portraits
» AMARILLO ISD
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AISD Board of Trustees
Jim Austin - President
Renee McCown - Vice-President
James Allen
John Betancourt
John Ben Blanchard
Eric Darnell
F. Scott Flow
District Leadership
Superintendent
Dr. Dana West
General Counsel
Andrea Gulley
Chief Financial Offi cer
Pati Buchenau
Chief Human Resources Offi cer
Doug Loomis
Chief Operations Offi cer
Brent Hoover
Executive Directors
Sandy Whitlow, Amarillo High Cluster
Kevin Phillips, Caprock Cluster
Christina Ritter, Palo Duro Cluster
Stan Chatman, Tascosa Cluster
Jeff Roller, Technology
Directors
Stacey Harris, District Support Services
Susan Hoyl, Community Relations
Denise Blanchard, Community Partnerships
Holly Shelton, Communications
Amarillo Independent School District
Volume 7 • 2017
AISD Portraits, an award-winning magazine
published by the AISD Communications De-
partment, serves as an annual report to the
community. The stories inside are intended
to educate and inform readers of the district’s
ongoing efforts to graduate every student
prepared for success.
Denise Blanchard - Advertising Director
April Brownlee - Lead Writer
Susan Hoyl and Melynda Bettis - Copy Editors
Lauren Ebben - PRO Intern Extraordinaire
Amarillo Independent School District
7200 West I-40
Amarillo, TX 79106
www.amaisd.org
Through my lens:
The joy of raising children reminds me
of unwrapping a precious gift. These gifts,
however, are not like the presents we open on
Christmas day, when we rip into the wrapping
paper in a fury of excitement. The gift of
rearing a child is one to be revealed slowly,
marked by years of anticipation and growth. As
a parent of two young daughters, each day I get
tiny glimpses into their personalities and who
they may become. I want time to slow down, so
I can savor these moments. Yet, I secretly want
to fast-forward and peek to see what’s inside
these little packages. I want to learn what their
dreams, talents and passions will be. I want
them to have a world of opportunity in front of
them, so they, as individuals, can cultivate who
they want to be and fi nd their version of success and happiness.
As a parent, I’m often wowed by the opportunities awaiting Amarillo ISD students as
they discover their own path and chart their plan. Far gone are the days of a one-size-fi ts-all
approach to education. Today, our scholars have options. More than 100 different career and
technology education classes from welding to fl oral design; 21 AP and dual credit classes and
12 Pre-AP middle school classes; 23 different secondary fi ne arts courses including programs
like orchestra, ceramics and dance; 12 different UIL sports… those are just a few of the
diverse options available. Unlike any other time before, we give students and their families the
opportunity to customize their education to fi nd the best fi t.
Much like the experience of a child walking into a candy store for the fi rst time, the vast
amount of choice available is exciting. But contrary to a short-lived sugar rush, our choices
deliver substance that will feed a child’s future. Throughout this issue of “Portraits,” you’ll hear
personal accounts of the doors opened and opportunities seized thanks to an individualized
approach to education. We hope this edition of the magazine opens your eyes to see how
we’re transforming lives through the boundless opportunity and endless choice offered in
your neighborhood public schools.
Editor’s Column