On the evening of April 30th, Austin Voices for Education and Youth honored four outstanding individuals with $1,000 scholarships at the Shout Out Awards. The Shout Out Awards recognizes the unsung heroes who work every day to strengthen public schools in Austin. Travis County Commissioner Sarah Eckhardt emceed the sold-out event, which had close to 300 guests.
Austin Voices was also honored with an appearance by Dr. Meria Carstarphen, the incoming superintendent of AISD. Dr. Carstarphen told the audience, “When Austin Voices is having a rally to help students, I’ll be in the crowd holding a sign!”
Recipients of the Shout Out scholarships were parents Mark Morales, Deborah Warren, and students Arturo Garcia and Ushiel Rosales. Their awards can be applied to education-related expenses including a contribution to a college fund, certified job training, continuing education, or in the case of the adult winners, a donation to their child's school.
Mark Morales is a single parent of his 8-year old son. He is currently the Blackshear Elementary PTA vice president, part of the Campus Advisory Council, Vertical Team and formed Fathers United. Through the organizations Mr. Morales is involved in, he has made it a point to meet other fathers around the community and to inspire them to be active not only in their children’s lives but in the community.
Deborah Warren is the mother of a Reagan High School junior. She is active with many organizations, including St. John Community Alliance, Pearce/Reagan Leadership Team and AISD Up-Close Class. Mrs. Warren proposed and initiated a student store called “Stable” where she volunteers up to four hours daily. Stable has developed an important presence in the school and raises scholarship funds for Reagan students.
Arturo Garcia is an 11th grader at Reagan High School. He works as a Youth Mobilizer with the Reagan High Stand Up Chapter, is a student representative of the Campus Advisory Council and is a member of the Reagan Community Action Team. Arturo’s positive attitude and willingness to work hard has earned him the respect and admiration of both his peers and teachers. Although Arturo works to support his family, he takes time out of his busy schedule to volunteer at school.
Ushiel Rosales is a Liberal Arts and Science Academy (LASA) senior. He is a member of the League of United Latin American Citizens, National Honor Society, Student Council, and Peer Assistance Leadership Program, among other distinguished activities. Through his ongoing efforts and education, Ushiel embraces the mission of educators and works to ensure that all schools are great places for learning.
Mark, Deborah, Arturo and Ushiel embody Austin Voices’ vision of making all schools great places for young people to learn, lead, connect, work and thrive.
The guests were entertained with an "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" style game show played by Fire Chief Rhoda Mae Kerr, Police Chief Art Acevedo and Fox-TV Good Day Austin anchor Joe Bickett competing against AISD 5th grade students Emma Blaw, Lulu Hawley and Andy Moe. Popular Austin humorist Owen Egerton provided comic relief as the host of the game show.
We are excited that the second Shout Out Awards event was a sold out success and very grateful to the Austin community for their wonderful support!
