New Hope High School senior Yasmine Gonzalez, recognizing Jentry Vines: "Ms. Vines was my English teacher for two years and has taught me more than academics. She has always been kind and expressed her genuine belief in me as a person. I struggled throughout my junior year and Ms. Vines gave me an ear to listen. When I was in need of help, she would be patient and sit with me after class. Thus, I am forever grateful. I was very quiet, reserved, and overly serious. Ms. Vines is the complete opposite. She encouraged me to just be silly sometimes. Laugh and have fun when you can. I will always admire her jocular and loving personality."
New Hope High School senior David Longoria, recognizing Tommie Hart-Dunlap: "Ms. Dunlap is an amazing English and Spanish teacher. I was invited to graduate early at New Hope High School, so I could start EMT training through ACC. It was a process to transfer from Leander High School and I was determined to finish by December. Everyone at NHHS was extremely helpful in my success to graduate and I am thankful for their help, and the opportunity that I was given. Additionally, Ms. Dunlap is important to me, as she came along side to help me complete my courses. She is very funny, personable and made me feel welcome in her class the moment I walked in. She helped me the most by explaining the complex meaning of the poems that I read, as they didn’t make any sense to me. She is an excellent teacher, as she supported me when I had set a deadline for myself to graduate early. She was very excited about my goals and plans for the future She was there when I needed her for understanding. In January, I went to visit and thank her for her help and support. She was delighted to see me and was extremely interested to know that I had met my goal to graduate early. I was able to start my EMT training and it is the most difficult course I have ever taken before. Ms. Dunlap encouraged me to never give up on a challenge. By the time I graduate with my class, I will be a licensed EMT."
Rouse High School senior Annabeth Stover, recognizing Joshua Morton: "Mr. Morton was my geometry and algebra 2 teacher, so over my freshman and sophomore year I worked with him a lot. Through those two years, Mr.Morton encouraged and helped me, not only in math but also in the year after my father passed away. Throughout high school he has continued to support and encourage me through my other classes. His classes gave me a positive experience in high school mathematics and lead me to decide to pursue engineering in college."
