Brent Youngblood named Haskett Junior High principal

Katy ISD has named Brent Youngblood as the new principal at Haskett Junior High. Youngblood joins the Haskett Huskies from Mayde Creek High School, where he had been associate principal.

“I am excited to continue building on the great work and traditions that have been established at Haskett Junior High,” Youngblood said. “Creating a culture of collaboration that will benefit our Huskies is one of my first priorities. Together with our staff, parents and the Haskett community, we will prepare and inspire each learner to create a bright future.”

Youngblood began his educational career in 2010 as a social studies teacher and an assistant basketball coach at Stony Point High School in Round Rock ISD. In 2012, he moved to Houston after accepting a social studies department chair position and a head basketball/softball coach position at Scarborough High School in Houston ISD. As his love for teaching history continued to grow, Youngblood transitioned to Benjamin Davis High School in Aldine ISD where he served as an AP world history teacher and assistant basketball coach. Two years later, he joined Kempner High School in Fort Bend ISD as a social studies teacher and head basketball coach.

In August 2017, Youngblood joined the Katy ISD family and began serving in a campus leadership role as assistant principal at Mayde Creek High School. In 2020, he was promoted to associate principal, where he contributed to staff and leadership development, campus culture, safety and building management, among other responsibilities.

Youngblood holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin as well as a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from South Texas College of Law.

Katy ISD awarded nearly $300K for energy conservation efforts

Katy ISD was recently awarded $254,564.39 as part of the CenterPoint Energy SCORE (Schools Conserving Resources and Energy) Program and $39,750 through the new Commercial High-Efficiency Foodservice (CHEF) Program for its energy-saving efforts throughout the district.

“Katy ISD is focused on reducing energy operating consumptions across the district and pursuing Energy Star Certifications for all of our schools,” Ted Vierling, Katy ISD chief operations officer, said.  “The energy-saving practices implemented throughout our schools and facilities are a testament to Katy ISD’s good stewardship with taxpayer dollars.”

The SCORE Program, which started in 2006, incentivizes and encourages K-12 school districts to reduce peak electricity demand (kW) and/or reduce energy consumption (kWh) through energy efficiency projects and equipment upgrades.

The CHEF Program is a market transformation program that provides incentives for Houston area businesses and schools in the commercial food service industry. CenterPoint’s Energy Star commercial equipment incentive program helps facilities with energy savings while improving kitchen efficiencies. The CHEF Program works closely with the commercial food service industry to educate and encourage the use of energy-efficient equipment.

Katy ISD ensemble students recognized with highest Texas music award

The Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) has released its all-state results in January following several levels of competition, and 68 Katy ISD students now hold the title of “All-State Musician,” the highest honor a music student can receive in the state of Texas.

“Every fall hundreds of Katy ISD ensemble students begin the competition process at their TMEA region and advance to compete against other student musicians from other regions,” Damon Archer, Katy ISD fine arts department executive director, said. “Only the top 2.6 percent of Texas students who audition become All-State Musicians.”

The 2023 TMEA All-State Musicians include:

• Cinco Ranch High: Elijah Dycus, String Bass; Rebecca Jung, Violin; Joshua LaPrade, Bass; YuXiang Lu, Piccolo; Noah Machart, Trumpet; Micah Marsh, Tenor; Nikolas Theriault, Bass 1; Julia Wright, French Horn; Rachel Yun, Cello; and Evan Zhang, Clarinet.
• Jordan High: Rosemary Chen, Flute; Tiago Ducuron, Bass; Kaitlyn Lewis Soprano; Alakananda Nuthalapati, Alto; Brian Rhee, Viola; Diane Shim, Soprano; Nathan Xu, Violin; and Sophie Zeng, Violin.
• Katy High: Brennan Ellsworth, Bass; Samuel Gunn, Tenor; Alexander Kappes, Bassoon; Eloise Langan, Alto; Saniya Menzies; Soprano; Jerald Mercado, Tenor; Adyson Owens, Alto; Mackenzie Simkins, Alto; and Joyce Tan, Violin.
• Paetow High: Ariahna Hurtado, Soprano; and Jude Sepulveda, String Bass.
• Seven Lakes High: Chen-Yu Chang, Violin; Christine Clare, Viola; Brady Ji, Viola; Zain Khan, String Bass; Nate Owen, French Horn; Olivia Owen, French Horn; Chanhee Park, Violin; Joel Park, Cello; Christine Romero, Soprano; Shugo Sakamoto, String Bass; Brian Song, Clarinet; and Bill Sun, Cello.
• Taylor High: Michael Brockmann, String Bass; Ryan Choi, Violin; Ella Jackson, Bassoon; Suzuko Kiriyama, Clarinet; Henry Liu, Violin; Jenny Liu, Alto; Santiago Paez, Viola; Ryan Park, Cello; Jonas Ruelas, Trombone; Patrick Spillman, Violin; Sophia Tang, Violin; and Gavin Waterman, Trumpet.
• Tompkins High: Josefina Arnett, Soprano; Anisha Arumilli, Alto; Ahana Bhat, Alto; Bella Chan, Cello; Arjun Chandupatla, Violin; Matthew Chovanec, Percussion; Eugene Chung, Viola; Preston Cole, Tenor; Carly Freeman, Soprano; Jake Jiang, Violin; Lydia Kang, Cello; Kendall Porter, Cello; Kathryn Stokes, Alto; Leah Wu, Bassoon; and Andrew Yang, Cello.