in this issue - Mesquite ISD

Vol. XVIII • Number 6 • June/July 2006
District News for Mesquite ISD Parents & Patrons
in this issue
Bulletin Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
See what’s happening around the district.
Good News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Check out recent student achievements.
MISD Event Sponsors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Thank you to our generous sponsors.
The students on the front page are some of
the outstanding seniors from the Class of
2006. Included here are the valedictorians and
salutatorians from each high school, as well as
recipients of scholarships awarded by various
school-related organizations. The honorees are
listed at the bottom of the page.
Report
Card
Connecting Our Campuses & Community
H o n o r G r a d u a t e s
S.Alexander-MHS
J.Ayyad-WMHS
A.Baker-MHS C.Bell-MHS S.Bingham-MHS
J.Bookhout-NMHS
A.Cagle-PHS
C.Carrizales-WMHS A.Chang-NMHS G.Chow-PHS
M.Cook-PHS A.Coppedge-JHHS K.Daniel-PHS Y.Diep
-WMHS
S.Dorsey-JHHS M.Dumas-JHHS A.Dunning-Academy
M.Fivecoat-Academy B.Fulenwider-PHS D.Gauna-JHHS
J.Gebhard-NMHS E.George-MHS A.Gorrell-NMHS J.Guevara-MHS D.Huynh-PHS K.Johnson-JHH
S S.Jones-JHHS M.Jupp-NMHS L.Killingsworth-Academy M.Luster-JHHS
C.Lyttaker-MHS T.Martinez-MHS S.Mathai-NMHS J.McCann-WMHS
R.McGee-MHS
R.Millican-WMHS Z.Molina-WMHS B.Murphy-PHS V.Patel-NMHS J.Preston-WMHS
M.Qureshi-PHS
M.Raju-PHS R.Sarpy-WMHS A.Siddiqui-PHS C.Slayton-NMHS A.Smith-PHS S.Turner-NMHS C.Wheat-JHHS A.Wisdom-PHS S.Withrow-MHS
Class of 2006 Valedictorians
JHHS: Sara Dorsey; MHS: Steven Withrow;
NMHS: Audrey Chang; PHS: Merrill Raju;
WMHS: Julie Ayyad.
Class of 2006 Salutatorians
JHHS: Adriel Coppedge; MHS: Sheby Sara Alexander;
NMHS: Vijita Patel; PHS: Azam Siddiqui;
WMHS: Julie Preston.
Mesquite Association for School
Nutrition Scholarship Winners
Academy: April Dunning; JHHS: Michael Luster;
MHS: Evelyn George; NMHS: Joseph Gebhard;
PHS: Mohammed Qureshi; WMHS: Zayra Molina.
Mesquite Education Association Scholarship
Winners
Academy: April Dunning, Makiala Fivecoat, Lara Killingsworth; JHHS:
Daniel Gauna, Kathleen Johnson, Michael Luster, Cari Wheat; MHS: Allyson
Baker, Samantha Bingham, Talisa Martinez, Rebecca McGee; NMHS:
Melissa Jupp, Jessica Peters*, Cheza’rae Slayton, Sterling Turner; PHS:
Meredith Cook, Katy Daniel, Blake Fulenwider, Brittany Murphy, Ashley
Wisdom, Mohammed Qureshi; WMHS: Cesar Carrizales, Yen Diep, Janice
McCann, Royce Sarpy.
Mesquite Educational Paraprofessional
Association
Academy: Makiala Fivecoat; JHHS: Megan Dumas, Kathleen Johnson;
MHS: Allyson Baker, Chelsea Lyttaker; NMHS: Sharon Mathai, Sterling
Turner; PHS: Andrew Cagle, Allison Smith; WMHS: Janice McCann, Yen
Diep; Patti Dunn Scholarship (NMHS): Angelique Gorrell
Mesquite Council of PTAs
Scholarship Winners
Academy: Lara Killingsworth; JHHS: Shaina Jones,
Cari Wheat; MHS: Jonathon A. Guevara, Christopher
Bell; NMHS: Audrey Chang, James Bookhout;
PHS: Dinh Tien Huynh, Gwan Chow; WMHS: Zayra
Molina, Ronald Millican.
Photos courtesy of Lifetouch Photography
*Photo not available

Bulletin Board
Students at Mesquite
High School support
College Awareness
Week by wearing
college T-shirts. MISD
declared May 8-12,
2006, as College
Awareness Week to
raise awareness about
options following high
school.
As part of the
Mesquite Community
Unit for third grade,
students at Gray
Elementary took a
“walking field trip”
of the community
buildings on Elam
Road near the
school. They visited
the Civic Center,
Public Library, Fire
Station and Police
Station.
Gabriela Hernandez,
fifth-grader at Tisinger
Elementary, shows off her
plaque for winning the
College Week Essay
Contest. One student
was chosen from each
school. There were
more than 1000 entries
throughout the district.
All winners are listed
below.
College Awareness Week
Essay Winners
Congratulations to the following students
on their winning submission in the College
Week Essay contest. Each winner was
awarded an engraved plaque and a gift
card from Borders Bookstore.
School Student Grade
QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE
Lawrence Elementary
kindergarten
student Trey
Salas and his
teacher Jana Davis
exchange a hug
on the last day of
school.
Thanks to the support of the Mesquite ISD community, employees, and
benefactors, the Mesquite ISD Foundation has raised more than $600,000 in
its first year of existence. In return, the Foundation has awarded approximately
$275,000 to fund deserving initiatives and grants that will enhance
instruction and student leadership development across our district this summer
and in the coming school year. As a Foundation Donor, you will become part of a
local organization committed to the continued progress
of Mesquite ISD students and the teachers who
help them succeed.
As the Foundation enters its second year, plans are to
continue funding programs to benefit the students of
MISD while building the Endowment of the Foundation.
The Foundation Board and Committees have adopted
an ambitious action plan which sets our fundraising
goal for the upcoming year at $400,000.
Your continued support of the Foundation with pledges
and donations is critically important to make sure that
the Foundation is a vibrant, positive resource
supporting MISD students now and in the future.
Coming Soon
The Permanent
Founding Donor
Recognition Display
will be unveiled in
August. The display
will be located at
the Professional
Development Center
(PDC) in Mesquite.
Look for more details
in the near future.
If you are interested in making a pledge or donation, you may call 972-882-7392
or for on-line donations please visit our website at www.mesquitefoundation.org.
Elementary School:
Beasley Larry Caruso 4
Cannaday Karen Trevino 4
Florence Black Darcy Harris 5
Floyd Javier Garcia 5
Galloway Julieth Udozorh 6
Gentry Shakeela Smith 4
Gray Uche Ukadike 4
Hanby Bianca Cervantes 5
Hodges Daria Chilton 4
Kimball Jeannette Hernandez 4
Lawrence Taylor Giles 4
Mackey Dequaun Johnson 5
McKenzie Tierra Bond 6
McWhorter Lily Guevara 5
Moss Cemetra Jenkins 6
Pirrung Bright Nwoke 5
Porter Tommy Flores 5
Price Davina Keo 5
Range Louis Mays 6
Rugel Holly Clary 6
Rutherford Rony Varughese 6
Seabourn Dianna Jimenez 6
Shands Cesilia Perez 5
Shaw Tania Ramirez 4
Smith Ivan Burrell 4
Thompson Annabella Boatwright 4
Tisinger Gabriela Hernandez 5
Tosch Emily Mabre 4
Middle School:
Agnew Tia Cashaw 8
Berry Reid James 8
Kimbrough Ceci Barraza 7
McDonald Neelie Huff 8
New Taylor Warren 7
Vanston De Aundrea McDonald 7
Wilkinson Bailee’ Santos 8
High School:
John Horn Gregory Buford II 12
Mesquite Allison Mathew 10
North Mesquite Joseph Gebhard 12
Poteet Nancy Garcia 12
West Carmen Omolaja 11
Academy Kandise Wilson 12

Mesquite ISD’s Newest
Apple Corps Members
Apple Corps Teachers are nominated by their peers, approved by their principal
and administration and inducted by the Board of Trustees.
Gomez
Pirrung Elementary
APRIL INDUCTEES
Kessner
Moss Elementary
Kari Gomez teaches second grade at Pirrung
Elementary. She has been teaching eight
years– all with MISD. Kari realized that she
wanted to be a teacher while in elementary
school. She especially enjoys watching
students smile and have fun as they learn a
lesson. She says, “I believe it is important for
all students to know I care about them and
to feel successful. I continue working to help
them until they reach success and master
a task.” Implementing fun activities in the
classroom is her strategy to keep the learning
environment engaging and appealing to
students.
Micheal J. Kessner teaches sixth grade at Moss
Elementary. She has been teaching for nine
years – all with MISD. She enjoys creating
new lessons and trying new ideas with
students, all of which allows them to make
connections while learning new skills.
Micheal says, “I believe all children can learn
at their own pace in a student-centered
classroom where connections and meaning
are made through integration, differentiation
and hands-on activities, which bring
enjoyment and creativity to learning.”
McMinn
A.C. New
MAY INDUCTEES
Thomas
Lawrence Elementary
Debbie McMinn is a 27-year veteran of teaching—
six have been with MISD. Currently she
teaches English at A.C. New Middle School. Her
high school English teachers are the reason
she became a teacher. They taught her the
fundamentals of great writing, and she tries
to pass that along to her students. She says,
“I enjoy watching my students grow up during
their seventh-grade year. They come to me
baffled by the middle school scene, and they
leave more solidly grounded.” Her colleagues
at A.C. New give her inspiration because of
the endless hours and dedication they give to
the students.
Judi Thomas teaches music education at Lawrence
Elementary. She has been teaching for 20
years – 10 have been with MISD. As she
progressed through school, her involvement
in music provided many positive experiences
and opportunities. She says, “I enjoy working
with other teachers to create a plan that will
help our students gain the knowledge and
skills they need. The whole process from start
to finish and the synergy that occurs from
working with my peers is very exciting.”
GOOD
NEWS
Fine Arts Accomplishment
The following middle school bands and choirs won
UIL Sweepstakes:
Agnew Middle School Varsity Treble Choir, Non-Varsity
Tenor-Bass Choir; Berry Middle School Non-Varsity A Treble
Choir, Non-Varsity B Treble Choir, Varsity Treble Choir;
Kimbrough Middle School Band; Kimbrough Middle School Varsity
Treble Choir, Varsity Tenor-Bass Choir,Varsity Mixed Choir;
McDonald Middle School Non-Varsity Treble Choir; A.C. New Middle
School Non-Varsity Treble Choir and Varsity Treble Choir.
The following high school bands and choirs won UIL
Sweepstakes:
Poteet High School Honors Band, Symphonic Band,
Concert Band; Poteet High School Varsity Treble Choir, Varsity
Tenor-Bass Choir, Varsity Mixed Choir; John Horn High School
Varsity Treble Choir; Mesquite High School Varsity Treble Choir
and Varsity Mixed Choir.
Career Preparation Leadership Organizations
Students in the following organizations placed at the
state competition and advanced to national competition.
Marketing Education (DECA)
NMHS - E-Commerce team of Ashton Grooms and
Gabriella Rovelo placed first in state.
Family and Consumer Sciences (FCCLA)
JHHS - Sean Berry
placed fifth in state in the
Entrepreneurship, Senior Category. NMHS - Team of
Samantha Frank, Amber Mosley and Leslie Rickerson placed first in
the Chapter Showcase, Occupational Specific Category.
NMHS - Team of Maegan Groves, Jacqueline Mullen and Emma Willis
placed fourth in the Focus on Children, Occupational
Specific Category; team of Michelle Adams (PHS), Elizabeth Mitchell
(JHHS) and Naressa Smith (MHS) placed third in the Applied
Technology, Occupational Specific Category.
QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE
Gillispie
Wilkinson
Kujawa
Thompson Elementary
Tonja Gillispie teaches seventh grade reading at
Wilkinson Middle School. She has been teaching a
total of 18 years – 14 have been with MISD.
Tonja comes from a family of educators.
She says, “I grew up hearing my mother and
two of my aunts discuss curriculum, basal
readers and phonics. Embedded with this
dialogue was an unmistakable feeling of love
and concern for the teaching profession.”
She enjoys watching a student who has
been a struggling reader develop his or
her skills and self-confidence and finally
discover the joy of reading a book.
Monica Kujawa teaches second grade at
Thompson Elementary. She has been teaching
for 11 years – all with MISD. Monica
teaches because she wants to influence
and motivate students to be productive
contributors in society. She especially enjoys
teaching when she observes students
working collaboratively on a project; this lets
her know that the lesson was meaningful.
Monica says, “My teaching philosophy has
been that all children can learn, and it is up
to me to tap into their ability and nourish it.”
Pine
McKenzie Elementary
Westmoreland
Shaw Elementary
Courtney Pine teaches third grade at McKenzie
Elementary. She has been teaching for five
years — all have been with MISD. Growing
up, Courtney was amazed at her mom’s
ability to make a difference in the lives of
children through teaching. She knew at a
young age that she wanted to follow in her
footsteps. She believes that it is her duty
to add value to the lives of students by
providing a nurturing environment in the
classroom. She says, “The children are my
inspiration.”
Teresa Westmoreland teaches sixth grade
reading at Shaw Elementary. She has been with
MISD for 10 years. She enjoys the daily
interaction with her students and is inspired
because she learns something new every
day. Teresa says, “Every student can learn—
what is unique is the speed at which they
progress. As educators, we should be happy
for each student as he or she grows, and we
should always have patience and a sense of
humor in the classroom.”
Lone Star Leadership Academy Participants
Ashley Baker (Vanston), Jessica Chavira (Berry) and Vanessa
Onyekwere (Gentry) were selected to participate in Action’s
2006 Lone Star Leadership Academy. Selection is based on
a student’s demonstrated academic success and leadership
potential, an educator recommendation and involvement in
school and community activities. These students will travel to
Austin to develop leadership skills while learning about Texas
and its leaders.
Student Volunteer Award
Destiny Hoffman, sixth-grade student at A.C. New Middle
School, has been honored for her exemplary volunteer service
with a President’s Volunteer Service Award. Destiny began
working with Sharing Life Community Outreach in fourth
grade and has continued helping with the food bank and
clothing department.
Student Writing Achievement
Kristin Clancy, a sophomore at West Mesquite High School,
has been published in The High School Writer classroom
teaching magazine. The magazine is used to provide a “real
audience” for students and thereby foster the desire among
young people to learn good reading and writing skills.

2006 Auxiliary Banquet Sponsors
Thank you to the following sponsors for their generous donations to
the MISD Auxiliary Banquet. Without the continued support of the
local businesses, this event would not be possible.
A-Athletic & Medical Supply
ADA Braille
Barjack Company
Barker Drywall Supply, Inc.
Blue Bell Creameries, Inc.
Blue Sky Sales
Brook Mays
CDWG
Cici’s Pizza
Clown Company
Coca Cola Bottling Co.
Combine Mechanical Svs.
Cowell Corporation
Crocker Crane Co., Inc.
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Stars
Decker Mechanical
EVS Supply
Falcon Supply
Food Sales System
Frito-Lay, Inc.
Garratt Callahan
Gateway National Bank
H & K Pump Sales & Service
Hardie’s Fruit & Vegetable
Harris Sheet Metal, Inc.
Hummel & Associates
ICI Commercial Refrigeration
Indeco Sales
J. J. McGlothin Dist., Inc.
L & S Acoustics
Mesquite Rodeo
Mesquite Sports Center
Metroplex-Economy Elevator
Nextel
Oak Cliff Office Supply
Office Depot - Business Svs.
Office Makers Plus
Paul Murrey Ford
Pogue Construction
Pollock Paper Distributors
Precision Business Machines
Rainbow Manufacturing
Santos Tile
School House Audio
School Speciality
Sport Supply Group
Storage Equipment
Sunbelt Materials
Sysco Food Systems
Texas Rangers Baseball Club
Timberlake & Dickson, Inc.
Total Filtration Services
Treska Products, Inc.
Triple B Cleaning, Inc.
Wheeler Pump Co., Inc.
WRA Architects
2006 Apple Corps Gala Sponsors
Many thanks to the
generous sponsors who
helped Mesquite ISD
celebrate Apple Corps
Teachers.
Gold Sponsors
Agnew Middle School
Berry Middle School
Gary Bingham & Associates
Blue Bell Creameries
Cannaday Elementary
Crumpton Printing
Greg Dyer, D.D.S., F.A.G.D.
Eastfield College
Florence Elementary
Galloway Elementary
Mr. & Mrs. John Heiman, Jr.
Heikkinen Chiropractic
John Horn High
Kathryn Lynn & Associates
Mackey Construction
McDonald Middle
Mesquite Academy
Mesquite High
Mesquite News
Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.
A.C. New Middle School
Platinum Sponsors
First State Bank
Pogue Construction
SHW Group, Inc.
North Mesquite High
Poteet High
Price Elementary
Rugel Elementary
Rutherford Elementary
Seabourn Elementary
West Mesquite High
White Properties
WRA Architects, Inc.
Silver Sponsors
Annexus Business
Gentry Elementary
Motley Elementary
Six Flags
Thompson Elementary
Don Tillery
Tosch Elementary
FutureQuest:
Giving
Students
Options for a
Lifetime
As stated by author
Catherine Pulsifer,
“Continuous learning
prepares you to take
advantage of opportunities.”
Mesquite ISD recently
revised the district mission
Report Card
Vol. XVIII • Number 6 • June/July 2006
Report Card is published bimonthly by the Mesquite ISD
Communications Department under the direction of the
superintendent. Its purpose is to inform Mesquite ISD patrons
about district programs, student accomplishments and other
school-related information. Some postal patrons not served
by Mesquite ISD receive this newsletter as a result of postal
routes crossing over district lines. In an effort to save taxpayer
money, Mesquite ISD uses bulk mail to deliver this newsletter
to an entire postal carrier route. We apologize for any inconvenience
this may cause for those who do not wish to receive
this publication.
From the Desk of Linda Henrie, Ed.D., Superintendent
statement in an effort to
state in a memorable way
what we are dedicated to
accomplish for the success
of each and every student.
“EDUCATE-EMPOWER-
EXPAND
EXPAND” represents the
fundamental idea that we
are EDUCATING all students
and EMPOWERING them to
EXPAND their opportunities.
As part of an initiative
known as FutureQuest,
we successfully celebrated
College Awareness Week
during the second week
of May. This week was
designated to EDUCATE
students about the benefits
of continuous learning for
the future. Activities were
planned to raise awareness
and encourage students to
work toward some form of
post-secondary education,
such as a university, junior
college, community college,
military, trade school or
apprenticeship.
In an effort to EMPOWER
students, MISD will
integrate a series of lessons
into the curriculum that
focuses on preparing for
the future. Every student
will have a lesson each six
weeks that focuses on one
specific idea per grade level.
The consistent message for
students will be about the
importance of planning for
the continuation of school
after high school as a part of
building a career.
Statistics tell us that college
graduates on average earn
twice as much as high school
graduates. Today’s high
school senior is the voter,
business owner, wage earner
of tomorrow. EXPANDING
opportunities has never been
more important. Students
will be equipped with skills
to carry them far beyond
their school days into a
productive and successful
future.
MISD is committed to
making continuous learning
a goal for all students.
FutureQuest is just one
step in the right direction.
We need everyone to
commit to give all students
the opportunity to reach
their maximum potential,
providing exciting options
for them through continued
education—let us not forget
that MISD students are
COLLEGE BOUND!
Mesquite Independent School District
405 E. Davis
Mesquite, TX 75149
Kids bored?
Tired of hearing, “There’s nothing to do?”
MISD Community Education can help!
There are still openings for some of our
summer camps for kids. Visit us at
www.communityed.org
or call 972-882-5277 for more
information.
GREAT NEWS! Our after-school sports
programs have returned! Look for more
information in the Fall 2006 catalog,
which will be available at the beginning
of August. Sign-up early because camp
availability is limited!
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage Paid
Mesquite, TX 75149
Permit No. 147
Mesquite ISD Board of Trustees
Gary Bingham, President
Rita Crump, Vice President
Robert Seward, Secretary
Kevin Carbo
Randy Dobbs
Greg Everett
Cary Tanamachi, M.D.
Linda Henrie, Ed.D., Superintendent
Communications Department
Laura Jobe
Administrative Officer - Communications
Ian Halperin
Director - Public Information
Allison Lewallyn
Communications Coordinator
printed on recycled paper
Postal Patron Local
Mesquite, Texas
Para recibir información en español llame a la Oficina de Comunicaciones
de Mesquite ISD al (972) 882-7404.
The first day of school is August 15, 2006.