1st row (L to R) Evie Dominguez, Emily Crabb / 2nd row (L to R) Manny Almeida, Esmirna Hernandez, Austin Whisenhunt / 3rd row (L to R) CJ Quinn, Brian Derrick / Not pictured Ella Rosewell

Contact: Kelly Cowan

MPJH students selected for All-Region Choir

Thirteen Mount Pleasant Junior High School choir students auditioned for places in the UIL Junior High All-Region Choir, with six making the cut and two chosen as first alternates. To earn a place in the choir, each singer had to learn three selections and sing parts of each in a blind audition.

Those selected for the Region 4 TMEA/UIL Choir include eighth graders Emily Crabb (4th chair Soprano 2), Esmirna Hernandez (25th chair Soprano 1), Manny Almeida (30th chair Soprano 2), and seventh graders Brian Derrick (7th chair Tenor), Austin Whisenhunt (10th chair Tenor), and CJ Quinn (20th chair Tenor). In addition, they chose two seventh graders as first alternates, including Evie Dominguez, Soprano 1, and Ella Rosewell, Soprano 2.

“I couldn’t be prouder of the choir students at MPJH,” said Junior High Choir Director Joshua Miles. “Their hard work, dedication, and efforts at after-school rehearsals have paid off. I can’t wait to see everything else they accomplish this year and the years to come.”

 

Goin’ Gold Band Drum Majors Colorguard Officers with their Area Finalist plaque (L to R) Jose Fuentes, Jocelyn Marroquin, Shpat Zeqaj, Addison Heeren, Orion Senence

“Wednesday,” Dalia Balderas plays the cello at the beginning of the performance

Addison Heeren adds color to the performance

Drum Major Orion Senence (center) prepares to play the trumpet with the band

Colorguard senior Jillian Jetton ends the performance 

Goin’ Gold Band named Area Finalist, highest ranking since 1989

The Mount Pleasant High School Goin’ Gold Band competed against 17 bands in the Area round of the UIL 5A Area C Marching Competition on Saturday, October 28, at Mesquite Memorial Stadium. At the end of prelims, they named MPHS a Top 10 Area Finalist, sitting in 5th place, just one point behind 4th. After their final performance, the Goin’ Gold Band earned 5th place overall, just one placement out of advancing to State and their highest finish in over 30 years.

“This year, our band program has been extremely successful due to the hard work of the students,” said MPISD Fine Arts and Head Band Director Dr. Theodus Luckett III. “We have a special group of seniors who have really worked hard this year. The Mount Pleasant High School band profile has definitely been elevated. We have received lots of positive comments about our program from across the State, and we look forward to what we will accomplish in the future.”

The Goin’ Gold Band will perform in their final regular season halftime show on Friday, November 3, at Sam Parker Stadium, where they will honor their seniors on Senior Night. They will compete at the US Bands Southwestern Championship at AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Monday, November 6, with their prelim march beginning at 11:45 a.m. They will then turn their attention to All-Region auditions. The band is under the direction of Dr. Theodus Luckett III, Karen Luckett, Alicia Hargett, Brian Bass, Jamey Sterrett, and Sheri Sullivan, with Colorguard Director Marty Newman, and Assistants Peyton McClendon, Johnathan Tepetate, Victor Diaz, and China Paloblanco.

Darren Palmer speaks to the attendees about becoming a market leader

Matthew Armstrong speaking to the guests about how FBLA improved his high school experience

Area 6 State Vice President Sophie Greco welcomes all the participants

Area 6 President Angelina Hernandez (left) leads an icebreaker activity

Area 6 Parliamentarian Gopi Amin explains an activity

MPHS FBLA Fall Leadership Conference attendees

MPHS FBLA Hosts Fall Leadership Conference

The Mount Pleasant High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members hosted the Area 6 Fall Leadership Conference on Thursday, October 26. In addition to the MPHS chapter, nine other high school chapters from Harts Bluff, Chapel Hill, Sulphur Bluff, Union Hill, Gilmer, Athens, Tyler High, Alto, and Dallas Bryan Adams, and two middle-level chapters, including Mount Pleasant and Alto made for over 300 students and advisors in attendance. It was the largest fall leadership conference in more than 15 years, according to FBLA State Officer Coordinator Donna Crook.

MPHS Career and Technology Education Director Karl Whitehurst, MPHS FBLA Lead Advisor and State Board Member John Whitten, and Area 6 State Vice President Sophie Greco greeted and welcomed all the guests.

Darren Palmer and Matthew Armstrong, both MPHS graduates, served as keynote speakers. Palmer spoke on becoming a market leader, identifying yourself as a brand, and the qualities needed to become a leader. Armstrong, the first-ever FBLA state officer from MPHS, spoke on how FBLA provided the necessary leadership skills to thrive in high school, college, and the workforce.

High school students attended three workshops, including “Break the Ice,” “Preparing for the Next Step,” and “Basic Guide to Giving That Speech”. “Break the Ice” included icebreaker games focused on having students meet other members from other chapters and presented by Greco and two area officers from MPHS, Angelina Hernandez and Gopi Amin, Trinity Tidball from Union Hill, and Isela Gonzalez from Chapel Hill.

“Preparing for the Next Step” focused on preparing for life beyond high school, including college and careers, and preparing for job interviews, and was presented by Armstrong. In “Basic Guide to Giving That Speech,” Crook focused on preparing to speak to others, elements of an effective speech, and what to avoid when talking to others.

Middle-level students also attended “Break the Ice” and “Preparing for the Next Step” and a workshop on choosing a competitive event explicitly geared toward middle school, first-time FBLA competitors.

The MPHS Culinary Department provided lunch for the attendees, including tacos, churros, and cake. And students had the opportunity to win donated door prizes at the end of the workshop.

MPISD FBLA will compete at the annual Area VI Leadership Conference on January 22 at the Region VIII Education Service Center. 

MPHS FBLA Advisors are John Whitten, Shanta Lockett, and Tracy Porter. MPISD FBLA Middle-Level Advisors are Dana Armstrong (Wallace) and Daisy Banda (MPJH).

The new members of the MPHS National Honor Society

The returning seniors of the MPHS National Honor Society

The 2023-2024 NHS officers (L to R) Treasurer Kiara Rundles, Secretary Mea Banda, President Angelina Hernandez, Vice President Sophie Greco, Parliamentarian/Historian Jose Fuentes

Senior Kaylee Connally receives her NHS pin from Vice President Sophie Greco

Welcoming Senior Abigail Retana as a new member

Inducting Junior Tanner Marshall as a new member of the NHS

MPHS holds National Honor Society induction ceremony

The Mount Pleasant High School Chapter of the National Honor Society (NHS) inducted sixteen seniors and fifty-seven juniors during a special ceremony on Monday, October 30, in the MPHS Auditorium. The new members join the fifty-seven returning senior members of the chapter, bringing the total membership to 130.

To be inducted into NHS, a student must have earned a weighted cumulative GPA of 5.10 and meet specific service and character standards, exemplified in behavior and personal conduct both on and off campus. The NHS inducts students who meet the criteria in their junior or senior year during the fall semester.

Officers of the MPHS Chapter are President Angelina Hernandez, Vice President Sophie Greco, Secretary Mea Banda, Treasurer Kiara Rundles, and Parliamentarian/Historian Jose Fuentes.

The 2023-2024 new members are:

Senior inductees: Trevor Broach, Alejandro Castro, Ana Ceballos, Kaylee Connally, Noemy Dorantes, Diego Flores, Isabela Garza, Andrew Guerette, Rocio Herrera, Andres Lopez, Jocelyn Marroquin, Christopher Moreno, Charis Ramirez, Abigail Retana, Genevieve Rubio, and Alicia Velasquez Molina.

Junior inductees: Jalyssa Aguilar, Rachel Albin, Jorge Almazan, Luis Alvarado, Jasmin Alvarez, Jaycee Alvarez, Gopi Amin, Natalia Aspeitia, Katherine Ball, Melanie Barraza, Veronica Bernardino, Elizabeth Buck, Samuel Chappell, Emely Chavelas, Selena Clark, Evan Cota, David Cumpian, Jonathan Dalby, Diya Desai, Daffne Garcia, Gabriella Garza, Jose Gonzalez, Patricia Gonzalez, Stephanie Guerrero, Jessica Hang, Sidney Harbour, Madison Hargrove, Addison Heeren, Dawson Hernandez, Eli Hernandez, Karen Hernandez, Hayden Hester, Kelsey Howard, Christian Johnson, Addyson Long, Tanner Marshall, Amir Martinez, Raquel Martinez, Marlyne Mendez, Trenton Milam, Jesus Moreno, Allison Nieto, Dollian Phan, Daniela Pina, Yahaira Pina, Cinthya Ramirez, Kaylee Ramos, Francisco Rodriguez, Michelle Sandoval, Amy Santillan, Araceli Solis, Christopher Sorto, Avanleigh Thomas, Katherine Thompson, Luke Thurman, Diego Ugalde, and Johnathan Ventura.

Returning senior members of the MPHS NHS Chapter are Genesis Aguilar, Joseline Almazan, Hannah Anderson, Mea Banda, Jason Barrientos, Sidney Beles, Shirlyn Cardona, Idania Castanon, Oscar Castellanos, Nathanial Cates, Nicholas Cates, Ella Cross, Caroline Currey, Brianne Davis, Clinton DeBord, Drew Dyke, Jose Escobar, Jarley Esguerra, Marlyn Estrada, John Freeman, Jose Fuentes, Estefani Garcia, Yahir Garcia, Ana Garrett, Briana Gonzales, Sophie Greco, Owen Green, Abigail Gutierrez, Angelina Hernandez, Stephanie Hernandez, Morgan Hill, Jillian Jetton, Araceli Landaverde, Erik Liera, Nathaniel Martinez, Rebeca Martinez, Yalit Mata, Kennady Mayben, Amariya Miller, Clayton Miller, Angel Munoz, Annie Munoz, Jeisy Munoz, Zoe Newman, McKinsee Oviedo, Joel Palacios, Andrew Perez, Estven Perez, Cecilia Phan, Kiara Rundles, Ethan Sanchez, Allie Sloan, Makayla Spigner, Harrison Wall, Jordan West, Conlee Zachry, and Shpat Zeqaj.

Members of the MPHS National Honor Society Faculty Council are LeAnne Blalock, Todd Burns, Gina Crouch, Jerilyn Goolsby, Kristi Houchin, Ann Jenkins, Ana Munoz, and Larry Russell. The MPHS National Honor Society Advisors are David Clark and Angela Priefert.

MPHS NHS is primarily a community service organization. They are currently conducting their 9th annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. They will also ring the bell for the Salvation Army in December and hold a Pet Supply Drive in conjunction with all the MPISD Honor Societies in the Spring.

Mt. Pleasant High School

2nd Six Weeks

All “A” Honor Roll

9th Grade

Presley Alexander, Adriel Bagsic, Christian Banda, Stephanie Barrientos, Kaylin Brannon, Juan Briseno, Jason Carmona, Drew Cross, Ashley Flores, Isaac Hernandez, Brayana Hernandez Emigdio, Mackenzie Jaime, Caydon Johnson, Conley Johnson, Jaisvet Manrique Veronica, Odalys Mejia Beltran, Melany Morales, Rose Ponce, Gisel Ramirez, Cooper Rider, Araceli Salazar, Alfredo Santillan, Mary Beth Snyder, Kristopher Suarez, Adan Torres, Cullin Williams 

10th Grade

Brissa Alvarez, Arnoldo Amador, Alberto Avila, Diego Barrientos, Jasmine Briones, Kaylie Castillo, Carter Cook, Angle Farias, Sandy Farias, Abril Figueroa Ruiz, Audrey Fisher, Austin Gonzalez, Alessandro Greco, Bailey Hall, Yahir Hernandez Garcia, Marshall Humber, Jennifer Luna, Miah Melendez, Zaid Perez, Ninel Ruiz, Margarita Salinas, Dakota Vogele

11th Grade

Kurt Alipao, Luis Alvarado, Jay’cee Alvarez, Jonathan Amieva, Gopi Amin, Kathrynn Boldin, Elizabeth Buck, Haley Carr, Amy Carrillo, Samuel Chappell, Emely Chavelas, Evan Cota, Ariana Cruz, Diya Desai, Zamya Dunlap Rodriguez, Ke’Aundra Evans, Bianca Garcia, Jose Gonzalez, Neftali Gonzalez, Sidney Harbour, Madison Hargrove, Addison Heeren, Eli Hernandez, Hayden Hester, Kelsey Howard, William Johnson, Jazlynn Juarez, Devon Keith, Yoselin Lopez, Amir Martinez, Teodoro Martinez Jr., Jeseth Monreal, Bryanna Nava, Ashley Pena, Yahaira Pina, Cinthya Ramirez, Kaylee Ramos, Tania Rangel, Noelia Robles, Francisco Rodriguez Jr., Christopher Sorto, Katelyn Tejeda, Hayden Tennison, Luke Thurman, Kristina Tidwell, Karina Torres, Diego Ugalde, Itzia Urbina, Johnathan Ventura, 

12th Grade

Mea Banda, Sidney Beles, Trevor Broach, Shirlyn Cardona, Oscar Castellanos, Nicholas Cates, Ali Cheek, Ella Cross, Caleb Cunningham, Caroline Currey, Brianne Davis, Lee Davis, Clinton DeBord, Kennady Ebarb, Rebecca Elrod, Jarely Esguerra, John Freeman, Estefani Garcia, Ana Garrett, Sophie Greco, Leilani Hardwick, Angelina Hernandez, Stephanie Hernandez, Rocio Herrera, Essence Hurndon, Antez Jeffery, Jillian Jetton, Suhey Lopez, Nathaniel Martinez, Braiden Merryman, Amariya Miller, Clayton Garrett, Jesus Mora, Christopher Moreno, Annie Munoz, Jeisy Munoz Salazar, Zoe Newman, McKinsee Oviedo, Estven Perez, Bianca Quistian, Genevieve Rubio, Kiara Rundles, Orion Senence, Enrique Serrano, Diana Vargas, Alicia Valesquez-Molina, Harrison Wall, Jordan West, Eddie Williams III, Conlee Zachry, Shpat Zeqaj