Patrick Henry Honor Society Goes to Washington!

Verified Non-Profit

Verified Non-Profit

The Description

Located in north Houston, Patrick Henry Middle School serves just over 900 6-8th graders. Of those students, 98% are students of color, 95% are economically disadvantaged, and one-third are labeled as having English as a second language. From high teacher turnover to limited school funding, nearly all of the major issues in public education intersect at the school. 

To an outsider, Patrick Henry might appear as your quintessential failing school. Designated as “Improvement Required” by Houston Independent School District, Patrick Henry was the third-lowest ranked middle school in the district by Children at Risk, a Texas non-profit, in 2015.  

However, this image of Patrick Henry is both unfair and incomplete. For those of us that work there, we know that this labeling writes off far too many hardworking, thoughtful, and intelligent students; students who attend the school through no fault or choice of their own and excel despite their surroundings. These are exactly the sorts of students that deserve our recognition, and the sorts of students for whom teachers enter education.

In an effort to recognize and celebrate some of these students for their achievements and to help further their future academic goals, four 8th grade teachers inaugurated the Patrick Henry Sciences and Humanities Honor Society. Applications were open to all 8th grade students who had at least a 3.25 GPA, exhibited leadership qualities on campus, and completed the application in its entirety — essays and teacher recommendations included. 

At the end of the application process, the group comprised forty of Patrick Henrys’ very best 8th grade students. Happily, they have already benefitted from the group in a number of ways. Nearly every member applied to and was accepted by one of Houston’s top magnet schools including Carnegie Vanguard High School, the High School for Performing and Visual Arts, and the High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice. Additionally, members have honed their marketing and entrepreneurial skills through raising money for trips to colleges and cultural sites around Houston.

At this juncture, though, the Honor Society needs your help. 

The culminating experience of the Honors Society is a trip Washington, D.C., and while members' efforts have raised a significant amount of money, the group is still in need of extra support. Our goal is to ensure that all expenses are fully covered for our students, so that cost is no obstacle for any of them. Your contribution would be going directly to the general fund for transportation (we will take a bus), lodging, and sight-seeing (college visits, visits to D.C. landmarks, etc.). 

Any contribution would be greatly appreciated, and Mr. Luevanos, Mr. Parreno, Mr. Rogers, Mr. Weidner, and all of our students thank you in advance. 

Back Up Plan

If the goal is not met, we are currently exploring two possible alternatives. First, if the gap is small, we will take students to Washington, D.C., nevertheless, however, the group will be limited to students who are able to pay whatever we are not able to fundraise. The second, if the gap is large, is to turn the trip into a tour of Texas at no cost to our students. 

Fundraiser Updates (1)

Thank You!

May 10, 2016

We (the teachers and students) are overwhelmed with the support this trip has received. In reaching our goal, we can fully fund transportation, lodging, and a group meal for all of the Honor Society members. We cannot thank enough everyone who donated.

Having recently received their packing lists and itineraries, the students are finally realizing that the trip really is happening and are more excited now than ever. They cannot wait to hop on the bus next Wednesday.

In the interim, we are leaving the fundraiser open despite meeting our goal. In discussing the logistics of the trip with students, we explained that they will be required to bring $60 to fund meals across the five days. This amount of money has turned out to be a sizable burden for a few more students than we originally anticipated. Any extra dollar from here on out, then, will go directly to mitigating the cost of students' meals. 

Nevertheless, we thank you all so much for your generosity and look forward to posting another update from D.C.

Comments (12)

Mr. Molina May 10, 2016

This will be an amazing opportunity!!! Enjoy it :)

Blair Harder May 4, 2016

Excellent job to you and the students! As a former teacher there, Patrick Henry holds a special place in my heart. Good luck!!

Tim Sweeney May 3, 2016

Chaz,

Aplogies for the delay on this. Hope you're kids have a great time in DC!

Best,
Tim

Kenneth Parreno April 28, 2016

Kenneth , Felicidades, bendiciones y muchas gracias pot hacer una diferencia y crear un mundo mejor. Disfruten de lo lindo Washington DC, Onaida

Mark Proegler April 19, 2016

This donation is in support of Samuel Santiago. Best of luck with your fundraising campaign!

Pablo Resendiz April 18, 2016

Go Patriots! I hope you all reach your goal. I love all of you all!

Sam Morris April 16, 2016

~ ~ ~ ~ gooooo team! ~ ~ ~ ~

Alicia Garcia Richards April 13, 2016

I feel this is a wonderful opportunity for the Patrick Henry Middle School students. It will be a very educational experience!

Terrance Boyd April 13, 2016

I hope y'all reach your goal!

Ms Diggs April 11, 2016

I really hope our scholars will be able to take part in such an awesome experience. DC, here we come!

Sara. April 10, 2016

Every student should have the opportunity to dream bigger and do more. Too often, students with extraordinary potential get overlooked and pushed aside because of their ZIP code. I sincerely appreciate you taking the steps to combat this inequity and give opportunity to those that need it most. Best of luck to your students, and thank you for all that you do.

Courtney Jensen April 10, 2016

Good luck on your fundraising! Patrick Henry student are some of the most deserving middle school kids I know.

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About the Creator

I am a Latino first-generation college graduate. My family immigrated to the U.S. from Ecuador, and they raised me to appreciate how education can open up pathways to opportunity. I attended Harvard College, where I had the opportunities to research in psychology, meet people from around the world, and work to foster community on campus. After working in student life at Harvard for a few years, I decided I wanted to give back to the community that raised me, and I hoped to teach students who grew up with similar backgrounds as I had. I joined Teach for America as a 2013 Corps Member, and I am now teaching for my third year at Patrick Henry Middle School (Houston I.S.D.), a school with a population of 98% students of color and 95% of whom are economically disadvantaged. Having taught sixth grade science my first year, I have moved up with my students each year to teach them in the next grade level. Now, I am preparing them for success in high school and beyond.

Investments (177)

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