Seven Lakes High graduate chosen to work in Washington, D.C.

Pearl Anadu, a 2019 graduate of Seven Lakes High and a political science major at Texas A&M University, recently began a spring 2023 internship in Washington, D.C. Anadu will spend the spring as an integral part of the National Farmers Union.

Anadu is one of 17 students selected for a policy internship for the university’s Public Policy Internship Program. Her duties include monitoring legislation, attending hearings and briefings, preparing reports and researching policy issues for senior staff members. Anadu is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Emeka and Antonia Anadu.

“The public policy internship program is one of few in the nation specifically geared towards transforming today’s students into tomorrow's leaders,” Stephanie Webb, program director, said. “Through this opportunity, students use what they have learned in the classroom in a professional work setting. Not only will this D.C. experience be attractive to future employers, but our students are also providing valuable assistance to the offices in which they in turn.”

The program is in its 24th year of sending students to Washington, D.C. to work and policy-related organizations such as governmental offices, think tanks and nonprofits. Since its inception, more than 1,200 Aggies have worked and the public policy internship program. Each student receives course credit for their internship as well as a scholarship in the form of housing. For more information, visit the website ppip.tamu.edu.

Paetow High graduate receives Texas Coastal CattleWomen scholarship

Drake Ladig, a 2021 Paetow High graduate, is the recipient of a $4,000 scholarship from the Texas Coastal CattleWomen.

Ladig is studying ranch agribusiness at Angelo State University and, in addition to his academic success, he is working part-time at the Rolling R Ranch, which he described as a blessing.

“College has been a dream come true for me my freshman year,” Ladig said. “Once I graduate from college, my plans are to achieve my lifelong goal of owning my own cattle ranch. I intend to purchase land, raise beef cattle, and longhorns.”

If the opportunity presents itself, he said, he wants to go into partnership with the Newman family, which owns the ranch, and have grazing pastures for Angus cattle in Katy. He said he hopes to share the agriculture knowledge and experiences with FFA programs in Texas.

For more information about Texas Coastal CattleWomen, a 501c3 local organization, visit the website texascoastalcattlewomen.com.

Area students earn college diplomas, academic honors

Students from the Katy area have made the dean’s lists at their respective schools. Here is a list:

• Midwestern State University: Kimberly Mason Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in applied arts
  and sciences. Nadia Elali earned a bachelor’s degree in radiologic sciences. Gloria Toluwanimi
  Olagoke earned a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in nursing.
• Minnesota State University, Mankato: Jaycey Horton made the honors list.
• Missouri University of Science and Technology: Shannon Flowers made the honors list.
• St. Olaf College (Northfield, Minn.): Helen White made the dean’s list.
• University of Minnesota-Crookston: Emily Hull made the chancellor’s list.
• University of Texas-Tyler: Ikenna Adindu, Emily Crook, Hannah Embrey and Bradley Smith made
  the president’s honor roll. Adnan Khuzema, Hailey Matthews, Audrey Miles, Maiya Pena and
  Caitlin Tomberlin made the dean’s list.
• University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh: Uzma Khan earned a bachelor’s degree in business
  administration with a focus in human resources management

Harmony Public Schools becomes first charter school to win Award of Excellence for Financial Management

Harmony Public Schools is the first public charter school to win the prestigious Award of Excellence in Financial Management by the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO), the organization announced.

The award is given to Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that demonstrate professional standards, best practices, and innovations in the area of financial management and reporting.

The criteria to qualify for the Award of Excellence in Financial Management is stringent, based on financial accounting and reporting guidelines identified by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Financial Accountability System Resource Guide (FASRG). Applicants must submit documents across 11 key areas, which are reviewed by a TASBO accounting subcommittee.

“Making sure that each of our financial decisions is efficient, effective, and, most importantly, ethical is among our greatest operational priorities,” Fatih Ay, Harmony CEO, said. “In doing so, we are able to maximize our resources and provide our students with the most robust educational experience that can be offered. We are extraordinarily pleased to be honored with this award, and are grateful to our finance team for putting our schools in a prime position to succeed.”

Harmony also was awarded its second Award of Merit for Purchasing Operations by TASBO. The Award of Merit was established in 2009 to recognize Texas school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and education services centers that are committed to following professional standards in the acquisition of goods and services. Harmony remains the only charter school system to earn the award.

Katy ISD to hold certified teacher job fair March 25

Katy ISD is looking for certified teachers for the 2023-24, and will host its annual Certified Teacher Job Fair on Saturday, March 25, 2023.  Administrators from elementary and secondary campuses will be available to personally interact with candidates, review applications and conduct “on-the-spot” interviews with individuals seeking to join the Katy ISD family.

The job fair for secondary school teachers is from 8:30–11:30 a.m., and elementary school teachers is from 1-4 p.m. March 25 at the Merrell Center, 6301 S. Stadium Lane.

“Katy ISD is a premier school district, and we hire dedicated and passionate educators who provide unparalleled learning experiences to thousands of students,” Brian Schuss, chief human resources officer, said. “Next year, we’ll be opening two new elementary schools as a result of our fast growth, creating an even greater hiring need across our district.”

No pre-registration or fee is required. However, participants must show proof of certification, TEA/SBEC content exam scores and/or Statement of Eligibility (SOE). Candidates are asked to complete an application on the Katy ISD website in advance and bring enough resumes to share at the fair. For more information, visit the Katy ISD Human Resources Job Fair webpage.