Top LFHS Academic Students Recognized at Banquet

The best and brightest academic stars of Los Fresnos High School were under one roof at the LFHS Student Academic Achievement Banquet Monday at the Brownsville Events Center.

Invited were more than 200 sophomores, juniors and seniors who were among the Top 10 students in their classes, and were on the A-B Honor Roll. Many students were on the A Honor Roll, and others were also on the Top 5 Percent of their classes.

They received their medallions with their parents or other relatives at their side from principal Ronnie Rodriguez, together with Superintendent Gonzalo Salazar and members of the Los Fresnos CISD Board of Trustees.

The honoring of the largest group of students followed presentations of the 7th Annual Golden Apple Awards by the Rodriguez.

“I wanted to recognize seniors who had exemplified class, dignity and had shown a sense or pride throughout the year,” Rodriguez told the audience. “It was not an easy task as you can ask any administrator who had to decide who was to get their Golden Apple Award. I asked the administration to consider someone who has not only made an impact on us, but their peers at Los Fresnos High School.”

Six students received awards by Rodriguez and the other five members of his administrative team.

Administrators and their Golden Apple recipients included:

Principal Ronnie Rodriguez: Luis Maya

Dean of Instruction Jeaneva Scoville: Monica Mireles

Assistant Principal Mary Esther Alvarez: Amanda Marie Placencio

Assistant Principal Justin Stumbaugh: Pierce Ruiz

Assistant Principal Cris Saldaña: Scarleth Mosquera

Assistant Principal Jesus Molina: Fernando Gonzalez

The names of the student recipients came as a surprise to all of them. The following are excerpts from the speeches of the LFHS Administration about their Golden Apple recipients:

Principal Ronnie Rodriguez: Luis Maya

“This person (Luis) examples the pride and love for one’s school. I have never known someone who goes out of his way so much to make everyone feel welcome as they visit the high school as repeat visitors or first-time visitors to LFHS. He is the “voice” of the morning announcements and that pep that he gives us to start the day will truly be missed by all.”

Dean of Instruction Jeaneva Scoville: Monica Mireles

“This student (Monica) has made an impact one since first grade. Even then, this student showed excellence in school work. This student has set high academic goals and earned credits in Dual and AP courses. We have watched and seen this student lead by example and with a quiet yet determined leadership style. I know that she will accomplish any and many of her dreams.”

Assistant Principal Mary Esther Alvarez: Amanda Marie Placencio

“My recipient (Amanda Marie) has an extreme quality that I have never seen in all of my years at LFHS and that is Determination. You see, my recipient was born with a physical limitation but that has no means let it get in her way. I have never seen her sad, mad, or even speak in a loud voice. When you see her in the hall, she always has a beautiful smile and is hard-working, well-groomed, extremely well-mannered and trustworthy.”

Assistant Principal Justin Stumbaugh: Pierce Ruiz

“When asked to describe my recipient (Pierce), his coach said ‘His work ethic is second to none and he is always willing to do the extra to be successful. He makes others want to be better.’ My recipient exemplifies what a student-athlete is excelling on and off the field. His leadership and intangibles not only earned the respect of his teammates and his coaches, but to us as spectators as well.”

Assistant Principal Cris Saldaña: Scarleth Mosquera

In 2013, while some of our students were on vacation or staycation, this student (Scarleth) was volunteering with the Red Cross in Mexico City. She volunteered more than 750 hours in an emergency triage clinic and more than 250 hours working in an ambulance. This is just a small sample of her sense of community. In could go on and on about the different ways she gives back to Los Fresnos.”

Assistant Principal Jesus Molina: Fernando Gonzalez

“This student (Fernando) has shown relentless attention to give back to his fellow students. He has been a great asset back in the Ag Building and in the Ag Barn. He took ownership of the Ag shop and you would find him cleaning it without being asked. His difficult life at home didn’t repel him from achieving his dream of graduating high school. He is always lending a helping hand.”

For a photo gallery of the event, visit the district Flickr photo gallery site at their flicker page.