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STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS
Hundreds of Plano ISD students captured awards during the 2014-15 school year. Several of their
significant honors are featured in this report.
Intel Internati onal S ci ence & E n g in eer in g Fa ir
Sixteen Plano ISD students attended the 2015 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. Approximately 1,700
high school students from more than 75 countries, regions and territories were awarded the opportunity to showcase
their independent research and compete for approximately $4 million in prizes at the competition. Plano ISD students
brought home a dozen top awards, including second place earned by Nicky Wojtania, Jasper High School; Vivianne Tu
and Claire Goeckner-Wald, Plano Senior High School; and Dara Li and Anoop Vemulapalli, Plano West Senior High
School.
N at i o n a l B ro a d c o m MA S TER S ® Awa r d
Winner
David Yue, Jasper High School freshman,
earned a team award for collaborative work
with others and a first place math award for
his research of 3-D x-ray reconstruction
processing and its application to cancer
prevention at the fifth annual Broadcom
MASTERS® (Math, Applied Science,
Technology and Engineering Rising Star)
national competition. David and his classmate
Natasha Chugh were named finalists while
eighth graders at Rice Middle School in the
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and
Math) competition and took their research
projects to the national event. Semifinalists
from Plano ISD were Natasha Chugh, Anthony
Mellone, Kavya Muralidhar and David Yue,
Rice Middle School; Andrew Goodman,
Wilson Middle School; and Ritik Patnaik,
Hendrick Middle School.
David Yue is pictured at the 2015
ExxonMobil Texas Science &
Engineering Fair with junior division
grand prize and best in show
awards for his research of 3-D x-ray
reconstruction processing and its
application to cancer prevention.
He also won two national awards
with his research at the Broadcom
MASTERS® competition.
S t ud e n t s Exc e l at R e g i o n a l , S t at e & N at i o n a l S TEM C o m p e t i t i o n s
Plano ISD students excelled at the following 2015 regional, state and national STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math) competitions.
• National Junior Science and Engineering Symposium – 2nd place award/$8,000 scholarship
Sixteen Plano ISD students competed
at the Intel International Science Fair,
earning a dozen awards.
• ExxonMobil State Science & Engineering Fair – 1st place grand prize award, 2 first place awards, 9 additional awards
• Texas Junior Academy of Sciences – 3 first place grand prize awards; 6 first place awards advanced to American Junior Academy of Sciences
• Texas Middle School MATHCOUNTS – State 3rd and 4th place teams; Advanced 5 teams to state
I-S WEEEP Ol ympi ad
Sixteen Plano ISD students were invited to attend the 2015 International Sustainable World Energy, Engineering, and
Environmental Project Symposium (ISWEEEP). Students from 67 countries brought 427 projects to the competition.
Among the 13 awards earned by Plano ISD students were top gold awards earned by students from Plano East Senior
High School: Arjun Nenta, Nipun Ramakrishnan and Swapnav Deka (University of Texas Scholarship Award) and
Plano Senior High School: Sujana Nelakanti and Sakina Plumber (Consumer Energy Alliance Award).
Intel S ci ence Tal ent S earc h S em if in a list s
Five Plano ISD senior high school students captured semifinalist standing in the Intel Science Talent Search, the
nation’s most prestigious pre-college science competition. Each semifinalist received a $1,000 award from the Intel
Foundation with an additional $1,000 going to his or her school. Congratulations to Plano Senior High School’s Ria
Chhabra and Ahneesh Jayant Mohanty; Plano West Senior High School’s Raj Munavar Sajjath and Phillip Yu; and
Plano East Senior High School’s Alicia D’Souza.
S i emens C ompeti ti on i n M ath , S cien ce & Tech n olog y
Four Plano ISD students captured semifinalist standing in the prestigious Siemens Competition in Math, Science
and Technology. The premiere science research competition for high school students seeks to promote excellence by
encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects. Congratulations to Max Bu, Plano West Senior
High School; Sujana Nelakanti and Patrick Yu, Plano Senior High School; and Sakina Plumber, Plano East Senior
High School.
Texas D el egate to Nati ona l You th S cien ce Ca m p
Arav Arora, Plano East Senior High School senior, was one of two Texas students selected to represent the state as
delegates to the 2015 National Youth Science Camp. One of the nation’s premier programs in secondary science
education, the camp provided a summer forum in West Virginia where delegates representing each state exchanged ideas
with leading scientists and other professionals from academic and corporate worlds.
• Secondary Regional Science Fair – Advanced 9 senior division grand prize and grand prize runner up awards to
international fair; 2 grand prize, first place awards; Advanced 23 junior division and 43 senior division projects to ExxonMobil State Science & Engineering Fair
• Elementary Regional Science Fair – 4 grand prize awards (sweep); 19 first place awards, 18 second place awards; 13 third place awards; 3 honorable mentions; Entered 100 projects; 3,500 Plano ISD students participated in school fairs to advance to regional fair
C a r e e r & Te c h n i c a l Ed uc at i o n S t ud e n t s Ea r n C e r t i f i c at i o n s a n d Awa r d s
A total of 1,713 industry certifications were received by Plano ISD Career & Technical Education (CTE) students
during the 2014-15 school year.
211 CTE career preparation students participated in training and working through business partnerships in
the area. Another 415 participated in practicum and internships in the areas of health science, animal science,
teaching, culinary and floral design.
131 Plano ISD CTE students advanced to state level competitions following success at area and regional events.
Nineteen students advanced to national/international level competitions in their various organizations, which
promote proficiencies in such fields as
business, technology, programming, culinary
arts, marketing, agricultural science, health
science, auto tech and criminal justice.
CTE students logged over 4,000 hours in
community service projects.
HP CodeWars fourth place novice
teammates from Plano Senior High School
are Casey Hopper, Nikhil Pandeti and
Jeremy Doan with teacher Cynthia Gallatin.
Plano East Senior High School
student Maddy Reed won first place
in customer service in the SkillsUSA
state contest and competed at
nationals. She is pictured with
teacher Lois Conwell.
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ACADEMIC & EXTRACURRICULAR AWARDS
G eog r a p h y Poster Con test S t ate Awa r d s S we e p
2014-15 Varsit y Athletic
Achievement s
Plano ISD elementary school students swept the eight top
awards in the Texas Alliance for Geographic Education’s
Geography Awareness Poster Contest, “The Geography of
Food.”
Baseball – Plano 4th in district
6-6A, advanced to bi-district
playoffs
Basketball (boys) – Plano West
won 6A state title; (girls) Plano
West advanced to final round
of regionals; Plano advanced to
regional quarterfinals
Collin Cou n t y S p ellin g B ee S weep
Plano ISD students swept the top three awards at the 2015
Collin County Spelling Bee, with Nairit Sarkar of Skaggs
Elementary School winning the championship and advancing
to the Dallas Morning News Regional Spelling Bee.
Cross Country (boys) – Plano
East advanced one athlete to
regionals; Plano West advanced
one athlete to state
Da lla s Ar ea a n d S t ate H istor y Day Com p e t i t i o n s
Speech & Debate Honors and Champions
Plano Senior High School
teammates won the first
place sweepstakes award at
the state speech tournament.
Ten students from Plano East Senior High School, presenting
in three separate teams at the State History Fair, captured one
3rd place award for group performance and two 4th place awards for group exhibit and documentary, respectively.
2015 UIL Class 6A Boys State Basketball Champions - Plano West Senior High School Wolves
S tudent C ounci l s of Excel l en ce
Four Plano ISD elementary schools were among 104 Texas campuses to earn 2015 Student Council of Excellence
awards sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals. Hedgcoxe, Hughston, Rasor and Skaggs
student councils were awarded based on community service, student leadership, citizenship and school spirit.
Texas St ate Capitol Ar t Exhibit
Artworks by seven Plano ISD students were selected for the 2015 State Youth Art Month Capitol
Exhibit. The following students were awarded: Shenai Chan, Robinson Middle School; Susie
Chang, Skaggs Elementary School; Faith Edge, Haun Elementary School; Ruth Kwan, Plano
Senior High School; Hyeon Doh Lee, Plano West Senior High School; Danna Shrem, Mitchell
Elementary School; and Chloe Vogt, Plano West Senior High School.
FINE ARTS AWARDS
Ei ght y-fi ve S tudent s Name d All- S t ate M u sicia n s
The Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) announced the selection of 85 Plano ISD students for positions in
2015 coveted all-state music groups. These students spent three days of intensive rehearsals with outstanding guest
conductors and performed in concert before the TMEA convention membership in San Antonio.
Ri ce M i ddl e S chool Band Ea r n s S u d ler Cu p
The John Philip Sousa Foundation named the Rice Middle School Band, directed by Jason Tucker, Amber Garduno
and David Lipe, as a recipient of the national 2015 Sudler Cup. The award identifies, recognizes and honors the most
selective middle school concert band programs for demonstrating significantly high standards of excellence in concert
activities over a period of several years. An engraved silver cup was presented to the staff and students by members of the
John Philip Sousa Foundation.
Choral Excel l ence Award
Plano West Senior High School Choir Director Kathy Hackett received the 2014 Choral Excellence Award from the
Texas Choral Directors Association. The award was presented in recognition of her distinguished career directing
choirs that have performed at the highest levels of artistry. Choirs under Mrs. Hackett’s direction have performed
by invitation for the Texas Music Educators Association and American Choral Directors Association on multiple
occasions.
H onor Orches tras
Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) announced the selection of the Plano Senior High School Full Orchestra,
directed by Brian Coatney, Tara Cesario and Jeremy Kondrat, as High School Honor Full Orchestra. In the string
orchestra competition, the Jasper High School Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Ryan Ross, was named first
runner up and the Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Jo Wallace-Abbie, placed third. In
the middle school division, Rice Middle School Orchestras earned second place (full orchestra) and fifth place (string
orchestra).
DMA Young Masters Exhibition
Twenty-five works of art by Plano ISD students were included in the 2015 Young Masters Exhibit
“Self Portrait” by Shenai Chan which were displayed at the Dallas Museum of Art. Students earned nine awards in the areas of
original two- or three-dimensional art, original essay in response to art in the museum’s permanent collection and
original music composition.
VA SE Ar t Competitions
The Region 10 VASE (Visual Arts Scholastic Event) contest, held at a Plano ISD high school, attracted 1,656 artworks
submitted by students in several school districts: 750 works were original creations by Plano ISD students in grades
9-12. Judges selected 113 works to advance to the State VASE contest. Of the 113 selected works, 63 were by Plano
ISD students. At State VASE, 1,026 students earned a “4” rating and 177 artworks were selected as Gold Seal winners,
including 10 works by Plano ISD students.
Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards
Plano Senior High School and Plano West Senior High School theater departments earned 13 nominations for
excellence in musical theater production in the Dallas Summer Musicals Fourth Annual High School Musical Theatre
Awards competition. The two senior highs and Shepton High School participated in the competition. Plano West won
awards for “Best Direction” (Grant Goble and Norval Sykes), “Best Lighting Design” and “Best Actor” (Chris Clark).
Chris was honored with an all-expense paid trip to the National High School Musical Theatre Awards - Jimmy Awards in New York City.
UIL One -Act Play Competitions
Plano ISD’s three senior high schools competed in the 2015 University Interscholastic League’s
One-Act Play competition. Plano ISD had two advancing plays, best actor Seun Williams, Plano
East Senior High School, three of the eight all-star casts and four of the eight honorable mention
all-star cast awards. Plano East and Plano West senior high schools advanced to the district
contest.
Band and Orches tra M ark o f E xcellen ce Awa r d s
Nine Plano ISD ensembles were selected from a field of 224 entries from 35 states for distinction in five categories of
competition in 2014 Mark of Excellence Awards, based on performance recordings. The top quarter in each category
were selected as national winners and the second quarter receive commended honors.
National Winners
• Plano East Senior High School Wind Ensemble
• Plano East Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Plano West Senior High School Chamber Orchestra
• Murphy Middle School Chamber Orchestra
Six Plano ISD middle schools competed to a full house in the UIL One-Act Play contest in
March, 2015. Robinson and Renner middle schools captured first place awards during “A” and
“B” competitions, respectively.
Commended Honors
• Clark High School Chamber Orchestra
• Jasper High School Wind Ensemble
• Rice Middle School Wind Ensemble
• Robinson Middle School Wind Ensemble
PTA Reflections Competition
Nearly 300 students were awarded in the Plano ISD Council of PTAs’ 2015 Reflections program.
“The World Would Be A Better Place If…” was the contest theme, which generated 1,826
participants across the district, including 534 submissions to the council. The council submitted
21 local entries to the Texas PTA Reflections Program, where 16 were awarded and one advanced
to National PTA.
Seun Williams
Luciana Schement, Plano ISD’s first state champion girls
wrestler, is pictured with her Coach Eric Semifero.
Football – Plano West advanced
to area round in 6A Division I
playoffs; Plano named 4th in
District 6-6A and 6A Division II
bi-district finalist
Golf (boys) – Plano West 2nd
place in district, 2nd at regionals,
3rd at state; Plano advanced one
athlete medalist to regionals;
(girls) Plano West teams 2nd
place in district, advanced to
regionals, one medalist to state;
Plano East advanced one medalist
to regionals and one to state
Soccer (boys and girls) – Plano
West 2nd place in district,
advanced to area
Softball – Plano 4th in district,
bi-district finalist; Plano West
3rd in district, bi-district finalist
Swimming – Three senior
high school teams qualified
athletes for regional meet; Plano
advanced 13 athletes to state, won
bronze in boys 200 medley relay;
Plano West advanced one athlete
to state
Team Tennis – Plano West state
semifinalist; Spring Tennis
– Plano advanced one boy to
regionals; Plano West advanced a
girls’ doubles team and a mixed
doubles team to state
Track – Plano advanced 7 girls to
regionals, 2 boys to state; Plano
East advanced 7 girls and 2 boys
to state; Plano West advanced 10
girls and 11 boys to regionals
Volleyball – Plano won 4th in
district, advanced to bi-district
Wrestling – Three senior high
school teams qualified athletes
(25 boys and 7 girls) to regional
meet; Plano East’s Luciana
Schement won the gold medal
at state (119 lbs.) making her the
first state champion girls wrestler
for Plano ISD.