Yoakum ISD
track

Students recognized at YISD Board meeting, resignations and retirees announced

By Clayton Kelley

  • Rodney Svec took the administrator Oath of Office at the May 12 Yoakum ISD School Board meeting. Pictured from left to right are Svec and Yoakum ISD School Board President Glen Kusak
    Rodney Svec took the administrator Oath of Office at the May 12 Yoakum ISD School Board meeting. Pictured from left to right are Svec and Yoakum ISD School Board President Glen Kusak
  • Pictured from left to right are Sam Adamek, Jayla Hessler, Valentina Hopkins, Makayle Olmedo, and Yoakum High School (YHS) Lady Bulldog Track Coach Dennis Muehlstein. The team placed 7th in the 4x200 meter relay at the State Meet.
    Pictured from left to right are Sam Adamek, Jayla Hessler, Valentina Hopkins, Makayle Olmedo, and Yoakum High School (YHS) Lady Bulldog Track Coach Dennis Muehlstein. The team placed 7th in the 4x200 meter relay at the State Meet.
  • X’Zavier Barnett placed 6th in the triple jump and Trae Cuellar placed 9th in the triple jump at the recent 2025 state Track Meet in Austin. Pictured from left to right are Barnett, Yoakum High School (YHS) Bulldog Track Coach Gary Garvin, and Cuellar. The students were honored at the Yoakum ISD May 12 School Board meeting. YHT Staff photo.
    X’Zavier Barnett placed 6th in the triple jump and Trae Cuellar placed 9th in the triple jump at the recent 2025 state Track Meet in Austin. Pictured from left to right are Barnett, Yoakum High School (YHS) Bulldog Track Coach Gary Garvin, and Cuellar. The students were honored at the Yoakum ISD May 12 School Board meeting. YHT Staff photo.
  • Cora Trujillo recently won the 2nd grade Spelling Bee at Yoakum Primary School (YPS). Pictured from left to right are Trujillo and YPS Principal Rebecca Fitch. Not pictured is Mauricio Vigna, winner of the 1st grade Spelling Bee.
    Cora Trujillo recently won the 2nd grade Spelling Bee at Yoakum Primary School (YPS). Pictured from left to right are Trujillo and YPS Principal Rebecca Fitch. Not pictured is Mauricio Vigna, winner of the 1st grade Spelling Bee.

    Students were recognized at the Yoakum Independent School District meeting May 12 for both art and track.

    Taylor Velek was recognized for her submission in an art contest. Her artwork, titled “Ranch Hands” qualified for state competition. There were 2,359 artworks judged. She scored a 3, or “Superior” rating. Velek marks Yoakum High School’s sixth art student in the last five years to qualify with the honor.

    “Fine arts are an important and integral part of our school system,” YISD Board President Glen Kusak said.

    Those recognized for track placed 7th in the 2025 State Meet. Samantha Adamek, Jayla Hessler, Valentina Hopkins and Makayla Olmedo were recognized for this. Hessler also placed 1st in the triple jump. For the boys State Meet, X’Zavier Barnett placed 6th in the triple jump while Trae Cuellar placed 9th.

    Resignations and retirees were also announced at the meeting.

    Band Director Mario Morales and Assistant Band Director Cait Kosch submitted their resignations.

    Other resignations included 5th grade Special Education teacher Kaitlyn Kvinta, 1st grade teacher Macy Morales, 2nd grade teacher Shelby Bordovsky. Those retiring are High School Special Education teacher Debra Vahalik and High School Spanish teacher Karen Boone.

    Other items on the agenda include:

    • The tax assessor collector collected $13.6 million in Maintenance and Operation and $5.9 million in Interest and Sinking.

    • Student enrollment numbers showed that 1,432 students are enrolled at YISD. This time last year, it was 1,461.

    • Kindergarten graduation is Thursday, May 22 at 9:30 a.m. Primary end of awards will be on Tuesday, May 20. The Gifted and Talented Showcase for Intermediate School will be May 15. A talent show for the Yoakum Junior High School will be May 22. The High School Academic Banquet will be May 19 at 6 p.m. The Baccalaureate Graduation will be held May 18 at 5 p.m. at the Community Center. Graduation will be May 23 at the Bulldog Stadium.

    • Board member Rodney Svec took the oath of office. All board members remained in their roles.

    • The board discussed their 2023 TEA ratings. The district scored a “B” rating.

    • It was reported that the students and teachers recently celebrated Teacher Appreciation Week.

    • The board approved the TEA Certification of Provision of Instructional Materials for the 2025-26 school year.