Changes have been made to the HS Course Description guide in the area of Physical Education credit for the 2010-2011 school year. These changes are reflected in the online HS Course Catalog.
The 1.5 PE credit requirement is a local requirement; credits earned through PE, band, JROTC, drill team, and cheerleading will fulfill this requirement.
MISD Students Participate in Lone Star Leadership Academy Programs
This past school year, 983 outstanding Texas 5th-8th grade students from across the state were selected to participate in Education in Action's spring break and summer 2010 Lone Star Leadership Academy programs in Dallas/Fort Worth (5th & 6th graders), Austin (6th & 7th graders), and Houston/Galveston (7th & 8th graders). Selection for the Lone Star Leadership Academy was based on each student's demonstrated academic success and leadership ability, an educator recommendation, and involvement in school/community activities. Five Mesquite ISD students were selected: Christopher Brown (Agnew), Madison Ramirez (Agnew), Leovincent Cuadra (Berry), Austin Hill (Vanston), and Trevor Welton (Vanston).
During the weeklong residential Lone Star Leadership Academy programs, selected students joined delegations of other distinguished students from across the state to develop leadership skills while learning about the great state of Texas. Participants experienced what they are learning in school through visits to historically, politically, scientifically, and environmentally significant sites. Venues included the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, and the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza on the Dallas/Fort Worth program; the offices of their state legislators at the Texas State Capitol, The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum, bat watching on the Lone Star Riverboat, and a Cowboy Cookout on the Austin program; and NASA, a boat tour on Galveston Bay with a marine biologist, the San Jacinto Battleground Monument, and Moody Gardens on the Houston/Galveston program. Career speakers introduced participants to a wide variety of unique career and internship opportunities.
The Lone Star Leadership Academy provides a unique opportunity for outstanding students to learn about the Spirit of Texas and what it truly means to be from the Lone Star State. Participants discuss what they learn, complete problem solving and decision-making simulations, exercise creativity, and practice presentation skills in Leadership Groups. In addition, participants have fun meeting other outstanding students from across the state of Texas and making new friends while adding to their resume of academic achievements, developing leadership skills, and bringing home a wealth of information to supplement what they are learning in school.
JHHS Salsa Club Wins State
The Salsa Club at Dr. John Horn High School placed first in several divisions at the Texas High School Salsa Championships, held May 15 at Conrad High School in Dallas. The JHHS club won the Salsa Team Division and placed second in the Intermediate Salsa Team Division. They also received first place honors in the Latin Fusion Division.
In individual competition, Will Sorto and Clidy Sorto won the Advanced Salsa Couples Division and
Isaac Puga and Kat Dehoyos took second. Juan Bustos and Andrea Gonzalez finished in first place in Advanced Bachaa, and Alexis Garcia and Alexis Gutierrez placed second in Beginner Bachata.
Matt Morris andMariana Ojeda captured second place in Beginner Merengue.
Gabriel Flores and Valerie Pacheco earned a third place trophy in Beginner Salsa.
The JHHS Salsa Club is an organization dedicated to promoting Latin Dance at John Horn High School and its feeder schools.
JROTC Drill Teams Place at Nationals
Three JROTC drill teams from Mesquite ISD recently placed at the National High School Drill Team Championships in Daytona Beach, Fla. The MISD teams were among 33 color guards competing in the Challenge Level of the championships.
The John Horn High School Male Color Guard won second place in the color guard competition, and the John Horn High School Female Color Guard placed fourth. West Mesquite's Unarmed Drill Team received third place honors in the regulation drill competition and finished third in exhibition drill. The WMHS team finished as the top Army team in the Challenge Level in its first-ever national competition.
JHHS BPA Team Wins First at Nationals
The video production team from Dr. John Horn High School won first place at the Business Professionals of America National Leadership Conference in Anaheim, Calif.
The team of Colin Brasher, Sam Blount, Dylan Stovall and Robert Clark produced a video feature, More Than
Just Soup, about “The Soup Man”, David Timothy. The video portrays the lives of the homeless population in Dallas by focusing on the service that Mr. Timothy provides. The students were responsible for all aspects of the video, from shooting to the final cut.
Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a career and technical student organization for students pursuing careers in business management, office administration, information technology and other related career fields.
Keep Mesquite Beautiful Awards Scholarships to Three MISD Students
Keep Mesquite Beautiful, Inc. (KMB) awarded three $1,000 scholarships to graduating MISD seniors. Kendra Hodges (Mesquite High School), Asha Andrews (Mesquite High School), and Lauren Hawkins (Mesquite High School) were all awarded for their commitment to the mission of Keep Mesquite Beautiful.
Each year high school students that participate in KMB’s Youth Environmental Leader’s Program (YEL) have the opportunity to educate the public about environmental issues. This year’s events included Taste & Trade, Trash Bash, Recycling Fashion Show, Christmas in the Park, Mesquite Recycles Day, and much more!
KMB is currently accepting applications for the 2010- 2011 Youth Environmental Leaders Program (YEL). Meetings are held once a month in addition to special events throughout the year. All hours are eligible to receive credit toward NHS, Student Council and other organizations. To register, please visit: www.keepmesquitebeautiful.org
Shands Elementary Marathon Kids
More than 70 students at Shands Elementary school ran or walked at least 26.2 miles over a six-month time period to complete the Marathon Kids program. Several Mesquite ISD campuses participated in Marathon Kids, an innovative fitness and nutrition program with the goal of developing the habit of movement for a lifetime.
While some students completed more than 50 miles, all Marathon Kids who complete at least 26.2 miles receive a free finisher t-shirt and qualify to receive the Marathon Kids medal at the Final Mile Celebration at Loos Stadium in Dallas.
Kimbrough Troupe Wins One-Act Play Competition
With their performance of “Bobby Wilson Can Eat His Own Face” actors from Kimbrough Middle School took first place in the Mesquite ISD’s 10th annual Middle School Theatre One-Act Play Festival held April 20 at North Mesquite High School. Theatre teacher and playwright Don Zolidis was the special guest. Drama troupes from six MISD middle schools each performed a different play written by Mr. Zolidis. Mr. Zolidis spoke at the event and offered critiques to students following each performance.
The combined team from Berry and Terry middle schools took second with McDonald Middle School finishing third.
Three Scholar-Athletes Named by NFF
The National Football Foundation (NFF) Gridiron Club of Dallas honored 53 North Texas scholar-athletes for their accomplishments on and off the field at the club's second annual awards banquet, held April 20 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
"We are proud to announce our second scholar-athlete class for the North Texas region," said Gerald Brence, the president of the NFF Gridiron Club of Dallas and the athletics director for the Plano Independent School District.
"These players symbolize everything right about our game, and they serve as a powerful example to their peers about what it means to bring the same competitive spirit to the classroom that we teach them to use on the field."
The 53 scholar-athletes were selected from a pool of candidates from the entire region. The criteria used to evaluate the honorees included athletic accomplishments, performance in the classroom and commitment to the community. The selection committee included coaches, teachers, administrators and business leaders from the North Texas area.
Scholar-athletes selected from MISD are: Chase Johnson, Mesquite; Landry Finch, Poteet; Michael Reed, North Mesquite.
MHS Wins City Championship
The Mesquite High School golf team recently placed first in the Mesquite City Championship held at the Dallas Athletic Club. Five MISD high schools participated, and Dr. John Horn High School finished in second place.
Meteorologist Visits Range Students
KTVT meteorologist Jeff Jamison recently presented a program about severe weather to third graders at Range Elementary. The students are involved in a research project about the forces of nature.
JHHS Color Guard Named Regional Champions
After winning first place at the U.S. Army Western Region Championships in San Antonio, John Horn High School's Big Red Color Guard has been named the 2010 U.S. Army JROTC Western Region Challenge Level Unarmed Color Guard Champions. The victory marked the first time a Mesquite ISD color guard has competed at the U.S. Army regional event, and the first win for a MISD color guard.
The JHHS color guard will now travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. to compete in the 2010 National High School Drill Team Championships.
SAT and ACT Preparation Information
Attention 11th graders: Are you planning on taking the SAT or ACT in April, May, or June, 2010? Did you know that the state of Texas will pay for ONE exam of your choice this year? College Preparation Program (PDF)
Learning About Texas Indians
Historical reenactor Alan Joyce recently spoke to fourth graders at Range Elementary about the daily life of Texas Indians. During his presentation, students were able to study Native American artifacts.
Mesquite Mavericks Attend All-Star Jam Clinic
The Mesquite Mavericks Special Olympics basketball team recently attended the NBA Cares Basketball Skills Clinic at the Dallas Convention Center. San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton led the practice, which was part of the NBA All-Star Community Caravan.
Throughout All-Star week, the NBA family, including All-Stars, NBA and WNBA players and Legends, and NBA Development League players joined NBA partners and guests to work together on more than 25 service projects and events that left a lasting impact on North Texas communities. These efforts were highlighted by the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service on Friday, Feb. 12.
Middle Schoolers Raise Money for Haiti
Members of Kimbrough Middle School's Green Team recently held a fundraiser for people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. They were able to raise $484.64 to aid disaster victims.
Shaw Student Wins Punt, Pass and Kick Competition
With a total distance of 218 feet, Shaw Elementary third grade student Aysia Mitchell won the national finals of the NFL’s Punt, Pass and Kick competition. Aysia and her father traveled to San Diego last weekend where she competed in the finals prior to the Chargers-Jets AFC playoff game.
Aysia's score was 21 feet longer than the second-place finisher in her division. She received an autographed football, helmet, photos and other Cowboys and NFL memorabilia. She, along with the other winners, was featured on the stadium's video board and on national television.
She qualified for the national finals by finishing first in the 8-9 year old girls division competition held prior to the Cowboys-Redskins game Nov. 22.
This is the second consecutive year MISD has sent a student to the finals.
Local P, P & K competitions were held earlier this fall at most Mesquite ISD elementary schools. Approximately 120 winners of the local school contests advanced to Mesquite’s sectional competition sponsored by The Mesquite Parks and Recreation Department. The top five scores from the 14 sectional competitions held across North Texas and the surrounding states qualified for the Team Competition held at Cowboys Stadium. Six MISD students placed at that contest.
Watch the video Teen Dating Violence: What Students Need to Know by clicking on the following link. The video is in Windows Media Player format and may also be downloaded to your computer by right-clicking and choosing the Save As... option from the menu.
