Three graduates lead DHS Class of 2015

as Valedictorian and Salutatorians

Leading the Dickinson High School Class of 2015 are, left to right, Co-Salutatorian Anthony Azagidi, Valedictorian Bill Duong and Co-Salutatorian Crystal McDuffie.

Bill Duong led the Dickinson High School Class of 2015 as the Valedictorian, while two graduates, Anthony Azagidi and Crystal McDuffie, tied for the title of Salutatorian.

Duong will be attending Rice University to study biomedical engineering. During high school he has focused on math and science classes, while serving as co-president of the Gator TRUST, treasurer of the National Honor Society and the National English Honor Society and captain of the varsity tennis team. He has also been involved in the swim team, UIL Academic contests, National Forensic League and debate and volunteered at the M.I. Lewis Food Pantry and the UTMB Specialty Care Clinic.

Anthony Azagidi is one of the two 2015 DHS salutatorians. He will be attending the University of Pennsylvania to major in biomedical engineering. He hopes to work with stem cells and improve medical techniques and equipment. Azagidi has focused on science and physics during high school and served as president of the National Honor Society and the National Social Studies Honor Society. He has also been involved in tennis, Academic Decathlon, UIL science competitions and the HOSA organization. In the community, he has volunteered at the M.I. Lewis Food Pantry, the UTMB Victory Lakes Urgent Care and at his church.

Crystal McDuffie also served as the 2015 DHS Salutatorian. She will be attending the University of Texas at Austin to study computer engineering. While serving as a section leader in the DHS Band and secretary of the National English Honor Society, some of her academic focuses have been physics, calculus, European History, English, economics and government. She has also been involved in Debate and Academic Decathlon. McDuffie has volunteered at the Dickinson Festival of Lights, the Helen Hall Library, Dickinson High School Marching Festival and at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center.  

Summer Recreation Program set for June 9-25

Students are kicking off the summer break in Dickinson ISD enjoying some fun games, arts and crafts and gym time, as well as two hot meals in the district's Summer Recreation Program. The free program, which is sponsored by the school district, the Dickinson Economic Development Corporation and Galveston County, provides parents with a way to keep their school-age students occupied in a safe and fun way during the first three weeks of summer.
 

"The kids need something to do in a safe place with friends and something which keeps them busy and off the streets," said Rosalyn Barnett, a Dickinson ISD teacher who has supervised the program for about 17 years.

  The program runs Monday through Thursday until June 25. Students in kindergarten through sixth grade can participate from 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., while older students in grades 7-12 can come from 12-3 p.m. The students receive free hot meals from 8:30-9 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.-12 noon through the district's Food and Nutrition Department summer meal program. 
 

Students can pick the days they come and are not required to come every day. By the end of the three-week program, more than 200 students are generally registered.
 

"We average about 100 younger students each day in the morning and about 30-50 older students in the afternoon," said Barnett. "I have seen many students come through our summer program and even some who attended as children who are now bringing their own kids.
 

Each day, students rotate through several activities, including a room with board games, an arts and crafts room and the open gym. Two days a week, the students also rotate through an area provided by the Bay Area Council on Drugs and Alcohol organization, which provides them with age-appropriate lessons about saying no to drugs and alcohol.

Ernest Hubert, Dickinson ISD Director of Student Services and Special Projects, said the district is buying resources this year to start a literacy component to the summer recreation program next summer. "We plan to add a teacher to the program next summer to reinforce reading during one of the rotations for the students," said Hubert.
 

A.J. Russ, who just finished seventh grade at McAdams Junior High, has been coming for several years. "I like playing basketball and seeing my friends," said Russ. 
 

Another student, Tati Fair, who completed third grade at Hughes Road Elementary, said, "I like to come and spend time with my cousin and play basketball and paint."

Angeline Nguyen, who just finished fifth grade at Dunbar Middle School, has participated in the program through elementary and middle school. "It's fun. We get to play lots of games," she said.