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Katy ISD Honors Nelson Family for Decades of Service, Dedicates Junior High on Land Once Owned by Nelson Family

KATY, TX [February 3, 2025] – In a poignant ceremony, hundreds of Katy ISD leaders, teachers, staff, students and community members gathered to dedicate Nelson Junior High School (NJH) and pay homage to the Nelson family for their service to the community and dedication spanning nearly a century.  
  
As long-standing pillars of the Katy community and passionate supporters of Katy ISD, Nelson family members include District graduates, educators, community leaders and former board members.  
  
“The Nelson family’s contribution to the Katy community is remarkable and enduring,” said Dr. Ken Gregorski, Katy ISD Superintendent. “Their commitment to education, agriculture and community service has left an indelible impact on Katy ISD and the City of Katy. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to them for their legacy of service.”  
  
The ceremony showcased performances by the NJH orchestra, band and choir, presentations from the City of Katy Mayor William “Dusty” Thiele, Harris County Commissioner Lesley Briones, Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Texas State Representative Michael Schofield and United States Representative Morgan Luttrell, along with heartfelt speeches from student leaders.  
  
Dean Nelson, whose grandparents Clyde and Leatha Nelson moved to the area in the late 1930s and purchased the land that now houses NJH and Freeman High School, spoke on behalf of the family. He relayed the family’s deep connection to the land and their strong faith in the power of education, drawing parallels between the two. He likened a farmer to a teacher, and the harvest to the generations of students who are and will be Nelson students.  
  
“All you teachers here are no longer teachers. You are now ‘farming’ on the same land that we farmed for 50 years,” said Nelson. “May God bless each and every child that ever enters this building to be motivated to learn, and may each and every teacher, administrator and staff person be dedicated to teach.”   
  
Before closing the program, Nelson Principal Kara Morgan expressed her gratitude to the Nelson family members for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the community, values she hopes to instill in the current and future students.   
  
“This dedication represents our shared commitment to excellence, growth and a bright future for every student who walks these halls,” said Morgan. “It is a testament to the hard work, collaboration and vision of so many: our namesakes, dedicated teachers, staff, parents, Katy ISD leaders, board members and of course, our amazing students.”   
  
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