling when I walked in 45 minutes early or 5 minutes late, and for laughing 

at all my bad puns and bad singing. Thank you for being my teacher.”


Activities: 



National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine 

High School Presidential Inaugural 

Conference 


National Youth Leadership Forum on 

Medicine, Group Leader 

High School Presidential Inaugural 

Conference, Group Leader 




Volunteer 

Alzheimer’s Facility, Volunteer 

Krystal Rhodes 



I plan to attend Baylor University 

and major in biology. 


Eve Messina 

Frank Elementary School 

“Growing up with an older brother who had a knack for landing himself in the principal’s office, it seemed 

inevitable that I would end up there too. And I did. I remember the sheer horror that raced through my 5 

year old mind, frantically trying to figure out what in the world I did to warrant being called down to Ms. 

Messina’s office. When I arrived, I was practically in tears and still clueless as to why she wanted to see 

me. That was when she presented me with my first ever green and yellow paw-print sticker for earning 

all A’s. But it was more than just a sticker to me. It represented hard work and dedication. It taught 

me that good things don’t just happen. It was a sense of pride and accomplishment. Over the years, I 

spent almost as much time as my brother had in her office, each visit adding to my ever growing sticker 

collection. Faces, names, and people may blur with time, but I will always remember Ms. Messina and 

those fateful paw-prints. Thank you, for showing me early on that hard work is rewarding.”

Ashley Brighton 



I plan to attend Brigham Young University and 

major in science/biology. 


Kim Moore 



Activities: 

School Choir 


Seminary 

Academic UIL Science 

Solo & Ensemble, Excellent Ratings 

Freshman-Senior Year 

Envirothon 

Eco Club 

Region Choir, Member 

Teach Piano 

Missionary Preparation Class 

Voice Lessons 

Church Choir 


Church, Youth Leader 

Class Secretary 

Class President 

Young Women Camp Leader 


Created Blankets and Pillows for Hospitals 

Sang at Nursing Homes 

Poodle Rescue of Houston, Volunteer 

Planted and Mulched Trees 

Elementary School, Mentor 

“Taking AP Biology was definitely no mistake. Mrs. Moore is not only a wonderful teacher she is a 

teacher who enjoys what she does. Her knowledge and understanding and passion for continuously 

learning have truly inspired me. I have never felt embarrassed to ask Mrs. Moore questions because I 

know she will take me seriously and take time to answer. There have even been times when she didn’t 

know the answer and, instead of ignoring the question, she took the time to find the answer and later 

tell me. She has helped me know that it is perfectly acceptable to want to know how things work and 

how often times asking questions will lead to answers. Thank you Mrs. Moore for all the times you have 

allowed me to just talk with you and for always finding answers to my numerous questions.”


Executive Committee 

Ed Shackelford 

President 

Enrique Lima 

1st Vice President 

Brent Christiansen 

2nd Vice President 

Dr. Jim Cain 

Secretary 

Cindy Hardy 

Treasurer 

D’Arwyn Daniels 

Member-at-Large 

Darcy Olson 


Ray Stanley 


Board of Directors 

Sam Avery 

Marlisa Briggs 

A.K. “Buddy” Brown 

Felicia Davis 

Lynne Dozier 

Keith Edwards 

Juan Fresquez 

Cindy Harris 

Jason Hazel 

Pegi Ivancevich 

Keith Kearney 

Paul Lanham 

Ray Laughter 

Lyle Lovett 

David McIver 

Jane Miller 

Kurt Schwenkel 

Mark Smith 

Julie Stevens 

Mark Young 


Board of Trustees 

President: Ronnie Anderson 

Vice President: Paul Lanham 

Secretary: Steven E. Smith 

Trustee: Rick Mann 

Trustee: Bill Pilkington 

Trustee: Georgan Reitmeier 

Trustee: Stephen J. Szymczak

Honor alumni, staff, families or 

graduating classes through... 

HERITAGE 

EDUCATION 

VISION 

TRIBUTE GARDEN 

1938 - 2013 

PHASE II, SECTION II 

BENCHES 

$1,500 

4” thick granite 

48” long, 14”wide, 14” tall 

Wording options available 

PAVERS 

$100 

Cost for persons over 65 = $75 

8” X 8” paver 

Wording options: 4 lines with 

14 characters per line 

Reserve yours today! 

832.249.4754 

www.kleinisd.net/kef 

Education Foundation


7200 Spring Cypress Road 

Klein, Texas 77379 

www.kleinisd.net/kef

Education Foundation - Klein Independent School District

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