This month’s National Renaissance Student of the Month is Angie Gonzalez from Mayde Creek High School in Houston, TX. Nominator Mike Sosa wrote:
Angie is in StuCO and a class officer as well as a PAL. She also plays volleyball and in on the yearbook team. Her big thing this year was bringing back a coordinated student section for events with themes, costumes and coordinated chants for each game. They are the “Ram Rowdies.” It has immediately made a big culture shift and while other kids helped, she was the driving force.
How long have you been involved with Renaissance?
Since my sophomore year of high school – 2021.
What’s a favorite Renaissance moment for you?
One of my favorite Renaissance moments for me has to be when Jostens Renaissance came to Mayde Creek High School in March 2023 to give the staff and students at our school an “awakening” through their event they hosted on our campus. They had shared with us the importance of working all together to have the best high school experience, and that really made students look forward to their next high school years. The camaraderie seen that day was truly amazing and so positive.
How has Renaissance impacted your school’s culture?
Renaissance has impacted my school’s culture for the better. Multiple students who attended the event in March 2023 have done many things to make our campus feel more welcoming and inclusive by bringing that positivity back to their sports, clubs, and communities. It has also improved our school spirit in ways we’ve never seen before thanks to students having that inspiration and motivation within them. Having Jostens Renaissance come to our campus and share with us ways to have a memorable high school life really helped us students and staff make the best of our high school years.
How has Renaissance affected you personally?
Renaissance has affected me personally by inspiring me to be a better version of myself. I was inspired to be a better student, friend, athlete, and community member. Ever since I started Renaissance, I have grown as a leader in many ways. I use those tools that Jostens taught me to make a change in our school. This 2023-24 school year I came in with a new mindset and goal. And that goal was to make increase our school spirit and student involvement. I was able to accomplish this goal with the help of my principal, Ms. Herring and softball coach, Coach Voss. At Mayde Creek High School, there used to be a spirit group called the Ram Rowdies before COVID-19. After the quarantine, the group never came back due to the lack of spirit COVID-19 caused. That really affected me as a student because I’ve always been a school spirit enthusiast. I wanted to make a change, so this year I created theme days for football games, and gathered a group of leaders to be able to lead the football games with chants and routines. And with the help of Ms. Herring and Coach Voss, they were able to provide the student section props, spirit attire, and so much more! The new Ram Rowdies performed during pep rallies and hyped up the other students in the crowd to go support our football players at their games. Not only did we go to football games but we went to other sporting events, plays, concerts, etc. Renaissance allowed me to be able to have that confidence in myself as a leader to start something so great. And now we have one of the best student sections in Katy ISD!
What advice would you give to someone just starting with Renaissance?
Some advice I would give to someone just starting with Renaissance is to have an open mind and heart. If you truly want to be the change in your school, you’re going to have to be able to listen to others and their opinions, and have a better understanding of others. And by keeping an open heart and mind, you’ll be able to be there for others, have the help you need to make your campus a better place, and build up your leadership skills. Don’t be afraid to be the one to step up for your community and classmates – if no one steps up then who will? You have to believe you can, and you will!
Angie will receive a water bottle and a sticker in recognition of her achievement.