Alumni Spotlight

Temple ISD has a long history of excellence and we have had many, many graduates who have gone on to exemplify our vision to become influential and impactful leaders in their local communities and beyond. Temple ISD Alumni Spotlight will feature alumnus and alumna that have represented our community and our district in a positive way.

To nominate yourself or a Temple ISD graduate, please complete our online Alumni Spotlight Nomination Form. Nominations will be reviewed and candidates selected by the Temple ISD Board of Trustees Policy Committee. Honorees will be recognized at a Board Meeting and through the district's social media accounts and website.

Tanya Ledger Mikeska-Reed '84

Tanya Ledger Mikeska-Reed is a proud graduate of the Temple High School class of 1984, and she has continued to serve the Tanya Ledger Mikeska Reed - Alumni Spotlight families and students of Temple ISD. We are so happy to have the opportunity to recognize her with the Alumni Spotlight.

Tanya taught drafting at Temple High School in the early 1990’s after graduating from college. She also served as a Temple ISD trustee on the school board for seven years in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s. Tanya is now the Vice-President for Architecture at MRB group, where Temple ISD is one of her most valued clients, and she has worked on multiple bond projects with the district.

Tanya attended Thornton Elementary School and Bonham Middle School before THS. She played volleyball and basketball and was an officer in Student Council both her junior and senior year. Her father attended Temple High School in the 50’s and Tanya raised four sons in TISD where she says they received an amazing education both in the classroom and in life. When asked what it means to her to be a Wildcat, she says: Teamwork, dedication, loyalty, honor, integrity, and PRIDE.

What are some of your favorite memories of Temple ISD?

I have too many special memories to count. I loved every minute of high school and made lifelong friendships with both student peers and faculty at Temple High School. Athletics were probably my best times at THS, I loved volleyball and basketball and the camaraderie of being on a team and learning all the life lessons that go along with team sports. Student Council National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri is probably one of my fondest memories. Lastly, I was in Industrial Arts and Estel Gilliland was my drafting teacher. I was the only girl in the class, and he didn’t think it was right for me to be in class with all those boys. So, he put my drafting table in the hallway. I would often escape to go shoot hoops until he would come find me. Mr. Gilliland was instrumental in me wanting to become an architect, and I have fond memories of him still today.

Thank you, Tanya, for your continued service to TISD and we are so pleased to be able to recognize you with our Alumni Spotlight this month.

Michael Morris '98

Michael Morris is a proud graduate of the Temple HS class of 1998, and we are happy to shine our Alumni Spotlight on him this month. Michael has a true “Wildcat” heart and is a fourth generation Temple High School graduate. His parents both graduated from THS in 1979, and his grandfather served on the school board for 16 years in the 60’s-80’s.

Michael would go on to attend Texas A&M University after graduating from Temple High School, but as his nomination said, he returned to Temple as soon as he could! He attends every Temple High School football game and actively keeps up with all of the happenings in Temple. Michael is also active in the THS Quarterback Club as a director and enjoys raising money to support many of the Temple High School organizations. He is a detective for the Georgetown Police Department and has worked in Georgetown for 20 years.

Michael attended Scott Elementary School and Travis Middle School before THS. He was a drummer in the Wildcat Band and played baseball and football. He says his favorite memories from being a student in TISD are the many friends he met through the years and still talks to today, the teachers that taught him, being a drummer in the band, playing baseball, and wearing the Blue Front, White Back pants!

What does being a Wildcat mean to you?

Being a Wildcat means having a big heart, doing the right thing, even when no one is looking, and having class in everything I do. These are the values that were taught to me by Coach Bob McQueen and the many coaches I played for in TISD.

Michael’s wife, Angie, has worked for Temple ISD for 16 years, and the couple is raising a fifth generation of TISD students with their daughters, Amber, and Avery. Thank you, Michael, for you true blue Wildcat Spirit and we are so pleased to be able to recognize you with our Alumni Spotlight.

Erika Allen Bennett, MD '09

Erika Allen Bennett is a proud graduate of the Temple HS class of 2009, and she was Valedictorian of her class. Bennett also attended Bethune and Kennedy-Powell Elementary Schools and Lamar Middle School.

Dr. Bennett would go on to graduate with honors from Texas Tech University where she also was active in student government, served as president of her sorority, and was on the Homecoming Court. She earned her Doctor of Medicine from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in 2017 and returned to Temple to complete her residency in general surgery at Baylor Scott and White Hospital and served as Chief Resident and received the Outstanding Surgery Teaching Resident award. Dr. Allen completed a Fellowship in trauma/surgical critical care in North Carolina and recently moved to Medford, Oregon with her husband, and works as a surgeon in private practice at Asante Rogue Regional Hospital.

Dr. Allen remained active in the Temple community during her residency at Baylor Scott and White and even volunteered to speak with Temple High School students who were interested in medicine. She is passionate about medicine and has a heart for her patients and the profession. Dr. Allen has won numerous awards and has been responsible for a multitude of publications and presentations during her career as she continues to represent Temple ISD.

What does being a Wildcat mean to you?

My high school years were some of the best years of my life. At Temple High School, I made life-long friends, developed my critical thinking skills in IB courses, sang my heart out in Polyfoniks, pushed my athletic skills in track, cross country, volleyball, softball, and swimming & diving, built a solid base knowledge of Spanish, learned from countless mentors, teachers, and coaches, and earned a degree that set me up for a successful career as a surgeon. Returning to Temple for my surgical residency really showed me how special it was to be a Wildcat. I was connected to so many individuals in the community, just from our shared memories of Temple High. I am honored to be recognized as in the Alumni Spotlight and hope that there continue to be Wildcats who get to enjoy the same wonderful experience I did.

Laura Lee Slattery O'Rear '76

Laura Lee Slattery O’Rear graduated from Temple High School in the class of 1976. Born and raised in Temple, she also attended Jefferson and Dickson Elementary Schools and Travis Middle School.

O’Rear would go on to graduate from Temple College and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor before starting her career as an educator. She started her career as an Early Childhood Teacher at Scott Elementary and would go on to teach at Vandiver Elementary and Freeman Heights Elementary Schools. O’Rear moved to Gruver ISD and served in a variety of roles, even spending three years as superintendent after earning a master’s degree and completing mid-management and superintendent certification at Sul Ross State University. She has also been a principal in Merkel and Hamlin ISD’s and supervised student teachers for McMurry University. Even in retirement, she has stayed involved with education, working as a bookkeeper for a private, non-profit childcare academy in Tennessee.

O’Rear remembers her third grade teacher, Mrs. Hodges, at Dickson Elementary as her favorite teacher and credits a number of her former teachers and administrators in Temple ISD as being instrumental in providing her with the tools she needed to be a better teacher and administrator during her career in education.

What does being a Wildcat mean to you?

It means that you are always loyal to Temple and the values and traditions that have been part of Temple and THS for generations. I remember stories my grandmother told of providing milk to the elementary school that my mother attended and how she was so proud to do this to help all students. This was right after the Depression era. She was a widow, on limited income, but had dairy cattle so she could help the school my mom attended. This pride was instilled in me early that not only do you attend school, but you give back while attending in the form of keeping your grades up, listening and respecting your teachers and to learn as much as you can to provide for yourself in the future. I can still see my mom in my memories of washing my glasses every morning and telling me that she washed them so I could see the board and learn because I had to get and education to get into college. I was the first in my family to attend/graduate from college. I have other relatives who attended and taught in Temple, so it was an honor to have the title as “Teacher” in a district in which I gained so much knowledge and expertise and join the ranks of the teaching field. I always took that with me where I moved that I was first a Temple Wildcat regardless of school colors. It was always said with pride.

Sam Jones '88

Sam Jones - THS Class of '88

Sam Jones is a proud graduate of the Temple HS class of ’88 and he also attended Scott Elementary and Travis Middle School in Temple. Sam and his wife, Krista, have three children -- Cole, Talyor, Jake and 3 grandchildren.

Sam Jones has dedicated his entire life to serving the youth of the Temple community. He started working at the youth club at the age of 16. He has worked at Ralph Wilson Youth Club for 38 years. It is almost impossible to talk about the many great youth that have come through Temple, Texas and not find a connection to Sam Jones. His work at the youth club has impacted youth from all walks of life. In his time as Club Director, he trained and put staff in place to make sure the needs of our community where addressed. His current tenure as Athletic Director he has managed an athletic program that continues to provide high level skills development opportunities for our youth. His launching of a girls' volleyball program in 2018 will have a lasting impact on our female volleyball players.

More than anything else, Sam Jones embodies what it means to be a Wildcat; he meets people where they are at and embraces them for who they are and challenges them to be more than they could ever have imagined. Being a Wildcat means being that individual that sees beyond themselves and sees the greater good of the Temple community.

What does being a wildcat mean to you?

Being a Temple Wildcat meant everything to me. I grew up in a Wildcat family and was a third-generation Wildcat. My grandfather, dad and uncles were Wildcats and I remember my dad taking me to watch Temple Wildcat football practices at a young age. I couldn't wait to put on those blue front-white back pants and play on that field. Before I was old enough to wear the actual pants, my grandmother, Jean Jones, made me blue front-white back sweatpants to wear. We all knew that being a Temple Wildcat was special. Friday nights were about family and football. Everyone went to football games on Friday nights. As a little kid, I watched. As an older kid, I played. Being a Temple Wildcat will always hold a special place in my heart and part of me will always "bleed blue".

Carmelita Brittany Davila '07

Carmelita Brittany Davila graduated Temple High School in 2007. After High School graduation she attended Temple Jr. College and earned two associates degrees an Associate of Applied Science Criminal Justice & Associate of Arts in 2011 and then continued her education earning a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 2013 from Texas A&M University- Central Texas.

She currently serves as an officer with the Temple Police Department where she was hired in 2014 and graduated the Temple Police Academy in 2015. She has worked the night shift for nine years and has trained multiple new recruits. Carmen was critically injured in the line of duty in November 2016 when she was struck by a drunk driver on the side of I-35 as she helped another officer with a traffic stop. Like with all things, she did not let this keep her down and she came back from her injuries even stronger than before.

Carmen’s perseverance and determination is equally matched by her generosity and kindness. She has been a steadfast supporter of the Special Olympics, various cancer awareness groups, and the 9/11 Memorial Climb. She has been honored by the Exchange Club’s Officer of the Year for helping to save a life and as UMHB’s Hometown Hero.

She is a proud wife and mother and embodies the qualities of the police force: INTEGRITY. HONOR. DEDICATION.

Her favorite memory while at Temple High School was the knowledge, dedication and caring heart that Mrs. Goldman her Pre-AP Geography teacher showed towards her students to further their education. As well as the rivalry of the sold-out Temple Vs Belton Football Games.

What does being a Wildcat mean to her:

Going to Temple High prepared me for the real world and provided me with great perspectives for life after High School. The quote “Once A Wildcat Always a Wildcat” has always been a part of me. So much so that that after I graduated college I returned back to Temple where I proudly serve my community that I call home. I am proud to call myself a Wildcat and Bleed Blue.

Carmen, we are equally proud to call you a Wildcat and are pleased to have you in our Alumni Spotlight to inspire others!

Bob McQueen '56

Coach Bob McQueen is synonymous with Texas football but a detail that is often overlooked is that he did not

just coach the Wildcats… he was and always be a Wildcat himself. Coach is a proud member of the Temple HS graduating class of 1956. He also attended Bently Hills Elementary, Reagan Jr. High, and the old Temple High School.

Coach’s sweetheart for 64 years, Regina, is patiently waiting for him in heaven. The couple raised three sons – Mark, Scott, and Kyle - and daughter Amanda who have all been incredibly successful in their careers and in expanding the family legacy to include 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.

After graduating from the University of Tulsa, he returned to Temple and began his coaching career at Lamar Junior High. After a stint in the college coaching ranks that he looks back on as a great time of professional growth, Coach could not resist the opportunity to return home in 1972 as the athletic director and head football coach of the Temple Wildcats. Back home he led the program for 28 years and accumulated two state titles and a .759 winning percentage before retiring at the end of the 1999 season.

Coach McQueen earned numerous accolades and awards during his unprecedented career. But these accomplishments are not what endears him to Temple. It is the impact he had on the lives of the players he helped turn into successful, productive, moral young men that solidifies his legacy in our community and far beyond. Perhaps Coach McQueen was ahead of his time and should be credited as one of the original “Life Coaches” as he was as committed to teaching players as much about life off the field as he was about growing them in the sport itself.

For coach, it was always about the kids and they knew it… and they still do. If you ever meet one of his former players, you will know. How? Because if you ask where they went to high school, the answer “Temple High School” is always immediately followed by “and I played for Coach McQueen.” You don’t have to ask, they will proudly tell you.

In fact, his former players are the reason we are here today. It has been nearly 25 years since Coach McQueen “officially” coached a game at Wildcat Stadium, but it might as well have been yesterday as far as his players are concerned because the impact he has had on their lives is still very real and only grows stronger with time.

Favorite memories from being a student in Temple ISD:

Growing up in the ‘50’s was a really cool time to be a teenager. My senior year I decided to bear down on my classwork and I made all A’s except for one B. Playing for the Wildcats was special. Getting a football scholarship meant so much to me and my family. I played varsity football, basketball, baseball & track. I never was a great athlete, I just tried hard and was fairly tough. Trying hard, working hard and being tough enough to handle tough situations, but also with love and compassion – that’s what I’ve tried to be.

What does being a Wildcat mean to you?:

Watched my first Wildcat game when I was in the 4th grade at Bently Hill Elementary and I was hooked. When we played ball in the yard I was dreaming of being one of the Cats. I started only one game in junior high. I was small, skinny with big feet and hands. Played back-up QB on JV as a sophomore. Then I started growing – 22 lbs. one year and 20 the next. I started at right end for the Wildcats as a Jr. and Sr. and thought I was in heaven. I dreamed of being a coach and my secret dream was to coach the Wildcats. Dreamers that work hard enough and with God’s help can make those dreams come true.

Coach, for all the reasons above and so much more, Temple ISD is honored to feature you in our Alumni Spotlight!

Joe Medrano '88

Joe Medrano '88

Joe Medrano has a has a very successful career in law enforcement currently serving as the Chief Investigator for the Bell County Attorney but he is probably most proud of being a graduate of Temple HS class of 1988.

Joe comes from a family of Temple Wildcats. He "bleeds blue" in every sense of the phrase. Since 2005, you could find him sitting in bleachers, in the pressbox, along the sidelines, in the dugout, or the concession stands working hard to make sure kids received the best experience possible, simply because they are part of the Wildcat family also.

Joe has a heart for kids. He is very passionate, especially when it comes to something he loves. He shares his drive, passion, expertise and love of all things BBQ, baseball, and life in general in the hopes of passing on advice and guidance that will last throughout the ages, and across a lifetime.

Once Joe gets "in" with an organization, his steadfast involvement never wavers. He's reliable, dependable, and leads students and the people around him with integrity. He's a constant in the Wildcat family, and a lifelong member of the Temple community. Joe represents the grit, hard work, and determination you expect to be synonymous with a "Temple Wildcat".

Joe- For this and so very much more, we are proud to honor you in our Alumni Spotlight!

Moses Louie Flores '78

Louie Flores ‘78

Moses Louie Flores is a proud member of the Temple High School Class of 1978 and also attended Travis Junior High here in Temple. After graduation, he attended Temple Junior College and earned a degree in Business Management. However, he had long been involved with the family business - Johnnie’s Cleaners - which his father began in 1971.

Louie’s business philosophy is simple – provide exceptional customer service and give back – and he has done that for over four decades. His business has expanded across the area and he has been involved with countless civic and community groups throughout the years. If you know Louie, his kindness and enthusiasm are contagious and outweighed only by his humility and tremendous work ethic which he instilled in his son, Ryan.

Favorite memory from when you were a TISD student: Temple HS vice president of the Band and under Durwood Howard and a member of the Temple Highlighters.

What being a Wildcat means to you: It has been everything to me. I bleed Blue. Temple is my hometown and has given me so much opportunity and I am so grateful.

Louie, for these reason and so many more, Temple ISD is so proud of you and we are thrilled to honor you in our November 2022 Alumni Spotlight!

Dr. Sara Harris Baker '98

Temple ISD School Attended: Thornton Elementary, Bonham Middle School, Temple High School Class of ‘98

TAUGHT AT: Bonham Middle School Choir 2002-2008, Mom (Connie Harris) taught 25 years at Jefferson Elementary School

College Education: Southwestern University, 2002, Bachelor of Music; Boston University, 2008, Master of Music Education; Louisiana State University, 2011, Ph.D. in Music Education

Current Job: Division Director of Fine Arts at Temple College (faculty since 2013), co-owner (with husband, Zechariah Baker) of The Beltonian Theatre

Family: Husband Zechariah Baker and son Gray Baker, is a junior at Temple High School, is an IB diploma candidate, and plays bass in Highlighters

Favorite memories in Temple ISD: The courtyard with bunnies, ducks, and chickens at Thornton. My friends and I potty trained a duck so he could walk the halls of the school.

Choir and Theatre events in High School including playing Marian in The Music Man and making the Texas All-State Choir twice.

Being a Wildcat to me is being a curious lifelong learner and striving to be your personal best at anything you put your mind to do.

Congratulations on all of your success, Sara!

Dr. Andrejs Avots-Avotins '72

Dr. Andrejs Avots-Avotins is a proud graduate of the Temple High School class of 1972. He also attended Travis Jr. High School when his family first moved to Temple. Dr. Avots earned his BA in Biology from UT Austin and his Ph.D. and M.D. from UTMB in Galveston.

He was able to come back to his hometown to begin his career joining the S&W Division of Gastroenterology in 1989. He has served as a member of the S&W Clinic Board of Directors which he also chaired from 2008 to 2013 and he currently serves as the Elizabeth & Drayton McLane, Jr. Chair in Health & Wellness and Vice President of Medical Affairs, Provider Engagement and Community Affairs.

The Avots family proudly boasts five Temple High School alums as his wife Gail Brown Avots (’72), and three children – Kristin (‘01), Lauren (’04), and Erik (’07) -- are also Temple High School graduates.

When asked to share his favorite memory from his years as a student in TISD, Dr. Avots cited:

Great teachers
Science/Math classes
Fine Arts Programs – especially the Band, Highlighters and Theatre Arts
Football games and the halftimes shows for the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day
Senior year Christmas Dance

What does being a Wildcat mean to you? “My years in TISD prepared me well to face the challenges of college, post graduate studies and ultimately my work as a physician caring for patients and the communities they lived in. My teachers and mentors at TISD taught me to be both passionate and determined. They instilled in me the necessity of always being prepared and to aspire to help others. To me, a Wildcat is always well prepared, determined, and seeks to help others.” -Dr. Andrejs Avots-Avotins

Dr. Avots contributions to our community are profound and innumerable. But perhaps the most striking thing about him is his incredible humility, kindness and selflessness. We are so very proud to recognize him in our Alumni Spotlight!

Susan Hill Kamas '65

Susan Hill Kamas is a proud graduate of the THS Class of 1965. She also attended Reagan Elementary, Scott Elementary and Travis Junior High in Temple ISD. Upon graduating from THS, Susan went on to earn her

Associates Degree from Temple Junior College, Her BS in Home Economics with Teaching certificate from Southwest Texas State College and graduate degree in Political Science from Angelo State University.

Susan is a very familiar face across our region where she has served as the Executive Director of Workforce Solutions of Central Texas for 33 years. Her contributions to the economic development of the areas she serves have been profoundly instrumental in the stability and growth that the region has experienced.

Her husband of 51 years, James Kamas, is also a Central Texas native and is a chemical engineer. To the surprise of no one, Susan is known as the “fun Aunt” to her nieces and nephews! Her older sister Sharon lives in Sherman and younger brother Dennis resides in Temple.

When asked about her favorite memories as a TISD student, Susan shared:
• Pepperettes – what precious memories marching at halftime at the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving football games. I can see Mr. Howard stomping his foot and waving those arms.
• We had such great teachers and administrators: Mr. and Mrs. Whatley, Miss Black, Miss Hendricks. They always had the best interests of their students and encouraged us to excel. I remember being greeted at the classroom door—always with a big smile.

As far as what being a Wildcat means to her, Susan’s response “We’re the greatest ones alive; we’re the class of 65!”

Susan – We are so proud of you and all that you have done and continue to do for Central Texas. It is an honor to feature you in our Alumni Spotlight this month!

Katie Shull Wells '88

Katie Shull Wells ‘88

Katie Shull Wells is a proud member of the Temple High School Class of 1988. She grew up in Temple and also attended Bethune Elementary, Western Hills Elementary and Bonham Middle School.

After high school graduation, Katie Attended Southwestern University in Georgetown Texas earning a Bachelor of Arts and later attended the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY earning an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts.

Katie developed a love of cooking at a very young age and has spent her career in the food service industry working in fine dining restaurants across the country to include Napa Valley and her own establishment in Salado. Currently, she is the Founder and Chef of RosieJo Meals and also owns Classic Catering here in Temple.

Katie has also developed deep ties with the CrossFit Community providing all the food for the CrossFit Games in CA and she ships her food nation-wide in addition to delivering in Temple.

But perhaps the best part about Katie is her giving spirit. She donates food, time and equipment to Feed My Sheep and Meals on Wheels.

Katie is married to Ran Wells and is devoted to her four children:

Luke is at THS

Sarah is at Bonham

David is at Texas A&M

Joseph works for CRW Construction locally

Katie- It is an honor to have you in our July Alumni Spotlight!

Billie Brice-Warner '63 - Dunbar

Billie Brice-Warner '63 - Dunbar

Mrs. Billie Brice-Warner is a proud graduate of Dunbar High School Class of 1963. Born and raised in Temple, she also attended what was then known as Wheatley Elementary. Upon graduating from Dunbar, Ms. Warner received a degree in Medical Lab Science from Temple College and then studied Biology with a minor in English at Huston-Tillotson College.

Ms. Warner was a Medical Laboratory Technician at Scott & White Medical Center in Temple for more than 30 years. Retirement has kept her very busy. She has been actively involved in the Dunbar-Meridith Homecoming Association where she has served as President and is a member of numerous civic and service organization across Temple. Ms. Warner has been instrumental in TISD where she has served as a substitute for many years.

If you have ever had the privilege of meeting Ms. Warner, her gentle spirit and heart of service are quickly revealed. For these reasons and so much more, Ms. Billie Brice-Warner exemplifies and embodies what we hope for all of our Temple ISD Alumni as she continues to impact her community and everyone who is blessed to know her.

Jennifer "Nifty" Gosney '90

Jennifer “Nifty” Gosney, MBA, CPA, FACMPE, FACHE, CHFP is a Director of Finance for the Baylor Scott & White Health Temple Region who graduated from Temple HS in 1990 after attending Thornton Elementary and Bonham Middle School.

Nifty has spent the last 16 years at Baylor Scott & White Health with responsibilities for financial leadership, operational improvement, and strategic planning. Before joining Baylor Scott & White Health, she worked for 8 years as a public accountant. She currently provides financial leadership for the Baylor Scott & White Health Temple region clinical operations. She is a current member of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) Board of Directors and the MGMA Finance and Audit Committee. She served as Chair of both the MGMA Assembly Council Steering Committee and the MGMA Financial Management Society. She has been through Leadership Temple and is a past treasurer for the Greater Temple Area Texas A&M Club. Last year she started teaching Accounting for Managers and Healthcare Finance at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as an adjunct professor.

Nifty graduated from Texas A&M University in College Station with a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering and then received her Master’s in Business Administration from Texas A&M University - Central Texas.

Nifty and her husband Jeff Ward are proud parents to son Riggs (5). Her family includes parents, Gary Gosney & Linda Gosney; sisters Dandy, Scooter and Thumper; and mother-in-law, Jan Ward who taught at THS for 29 years.

What is your favorite memory from when you were a TISD student?

While falling down a flight of stairs in front of my high school crush (and 100 other students) and forgetting my lines in the one role I was cast in for theatre were both very memorable, I would say my most memorable experiences occurred as a student ambassador for Temple High School to Russia.

There was an application process, and I was sure I would not be selected. Being turned down was a norm for me in school. Do you know how many times you can try out for cheerleader and get rejected? The answer is three. However, this taught me to “go for it” and my determination paid off when I was selected for the student ambassador program!

While you would think going to the Kremlin or the Saint Basil’s Cathedral would be the most memorable part of that trip, it was not. The interactions with the people that I traveled with and met along the way were the most rewarding. We traveled in a bus across the country with memories that would last a lifetime. We were welcomed into a family’s home and spent the day with them eating a traditional home-cooked meal. We also spent a day playing with children in an orphanage; that still brings a smile to my face. If I had not applied with the fear of rejection, I would have never had this experience.

This type of education is immeasurable in its importance in my life.

What does being a Wildcat mean to you?

When you leave your hometown to go to college, almost everyone thinks, “I am NEVER moving back there.” I did move back and cannot imagine being anywhere else. Going to Temple High prepared me for the real world and gave me a great perspective on life through the eyes of others. I was surrounded by an array of interesting people from different backgrounds and countries, and I believe this to be as important a part of my education in life as anything I learned in the classroom. Sports were inclusive (and man, was I bad), theater was inclusive (and man, I was not great), and the classroom was on a spectrum that worked for me. Sports gave me a pulled groin (or an affinity to ride the bench), theatre gave me a stage presence, and the classroom fostered my appreciation of numbers and data.

Providing students with the opportunity to be well-rounded in life academically, artistically, athletically, and culturally is truly what makes our education system so great. I am proud to be from Temple and to call myself a Wildcat; TISD is a part of me, and I was glad to be a part of it.

Stephen "Skeebo" Reichert '85

Stephen “Skeebo” Reichert is a proud 1985 graduate of Temple High School who is also a Lamar Middle School Bearcat alum.

Skeebo is a success story of someone who battled dyslexia while in school, but he learned how to use his talents in visual arts to open his own photography and film business. He established his business “Photos by Skeebo” in Temple over 25 years ago and his work is highlighted in multiple print and digital publications across Central Texas.

He credits much of his success to his teachers in Temple ISD who encouraged him along his journey. Skeebo still recalls the “kindness” of his teachers who balanced their authority role in a way that still allowed them to be relatable and develop relationships with their students.

One of his favorite memories as a high school student was when he and a group of friends pulled a prank on Assistant Principal Cobb. As Skeebo described, “We sat on the lawn in front of the building at lunch with lawn chairs and an iced down bucket of IBC Root Beer, which looked just like a bucket of beer. Principal Cobb saw us and came STORMING over! Once he saw it was root beer he was relieved and laughed.”

Skeebo is still well-known for his sense of humor but his incredible sense of determination, perseverance and resilience is unparalleled. Learning to embrace challenges as opportunities to reach your maximum potential is something we want for all students and is why Skeebo is in our Temple ISD Alumni Spotlight this month!

Brian Aviles '88

Brian Aviles '88 - February 2021

Brian Aviles is a 1988 graduate from Temple High School who has dedicated his life to service and is a true hero in every sense of the word. After graduation, he joined the

Navy and was stationed all over the world and on countless Naval vessels throughout his 24-year career. He retired from the Navy in 1987 and began pursuing his vision of a college degree. In 2018. Brian earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems and in 2020 he earned his Master of Science in Information Systems both from Texas A&M Central Texas. He currently works as an IT Tech and according to Brian there is still “more to come….”

His many honors and accomplishments are commendable, but perhaps the most profound thing about Brian is summed up by his resiliency, perseverance and humility. In his own words, Brian describes what Temple High School meant to him:

“Temple High School is where I started to frame my dreams, wishes, and hopes into a vision template on what if’s and open-ended questions to achieve my future goals. Through frustrations, loneliness, homelessness at 17, and graduation in 1988 I knew Temple High School education would help spring- board me towards my framed vision, but what I came to understand then and after traveling the world and serving my country; is God had woven Temple High School into my very fabric that went around the world with me and continues to be a part of me today. Thus, it all started with Temple High School…”

When Brian retired from the Navy, he chose to return to Temple where “it all started” to raise his family with wife Lisa. His youngest son Jacob Cody Aviles is currently a sophomore at Temple High School.

Michelle Lugo Villarreal '07

Michelle Lugo Villarreal '07 - December 2020

Michelle attended Thornton Elementary and Travis Middle School

before graduating from Temple HS in 2007. During her High school she was involved with the Kittens Dance Team, Theatre Arts, FFA, and was a top 10% graduate with the class of 2007.

She went on to graduate from Texas A&M University Central Texas in 2015 with a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC), serving the community through Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services. She has also served as a role model through community service. Michelle is the past president of the Junior League of Bell County where she has dedicated her free time to volunteering and assisting women and children in our community who need it the most.

As wife to Ruben Villarreal and mom to Cora 6, Ellie 6, and Honor 1, Michelle admits that “…the work and time serving the community in various ways isn't always easy to juggle, but it is always worth it, to leave a legacy behind for my children and the community.”

Catherine Robertson Beimer ‘36 - November 2020

Born in 1919 in Temple, Texas Ms. Catherine Robertson Beimer is the first woman to be recognized in the Alumni Spotlight and at the young age of 101 she would probably tell you that it’s about time.

A force to be reckoned with, for over 50 years Catherine Beimer was a local retail leader promoting downtown Temple as a shopping destination and later helping to establish 31st Street as a vital artery in the city's business community.

Catherine attended Reagan Elementary School and then graduated from Temple High School in 1936.

After graduating from THS Catherine attended Southwest Texas State Teachers College now Texas State University and taught for several years in a one

room schoolhouse right outside of Temple near Holland which had 20 students from Kindergarten to 12th Grade.

At the onset of WWII, she married Frank Beimer and spent the subsequent years following him from Naval Base to Naval Base up and down the east coast.

After WWII they returned to Temple and established Beimer’s Jewelers in downtown Temple in 1947. For the first few years of the business Catherine worked as a secretary at Scott and White to support the family.

In 1951 she joined Beimer's Jewelry full time and the store began to experience massive expansion. In 1971, the store was relocated to the blossoming 31st Street retail district. From 1951 to 1992, when the store closed Catherine oversaw all the finances, inventory and staffing of the business, including the design and construction of their last store on 31st street, where Precious Memories Florist now operates. In short, she was the genius behind the business that expanded Beimer's Jewelry from a single watch bench in the corner of a drug store to an over 5,000 square foot fine jewelry retail establishment.

In 1981 she stepped in to help to raise three of her grandchildren after her daughter-in-law passed away from cancer but Catherine remained firmly in charge of the business during this time

At the age of 73, she retired from the jewelry business and at the age of 80, retired from raising grandchildren.

After retiring she spent many years volunteering as a Yellow Bird at Scott and White Hospital and Meals on Wheels through Grace Presbyterian Church.

Robert York '96 - October 2020

Robert York is a man whose heart is as large as his presence.

Graduating from Temple HS in 1996, Robert was a school leader and loved by all who came in contact with him.
Robert is a gifted barber, by trade, and has built a thriving business in Temple over the last 20 years.

However, most of his time away from the barbershop has been as a youth football coach to various local and regional recreational programs. His team, the Temple Spartans were the first to play at the City of Temple's Joe Greene Field.

His son, Taurean York, is currently a Wildcat standout, due in no small part to the role his father has taken in his life. Robert York is certainly not someone to talk about his accomplishments and achievements, which is all the more reason to spotlight him.

2015-2016 Wildcat Alumni (previous recognition program)

2015-2016 Wildcat Alumni (previous recognition program)

Our Previous recognition program was entitled "Wildcat Alumni" and under this program four honorees were selected: Dr. Bob Pryor '69, Danny Dunn '96, Brian Floca '87, and Bo Harvey '92. We want to begin our new program by "spotlighting" these initial four honorees who exemplify what it means to be a Wildcat!