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Castleberry ISD honors school board and spotlights fine arts achievements
Summary
Castleberry ISD recognized its school board during School Board Appreciation Month and heard presentations highlighting choir, band, theater, mariachi and visual arts accomplishments, including region and state-level distinctions and upcoming UIL contests.
Castleberry ISD recognized its locally elected school board and showcased the district’s fine arts programs during a board meeting that included a mayoral proclamation and presentations by students and staff.
The school and community observance included a proclamation by River Oaks Mayor Darren Hauck declaring January 2025 as School Board Appreciation Month and a series of presentations from Castleberry ISD fine arts programs detailing recent awards and contest results.
Why it matters: The board’s annual recognition and the fine arts presentations underscore district priorities for student enrichment and community engagement. Students and staff reported region- and state-level contest placements and district-wide honors that district leaders said reflect coordinated support from the board, administration and community partners.
Board recognition and proclamation
Miss Smith Bochner, identified in the meeting as board president, and Superintendent Renee Smith Faulkner were on hand as Mayor Darren Hauck read a proclamation recognizing Castleberry ISD board members for their service and declaring January 2025 School Board Appreciation Month. Mayor Hauck told the board, “I appreciate what you do for this community.”
Fine arts presentations and student achievements
Staff and student representatives from multiple fine arts programs described recent accomplishments: - Choir: Presenters said Castleberry ISD’s choir enrollment grew to nearly 250 students this school year. Two Castleberry High School students advanced to all-region choir; the meeting noted that Leila Behmet finished seventh chair and Isaac Marquez finished 14th chair in all-region placements. The choir is preparing for UIL contests in spring 2025.
- Band: Presenters reported that the Castleberry High School Line marching band has 180 members and performed its UIL competition drill, "Rise Above," more than a dozen times during the season. The Line earned straight first-division ratings from judges at the UIL Region 30 marching contest and advanced to the UIL Area B finals as one of the top 10 area finalists. Meeting presenters also said eight CHS band members were named to region band and three advanced to area competition. Four CHS band students were named Texas Music Educators Association Texas Music Scholars, a scholarship distinction based on academic and musical achievement.
- Theater: Theater officers reported multiple winter productions, participation in UIL one-act play preparations at the middle school level, and awards at the 2024 Texas State Thespian Festival. A Castleberry High School student, Desiree Daffron, was identified as receiving the Texas theater scholar distinction, a college scholarship recognizing theatrical commitment, academics and character.
- Mariachi and college partnerships: The CHS mariachi program presented two well-attended winter performances and participated in clinics and activities with the Tarleton State Mariachi Institute, Texas State University and Texas Christian University to explore collegiate mariachi opportunities. Presenters noted invited performances for community leaders, including a mayoral state-of-the-city event.
- Visual arts and service: The National Art Honor Society and visual arts presenters reported student selections for the Texas Association of School Boards convention art exhibit and described more than 250 hours of community service by NAHS students. The district’s visual art program was recognized by the Texas Art Educators Association as a District of Distinction for the second consecutive year.
At the meeting, Christian Rimsa, representing Castleberry ISD Fine Arts, said, “It is always an honor to come before you to share and celebrate the fall 2024 accomplishments of Castleberry ISD Fine Arts.” Presenters repeatedly invoked the program slogan of “going for the gold” to describe the district’s focus on excellence in the arts.
Context and next steps
Presenters noted that many programs are preparing for spring UIL contests and other regional events; specific contest dates and outcomes for upcoming events were not specified in the meeting. Several staff and student presenters thanked the board and superintendent for support and invited applause for fine arts staff and parents. No formal board actions or votes on policy or funding were recorded during the portion of the meeting covered in the transcript.
