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Pasadena ISD recognizes All‑State musicians, rodeo art auction winners and Superintendent Dean Powell at final board meeting
Summary
Trustees recognized eight Texas All‑State musicians, celebrated student success at the Houston Rodeo art auction and honored Superintendent Dean (Dr.) Dean Powell on her final board meeting after a 34‑year career.
Trustees used the March board meeting to recognize student achievements in fine arts and to honor Superintendent Dean Powell on what she called her final board meeting after a 34‑year career in the district.
Michael Holt and Gabriel Flores (assistant director of fine arts) introduced and recognized eight Pasadena ISD students who earned places on the 2024–25 Texas Music Educators Association All‑State ensembles — an achievement district staff said places them among the top roughly 3% of student musicians in Texas. Named students included Kevin Alvaringa (Dobie High School), Nathan Gonzales (Pasadena Memorial High School), Ellen Lycona, Joy Minneham, Mark Bridal, Natalie Rangel, Francisco Salcedo and Theodore Villarreal. District staff noted college plans for several students, including scholarship and early college participation.
Gabriel Flores also reported on Pasadena ISD student success in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo art program. He said PISD students sold artwork for a combined $350,000 at the live auction and highlighted five champion or premium lots, including a $60,000 sale and a $51,000 sale. Staff said one elementary student from Morales Elementary sold a piece for $50,000 — the first time an elementary student in district history reached that sale level.
Board members then presented a recognition for Superintendent Dr. Dean Powell, praising her record as the district’s first female superintendent and a Pasadena graduate who led several district expansions, including full‑day pre‑K, K–12 dual language programs, an early college program and personalized learning initiatives. Trustees and staff described her leadership during hurricanes, pandemic response, facility improvements and the district’s financial integrity ratings.
Dr. Powell spoke briefly, thanked staff, family and the community, and said she would be “cheering from the sidelines” for Pasadena ISD after retirement. The board paused for a video tribute and multiple trustees offered personal remarks of appreciation.
These recognitions were presented in open session; no board action was required.
