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San Benito CISD trustees honor students for dual-enrollment and fine-arts achievements

San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees · December 19, 2025
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Summary

Trustees recognized two seniors who completed an associate degree through a dual-enrollment partnership and dozens of music and choir students for regional and state selections, and highlighted five elementary schools named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 rankings.

The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees on Monday recognized students and staff for a string of academic and fine-arts accomplishments, including two seniors who earned college degrees through the district’s dual-enrollment partnership.

Assistant Superintendent for Academic Services Dita Cornett and Director of Public Relations Luis Gonzalez introduced the recognitions. Trustees honored Aldir Arguelles Abru and Jose Javier Muñoz, both twelfth-graders, for earning an Associate of Arts in general studies through Texas Southmost College. Cornett said the associate’s degree program requires 60 credit hours and that the students were honored at Texas Southmost College’s fall commencement on Dec. 13 at Jacob Brown Auditorium in Brownsville.

"This national recognition is a testament to strong academic achievement and the dedication of our students, teachers, and staff," Cornett said as she introduced district acknowledgments.

The board also recognized the San Benito Greyhound marching band for earning a Division 1 at the UIL Pigskin Marching Contest and advancing to the area competition, naming drum majors and captains and thanking band directors including Dulce Rodriguez, Noe Garcia, Rafael Garcia, Julio Barrera, Gabriel Hernandez, Arturo Rivas and Jorge Mujica.

Musicians were singled out for regional and All-State honors. Troy Rada, an 11th-grader, was announced as a selection for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Jazz Band and will perform at the TMEA convention in San Antonio. The meeting listed dozens of students who advanced in band, orchestra and choir auditions across the district’s high schools and Veterans Memorial Academy, and thanked choir directors Ignacio Cruz III and Cassandra Ramos.

Cornett also announced that five district elementary schools were named in U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 best elementary schools rankings, an accolade she framed as reflective of district-wide instruction and support.

The recognitions concluded with the board thanking parents, principals and program directors and wishing students luck in area and state competitions. No formal board action was required for the recognitions.