Hempstead ISD employees were greeted by the Hempstead High School drumline as they entered the high school auditorium. The Bobcat cheerleaders and representatives from the Hempstead High School football and volleyball teams helped welcome 259 employees to the 2022 Convocation.
The annual event kicked off the 2022-2023 school year with a staff pep rally. Hempstead High School theater students Eric Ramires and Nadia Moreno welcomed the staff back for the new school year thanking them for their dedication to the students of Hempstead ISD.
“Thank you for dedicating your time to help us learn, grow, and lead,” Moreno said. “Teachers thank you for all that you do.”
During the program, the staff learned The Bobcat Chant, led by Coach Camirey Jackson and the Hempstead High School cheerleaders. The cheerleaders and drumline performed before leading the staff in a friendly spirit competition. Superintendent Herbert O’Neil ultimately gave Hempstead Middle School the trophy for the most spirited school. Afterward, the staff joined together in singing the Hempstead School Song.
Superintendent O’Neil shared with the staff that expectations will be high because low expectations will not define Hempstead ISD.
“We will teach bell to bell, we will treat our students with dignity and respect, we will encourage them, and we will help them when they need help.”
O’Neil encouraged each staff member to determine how they can make an impact in students' lives by being a difference maker. He closed his message by asking everyone to stand and agree to do what is right by students and to go to higher heights.
The keynote speaker, Dr. Crystal Kuykendall, shared ways that each member of the staff can be a merchant of hope for the students across Hempstead ISD. Dr. Kuykendall is an author, attorney, and educator. Over the years she has gained national recognition for her extensive talents and expertise in promoting problem resolution. Whether she’s addressing CEOs, educators, administrators, youth, or seniors, she facilitates self-analysis while inspiring change and growth.
Kuykendall led the staff in a dynamic interactive activity to better prepare them for the new school year.
After the conclusion of the convocation program, the staff joined community partners in the high school gym for a special luncheon, catered by Hempstead Food Services. During the luncheon Superintendent O’Neil welcomed the guests and thanked them for helping Hempstead ISD kick off the new school year.
Hempstead ISD Board Vice President, Tressy Wilson, gave remarks on behalf of the Board of Trustees and Pastor Fred Thomas III of Greater Saint Peter's Baptist Church led the invocation. During the lunch, guests heard jazz musical selections from the Hempstead Jazz Trio, featuring employees Ronald Walker, Micah Guajado, and Mr. Erik Mott.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, staff members were honored for their loyalty and service to Hempstead ISD. Staff recognized were celebrating five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, and thirty-five years in Hempstead ISD during the 2022-2023 school year. Their names were called by Director of Human Resources, MaBisha Stubblefield, and they were presented with their service pins by Superintendent O’Neil.
The following employees have completed 5 years of service in Hempstead ISD:
Jacqueline Abel, Carrie Allen, Crystal Ballard, Ernest Braband, Felicia Creeks, Tamara Derkowski, Dominique Donald, Ilse Esqueda, Lorna Fry, Ma Guadalupe Garcia, Shakita Garvie, Maria Gonzalez, Elizabeth Gray, Joy Guercio, Pabla Guerra, Shelly Hazel, Juana Hererra, Rosalyn Hunter, Ivette Ibarra, Valarie Minor, Maria “Guadalupe” Munoz, Timothy Ryan, Monica Salazar, Robert Scrogin, Kimberly Smith, Wayne Tuckwell, Benita Uvalle-Hernandez, Lester Ward, Jr., and Tameko Wilder.
The following employees have completed 10 years of service in Hempstead ISD:
Anna Davenport, Cornell Lang, and Jaime Rodriguez.
The following employee has completed 15 years of service in Hempstead ISD:
MaBisha Stubblefield
The following employees have completed 20 years of service in Hempstead ISD:
Gerardo Novelo and Bobby Spain
The following employees have completed 25 years of service in Hempstead ISD:
Laura Mewis, Todd Thiel and Gloria Torres.
The following employee has completed 35 years of service in Hempstead ISD.
Janice Nece McDonald
