On February 22, the Haskett Junior High School Choir proudly sang their school song before a large group of community members at the formal dedication of Bill & Cindy Haskett Junior High (HJH). The two educators, who have collectively contributed over eight decades to public education, now have their names etched on the District’s 17th junior high campus. The school currently enrolls over 900 sixth through eighth-grade students, with demographers projecting exponential growth within the next few years.
Holding back tears, Cindy Haskett spoke of the enormous support and blessings she and her husband have received since learning the school was going to be named in their honor. During last night’s ceremony, she provided a piece of advice to the students at HJH saying, “I challenge you today to be the best you can be every day. Remember, you don’t have to be excellent to start, but you have to start to be excellent.”
“The energy generated at this facility has been amazing, and I’m not referring to the large field of solar panels used to help provide electricity, but for the enthusiasm shown by all the faculty and staff here,” said Bill Haskett.
Both Bill and Cindy Haskett have deep roots and years of involvement in Katy ISD. Bill began his time with the District as a Katy High School student, graduating in 1961. His career in education spans over 50 years, starting in Spring Branch Independent School District, where he served from 1967 through 1978 as a teacher, counselor and assistant principal. He returned to his old high school in 1978 to become an assistant principal and then in 1981 he continued supporting the Katy Tigers, this time as the school’s principal. In 1996, Bill served as the director of community education and special projects, leading that effort until 2004. Additionally, he also contributed as a summer school supervisor, Katy ISD elections administrator, juvenile justice alternative education coordinator and credit by examination coordinator. Aside from his academic positions, Katy ISD students and parents know Bill as the voice behind the microphone. He served as the announcer for the Katy ISD Rodeo Parade from 2008 to 2019 and continues to be the voice broadcasting the Katy Tigers football games.
Cindy Haskett began her teaching career in Richardson Independent School District and shortly afterward moved to Houston to teach eighth-grade math and Algebra I for six years in Spring Branch ISD. She then moved to Katy, Texas and married Bill in 1979. Cindy taught math at Katy Junior High from 1980 until she retired in 2005, culminating 33 years in public education.
“I couldn’t think of two more deserving namesakes than Bill and Cindy, who have dedicated their lives to growing students in our community,” said Dr. David Paz, Principal of HJH.
As part of the ceremony, a school portrait that will hang at the main entrance of the school was revealed to the couple and Cindy Haskett was surprised with an honorary cheerleading letterman jacket.
HJH is located in the flourishing northwest quadrant of the District at 25737 Clay Road and is currently providing enrollment relief to neighboring campuses. The campus was made possible through the 2017 voter-approved bond.
