On the third floor of Coppell’s VariSpace, Coppell ISD students, families and staff can be seen smiling, hugging, taking pictures and chatting excitedly with those around them. The anticipation is in the air for the incoming student and teacher speeches, which can range from humorous anecdotes to sentimental tributes.
On Tuesday, CISD Education Foundation honored its 2023-2024 CHS Distinguished Scholars and Honored Educators.The academic recognition banquet honors the top five percent of the graduating senior class of Coppell High School and New Tech High @ Coppell, as well as their chosen CISD teacher.
The banquet started with a dinner and remarks by Education Foundation President Jenn Fishman, Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt, New Tech High @ Coppell Principal Joseph Smith and CHS Principal Laura Springer.
“I love the leaders you are and I love that you’re going to go change the world,” Springer said. “I am so blessed to call you our class of 2024.”
The speeches given by 52 pairs of students and teachers discussed the relationships between learner and educator, emphasizing the positive impacts they made on each others’ academic careers and lives, often with sentimental anecdotes.
“It’s an honor to be recognized by the students that you only hope to make an impact on, and the fact that they pick you to be here and celebrate them is special,” AP Biology teacher Dr. Bianca Benitez said. “We [teachers] are often recognized, but there is something to be said about a moment in time where you can cheer them on and highlight all the things that make them special.”
For students, the banquet served as a significant accomplishment that gave recognition to the hard work they’ve poured into their high school careers. It also provided an avenue to show the impact of one of CISD’s core values: relationships.
“I worked really hard throughout all of high school, after a lot of endless nights of studying, but I’m proud to be here,” senior Shreya Rastogi said. “My favorite part was getting up to say my speech about [AP English Literature teacher] Ms. Pearce, because she has had a huge impact on me and getting to share that with other people is great.”
The speech session was accompanied by a dinner, and an intermission from Coppell High School Band Drumline performance. After the banquet concluded, attendees mingled and socialized with other members of the community.
“I love that students are able to pick a teacher that has built them up to be not just an academic student, but a student that’s seen, heard, loved and cared for,” Springer said. “It was fabulous seeing my teachers vulnerable, up there talking in front of not just a crowd of students but parents. I loved seeing how parents are affected by these teachers that love their kids and see them in a different light than they do at home.”
Follow Sabah (@sabah_uddin) and @CHSCampusNews on X.
