Texas Wesleyan Congratulates Polytechnic High School

July 2, 2009

Harold Jeffcoat, president of Texas Wesleyan, and Allen Henderson, senior vice president and provost, presented a congratulatory banner to Gary Braudaway, principal of Polytechnic High School, on Thursday, July 2. The University recognized the hard work of the staff and students of Poly HS. The school was in danger of being closed, but students made enough academic progress, both in TAKS scores and completion rate, to avoid closure.

L-R: Chuck Burton, assistant vice president for marketing and communications; Harold Jeffcoat, president of Texas Wesleyan; Allen Henderson, senior vice president and provost; Gary Braudaway, principal of Polytechnic HS, FWISD; Pat Linares, deputy superintendent, FWISD; Holly Kiser, director of admission; Jannis Dilworth, director of secondary school leadership, FWISD; John Gonzales, community outreach coordinator. Photo courtesy of the FWISD.
L-R: Michael Chaney, coordinator of student activities and volunteerism; Blair Ensign, coordinator of new student programs; and Michael Anne Greer, assistant director and learning specialist. Photo courtesy of the FWISD.	John Gonzales, community outreach coordinator; and Holly Kiser, director of admission. Photo courtesy of the FWISD.
Twelve students from Poly HS will be attending Texas Wesleyan in the fall, including the valedictorian, Juanita Olalde. Texas Wesleyan's support of Poly HS has included a letter-writing campaign to students and staff of Poly HS with words of encouragement and support including offers of assistance if needed; participation in community events such as Career Day, community breakfast, and community TAKS fair; tutoring assistance for Poly HS students; and offering Poly HS students the Speak Up scholarship (four have been awarded so far for this academic year, for students who attended William James Middle School and Poly HS).
Gary Braudaway, left, and Allen Henderson give interviews to the media. The local affiliates of FOX, NBC, ABC, and CBS all covered the event. Photo of Braudaway courtesy of the FWISD.