Swingsters of the week

Kim Everett | September 6, 2010

Krystal Brown

In her second year as a Sachse High School Swingster, Krystal is a Junior Sergeant.  She became interested in Swingsters when they first started because some of her brothers’ friends were on the drill team.

In addition to Swingsters, Krystal enjoys participating in her church choir and True Praise.  She says that one of the most important things she has learned through participating in Swingsters is determination.  History is Krystal’s favorite subject, and she’d like to study law in college after high school graduation. 

Chelsey Palmquist

Junior Sergeant Chelsey Palmquist is in her second year as a Swingster.  She says that the friends she has made and learning about time management are the most important things she has gained from Swingsters. 

Local student wins Jethsuby Fund, Catholic Foundation scholarship

Posted September 3, 2010

The beginning of the school year means the end of water parks, camp, and summer vacation, but one deserving group of students received a surprise that has given them a running start and new-found motivation for this academic year.

Garland’s Salma Almaguer, seventh-grader at Good Shepherd Catholic School, was among the eight students in the first group to receive Jethsuby Fund scholarships.

“Salma was beyond excited and felt extremely motivated because of this scholarship award,” said Andres Aleman, father of a scholarship recipient. “She’s beginning to see that her hard work and effort are paying off, and she knows she has to continue giving everything her all.”

The Jethsuby Scholarship Fund of The Catholic Foundation awarded eight Hispanic elementary school students scholarships to attend Catholic schools within the Diocese of Dallas, in its first round of scholarship disbursements.

The Jethsuby Scholarship Fund was created by Dr. and Mrs. Mauricio Delgado through The Catholic Foundation in December 2009 with the mission to provide Hispanic students the necessary resources to obtain a Catholic education.          

“The start of a new academic year is a very busy and exciting time, and this news brings with it a sense of pride and encouragement for the recipients and their families,” said Dr. Mauricio Delgado, director of neurology at Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and professor of neurology at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.  “This first disbursement of scholarship awards through the Jethsuby Fund has proven successful in honoring and motivating eight young superstars, and we look forward to recognizing more students’ hard work and success as we grow the fund.”

The students were nominated by their respective school principals based on academic performance, character, and participation in school activities, and selected by a committee comprised of professionals from within the Diocese. The recipients each received a scholarship that will cover up to 50 percent of tuition for one academic year. 

This fall, the fund will host a concert fundraiser featuring international recording artists, Son by Four, as well as the local music ministry Hermanos Fuego Nuevo and a special appearance by Alberto Mayagoitia. This event will take place on October 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Special Events Center in Garland. Tickets will be available beginning Friday, September 3 at www.specialeventscenter.com.

Dr. Delgado named the Jethsuby Scholarship Fund after a child he knew whom he thought would have benefited from attending Catholic school. A son of Mexican immigrants, Jethsuby died at the age of 11 years in a motor vehicle accident. Dr. and Mrs. Delgado decided to help other children interested in attending Catholic school whose families faced financial obstacles, in honor of Jethsuby. 

Sachse Swingsters learn valuable lessons from drill team experience

Kim Everett | August 29, 2010

Lee Valdivia is enjoying her first year as a Sachse Swingster.  She also likes participating in theatre activities and dance classes outside of school.
 
Through participation in drill team, Lee has learned respect, confidence, and how to perform.  “But, the most important lesson I have learned is to never give up on myself, and to keep trying for what I really want,” she said.  
 
She is in her junior year, and her favorite subjects are math and theatre.  After high school, Lee hopes to go to college in either Texas or California to get her degree in the math or science field.

”There are several people who helped me get to where I am now on drill team and as a dancer and performer,” Lee said.  “I don't think I could have done this without them, and I am very thankful for all of their help, time, support and confidence in me.”

Breanna Connel is a senior and is in her third year with the Swingsters, along with being a member of  the Beta Club. 

“The most important thing I have gained from Swingsters is my friends,” Breanna said.  “I know that I always have someone, especially my best friend.  She's there with me everyday.”

Psychology has been her favorite high school subject so far, and she hopes to attend Texas A&M Commerce and major in business.

“Thank you to every Swingster and Shaver.  You have made drill team and high school a wonderful experience,” Breanna said.

Kendyl Bradford is a senior and has been involved with Swingsters since her sophomore year.  She took dance lessons at Brandenburg Middle School, and found what she loved to do. “I always looked up to the varsity drill team since my sister attended the Sachse Charter Class,” Kendyl said.

She works with a non-profit organization that allows people to pick two sponsors and a charity to which those sponsors donate, and Kendyl’s charity donates water to villages and towns in Africa.

“I have met so many wonderful people being involved with Swingsters. These girls are forever locked into my heart,” she said. “But I have also learned many valuable lessons that I can take with me throughout my lifetime.”

After high school, Kendyl will move to Sweden with her parents and older sister where she will work toward a degree in business.

Marissa Walden is a junior and in her third year of drill team.  She is also going to join the Spanish Club and the Light Brigade this year, and she volunteers occasionally for various Christian art shows and Sharing Life.

“The most important thing I have learned from this activity is to be patient,” Marissa said.  “Just because you want to be able to do something doesn't mean you automatically get in, you must practice every day.”

Marissa is fascinated by how other people and cultures lived before us, so her favorite subject is history. 

After high school graduation, she hopes to intern somewhere in Europe for a year, then go to college so that she can have a career in international business or as a museum art curator. 

Danielle Dona is a Baby Swingster this year, meaning that it is her first year to participate in drill team.  She started dancing at age five has been dancing ever since. 

“When you work hard you can achieve many things,” Danielle said.  “I feel a sense of accomplishment when I achieve my goal and work to achieve it.”

History is her favorite subject.  “It is through history that we can learn from other people's mistakes,” she said.  “If there was no history then everyone would make the same mistakes over and over.”

In addition to drill team, Danielle is active in her church, and she plans to attend college and become a forensic scientist.

NFHS cheerleaders enjoy busy summer

Submitted by Jerri Frey -- August 20, 2010

The 2010-11 Naaman Forest High School varsity, junior varsity, and freshman cheerleaders had a busy summer.  They started off at the National Cheerleaders Association camp held at the University of North Texas June 7-10 and received several awards.   

The varsity squad received the Game Day Top Award and 12 were nominated for All American.  Individual cheerleaders that were designated All-American were Lauren Basye, Reagan Elam, Cherie Ichu, Christina Frey and Kendall Roden.  Varsity squad members are Lauren Basye, Mackenzie Braak, Christina Cook, Tori Crowe, Reagan Elam, Christina Frey, Cherie Ichu, Shelby Lancin, Kendall Roden, Morgan Speir, Hailee Walker, and Haley Werner.

The junior varsity squad was awarded the Herkie Award and seven were nominated for All American.  JV cheerleaders who were designated All-American were Brittney Leonard, Christin Rupert, Kayla Thomas and Shelby Thornton.  Squad members are Jamie Baum, Madison Blacker, Tiffani Hamilton, Brittney Leonard, Christin Rupert, Jillian Sheets, Kayla Thomas, and Shelby Thornton.

The freshman squad was awarded the Performance Top Team and 10 of the girls were nominated for All American.  All-American freshman cheerleaders were Kelsey Bates, Courtney Crawford, Lauren Nicol and Sarah Walker.  Squad members are Kelsey Bates, Laura Bonatti, Courtney Crawford, Kristin Larson, Jessie Mabry, Lauren Nicol, Amanda Pownall, Gabrielle Thomas, Sarah Walker, and Daria White.

In July, the cheerleaders participated in the Colts Melvin Bullitt Third Annual Sports Festival.  The festival offered instruction in football while promoting academic achievement, physical fitness, and a drug free lifestyle for area youth.  The festival kicked off on Friday evening with the Amazing Race Event, where the winning team consisted of NFHS cheerleaders Kendall Roden and Reagan Elam.

In August, all squad members and the cheer booster club hosted a GCDTA Pep Club Cheer Clinic, where they taught cheers, chants, and a dance to approximately 240 girls.  They also performed at the Ranger Wilderness Camp pep rally to welcome the newest Rangers.

Varsity sponsor is Kristi Boyd. JV sponsor is Kristie Smoot, and freshman sponsor is Lesa Young-Atkinson.

NFHS welcomes 250 freshmen at Fish Camp

Kim Everett | August 13, 2010

Naaman Forest High School welcomed 250 freshmen to its Ranger Wilderness Camp, more commonly known as Fish Camp, on Wednesday, August 11.

During the orientation, upperclassmen helped incoming ninth-graders by sharing the basics about what they will need to know on the first day of school and how to find their way around. 

The NFHS band, cheerleaders, Lumberjacks, drill team members, and of course, Ranger Rick, were on hand to entertain and welcome the newcomers at a special pep rally.

“Fish Camp is important because it gives the freshmen an idea of how to get around so they aren’t completely lost on the first day,” said NFHS junior Natalie Gallion.  “They also get to experience their first high school pep rally.”

Natalie’s advice to freshmen is to treat the upperclassmen with respect.  “If you act like you’re ‘all that,’ they will make your life harder,” she said.  “They seem intimidating at first, but once you get to know everyone, it’s not a big deal anymore.”

She also advises incoming freshmen to get involved in a lot of activities because that is one of the best ways to get to know people and make friends.