British International School of Houston Choir Sings at Economic Development Council Meeting
Katy, TX News (December 18, 2015) – The Katy Area Economic Development Council held its final General Assembly meeting of the year at the Katy ISD Education Service Center on Tuesday, December 15. As members and guests gathered for the meeting, they were treated to holiday music by choir students from British International School of Houston, setting the mood for a festive December meeting.
This month’s meeting featured presentations by British International School of Houston and Katy ISD. Andrew Perry of British International School of Houston provided an overview of the world renowned school which is located in the Katy area. Perry discussed the outstanding educational opportunities the school provides as he detailed the school’s new $100 million dollar campus which is set to open in August 2016 at West Green and I-10, and its newly formed partnership with Julliard. The school also boasts partnerships with Harvard University and MIT, and affords its students the opportunity to graduate with a prestigious International Baccalaurean diploma, which aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who are motivated to succeed while preparing them for the rigors of college.
“Having British International School in the Katy area is very special,” said Katy Area EDC President/CEO. “It is truly a unique educational opportunity not available most places in the world yet we have it right in our own backyard.”
Katy ISD Director of Career and Technical Education Sarah Martin provided insight about career and technical education programs in Katy ISD. Katy ISD offers 95 unique courses covering a wide range of topic areas from auto repair classes to engineering. District-wide 23,891 students are enrolled in career tech programs, roughly one-third of the Katy ISD student population. Martin specifically addressed the importance career tech programs play in workforce development and preparing students for careers, specifically in the Katy area, following graduation.
In addition to presentations, longtime friend of the Katy Area EDC and Board of Governors member Joe Simmons was honored. Simmons, of Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union, is retiring at year’s end and will relinquish his duties of Katy Area EDC treasurer which he has held since 2012.
“Joe is a great supporter of our organization and we’d like to thank him for his dedicated service,” added LaCour. “We are certainly sad to see him go, but excited about the opportunities that are ahead for him during retirement.”
Katy Magazine Editor-in-Chief/Publisher Katrina Katsarelis and member of Katy Area EDC Board of Governors was on-hand to introduce the 2015 Katy Magazine People of the Year. The eight recipients are members of the Katy area that have made a positive impact on the community. The 2015 recipients include songwriter and Grammy nominee Da’dra Greathouse, Boston Marathon bombing survivor Rebekah Gregory, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback and former Katy Tiger Andy Dalton, 2015 Katy ISD Teacher of the Year and 2016 TASA Region IV Teacher of the Year Christina Dismuke, Katy ISD Superintendent Alton Frailey, Katy High School head football coach Gary Joseph, dating violence educator and founder of Lindsay’s Light Shari Nightingale and City of Katy Mayor Fabol Hughes. To learn more about each of the recipients, please read the latest edition of Katy Magazine.
The program ended on a festive note as Katy Magazine played the role of Santa. Led by Katsarelis, Katy Magazine gave away a variety of gifts to members and guests in attendance including a flat screen television.
New members introduced at the meeting included Cunningham Law Group, Tyco SimplexGrinnel, Q10 KDH and Structure Tone.
Membership renewals recognized at the meeting included Board of Governors member City of Katy and Associate members Skybox Data Centers, Stewart Title, Residence Inn and Wolff Companies.
To learn more about the Katy Area EDC and how to become a member, please visit www.katyedc.org or contact Frank Lombard at franklombard@katyedc.org.
