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O’Connor Graduate Honored for ServiceAva Hoyt : Leading with Heart and Hustle at O’Connor Highandra Day O’Connor High School senior Ava Hoyt has spent the last three years dedicating herself toathletic training—and this year, she proudly serves as Head Student Trainer. Having joined the program as a sophomore, Ava found her passion in supporting athletes from the sidelines while staying close to the sports she loves.“My dad has been one of my biggest inspirations,” Ava shares. “He’s a firefighter, and I’ve always admired how he helps others. Athletic training lets me follow in his footsteps in my own way.”During her junior year, Ava served as group assistant leader, preparing her for her current leadership role. Her commitment and work ethic have made her a trusted part of O’Connor’s athletic department.In addition to athletic training, Ava is active in National Honor Society and several volunteer groups. She plans to attend UTSA to major in kinesiology and continue working toward her goal of becoming a full-time athletic trainer—ideally for professional sports teams in the future.One of Ava’s favorite memories was traveling with the basketball team to the 5th round of playoffs her sophomore year. “It was an unforgettable experience. Coaches Jewasko, Kouremetis, and Anderson madeCSubmitted By Sarah Carlsonongratulations to Adia Hale, a 2024 graduate of O’Connor High School, for earning her Girl Scout GoldAward, the highest award in Girl Scouting. Hale’s project, “How You Can Support Foster Families,” addressed the urgent need for foster family resources in her community. She presented at a Kuentz Elementary PTA meeting to share foster care statistics, encourage kindness toward peers, and educate families on how they can help.Hale also organized multiple hands- on service projects, including making and collecting 57 fleece blankets—one for each child entering foster care each month in her community. She hosted a Foster Parents’Day Out with a Fiesta-themed day of activities, providing respite for foster families.In addition, she coordinated a diaper and wipes drive at the Northwest Church of Christ to support the nonprofit 1Hope for Kids. Through her work, Hale learned the power of community support and her own ability to lead large-scale projects, she said.“I learned that I can leave my community and achieve my goals because I know my community will be there for me when I faily Sally KalosBSand when I succeed,” Hale said.Hale is studying kinesiology atNorthwest Vista College, carrying her confidence, compassion, and leadership skills into the next chapter of her life. She was a Girl Scout for 13 years and also earned her Bronze Award and Silver Award.Learn more about how Girl Scouts provides a space where girls build courage, confidence, and character at www.girlscouts-swtx.org.Ava Hoyt. Photo by Kim Bourquin Photographyit even more special.”Ava believes success in athletic trainingrequires patience, responsibility, and the ability to think on your feet—skills she’s developed through hands-on experience and the mentorship of her trainers, Sifuentes and Aguirre.Her advice to underclassmen? “Balance is important. Work hard, but make time to enjoy high school. Do your best and learn from your mistakes—you can’t change the past, but you can grow from it.”Helotes Elementary Ensures A Fun & Lively AtmosphereTSubmitted By Kasey Crickhe cafeteria crew at Helotes Elementary ensures a fun and lively atmosphere. From theircreative dress-up days to the amazing decorations, this dedicated team makes sure all students leave the cafeteria with both full bellies and full hearts.Helotes Elementary is incredibly proud of their cafeteria crew, who were recently nominated for and won an “Above and Beyond” award through the NISD child nutrition department. They truly deserve this recognition (and more) for all they do for our students!HBy Alyssa Perez and Mark Moraleselotes 4-H registration hasstarted, and we are excited foran awesome year! Our clubs visited the different elementary schools’ open houses to do 4-H round up. We invited students to come check out our open house and learn about everything 4-H has to offer.All of our clubs have had their first meetings. We got to meet new members, see our friends again, and meet new officers.Everyone is ready for a fun year filled with projects, events, and learning new skills.4-H is a youth program where kids and teens explore their interests, make friends, and learn leadership through hands on activities. It’s all about “learning by doing.”We can’t wait to see what this 4-H year will bring and we are happy to welcome all new members to the 4-H Clubs!Looking Ahead To A New Year With Helotes 4HHalloween - continued from page 4to stick the black paper or felt face pieces to the outside of the jar. Mix all the ingredients of the slime in a small bowl and pour into the decorated jar.Forest spiderTake a trip to a nearby forest or wooded trail and gather up round pinecones that have fallen. Purchase brown pipe cleaners and cut four of the cleaners in half to form eight legs. Glue the legs on the pinecone and attach several small googly eyes and two larger ones to form the eyes of the spider.Paper roll treat holdersRather than discarding the tubes inside of paper towel or toilet paper rolls, let kids transform them into monster craft treat holders. They’ll be perfect for party favors or even to give out to neighborhood trick-or-treaters. Cover the bottoms of the rolls with masking tape so treats won’t fall out. Paint the outside of the cardboard rolls and let dry. An alternative is to cover the rolls in colored paper for less messy fun. Then use markers or paper cut-outs to form faces of the monsters. Fill the rolls with treats,then stuff a piece of tissue paper in each top to add even more personality to the creations and hide the treats inside.Ghostly leavesMake a truly eco-friendly craft on Halloween, with ghosts made out of leaves, eliminating theneed to use extra paper. Paint large leaves with white paint. On the narrow-most point on top of the leaves, paint black eyes and mouths. When completely dry, scatter on a table or sideboard for some scary fun, or use double-sided tape to stick to windows and doorsOctober 2025www.heloteshighlights.com9