Katy ISD participates in annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Event

The Katy ISD Police Department, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), will allow the public to safely dispose of potentially dangerous, expired, unused and unwanted prescription medications.

The National Prescription Drug Take Back event is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Mark L. Hopkins Law Enforcement Center, 20370 Franz Road.

According to the DEA, pharmaceutical drugs can be just as dangerous as street drugs when taken without a prescription or a doctor’s supervision. Needles or sharp objects will not be accepted, and any liquids must be in prescribed containers.

“Last year, Katy ISD collected 385 pounds of expired and/or unused prescription drugs,” Henry Gaw, Katy ISD police chief, said. “We want to remind the community that this service is free and anonymous with no questions asked of those individuals who decide to participate. We encourage the public to remove unneeded medications from their homes as a measure of preventing medication misuse and opioid addiction from ever starting.”

Collection efforts will take place in the lobby of the police department where residents can safely drop off unwanted medications. Through the National Prescription Drug Take Back Initiative, the DEA and its partners across the country have collected nearly 16 million pounds of unused prescription medications.

Niche Best Schools list gives Katy ISD A+ grade

The 2023 Niche Best Schools list has named Katy ISD the #1 public school district in the Houston area for the second consecutive year, giving the district an A+ overall grade.

Out of 1,018 school districts ranked in Texas, Katy ISD took the top spot for the Greater Houston area and #12 in the state.

Each year Niche, a ranking and review organization for K-12 schools, assesses school districts from across the country. The organization’s rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics, reviews from students and parents, and data from the U.S. Department of Education. Ranking factors include state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, public school district ratings, among other criteria.

“With over 92,000 students and four new schools in development, Katy ISD stands by its commitment to provide every student with a world-class education,” Ken Gregorski, Katy ISD superintendent, said. “Our educators and staff are proud of the A+ that is found in the heart of our name. I am very honored to work with our Katy ISD family as they passionately teach and guide our future generations.”

Several Katy ISD elementary, junior high and high schools also ranked among the Top 25 list for their respective categories.

Katy ISD Best Public Elementary School

• #1 Hayes Elementary
• #3 Kilpatrick Elementary
• #4 Alexander Elementary
• #5 WoodCreek Elementary
• #6 Stanley Elementary
• #7 Wilson Elementary
• #8 Griffin Elementary
• #9 Randolph Elementary
• #10 Jenks Elementary
• #11 Pattison Elementary
• #12 Holland Elementary
• #14 Rylander Elementary
• #15 Katy Elementary
• #23 Exley Elementary
• #24 Williams Elementary

Katy ISD Best Public Middle/Junior High School

• #2 Beckendorff Junior High
• #3 Beck Junior High
• #4 Tays Junior High
• #5 Seven Lakes Junior High
• #7 McMeans Junior High
• #9 Woodcreek Junior High
• #11 Cinco Ranch Junior High
• #14 Memorial Parkway Junior High

Katy ISD Best Public High School

• #4 Seven Lakes High School
• #6 Tompkins High School
• #7 Cinco Ranch High School
• #20 Taylor High School

For more information on Katy ISD rankings, visit the Niche 2023 website at niche.com.

Royal ISD FFA competes at the Waller County Fair

Members of the Royal ISD FFA Chapter competed at the Waller County Fair on Sept. 28-Oct. 1. The chapter had 61 overall participants.

Market goats

• Kaylee Meader, 2nd Light
• Maddie Meader, 7th Light
• Maria Gomez, 2nd Light Medium
• Ramiro Ferro, 8th Light Medium
• Helena Ferro, 5th Light Medium
• Jeremy Danz, 5th Medium
• Jaylyn Danz, 3rd Light
• Valentine Ferro, 2nd Medium
• Elizabeth Ibarra, 8th Medium
• Evelyn Vahalik, 4th Medium
• Karl Vahalik, 8th Heavy Medium

Market Swine

• Rory Melton, Grand Champion
• Victoria Miller, 10th Heavyweight
• Shelby Woods, 11th Heavyweight
• Rafeal Marmolejo, 12th Heavyweight
• Ekon Ferro, 2nd Middleweight, Reserve Champion Swine Showman
• Kinleigh Guidry, 5th Middleweight, 3rd Middleweight, Champion JR Showman
• Deysi Rivera, 6th Middleweight
• Brianna Diezi, 2nd Middleweight
• Tania Ramirez, 8th Middleweight
• Angie Ramirez, 9th Middleweight
• Oscar Rivera, 3rd Lightweight
• Lauren Hillsman, 6th Lightweight
• Bryce Archer, 8th Lightweight
• Noe Arriaga, 10th Lightweight
• Anthony Aranda, 11th Lightweight
• Leo Rudeas, 12th Lightweight

Breeding Heifers

• Kaylie Marmolejo, 9th place Middleweight ABC
• Danielle Jones, 14th Place Middleweight ABC
• Kiara Jones, 3rd Place Lightweight ABC
• Cynthia Rivera, 8th Place Middleweight ABC
• Litzie Gonzales, 6th Place Middleweight ABC
• Rory Melton, 1st Place Heavyweight ABC, 2nd Place Heavyweight ABC, Champion American Heifer, Grand Champion Overall Heifer, Champion First year Junior Heifer Showman
• Kaelyn Hein, 3rd Place Middleweight ABC
• Callie Hacke, 6th Place Lightweight AOB
• Raelee Hacke, 8th Place Heavyweight AOB
• Avery Rongey, Champion Scramble Heifer
• Avery Rongey, 4th Place Middleweight AOB
• Brianna Diezi, 5th Place Lightweight AOB
• Tessa Clingenpeel, 7th Place Lightweight AOB
• Jaycie Estep, 7th Place Middleweight AOB
• Kevin Weatherford, 11th Place Lightweight ABC
• Ava Seward, 2nd Place Lightweight ABC
• Porter Jacob, 6th Place Heavyweight AOB
• Presley Jacob, 1st Place Lightweight ABC, Reserve Champion American Heifer, Reserve Champion Overall Heifer, 3rd Place Heavyweight ABC
• Kaylee Meader, 12th Place Heavyweight ABC

Market Steers

• Porter Jacob, 3rd Place Heavyweight American Steer
• Kinleigh Guidry, 4th Place Heavyweight Exotic Steer, 1st Place Junior Showmanship, 1st Place Cattle Herdsman
• Elyssa Pruner, 3rd Place Lightweight Exotic Steer

Rabbits

• Shelby Woods, 14th place Meat Rabbit Pen

Reserve Champion Junior Showmanship

• 3rd place Herdsman Award

Calf Scramble Heifer Show

• Averi Rongey, Grand Champion Heifer
• Kaylee Meader, 7th Place Scramble Heifer

Market Lamb

• Vanessa Garcia, 4th Light

Creative Living

• Raelee Hacke, Reserve Champion Photography, Intermediate Division
• Daniel Sanchez, Woodworking Bench
• Georgia Vahalik, Decorated Cake

Participating in the calf scramble this year were FFA members Raelee Hacke, Kaelyn Hein, Jazbel Marmolejo, Rafael Marmolejo, Jacob Pisor, Elyssa Pruner, Deysi Rivera, Tate Seward and Kevin Weatherford.