Class of 2006

The Cantu Family makes us proud! Five of Maria and Israel Cantu’s children are graduates from Splendora High School, but ALL of their children are remarkable citizens of our great nation. From Guadalupe to Marco, all are part of a military legacy that began with their father, Israel Cantu, Sr. Their father enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966 and served 21 years in the Marine Corps. While serving in Rota Spain he met and married his wife Maria Isabel Arevalo-Salas. Their children Guadalupe Medina (no military service, but married a marine and their children are serving); Israel Cantu, Jr. (Corporal/USMC 1990-1995); SHS 1993 graduate Jason Cantu (Sergeant Major/USMC 1993-Present); SHS 1995 Graduate Marisol Zammitt (Captain/USMC 1999-2005); SHS 1999 Graduate Miguel Cantu (Commander/US Navy 2004-2015 and US Navy Reserve 2015-Present); SHS 2003 Graduate Adrianna Fox (Captain/USMC 2008-2103); SHS 2006 Graduate Paloma Lankford (Lieutenant US Navy 2011-2017); and Marco Cantu (Staff Sergeant/USMC 2011-Present) are all dedicated to this country.

What does it mean for most of the children to be SHS Wildcats?  “Our experiences living in a small town such as Splendora and attending school there has instilled into us a sense of altruistic values such as service to our community and this great nation. We are all proud of our town and our former school district. Go Wildcats!” 

Sammy Butts is a graduate from Splendora High School’s Class of 2006. After high school, Sammy went on to receive his Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Houston. He is now the founder and CEO of his own company called Fathom Producers. Sammy is currently living in the Houston Heights area and recently moved his company into a building in downtown Houston. When asked about his plans he replied, “This year, I'm working towards raising my company to the next level and traveling and adventuring as much as possible! Life is to be lived to the fullest!”

When asked what does it mean to be a Wildcat, Sammy replied, "Pride in what you do, and always striving for the highest! Life is short, do what you love!"

Cody Bourque is a Splendora High School Class of 2006 graduate and a 2010 graduate from Northwestern State University, where he attended on a band scholarship playing the euphonium. While earning his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism at NSU, he served as Student Body President and General Manager of the campus radio station. The summer after his college graduation, he interned on Capitol Hill for the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee. Soon after, Cody spent time as a recruiter and admissions counselor for NSU and Centenary College of Louisiana.  He then moved to New Orleans, where he had a brief stint in publishing sales, before deciding to pursue a Masters of Arts in Teaching with a social studies certification. Like his grandmother Betty Bourque, former Splendora ISD school board member, the passion for education has always been present. So for the past five years, Cody has been teaching in New Orleans at high needs schools and serves on the Citywide Teacher Advisory Council for the Orleans Parish School Board. He is the social studies academic department chair at International High School of New Orleans where he teaches International Baccalaureate (IB) History.

When asked what it means to be a Wildcat, Cody said, "Even though I am a teacher leader in an environment different from my experience in Splendora schools, I always strive to build the same sense of a strong, supportive community created by our SHS teachers and administrators that I tremendously benefited from. I love keeping track of the amazing impact the district is making with living the mission of truly “cultivating exceptional people.”

The Ritchie sisters make us proud! All three are graduates from Splendora High School and all three have chosen education for their careers!
Stephanie Ritchie Morse graduated SHS in 2002. She was a player on the State Champion LadyCat Softball team, the EMC Fair Queen, and SHS Homecoming Queen. Stephanie attended Sam Houston State University where she obtained her degree in Elementary Education in 2007, taught in Conroe ISD for five years, and joined the SISD team in 2012. She received her Masters in Educational Technology Leadership from Lamar University in 2015 and is now the District Reading Specialist. Tiffany Ritchie Buntion is from the Class of 2006. Tiffany was a varsity softball letterman all four years at SHS and landed a spot as a McNeese State University Cowgirl. Tiffany later transferred to Sam Houston State University where she graduated in 2012 with a Bachelors of Science in Kinesiology and a minor in Education. Tiffany has spent the last 10 years in education coaching and teaching athletes as a Varsity Softball Coach, Girl’s Athletic Coordinator, and physical education teacher. This year, she joins the SJH coaching staff. Brittany Ritchie Vick graduated in 2010. She played softball and was part of the Splendora FFA chapter where she held different offices and showed livestock. Brittany went to Sam Houston State University where she graduated with her degree in Early Childhood Education in 2017. She started her teaching career in Splendora in 2017 where she has been a kindergarten teacher.

What does it mean to the Ritchie sisters to be SHS Wildcats? “Being Wildcats means family. This community has helped us become the women and educators we are today. During the best and most difficult times, our Wildcat family has shown up without question. We are Splendora, We are Wildcats!” 

Vanessa Mince Hagler graduated from Splendora High School in 2006. During her high school career, she was a cheerleader, on the dance team, and a member of the Future Business Leaders of America. After high school, Vanessa immediately entered the workforce, quickly became the Office Manager of an oil and gas company, and built administrative processes from the ground up. She and her husband opened Hagler Plumbing & HVAC in 2017, and she got her real estate license in 2018. Vanessa is the team leader of Hagler Realty Group. She and her husband have two children and reside in Splendora.

When asked what it means to be a Wildcat, Vanessa said, “Being a Wildcat means making it happen no matter your circumstances. You can persevere and be whoever you want to be. I’m thankful to the staff at Splendora ISD who believed in me and everything I learned to lay the foundation I needed to become who I am today.”

This month’s Cool Cat is Emily “Emmy” Briggs. When notified about being nominated, Emmy immediately expressed how honored she was to be recognized this way. She never imagined that she would be here one day, reflecting on what it means to be a "Cool Cat." But if there is one thing she has learned since those days, and continues to learn through life’s experiences, it is that being cool has nothing to do with following the crowd—it is about following oneself and being the most authentic version of who you are.

Emmy’s journey has been full of surprises and valuable lessons. After graduating from Splendora High School in 2006, she moved to Austin to attend the University of Texas, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Textile and Apparel Design. Knowing she wanted to experience life beyond Texas, she arranged her senior internship in New York City for her final semester. Moving to such a vibrant city was both thrilling and intimidating, but she was fortunate to have a close group of college friends from Austin who made the transition a bit easier, many of whom remain her best friends to this day.

Those first few years in New York were incredibly formative. Living in a fast-paced, unfamiliar city so far from home pushed Emmy to grow in ways she never expected. NYC teaches resilience, hustle, and the importance of embracing the unknown. She quickly realized that while not everything could be controlled, trusting the process and putting in the work would take her far.

Emmy always knew she wanted to be in the fashion and fashion advertising industry, but wasn’t quite sure where she fit within it. Exploring different roles—working in retail, PR agencies, and wholesale showrooms—eventually led to assisting wardrobe stylists on photoshoots, with celebrity clients, and for commercials and TV. The moment she stepped onto a set, she knew she had found her place. Over time, she built the skills and confidence to take on the role of lead stylist, shaping the creative vision on set. Nearly 15 years later, she is still doing what she loves.

Freelancing comes with its own challenges, but it has also provided Emmy with incredible freedom, opportunities, and connections. It has shown her that there is no single path to success—sometimes, the most fulfilling journeys are the ones created independently. Her work has taken her all over the world—Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, and across the U.S.—and she hopes there are still many more adventures to come. Best of all, she gets to collaborate with friends and family while shaping her career on her own terms.

Reflecting on her time in Splendora and how it shaped her, Emmy recognizes that high school is a time when many are figuring out who they are. At some point, everyone likely feels pressured to fit into a specific mold—whether it be choosing a “practical” career, acting a certain way, or following a traditional roadmap. What she has discovered is that the best things in life happen when stepping outside of that mold and embracing what makes each person unique.

One of the most important lessons Emmy has learned is that authenticity is not just about embracing oneself—it is also about embracing others. Being open to people from all walks of life, leading with kindness, and learning about experiences outside her own deepened her self-awareness. The most incredible connections happen when hearts and minds remain open to the people and perspectives that make the world beautifully diverse.

Emmy said, “Being authentic and radiating your essence can feel scary and intimidating at times, but when you find that courage and lean into who you really are, life tends to meet you there. The right people show up, the right opportunities unfold, and suddenly, your world starts to feel more like it truly belongs to you—not shaped by anyone else’s expectations. And when you meet others who are doing the same, it only makes the journey richer. Taking a leap of faith and trusting my instincts was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’ll always be grateful to my parents and family for supporting me in being myself and chasing my dream; that kind of encouragement makes all the difference. Thank you again for this honor. Keep being your authentic, unstoppable selves, and never be afraid to go after what you truly want. Because the coolest thing you can ever be—is yourself."

Cassie (Anderson) Engel is a Splendora High School Class of 2006 graduate. During her time at Splendora, she was a four-sport letterman as a Wildcat. She was a three-time district champion in the high jump for track, earned all-district honors for volleyball and basketball, and was awarded Newcomer of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year for softball. Cassie was named Most Athletic and Miss Splendora High School her senior year. 

After graduation, Cassie continued her softball career at Texas A&M University - Kingsville. At TAMUK, she started and played in every game for four years. She set school records for batting average, on-base percentage, and stolen bases. She also set the school and Lone Star Conference records for hitting streak. She was named First Team All-American by Daktronics South Central Region. She is a member of the All-Decade Team and was recently the fourth softball player to be inducted into the Javelina Athletics Hall of Fame. She earned her master’s degree in Exercise Science and met her husband, Trevor, at TAMUK. 

Cassie worked as a therapist for a neurologist's office for six years before taking time to be home with her two amazing little girls, Eliyah and Elizah. She is now a personal trainer and is also coaching her girls as they embark on their sports journeys. 

What does it mean to be a Wildcat?

When I think of being a Wildcat, I always think of being a member of a great community. The support of the whole city and the presence of amazing role models are unmatched. Being a Wildcat means that you work hard, you care for people, and you inspire others. I remember being inspired by the athletes before me and hoping that I would become that same inspiration to younger athletes. Walking into a classroom, I knew the teachers cared for me. Walking onto a practice field, I knew I would be pushed to deliver my best because my coaches consistently shared their confidence in my capabilities. I made lifelong friendships as a Wildcat that I will cherish forever. I am so grateful to have my Wildcat family because it has played a great role in developing me into the person that I am today.

Gary Owens is a Splendora High School Class of 2006 graduate. Following high school, he joined the United States Air Force. Gary served as an electrician in the Civil Engineer Squadron for eight years. He deployed to Iraq, Qatar, and Afghanistan during his time in the military. Catelynn Spates Owens graduated from Splendora High School in 2007. Not long after graduation, Catelynn joined Gary at Hickam AFB near Honolulu, HI, where they were married on August 31, 2007. 

The Owens moved back to Splendora to be closer to family and friends when Gary separated from the military in 2014. Gary has worked for United Parcel Service (UPS) for the past eight years, and Catelynn received her nursing degree and is an ICU nurse with Memorial Hermann. During their 15 years of marriage, the two have welcomed two daughters, Kyleigh and Ashton. Kyleigh is 11 years old, and Ashton is nine, and they both attend Timber Lakes Elementary. 

What does it mean to be a Wildcat? "It means having our children in a district where we grew up and knowing the people who teach them. It means knowing they are safe because our friends keep an eye on them and love and care for our children as much as we do. It means living in a smaller community where you know almost everyone, and everyone comes together during times of need. It means not giving up on your dreams and having the Wildcat drive and motivation to follow through with your goals and aspirations. Splendora ISD does cultivate exceptional people, and we are proud to raise our children in this district."