SAISD SPOTLIGHT: St. Philip’s College Early College HS student Jeremiah Garza is jumping headfirst into the 2024 vote working as an election clerk 

In a world where voter apathy at times is rampant, it’s good to know there are still future voters like Jeremiah Garza. Because he is not apathetic. Garza is a junior at St. Philip’s College Early College High School, and although he is not old enough to vote, he is an election clerk this year. Garza heard about the opportunity to become a “Youth Do Vote” election clerk from one of his teachers last spring. And that’s all the motivation Garza needed to sign up for the job. The experience in May was an eye opener for him, as he learned how the election and vote gathering process takes place from start to finish. This includes how the machines work, how to load the ballot paper, signing in voters at the front table, everything. He’s ready to do it again Nov. 5.

With early voting starting in Texas on Monday, Oct. 21, Garza can talk about his experience as a student election clerk and why it’s important for everyone to exercise their right to vote. 

Calendar items? 

Oct. 19 (Sat) – SAISD “Día de Teatro” Theater Arts seminar
9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Jefferson High School, 723 Donaldson Ave., 78201
SAISD high school and middle school students interested in Theater Arts are invited to this wonderful opportunity to explore many aspects of the field. This mini conference is designed by the SAISD Theatre Leadership Committee, which is made up of high school students from each campus. The high school leaders will guide student participants in a variety of sessions, including gore makeup, swords and flower prop making, musical choreography, masks and puppets along with much more.

Oct. 19 (Sat) – YWLA Youth Revival Paint Jam
9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 704 W. Houston St. (I-35 & Houston), 78201
The Young Women’s Leadership Academy is teaming up with the organization City Problem Solvers on the Street Revival Paint Jam. YWLA will have 30 National Art Honor Society students painting the pillars under the highway on W. Houston Street. YWLA is collaborating with San Antonio local artist Cristina Noreiga to complete their own pillar. Several other students will be working alongside the other seven San Antonio local artists to assist them with the painting of their pillars. 

Oct. 21 (Mon) – SAISD Board Meeting 
5:30 p.m., SAISD Board Room, 514 W. Quincy St., 78212 or online
Link: https://www.saisd.net/page/dis-board-videos
The SAISD Board of Trustees will hold its regularly scheduled meeting at the central administrative office.

Oct. 22 (Tues) – Pablo Gives Day: Building Brighter Futures Together
10:30 a.m. – 3:15 p.m., De Zavala Elementary, Tafolla Middle, and Lanier High
The SAISD Foundation 13th annual Inspire Awards Honoree and Chief Communications Officer of Chase, Pablo Rodriguez will visit the three SAISD schools he attended while growing up in the Alamo City. He will spend the day teaming up with the SAISD Foundation visiting campuses to encourage literacy, maintaining good grades, and sharing his journey from the West Side to Wall Street. During the day he will help feature two of the foundation’s buses, the Book Buddies Bus, which is a mobile library, and unveil their brand-new STEM Bus, which features programs in eSports, cyber security, and AR/VR technology.

Oct. 23 (Wed) – SAISD Foundation 13th annual Inspire Awards
5:30 to 8:30 p.m., Witte Museum, 3801 Broadway, 78209
Now in its 13th year, the SAISD Foundation will host its annual Inspire Awards to honor four distinguished San Antonio ISD alumni. This year’s honorees include:  
• Dr. Ellen Riojas Clark, Professor Emerita, Division of Bicultural Bilingual Studies at UTSA (Edison High School)  
• Pablo Rodriguez, Chief Communications Officer, Chase Bank (Lanier High School)  
• Bobby Perez, Chief Legal Officer & General Council, Spurs Sports & Entertainment (Jefferson High School)  
• Honorable Xavier Rodriguez, U.S. District Judge, U.S. District Court (Burbank High School)

Oct. 24 (Thurs) – Author visits Woodlawn Hills Elementary
1:30 to 3 p.m., Woodlawn Hills Elementary, 110 W. Quill Drive, 78228
Author Nadine Fonseca will be sharing her newly released book, “If You Need a Friend, An Alebrije Story,” to Woodlawn Hills Elementary students. Through her book and storytelling, she empowers students by demonstrating ways to use their voices to speak up, encourage, and affirm others. Additionally, her book accentuates the Mexican folk art, alebrijes. 

Oct. 24 (Thurs) – SAISD Disability Awareness Month Recognition Night
5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Alamo Stadium, 110 Tuleta Drive, 78212
October is Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness, break down misconceptions, and celebrate the strengths of individuals with learning disabilities and other disorders. SAISD is inviting students with disabilities and their families to be recognized prior to the Sam Houston vs. Jefferson football game in Alamo Stadium. Together, we can foster an environment of compassion, understanding, and opportunity for all.