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Dobie Recognizes 2024 Hall of Honor Inductees
J. Frank Dobie High School hosted their annual Hall of Honor induction ceremony last Friday, honoring a major tradition for distinguished alums and faculty.
Dobie’s honorary inductees for the 2024 Hall of Honor.
The event started with a formal reception highlighting the inductees, followed by the ceremony in the Longhorn Auditorium, ending with an intimate mixer for family and friends. This year's inductee class included five individuals, showcasing four stellar alums who've proven their talents in dance, athletics, real estate, and commerce. The fifth recipient, although didn't attend Dobie High school she was a faculty and staff member who dedicated 22 years to Dobie High School and left a legacy behind. Past classmates, loved ones, district and campus leaders, and the Pasadena community recognized these influential and inspiring figures. This brings the total number of inductees to 69.
2024 Hall of Honor Slide Show
Special guests were also present for this illustrious affair, like the Pasadena ISD school board, superintendent of schools, former council members, and the former principal of Dobie Franklin Moses, all showing their support.
Career and Technical Education teacher Shane Brown served as the master of the Hall of Honor ceremony for the evening. Brown presented the inductees with their awards alongside principal Jorly Thomas and superintendent Dr. DeeAnn Powell.
During this eventful induction, the ceremony began with a classical ensemble from the school orchestra students, followed by the presentation of colors and a beautiful section by Dobie’s mixed choir.
(Please watch the video to learn more about each inductee)
After the ceremony inductions, Dobie also announced the Hall of Honor scholarship award winners and the 2024 Cherry Foundation Vocational Scholarship recipients. The five Hall of Honor students received a check totaling $4,000, and the Cherry Foundation presented four students with a $2,000 scholarship award.
The Hall of Honor scholarship recipients are:
- Victoria Arnsworth
- Kaleb Luna
- Linda Pham
- Kayla Tran
- Ngoc Tran
Cherry Foundation Vocational scholarship recipients are:
- Gabriel Martinez
- Naima LeBlanc
- Sabino Ortiz
- Takira Johnson
After the induction ceremony, the honorees, scholarship recipients, friends, and family migrated into the hallway for a fun, celebratory mixer filled with incredible hors d'oeuvres from the Dobie culinary students and artwork of all five inductees from past yearbooks.
Meet the 2024 Hall of Honorees:
Mike Spencer, 1981
While attending Dobie, Spencer was an athlete for Dobie’s track and basketball teams, a student council member, and a photographer for the school paper. He attended San Jacinto college on a track scholarship, earning the All-State Decathlete title. Mike then transitioned into a career in dance in 1989, growing and performing professionally. In 1992, he became one of the top dance teachers in several local, regional, and state competitions. Over the past two decades, he has coached various groups of dancers, was inducted into the American Country Dance Association Hall of Fame, and currently spends most of his time volunteering in Biloxi, Mississippi, teaching elementary students the art of dance.
Laurie Baker, 1982
As a student at Dobie, Laurie was a stellar student-athlete, splitting her years between cheerleading and joining the Key Club, JETS, and National Honor Society. She was also selected as a rotation as she served on the Longhorn council for all four years. Later, Earned an MBA in Finance from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Sam Houston State University. Today, Laurie serves as the Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer of Camden Property Trust. Baker is responsible for the oversight and strategy of Camden's portfolio operations and investment funds. She was selected on several committees and earned first place for the Real Estate Forum as a Women of Influence in 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2022.
Michelle Manzanles, 1993
As a student at Dobie, Michelle was a cheerleader, track and field athlete, and an honors student. Throughout her collegiate career, Michelle graduated from the University of Houston with a BBA in Finance and spent over a decade dancing professionally in Houston and Chicago before moving to NYC. She served seven seasons as the professional company’s Rehearsal Director and artistic Associate of Ballet Hispánico. In addition, to her leadership role at Ballet Hispánico, Manzanales has been named the 2024 Cecil H. and Ida Green Honors Chair for the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance at Texas Christian University. Her choreography has been featured at Lincoln Center and the New York City Center Dance Festival. She has also set choreographies for many programs, including Rice University, Rutgers University, New World School of the Arts, Montclair State University, and San Jacinto College South. Now a critically acclaimed dance educator and co-founder of the Latinx Dance Educators Alliance.
Devon Fainfair, 2003
In his Dobie career, Devon had several track and field achievements with a high school triple jump best of 50'5"; Devon held the ninth furthest jump in Texas history for over a decade and secured State runner-up titles in 2002 and 2003. Transitioning from a standout athlete to a leader at Rice University, Devon captained the team to an outdoor championship victory in 2004. Armed with a Mechanical Engineering degree and recognized as a National Science Foundation Fellow, he embarked on an entrepreneurial path. As the co-founder of Devland, Devon drives a venture studio and fund, catalyzing the success of startups led by women and people of color, with a total value of $85M.
Ann Brannen, Faculty
Ann was there when Dobie first opened its doors and then stayed for 22 years as an English and journalism teacher and the Chaparral and Roundup advisor. Her journalism students and their products were regular winners of local and state awards, including many all-state and UIL awards. Her peers honored Ms. Brannen with the Edith Fox King Award. She also taught business skills by sending students out to sell ads, instilling tenacity when she sent student reporters to interview school or district leaders. She ensured her students were unafraid to set and work to achieve goals. She seemed to know every student in the halls of Dobie High School and probably even their parents. She raised two Longhorns of her own, Jeff and Amber, a Dobie teacher, and has five grandchildren.
Today, Ms. Brannen works in the insurance business and is still active in the community with the South Belt Chamber of Commerce. Many fondly remember her as "the teacher who made a difference.”