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Parade Marshals |
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The Inaugural Back To School Parade Grand Marshal is Doctor William Charles Akins, an Austin resident whose roots go deep in the Austin Independent School District and the community it serves. Doctor Akins' education is based upon a long list of Texas institutions including Blackshear Elementary School in Houston, Kealing Junior High School, and Old L.C. Anderson High School. After graduating from Anderson High in 1950, Dr Akins continued his education by earning a Bachelor's Degree in History from Huston-Tillotson College, a Master's Degree from Prairie View A&M University, and Administrative Certification from Southwest Texas State University. In addition, Huston-Tillotson College presented Dr. Akins with the Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 1982. But where Dr. Akins truly distinguishes himself is in his contributions to one of 20th Century America's most important societal advancements - equal education for all children. His teaching career began with near immediate recognition, in 1962 - just three years after he began teaching social studies at his alma mater, Old Anders - he was recognized as Anderson's Teacher of the Year. Following that, as Austin ISD began to integrate its teaching faculty in 1964, Dr. Akins was selected to be the first African-American teacher in newly desegregated Johnston High School. It was there that he sponsored the Boys' Service Club and became the first Dean of Boys. He subsequently served in administrative positions at Old Anderson and Lanier high schools as Assistant Principal. In 1973, Dr. Akins was selected as the first principal of the new L.C. Anderson High School during one of the most turbulent social times in Austin history - the implementation of federally-mandated school busing for racial integration. His leadership there until 1982 paved the way for all Austin schools to create communities in which diversity is valued, expectations are high for all children, and opportunities for students and staff to achieve at their fullest potential are offered. In 1982, Dr. Akins' service to the school district expanded as he assumed central administration responsibilities, most recently as Associate Superintendent for Development and Community Partnerships. Most recently, in April of 1998, the Austin ISD Board of Trustees voted to name Austin's newest high school for Dr. Akins. Groundbreaking of Akins High School took place in January of 1999 and W. Charles Akins High School opened its doors to students in August of 2000. Our school is a tribute to Dr. Akins' and his commitment to young people. It ensures his work and spirit not only endure, but thrive. |
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Grand Marshal |
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Dr. William Charles Akins Namesake of W. Charles Akins High School |
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The Male Youth Back To School Parade Marshal is Gabriel George (presently 9 years old). He has been selected as the 2007-2009 Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (SCDAA) National Poster Child. He was diagnosed with sickle cell disease when he was 3 weeks old. Since his diagnosis, his parents, Charles and Cheryl George have been actively involved in the Marc Thomas Sickle Cell Foundation in Austin, TX. Gabriel attends Applegate Academy and enjoys spending time with his brother Nathaniel, reading, riding his bike, hot wheel cars, inventing things and taking pictures with his digital camera. He has been playing the violin since he was 5 years old and he is actively involved in a youth group at his church, Alpha Seventh-Day Adventist Church. He has helped the group (The Adventurers) raise $30,000 to go to Kisii, Kenya to help an orphanage there getting running water and electricity. He is very proud of how God is using him to bless those less fortunate. Since April 2001, Gabriel has also been a spokesperson for the Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas (BTC) and has appeared for speaking engagements numerous times on behalf of the BTC and the Marc Thomas Sickle Cell Foundation. Gabriel understands that he is not just surviving with Sickle Cell Disease “HE IS THRIVING WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE!” UPDATE: Gabriel met with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office in March 2009 to discuss Sickle Cell Disease and possible cures. He also gave a few gifts to the first daughters. (Read More). Instead of focusing on the sourness of this “lemon” of a disease, he is fully enjoying the sweet taste of lemonade ... life. How sweet it is!!! |
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2008 Youth Marshals |
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Gabriel George |
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Jassamine Domino |
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Jassamine Domino is our Female Youth Back To School Parade Marshal for 2008 and 2009. Jassamine is 20 years old. She was born with a rare skin disorder name Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), which is a rare genetic disease characterized by the presence of extremely fragile skin and recurrent blister formation, resulting from minor mechanical friction or trauma. She has been speaking on behalf of EB Awareness for years, and she has been awarded a trip to New York for the 2008 Most Spirited Award. Although this is a serious disease, she does not let this slow her down. She is quite active in her church, especially with Unique Praise (a group that uses sign language to interpret gospels songs). Additionally, she attends Austin Community College, where she is Visual Communications major. Some of her work includes the flyers for this inaugural Back To School Parade and the www.myspace.com/backtoschoolparade web site. She has been a camp counselor for a skin camp in California since 2004. She graduated from Keene High School in Keene, TX, and she has lived in Austin for the past 2 years. Her parents are Elbert and Patricia Domino, and she is the 4th of 5 children. Her parents are truly proud of her for staying active in her community and will continue to encourage her to make more and more people aware of EB. She has created the groups.myspace.com/butterflichildren is a site that she has created to try to spread the word about the organization. Once she’s in New York, she hopes to become even more involved. |
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Back To School Parade |
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2008 Grand Marshal |
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The 2010 Back To School Parade Grand Marshal is Heather McKissick, who is an organizational development and communication specialist with specific expertise in leadership development, change management and workgroup facilitation. Heather is President and CEO for Leadership Austin, a non-profit organization where people of diverse backgrounds and experience come together to learn about civic leadership, engage in meaningful dialogue about important public issues, and collaborate to make a difference in Central Texas. Since 1979, thousands of individuals have graduated from the Leadership Austin Essential Class or enhanced their leadership capacities through its open enrollment programs. As the former Director of Organizational Development and Education for the Seton Healthcare Network she was responsible for the Organizational Development system which includes employee and leadership development initiatives for more than 10,000 employees across Central Texas. Seton is a healthcare Ministry within the Ascension Health system. Ascension Health is the nation's largest Catholic and largest nonprofit health system, serving patients through a network of hospitals and related health facilities providing acute care services, long-term care, community health services, psychiatric, rehabilitation and residential care. Prior to working for Seton, she was at the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) in Austin, Texas, assisting their Corporate Services business unit develop comprehensive action plans for improved employee engagement and workplace communication. The former Manager of Technology Services’ Learning and Performance for the LCRA, Heather managed the creation, development and delivery of learning and performance enhancement programs across the authority. She is also a former Global Communication Specialist for Motorola Semiconductor Product Sector, where she developed a “virtual” global feedback process that was implemented to gather and integrate feedback from cross-functional and cross-cultural teams worldwide. Adding to her expertise in business communication and curriculum development, Heather is the former Assistant Dean of Humanities at St. Edward's University, where she also served as a faculty member and advisor to graduate and undergraduate students. Heather can be reached via Leadership Austin at www.leadershipaustin.org |
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Heather McKissick |
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The 2009 Back To School Parade Grand Marshal is Edward L. Roby, who was born in Austin, Texas to Mr. and Mrs. Omphia Roby. He is a 1960 graduate of L.C. Anderson H. S. At Anderson H.S., he participated in football and was named to the All District team at Center. He attended Texas Southern University and graduated with a Bachelor Degree in Physical Education. At Texas Southern, he was a member of the football team as a starter for four years. He was the Team Captain for two years and received honors as All SWAC linebacker. He received a Master Degree from Texas State University in 1981. Edward was a teacher, coach, coordinator, supervisor, manager and Assistant Director of Athletics for thirty-six years in the Moody ISD and Austin ISD. His teaching and coaching duties included teaching Physical Education and Social Studies, coaching Varsity Football, Track and Basketball. As an Administrator, his duties included supervision of athletics of eleven high schools and seventeen middle schools. He was also responsible for the supervision of Ten Certified Athletic Trainers, Adapted P.E Program., Special Olympics and Physical Education Coordinator for one hundred and four schools and 300 plus teachers and coaches in the AISD. Edward is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He is a member of Wesley United Methodist Church. Edward is currently holds the position as the Prairie View Interscholastic League Coaches Assn (PVILCA) Executive Director. He was inducted into the . (PVILCA) Hall of Fame in 2005, Texas Black Sports Hall of Fame in 2008 and L. C. Anderson High School Hall of Fame in 2009. He is married to Nettie Nelson Roby and has two daughters, DeSean and Antorri Roby. |
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2009 Grand Marshal |
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2009 Youth Marshals |
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The Male Youth Marshal for 2009’s Back To School Parade is Mykal Quinlan, who is a graduate of the class of 2009 from McNeil High School. His parents are Quincy and Gloria Quinlan. He will be attending college at Southwestern Adventist University. Mykal was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at an early age. However, he doesn’t let diabetes hold him back. He played football on the McNeil High School football team, basketball with his church’s Alpha Seventh-Day Adventist Church, basketball team (Alpha Warriors), and many other sports. Additionally, he gives of his time through the Pathfinders as well as at Diabetes Camps. He eagerly explains what juvenile diabetes is and believes that a cure for the disease is soon to come. Even if you have questions about diabetes, Mykal encourages you to ask him. He believes that the more that you understand the disease, the more that you’ll become an advocate for those who have juvenile diabetes and a supporter for those searching for a cure. Just like many other teenagers, Mykal simply wants to enjoy life … every minute of it. And, he tries to inspire others to do the same … regardless of the difficulties that you may face. |
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Jassamine Domino (above) served as the inaugural Female Youth Marshal of 2008 and 2009. |
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Gabriel and his mother Shelley meet President Obama |
