Middle school students
tour local businesses

Posted May 24, 2013

The Youth Achievement Foundation recently took middle school students on a tour of local businesses.  They visited Garrett Metal Detectors, The Garland Campus of Richland College, The Garland Chamber of Commerce (where they had lunch) and Karlee Manufacturing. 

At each stop the students were exposed to the many career opportunities available to them right here in Garland.  The Chamber of Commerce provided drinks and a place to eat while Karina Olivares told the kids about her life and encouraged them to aim high.

Volunteer tends elementary school garden, students

Posted May 24, 2013

Melba Rector, 77, started working at Back Elementary School during the 1996-97 school year. Throughout the past 17 years she has put in hundreds of hours—including nights, weekends and summer months—without compensation. For Rector, everything is about giving back to Back.

“I just love the children and want to help them,” she said. “When I walk in and they hug me, that makes it all worthwhile.”  Rector is Back’s most veteran volunteer. She started just 10 years after the school opened—the same time her granddaughter, Andrea Torske, enrolled.

“Andrea’s mother [Tonya] became very active in the PTA,” said Rector. “She often needed help, so that’s where it began.”

Tonya’s first PTA task was initiating Back’s Box Tops for Education program. She passed the torch to Rector who carries that responsibility today.  Tonya’s second task was planting a garden around the school, and she once again enlisted Rector’s help.

“Back wouldn’t have the beautiful landscaping it does without Ms. Melba,” Principal Teresa McCutcheon said. “This is my first year at the school, but I knew all about it before I came. Ms. Melba’s reputation precedes her.”

Rector’s claim to fame, she tends Back’s garden year-round. She brings her own supplies, including flowers, shrubs, and tools. But the fruits of her labor aren’t only seen outside the school.

“She gardens everything around here with her sweet spirit,” said McCutcheon. “In all my years of education, I have never seen someone so dedicated to a school where they don’t have children.”

Rector’s children are the students she helps every week, reading to special education classes and helping others with spelling skills, math and accelerated reading tests. When asked why she continues to volunteer, Rector often jokes that her grandchildren graduated, but she never did. Andrea is 23-years-old, and her brother who also attended Back will soon turn 21.

Her extended service not unnoticed, Rector was recognized at the campus during National Volunteer Week (April 21-27). Back’s PTA organized a breakfast for everyone who chaperoned field trips, spent time around the school or helped out with extracurricular events this year. Each volunteer received a certificate of appreciation, but Rector received some special attention as well. She was given the Honorary Lifetime Bulldog award along with flowers.

“We couldn’t replace Ms. Melba,” McCutcheon said. “Sometimes the students need some extra attention or encouragement, and she makes them feel special.”

“It’s been fun,” added Rector. “I enjoy it.”  She plans to continue volunteering as long as her health allows.

GISD announces Campus Teachers of the Year

Posted May 24, 2013

Garland ISD schools aim to educate the entire student and prepare them for success and it wouldn’t be possible without the work of approximately 3,500 teachers.

Every year, GISD schools recognize one outstanding individual as their Campus Teacher of the Year. The 2013 honorees listed below now have an opportunity to be named the Elementary or Secondary Teacher of the Year.

·     Abbett Elementary School - Ina Valladares

• Alternative Education Center - Colby Pate and Javier Pena 

• Armstrong Elementary School - Ashley Morrell
• Austin Academy for Excellence - Mindy Ayers
• Back Elementary School - Jeanie Gosselin
• Beaver Technology Center for Math and Science - Carrie Hobbs
• Bradfield Elementary School - Paolo Gomez
• Bullock Elementary School - Maria Machado
• Bussey Middle School - JoAnna Phalen
• Caldwell Elementary School - Lydia Valenzuela
• Carver Elementary School - Aida Garza
• Centerville Elementary School - Hannah Hunter
• Cisneros Prekindergarten School - Cindy Fort
• Classical Center at Brandenburg Middle School - Robert Quach
• Classical Center at Vial Elementary School - Shannon Haggard
• Club Hill Elementary School - Bladimer Palacios
• Cooper Elementary School - Diana Reynolds
• Couch Elementary School - Michael Trotter
• Coyle Middle School - Diane Clega
• Daughtery Elementary School - Julie Baruch
• Davis Elementary School - Nancy Ramirez
• Dorsey Elementary School - Peggy Cook
• Ethridge Elementary School - Jennifer Ngyuen
• Freeman Elementary School - Ornella Citelli
• Garland High School - Erika Duarte
• Golden Meadows Elementary School - Emilyn Sanders
• Handley Elementary School - Damitra Massey
• Heather Glen Elementary School - Janene Hawkins
• Herfurth Elementary School - Jaime Way
• Hickman Elementary School - Judy Alderete
• Hillside Academy for Excellence - Linda Noblett
• Houston Middle School - Fil Chapa
• Hudson Middle School - Gye Kraemer
• Jackson Technology Center for Math and Science - Monica Pinkston
• Keeley Elementary School - June Hunt
• Kimberlin Academy for Excellence - Kathryn Penn
• Lakeview Centennial High School - Becky Griffin
• Liberty Grove Elementary School - Jeanette Glaze
• Lister Elementary School - Jeff Balderson
• Luna Elementary School - Joley Martin
• Lyles Middle School - Dwight Williams
• Memorial Pathway Academy - Patricia Hebert
• Montclair Elementary School - Keisha Telford
• Naaman Forest High School - Mario Hernandez
• North Garland High School - Margie Garcia
• Northlake Elementary School - Ashney Berry
• O'Banion Middle School - Gail Yeager
• Park Crest Elementary School - Kathryn Melady
• Parsons Prekindergarten School - Celenne Hernandes
• Pearson Elementary School - Kim Schniker
• Roach Elementary School - Judith Thomas
• Rowlett Elementary School - Judy Sugg
• Rowlett High School - Diane Velez
• Sachse High School - Billy Bennett
• Sellers Middle School - Denise Deacon
• Sewell Elementary School - D'Anna Roseberry
• Shorehaven Elementary School - Heather Ray
• Shugart Elementary School - Thalia Hunter
• South Garland High School - Jan Janosko
• Southgate Elementary School - Doris Ward
• Spring Creek Elementary School - Libby Crews
• Steadham Elementary School - Robin Wacaster
• Stephens Elementary School - Melody Savage
• Toler Elementary School - Irma Lopez
• Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence - Cherelle Wilson
• Watson Technology Center for Math and Science - Leslie Olguin
• Weaver Elementary School - Berta Smith
• Webb Middle School - Denise Cribbet
• Williams Elementary School - Renalyn Ramirez

Teens in the Driver Seat awards announced

Posted May 17, 2013

Schools, student leaders and sponsors from the Dallas area will be recognized by Teens in the Driver Seat for their achievements in the TDS program at their school and in their community. Teens in the Driver Seat recently announced its annual awards honoring schools, student leaders and sponsors for their efforts to prevent teen driver crashes through the TDS program.

Award winners will be recognized May 20 at Texas A&M University-San Antonio. Awards will be presented by Dr. Maria Hernandez Ferrier, President of the University.  The following Garland Independent School District staff and students, as well as organization sponsors and community leaders, will receive awards.

·         Naaman Forest High School, TDS Cup, $250

·         Mindy Le, Garland HS, recognized for service on the 2012-2013 TDS Teen Advisory Board

·         Kelsey Booker, Naaman Forest HS, recognized for service on the 2012-2013 TDS Teen Advisory Board and appointed to the 2013-2014 Teen Advisory Board

·         Alex Luna, Naaman Forest HS, recognized for service on the 2012-2013 TDS Teen Advisory Board

·         Melanie Parsons, Garland High School, 2013 SponStar award recipient

·         Dorothy White, Garland Youth Council, 2013 SponStar award recipient

·         Vivian Johnson, Naaman Forest High School, 2013 SponStar award recipient

·         Dee Dee Bates, State Farm Agent, Community Leadership Award

 

The TDS Cup is the award given to the top TDS Program schools each year. The award has three size (student population) categories. Schools receive points for completing various project outreach activities and achieving program goals. At the end of each year, the school with the most points in each size category is declared the winner and receives the TDS Cup.

The Teen Advisory Board consists of students who are selected to be representatives for the TDS Program, offering guidance and leadership relative to the content and direction of the program. Some duties of TAB members include providing insight on how to engage their peers and sustain their interest in TDS, assisting in organizing program-oriented events and activities, providing feedback, ideas and opinions on new program materials, safety messages, promotional items and related elements, participating in quarterly meetings and serving as traffic safety ambassadors and leaders for the program.

The SponStar award recognizes teachers/sponsors that give extraordinary amounts of their limited and valuable time to provide leadership and guidance to TDS student teams, thereby significantly enhancing the experience of those teens and the impact of the TDS program.

The Community Leadership Award recognizes the support of individual State Farm agents that go above and beyond normal support of local TDS schools in their community to make the TDS program even more successful and our roads safer.

About Teens in the Driver Seat®:
Started in 2002, Teens in the Driver Seat is a peer-to-peer safety program that educates teens about the top five dangers of teen driving – driving at night; speeding and street racing; distractions, such as cell phones and teen passengers; not wearing a seat belt; and alcohol/drug use. Thanks to funding from the Texas Department of Transportation and State Farm, program resources and technical support are available at no cost to schools in Texas. For more information, visit http://t-driver.com.

Dashing Debs officers announced

Posted May 17, 2013

Officers for the 2013-14 Garland High School Dashing Debs were named recently.

Captain – Beverly Chukwu

Beverly is in the International Baccalaureate program and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society.  She is also a member of the International Thespian Society, acapella choir and Beta Club.  Away from school, she enjoys helping with Sunday school at her church.  Beverly hopes to major in psychotherapy and neuroscience.

First Lietenant – Lauren Ancona

Lauren is enrolled in advanced placement and dual credit classes.  She has received the Academic Award of Excellence each year.  Lauren is in the Future Teacher Intern program and plans to work with children as a teacher or counselor.  She says her family always comes first, and they are her biggest support system.

Senior Lieutenant – Tania Aquino

Tania has been involved with theater since the fourth grade.  She is in IB theatre and has participated in every main stage show since coming to GHS.  She is a member of the International Thespian Society and is enrolled in all AP classes.  Tania has been in dance since sixth grade.  She served as the captain of the Gold Jackets JV drill team her freshman year.  She is active in the youth groups at Saturn Road Church of Christ and First Christian Church, Garland.

Junior Lieutenant – Laura Dunnican

Laura is in the IB program at GHS, and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society.  She is also a member of the International Thespian Society.  She loves to sing and was accepted into acapella choir as a sophomore.  In addition to singing, Laura also enjoys dancing.  This was her first year as a drill team member, but she has been involved in dance since childhood.  Laura is ambitious and works her hardest to achieve the goals she sets.

Junior Lieutenant – Lauren Louk

Lauren is an IB student who enjoys math, and is currently taking both physics and chemistry classes.  She is also a member of the National Honor Society.  She is an officer in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization and loves to share her faith and beliefs with others.  She attends First Baptist Church in Garland.  In addition to participating in drill team, Lauren also dances at Steps A Dance Studio.

Photo:  Officers (l-r): Lauren Louk, Tania Aquino, Beverly Chukwu, Lauren Ancona & Laura Dunnican

Sachse Swingsters welcome new members

Posted May 15, 2013

Sachse High School held tryouts for next year’s Swingsters drill team and 15 new girls were added to the team.  The Sachse Swingsters for the 2013–14 year are:

Row 1 (l-r):  Brittany Betty (jr. lieutenant); Hayley Bannister (captain); Maryelle Stephenson (1st lieutenant).

Row 2 (l-r): Tessa Brown; Ivy Szafran; Megan Hall; Carlie Hughes; Chelsea Shaw; Ashtyn Shugart (manager)

Row 3 (l-r): Rocio Cruz; Hannah Anderson (baby); Juanita Halaby (baby); Taylor Hernandez (baby); Maddisyn Parrott (baby); Miranda Rangel (baby); Jaelynn Meshack (baby); Britney Balogh; Macey Reed; Megan Bauer; Taylor Hackney (Manager)

Row 4 (l-r): Megan Rzepka; Grayson Paul (Manager); Abigail White (baby); Tasha Young (baby); Nora Tevnan (baby); Katie Blair (baby); Jasmine Bortters (baby); Taylor Cornehl (baby); Hannah Mesfin (baby); Ashley Gonzalez (baby)

The Swingsters are led by director Brittany Shaver.  For more, visit www.sachseswingsters.org.

NGHS Theatre advances to state, makes school history 

Posted May 13, 2013

In two weeks, the cast and crew of Raider Theatre's These Shining Lives will take the stage in Austin at the University of Texas to compete against the top eight plays in the state. This is the first time in school history that the UIL One Act Play team has ever advanced to the state level.

They are the second school in the district to ever do so, after South Garland did 10 years ago. 

North Garland High School has surpassed many levels and earned many accolades along the way, which are listed below. At the state competition, NGHS will be one of the two schools representing Region 2, which includes the North Texas communities of Garland, Plano, Rockwall, Mesquite, Dallas, McKinney, Richardson, and other communities in the state which include Austin, Round Rock, and Conroe.

The cast and crew are currently preparing for state competition, as well as for their upcoming public viewing of their advancing show. The performance will be held at North Garland High School in the auditorium at 7 p.m. May 15. Tickets are $5. Raider Theatre has organized a fundraiser night at IHOP for that night from 6 p.m.-10 p.m. at the George Bush Highway location.

The actual competition will be May 22, and tickets are to be bought at the ticket box on the day of the competition. The following are the accolades that the cast and crew have won so far:

Zone Meet Awards:

Honorable Mention Cast: Carlos Hernandez, Baochau Ton, and Devon Rose

All Star Cast: Jace Covington, Chevis LaBelle and Cori Clark

All Star Crew: Nancy Lien

Best Technician: Kris Bonner

Advancing Show

District Meet Awards:

Honorable Mention Cast: Jace Covington and Carlos Hernandez

All Star Cast: Cori Clark and Baochau Ton

All Star Crew: Nancy Lien

Best Technician: Kris Bonner

Best Actress: Chevis LaBelle

Advancing Show

Area Meet Awards:

Honorable Mention Cast: Devon Rose

All Star Cast: Cori Clark

All Star Crew: Kemicha Towns

Best Actress: Chevis LaBelle

Advancing Show

Regional Meet Awards:

Honorable Mention Cast: Baochau Ton and Devon Rose

All Star Cast: Cori Clark

Best Actress: Chevis LaBelle

Advancing Show

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Patty Granville Award winners recognized

Posted May 11, 2013

The Garland Independent School District recently celebrated the 11^th Annual “Patty” Awards at the Granville Arts Center.  In attendance were theatre students and directors from all seven district high schools. 

The Patty Granville Awards began in the 2002-2003 school year with the idea to develop awards that would recognize the 21+ other shows that are produced in GISD high schools.  The shows would be judged by student judges from each high school.  The district’s theatre directors have spent the last nine years fine tuning the awards. 

In the 2011-12 school year, the awards received a major overhaul, bringing in community members to become the judges and students became responsible for writing critiques for the entered shows.  The awards received their name from Patty Granville, the director of the Performing Arts Center and to date, there have been 190 plays produced, consisting of comedy, drama, children’s theatre and musical genres. 

This year winners were recognized in 14 categories and, for the second year, scholarships were awarded to outstanding acting and technical students.  Scholarship funding was provided by Veritex Bank. 

The following students earned scholarships of $500 to be used toward the college of their choice: 

Children’s Theatre - Acting:   Kayli Hessler and Technical:  Kris Bonner

Comedy - Acting:  Mark Ewing and Technical:   Nancy Lien

Drama - Acting:   Jake Wagner and Technical:   Kim Gomez

Musical - Acting:  Lacie Block and Technical:  Justin Fivash

GISD students receive local alumnae chapter scholarships

Posted May 11, 2013

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., North Dallas Suburban Alumnae Chapter has awarded 11 area graduating high school seniors, including three from Garland, with $1000 book scholarships for their collegiate studies next school year at their respective colleges and universities.

“NDSA is committed to the educational development of our youth,” said Jada R. Burton, chapter president.  “With the ever-increasing costs of a college education, we are excited about the opportunity to assist these exemplary students in pursuing their educational goals.  NDSA has provided book scholarships for more than a decade in this community and we are so pleased to continue our efforts of investing in our young people.”

Sunday, May 5 at the Emerging Artist Showcase the following Garland Independent School District students were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements, well roundness, demonstrated through their extracurricular activities, and their essay describing how their high school and community involvement has improved their lives and affected the lives of others.

Miss Adit Bior: Adit currently attends Naaman Forest High School Garland.  She has a 3.7 GPA on a 4.0 scale.  Her extracurricular activities include National Honor Society Vice President, Speech and Debate Vice President, Spanish National Honor Society Historian, Acapella Choir Chaplain, Young Life Student Leader, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes Student Leader. She plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin where she will major in Neuroscience.  She is the daughter of Deng Bior and Achol Atem.

Miss Jasmine Green: Jasmine currently attends Lakeview Centennial High School.  She has a 3.98 GPA on a 4.0 scale and is ranked #16 in her senior class.  Her extracurricular activities include Principal’s Advisory Council, National Honor Society, Youth Alliance, Senior Leadership Council, Plano Magnet, and Collegiate Academy.  She plans to attend Loyola University in New Orleans where she will major in chemistry.  She is the daughter of Edward and Lorita Green.

Miss Tiara Green: Tiara currently attends Garland High School.  She has a 3.94 GPA on a 4.0 scale.  Her extracurricular activities include Youth NAACP, band, drill team, National Honor Society, and she is very involved with her church.  She plans to attend the University of North Texas where she will major in journalism.  She is the daughter of Johnny and Yvette Green.

About Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. -- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Is a public service organization founded in 1913 on the campus of Howard University to promote academic excellence; to provide support to the underserved; to educate and stimulate participation in the establishment of positive public policy; and to highlight issues and provide solutions for problems in their communities. Today, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has over 250,000 members and more than 1000 chapters worldwide. The North Dallas Suburban Alumnae chapter, chartered in 1996, continues the sorority’s tradition of sisterhood and service by implementing programs in response to identified local community concerns.

Scholarship winners named

Posted May 10, 2013

National Merit Scholarship Corporation has announced this year’s National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners and Garland High School’s Meghan Shanks was one of the winners. The 2,500 Merit Scholar designees were chosen from a talent pool of more than 15,000 outstanding finalists in the 2013 National Merit Scholarship Program.

National Merit $2500 Scholarship winners are the finalists in each state judged to have the strongest combination of accomplishments, skills, and potential for success in rigorous college studies. The number of winners named in each state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the nation’s graduating high school seniors.

These scholars were selected by a committee of college admissions officers and high school counselors, who appraised a substantial amount of information submitted by both the finalists and their high schools: the academic record, including difficulty level of subjects studied and grades earned; scores from two standardized tests; contributions and leadership in school and community activities; an essay written by the finalist; and a recommendation written by a high school official.

NMSC finances most of these single-payment National Merit $2500 Scholarships.  Corporations and company foundations that sponsor awards through NMSC also help underwrite these scholarships with grants they provide in lieu of paying administrative fees. Scholars may use their awards at any regionally accredited U.S. college or university.

This year’s competition for National Merit Scholarships began in October 2011 when approximately 1.5 million juniors in some 22,000 high schools took the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. Last fall, the highest-scoring participants in each state, representing less than 1 percent of the nation’s high school seniors, were named semifinalists on a state representational basis. Only these 16,000 semifinalists had an opportunity to continue in the competition.

From the semifinalist group, 15,000 students met the very high academic standards and other requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. By the conclusion of the 2013 program, about 8,000 finalists will have earned the “Merit Scholar” title and received more than $35 million in college scholarships.

NMSC, a not-for-profit corporation that operates without government assistance, was founded in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. The majority of scholarships offered each year are underwritten by approximately 440 independent corporate and college sponsors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring scholastically talented youth and encouraging academic excellence at all levels of education.

eSchoolView offers artistic student web scholarship

Posted May 6, 2013

An extremely accomplished high school student has found her talents are paying off.  North Garland High School’s Emely Villeda-Principe earned a $2,500 scholarship from eSchoolView for her high school’s key club website layout and functionality. The website development company awarded eight “Investing in Our Future” student scholarships totaling $15,000, a 50% increase from last year’s program, for graduating seniors nationwide.

All seniors interested in pursuing web design or development at the post-secondary level could participate in either of these categories in the eSchoolView scholarship competition: Web Design and Web Technology. Each contest was graded by a third-party panel of professionals in education using an evaluation rubric provided by eSchoolView an education website and software development company.

Be sure to check out Emely's website. http://nghskeyclub.com/index.html.  

Emely had always loved art, but it was not until she was introduced to Adobe Suite that she learned about graphic design and from there immediately looked into taking technology classes in high school. Originally, she planned on only taking design-based courses, but after realizing that many different aspects of technology overlapped, she decided to take a chance with web mastering. From designing the layout to coordinating the color, Emely came to love every challenge that came with web design.

She started out relying on WYSIWYG programs, but it was very limiting. After completing a web mastering class sophomore year, Emely enrolled in web mastering II summer class at a local community college. It was that summer when Emely improved her skills in coding by hand through the habit of starting a page in Notepad and finishing it in Dreamweaver.

Using her skills and knowledge, Emely secured the position of webmaster in her school’s Key Club. She had always been an active member, so it was a great honor for her to create the website for the district club competition. She worked together with the club’s president to plan and design the website, and after corresponding throughout the summer Emely finished the website for the new school year.

Moving forward, she is still deciding between two universities to continue her design and computer interest. With her unusual right and left brain talent of technical and creative, she feels website design is a perfect fit. She looks forward to developing amazing projects as well as solving everyday problems with her experience.

eSchoolView’s leadership and creative teams value education and the work of school personnel to prepare students for the future. The “Investing in Our Future” scholarship program provides students with various opportunities to expand their career paths.

To learn more and see the student submissions, visit www.eschoolview.com/2013studentwinners.

NFHS Rachel’s Challenge treats children to day of fun

Posted May 5, 2013

Members of the Naaman Forest High School Rachel’s Challenge group held their biggest community service event for 48 kids in area shelters Saturday, April 20.  The club raised more than $5,000 to make the event possible.

They took 54 children from three area shelters – Mosaic-Human Trafficking Rescue, Jonathan’s Place, and the New Beginning Center – shopping for summer clothing at Nordstrom’s Rack.  Club members acted as personal shoppers for the kids and each had $100 to spend.  After the shopping spree club members treated the children to lunch at Campisi’s.

The next week, Levi’s donated boxes of brand new jeans for the RC group’s Jeans4Teens drive.  These jeans, along with more given by students, were donated to area shelters.

LCHS junior winner in Congressional Art Competition

Posted May 3, 2013

Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX-32) congratulated the winners of the 2013 Congressional High School Art Competition during a recent awards ceremony at The Art Institute of Dallas.

The Congressional High School Art Competition, known as “An Artistic Discovery” is an annual, nationwide art competition initiated by Members of Congress in their respective districts. The competition for the 32^nd Congressional District of Texas, organized by Congressman Sessions, is open to all high school students in the district.  This annual competition provides an opportunity for local students to showcase their individual talents and receive national recognition.

Amber Yen, a junior at Fairhill School, was awarded the Grand Prize for her oil painting entitled “Childhood Memory.” Her artwork will be showcased in the corridor leading to the U.S. Capitol building for the next year. As the Grand Prize recipient, Amber will travel to Washington, DC for the national Congressional High School Art Competition award ceremony in June.

This year’s competition included 34 entries from students representing 10 local schools and was once again sponsored by The Art Institute of Dallas.  Prior to the awards ceremony, the Grand Prize winner and runners-up honors were chosen by art instructors from The Art Institute and local artists. The People’s Choice Award winner was chosen by Congressman Sessions’ constituents through online voting on his website. 

Runners-up honors were presented to Stephen Renard, a senior at Parish Episcopal, for his photograph “Vibrant Color in Everyday Life” and to Oscar Mora, a junior at Lakeview Centennial High School, for his graphite pencil sketch “Oscar Squared.” The People’s Choice Award was presented to Samuel Boyne, a junior at Covenant School, for his pen and watercolor piece “Grasshopper Fete.” The two runners-up and the People’s Choice Award artworks will be displayed in Sessions’ office for the next year.

“The award-winning art produced by Amber, Stephen, Oscar and Samuel showcased their exceptional talent, and I am very proud of their work,” said Sessions. “All of the pieces submitted from students in this year’s competition exhibited dedication, creativity and passion. I wish them the very best as they continue their education and further develop their artistic abilities.”

GHS student wins top honors in Cleveland Institute of Art contest

Posted May 3, 2013

Students from Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas will be awarded cash prizes and thousands of dollars in scholarship money as winners of the Cleveland Institute of Art’s first 2D3D National Art & Design Competition, CIA President and CEO Grafton Nunes has announced.

The winning artworks, selected by a panel of CIA faculty from among 852 entries submitted by students representing over 265 American high schools include a student from Garland High School.  Best in Category/Integrated Media was “Lavanderia,” a photograph by Monica Perez, GHS senior.

Each category winner will receive $500. Each winner will also receive a $10,000 annual scholarship for four years – should he or she choose to attend CIA.

For each of the four students, winning CIA’s 2D3D competition may be an important first step toward higher education and a professional career. They and their teachers recognize that studying art and design develops the creative and critical-thinking skills young people will need for the jobs of the future.

Perez sees her prize for integrated media as both a reward and an incentive. “This win gave me that push I needed to remember why I fell in love with art,” she said. “Art is my connection between my home life and my public life. At school, I speak English, I act a certain way, I am a certain way. At home, I speak Spanish only for my family because it is a private language, almost. Art is where both my lives intertwine and make me a whole person. With art, everything is balanced.”

CIA’s 2D3D competition was created in 2013 to recognize talented young American artists and encourage them to pursue career paths in art and design. The entry deadline was March 15; winners were selected by a CIA faculty jury represented by Larry O’Neal, Tommy White, Judith Salomon and Sarah Paul. To see the winning artworks, visit http://cia.edu/admissions/contest/2d3d-winners2/winners.

GISD community tees up ‘fore’ education

Posted May 3, 2013

Hitting the green to benefit GISD, nearly 120 community and staff members competed in the 11th-annual BEST Education Foundation Masters Golf Tournament. This year’s event was held April 12 at Firewheel Golf Park, raising approximately $20,000. One of BEST’s biggest fundraisers each year, the Masters have tallied more than $275,000—used for grants and scholarships for students and staff of GISD.

“We’re always blessed with beautiful weather, and this year was no different,” said Keith Reimer, BEST program specialist. “The support of local businesses remained strong as well. We greatly appreciate their sponsorship, along with the many other district vendors who help with this great cause each year.”

Winners and sponsors of the 2013 Masters Golf Tournament include:

Winners

·         First flight, first place and overall winner - Mike Adcock, Royce Miller, TJ Leonard and Trey Scroggins (Sponsored by Hawaiian Falls)

·         First flight, second place - Gerald Hudson, Jason Jetton, Jim Manley and Steven Buchanan (Sponsored by Balfour)

·         Second flight, first place - Jimmy Beach, Larry Harvey, Randy Thomas and Tony Chandler (Sponsored by Estes, McClure & Associates, Inc.)

·         Second flight, second place - Doug Burnside, John Madison, Lisa Leraas and Scott Charley (Sponsored by Gay, McCall, Isaacks, Gordon & Roberts, PC)

·         Third flight, first place - Marvin Fisher, Mike Steen, Richard Gonzalez and Scott Baldwin (Sponsored by Silver Line)

·         Third flight, second place - Delbert Richardson, Jessica Warlick and Keith Reimer (Sponsored by Premio)

·         Straightest drive - Chris Cochran

·         Closest to the pin (men) - TJ Leonard

·         Closest to the pin (women) - Lisa Leraas

Sponsors

Balfour

Baylor Medical Center at Garland

City of Garland Water Utilities

Dr. Pepper/Snapple

Estes, McClure & Associates, Inc.

First Southwest Company

Frost Bank

Garland Chamber of Commerce

Gay, McCall, Isaacks, Gordon & Roberts, PC

GCA Services Group

Hawaiian Falls Waterparks

Huckabee and Associates

Karlee Company

Lake Pointe Health Network

Outback Steakhouse

Premio

RLK Engineering

Seon Systems

Silver Line

Southwest Securities

Veritex

WRA Architects, Inc.

Garland ISD CTE coordinator honored

Posted May 3, 2013

Called to family and consumer sciences at an early age, Barbara King is now a member of the “club.” Garland Independent School District’s Career and Technical Education coordinator recently received honorary memberships in region and state chapters of the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America organization.

King remembers walking into her first home economics class as a junior in high school.  “The teacher’s name was Betty Hudson,” she said. “Everything just clicked. I knew that I had found my place in life.”

King’s passion continued through college, earning a bachelor’s degree at East Texas State University—now Texas A&M Commerce. She then began her career in education as a family and consumer science teacher at Crandall High School. After a few years in a secondary classroom, King was offered a post-secondary position. She worked as an assistant instructor at East Texas State University for one year while obtaining a master’s degree in home economics.

King also holds principal, counseling, early childhood education, special education and kindergarten certifications.

“I’m really fortunate to have worked at all levels, kindergarten through college,” she said. “I’ve been blessed with the doors that have opened for me, and most of the time I’m smart enough to walk through.”

From a teacher to a counselor, King served at both the junior high and high school levels before moving to Garland in 2004. She joined Team GISD at Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence and then transferred to Sachse High School. King worked as an at-risk CTE counselor at SHS while also teaching a New Horizons parent education class at Naaman Forest High School. She became one of the district’s CTE coordinators in 2007.

“I focus on family and consumer science classes as well as New Horizons,” King said. “Besides managing curriculum and budget, I provide support and make sure that teachers have what they need. I want them to be their best, so that students will love family and consumer sciences like me.”

King also encourages participation in career and technical student organizations.  “I’ve seen what they can do for students, beyond just teaching leadership skills,” she said. “Some students have never traveled outside of the Metroplex, never stayed in a hotel and never eaten in a restaurant. CTSOs offer those opportunities.”

King sponsored FCCLA clubs as a home economics teacher. She now tries to attend any CTSO events that involve GISD students. In 2008, King was named an honorary Future Farmers of America member. In March, she received the same recognition from the Region 3 FCCLA chapter.

Rowlett High School’s club nominated King for this honor.  “She deserves the recognition for everything she does for family and consumer sciences and FCCLA,” RHS sponsor Katherine Branch said. “She is an amazing lady who likes to see our program grow and be successful. She sees how it helps our students in their futures no matter what path they go down.”

And the accolades didn’t end at the region level. King received an honorary Texas FCCLA membership this month. She could also earn national acclaim during the organization’s annual conference this summer.

“I remember attending these meetings when I was a teacher and seeing people get the membership award,” commented King. “I never imagined I’d be in this position. It’s a very special honor. I’m touched that not only RHS but the entire state thinks this highly of me.”

Devoting her life to helping students better theirs, King has seen the family and consumer science field evolve from cooking and sewing to nutrition, fashion design, agriculture, economics, etc.  “I think I have a pretty great job,” she said. “Every day gives me a favorite memory.”

GISD director of all trades to be honored

Posted April 30, 2013

He could be called a music man, the man behind the band or an artisan, but the title George Jones prefers is Garland ISD Director of Fine Arts. Jones has held that position for the past 15 years. And while his job description reads managing the instrument, choir, art, theater, dance and debate programs for GISD schools, he believes his responsibility is making a difference in people’s lives.

Jones grew up in Pekin, Ill., loving the fine arts as long as he can remember.  “We lived close to a junior high and the band would march down our street for practice,” he said. “I was four or five at the time, and I remember it being magical. It was like my own personal parade.”

Throughout school Jones played the trombone and euphonium in band. He earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at Illinois Wesleyan University, then followed the dean of his alma mater to Southern Methodist University. There he earned a master’s in music, with the intent of directing a college band.

Jones instead started his career in GISD in 1979. He directed bands at Memorial Middle School, South Garland High School, Lakeview Centennial High School and was the first director at Rowlett High School.

“It’s all about getting kids to believe in themselves,” Jones said. “I asked them to do their best every day. I didn’t care about perfection, I just wanted to see improvement.”

After 18 years, Jones became the district’s Director of Fine Arts in 1997. Directing a different group of people, he says his philosophy remains the same.

“I encourage my teachers to be the example for students, giving their best and striving to better themselves.”

While music is Jones career, it’s also his hobby. He’s directed the Richardson Community Band for almost as long as he’s been a member of Team GISD. Jones initially served as an interim conductor during the summer of 1977, moving into the official role in 1983 when the regular conductor got sick and he filled in for the day.

Thirty years of “filling in” later, Jones is credited with finding the Richardson Community Band a permanent home at the Eisemann Center and the Civic Center lawn. He also instituted a summer concert series and started the tradition to end each concert with a John Philip Sousa march. Jones has conducted 126 of Sousa’s 134 available marches since the tradition began in 2009.

“Sousa said, ‘Give the people what they want,’” Jones said. “I follow that. My goal is to provide free or low-cost entertainment that everyone can enjoy. People don’t realize how much work it takes, but seeing a happy audience and band member’s faces beam when they perform a good show makes it all worth it.”

Volunteering his time to lead the 60-member Richardson Community Band, Jones’ 30 years of service will be honored at a concert May 5. Charles Eisemann, the center’s namesake, will be the event’s narrator.

While Jones’ legacy in Richardson is one of growth, his legacy at GISD is state and national acclaim. Under his direction, the district has been named a Best Community for Music Education the past four years. Jones was also named Texas’ Music Administrator of the Year in 2012.

“What an incredible honor to be selected by my peers across the state,” he said. “I’m still humbled and feel a sense of responsibility to help and mentor others.”

But recognition isn’t a motivator for Jones. He insists his greatest accomplishments are the relationships he’s made along the way.

“I’m most proud of the contact that I have with former students,” he said. “Some have found me on Facebook and told me I changed their lives. How many people have that opportunity with their job?”

When asked about retirement, Jones said that he couldn’t see himself doing anything else.

DSM spotlights NGHS, RHS

Posted April 29, 2013

Theater students at North Garland and Rowlett high schools are upstaging their peers across the Metroplex. Both schools recently earned several nominations for Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards.

Directors Brandon Tijerina, Michael Abrams and Nancy Gibson submitted their students’ work for the recognition.  “I entered us in the DSM Musical Theatre Awards because I thought it would be a new experience for the students,” said Tijerina, director at RHS.

“I heard that the DSM Awards had an elaborate ceremony and some good scholarship opportunities for students,” added Abrams, director at NGHS. “I thought if we received just one nomination, it would be an honor to be included.”

The schools exceeded those expectations and received 15 nominations. Rowlett’s show “Les Miserables” claimed seven, including Best Musical, Actor, Supporting Actor, Featured Performer, Musical Direction, Lighting Design, and Stage Crew and Tech.

The remaining eight were claimed by North Garland’s “The Wedding Singer.” They included Best Supporting Actress, Direction, Musical Direction, Choreography, Lighting Design, Orchestra, Scene Design, and Stage Crew and Tech. 

In all, students from 49 schools in 10 North Texas counties earned nominations in the second-annual Dallas Summer Musicals High School Musical Theatre Awards.

“The nominations were validating for our program,” Tijerina said. “We hold the students to a higher standard and test their limits. They never cease to amaze and impress me with their level of talent, dedication and professionalism.”

Winners will be announced May 7 during a Tony Award-style ceremony at Fair Park Music Hall. Students named best actor and actress will win a five-day, all-expenses-paid trip to New York City where they’ll study with professionals and compete in the National High School Musical Theatre Awards. Other nominees will walk away from the DSM program with scholarships that total more than $25,000. The contest is judged by a panel of entertainment, arts and theater education professionals. 

Showcasing a portion of their celebrated musical, Rowlett High School performed on WFAA’s Good Morning Texas April 10. And, “The Wedding Singer” isn’t North Garland’s only onstage success. The school is GISD’s only campus to advance to regional UIL One Act Play competition this year. There students qualified for a spot at state—a first for NGHS and the second occurrence of its kind in GISD history.

“Our season has been spectacular,” Abrams said. “The students wanted to achieve excellence with each production and settled for nothing less.  It was their drive that made our season a success."

Photos courtesy of North Garland and Rowlett high schools.

GISD march marks 11 year, $1 million commitment to kids

Posted April 29, 2013

Saving babies one dime at a time, Garland Independent School District students, staff, parents and community members have donated more than 10,000,000 of them to March of Dimes since 2002.

The leading nonprofit for pregnancy and baby health, March of Dimes started in 1938 as a fight against polio. Once a vaccine was discovered, the organization turned its focus to preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. March of Dimes now offers financial help and support to families in need while also funding research and advocacy efforts.

GISD’s involvement with the organization began as a student council fundraiser at Garland High School. In 2002, former superintendent Curtis Culwell asked Eva Hummel, GHS secretary at the time, to launch a districtwide campaign. Unifying the second-largest school district in Dallas County behind a common cause, GISD’s donations are some of the largest of any educational institution in the U.S.

“We care for kids throughout their education in the district. Why not start at the beginning of their lives?” said Melinda Earls, current March of Dimes coordinator.

With the first fundraising goal set at $50,000 in 2004, GISD surpassed it collecting more than $59,000. That trend continued for many years after, resulting in the district’s largest donation of more than $160,000 in 2008—the year Earls took over for Hummel.

“I’m always overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of everyone in Garland ISD,” Earls said. “It’s amazing to see a district this large come together to invest in kids’ lives.  I’m honored and thankful that I get the opportunity to lead such great people.”

A software desktop specialist by profession, Earls says her passion is helping others. That’s why she’s volunteered as the March of Dimes coordinator—with no compensation—for the past five years. But Earls doesn’t organize GISD’s campaign alone. She’s quick to thank her executive committee for helping make decisions, plan events and finalize details.

And Earls’ efforts aren’t the only reason GISD’s 11-year commitment to kids has been so successful. The dedication of district schools and departments has been evident since the beginning. Each year they hold walkathons, balloon releases, bake sales, cookouts, craft fairs, silent auctions and other fundraisers, hoping to top the previous year’s total. Some GISD families even fundraise on their own, donating their collections to the district’s cause.

“Our family raised more than $2,000 last year and more than $2,300 this year,” said Karen Michell, campus technology assistant at GISD’s Alternative Education Center. “My 6-year-old grandson, Dylan, was born with a heart defect, hypoplastic right heart syndrome.  We would love to see a cure for any kind of birth defects.”

Fourth-grader Omar Urista would also like to see babies have a healthy start to life. Three years ago, the Southgate Elementary student began collecting money for March of Dimes. He did chores around the house, mowed the yard and saved his allowance. This year, Urista donated more than $100.

“It feels good to be able to help sick children,” he said.

In addition to individual efforts, districtwide endeavors include T-shirt sales and Blue Jeans for Babies day where staff pay a dollar to dress down for work. But the culminating event that draws Team GISD together is Dallas’ annual March for Babies, held April 20 at White Rock Lake’s Norbuck Park.

The largest school district to organize a team, three hundred students, staff, parents and community members united at Garland ISD’s tent before walking five miles. A time of fellowship, food and family fun followed afterward. North Garland High School cheerleaders and band members also performed during the walk, and a GISD student sang the national anthem to kick it off.

“My favorite part about being the March of Dimes coordinator is this event,” Earls said. “I get to meet all of the people that have given to our campaign and show them my appreciation. Seeing Dylan [Michell] out there walking with his family is also one of the coolest things. It makes everything real for me.”

Since 2002, Garland ISD’s March of Dimes campaign has not only raised more than $1 million, it has also garnered national acclaim. The 2012 March of Dimes nationwide campaign brochure recognized the district as the top school system for total dollars raised during 2011. And, GISD won Dallas’ annual March for Babies T-shirt contest the past four years.

This year’s fundraising goal is $100,000. The district’s 2013 March of Dimes campaign ends May 10.

LCHS students paint
their way to first place

Posted April 29, 2013

Artistic ability at Lakeview Centennial High School can be labeled as superior. That’s the rating 18 auto body students received at State SkillsUSA competition this month, earning first place awards as well.

Lakeview’s journey to state success began with 38 students competing at the district level. Auto collision repair projects included car hoods, panels and other metal pieces spray painted to perfection.

“All of the paint and lettering is done by hand. No computers or decals are used in any of the artwork,” LCHS teacher Craig Baughman said. “A lot of long hours are put in after school and on weekends, but the pride in workmanship makes all the extra effort worthwhile.”

Receiving a little extra validation, two LCHS students also won a Best in Show award for their National Auto Body car hood—a project created as a token of appreciation for the company’s generosity. National Auto Body Parts Warehouse, in addition to Austin Masonry Construction, The Body Shop, Trophy Nissan, The Pettinger Foundation, Frank Milsap and the Sachse Rod Shop, provided donations to cover expenses associated with competition.

According to Baughman, the Best in Show winner will now go on display at the National Auto Body sales showroom.

“To be recognized as having the most outstanding project from all of the other high schools in the state is no small accomplishment,” he said. “The designs, applications and finishes are all of professional standards.”

Photo courtesy of Craig Baughman.

NFHS band competes in UIL contest

Posted April 26, 2013

On April 17 and 18 the Naaman Forest High School’s bands competed in the UIL Region 3 Concert/Sight Reading Contest held at Richardson High School.  The honors band received all 1st Division ratings from the adjudication panel and the Symphonic Band earned a 1st Division rating in the concert portion. 

This was the 23rd consecutive year for the Honors Band to earn a 1st Division at this contest.  Directors for the NFHS are Larry Schnitzer, Gregory Taylor and Matt Rush.

SHS Mustangs participate in Great American Cleanup

Posted April 24, 2013

Volunteers throughout Sachse, including the Mustangs football team, gathered Saturday, April 13 to help clean and beautify their community.  The team met at city hall, received their assignments, and spent the day serving the community. 

Keep Sachse Beautiful is part of the national Great American Cleanup event and a day set aside for residents to work on cleanup projects.  

Shorehaven ES kids club cares for community

Posted April 23, 2013

Fourth and fifth grade students at Shorehaven Elementary School’s K-Kids Club may be small in stature, but they have big hearts. The group serves its school and community through numerous fundraisers, donation drives and cleanup days each year. K-Kids’ most recent service project collected $400 for the SPCA.

School Resource Officer Don Koerner helped start Shorehaven’s group five years ago.  “There weren’t a lot of after-school opportunities for students like youth sports or scouts,” he said. “We wanted to start something positive for students to be involved.”

Koerner also began K-Kids at Kimberlin Academy for Excellence. And this year, he helped organize the K-Kids equivalent at Sellers Middle School, called Builders Club. In high school, these students can join Key Clubs.

Laying the foundation for a lifetime of service, Shorehaven ES also teaches its 60 K-Kids members to be leaders.

“We learn to not make bad decisions, be kind and make good grades,” said Alexis Martinez, fifth-grade student and K-Kids president. “Our responsibility is to help people and be a good example for others.”

Helping the SPCA with its latest service project, Shorehaven’s group gave each teacher a can and asked them to decorate it. Students then donated their change for about a month. The collection netted $400, which K-Kids used to buy supplies like pet food, cat litter and paper towels for the SPCA.

Other service projects include hygiene products for senior citizens, stuffed animals for police departments, food, clothes and money for needy families, a new flag and flowers for their school, an Easter egg hunt for kindergarteners and cleaning up school grounds.

“Most kids their age are focused on what they want for themselves,” Rachel Ward, fifth-grade teacher and K-Kids sponsor, said. “It’s really refreshing to see how much these kids care about their community. K-Kids teaches them that sometimes it’s more important to focus on those that are less fortunate and need some assistance.”

“The other grades can’t wait to be a K-Kid,” Shorehaven ES Principal Patricia Tremmel said. “You can see the excitement on the students’ faces when they’re helping and supporting others.” 

LIGHT Program celebrates year’s accomplishments

Kim Everett | April 22, 2013

The LIGHT Program Advisory Council held its annual meeting Wednesday, April 10 at the Harris Hill Administration Annex.  Garland Independent School District board of trustee members, counselors, teachers, and students gathered to review the program’s accomplishments and to congratulate the group on a job well done.

The Living Intervention & Guidance for Healthier Teens program was started in 1988 to promote a healthy school environment for students.  This goal is met through counseling, support groups and guest speakers, as well as prevention activities and crisis intervention.  The advisory council is made up of school officials, counselors, and community members who provide a link between the school and community.

The program assists students with everything from providing food, clothing, and shelter, grief and loss, depression, and drug abuse prevention to suicide and self-mutilation prevention.

Two Naaman Forest High School graduates were on hand to share the positive experiences provided by participation in the LIGHT Brigade during their high school years.  In addition, a letter from a former GISD student was read which outlined how she went from being homeless during high school, to graduating and going away to college through the assistance of people in the program.  A group from North Garland High School led an entertaining, interactive song to end the meeting.

Mount Hebron Baptist Church was recognized for its assistance, along with the Garland Fire and Police Departments.  Vivian Johnson and Ann Noska, LIGHT counselors who are retiring this year, were also recognized. 

Phyllis Parker, Ed. D., GISD assistant superintendent, who is also retiring at the end of the school year, spoke to group and commended members on the program’s success and accomplishments.

The LIGHT Program mission statement:  The LIGHT Program is committed to providing education, intervention and resources to students, parents, teachers, administrators and the community in a way that assists students in choosing a healthy lifestyle.

GISD one of nation’s best for music education

Posted April 19, 2013

Garland ISD’s commitment to fine arts can be seen in the countless music education programs at the district’s seven high schools, 12 middle schools and 47 elementary schools. It is also now evident in GISD’s fourth-consecutive Best Communities for Music Education designation. The district was one of just 307 groups to receive this title from the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation in March.

“To me, the distinction is simply an affirmation of what I already know,” George Jones, director of Fine Arts, said. “We have great teachers delivering quality instruction to their students so that they can grow musically and academically. And, we work in a district that believes in and supports Fine Arts education.”

According to the NAMM Foundation, 2,000 schools and districts applied for a 2013 Best Communities for Music Education award. Applicants were required to complete a detailed survey about funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instruction time, facilities, support and community programs.

In its 14th year, BCME recognizes school districts that have demonstrated exceptional efforts toward maintaining music education as part of schools’ core curriculum. The designation is an important part of the NAMM Foundation’s efforts to advocate for school-based music education. Numerous studies have demonstrated that learning to play music can boost other academic and social skills, such as math and learning to cooperate in a group.

Student sewing club clothes impoverished children

Posted April 19, 2013

A stitch that spans the nation, students in Kimberlin Academy for Excellence’s sewing club are creating clothes for impoverished children around the world.

Fifth grade math teacher Michele Querry started “It’s Sew Easy” three years ago as part of Kimberlin’s extended-day program, which offers non-traditional classes after school.

“I typically had tutorials during that time, but it worked out that I had a free period, so I wanted to do something different,” she said. “It just so happened that I was researching the Little Dresses for Africa organization, and the idea just clicked.”

Querry sent information home to parents, seeking donations of supplies and borrowed sewing machines. That first semester, she received eight loaner machines and enough material to kick off the club. Querry began by showing students videos and pictures of the children they would be helping.

“Kids in Africa often wear everything they own every day,” she explained. “They don’t get to choose what they wear like our kids do. The dresses and shorts we make might also be the first new pieces of clothing they’ve ever received. And once they can’t be worn anymore, they’ll be cut up and used for diapers, headbands or washcloths.”

Querry continues to start each new semester of It’s Sew Easy the same way. After seeing the end result, students learn how to get there. They receive instruction about sewing machine safety, and Querry teaches the club pinning, ironing, straight-line stitches, working with elastic, and pocket hems. Students are then able to choose whether they’d like to make a dress out of a pillowcase or a pair of shorts using bandanas. Choosing a material they like is the last step before production. The club’s goal each semester is for every member to make at least one article of clothing.

Three years and six semesters strong, students have produced approximately 120 dresses and 75 pairs of shorts. Kimberlin’s clothing has been distributed to Ethiopia, Ghana, Haiti and Mexico through the help of local churches and nonprofit missionary organizations.

“This was one of the most memorable experiences or classes that I’ve had,” said fifth-grader Julia Breeland. “It gives you the feeling of doing something good and helping people in need. I want the kids who get these clothes to know that someone cares for them and wants to help them have a better life.”

Echoing her sentiments, fifth-grader Rosie Gonzalez is a two-time It’s Sew Easy member. “Once you do it, you don’t want to stop,” she said. “I’m sad that I’m leaving Kimberlin next year and can’t be in the club again. I plan to continue to sew at home with my grandma.”

Touching the hearts of not only those involved, donations continue to keep the club alive. According to Querry, community generosity has provided a dozen sewing machines for the school as well as $500 in supplies. Parents are also always eager to visit classes each semester and see pictures of African children wearing their students’ creations. Querry hopes to one day deliver the clothing herself.

“I’ve always wanted to do mission work, but I have a full-time job and kids at home,” she said. “This is how I can contribute. I can teach Kimberlin kids a usable skill and the importance of giving back.”

Photos courtesy of Michele Querry.

Southgate ES student empties piggy bank for March of Dimes

Posted April 16, 2013

Southgate Elementary School collected almost $1,000 for the March of Dimes this year, thanks in large part to Ms. Brown’s class, whose total donation was $247.37.

One of Brown's students decided on his own to donate all the money in his piggy bank, totaling $100, which he had been saving for three years. After checking with the boy's parents to make sure that this donation was OK with them, Brown matched his contribution by writing a check for $100.00! 

The class will soon be rewarded with an ice cream party.

Sterling Stars host Spring Show

Kim Everett | April 16, 2013 -- Photos by Mark Harkins

The Naaman Forest High School Sterling Stars held their 22^nd Spring Show and celebrated the school’s 25^th anniversary Saturday, April 6.  Bringing together past graduates with current students, the theme of the show was “Together Again.”

There were more than 20 dance numbers featuring the Sterling Stars and the junior varsity drill team, the Starlettes.

Officers of the 2012-13 Sterling Stars are:  Captain Shelby Knox; First Lieutenant Alexa Garza; Senior Lieutenants Hannah McNeil and Katelyn Goucher; and Junior Lieutenants Peyton Baber, Tristen McNatt, and Haley Simone.

The drill teams are led by Director Alesia Wright and Assistant Director Deborah McCloskey.

GISD celebrates Healthy Texas Week

Posted April 16, 2013

Healthy bodies lead to healthy minds. That’s why Garland ISD celebrated Healthy Texas Week April 8-14. The statewide initiative encourages increased physical activity, promotes proper nutrition and allows GISD to teach healthy lifestyle habits to students and staff.

While Healthy Texas Week kicked off in Austin with a group workout on the steps of the State Capitol, Kimberlin Academy for Excellence kicked off its celebration with a visit from the Dallas Cowboys.

Students participated in the group’s junior training camp, which incorporated running, passing and throwing drills into 60 minutes of play. The school also held a campuswide fun run Tuesday and invited nutritionists to speak with students throughout the week.

“We focus on instruction so students will perform well and succeed,” said Mida Milligan, principal at Kimberlin. “We need to do the same thing with health and wellness.”

For tips on how to move more, eat better and live well, visit the Healthy Texas Week website.

GISD students receive highest art award

Posted April 15, 2013

Local student artists recently received six Gold Seals, the highest student art award, at the annual state art contest, the Visual Art Scholastic Event in Bryan College Station.  This is a record year for the Garland Independent School District. 

This year VASE had approximately 25,000 entries statewide.  Of those, approximately 1,450 pieces were chosen to go to state.  There those were again judged, and only 150 Gold Seals were awarded. 

Jodie Pham, Megan Stranz, and Cooper Hulstine, who received two Gold Seals, were the winners from Rowlett High School.  Bibi Aragaw from Naaman Forest High School and Allison Beckham of Lakeview Centennial High School received Gold Seals as well.

Cooper Hulstine	Cooper Hulstine	Allison Beckham
Jodie Pham	Bibi Aragaw	Megan Stranz

National Achievement Scholarship winners named

Posted April 13, 2013

Today, National Merit Scholarship Corporation announced the names of approximately 800 outstanding Black American high school seniors who have won Achievement Scholarship® awards through the National Achievement Scholarship Program. These awards, totaling over $2 million, are financed by grants from 34 corporate organizations and professional associations and by National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

The National Achievement Scholarship Program is a privately financed academic competition established in 1964 specifically to honor scholastically talented Black American youth and to provide scholarships to a substantial number of the most outstanding participants in each annual competition. By the conclusion of the 2013 program, marking the 49th annual competition, about 32,600 participants will have received scholarships for undergraduate study worth more than $103 million. The program is conducted by National Merit Scholarship Corporation, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance.

Alayna Brooks, senior at Garland High School was one of the $2,500 scholarship recipients.  Her probable career is medical research.

The Achievement Scholar designees announced today include 700 recipients of National Achievement® $2,500 Scholarships. All students who advanced to the finalist level in the 2013 competition were considered for these single-payment scholarships, which were awarded on a regional representation basis in proportion to the population of Black Americans in each geographic region.

NFHS students help retirement
home residents celebrate Easter

Posted April 6, 2013

As one of its numerous community service projects, Naaman Forest High School LIGHT Brigade members recently distributed 40 baskets to the residents at Autumn Leaves Retirement Home.

According to the Garland Independent School District’s website: 

The goal of the program is to strengthen the educational process of students who are experiencing the effects of substance abuse, crisis, or exhibiting behaviors of concern.

This is accomplished through the development of a healthy school environment for students by providing counseling, support groups, presentations, prevention activities, classroom guidance, and crisis intervention.

Areas addressed include:

·         Family issues

·         Coping skills

·         Healthy relationships

·         Anger management

·         Physical and Emotional Abuse

·         Stress

·         Grief and loss

·         Depression

·         Self-injury

·         Suicide

·         Substance abuse

GISD teachers participate in workshop

Posted April 6, 2013

Several Garland teachers were recently selected to participate in a one-day teacher workshop in Dallas sponsored by Humanities Texas.

Chawn Cummings and Alicia Young, who teach U.S. history at Jackson Technology Center, Michael Bryant, who teaches U.S. history at Lakeview Centennial High School, Cheri Grimes, who teaches U.S. history at Lyles Middle School, Dawn Cardenas and Dean Gould, who teach U.S. history at O’Banion Middle School, Pamela Ottoson, who teaches U.S. history at Sellers Middle School, and David Warnick, who teaches world history at South Garland High School, attended the workshop, which offered teachers the opportunity to work closely with leading scholars, studying major aspects of nineteenth-century U.S. history, such as slavery, the Civil War and Reconstruction.

The workshop faculty included distinguished scholars from leading universities, such as Michael Les Benedict of Ohio State University, Albert S. Broussard of Texas A&M University, Daniel Feller of the University of Tennessee and Jennifer L. Weber of the University of Kansas.

During the morning, participants attended dynamic lectures and presentations. In the afternoons, they joined faculty in small workshops to examine primary sources such as historic documents, maps and photographs.

The workshop was held at the Dallas Institute of Humanities and Culture. Special emphasis was placed on newly added or revised standards in the state’s U.S. history curriculum.

“Humanities Texas was delighted to include eight exceptional teachers from Garland in this educational endeavor,” Executive Director Michael L. Gillette said. “Bringing teachers together to learn from leading scholars and from each other is an effective way to ensure that Texas students continue to receive the best possible educational opportunities.”

The workshop was made possible with support from the Sid W. Richardson Foundation, as well as from the State of Texas and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Humanities Texas, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, sponsors programs promoting heritage, culture and education throughout the state.

RHS student sculpts way to national acclaim

Posted April 4, 2013

A senior at Rowlett High School, Matthew Giles has taken art classes since first grade, but he never thought his passion would lead to national prestige. The 18-year-old Garland ISD student was recently named a finalist in the 16th-annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition.

“It is a tremendous honor to advance in any competition,” RHS teacher Kristine Hamidou said. “But what a feat to advance in a national competition where students are competing against others from all over our country. I commend Matt on a job very well done.”

An art enthusiast, Giles hasn’t always been skilled in sculpting. Other than limited exposure during elementary and middle school, his first real experience with 3-D mediums was a basic art elective as a freshman. Afterward, Giles strictly stuck to drawing and painting classes until fall 2012 when he enrolled in Hamidou’s sculpture II course.

“She gave us an assignment to create a piece that focused on a body part,” he commented. “I didn’t want to do something common, so mine focused on the collar bone. That’s the piece we entered into the competition.”

Giles’ first experience with competitively entering a sculpture, his piece was among just 150 finalists chosen from 1,087 entries in the National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition. It was displayed as part of the annual conference of the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts, located in Houston this year March 20-22. At the conference’s conclusion, Giles earned a $1,000 Alex Conine Memorial Scholarship.

“I thought Ms. Hamidou was kidding when she told me,” Giles said. “I wasn’t completely happy with my piece, so I wasn’t expecting it. But I was very excited.”

"Matt is an extremely gifted artist,” Hamidou said. ”He is very sensitive to the world around him, and as a result, his artwork usually has meaning. It really makes the viewer think. He’s one of those students that teachers really enjoy having.”

Receiving recognition for his art is nothing new to Giles. One of his paintings also qualified for the State Visual Art Scholastic Event this year—one of 1,500 pieces chosen from more than 24,000 entries. Giles has qualified for VASE since his sophomore year and has received the competition’s highest score of four. This year, he hopes to win the even more prestigious Gold Seal award.

“I like art because there are no boundaries,” Giles said. “You can express yourself in any way you want.”

The RHS senior plans to attend the University of North Texas in the fall and hopes to become an occupational therapist after college, incorporating art into rehabilitation.

SGHS drill teams dance their way to top

Posted April 1, 2013

Drill teams from South Garland High School have been named the best of the best. Southern Belle and Belle Strutters Elite teams claimed first and second place overall at the recent American Drill Team Dance Festival in Santa Fe, N.M.

The teams also won Best in Class Team and Elite Team awards, as well as Sweepstakes awards. And, their performances earned overall and judge’s awards in choreography, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, kick, pom-pom, precision, presentation, prop and technique categories.

Belle officers won their own Sweepstakes award in addition to a Best in Class Officers award and judge’s awards in hip-hop, jazz and open categories. And, SGHS junior Camrin Scales earned a first-place finish in the solos category for medium-sized high schools.

As a prize for taking top honors at the American Drill Team Dance Festival, the Belles received $500 and have been invited to perform in three prestigious events, London’s New Year’s Day Parade, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Capital One Bowl in Florida.

“Elise [Smith] and I are so proud of our Southern Belles,” said Director Kara Guinn. “They represented GISD and South Garland HS in their usual award-winning fashion. We received so many emails and texts from other directors commenting on dance ability and the dancers carrying themselves as ladies off the court.”

Photo courtesy of Kara Guinn.

GISD seniors set sights on $20,000 scholarship

Posted April 1, 2013

With graduation just a few months away, four Garland ISD seniors are setting their sights higher than college. They hope to finish high school with $20,000 in financial aid assistance secured.  Magali Duran, Zachary Langley, Maximiliano Ortiz and Rosa Romero have been named Dell Scholar semi-finalists.

“The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation developed the Dell Scholars Program to recognize those students who overcame major obstacles and were still able to maintain academic success in rigorous courses as well as participation in extra-curricular activities,” Janice Howard, GISD AVID director, said.

Every year, thousands of students across the country complete an intense application process that includes several essay questions. Prospective seniors are then whittled down to around 1,000 semi-finalists.  Three hundred Dell Scholar Finalists will be named April 10. In addition to $20,000 for college, they will also receive a laptop, a private scholar networking community, resources and mentoring to ensure they have the support needed to achieve their college degrees.

According to Howard, Garland ISD has produced Dell Scholar Semi-Finalists at every AVID high school, but only one finalist in its history. North Garland alumnus Jose Ramirez received the coveted title two years ago. This year’s honorees hope to be added to the district’s finalist fame.

South Garland HS

Magali Duran is the senior class president at South Garland High School. She plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio in the fall, majoring in architecture. In her fifth year of AVID classes, which included courses at O’Banion Middle School, Duran will be the first person in her family to attend a four-year college.

“Ms. Greenidge was my first AVID teacher at O’Banion Middle School,” Duran said. “She really focused on us, gave us the support we needed and helped us when our parents couldn’t. She got me in higher-level classes. Now I take all honors and advanced placement courses.”

Duran’s current AVID teacher at SGHS, Natalie Bauerkemper, encouraged her to apply for the Dell Scholars Program.

“They are looking for someone with a good GPA, community involvement, determination and drive,” Bauerkemper said. “I knew that Magali was a good candidate. I’ve seen her so dedicated to this school. It’s her second love, right after her family.”

Duran learned about the semi-finalist designation when Bauerkemper surprised her at work with balloons.

“I started freaking out,” she remembered. “I was crying because I was in shock. I called my mom, and she started crying too. My sister was also in the background screaming.”

Duran’s classmate, Zachary Langley, will also be the first person in his family to go to college. He plans to attend the University of North Texas, where he hopes to be accepted into the communications design program. Langley feels that continuing his education will build the skills needed for a successful career.

“I want to be the guy who makes the logo that stays throughout history, like Coca-Cola or Toyota,” he said. “Getting a degree will help me get my foot in the door.”

Langley has already garnered state and national acclaim for his designs through Technology Student Association competitions. Last school year, he placed first at state and fourth at nationals. So far this year, he’s placed first at district, advancing to state competition in April.

Volunteering more than 500 hours throughout high school, Langley is a well-rounded student. Becoming a Dell Scholar Finalist would mean that he no longer has to worry about how to finance his dreams.

“These students will get scholarships, it’s just a matter of when,” said Bauerkemper. “No matter what happens, I’m so proud. This is a big honor.”

North Garland HS

Maximiliano Ortiz is a senior at North Garland High School. He strives to be a role model to his two younger brothers, demonstrating that high school education and college attendance are critical. After graduation, Ortiz will either attend the University of Texas at Arlington for architecture or the University of North Texas for music.

Ortiz, who also began AVID in middle school, says the communication skills he has learned have been most helpful.  “When I came here, I was shy and only had a few friends,” he said. “Now I feel comfortable talking to people I barely know. Whether it’s meeting new teachers, classmates or other people, good communication skills make the world easier. AVID has also kept me sure about my plans to go to college.”

Out of all his classmates who applied for the Dell Scholars Program, Ortiz was the only NGHS semi-finalist. His AVID teacher, Lisa Olsen, says she can’t think of a more deserving student.

“He’s a mature, thoughtful, driven person who’s able to carry burdens with great poise. He’s highly intelligent and a leader,” she said. “Writing his recommendation was one of the hardest things I’ve had to do. For someone without the slightest bit of braggadocio, it’s wonderful to see him in the limelight.”

Garland HS

Garland High School senior Rosa Romero is only in her second year of AVID, but it has already changed her life.

“I saw my friends getting good grades and help with their classes,” she said. “They also talked about going to college, and I was unsure what I wanted to do after high school. Now I take all AP and IB classes and plan on attending the University of North Texas to major in family development.”

Romero’s AVID experience also started a chain reaction within her family. Her older brother and sister both saw that they, too, could go to college and have enrolled in classes. That influence is exactly how Romero hopes to dedicate her life.

“I want to be an advocate for people who don’t think that they have a lot of opportunities available to them,” she said.

Romero currently dedicates her time to her peers and the community. She serves as the president of Garland High School’s fashion design club, a member of the Dashing Debs drill team, a member of Key Club, Beta Club and the Garland Hispanic Youth Organization.

“She’s the student that every teacher wishes they had, and the friend that everybody needs,” commented GHS AVID teacher Melissa McDonald. “Rosa is brilliant—number nine in her class—kind and sweet. I got goose bumps when I found out that she was a semi-finalist.”