New Braunfels ISD EDUCATION FOUNDATION

Our presenters eloquently recognized our distinguished alumni.

Scott Haag, a 5th generation Comal County resident, graduated from New Braunfels High School in 1977, where he was a member of the Mighty Unicorn Marching Band. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 1974. Scott attended both Texas A&M University and Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. Scott left college in 1980 after he was hired by the Texas Department of Public Safety as a Highway Patrol trooper. After completing recruit training, he was initially stationed in Palacios, Texas where he met Sandra, and they were married in 1981. As luck would have it, two years later Scott was assigned to Comal County where he would serve the next 13 years. Scott ended his law enforcement career in San Marcos with the License and Weight division of the Texas Department of Public Safety where he honorably retired in 2008, after a 28-year career. Scott and Sandra are parents to two beautiful girls, Kathleen and Sarah, and proud grandparents to two grandchildren. Not one to sit around, Scott then began his next career, Comal County politics. He was elected as Precinct 2 Commissioner and was sworn in on January 1, 2011. He was instrumental in forming the Comal Trinity Groundwater Conservation District and was awarded a Chair of the Board award from the New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce for his water conservation efforts. Scott is also very passionate about Comal County history and managing the growth in the county. He is involved in the Wurstfest Association, serving as an Opa Emeritus, and past president. He is a Baron with the Braunfels Foundation Trust, and a longtime member of First Protestant Church of New Braunfels.

Karen (Goff) Boyd was born to Myra Lee Adams (also a Distinguished Alumni) and Glyn Goff and is a 6th generation New Braunfelser. Myra Lee, Karen and her siblings, Patty and Marc, are all Unicorns and Karen graduated from NBHS in 1974. During her time at New Braunfels High School, Karen was a member of the National Honor Society, Student Council and German Club, but her proudest moments as a Unicorn were served marching, with her flute at half time, as the Lt. Colonel of the Mighty Unicorn Band. After graduation, Karen attended the University of Texas in Austin where she majored in Pharmacy. Her college years were also where she met her husband to be, Rich Boyd, who was an athletic trainer for the Longhorns. Following college, Karen would go on to serve for 38 years as a pharmacist for McKenna/Christus Santa Rosa, a career of which she is tremendously proud. Another of Karen’s proudest and notable accomplishments is her service on the Comal County Historical Commission. She was appointed to the Commission in 2010, by then County Judge, Danny Scheel and has held various positions on the Commission since. Other volunteer positions Karen has held include: Member and Past President of the Ferdinand Lindheimer Chapter of the Daughters of the Republic of Texas; Member and Past President of the Sophienburg Museum and Archives; Member of the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of New Braunfels; Committee Member of the Comal County Courthouse Restoration Celebration; Editor and Technical Assistant for the ‘Around the Sophienburg,’ a historical compilation of 11 years of Herald Zeitung articles, chronicling our history; and Member of the Mission Hill Heritage Park Steering Committee. Karen and Rich have 2 children, Erin who lives in Austin and Brett who lives in Corpus Christi, also both Unicorns. They also have two grandchildren, Jack and Reed. The Boyd’s are multi-generational members of First Protestant Church, where Karen and Rich served as the Youth Fellowship Sponsors. Karen is also a multi-generational member and past president of the Gay 40’s club. During her free time, she loves to host family from near and far and enjoys traveling, with one of her favorite trips being to Scotland.

Rocky and Joy Hill's family are fourth generation Unicorns – Rocky’s mother, Norma Jo Hill, daughter, Cristina, and grandchildren all went through the NBISD. In fact, niece Amber taught at New Braunfels and nephew Trent Wenzel teaches at New Braunfels High School. Rocky attended Seele Elementary, New Braunfels Junior High, and is a 1972 New Braunfels High School graduate. He was involved with FFA, played golf, and was a roving defensive back under a young position coach, Jim Streety, and head coach, Luke Thomas. After graduating with the class of 1972, Rocky attended Texas Tech University and graduated with a degree in Animal Science. He was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity and is a current member of the Red Raider Club. Rocky was destined to return home to New Braunfels to help run the family’s Ol’ Bossy dairy operations, but the dairy would close five months before he graduated. At Joy’s urging, they opened their own business, Rocky Hill Equipment Rentals, celebrating its 40th anniversary next year. Their second company, JCH Construction, was opened in 1989. Rocky has been president of the Comal County Fair Association, the Comal County Junior Livestock Association and a top ten youth auction buyer for years at the junior shows. Rocky has been a member and board member of the Texas Rental Association and the American Rental Association. He is a member of the Greater New Braunfels Chamber of Commerce. Rocky Hill Equipment Rentals has supported Communities in Schools and scholarships Robert (Rocky) Stacy Hill for those students and was one of the first sponsors of the Braunfels Foundation Trust’s First Step Campaign for vocational and technical scholarships. The NBISD has also been the lucky beneficiary of Rocky and Joy’s generosity. Rocky Hill Equipment was the inaugural sponsor of the new electronic scoreboard, which they continue to sponsor today. They have sponsored numerous athletic activities like the NBHS All Sports Booster Club and sponsored breakfasts for teachers at their annual convocation. A donation to sponsor a fireworks display in 2020 for the 175th Anniversary of the founding of New Braunfels was stymied due to covid but used in the city’s 2021 annual July fourth celebration. Robert Stacy Hill’s contributions to the NBISD, to his community, and to his state are textbook definitions of an outstanding graduate of New Braunfels High School.

Yesterday we presented the Distinguished Unicorn Alumni Award to New Braunfels High School graduates. Congratulations Rocky Hill, Karen Boyd and Scott Haag!

These alumni have demonstrated leadership, outstanding moral character and empathy toward others in their personal and professional lives, whether as mentors, role models, business or professional leaders or civic volunteers.

Thank you to past recipients for joining us as well.

Thank you to everyone who made today possible!

We loved seeing all of the Dragons this morning at The Expo and look forward to welcoming Unicorns this afternoon!

We can't wait to see you at Expo today!

Read all about this amazing day we love so much!!!! CONGRATULATIONS to all our amazing winners!!

https://nbisdnews.org/nbisd-education-foundation-awards-65000-to-teachers/

Our favorite day of the year has started!!! Who is getting awarded grants today during our grant parade?!?!

Please get out and vote! This one is so important for our district. The needs have to be met, so the vote determines how that is done. Voting FOR this bond does NOT increase your tax rate! All three portions are critical for our students. Even the stadium for LCHS becomes crucial when you learn the alternative. Please take a moment to learn about these propositions and then go vote!

https://nbisdnews.org/elections/bond2024/

Brought a few smiles to the employees of NBISD on a dreary day. Just a little sweet treat to say thank you for all you do!! Shoutout to Boozy & Baked for helping make this happen!!!

We cannot find enough ways to say THANK YOU to everyone who helps us support NBISD. Each sponsor, donor, ticket, and participant helped us award over $55,000 last year for teacher grants and field trip assistance.

NBISD Education Foundation was formed in 1999. So far, we have awarded over $900,000 through grants and field trips. All thanks to the support of an amazing community!

🎉🦄We Celebrated the Era of the Unicorn in a big way!

🤗🤗Thank you so much to every sponsor, donator, attendee, and participant.

🎶🪖The ROTC took care of getting our sponsors parked and the Choir, Drumline, and Jazz Band provided excellent entertainment.

Do you have your ticket?!?! We are set for a wonderful Taste of the Town. …and the weather is going to be beautiful for it this year!!!
Tickets still available online and at the door! February 1, 6-9.

Tickets available at http://nbtasteofthetown.com/information/

It’s that time of year!!! Everybody’s favorite event - the 14th annual Taste of the Town is February 1st! Check out the website for Participant, Sponsorship, and Ticket opportunities.

http://nbtasteofthetown.com/

Early voting is coming up and it is criticism that those in NBISD understand the propositions up for consideration. As always, the wording is confusing.

We aren’t here to tell you how to vote, just to be sure you understand the implications as you decide. Please take a moment to review the information before you go vote.

Elections PROP A: VATRE VIDEO PRESENTATION VOTER INFO FAQs CONTACT US REQUEST A PRESENTATION ON PROP A Voter-Approval Tax Rate Election (VATRE)

The Big Give is winding down, but you still have two more times for the bonus “Match Minutes” at 4:10 and 5:10.

https://www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/new-braunfels-isd-education-foundation

We appreciate your support! Bonus times this morning are at 8:10 and 9:10!

https://www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/new-braunfels-isd-education-foundation

https://www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/new-braunfels-isd-education-foundation

Here we go!!! Hint, hint - we would love for the donation to come in at 6:10 if you can because that’s a bonus moment!!!

https://www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/new-braunfels-isd-education-foundation

⏰⏰⏰Set your alarms!! Big Give starts at 6pm today and goes through 6pm tomorrow (Sept 20 - 21) so you can support your favorite non-profit!!🦄🦄🦄

🔗🔗The link is already live, in case that timeline doesn’t work for you.

We appreciate your support!🤗

https://www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/new-braunfels-isd-education-foundation

Big Give is next week!!

If you are worried you will miss it or already know you won’t be available, the link is already live!! We would appreciate your support.

https://www.thebiggivesa.org/organizations/new-braunfels-isd-education-foundation

Always decide to surround yourself with greatness. 🦄🦄🦄

We had the distinct privilege to celebrate our newest Distinguished Unicorn Alumni this week🥰🥰

Kahala Crayton graduated from New Braunfels High School in 1992. At NBHS, Kahala
was a member of the French Club where she served as President, Hagars History Club, Drama Club, Speech and Debate club, Band Officer, Student Council, and Senior Class Officer as the Secretary. After high school, while attending Baylor University she was a Baylor Belle. Kahala's educational achievements include her receiving a Communication Specialist Bachelor's degree from Baylor University, a Master's in Speech Communication from Texas State University and she continues her Doctoral work at the University of California at Davis in Cultural Studies with an emphasis in Atrican American Studies and Media. Kahala has shared her talents with many in numerous educational environments. She has protessionally served many positions for several Colleges and Universities in Texas and California. Currently she is a Learning and Development Specialist at the University of Las Vegas. She has extensively worked with the Student Leadership Institute (SLI) where she has helped to develop and inspire students to become proactive, productive, and engaged leaders on campus, in the workplace, and in their community. Kahala has a passion for higher education and empowering each person she interacts with to reach their highest learning potential.

We had the distinct pleasure of celebrating our amazing Distinguished Unicorn Alumni this week.

Heather Woods Sanders graduated #3 in the New Braunfels High School Class of 1987. She was a member of the National Honor Society and Student Council, participated in volleyball, basketball, cross country, and track. She was a recipient of the Gary Simon Memorial Scholarship, granted to a senior who is an NBHS athlete and displays leadership, schoo pride and a love for the outdoors. Heather
was also the mascot, Eunice the Unicorn, her junior and senior year! As a Unicorn, her most memorable moments are the relationships she built with teachers and coaches such as Gary Poeck, Judy Seitert, and Sally Kingsbury, along with Doc Laird, Coach Davis, Coach Perry, Coach Streety, and Coach Kingsbury all of which she describes as an "iconic aroup" and made a huge impact on her life. After high school, Heather earned her degree from Austin College, where she played volleyball and earned Academic All-Conference and Volleyball All-Conference awards and was later inducted into the Austin College Hall of Honor (1 996). This year begins Heather's 30th year in education: two years at Bryan High School, three years at New Braunfels High School, and the last 25 years at Canyon High School where she currently serves as the Head Volleyball Coach and Assistant Athletic Coordinator. Prior to last year, Heather was also an AP Calculus teacher, and devoted a lot of her time helping kids succeed. She carried her coaching persona into the classroom, creating the "US vs. THEM" approach to the AP Exam...in hopes that the end result was a win! Heather has been named the Great Harvard Prize Book Winner, Kens ExCel Teacher Award Winner, Trinity Prize Distinguished Educator Award, Texas Exes Award for Outstanding Teachers, CHS 590 Comal ISD Teacher of the Month, Canyon High School Teacher of the Year, and Comal ISD District Teacher of the Year. Heather is not only a respected educator, she is an extremely reputable coach and has been selected as the Texas Girls Coaches Association All-Star Coach three times, has been named SA
Express News Coach of the Year, VYPE Coach of the Year - San Antonio Area, Texas Volleyball Insider Central Texas Ambassador, and most recently for the 2022/2023 year was named the Region & Volleyball Coach of the Year by the Texas High School Coaches Association. This past spring, Heather was selected to participate in the Marine Educator Workshop in San Diego, where she spent a week experiencing the life of a 13-week Marine recruit getting a glimpse into the career that two Canyon High School graduates, Marine Lance Corporal John Farias and Marine Sgt. Thomas Spitzer, had chosen before losing their lives while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan. The experience is one she will never forget. Heather and her husband, Brien, have been married 29 years and have one daughter, Logan, who is most definitely their pride and joy. Logan is a freshman at Canyon High School this year, finally getting to join her mom!

We had the distinct honor of celebrating our newest Distinguished Unicorn Alumni this week. They are truly amazing people🥰

Joe Castilleja is like most Proud Unicorns: he serves the community he loves. Joe's family has been in New Braunfels for three-generations. Joe graduated from New Braunfels in 1977. where he was captain of the football team, played baseball and ran a little track. He was selected Mr. NBHS, elected president of his class, and was President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Joe was also a Student Council representative, a member of the French Club, and was Duke in the Queen of Hearts fundraiser. In his adult life, Joe saw the opportunity to serve his alma mater by leading the NBISD Facilities Committee, promoting the bond propositions, as well as, chairing the political action committee to ensure its passage. He also served on the Coma Independent School District's Business Advisory Committee. After graduation, Joe attended Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos where he earned a BBA with concentration in finance in 1981. Joe is a career banker and has worked at Frost Bank for the past eleven years, where he is Sr. Vice President of Community Business Banking. Joe served on the City's Strategic Planning Committee, for the 2013 and 2015 City Bond Advisory Committee. He was Vice-chair ot Planning and Zoning, a member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment and graduate of the Inaugural Class of 2011, City University. Castilleia was also Chair of the Board for the Greater New Brauntels Chamber of Commerce in 2015. Joe also served on the city's Recreation Committee that designed and named Das Rec. In 2019, Castilleja was the recipient of the Bes-serung Award Citizen of the Year), as announced at the annual banquet of Greater New Brauntels Chamber ot Commerce. currently, Joe serves on the boards ot the Mckenna roundation and the United way. He is an Opa Emeritus in the Wursttest Association.
Joe is married to Kristy and the proud parents of Dylan and Chloe.

Big Give is coming up - please be sure to mark your calendars and spread the word!