Texas Border Business
PHARR – For the 3rd consecutive year, Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD (PSJA ISD) was named the winner of the Large School District Category of the statewide It’s Time Texas Community Challenge sponsored by H-E-B. The organization announced the winners on March 5, 2021.
The It’s Time Texas Community Challenge is an annual statewide competition that unites cities, school districts, businesses, and organizations with the common goal of transforming their community’s health. More than 331 communities across the State of Texas competed this year from Jan. 4 through Feb. 28.
“Congratulations to our students, staff and our parents for this win,” said PSJA Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jorge L. Arredondo. “Participating in this statewide health competition is part of our efforts to continue promoting health and safety opportunities for all. Now more than ever, staying active and healthy plays a key role in the educational success of our students as healthy bodies equal healthy minds.”
Aware of the importance of health and wellness, especially during the pandemic, thousands of PSJA ISD employees, students, and parents took on the statewide health competition participating in daily exercises, hosting outdoor walks and even nutrition lessons. While PSJA ISD has engaged in the statewide competition for several years now, this year the school district earned 4,266,910 points in the large school district category, the most ever.
According to Assistant Superintendent of Student Services Dr. Orlando Noyola, while all 43 PSJA ISD schools played a vital role in winning the statewide competition, the district recognized the following campuses for winning the 3rd Annual PSJA Healthy School Challenge and earning the most points in their category:
- Amanda Garza-Peña Elementary with 350,700 points
- Audie Murphy Middle School with 486,000 points (2nd year in a row)
- PSJA Early College High School with 273,500 points (3rd year in a row)
- Points Runner Up – Yzaguirre Middle School – 468,100 points
“We would like to thank all of the students, teachers, parents, and community members for their participation in the PSJA Healthy School Challenge. We are so proud of once again taking first place in our district category,” said Dr. Noyola. “I know that practicing healthy eating and exercise activities are not only impacting us today, but will have a lasting impression in our children’s lives forever.”
In addition to recognizing the top schools for logging in the most activity points, the three top participants this year will be receiving special prizes sponsored by TruFit:
- 1st place- Esperanza Quezada, Teacher at Henry Ford Elementary with 67,500 points logged
- 2nd place – Rosalva Butanda, Instructional at Aide, Allen & William Arnold Elementary with 62,750 points logged
- 3rd place – DiGabriel Camero, Counselor at Amanda Garza-Peña Elementary with 58,800 points logged
Congratulations to all!
