Page 10 - BSB_2_26

Comal Teachers - continued from page 9Students from Bill Brown Elementary School proudly show off this year’s blanket collection which supports the Bulverde Spring Branch Cindy’s Tree.Pictured from left is Timberwood Park Elementary School Principal Kim Lyssy-O’Bryant, Extra Yard for Teachers honoree Melanie Bice, PNC Bank Regional President Chris Sherman and President/CEO of San Antonio Bowl Association Derrick Fox.families within its community. This year, students collected 416 blankets.In its 10th year serving the Bulverde and Spring Branch communities, Cindy’s Tree supported 240 families, approximately 630 children, with 2,500 gifts.Cindy’s Tree places Christmas treesat various locations in the community including 10 Comal ISD campuses. The trees were decorated with wish ornaments for students within the district. Wrapped gifts were given to each family prior to Christmas.first grade. “Teaching is a team effort, and I feel fortunate to work in a community that values educators and celebrates the work we do. This honor reminds me why I love teaching and motivates me to continue giving my students the very best.”Each teacher received a $500 grant for classroom resources, tickets to the 2025 Valero Alamo Bowl and special recognition at the game. This year’s game was Dec. 30 featuring USC vs. TCU.“Being recognized at such a large event feels surreal, and I’m grateful for the opportunity,” says Bice, who has been teaching for 22 years and currently teaches fifth grade English language arts and social studies. “It’s not every day that teachers get celebrated publicly and being honored in front of the community means so much. It’s a reminder that the work we put in matters and is seen.”A self-proclaimed ‘huge football fan,’ Perkins remembers attending the AlamoBowl with her family a few years ago and being proud that teachers were being recognized on the field. She never imagined she would be one of them on day.“I am truly humbled to receive this honor,” says Perkins who has been teaching for 18 years and currently teaches seventh grade Texas history and serves as a coach for volleyball, basketball, track and softball. “I genuinely love what I do, and I am incredibly passionate about building meaningful connections with my students. I plan to use the funds from this award to purchase supplies that will allow my students to engage in hands-on activities and learning experiences outside the traditional classroom setting.”The Extra Yard for Teachers program is part of a national initiative by the College Football Playoff Foundation. The Alamo Bowl started offering the program locally in 2021.Smithson Valley Football Brings Home State UIL 5A Division TrophyThe Smithson Valley High School Rangers football team defended its state 5A UIL Division 1 title on Dec. 19, to win its second state championship in the school’s history.TBy Comal ISDhe Smithson Valley Rangers Hunter Haug delivered an outstandingStudents Helping Students Through Holiday Giving TraditionsABy Comal ISDpproximately 852 students in Comal ISD were supported this year with gifts from their ‘wish’lists, thanks to fellow students, teachers and families.During the holiday season, campuses across the district offer opportunities for students and staff members to serve their fellow students and communities through events that gave back. Those events included blanket, food and toy drives as well as annual celebrations that have become Comal ISD traditions.Celebrating 10 years with the Bulverde Spring Branch Cindy’s Tree (formerly Angel Tree), Bill Brown Elementary continued its tradition of collecting blankets for theFreiheit Elementary School fifth-grade student Cameron Ramos was excited about receiving a motorized monster truck from the Canyon High School freshman basketball team during Cougar Christmas.continued their remarkable runin Texas high school football by capturing the UIL Class 5A Division I State Championship on December 19, 2025. Playing under the bright lights of AT&T Stadium, the Rangers defeated the Frisco Lone Star Rangers by a decisive 28–6 score.Smithson Valley’s victory was powered by a dominant defensive performance that set the tone early and never let up. The Rangers controlled the pace of the game, shutting down Frisco Lone Star’s offensive efforts and creating opportunities for their own playmakers to shine. On offense,performance that earned him Offensive MVP honors, while Colton Hornsby anchored a relentless defensive effort and was named Defensive MVP.This championship marks Smithson Valley’s second consecutive state title, further cementing the program’s reputation as one of the elite teams in Texas high school football. Under the leadership of head coach Larry Hill, the Rangers have built a culture of discipline, toughness, and consistency that continues to produce championship results.10www.bsbhighlights.comFebruary 2026