CAST Tech
Graduation Speaker
Arthur Oracs Calarga

Arthur will attend Trinity University to study mathematics.

Why did you choose this pathway?
I am going to Trinity University to major in mathematics due to an affinity I have had with the subject since I was a kid. I think that Trinity is a great choice for me academically and socially. I have always liked math because of how objective it is but also how many different ways you can approach a problem.

What is the greatest challenge you have overcome during your education so far and how did you overcome it?
Coming from Brazil, when I first got to San Atnonio I had a really hard time communicating with my teachers and peers. Because of that I felt very isolated from everyone both socially and academically. I immersed myself in the English language and managed to overcome the barrier by alway trying to talk to others even though I know that I didn’t always say what I meant to say.

CAST Tech
Graduation Speaker
Yliana Morales

Yliana will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio to major in physics.

How have SAISD schools shaped you into the person you are today?
Before I transferred to SAISD, the high schools I went through were holding me back on different levels like mental, social, and academically. Since I’ve joined CAST Tech, I’ve become more sociable and less anxious in connecting with my peers. The environment is overwhelmingly positive. I know the school has changed me because I have been told by others how they have seen me change and become more friendly.

As a leader of the Class of 2024, what is your hope for the Class of 2024 as they move on to the next chapter of their lives?
I hope that everyone realizes that they have their own potential and no one should be directing them. That every student, regardless of background, can become a better person and choose to become more. That if you really want something then you will be able to achieve it.

CAST Tech
Graduation Speaker
Jesus Briones

Jesus will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio to study computer science.

How have SAISD schools shaped you into the person you are today?
I like how CAST Tech is an in district charter that takes in students from all over Bexar county and having attended the school, I have gotten to meet people from all walks of life and learned how diverse the city of San Antonio is. I have become more sociable with people of different backgrounds than myself.

What is the biggest challenge you have overcome in your education, and how have you overcome it?
My greatest challenge was in my sophomore year where I realized that I hadn’t really made the social connections that I wanted to in high school. I saw how extroverted my friend group was and I challenged myself to be more outgoing. In group projects, I used to only do my part and then disengage. But, as I got to know people better, I learned to see the vision of the group and become more social with my peers. This led to better grades and a healthier social life.

CAST Tech
Graduation Speaker
Kevin De La Cruz

Kevin will begin studying mechanical engineering at St. Philip's College with intent to transfer to the University of Texas at Austin. 

How have SAISD schools shaped you into the person you are today?
I’ve been in SAISD since kindergarten. My middle school had prepared me to transfer to a larger high school. My mom had me go to Hawthorne for middle school. Hawthorne shaped me to be a more caring person who could volunteer to help my school. I learned that it is fun to help others. Going to CAST Tech, I saw how open and inviting the school was compared to others I had toured. My freshman year, I was more withdrawn and afraid to open up to others. Now that I am a senior, I am not afraid to be myself in the classroom and became very involved in class events.

As a leader of the Class of 2024, what is your hope for the Class of 2024 as they move on to the next chapter of their lives?
I want everyone to live their life to the fullest extent. You have only one life, so take advantage of all the opportunities you can. I hope that everyone eventually finds success and that they experience the full beauty of life.

 

CAST Tech
Class of 2024

INDUSTRY PARTNERS

 

San Antonio Independent School District
Board Of Trustees

Christina Martinez............President
Alicia Sebastian............Vice President
Arthur V. Valdez............Secretary
Sarah Sorensen............Trustee
Leticia Ozuna............Trustee
Stephanie Torres............Trustee
Ed Garza............Trustee

Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Jaime R. Aquino

Deputy Superintendent
Dr. Shawn Bird

Deputy Superintendent
Patricia Salzmann

Assistant Superintendent
Dr. Melissa Alcala

Center for Applied Sciences and Technology
Board of Trustees

Lisa Lewis, CPS Energy Chief Administrative Officer - President
Dr. Shari Albright, Charles Butt Foundation President - Member
Rene Dominguez, Texas Research & Technology Foundation COO. - Member
Katie Chain, H-E-B Education & Workforce Manager - Member
Erik Nieves, Plus One Robotics - Member
Dr. Lyssa Ochoa, Founder and Surgeon The SAVE Clinic - Member
Erik Ford, Heavy Heavy Principal/Digital Director - Member

Executive Director of CAST Schools
Jeanne Russell

Program Director
Jennifer Maestas

Marketing & Communications Director
Eddie Rodriguez

CAST Tech High School Administration

Principal
Jacob Barber

CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION

REGALIA AND HONORS

CAST Pins
Awarded for Exemplary Character, Attitude, Service, and Trailblazing

Gold Double Cord
Summa Cum Laude Graduate (cumulative GPA of 100 or greater)

Silver Double Cord
Magna Cum Laude Graduate (cumulative GPA of 95-99)

White Double Cord
Cum Laude Graduate (cumulative GPA of 90-94)

Multicolor Cord
Student Voice to District or Network

Orange Single Cord
Successful Completion of College, Career, and Military Readiness Indicator

Honor Stole
Successful Completion of Pathway Courses, Senior Activities

Pendant Stole
Member in Good Standing of the National Honor Society

Joshua Arguello
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Phoebe Ayala
Trinity University Institutional Scholarship

Christian Bustamante Balderas
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Alfonso Castillo Garcia
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Jonah De La Rosa
St. Mary’s University San Antonio Institutional Scholarship
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Joaquin Delgado
Texas State University Institutional Scholarship
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Aidan Fernandez
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Luna Garces
The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship

Joseph Gentile
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Caroline Gianotti
Arizona State University-Tempe Institutional Scholarship
Savannah College of Art and Design Institutional Scholarship

Jose Godinez
Iowa State University Institutional Scholarship
Montana State University Institutional Scholarship

Keliah Henson
Arizona State University-Tempe Institutional Scholarship
Texas State University Institutional Scholarship
The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship
University of Houston Institutional Scholarship

Nathan Landin
Arizona State University-Tempe Institutional Scholarship
Purdue University Main Campus Institutional Scholarship
The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship
University of Maryland-College Park Institutional Scholarship

Michael Lopez
St. Mary’s University San Antonio Institutional Scholarship

Nikolas Maldonado
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Alexander Marin
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Joshua Mata
University of the Incarnate Word Distinguished Scholarship

Andrew Medina
Kent State University at Kent Institutional Scholarship
Texas Woman’s University Institutional Scholarship
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship
University of the Incarnate Word Dean’s Scholarship

Isabella Mendiola
Trinity University Institutional Scholarship
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Celeste Mendoza
Our Lady of the Lake Institutional Scholarship
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Arthur Oracs Calarga
Southwestern University Institutional Scholarship
St. Mary’s University San Antonio Institutional Scholarship
The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship
Trinity University Institutional Scholarship

Diego Perales
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Natalia Perez
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Carla Rivera-Andreu
Louisiana Tech University Institutional Scholarship
Our Lady of the Lake Institutional Scholarship
Texas A&M University-Kingsville Institutional Scholarship
Texas State University Institutional Scholarship
University of North Texas Institutional Scholarship
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Lucas Rivera-Andreu
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

Angel Rodriguez Lopez
Austin College Institutional Scholarship
St. Mary’s University San Antonio Institutional Scholarship
Texas Lutheran University Institutional Scholarship
Texas State University Institutional Scholarship
University of North Texas Institutional Scholarship

Marco Ruiz
Kansas State University Institutional Scholarship
Loyola University Chicago Institutional Scholarship
Ohio University-Main Campus Institutional Scholarship
Saint Edward’s University Institutional Scholarship
University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus Institutional Scholarship

Olivia Sanchez
St. Mary’s University San Antonio Institutional Scholarship

Nicolas Silva Ruiz
Bradley University Institutional Scholarship
Saint Edward’s University Institutional Scholarship

Jeslyn Valdez
Our Lady of the Lake Institutional Scholarship

Trinity Williams
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott Institutional Scholarship
The University of Texas at San Antonio Institutional Scholarship
University of the Incarnate Word Institutional Scholarship

*Alcala, Melissa
Affognon, Stella
Barber, Jacob 
Cadena, Maria
Camarillo, Hector 
Casanova, Selena
Dodd, Carly
Fernandez, Silvia
Flores, Luis
Fox, Elizabeth
Gallegos, Paola
Garcia, David
Garza, Kendra
Gonzalez, Griselda
Guadiano, David
Hauptman, Ashley
Jones, Lisa
Juarez, Richard
King, Dayton
Kretlow, John
? Krummell, Russell
Martinez, Ramon

? Denotes Spring 2024

McClure, Sandra
McDonald, Lauren
McMillen, Jacob
Montalvo, Patricia
Natividad, Jonar
Palmer, Julia
Pina, Vanessa
Quintanilla-Vasquez, Melissa
Ramirez, Elijah
Ramos, Benedicto 
Ramos, Bettina
Ramos, Susan
Riojas, Michelle
Robinson, Cynthia
Rodriguez, Mario
Rodriguez, Yaritza
Thompson, Christopher
Torres, Olympia
Vasquez, Analisa 
Villareal, Cristela
Walley, Jason
Wilkins, Kierstin