Spring Branch ISD (SBISD) recognized this year's Character Without Question award recipients during the SBISD Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 23. View photo gallery.
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.
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.