United Independent School District proudly celebrated the creativity and academic excellence of its Gifted and Talented students during the 2025 GT Showcase, held recently at the Bill Johnson Student Activity Center. This year’s theme, “The Hero’s Journey to Self-Discovery,” inspired students to explore their unique talents through self-directed learning and critical thinking.
Top student representatives from each of the district’s 30 elementary, 13 middle, and 4 high schools participated, showcasing projects that reflected deep inquiry, originality, and passion. Campus winners—whether individuals or student groups—received medals of excellence and a symbolic gift pack, including a notebook, compass, and map to guide them on their personal and academic journeys.
The event began with a formal recognition ceremony in the auditorium and was followed by a public showing of student projects in the SAC presentation rooms.
“Each student brought new ideas and creativity to this year’s GT Showcase 2025,” said Rebecca Morales, UISD Associate Superintendent. “We are so proud of the work they’ve done and thankful for the support of parents, educators, and school leaders who make this possible.”
Also at the event were Melissa Cruz, Executive Director of Secondary Education; Mario Rosales, Director of Advanced Academics; and Lisa Dunn, Master of Ceremonies and Special Populations Administrator at R.J. Santos Elementary. In her remarks, Dunn expressed deep gratitude to all those involved in making the GT Program a huge success every year.
Dunn explained the inspiration behind this year’s theme, referencing Joseph Campbell’s famed narrative structure:
“The concept for this year’s showcase was ‘The Hero’s Journey,’ inspired by Campbell’s study of mythologies from around the world. The students watched a short biographical video from the documentary trailer Finding Joe to help guide their thinking.”
She continued:
“Perhaps we admire our heroes because we see the potential of our own greatness in them. In Gifted and Talented education, we encourage students to pursue their unique interests and self-directed learning.”
Closing her address with encouragement, Dunn told the students:
“I invite you to follow your dreams, persevere despite challenges, and remember the power you hold inside. In the words of Joseph Campbell: ‘Follow your bliss, and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.’”
All participating students received symbolic tokens of inspiration: a blank notebook to write their stories, a compass, and a map, encouraging them to reflect on their own heroic journeys through life. Dunn added a touch of humor and heart as she concluded:
“Whatever you do today, do it with all the confidence of a four-year-old in a Batman T-shirt.”
UISD congratulates all student participants for their outstanding contributions and thanks the community for its continued support of the district’s Gifted and Talented Program.
They also gave thanks to AA Coordinator Amparo Lanese and others at UISD who helped to plan the event: Dora Hall, Amelia Moore, Jacqueline Amador, Kenny Castillo, the Fine Arts Dept., including AJ Gutierez and Penny Longoria.
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