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Jack and Jill Celebrates Graduating Seniors and New Members
THE WOODLANDS, TX – On Sunday, April 28th The Woodlands Chapter of Jack and Jill of America, Inc., celebrated graduating students, the installation of new officers, and the initiation of new mothers at the Embassy Suites by Hilton at The Woodlands. In addition, the Chapter bid a bittersweet farewell to long-standing members of the organization.
Each year The Woodlands Chapter honors students and their families. This year the group recognized seven of its graduating high school seniors: Ryan Byas, Shianne Knight, Maya Monroe, Taylor Ellis, Alexa Moore, Alyssa Moore, and Gerald Iron, Jr.
Ryan Byas is a senior at Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, Texas and is the son of Richard and Renee Byas. Ryan has been a member of the The Woodlands Chapter for 10 and 1/2 years. Ryan plays basketball and is a member of the Concert Choir at Concordia. Ryan also volunteers at the local food banks and helps serve food to the homeless at the local shelters. Ryan has decided to attend the University of Texas where he will major in Biology. Ryan plans to become an Orthopedic Physician specializing in spine and hand injuries.
Shianne Knight is a senior at The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas and is the daughter of Sammy and Freda Knight. She has been a member of The Woodlands Chapter for 11 years, where she has served as Teen President, Vice President, Recording Secretary and Parliamentarian. After receiving several merit based and D1 athletic scholarship offers, she has decided to attend Howard University where she will major in Broadcast Journalism and play Division I soccer. Shianne credits her success to the careful guidance of her parents and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Maya Monroe is a senior honors student at Klein High School in Spring, Texas and is the daughter of Kevin and Vanessa Monroe. A member of the Woodlands Chapter for three years and of the South Suburban Chicago Chapter for four years, Maya currently serves as teen Chapter President. Maya has engaged in community service with Meals on Wheels, The March of Dimes, The Boys and Girls Club, Houston Food Bank, The Chicago Food Depository Feed My Starving Children, and Hurricane Harvey Relief. She has decided to attend either Spelman College or Howard University majoring in Business.
Taylor Ellis is a senior at The John Cooper School in The Woodlands, Texas and is the daughter of Drs. Robert and Jaishree Ellis. She has been a member of The Woodlands Chapter for 4 years. Taylor has served Jack and Jill as a member of the National Teen Board, South Central Regional Teen President and Regional Teen Foundation Chair. She has been the Junior Statesmen of America Director of Activism for Texas; and a Student Director for “March for Our Lives-Houston.” She will attend Barnard College and major in Human Rights and Political Science, then attend law school to study International Law.
Alexa Moore is a senior at College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas and is the daughter of Nicole and Peter Moore, Jr. She has been a member of The Woodlands Chapter for fifteen years, serving as teen chapter President. A scholar, musician and athlete, Alexa is a member of the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, National English Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta, Wind Ensemble Band, and College Park Girls Varsity Basketball team. An aspiring orthopedic surgeon, Alexa will double major in biomedical engineering and music and then attend medical school. Alexa is attending Howard University in the Fall.
Alyssa Moore is a senior at College Park High School in The Woodlands, Texas and is the daughter of Nicole and Peter Moore, Jr. She has been a member of the Woodlands Chapter for fifteen years and has served as Treasurer and Financial Secretary. A very involved member of her school community, Alyssa was selected for Texas Girls State, EFTA Leadership Program, served as a CP Ambassador and Peer Tutor. She is a member of the Wind Ensemble Band and Girls’ Varsity Basketball team. Alyssa will major in finance and minor in marketing and then plans to attend law school. She is attending Howard University in the Fall.
Gerald Irons, III is a senior at Klein Oak High School in Spring, Texas and is the son of Gerald Irons, Jr. and Angela Cruz. Gerald has been a member of The Woodlands Chapter for 3 years currently serving as the corresponding secretary. He has volunteered with Meals on Wheels, the Houston Food Bank, and Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital where he visited with and read to the young patients. Gerald has been accepted to West Point Military Academy where he will major in Engineering Management and pursue his MBA from Yale University after finishing his duties at West Point.
The Chapter also recognized those students graduating from eighth grade and entering high school in the fall. The keynote speaker, Ms. Rasheeda S. Liberty, the International President of Sigma Gamma Rho, Inc., focused on agility in her speech. She encouraged the students and parents to be open to new opportunities that don’t necessarily fit your “plan.”
A true highlight of the day was the initiation of 2 new mothers into the Jack and Jill family. These outstanding women, from diverse professional backgrounds, will not only unselfishly share their time and talent with the organization but also those in our community. The Chapter welcomes the mothers and looks forward to working them.
During the event, the Chapter also honored tenured mothers Renee Byas (mother of Ryan Byas), Angela Williams-Cruz (mother of Gerald Irons, III), Vanessa Monroe (mother of Maya Monroe), and Nicole Moore (mother of Alexa and Alyssa Monroe). These hardworking mothers have given so much to the organization and they will be missed as they graduate out of the organization.
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