Your Mansfield ISD

Fort Hood soldiers and their canine partners introduce
themselves to Daulton Elementary students, parents, and staff.

They may be cute and cuddly, but don’t let the fur fool you. Military dogs are an integral part to the protection of our country.

Students and staff at Anna May Daulton Elementary School are helping those four-legged soldiers get the support they need by raising money and collecting supplies to ship overseas. Through Operation Military Care K9, the campus is sending the military dogs and their handlers items to keep them healthy and protect them from harsh weather conditions.

“I want the kids to know how important these dogs are to our military,” said Lynn Kostel, librarian at Daulton who organized the fundraiser. “These dogs are nobody’s pet, and they’re vital to the survival of our guys.”

A military canine retrieves an object for his handler.

All branches of the armed forces utilize military service dogs specializing in drug and bomb detection. The canines sniff out narcotics, search for explosives, and support in other roles.

To kick off the fundraiser, Fort Hood soldiers visited the school with their canine partners to demonstrate how the dogs are used in different missions. The kids and adults were excited to see the dogs as they exhibited their talents.

“We try to teach kids about what the dogs really do,” said Sgt. 1st Class William Morton. “They always see dogs out and about, but this is a little different from the dogs they have at home.”

After the demonstration, the soldiers were surprised with baskets of supplies that were donated by local businesses. Kostel said the entire community did not hesitate to support when they heard about an opportunity to support the troops.

Local businesses donated gifts for the military dogs.

“I cried when I saw everything that they brought,” said Kostel. “Chick-fil-A sponsored the soldier’s lunch. We also had Petco, Petsmart, and Pet Supplies Plus supply items for the dogs.”

Daulton Elementary hopes the gifts of love keep coming. Money can be donated through the PTA, and the campus will be accepting items through Friday, Feb. 12. A list of needed canine supplies is available here.

Spelling Bee winner Jeremy Phan receives his championship plaque.

It’s a word Jeremy Pham will never forget. After successfully spelling catastrophe, the James Coble Middle School eighth grader was named the 2016 Mansfield ISD spelling bee champion.

Pham, who also won the district spelling bee last year, was the last student standing out of the 35 contestants from each of the district’s elementary, intermediate, and middle schools. He said he is proud to be able to take home another winner’s trophy.

“I’m happy I was able to win because there were many tough competitors,” said Pham. “You have to study every day for a few hours, and it’s best to study with flashcards to go over the words.”

The district spelling bee’s coordinator said the contest is not just about spelling words correctly. The contestants are developing skills that they will use even after graduation.

First runner-up Kailey Choi was a past district
spelling bee winner.

“The Bee fosters public speaking skills, enhances vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as building self-confidence through a friendly competitive environment,” said Krista Cobb, ELA instructional coordinator. “These are life-long skills that students can apply throughout all aspects of their lives.”

The district spelling was held Friday, Feb. 12 at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts. It was sponsored by the Mansfield Sunrise Rotary Club.

Congratulations to Jeremy Pham, first runner-up Kailey Choi from Cross Timbers Intermediate School, and the following campus winners who competed in the district bee.

School	Name
Alice Ponder Elementary	Michaela Oczak
Anna Mae Daulton Elementary	Erica Christenson
Annette Perry Elementary	Jordan Bosuro
Asa Low Intermediate	Vivian Cao
Brooks Wester Middle School	Gregory Jason Dey
Carol Holt Elementary	Lauren Eddington-Dixon
Charlotte Anderson Elementary	Ezra Escamilla
Cora Spencer Elementary	Ezenna Akubukwe
Cross Timbers Intermediate	Kailey Choi (first runner-up)
D. P. Morris Elementary	Jacqueline Hoang
Danny Jones Middle School	Quinten Dukes
Della Icenhower Intermediate	Niladri Nath
Donna Shepard Intermediate	Eric Alan
Elizabeth Smith Elementary	Alvin Rhaman
Erma Nash Elementary	Aiden Bond
Glenn Harmon Elementary	Laila Mohammed
Imogene Gideon Elementary	Synia Roberts
J. L. Boren Elementary	Phillip Besand
James Coble Middle School	Jeremy Pham (winner)
Janet Brockett Elementary	Aaron Pradith
Judy Miller Elementary	Peyton Mitchell
Kenneth Davis Elementary	Tiffany Lam
Linda Jobe Middle School	Micah Donathan
Louise Cabaniss Elementary	Annabelle Rodriguez
Martha Reid Elementary	Oluwatade Olayiwole
Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary	Jayden Nche
Mary Lillard Intermediate	Michael O. Asokwah, Jr.
Mary Orr Intermediate	Tojumi Olayiwole
Nancy Neal Elementary	Shaun Ukeje
Roberta Tipps Elementary	Oladipo Owoyele
Rogene Worley Middle School	Sandra Khuon
T. A. Howard Middle School	Jonathan Walker
Tarver-Rendon Elementary	Conley Franklin
Thelma Jones Elementary	Precious Agwagom
Willie Brown Elementary	Prapti Patel

Sara Buchan and two of her students who have earned blue butterflies.

Although Friday is the last day of National Random Act of Kindness Week, Martha Reid Elementary School spreads the kindness year-round.

Students and staff have all taken part of the Kindness Challenge. It’s an initiative started by first grade teacher Sara Buchan who wanted to teach children how to pay it forward.

“I can make them brilliant in math, but if they do not have social and emotional intelligence, I have failed them,” said Buchan.

The eight-year Mansfield ISD teacher started incorporating what she coined as a kindness mat. The mat is a non-reward-based sheet of paper with different nice gestures students can do. She later contacted the founder of Secret Blue Butterfly and received blue butterflies for teachers to hand out to students who go above and beyond.

The blue butterflies hang to remind students and staff
to spread kindness.

An entire hallway is adorned with blue butterflies hanging from the ceiling as a reminder to children to pollinate the world with kindness and love.

“None of this could have happened without the support I received from the principal and teachers,” said Buchan. “We have a segment on the morning announcements about the Kindness Challenge, and everyone has really bought into the whole idea of promoting joy.”

The saying is true: a little bit of kindness goes a long way. Reid Elementary staff hopes the kids use the lessons learned to continue having a heart of compassion as they grow older.

Many drums. One beat. That’s the theme for the Mansfield ISD Multicultural Fest, and the strength of the district’s diversity was seen in every ethnic cuisine, performance, and activity that was on display for the event.

An estimated 6,000 people were in attendance on Feb. 27 to embrace the various cultures represented within the MISD community.

Participants were welcomed into the MISD Center for the Performing Arts by praise dancing. Once inside, there was a live wax museum of students representing historical figures from all backgrounds, and a variety of activities that highlighted the culture of different nations.

Participants stop to view the live wax museum.

“It was fun!” said Grace Anthony, fourth grader at Annette Perry Elementary School who was with her classmate Abby Mincer. “We went around to the different areas to play the games and activities.”

The definite fan favorite was all the free food samples prepared by the Ben Barber Career and Technology Academy culinary students.

“I definitely enjoyed all the food tasting,” said first-time attendee Tricia Grinolds. “I kept going back to the Cuba booth for their food and that virgin mojito drink.”

Event coordinator Lynn Wilkie said the MISD Multicultural Fest is one of her favorites because she gets to see how unique everyone is, while still coming together as a district.

“We are all MISD,” said Wilkie. “I love seeing every campus, department, and community member come together and be proud of where they came from. We had a great turnout, and I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this event a success.”

The Multicultural Fest started in 2013 as a way to educate the community of the various cultures within MISD in a fun and interactive way. The event has grown every year since then.

View the full photo gallery of the event here.

The Lady Broncos were excited to advance to the playoffs.

Even though there won’t be any Mansfield ISD teams at the UIL Girls Basketball State Tournament this weekend, the three teams that made it to the playoffs still have a lot to be proud of.

This season proved to be a record-breaking one for the Legacy High and Timberview High girls basketball teams. The Lady Broncos made it to the regional quarterfinals for the first time in its history. In addition, Timberview’s Lady Wolves were ranked number one in their division for a majority of the regular season, and remained undefeated until their unexpected loss in the regional tournament.

The Lady Wolves went into the playoffs undefeated.

The Lady Wolves finished the season with a record of 33-1. It’s the longest winning streak for the Timberview girls basketball program.

The Summit High School Lady Jaguars made it the furthest among the MISD teams as the regional runner-ups. The team had momentum at the start of the season, but hit a snag when their starting point guard and lead scorer, Amber Dixon, tore her ACL around Christmas.

“Our seniors brought a lot of team leadership during that time,” said Lady Jags head coach Dawn Mailloux. “They had the attitude to press on. Our goal was to get to the regional tournament and not let anything get in the way of that.”

Even without their starting point guard, the Lady Jags
were regional runner-ups.

The Summit girls met their goal, but it was still a hard blow for them when they ended their playoff run. With a record of 32-7, Mailloux said she told the team there was no reason to hang their heads.

“We achieved and surpassed our goal,” said Coach Mailloux. “They were dedicated, and each of them contributed to the team. Those girls left a legacy for the next group to build on and look forward to.”

Each of the teams are working to get even better next year, and they’ll have some time to perfect their skills. The first day of girls basketball practice for the 2016-17 season is Oct. 19.

Eighth grader Anaiah Matthews said he is preparing every day
for the state geography bee.

If at first you don’t succeed, you try again. For Brooks Wester Middle School student Anaiah Matthews, that persistence took him all the way to the state competition of the National Geographic Bee.

The eighth grader said he was eliminated in the school primary round of the geography bee last year, but he didn’t let that keep him down.

“I was disappointed,” said Matthews. “But then I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to get them next year.’”

This year, Matthews made it past the school rounds and advanced to the online test portion. He later received the news that he was part of the top 100 fourth through eighth graders in Texas who will be competing in the National Geographic State Bee.

The Pre-AP student said he was shocked because the state test was difficult, but he’s been practicing since the age of four.

“Geography is my favorite subject. When I was little, my mom would teach me states and capitals,” said Matthews.

Matthews said he studies for the competition with his father for more than an hour every night. He reads from a massive book of geographic facts and practices with 200 flash cards.

“Right now I feel nervous, anxious, and excited,” said the state contestant. “I’ve been getting ‘congratulations’ from students and my teachers. They all want me to represent well.”

The National Geographic State Bee takes place April 1 in Bedford, Texas. The winner of the state competition will move on to the national competition in May. View more information about the National Geographic Bee here.

A call for politicians to make serious changes to the country’s foster care system is what earned two Mansfield ISD high school students national attention.

Makenna Hennegan and Kristen Laurie, from Lake Ridge High School, received an honorable mention by C-SPAN for their documentary “To a Good Home.” The cable network’s StudentCam contest received more the 2,500 entries nationwide.

The junior and sophomore duo entered the contest through a project in their Ben Barber Career and Technology Academy film class. Hennegan said the topic has been dear to her for a long time.

“I always cared about the foster care system,” said the 11th grader. “Some of these children live in deplorable conditions. I’ve heard stories where children are locked away without food.”

Laurie (second to right) and Hennegan (right) received a tour
of the C-SPAN bus that was parked outside of the ceremony.

The students interviewed teenagers and adults who were victims of a flawed foster care system. Counselors were also interviewed in the video to shed more light on the situation.

“I think the most emotional part of the video is when one of the people we interviewed said that every child deserves a good home,” said Laurie.

The two filmmakers received their award at a ceremony at Ben Barber on March 22. A representative from U.S. Congressman Joe Barton’s office presented them with a personal congratulatory letter.

“I would like to commend both of you,” the letter from representative Barton stated. “Issues such as these are often drowned out on the national level, and I salute you for your work to point out where the federal government can change people’s lives for the better in tangible ways.”

Hennegan and Laurie won $250 for their documentary. They said they will use the winnings to start their next creative film project.

Ray Riley said he chooses to see the positive in life.

Cancer is not an easy topic to discuss for some, but for one T.A. Howard Middle School teacher, he hopes his story can encourage others.

“I can’t help someone else holding on to my testimony,” said Ray Riley.

The eighth grade English teacher vividly remembers the details surrounding the time he first discovered he had cancer. It was the first week of October 2015. He was at his home and felt a sharp throbbing pain in his arm. No medication eased the discomfort, but it eventually went away.

On October 16, Riley felt the same excruciating pain. This time, it was in his right arm. He went to work anyways, but the school nurse told him that he had high blood pressure and needed to seek medical attention immediately.

After some tests, a doctor told him that his white blood cell count was high. He was then diagnosed with leukemia, although he showed no obvious symptoms. Riley was in disbelief. This was not the news he was wanting to hear as a soon-to-be father.

“I cried for a little bit, but you have to move on,” Riley recalled. “Life is not the way you always plan it. When things don’t go your way, you have to adjust.”

Riley has to take a chemotherapy pill for the rest of his life, but said he is blessed to have caught the leukemia in its early treatable stages. Now, Mansfield ISD’s Colors for Caring Days have a whole new meaning for him.

“I see the students and staff here at Howard wear orange to support me with my leukemia, and it means a lot,” he said. “You never know what anyone else is going through, and it really hits home when it happens to you.”

Through it all, Riley has kept his fighting spirit and has a message for others who might be in the same situation.

“Stay positive and don’t give up,” Riley continued. “Don’t have a pity party because you’re allowing the disease to win.”

Timberview High raised money for more inclusion in advertising.

Whoever said that kids these days don’t care about others obviously has never heard about the charity weeks that happen each year on the Mansfield ISD high school campuses.

Timberview High, Summit High, Legacy High, Mansfield High, and Lake Ridge High all get the entire campus to rally around a noble cause for a week-long fundraiser filled with pep rallies, contests, product sales, and dress-up days.

This year, students from Frontier High School—a school solely for juniors and seniors that focuses on post-graduation preparatory programs—decided they wanted to join their fellow campuses and give back to the community in a big way too.

“Our student council met over the summer and said they wanted to serve the community and create those unique experiences like the rest of the high schools in the district,” said Catherine Dearing, student council sponsor at Frontier High School.

The planning then began for Students Performing Acts of Random Kindness (SPARK) Week. Dearing said the kids chose to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association because a number of people, including herself, have had loved ones struggle with Alzheimer’s. The goal was to create support and awareness for the disease.

"There are a lot of misconceptions about Alzheimer’s,” said the English teacher. “We were able to have an Alzheimer’s Association representative do a Q & A at our campus. I was really proud of the students and was excited to see some of the light bulbs coming on as questions were answered.”

At the end of SPARK Week, students created a promise garden to represent how each person is connected to someone with Alzheimer’s.

“It brought people together to see others going through the same thing,” said Dearing. “It certainly increased everyone’s morale and buy-in into our mission.”

She said the total amount of funds raised is still being calculated, but it was not about the money. She was happy that the week allowed students to serve the community in a way that was meaningful to them.

Take a look at what other MISD high schools did for their charity weeks:

Timberview High’s Helping Others Through Giving (H.O.G) Week raised more than $19,000 for Changing the Face of Beauty to drive home the need for more inclusion in advertising.

Summit High’s Friends Reaching Out and Giving (F.R.O.G.) Week made a dream come true for a child in the Make-a-Wish Foundation who desired to go to a Manchester United soccer game.

Legacy High’s Legacy United through Caring and Kindness (L.U.C.K.) Week contributed to the medical bills of an eight-year-old named Christian who has health complications and has undergone multiple surgeries.

Mansfield High’s People Encouraging And Caring for Each other (P.E.A.C.E.) Week will be May 14-20. The campus will raise money for a little boy who has ganglioneuroblastoma, an intermediate tumor that grows nerve tissue.

Lake Ridge High’s Boldly Embracing Acts of Kindness (B.E.A.K.) Week will be May 13-20. Students and staff will raise money to support a suicide prevention agency.

Dutton said she enjoys making learning
fun for children of all ages.

April 10-16 is National Library Week. It’s a time to celebrate the contributions of librarians across the country—including those who work in our schools.

When people think about school librarians, they often think of a person who works in the library spending their day checking in and checking out books. But as the librarians in Mansfield ISD will tell you, that’s only a small fraction of their job.

“The library is the nucleus of our school,” said D.P. Morris Elementary School librarian Shannon Dutton. “It’s a multipurpose area where kids come to check out books, read, do homework, take accelerated reading tests, do intervention classes...It’s the center of our school.”

School librarians serve as an integral part of a student's learning experience by guiding children through research and helping to make learning fun.

“We enjoy teaching students how to effectively research so they may find the joy, not the struggle, in the process,” said Amy Herford, librarian at Rogene Worley Middle School. “By doing what we do, we support all parts of the school through the library.”

Herford took a selfie with students for a live Twitter chat
about the novel "One for the Murphys."

And of course, reading is a passion that they try to share with everyone who enters through the library doors.

“My favorite part of being a librarian is getting the kids excited about reading and opening their eyes to things that expand their imagination,” said Dutton.

“We are technology gurus, design specialists, research assistants, passionate thinkers, and motivating doers,” Herford added. “We have taught in the classroom and have a heart for student success.”

So, the next time you see a school librarian, thank them for their dedication to education. Let them know that the hard work they do certainly does not go unnoticed.

The president of Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
spoke to the students about having the right attitude.

What started off as an idea to help students prepare for job interviews blossomed into a full-day business expo to prepare students for various aspects of life after graduation.

The Phoenix Academy held its “From Flame to Flight” Business Expo on Wednesday, April 13 at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts. The event, made possible through a grant from the MISD Education Foundation, consisted of community and corporate leaders who gave the students real-world advice to apply in their future careers.

“I shared the idea with some staff members, and it took off from there,” said Phoenix Academy teacher Donna Craig. “So many people in the community collaborated together to make this happen.”

Students registered for sessions that included topics on business etiquette, career skills, leadership, and protecting their online reputation. Principal Regenia Crane said she hopes the event will allow students to unlock their full potential.

“It’s about creating a culture of success,” said Crane. “These kids are diamonds in the rough, and this expo will help them move their obstacles so that they can shine and be productive citizens and know their worth.”

Principal Crane and Donna Craig were excited for
the different workshops at the business expo.

Before the expo, The Phoenix Academy held financial reality classes for students. Mock job interviews will also be conducted later in the month so students can become more familiar with the corporate world.

“If we didn’t have this experience, we would be left in the dark,” said senior Glen Johnston. “We wouldn’t understand what we need to do and what we need to prepare for. The people that go to this school are going to be the next leaders of this country.”

The expo organizers said they plan to expand the program next year and continue adding components that give students the tools they need to succeed.

“It’s written into my DNA to equip. That’s what fulfills me,” said Craig. “And I’m grateful to be part of a district that encourages innovation and allows us to dream big.”

Sutton applied to become a Dell Scholar through her AVID class.

Katlyn Sutton knew she wanted to go to college; she just didn’t know how she’d be able to pay for it. The Timberview High School senior has four sisters, and her family was struggling to make ends meet.

To make financial matters worse, Sutton started suffering from escalated symptoms of Chiari malformation, a defect in the area of the back of the head where the brain and spine meet. It was causing her to experience black outs, heart palpitations, numbness, and sleep paralysis. She needed brain surgery to help alleviate those problems.

“I felt really awful about it because I knew we couldn’t afford the surgery, but the surgery was something I needed to function properly,” said Sutton. “We already couldn’t afford groceries and things like that, so it worsened the financial burden.”

Sutton didn’t let her situation determine her future. She kept working hard in her classes, maintained a 3.81 GPA, and scored high on the SAT and ACT college entrance exams.

As a requirement for her AVID class at Timberview High, Sutton applied to become a Dell Scholar. Dell Scholars are students who have overcome significant obstacles to pursue their educations. Designees receive $20,000 in scholarship money, a laptop computer, textbook credits, and ongoing emotional support.

When the 17-year-old found out that she had been chosen, she couldn’t believe it.

“I was like ‘oh my goodness! $20,000 is so much,’” Sutto recalled. “I can now have a better life than the one I was given. My future’s going to be better.”

Sutton applied for the University of Texas at Arlington and was able to get enough money for her college tuition through grants and other scholarships. The money from the Dell Scholars Program will allow her to live on campus and save up for a possible master’s degree.

The senior wants to encourage other students in her situation to not give up and continue to apply themselves.

“It’s possible,” said Sutton. “I didn’t think I would. Sometimes you’ll feel intimidated, but it’s truly worth it in the end.”

Hall was surprised by campus administration and students
at the local Dunkin' Donuts.

Two Mansfield ISD teachers received an extra special treat by local businesses that wanted to give back to educators.

Judy Hall, fourth grade teacher at Charlotte Anderson Elementary School, was recognized by Dunkin’ Donuts as its Teacher of the Year. The South Arlington location contacted schools in three districts and chose Hall after the great feedback received about her.

“I love to teach, and I love these kids,” said Hall. “They are fabulous, and I don’t know what I’d do without them.”

Hall received $1,000, free coffee for one year, a tablet, three dozen roses, and a Dunkin' Donuts card to receive a 50 percent discount for one year.

Marino (bottom right) was presented the award
in the middle of her math class.

A fifth grade teacher at Della Icenhower Intermediate School also received a surprise for a job well done. Kelly Marino was given the Air1 Teacher Appreciation Award.

The radio station took nominations for the award and determined a finalist based on the number of nominations received and the testimonials that were written.

Marino was surprised in her classroom with a bucket full of goodies by an Air1 representative.

“I am shocked and honored,” said Marino. “I don’t even know what to say. I just love my job, and I don’t need recognition for it—but I appreciate it.”

The tokens of appreciation were a great way to end National Teacher Appreciation Week. Mansfield ISD is very fortunate to have teachers who are so passionate about our future leaders.

Members of the MISD Health Services team
said they love what they do.

School nurses are an important part of the education system that people often don’t think about until they need them.

That’s why Mansfield ISD would like to join other districts across the nation to celebrate School Nurse Day and remember the men and women who make the health of our students, staff, and families a priority.

“We have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of everyone with which we come into contact,” said Ted Cross, MISD director of health services. “Nurses are often overlooked, but never unappreciated.”

MISD schools are staffed with full-time registered nurses dedicated to provide every student with individualized health care. Cross said people would be surprised to know the help school nurses give on a daily basis.

Each MISD campus is equipped with
"Go Kits" to take on school field trips.

“When kids don’t have glasses, we help with that. We have a large amount of community resources that we are able to tap into to benefit our students,” Cross continued.

MISD nurses prove that they are more than health care professionals. They have a calling to heal others and teach healthy practices.

“When you have a common goal and you see everyone actively working toward this, it’s inspiring,” said Laurie James, nurse at Lake Ridge High School. “It’s a very collaborative environment with my school nurse peers.”

Although May 11 is dedicated to the recognition of school nurses nationwide, MISD would like to let all its health professionals know that their willingness to serve does not go unnoticed.

“I would like them to know that we appreciate the sincerity and caring attitude they have for our students and staff. They go above and beyond,” said Cross.

Karsyn and her mom attended a classroom party after
the surprise trip was announced.

The first day of kindergarten can be stressful on parents, but those feelings were compounded for Wendy Eubank who found out on the same day that her 8-year-old daughter, Karsyn, had cancer.

“The doctors told us she had leukemia, and we just didn’t know what to think,” said Eubank. “It was extremely difficult to take in.”

The Tarver-Rendon Elementary School student was in the hospital for a majority of kindergarten and first grade. She returned in second grade, and finished her last round of treatment in January 2016.

Even while battling leukemia, Karsyn has always dreamed of going to Disney World. With the help of Make-A-Wish Foundation, that dream became a reality. Make-A-Wish Foundation is a non-profit organization that grants wishes to children, ages 2 ½ to under 18 years, who have life-threatening medical conditions.

The second-grader was surprised at her school by her family and Cinderella on Friday.

“Here’s a little girl who has struggled and fought and has been so brave,” said Jamie Norwood, principal at Tarver-Rendon Elementary School. “We were all so excited that she got to come back to school. It’s a chance for her to have fun and not think about being sick.”

Karsyn was surprised by Cinderella at school.

Karsyn was a girl of few words when she was surprised with the trip, but she was able to describe how she felt: happy.

“It's been a three-year long journey,” Eubank added. “I am super excited to be able to go to Disney World because she’s wanted this forever. She’s my miracle kid, and you can’t even tell anything is wrong.”

Karsyn’s blood counts are stable now. She will have to undergo routine testing for 10 years to monitor her health. Eubank noted that the last few years have taught her a lot.

“I think positive and take it one day at a time,” said Eubank. “You learn what life’s really about and what’s important.”

The Eubanks plan to take their trip to Disney World in December. They thanked their family, friends, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and the staff at Tarver-Rendon Elementary for all the support they have received.

Donyea Grayson is just like any other high school student. She stays active in school, keeps up with her grades, and likes to hang out with her friends.

She’s excited to cross the stage this June on graduation day, but she won’t be able to drive herself to the event.

In fact, she can’t drive anywhere at all by herself because she’s only 15 years old.

“My friends forget that I’m this young,” said Grayson. “I started high school when I was 12, but I’m lucky that I had my older brother there with me so that he can sort of protect me.”

As a child, Grayson skipped two grade levels. She’s used to being the youngest in her class and said that it pushed her to be a stronger person and work even harder.

“It helped build my character because early on, it was hard for the kids to accept me since I was younger,” the 15-year-old recalled. “I pushed myself to prove to my teachers and classmates that I did belong in that class.”

Grayson is involved in many organizations at Lake Ridge High School. She was on the Academic Decathlon team, cheerleading squad, and a member of the National Honor Society.

Her momentum won't stop when she graduates.

She will be attending The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in the fall with hopes of majoring in psychology and eventually going to law school. She was admitted into the UCLA Academic Advancement Program (AAP) and made the UCLA Cheer Squad of 10 females.

“I essentially gave up two years of childhood for two years of adulthood,” said Grayson, who expressed excitement for her future. “I would do it all again because it shaped me to be who I am today.”

Various branches of the military were represented at the event.

It is reported that one percent of the U.S. population actively serves in the military. Sixteen Lake Ridge High School seniors were recently added to that percentage, and they received a hero’s celebration for making that commitment.

Lake Ridge High School held its first Military Signing Day on May 24. The day was a celebration of the students who have signed to enlist in the military or received a scholarship for a college Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program.

The Army, Navy, Marines, and National Guard were all represented. Two of the recruits were even accepted into the prestigious U.S. Military Academy (West Point) and the U.S. Naval Academy.

“It was a very long process that started at the beginning of my junior year,” said senior Isis Coty, who was nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy by U.S. Congressman Joe Barton. “It was a blessing all around, and it felt really great to honored at the signing day ceremony.”

Isis Coty (middle) said she later plans to go
into The Marine Corp.

The auditorium was filled with students, parents, staff, community leaders who were ready to cheer on the recruits for their decision. An officer with the U.S. Marine Corps conducted the official swearing-in ceremony to conclude the day.

“I get so emotional thinking about how proud I am of these kids,” said Kayla Middleton, librarian at Lake Ridge High who helped orchestrate the event. “It’s so courageous that they’re willing to selflessly say, ‘I’ll do it. Pick me. I’ll stand there and defend our country so that you can sleep night.’”

Middleton said although it was her idea, none of it would have been made possible without the help of counselor Lea Lester and JROTC instructors Sedric Wade and Bertha Middlebrooks.

The organizers said the event went as planned, and they are excited to make it an annual tradition. Altogether, MISD has 80 seniors who plan to enlist into the military after graduation.

View the full photo gallery here.

Students dressed up in the conservation costumes they created.

With fashion shows being held, mysteries being solved, and neat projects being made, it was hard to believe that a science camp was in session.

More than 300 Mansfield ISD kids and teachers got the chance to experience that science is not boring.

“We say that science is fun, but science camp is amazing,” said Daniel Beauford, the administrator of the MISD Science Camp. “I love seeing the kids get excited about science.”

MISD Science Camp 2016 was held at Thelma Jones Elementary School on June 20-24. Students from kindergarten through third grade all toured different stations to learn real-life applications of science.

This year’s theme was conservation. The activities ranged from experimenting with alternative fuels and making water filtration systems to making lava lamps and using recycled items to create costumes.

A teacher demonstrates a homemade filtration system.

The science camp, which is in its fifth year, was planned by gifted and talented specialists from across the district who came together to create an engaging, hands-on science curriculum.

“Having high-quality summer learning opportunities is a commitment that MISD has made to help students stay on track to achieve their college, career and life goals,” said Marie Medina, program coordinator for advanced academics. “I am proud that we have so many educators who are willing to give up part of their summer to be there for the kids.”

Other than science camp, MISD also offers creativity camp; preparation for middle school math; science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) camps; and college readiness courses.

View a full list of summer offerings here.

The Shine Runners spent a lot of time perfecting their new race car.

The Mansfield ISD solar car team is returning from a seven-day cross-country race as top performers.

MISD Shine Runners, consisting of 13 students and two teachers from Ben Barber Career and Technology Academy, came in second place at the 2016 Solar Car Challenge.

The Solar Car Challenge is an event where high school students across the nation can race the solar cars they design and build. The challenge alternates each year as either a closed-track event at the Texas Motor Speedway or a cross-country event.

“We have been preparing for the 2016 race for two years,” said Robert Goodson, advisor for the MISD Shine Runners. “I think this race is important because it gives students a great project and experience that puts into practice and reality all of the theory and skills we teach them in our classes.”

Students worked hard on their newest race car design, which they named Bahama Blue. The solar car was made lighter, built with stronger batteries, and was the first car of its type to have a continuous variable transmission (CVT).

“This was also the first solar car to have a push-rod suspension like an F1 race car,” Goodson continued. “All of these are the reasons we think we were awarded with the Lockheed Martin Award for Excellence in Engineering.”

The team received the runner-up trophy at a ceremony in Minnesota.

The Shine Runners easily passed the initial vehicle judging phase of the event and were ready to take Bahama Blue on the open road.

The cross-country race started in Fort Worth, Texas. Within the course of seven days, they drove through Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska and finally Minnesota, totaling 785.8 miles driven in the solar car.

“I was very proud of the students and the sponsors,” said principal Catherine Hudgins. “There is so much work that goes into this endeavor and so many things that can go wrong. This team and the sponsors get an A+ for problem solving and teamwork!”

The second place finish is the highest placement the Ben Barber team has ever achieved. Overcoming the challenges of the long trip made the win that much sweeter.

“I couldn't be prouder of the team,” said Goodman. “They earned every bit of that second place finish and put their blood, sweat, tears, hearts and souls into that car.

The Solar Car Challenge took place July 17-23. After some much-needed rest, the team will work to improve the car and hopefully train some new team members.

If you’ve ever passed by the intersection of Debbie Lane and Walnut Creek Road, it’s pretty hard to miss him. Reginald McGill can be seen waving at passersby, singing songs, and dancing—all while getting kids safely across the street.

“I am the first person the kids see in the morning, so I treat them with respect and greet them with joy so that they have a great day,” said McGill, who has been a Mansfield ISD crossing guard for a little more than one year.

When asked why McGill acts the way he does, he simply answered, “Why not?” He said he can’t just stand there for no apparent reason, so he has to be happy and make sure everyone around is happy too.

McGill makes sure to have a fun time, but he takes safety very seriously. Every child that crosses McGill’s path is accustomed to his four rules: listen to him, press the crosswalk button, say good morning every morning, and no electronic devices in the crosswalk or in hand. He also has a plea for motorists.

“I really wish drivers would slow down at the crosswalk and stop using their phones,” said McGill.

McGill reminds students about his four rules each morning.

It isn’t just a one-man show, though. The husband and father of three said being able to safely maneuver through one of the busiest intersections in the district is all done with the help of his nearby crossing guards.

“I couldn’t do it without them,” he explained. “Everything runs so smoothly out here because of our teamwork. We all love the kids, and we love what we do.”

Angelia Saleh, a fellow crossing guard at the intersection, summed up their relationship in one sentence.

“I’m the calm to his crazy,” she said. “We get the job done while having fun,” Saleh added.

For more information about the MISD crossing guard program, visit the MISD webpage.

Gifts of Love to Our Four-Legged Soldiers

Eighth Grader Spells His Way to Victory...Again

Elementary School Focuses on Teaching the Heart and Mind

A Districtwide Celebration of Diversity

MISD Girls Basketball Teams Reflect on Long-Running Season

MISD Eighth Grader Heads to State Geography Bee

MISD Students Gain National Recognition for Documentary

MISD Teacher Shares His Battle with Leukemia

MISD High Schools Give Back in Big Ways

A Salute to the MISD Librarians

Phoenix Academy Equips Students for Success Through Expo

MISD Senior Gets Full Ride to College Through Grades and Grit

Companies Honor Two MISD Teachers for Appreciation Week

School Nurses: More Than Bumps and Bruises

8-Year-Old Battling Leukemia Gets Disney World Wish Granted

High School Senior Graduates at 15 Years Old

A Celebration for Seniors Committed to Serving Our Country

MISD Camps Make Summer Learning Fun

Solar Car Team Cruises to National Second-Place Finish

Crossing Guard Gains Attention for Upbeat Moves