A Night to Remember

Performances started off the afternoon with the steel drum band playing many hit songs, including: “Clearing,” “Sugar Bum Bum,” “Pyxis,” and “Dynamite.” Pyxis and Clearing came easy as the steel drum players knew it by heart as they used to play those at their old performances at other schools and competitions. Another performance was from KAC guitar members featuring two seniors, Carlos H. Rodriguez and singer Penelope Napoles. The songs performed were “Vamos a Marte,” and “San Lucas,” both by Kevin Kaarl. And as a small gesture, Rodriguez and Edwin Padilla performed as a duo, playing requested songs from the audience, impressing guests and keeping the evening engaged and well. Continuing the night, everyone was having a great time while having drinks and dinner, enjoying the live music performed between Collegiate and Brave students.

After Collegiate’s trumpet players serenaded the crowd indoors, hosts Rachel and Stephen Cook welcomed and applauded everyone that was able to show up for KIPP Night Out. They expressed gratitude to the music students and live artists that were invited to perform and show off their skills and represent our high schools in front of all the esteemed guests. Shortly after superintendent Justin Scott’s speech, he invited all the seniors of the Class of 2023 to the stage, celebrating those that have been with KIPP since their beginning elementary years and those who founded KIPP Austin Comunidad, commemorating such a grand success.

But to end the night, founding principal Scott introduced one of his first students, senior Lizeth Moctezuma, to speak about her experience of her years at KIPP. Her tearful speech was closed out by KIPP Texas CEO, Sehba Ali, ending with a live auction to help fundraise and support our school. With every student that attended the event doing an excellent job with performing their music and impressing everybody, all in all, our KIPPsters made it a great night.