Pasadena, TX – J. Frank Dobie High School hosted its annual Hall of Honor induction ceremony on Friday, January 31, 2025, continuing a cherished tradition of recognizing prestigious alumni and faculty.

The event began with the ceremony in the Longhorn Auditorium, followed by a reception to highlight inductees, and concluded with a mixer for family and friends. This year's inductee class included four stellar alumni who have excelled in various fields and two dedicated faculty members. The honorees included: 

• Jim Sawyer

• Dr. Jean Liew

• Audrey Castoreno

• Ahmed Badr

• Jeanne and Lou Parlangeli

The ceremony was hosted by master of ceremonies Shane Brown, who delivered an electrifying speech highlighting the alumni and past faculty. Deputy Superintendent of Staff and Academic Achievement, Dr. Toni Lopez and Dobie Principal Jorly Thomas also honored the recent inductees, emphasizing their dedication and commitment as community leaders and distinguished individuals.

About nine years ago, an inductee expressed a desire to give back to the school, leading to the creation of the Dobie High School Hall of Honor Scholarship. In its eight years, the fund had awarded over $150,000 to 42 students.

• Kaylie Bui

• Jacob Guzman

• Rosette Calvillo

• Emily Henriquez

• Will Joiner

Additionally, the Cherry Foundation Vocational Scholarship, was awarded to students in vocational or technical programs. The recipients were:

• Joselyn Benitez

• Deseree Hernandez

• Julian Valencia

Meet the 2025 Hall of Honorees: 

Jim Sawyer, Class of 1973

Jim Sawyer is the first inductee to qualify for three areas on the Dobie Pride Wall: alumni, faculty member, and community volunteer. A 1973 Dobie graduate, Sawyer was captain of the football and baseball teams and served as president of the Tri Hi Y club. After high school, Sawyer attended Wharton Junior College on an athletic scholarship and later earned degrees from the University of Houston and Texas A&M. He worked as a teacher and coach in Pasadena ISD for 40 years, teaching math, science, and vocational classes at South Houston High School and Dobie High School. Sawyer was known for his dedication to his students and community. He built the annual homecoming bonfire, volunteered for the Seniors Helping Seniors program, and drove the bus for numerous campus programs. He also helped build the Dobie Pride Wall and its Hall of Honor addition.

Sawyer's teaching style was inspired by his own experiences at Dobie, and he aimed to pass on his knowledge to his students and grandchildren. His commitment to education and community service has left a lasting impact on many.

Dr. Jean Liew is an assistant professor of medicine at Boston University Medical School, specializing in clinical epidemiology research on osteoarthritis and COVID-19 risk factors for people with rheumatological diseases. She played a key role in the COVID-19 Global Rheumatology Alliance Registry. Dr. Liew earned honors degrees in English and biology from the University of Texas (Austin), followed by a medical degree from the same institution. She completed her internal medicine residency at Oregon Health and Science University and a rheumatology fellowship at the University of Washington, where she also earned a master's degree in epidemiology. Outside of her professional work, Dr. Liew enjoys baking, spending time outdoors, and visiting museums. She is active on social media, where she shares insights from conferences and collaborates with other researchers.

Audrey Castoreno Atkinson is an Emmy and AP award-winning morning anchor at KENS 5 in San Antonio. With over a decade of experience in broadcast journalism, she is known for her dedication and storytelling passion. A distinguished honors student at Dobie High School, Audrey excelled academically and in extracurricular activities, including serving as news director for Dobie News. She pursued a degree in Broadcast Journalism at Sam Houston State University, gaining valuable experience at SHSU Channel 7 and Fox 26 in Houston. Audrey's career began at KAVU-TV in Victoria, followed by a role as anchor at NewsWest 9 in Midland-Odessa. In 2015, she joined KENS 5, quickly rising to her current position as morning anchor. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including Emmy and AP awards. Beyond her professional achievements, Audrey is committed to community service. She has been an active member of the Junior League of San Antonio, serving as vice president of Community, and has volunteered with Communities in Schools. She was honored as the JLSA Volunteer of the Year in 2019. Audrey balances her career with her personal life, enjoying time with her husband Brian and their two young daughters, Aurora and Cora.

Ahmed Badr is an Iraqi-American author, poet, and social entrepreneur dedicated to empowering youth through creativity and addressing issues of displacement. His work blends poetry, archival collections, and multimedia to explore migration, identity, and self-expression, aiming to transform tragedy into a source of strength. Badr serves as the director of the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship and is an assistant professor at Wesleyan University, making him one of the youngest senior faculty members globally. He authored "While the Earth Sleeps We Travel," a book featuring stories, poetry, and art from young refugees, with a foreword by Ben Stiller. This book has been chosen as the First-Year Common Read at several universities. In 2006, Badr's home in Baghdad was bombed, leading his family to seek refuge in Syria before moving to the United States. As a high school junior, he founded Narratio, an organization that supports the creative expression of displaced youth through various initiatives. Narratio fellowship program, in partnership with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, has reached millions worldwide. In 2020, Badr collaborated with the World Bank's Connect4Climate initiative, co-hosting a series that highlighted youth climate leaders. His work has been showcased at prestigious institutions like Juilliard, Harvard, Yale, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He has also delivered keynote speeches, including at the Nobel Prize Teacher’s Summit, and addressed the United Nations multiple times. Badr holds degrees from Wesleyan University and Harvard University and has received numerous fellowships and awards. He is a National Geographic Young Explorer and one of the UN Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals.

Jeanne and Louis Parlangeli inspired students at J. Frank Dobie High School with their enthusiasm for learning, teaching pre-AP and AP physics and chemistry. With a combined 76 years of teaching, they aimed to open students' eyes and support their growth. Jeanne graduated from Southwest Texas University with a degree in biology and chemistry. She taught at various schools before finding her niche at Dobie High School, where she taught geology, physics, and advanced physics courses. Jeanne was recognized as the 2012 National Science Teacher of the Year and received the 2007-2008 Toyota Tapestry Grant. Louis graduated from St. Francis College and earned a master's degree in physical chemistry from Bowling Green State University. He taught at Nazareth Regional High School in Brooklyn before moving to Texas in 1976. At Dobie, he taught physical science and advanced chemistry, sponsored the JETS Club and Science Olympiad, and initiated the Biodiesel Program. 

Together, they led Dobie’s AP testing in physics and chemistry, tutored Academic Decathlon teams, and received numerous awards for their contributions to education. They were also involved in community service projects, such as the Paper Recycling Program and water quality testing. Jeanne and Louis were lifelong learners, attending and presenting at various conferences and workshops. They were honored multiple times by top graduates as their Shining Star teachers and received awards from the National Society of High School Scholars.