MPISD – News

 

Pictured L to R: MPHS Principal Craig Bailey, MPHS counselor Mandy Jones, Sergeant First Class Valdez

Contact: Kelly Cowan

MPHS counselor named Regional Counselor of the Year

Mount Pleasant High School counselor, Mandy Jones, was awarded the Army Regional Counselor of the Year award by Sergeant First Class Valdez, the Station Commander for the Mount Pleasant Army Recruiting Station. This prestigious award is given to a counselor each year for their efforts in promoting the recruitment, support, and recognition of the Army at high schools across the United States. Jones is the counselor for the MPHS Class of 2023.

MPISD advances four teams to the state Destination Imagination competition

Twelve Mount Pleasant Independent School District Destination Imagination (DI) teams competed against over 100 teams from the East Texas Region of DI. As a result, nine MPISD teams brought home medals for their efforts, and four of those are advancing to the state tournament, the Lone Star Finals, in March.

A Destination Imagination Team Challenge is an open-ended project that teams work on over an extended period, usually two to four months. There are seven new Team Challenges each year: Engineering, Technical, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisational, Service Learning, and Early Learning Challenge (Rising Stars!).

The Flying Piggie Pilots from P.E. Wallace Middle School and Annie Sims Elementary placed 1st in the Engineering Challenge and have advanced to state. It is the second year in a row for them to claim the Regional Championship. Offering team members include Abigail Tolentino, Sebastian Otero, Joahn Balderas, Annalie Mata, Kinlee Castro, and Liam Boyd.

The Comeback Rubber Duckies from Wallace placed 1st in the Improvisational Challenge and have advanced to state. Additionally, they earned the Highest Instant Challenge score. Offering team members are Lily Henry, Ariadnna Martinez, Jannahi Castro, Caleb Townson, Aldi Orona, and Jonathan Williams.

The Algecat Tricksters from Sims placed 2nd in the Engineering Challenge and have advanced to state. They also earned the Highest Instant Challenge score. Advancing team members are Jake Jones, Sam Jones, Fahra Abbas, Insiyah Abbas, and Camila Cates.

The Smart Penguins Going Bananas from E.C. Brice Elementary earned second place in the Improvisational Challenge and have advanced to state. Kaylyn Andrade, Josie Rodriguez, Anna Henry, Judah Deal, and Eddie Olva are going team members.

Other MPISD medalists include the Super Puzzlers from Frances Corprew Elementary, who earned second place in the Technical Challenge. The Super Puzzlers were made up of Christian Banda, Nayeli Pulquero, Heli Hernandez, Ethan Ramirez, Jamie Douglas, Jaime Gallardo, and Joseph Adame.

The Purple Pandas from Corprew placed 4th in the Engineering Challenge. Team members included Piper Martin, Aayden Diaz, Nylah Bell, and Matthew Bailiff.

And the TigersBSmart team from Vivian Fowler Elementary placed 3rd in the Technical Challenge and received the Spirit of DI award given to teams for exceptional spirit, teamwork, volunteerism, and sportsmanship. Team members included Ivania Jimenez, Aaron Garcia, Josue Robles, Cristian De La Hoya, Mallory Mancera, Damian Martinez, and Bruno De La Hoya.

MPISD also had two teams that medaled in the Rising Star division. The early learner’s challenge offers simple experiences with the creative process and gives young kids preschool through second-grade experience with working together. From Fowler, We Don’t Talk About Bruno Ever included team members Michael Berry, Messiah Lewis, Ariana Ramirez, Diva Desai, and Hayzlie Gonzalez. And from Brice, the Crafty Instrumentals were Kijani Ofori, Gian Gutierrez, Alan Perez, Jacob Hernandez, Sophia Robertson, Shirley Chen, and Beckett Barkley.

Also competing for MPISD were the Crystal Fires from Fowler, who placed 6th in the Improvisational Challenge. The Crystal Fires included Andrea Garcia, Nicole Munoz, Zuley Banda, Melody Hernandez, and Chloe Olvera.

The Creative Ninja Chickens from Brice placed 7th in the Improvisational Challenge. Team members were Avalyn Netro, Connor Koder, Natalia Portales, Shane Dimon, and Kolten Heeren.

And the Power Potatoes from Fowler/Wallace placed 14th in the Fine Arts Challenge. Team members included Josiah Segovia, Scottlyn Lee, Allison Blackburn, Giavani Williams, and Dannen Carroll.

“I am overwhelmed, overjoyed, and proud beyond measure of our Destination Imagination students,” said MPISD Destination Imagination Coordinator Jamie King. “Every campus brought home medals. My heart is absolutely full, and I’m ready to plan a state trip and a global trip for MPISD Destination Imagination.”

King continued, “On tournament day, several teachers volunteered to help. I loved the way we worked together as a MPISD Destination Imagination Family to support our students. I love MPISD, these kids, and their families with all my heart.”

The Lone Star Finals will be at the University of Texas at Arlington on March 24 and 25. The MPISD Destination Imagination Jamie King and Kristi Berry, We Don’t Talk About Bruno Ever from Fowler, coach the teams. A special thank you goes to Mrs. Ramirez, Mrs. Ybarbo, Mrs. Heeren, Mrs. Perez, Mr. Portales, Dr. Otero, Mrs. De La Hoya, Mrs. Lee, and Mrs. Zuniga for their assistance.

Glossy Nail Lounge employees and MPHS Cosmetology students

Back row, L to R: Gabriela Salazar, Dairany Gutierrez, Tessa Richardson, Glossy Nail Tech Jacqueline Enriquez, Glossy Nail Owner Eli Ruiz, Glossy Nail Tech Itzel Sondoval, Angel Ortiz, Nayeli Palacios, Edith Lopez

Front row, L to R: Wendy Carrillo, Pilar Gonzalez, Juanita Gutierrez, Sara Perez

Glossy Nail owner, Eli Ruiz, demonstrates proper technique

Glossy Nail owner Eli Ruiz (left) and Nail Techs (right) discuss business ownership with MPHS cosmetology students.

MPHS Cosmetology program graduate shares expertise with current students

The Mount Pleasant High School Cosmetology program recently welcomed guest instructor Eli Ruiz, who gave current Cosmetology students a nail class and business advice. Ruiz graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 2008 with her high school diploma and her cosmetology license. She owns Glossy Nail Lounge in the Super One Shopping Center, providing nail, pedicure, and waxing services.

“A huge thank you to Glossy Nails and my very first student, Eli Ruiz, who graduated from MPHS in 2008 with her Cosmetology license,” said MPHS Cosmetology instructor Aleshia Rivera. “We appreciate you and your team for taking time to visit my classroom to share your expertise about nails and being a business owner with our senior Cosmetology students. I can’t tell you how proud I am as a teacher to have my prior students giving back to the future of our industry and sharing how to become successful.” 

The MPHS Cosmetology sequence is a highly selective, two-year, state-licensed 1000-hour program involving the study of hair, skin, nails, and their related care. Students study and practice in a salon lab setting using mannequins, classmates, and the general public as clientele for skill development. The program emphasizes advanced training and techniques in cosmetology and prepares students to take the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation Cosmetology Exam their senior year. Students who pass the state board exam are professional licensed cosmetologists in Texas and can begin working in the industry immediately after graduating from high school. The Mount Pleasant High School Cosmetology instructor is Aleshia Rivera.

 

Mount Pleasant Junior High School

4th Six Weeks

All “A” Honor Roll

7th Grade

Jayden Baker, Michelle Bautista, Maria Beltran Regalado, Grace Berry, Marley Broach, Hannah Carr, Samuel Carroll, Alexa Castaneda, Homero Castillo De La Torre, Yaretzi Clavel, Emily Crabb, Charisma Crabtree, Yair Cruz, Jaitaly Duran, Lincoln Dyke, Trisha Easley, George Fite IV, Gisselle Garcia, Blakely Garrett, Dulce Gonzales, Rubi Gutierrez Rios, Leslie Hernandez, Kennedy Jones, Bradon Lowry, Tenley Marshall, Dahyana Martinez, Maisy Matthews, Noah McMinn, Landry McPeters, Zachary Newman, Daxton Price, Angela Ramirez Moreno, Daniela Rocha, Michelle Rodriguez-Rodriguez, Asia Salters, Erick Torres, Aaron Waldrep, Evelyn Whisenhunt, Dakota Williams

8th Grade

Antoine Albin III, Adriel Bagsic, Dalia Balderas, Henry Barbosa Arevalo, Stephanie Barrientos, Carson Bell, Alondra Cano-Castro, Kaelyn Carrillo, Drew Cross, Isaac Hernandez, Mackenzie Jaime, Melanie Jasso, Caydon Johnson, Conley Johnson, Jayden Loewen, Jennifer Meeks, Allison Mendoza, Julisa Mendoza Valdez, Melany Morales, Gisel Ramirez, Cooper Rider, Christian Rojas, Alfredo Santillan, Mary Beth Snyder, Lexus Stroud-Adair, Adan Torres, Sara Vanhoose

Mt. Pleasant High School

4th Six Weeks

All “A” Honor Roll

9th Grade

Brissia Alvarez, Alberto Avila, William Baker, Jasmine Briones, Christopher Canada, Valerie Cassio, Angel Castillo, Daniel Castillo Jr., Angel Chaires Contreras, Julian Chancellor, Jahayra Chavez, Carter Chism, Valerie Colocho, Aaliyah Delarosa, Sandy Farias, Sarlie Fernandez, Abril Figueroa Ruiz, Audrey Fisher, Ashley Garcia, Jamie Garrett, Raquel Garza Aguirre, Esther Gonzalez, Alessandro Greco, Yaimari Gutierrez, Evelyn Hernandez, Joseline Hernandez, Jordan Krumrie, Connor Lewis, Kayleigh Martin, Jaydy Martinez, Maribel Ramirez, Keith Standefer, Valeria Vega, Dakota Vogele, Geraldine Zermeno

10th Grade

Gopi Amin, Natalia Aspeitia, Melanie Barraza, Alan Barrientos, Isabella Castillo, Samuel Chappell, Diya Desai, Jose Gonzalez, Neftali Gonzalez, Stephanie Guerrero, Sidney Harbour, Addison Heeren, William Johnson, Caroly Loaez, Joyce Luke, Tanner Marshall, Amir Martinez, Jesus Moreno, Yahaira Pina, Seth Robertson, Oswaldo Roman, Michelle Sandoval, Luke Thurman, Diego Ugalde 

11th Grade

Marisol Cardona, Oscar Castellanos, Nicholas Cates, Kaylee Connally, Ella Cross, Caroline Currey, Brianne Davis, Clinton DeBord, Analee Escalante, Jarely Esguerra, Marlyn Estrada, Marylou Fortenberrry, John Freeman, Deandre Galloway, Elva Garcia, Estefani Garcia, Yahir Garcia, Ana Garrett, Sophie Greco, Skyler Guereca, Andrew Guerette, Abigail Gutierrez Takahashi, Angela Hernandez, Antez Jeffery, Suhey Lopez, Nathaniel Martinez, Yalit Mata, Clayton Miller, Joel Palacios, Estven Perez, Cecilia Phan, Bianca Quistian, Charis Ramirez, Olivia Reed, Daniel Sunderland, Tawnny Swanson, Joseph Tolentino, Diana Vargas, Harrison Wall, Conlee Zachry, Michelle Zelaya

12th Grade

Reese Ball, VanessaJane Bayna, Paris Beard, Hannah Bowles, Clayton Brison, Devin Castaneda, Heslie Castanon, Natalie Crockett, Melanie De La Cruz, Lincoln Ellis, Mauricio Farias Jr, Cesar Flores, Daniel Garcia, Isabel Gonzales, Perla Guzman, Ethan Harbour, Isaac Hernandez, Raegan Houchin, Camdon Johnson, Jett Long, Jose Lopez, William Luck, Chelsea Maldonado, Jayleen Martinez, Collin Moss, Nancy Netro, Anthony Orellana, Matthew Peterson, Kimberly Pina, Madeline Plascencia, Param Poudel, Yolet Ramirez, Elijah Rider: Xitlali Rivas, Chris Russell, Emma Sellers, Juan Serna Jr.: Camila Serrano, Micah Shepherd, Madison Thompson, Jose De Jesus Trejo, Amy Vazquez, Javier Vazquez, Jack Welborn, Caleb Whitten