Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) recognized this year's Character Without Question award recipients during the SBISD Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Established 20 years ago, the award honors one student from every campus who demonstrates outstanding character through positive actions.

“This award represents the very best of who we are as a district,” said SBISD Superintendent Jennifer Blaine. “The Character Without Question Award honors students who lead with integrity, serve others with heart and demonstrate SBISD’s Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate. Those Core Characteristics are central to our vision of T-2-4 for Every Child. They define the skills and attributes our students must develop to succeed.

This recognition is significant, and I am proud to celebrate these students and the families who support them every step of the way.”

Winning students exemplify SBISD’s Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate:

• Academically Prepared
• Ethical & Service-minded
• Empathetic & Self-aware
• Persistent & Adaptable
• Resourceful Problem-solver
• Communicator & Collaborator

Students were nominated by teachers, counselors, school administrators and peers for the positive impact they make in their school communities. Finalists met with a panel of campus staff and were selected based on how they reflect and embody the Core Characteristics, appropriate for their age and stage.

Prior to the Board recognition, students and their families gathered for a celebratory reception. Principals, teachers and counselors attended to celebrate the student representing their campus. Each recipient received a framed recognition.

SBISD extends appreciation to the Spring Branch Education Foundation, the longtime presenting sponsor of the Character Without Question Award, for its continued support of this program and our students.

VIEW EVENT PHOTOS HERE

2025–2026 Character Without Question Award Recipients

Schools for Early Learning (PK4)

Raphael Dincal – Bear Blvd.
Gael Gutierrez Alejandre – Lion Lane
Joshua Dao – Tiger Trail
Ann Kirkton Armbruster – Wildcat Way

Elementary Schools

Cristela Vasquez – Buffalo Creek
Eli Wilson – Bunker Hill
AnhLinh Nguyen – Cedar Brook
Myla Myles – Edgewood
Virginia Bailey – Frostwood
Lidia Jorbely Erazo Villeda – Hollibrook
Valeria Lucas – Housman
Helen Bell – Hunters Creek
Nilah Shay Milam Bessard – Meadow Wood
Henry Halpin – Memorial Drive
Demi Smith – Nottingham
Caleb Paul Coffey – Pine Shadows
Melanie Olalde – Ridgecrest
Parker Linton – Rummel Creek
Jack H. Robbins – Shadow Oaks
Mark Kim – Sherwood
Camila Patel – Spring Branch Academic Institute
Arely Flores – Spring Branch
Bernardo Carbone – Terrace
Aram Urdaneta Parra – Thornwood
Carter Gittemeier – Valley Oaks
Veronica Machado Ferrales – Westwood
Harper Sawicki – Wilchester
Josselin Bulum Caal – Woodview

Middle Schools

Richard Scott III – Cornerstone Academy
Emily Murillo Bautista – Landrum
Helina Zubizarreta – Memorial
Yoalvi Flores – Northbrook
Paul Dupre – Spring Branch Academic Institute
Emerson Woodward – Spring Branch
Layton LeVrier – Spring Forest
Samone Motley – Spring Oaks
Erick Gamarro Vasquez – Spring Woods
Stephanie Fabian-Diaz – Westchester Academy

High Schools

Sophia Marino – Guthrie Center
Beatriz Carbonell Torres – Memorial
Jose Uroza – Northbrook
Ronin Chakrabarti – Spring Branch Academic Institute
Debbie Perez – Spring Woods
James (Everett) Taylor – Stratford
Jocelyn Gutierrez-Vasquez – Westchester Academy

Congratulations to all award recipients. We are #SBISDProud of you.

View photos from the celebration here.

About the award

For more than 20 years, Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) has recognized one student from every campus who represents the best of SBISD through the Character Without Question Award. Students are nominated by peers and staff for the positive impact they have on their school communities. Finalists are interviewed by a panel and selected based on how they reflect and embody SBISD’s Core Characteristics of a T-2-4 Ready Graduate, appropriate for their age and stage.