Klein ISD honors top students, educators at gala

At the annual Academic Banquet, hosted by Klein ISD Education Foundation, several scholars and educators from the class of 2012 were honored, including the top 10 students from each high school.

The top 10 students from Klein High School are valedictorian Brandon Newman, salutatorian Sarah Kamal, Jihua Wang, Komal Nathani, Sooraj Gandhi Bhakthavachalam, Pooja Srikanth, Brian Newman, Jaxon Daniel Keeler, Justin W. Shih and Simon Sungchol Yu.

Klein Forest High’s top 10 students are valedictorian Erin Michelle Lott, salutatorian Kristin Gentempo, Nina Garcia, Zhen Guang Wu, Joseph Do, Maryum Zabeeh, Monica Salinas, Christine Pham, Willy Vu and Rumesha Ahmad.

Students in the top 10 at Klein Collins High are valedictorian Chuchu Ma, salutatorian Aryan Dowlatshahi, Mallory Kohut, Jenna German, Lindsay Laird, Mariam Hussain, Susan Ma, Sydney Huber, Christopher Yue and Daniel Mejia-Cruz.

The top 10 from Klein Oak High are valedictorian Jamie Sookprasong, salutatorian Alexandra Summers, Heather Haeberle, Jennifer Anita Chilton, Ashlyn Herd, Duyminh Nguyen, Alicia Scott, Adriana Montes, Carl Rogers and Zenobia Maknojia.

Robert LeBlanc was also presented with the 2012 Donald R. Collins Distinguished Klein Educator Award. The teacher, supervisor and administrator has worked with KISD since 1973, working as an intermediate teacher, language arts instructional officer, director of curriculum and instruction, and associate superintendent of instruction and student services. He retired in 2002 after 29 years with the district, though he has recently joined the staff at the University of St. Thomas in a number of roles.

To be nominated for the award, recipients must be retired with service to KISD for a minimum of 10 years; significant commitment to quality in teaching; leadership in education through scholarly works, presentations and the development and implementation of teaching methodologies and techniques; inspiring and making a lasting impression on students, fellow educators and the community; and distinct personal characteristics that set him or her apart.