There are so many on our Lytle Pirate Staff who have been working in the district for enough years that they know many of our 2022 Grads and have been an important part of making them successful in their time with us. Even if you don't know them personally, every department, job and role filled in our schools is meaningful to their experience here. Please take a moment to read through the wonderful accolades, awards, and valuable scholarships that were earned, and know that it takes each one of us to bring these young people to the point where they walk the stage and accept their diploma from Lytle High School. Check out the joy in this 2022 Graduate Awards Ceremony Google Photo Album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/KgFixacSJUqYcRRu6
Be filled with Pirate PRIDE as you read this impressive summary of the honors bestowed on our/your Lytle kids.
At the 2022 Lytle Pirate Awards Ceremony, students, parents, friends, teachers, administrators and community members gathered to honor the achievements of our Graduating Class of 2022.
The evening began with the presentation of colors by our Lytle JROTC Color Guard. The Bulldog Color Guard is commanded by Cadet Captain Chessa Hartley-Maples. Cadet First Sergeant Zoey Tovar as the Left Guard, Cadet Captain Chessa Hartley-Maples, on the American Flag, Command Sergeant Major Carlos Vega on the Texas Flag, and Cadet First Lieutenant Juaquin Castro as the Right Guard. The Bulldog Battalion is under the direction of MAJ Derrick Burden and Sergeant Major Frederick Carmicle. The National Anthem was sung by Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Emily Ramirez
Ms. Abigail Parker, Lytle High School College and Career Readiness Counselor addressed the crowd saying, “Tonight, we recognize our seniors and their hard work and dedication to their future. I have greatly enjoyed getting to know them and I look forward to seeing all that they will accomplish. Tonight is possible because of help and support from parents, our administrators and our community members. Thank you for all you do behind the scenes to help our students succeed.”
Mr. David Maddox and Mr. Kevin Perez presented the first award, the Atascosa Lodge #379 Achievement Award to Marley Walker and Julio Mujica, and the Roy Edward’s Honesty and Integrity Award to Robert Wagner and Bree Criswell.
Mr. Eric Smith and Mrs. Brenda Fernandez presented the Legacy Bowl Scholarship to Kasen Boyd and Kaitlyn Ramirez.
Mrs. Melany Ohlhausen and her daughter Rylee Ohlhausen presented the John Howard Ohlhausen STEM/Education Scholarship to Adrian Balderas.
Alexandrea Naegelin, alongside Marcie Decker, presented the Naegelin Athletic Scholarship to Caleb Wood, the Naegelin Ag Scholarship to Bryson Duty and the Lasso Scholarship to Kasen Boyd, Emma Keith and Bryson Duty.
Mr. Joey Bara presented San Antonio Finest Realty, and the Bara Group Scholarships to Gasper Sifuentes.
Mr. and Mrs. John and Julie Teague presented the Masonic Lodge #779 scholarship award to Bryson Duty.
For over 20 years, the Devine Area Health and Hospice Thrift Store has been providing clothing and household goods to our community and surrounding area. “Improving people’s lives through community giving” is the motto. Because of the generosity of the community, the store has been able to support health related non-profit organizations and provide health-related services to the uninsured. Scholarships are awarded to students seeking a profession in the medical field. Ms. Dinah Argo and Ms. Alma Horvath presented the 2022 Devine Area Hospice Scholarship to Julio Mujica and Dylan Reyna.
The Devine Ministerial Fellowship is an organization of pastors from the communities of Lytle, Natalia, and Devine. The pastors of the DMF have united together, sharing in a common spirit of compassion and love for others with a primary focus on the poor and needy in our communities. The DMF’s first concern is meeting the emergency needs of individuals in our communities and, beyond that, then treating their emotional, educational, and spiritual conditions. It brings the pastors of the DMF great joy to bless a graduating senior of Lytle High School in a way that will assist them in pursuing their dreams. Pastor Dan Ytuarte presented the Devine Ministerial Fellowship scholarship to Nicole Godines.
Mr. Gasper Sifuentes, Sr. presented the San Antonio Hispanic Police Officer Organization scholarship to his son, Gasper Sifuentes.
Ms. Denise Estrada, the Administrative Officer for the Lytle State Bank and Treasurer for the Lytle Chamber of Commerce presented the 2022 Lytle Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Award to Mason Davila.
Max Metzger, Vice President of the Lytle State Bank, presented four Walter H. Joyce, Jr. Memorial Scholarships to Kaitlyn Ramirez as well as the first highest ranking student, Judith Mujica, the second highest ranking student, Julio Mujica, and third highest ranking student, Marley Walker.
Mrs. Tammy McDonald presented the Lytle Ex-Student Association scholarship to Bryson Duty.
Lytle ISD Superintendent of Schools, Michelle Carroll Smith, presented the Lytle Administration Team Scholarship to Mason Davila.
The University Interscholastic League Scholar Award was created to recognize and honor those students who have shown the ability and demonstrated the discipline necessary to perform academically and yet participate in extracurricular activities. This award restates the commitment of the UIL to “Academic Excellence through Competition.” Lytle Athletic Director Lori Wilson recognized 10 outstanding UIL participants: Mason Davila, Miguel-Angel Lopez, Eben Marinez, Judith Mujica, Julio Mujica, Celeste Perez, Kaitlyn Ramirez, Dylan Reyna, Marley Walker and Caleb Wood.
Major Burden, Senior Army Instructor for our JROTC Program recognizing our JROTC cadets for their participation by presenting an honor stole to be worn at graduation to cadets Gasper Sifuetes, Diego Rangel and Matthew Silva.
Staff Sergeant Ha from the United States Marine Corps honored two students for their commitment to athletics and academics. The Distinguished Athlete awards went to Marianna Hutton and Miguel-Angel Lopez. The Scholastic Excellence Award was given to Emma Keith.
Staff Sergeant Ha from the United States Marine Corps and Staff Sergeant Barrientos of the United States Army recognized the group of Lytle High School students who have chosen to commit to one of the military branches of our United States of America: April Bodie - US Marine Corp. Enlisted, Alize Sanchez - US Marine Corp. Enlisted, Joshua Del Toro - US Marine Corp. Enlisted and Matthew Silva- US Army Enlisted.
Teachers at Lytle High School also recognized the following students for excellent performance in their classroom.
- Physics: Matthew Silva, Alexandrea Castenada
- Physics honors: Adrian Balderas, Kaitlyn Ramirez
- Anatomy and Physiology honors: Dylan Reyna
- Engineering: Miguel-Angel Lopez, Matthew Silva
- Business Information Management: Carlos Gonzalez, Regina Gonzalez
- Financial Literacy: Judith Mujica, Kaitlyn Ramirez, Eben Martinez, Andrea Cardona
- UIL Academic Competitions: Miguel Angel Lopez (UIL Ready Writing State Qualifier), Mason Davila (UIL Number Sense Third Place at State) and Kaitlyn Ramirez (UIL Ready Writing Regional Qualifier)
Mrs. Karen Hernandez represented the Lytle Chapter of the National Honor Society in recognizing a group of seniors who demonstrated an aptitude for leadership, scholarship, service, and character; the four pillars of the national organization. A graduation stole represents their position in the organization as well as their dedication to serving their community and school this year and in years past. Collectively, these students contributed more than 2,000 hours of service this year alone: Adrian Balderas, Kasen Boyd, Andrea Cardona, Jose Cortez, Sydney Estrada, Emma Keith, Miguel-Angel Lopez, Judith Mujica, Julio Mujica, Celeste Perez, Kaitlyn Ramirez, Dylan Reyna, Diamond Smith-Walker, Marley Walker, Caleb Wood. (Students in blue are officers)
Mr. Flores represented the Future Farmers of America or FFA, an organization where students learn leadership skills along with career success. The following students are an embodiment of the FFA motto “Learning to do, doing to learn, earning to live, living to serve.” FFA Treasurer Allison Marshall received FFA Cords, FFA Officer sash and the Officer graduation medallion. FFA Sentinel Ramiro Balderas received FFA Cords, FFA Officer sash and the Officer graduation medallion. Kasen Boyd, Justin Deleon, Bryson Duty, Cort Haltom, Emma Keith and Cecilio Olivarri were presented with their FFA Cords.
Ms. Ana Ginter, Lytle Dual Credit Plumbing Instructor, honored plumbing students who worked hard both in and outside of the classroom and who learned practical skills while making fun memories. These students understand plumbing systems, use the tools of the trade and show mastery of important plumbing and pipe-fitting skills. The following students have earned college credit through St. Philip’s College, work-based learning, and practical experience in the plumbing trade: Louis Adam Gonzalez, Elias Hernandez and Elijah Mercer.
Ms. Jolynn Morales of the Texas Workforce partnered with Lytle High School to have 8 students placed in work experiences which provided them opportunities to learn what it takes in their future career field. These students were provided with textbooks, laptops, clothing and gas cards to assist them, and they made the most of this valuable experience: Julio Mujica, Judith Mujica, Sydney Estrada, Aaliyah Hernandez, Emerald Muraira, Erin Sanchez, Amethyst Valles and Kaitlyn Ramirez.
Mrs. Michelle Aguinaga is the proctor in our dual credit lab, working tirelessly to make our dual credit program a success. Mrs. A presented the white honor cord for the successful completion of 15 transferable college hours or five courses to Adrian Balderas, Kasen Boyd, Zachary Bradshaw, Andrea Cardona, Jose Cortez, Mason Davila, Bryson Duty, Matthew Eldredge, Sydney Estrada, Chelsea Gonzalez, Louis Gonzalez, Miguel-Angel Lopez, Eben Martinez, Judith Mujica, Julio Mujica, Celeste Perez, Kaitlyn Ramirez, Dylan Reyna, Yarely Rocha, Marley Walker and Caleb Wood. The following students also earned their white cords and leave Lytle High School with at least 30 college hours, classified as college sophomores: Adrian Balderas, Mason Davila, Louis Gonzalez, Judith Mujica, Julio Mujica and Kaitlyn Ramirez.
Mrs. Micah Berchelmann presented Blood cords to eleven seniors who donated at least six pints each; many of them donated more. The South Texas Blood and Tissue Center equates the collective donations of these students to saving 200 lives: Julio Mujica, Marley Walker, Adrian Balderas, April Bodie, Andrea Cardona, Justin Deleon, Sydney Estrada, Louis Adam Gonzalez, Leilani-Blu Jimenez, Savannah Medrano and Alize Sanchez.The tenth-ranked student in the Lytle High School Class of 2022 is Caleb Wood. Caleb will attend Texas Tech University and major in agriculture business. Caleb has earned the Texas Tech State Presidential Merit Scholarship for $2,000 per semester.
Ninth-ranked student Eben Martinez will attend Northwest Vista and major in 3D Animation.
Eighth-ranked student Celeste Perez will attend Texas State University and will major in Theater. She earned the Texas Grant worth $5,000, the TPEG grant worth $ 2,300, the Texas State Merit scholarship worth 10,000, and is a finalist in the Hispanic Scholarship fund.
Seventh-ranked Miguel-Angel Lopez will attend Texas A&M University and has been accepted into the College of Engineering where he will major in Mechanical Engineering. He earned the Aggie Assurance commitment scholarship, awarding $12,000 per year.
Sixth-ranked Kaitlyn Ramirez will attend Texas A&M University in San Antonio and will major in Psychology with a concentration on pre-nursing. Kaitlyn earned the Regents Honors program $6,000, The Greater Texas Foundation award for $1,000, the Texas Grant $5000 and the Top Ten Percent scholarship $2000.
Fifth-ranked Dylan Reyna will attend the University of Texas at Austin where she will major in Communications and minor in Biology. She was accepted into the Moody College of Communications and earned the Texas Excellence Scholarship worth $2,500 per year, the UT award of $4,000 and the UT for Me Dell scholarship worth $800.
Fourth-ranked Mason Davila will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio and will major in Architecture. Mason earned the Presidential scholarship worth $4,000 per year.
Third-ranked Marley Walker will attend Texas A&M University in San Antonio where she will major in Journalism and Communications. Marley has the Educational Opportunity grant worth $2,000, a Tuition grant worth $2,000 and the Valero Alamo Bowl scholarship for $7,500.
Our 2022 Salutatorian, Julio Mujica, will attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he has been accepted into the College of Natural Science, where he will major in Promotional Health and Public Behavior as a pre-med student. Julio earned the UT for Me scholarship worth $863.00, the Dell scholarship worth $2,500 and the UT Success Scholarship in the amount of $3,500.
Each year, the highest-ranking graduate of each accredited high school in the state of Texas is awarded a scholarship exempting the graduate from the payment of tuition during both semesters of the first regular session immediately following graduation. Our 2022 Lytle High School Valedictorian, Judith Mujica, will attend the University of Texas at Austin, where she has been accepted into her first choice major of Public Health. Judith earned the UT award worth $1,000.00, the Dell Scholars Award of $4,000, and the UT for Me scholarship worth $3,450.
The following students earned awards, scholarships, and distinctions outside our local community, and have been accepted into a college, university, or trade school.
- Daniel Aguirre will attend The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Victoria Ayala will attend The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Adrian Balderas will attend The University of Texas at San Antonio
- April Bodie enlisted in the United States Marine Corps
- Kasen Boyd will attend Texas A&M University Galveston. Kasen earned the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Junior Shootout Champion Scholarship $20,000, the Friend of Flint Shooting scholarship and the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo School Tours scholarship of $1,000.
- Zacharay Bradshaw will attend Texas State University
- Alexandra Castaneda will attend The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Andrea Cardona will attend Palo Alto College
- Jose Cortez will attend Texas A&M University and has earned an Aggie Moms scholarship
- Mason Davila will attend The University of Texas at San Antonio
- Justin Deleon has received a baseball scholarship and will attend Huston-Tillotson University
- Joshua Del Toro will be enlisting in the United States Marine Corps
- Bryson Duty will attend Texas Tech University
- Matthew Eldredge will attend Texas State University
- Sydney Estrada will attend Palo Alto College and will be transferring to Angelo State University
- Jacob Flores will attend Palo Alto College
- Cheyenne Garcia will attend Concorde Career College
- Damien Garcia will attend Texas State University
- Tasanee Garcia will attend Southern New Hampshire University
- Nicole Godines will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio
- Carlos Gonzalez will attend San Antonio College
- Chelsea Gonzalez will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio
- Louis Gonzalez will attend Texas A&M University San Antonio
- Skye Granato will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio
- Cort Haltom will attend Texas Tech University
- Aaliyah Hernandez will attend the University of the Incarnate Word
- Aiden Juarez will attend the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
- Emma Keith will attend Texas Tech University
- Isabella Lopez will attend the University of Texas at San Antonio and has received the Bold Promise Scholarship
- Miguel Angel-Lopez will attend Texas A&M University
- Ulises Marentes will attend South Texas Vocational Tech
- Allison Marshall will attend St. Philip’s College
- Eben Martinez will attend Northwest Vista College
- Judith Mujica will attend the University of Texas at Austin
- Julio Mujica will attend the University of Texas at Austin
- Emerald Muraira will attend the University of the Incarnate Word
- Cecilio Olivarri will attend the University of North Texas
- Victoria Palencia will attend the University of Incarnate Word
- Celeste Perez will attend Texas State University
- Jose Perez will attend Palo Alto College
- Amaris Plaza will attend Full Sail University
- Kaitlyn Ramirez will attend Texas A&M University San Antonio
- Diego Rangel will attend San Antonio College
- Dylan Reyna will attend The University of Texas at Austin
- Alize Sanchez will be enlisting in the USMC
- Erin Sanchez will attend The College of HealthCare Professionals
- Gasper Sifuentes will attend Champions School of Realtors
- Matthew Silva will be enlisting in the United States Army and has earned the Army Enlistment Bonus
- Diamond Smith-Walker will attend Texas State University
- Garrett Stricker will attend Palo Alto College
- Amethyst Valles will continue to attend Southwest Texas Junior College
- Marley Walker will attend Texas A&M University- San Antonio
- Caleb Wood will attend Texas Tech University
- Karizma Wroblewski will attend Sam Houston State University