Seven students from Humble ISD were awarded over $1 million in scholarships from the U.S. Army Strategic Officer Recruiting Detachment (SORD). Dr. Elizabeth Fagen, Humble ISD Superintendent of Schools (center), was the keynote speaker at the scholarship ceremony. Students from left to right are Alexis Lopez of Humble High School, Victoria Perez of Kingwood High School, Le’Shawnice Jones of Humble High School  and Hayden Bender of Kingwood High School. Not pictured are Haley Alexander, David Bell and Gael Campos. 

Humble ISD students received more U.S. Army Strategic Officer Recruiting Detachment (SORD) scholarships than any other school district in the Houston area. Out of 22 scholarships offered, seven were awarded to students from four Humble ISD High Schools. The scholarships awarded to Humble ISD students totaled $1,064,770

“In Humble ISD, we aspire to support every single one of our nearly 50,000 students in achieving their dreams,” Dr. Elizabeth Fagen, Humble ISD Superintendent, said as the keynote speaker for the event. “The military is one of those areas that we really want to encourage students to explore and understand the value of.”

Considering that nearly one-third of the Houston and surrounding area scholarship recipients came from Humble ISD is a testament to the district’s dedication to the College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) – an  initiative that focuses on providing resources, support and opportunities for students to explore various pathways and achieve success beyond high school. 

“In Humble ISD we start having conversations with pre-K students because we want them to be proud of who they are, what they can do, what they can bring to the table, and how they can form a team of their friends, not based on who they are really comfortable with, but based on who is different than them so that together they can be stronger,” Dr. Fagen said. “And then as they get older, they have the opportunity to explore careers that match up with the strengths and the things that they love.” 

SORD helps students create a pathway to a strong future and service to the nation utilizing a college first approach through the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) –  the largest officer-producing organization within the American military. Two, three and four year scholarships are available and  include a monthly stipend and textbook allowance. Students commit to an eight-year service commitment with the U.S. Army and enter their service as an officer.

The students from Humble ISD awarded scholarships are: Haley Alexander, Summer Creek High School; David Bell, Kingwood High School; Hayden Bender, Kingwood Park High School; Gael Campos, Humble High School; Le’Shawnice Jones, Humble High School, Alexis Lopez, Humble High School; and Victoria Perez, Kingwood High School.