Yoakum ISD

YISD honors All-State band members, swears in board members

Yoakum ISD recognized members of the Yoakum Bulldog Band who were selected for All-State honors this past school year when board of directors met for their meeting on Monday, June 5.

Student recognitions were given. Trombone player Alex Cardenas and Jordyn Eviez on the clarinet both received a “good” ratings, while Rafeal Quilpas on the French horn brought home “superior” ratings from the UIL band competitions.

The brass trio of Amauri Alvarado, Alondra DeLos Santos, and River Bergman, and the quartet stylings of Delanie Dominguez, Najela Howard, Konner Dismuke, and Dylan Shimek, all received “excellent” ratings.

Yoakum High School boys track athletes involved with the 4x100-meter relay were also recognized as All-State runners placing seventh. Members were Jayden Jones, KaDarius Price, Zach Taylor, and Qyion Williams

Also, board members Darlene Renken, Gary Colman, and Amanda Fling accepted their new oaths of office, having been the only candidates to file for their respective offices during the May local elections.

Both Renken and Fling likewise held on to their positions as secretary and assistant secretary.

Preliminary STAAR test and end-of-course results showed that high school students showed significant improvements in their English I, English II, and Algebra I scores this year.

“I’m so proud of our kids,” Superintendent Tom Kelley said. “It’s a tribute to the leadership on our campus and our teachers doing such a good job.”

Enrollment reports showed 45 new transfer students arriving for the 2023-24 school year, with 1,482 students anticipated for the start of school on Aug. 16, the same as district leaders saw for the start of last school year.

Eighty kids enrolled in summer school this year, which continues through the remainder of June.

  • Pictured in the front row from left to right are Rafael Quilpas, River Bergman, and Delanie Dominguez. Pictured in the back row from left to right are Yoakum ISD School Board President Glen Kusak, Yoakum High School Band Director Aaron Villarreal, Dylan Shimek, and Yoakum High School Band Director Lacy Orsak.
    Pictured in the front row from left to right are Rafael Quilpas, River Bergman, and Delanie Dominguez. Pictured in the back row from left to right are Yoakum ISD School Board President Glen Kusak, Yoakum High School Band Director Aaron Villarreal, Dylan Shimek, and Yoakum High School Band Director Lacy Orsak.