Memorial High School senior Angela Guerrero was thankful to everyone involved for awarding her the Re-Engineering for Academic Excellence Scholarship.

“I’m so excited to get this scholarship. I’m glad everyone got their money. I hope all of y’all do well in college and spend your money wisely. I thank you for the scholarship because it will be helpful in my future,” a tearful Guerrero said.

Her scholarship was for $750.

Likewise, George Romar received $2,000 for his scholarship and he, too, was thankful.

“I can definitely use the $2,000. I love my classmates and all things are possible through determination and imagination,” he said.

Twenty-six Port Arthur Independent School District graduating seniors received $15,400 in scholarships at the annual Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council meeting and special awarding of the 2008 Re-Engineering for Academic Excellence Scholarships Thursday at the Stilwell Technical Center.

Dr. Johnny Brown, PAISD superintendent, spoke to the students and their families about the need for students to keep up with the latest trends in technology.

“We don’t need to teach in 2008 like we did in the 1960s,” he said. “We need resources and support for the 21st century. I won’t be satisfied until the Port Arthur Independent School District is top-rated and an exemplary school district. Kids text message more than they call people.”

He then asked students what kind of technological advances could help students to learn.

Some responded they favor more visual learning. Others wanted more hands-on training while more in-depth explanation of things taught was mentioned.

Other ideas floated around were online lectures featured with the new textbooks, electronic hand-held books and books on IPod.

The Keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Nathaniel Langston Barnes.

Barnes was born and raised in Port Arthur. He graduated from Brown University, Harvard Medical School, completed his internship at Duke University. He also served in the U.S. Army and rose to the rank of major.

He now lives in Houston with his wife, Dr. Marcia Barnes, their son Geoffrey, and their daughter Katherine. Geoffrey will be attending Yale University in the fall and Katherine is already a professional opera singer in the seventh grade.

Barnes said his mother was the biggest influence in his life. His family and teachers would constantly push him to read.