Jan. 14, 2025

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHAT: CAST Schools presents the 7th annual Speak Up Speak Out San Antonio Civics Fair, hosted by Texas A&M University-San Antonio, where over 250 students in grades 3rd – 12th from across the greater San Antonio area will present ideas to civic leaders on how to improve San Antonio. Students will aim to solve community problems by engaging with adults who care. 

Top ranked teams will advance to the state-wide civics fair in Austin on April 5. The CAST Schools Speak Up Speak Out Civics Fair is conducted in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life to teach students about their communities and equip them with the tools to make a difference. Students conduct extensive research through interviews, surveys, and by exploring digital and library resources. As students craft their solutions, they work with community experts to receive feedback on their proposed ideas. Students learn to activate their voice and discover the power they have to change their communities for the better. 

Throughout the competition, over 60 judges from San Antonio’s business and civic communities will listen and provide students with feedback. The top four high school teams and the top four middle school teams will advance to the state competition at UT Austin on April 5.

The event is sponsored by: H-E-B, CPS Energy, The H-E-Butt Foundation, Holt Group, City of San Antonio Department of Human Services, Broadway Bank, SAVE Clinic, Frost Bank, City Education Partners, and Port San Antonio.

WHO: 250+ students from across San Antonio in grades 6th through 12th
Remarks by Sarah and Lilith Tijerina (SAY Si, SACA)
60 judges from San Antonio businesses and local government agencies including:
· Gladys Hernandez, City Education Partners
· Katie Chain, H-E-B
· Ginger Friesenhahn, East Central ISD Trustee
· Jeanette Ball, Southwest ISD Superintendent
· Rachel Sakai, Bexar County First Lady
· Janine Garcia, San Antonio River Authority
· Beki Hutchison, HOLT Group
· Vidya Rangachar, CPS Energy

WHEN: Friday, January 17, 2025
· 9:30 a.m. - Welcome and Kick-Off with remarks by Sarah and Lilith Tijerina
· 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.  Student presentations
· 1 – 1:30 p.m.  Awards Ceremony

WHERE: Texas A&M University – San Antonio Auditorium, One University Way

For any media inquiries, please contact Stephanie Gaitan at 210-240-6107 or stephanie@castschools.com.

ABOUT THE CAST Schools Network
The Centers for Applied Science & Technology (CAST) is a San Antonio-based network of tuition-free, public schools with a mission to reinvent schooling in order to maximize options for students while preparing them for college, career, and life. Open to all Bexar County students, the network includes high schools CAST Tech, CAST Teach, CAST STEM, CAST Med, CAST Lead and the Advanced Learning Academy. Schools are co-created with industry, and partner with area public school districts, including Northside, San Antonio, Southwest, and East Central ISDs. For more information, visit castschools.com. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.