By DIANTÉ MARIGNY
editor@portisabelsouthpadre.com
The Point Isabel Independent School District Board of Trustees recognized dozens of students, educators, and community members during its regular school board meeting held May 19 at Port Isabel Early College High School.
The meeting opened with a series of presentations honoring student athletes, scholarship recipients, academic leaders, and longtime community supporters.
Among the first groups recognized were Port Isabel Junior High track and field athletes, who brought home district championships in both boys and girls seventh and eighth grade divisions. Coaches and administrators praised the students for excelling both academically and athletically while competing in one of the region’s toughest districts.
Coaches noted the team’s rare accomplishment of winning four district track championships in a single meet, calling it one of the most impressive achievements they had witnessed in years.
The board also recognized students selected for the Lone Star Leadership Academy, a statewide leadership development program for outstanding elementary students. District officials said the selected students demonstrated strong academic performance and leadership potential both inside and outside the classroom.
Administrators highlighted the district’s growing academic and career certification opportunities, including new medical and dental assistant programs launching next school year. Officials also celebrated that 34 graduating seniors recently earned associate degrees from Texas Southmost College while still in high school.
Several Port Isabel Early College High School students were also honored for earning major scholarship awards and acceptance into prestigious university programs across the country.
Among the honorees was Gabriella Rodriguez, who became the school’s first QuestBridge National Scholar and will attend Vanderbilt University with a scholarship package valued at more than $1.2 million over four years, according to district officials.
Another student was recognized for receiving acceptance and a full-ride scholarship to Brown University, while others earned major scholarship awards to institutions including the University of Texas, Texas A&M University, UTRGV, and other prestigious programs.
Students were additionally recognized for being selected to competitive summer academic and leadership programs at universities including Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Southern California, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Chicago.
The district also presented its Tarpon Heart Award to Kenny and Emily Pettis for their continued support of Point Isabel ISD students and staff. District leaders credited the couple with helping support teacher appreciation events, Fellowship of Christian Athletes programs, community pep rallies, student incentives, and athletic initiatives, including contributions toward the district scoreboard project.
The evening concluded with the district’s Hall of Fame recognition honoring longtime welding instructor Albert Barbarena Jr. for more than four decades of service to Point Isabel ISD.
Administrators, former colleagues, and board members praised Barbarena for mentoring generations of students, helping at-risk students remain in school, and expanding career certification opportunities through welding education.
District officials said Barbarena’s willingness to return for additional certification training later in his career helped students graduate with nationally recognized industry certifications that prepared them for careers after high school.
Barbarena, a lifelong Port Isabel resident, thanked the district and community for supporting him throughout his 43-year career as an educator.