San Jacinto Intermediate School’s National Academic League team has the opportunity to bring a fourth NAL National Championship title home to Pasadena as the team will compete in the national competition’s “Sweet 16” level against the Carson Middle School team in Pittsburgh, PA via videoconference tomorrow from 10 to 11:30 a.m.  

San Jacinto made its way into the national competition after claiming the district championship against three-time NAL national champion Thompson Intermediate with a win/loss record 5-3 for the season. Thompson took its last NAL national championship title in 2001. This is San Jacinto’s first time to make it into the national competition. 

“Tomorrow’s game means many things to our team,” said San Jacinto’s head coach Maggie Allen. “It shows that our team is capable of doing whatever they set their minds to and that we have many bright students that excel at many things. It also shows that our team not only succeeds in academics but that our school’s pride and talents show in their character.” 

Team members competing in tomorrow’s game include Gustavo Huitron, Quienten Yarbrough, Natalie Hudson, Daniel Cruz, Brenda Moreno, Aaron Neito, Alvin Pham, Joel Rivera, Jehnytssa Zetina and Daniel Cobb. Other team members are Mirna Aguilar, Abel Ballin, Kesta Barber, Cesar Carrillo, Clayton Day, Ashlie Dotson, Fernando Gonzalez, Mario Guzman, Micelle Huitron, Daniel Martin, Aracely Munoz, Xochytl Nunez, Diana Palonco, Alexandra Rivera, Aleyda Salazar and Eduardo Vazquez. 

If San Jacinto beats Pittsburgh in tomorrow’s game, the team will continue on to the “Elite 8” level of the competition in which it will either compete against South Charlotte Middle School from Charlotte, NC or Hanes Middle School from Winston-Salem, NC for a place in the “Final 4” of the competition.  

“Anyone with an interest in the success of students should watch,” said the National Academic League Commissioner for Pasadena ISD and former Thompson NAL coach Carolyn Carmichael. “The game will be fast, fun, educational, stressful and an exciting experience. This is the perfect example of academic competition at its best.” 

Because intermediate school students are not allowed to leave the area for competition, the San Jacinto team will compete via videoconference from Sam Rayburn High School’s videoconference center. The district semi-finals and finals were also competed via videoconference. The game will be streamed live over the district Internet allowing all Pasadena ISD employees to view the game at www.pasadenaisd.org/it/ipvideo/. The link will be active today until 4 p.m. so the connection can be tested and then it will be active again starting at 9:45 a.m. tomorrow. It can not be accessed by computers outside of the district’s system.  

“Videoconferencing allows the intermediate students to compete on a much broader level including nationally,” said Carmichael. “It is also a great educational experience for the students to see how modern technology works.” 

Parents interested in watching the game who aren’t Pasadena ISD employees are invited to come to the school tomorrow morning at 3102 San Augustine in Pasadena to watch as the school is broadcasting it over school televisions. For more information, please call the school at 713-740-0480. 

Regardless of the outcome of tomorrow’s game, Allen said her NAL students will always be winners.  

“I want my team members to understand that they have done a fantastic job and that I am very proud of them no matter if we win or lose,” said Allen. “They are all winners in my book, and they can follow any dreams and goals they set for themselves.”