In a packed house, highlighted by Superintendent Paul Cruz serenading mothers, Austin ISD recognized 307 students, two community members and one organization for excellence at the 2016 Latino Academic Achievement Awards.

“Today, we honor Latino students who are shining stars at AISD. Congratulations to each of you on the accomplishments you have made,” Superintendent Paul Cruz said. “Your achievements reflect your persistence, hard work and dedication — qualities that will serve you well in your future endeavors.”

Of the 307 students recognized, 201 personally received congratulations from Dr. Cruz and AISD Board members. In addition, one organization and two individuals were recognized with community awards for supporting AISD students and families.

A Community for Education received the Latino Excellence in Advocacy Award for providing outstanding support in advancing Latino academic achievement and promoting educational outcomes in AISD. 

ACE has partnered with AISD for 21 years, placing highly trained, full-time AmeriCorps tutors in AISD Title I elementary schools to provide foundational, bilingual literacy tutoring for students. Students receive daily, one-to-one, 30-minute lessons tailored to their literacy level and reading needs.

Robert Kibbe received the Latino Parent Volunteer Award for volunteering a significant amount of service in a school-specific or district-wide capacity. Kibbie is a native Austinite and lives in Dove Springs. He attended AISD schools and is passionate about supporting AISD and promoting parental involvement. He is currently the PTSA President-Elect of Mendez Middle School. 

In addition to volunteering at his children’s schools, Kibbe is also active in other capacities in the community. He is the Vice-President of Dove Springs Proud, a member of the Dove Springs Recreation Center Advisory Board and serves on the City of Austin’s Flood Mitigation Task Force.

Megan Sheffield received the Latino Community Service Award for providing public and civil service to benefit Latino students and families in AISD. Sheffield is an immigration lawyer and Equal Justice Works Emerson Fellow at the Equal Justice Center in Austin. Her work focuses on providing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) legal assistance to underserved communities.

In addition to direct legal representation, Megan holds free legal clinics in central, north and northwest Texas to assist DACA applicants. She is also working on immigration reform issues, including advocacy for immigration programs that would provide temporary relief to millions of immigrant families (Deferred Action for Parents of Americans and expanded-DACA).

AISD congratulates the students, families, teachers, community members and organizations that played a role in the achievements recognized at the 2016 Latino Academic Achievement Awards. The district also thanks those not recognized for their continued support to promote AISD’s mission to reinvent public education.