Top 20 DHS graduates recognize special teachers ... - Dickinson ISD

Leading the Class of 2011
Top 20 DHS graduates recognize special
teachers while making plans for the future
Sam Vitanza Stadium hosted on June 3 the biggest graduation ceremony Dickinson High School has ever seen. Over 500
DHS students walked across the stage and received their diplomas on the warm summer night, marking a major
milestone in their lives. Leading the class were 20 students who received the highest grade point average and had a long
list of accomplishments.
The Dickinson ISD Education Foundation honored these 20 students by recognizing them at the foundation’s annual gala.
In turn, the students were allowed to bring along a teacher that has impacted their life during their schooling. The gala
gave the students the opportunity to share their future plans and recognize their favorite teachers.
Dickinson High School valedictorian Cynthia Ramirez and salutatorian Stephen Phan were named and honored at the
Dickinson High School awards banquet this year.
Valedictorian Cynthia Ramirez, the daughter of Enrique Ramirez Noriega and Angela Ramirez Martinez, will be
attending the Business Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin where she plans to focus on International
Business and Pre‐Medicine studies. She would like to pursue a career as an entrepreneur, helping people achieve
healthier lifestyles through preventative medicine and nutrition. To help with her college plans, Ramirez has received
several scholarships, including the Presidential Achievement Scholarship, the Junior League of Galveston County
Scholarship and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Scholarship. In addition to leading her class with a
grade point average of 4.706, Ramirez has also found time to pursue leadership opportunities in several organizations,
including serving as president of both the National Honor Society and National Spanish Honor Society and her Church
Young Women’s Program. She also participated in volleyball, basketball and track, National English Honor Society and
Houston Leadership for Tomorrow. Her distinguished teacher is Jason Howell, a Spanish and Literature teacher at
Dickinson High School. “Mr. Howell does not allow his students to simply learn and repeat, but to learn and advance an
idea, to create something new. He taught me to question “why”says Ramirez.
Salutatorian Stephen Phan is the son of Tony Dang and Julianne Phan. He plans to attend the University of Houston to
study Pharmacology to pursue a career as a Pharmacologist or Biomedical Engineer. His focus on academics earned him a
grade point average of 4.50. Outside of class, his extra‐curricular activities include tennis, dance, National Honor Society,
National Technical Honor Society and Business Professionals of America. Ilijah Milovanovic, a World History teacher at
Dickinson High School, is his distinguished teacher. “Coach M got me to realize my academic potential and the many
opportunities available to me. His advice on studying and life in general continues to be of use to me,” says Phan.
Following are a few highlights about the other 18 talented students (in alphabetical order), who led the class of 2011.

Cecilia‐Tien Dao will be attending the University of St. Thomas for pre‐ medical studies and to major in biology. She
hopes to become a pediatric cardiologist or oncologist. She is the daughter of Nhan Dao and Kim‐Trinh Dao. Her
distinguished teacher is DHS Teen Leadership teacher CiCi Anderson. “Ms. Anderson is a genuinely kind teacher who
believes in building healthy, long lasting relationships with her students through daily interactions,” says Cecilia‐Tien.
Korbin Evans is the son of Janet Evans and Emmit Evans III. Korbin will attend the University of Texas next year in hopes
of pursuing a career as a pharmacist. His distinguished teacher is Illija Milovanovic, a World History teacher at DHS.
“Mr. Milovanovic was of the first teachers to constantly challenge me in class because he realized my academic potential,”
says Korbin.
Morgan Gentry will be attending Sam Houston State University next year where she will major in music education.
Morgan is the daughter of Lucia Gentry and Phillip Gentry. She plans to follow in her distinguished teacher Wade
McDonald’s footsteps and become a band director. Wade McDonald is now the Director of Fine Arts for DISD. “Mr. Mac
is the most honest, wholesome and all around caring person I have ever met. He has taught me and inspired me to be a
great person in this world,” Morgan says.
Amanda Gonzales’ distinguished teacher is DHS AP United States History teacher Lennel Collard. “Mrs. Collard is an
amazing teacher. She knows how to make teaching fun and educational,” Amanda says. Amanda will attend Texas A& M
University next year, majoring in biomedical sciences. She is the daughter of Rafael Gonzales and Maria Gonzales.
Lindsey Harris is attending Baylor University next year where she will major in neuroscience. Lindsey is the daughter of
James Harris and Kelly Harris. Lindsey also chose Fine Arts Director Wade McDonald as her distinguished teacher. “Mr.
Mac, you are a kind, caring, patient teacher that works to teach more than just music. You taught me the rewards of hard
work when you listened to me play the same three measures until I could play them correctly,” says Lindsey.
Keegan Lein is the son of Douglas Lein and Joe Ellyson‐Lein. Keegan will attend the Unversity of Houston in the fall in
hopes of becoming an anesthesiologist, after finishing medical school. Keegan chose DHS Physics teacher Dan Gleebe as
his distinguished teacher. “Mr. Gleebe impacted my education by making physics seem easy when it was actually the
hardest class I took. He has been and will continue to be a great mentor in my life,” Keegan says.
Elijah Lewis has also chosen DHS Physics teacher Dan Gleebe to be his distinguished teacher. “Mr. Gleebe interested me
in the science field when I was in his IPC class. He has continually helped me in my career decisions and informed me on
the classes required,” Elijah says. Elijah plans to attend the University of Houston and earn a master’s degree in
mechanical engineering. He hopes to work in robotics or mission control at NASA. He is the son of Randy Lewis and
Hope Lewis.
Jennifer Meyers will attend Texas A&M University next year where she plans to major in meteorology. Jennifer is the
daughter of Russell Meyers and Cynthia Meyers. She has chosen former Bay Colony Elementary teacher Ruth Laird as
her distinguished teacher. “Mrs. Laird is the kind of teacher most students will remember for the rest of their lives. I
remember a teacher that believed in me and cared about me as an individual,” says Jennifer.

Jordan Nemeth is the son of Karyn Nemeth and Scott Nemeth. He will attend the University of Houston next year where
he will major in computer engineering. Jordan chose DHS Math teacher Lena Lamar as his distinguished teacher. “Mrs.
Lamar opened up the vastness of theoretical mathematics realm. She allowed me to grow an appreciation for math and
decide that it is going to be my career choice above all else,” says Jordan.
Leanne Petters has selected DHS Health Science Technician teacher as her distinguished teacher. “Mrs. Pulkinen has
impacted my life and education goals. Without her I would not have the goals or ambitions I have and I thank her so very
much for that,” Leanne says. Leanne will be attending the University of Oklahoma next year where she will major in
political science with an emphasis on pre‐medical studies. She hopes to one day become an ophthamologist. Leanne is the
daughter of Brenda Ann and Albert Petters.
Shelbie Rider will be attending Texas A& M University next year, majoring in biomedical sciences. She plans to complete
medical school and become an anatomical pathologist. Shelbie is the daughter of Cheryl Flores and Michael Flores. Her
distinguished teacher is DHS Anatomy and Physiology teacher Le’ah Dornak. “Mrs. Dornak has inspired me to pursue
my dreams of going into the medical field. Mrs. Dornak has been a second mother to me this year, and I will appreciate
her guidance for years to come,” says Shelbie.
Caroline Robinson is the daughter of Dorothy Robinson and Rob Robinson. She will be attending the University of Texas
next year where she will major in international business and Japanese. She hopes to work for a corporation in Japan after
she graduates. Caroline has chosen former DHS English teacher Kevin Kaup as her distinguished teacher. “Mr. Kaup
opened up a gate of learning methods that shocked me. There are so many words to describe how he impacted my
already existing love for literature and I now understand the true meaning behind it,” says Caroline.
Branae Rollins has chosen Pine Drive Christian teacher Bettie Rac as her distinguished teacher. “Mrs. Rac has encouraged
me since the day we met. It is easy for students to strive to reach their potential with educators like Mrs. Rac,” Branae
says. Branae is the daughter of Delila Rollins and Earl Rollins. She plans to complete medical school and become a cardiothoracic
Surgeon.
William Seidensticker will attend either Texas State University or the University of Houston to major in history, get a
master’s degree and become a secondary teacher. He has chosen DHS Cross Country coach Daniel Edinburgh as
distinguished teacher. “Coach Edinburgh was much more than just a coach. In the three years he coached me in cross
country, he acted as a mentor to me,” William says. William is the son of LeAnne Garcia.
Anjana Singh will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio where she will major in biology and pursue a career in
the medical field. Anjana is the daughter of Bir Singh and Shakuntala Devi Singh. Anjana has chosen DHS Engineering
Design and Robotics teacher Celeste Brooks as her distinguished teacher. “Mrs. Brooks is a wonderful woman who has
not just been a fulfilling teacher, but has helped me grow in personal ways. She has taught me to look beyond the small
things and understand a bigger picture, says Anjana.
Davis Snyder is the son of Michael Snyder and Rebecca Snyder. He hopes to become a performing musician in the future.
Davis has selected DHS teacher Blake Henry as his distinguished teacher. “Although I never had Blake as a teacher, he is
the youth minister at my church. He has significantly shaped the last few years of my life and has helped me become the
man I am today,” says Davis.

Tommy Tran will attend the University of Houston in the fall. He is the son of Vince Nguyen and Tracy Tran. He chose
DHS AP Physics teacher Dan Gleebe as his distinguished teacher. “I have been in his class for three years for three
different courses. His methods of teaching are fun and I really enjoyed learning about concepts through physical, tangible
example,” says Tommy.
Chelsea Wissner is the daughter of Howard Wissner and Michelle Wissner. She will attend either Texas Lutheran
University or Baylor University in the fall. She hopes to major in biology and one day become a physician. Her
distinguished teacher is DHS English teacher Jaime Williams. “Mrs. Williams has taught me many things in not only my
school but in my everyday life. She is a wonderful woman that I could not have gotten this far without,” says Chelsea.