ATTENTION RISING NINTH GRADERS!

Launch your future with 91直播鈥檚 new virtual early college high school.

This new fully-virtual early college pathway through Arlington College and Career High School is for incoming freshmen who want a virtual high school experience with early college opportunities. It鈥檚 ideal for motivated incoming ninth graders who want to jumpstart their college education in a structured, highly interactive online environment.

And it's not too late to get in!听 The new program is open to motivated students in 91直播 and surrounding communities!

THE EXPERIENCE

Hosted through Arlington College and Career High School (ACCHS), this pathway features fully synchronous (live) instruction taught by ACCHS teachers. Students collaborate with their teachers and peers in real time.

Students embark on a clear academic crosswalk designed to earn them a high school diploma alongside tuition-free college hours or an associate degree from Tarrant County College.

KEY FEATURE

The innovative program provides the structure of a traditional school day combined with the innovation of a virtual classroom, complete with dedicated early college counselors and specialized support to help every student succeed.

While all coursework will be online, students may participate in campus events and school activities sponsored by ACCHS.

READY TO LAUNCH YOUR FUTURE?

Spaces for this innovative pathway are limited. Don't miss the chance to get a head start on your college and career.

Learn more and apply today!

Flexible Virtual Program for Juniors and Seniors

If you're already in high school, we have new virtual course options for you, too. This program is perfect for high school juniors and seniors who need more schedule flexibility but still want a vibrant, traditional campus lifestyle. Students can take up to two virtual courses and fit them into their own schedule.

The program blends asynchronous (self-paced) online learning in up to two virtual classes each semester with traditional, on-campus courses. Available virtual courses focus on junior and senior requirements like English III, English IV, Government, Economics, and Precalculus.

The future is quantum!

91直播 high school students spent part of their summer at Martin High School tackling concepts that are shaping the future of science and technology! The is a initiative and partnership with 91直播 and the . The camp gives students the opportunity to learn quantum concepts that will impact their future.

The camp began in 2020 and has become a highly-anticipated summer learning opportunity for students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Students explored advanced quantum physics concepts through hands-on learning, collaborative work, and problem-solving.听

鈥淲atching students explore and grow during the quantum physics camp is always exciting,鈥� said Robin Griffith-Yates, STEM Academy administrator at Martin High School. 鈥淭he way the teachers work with the students and help build their confidence surrounding quantum topics is amazing.鈥澨�

The camp is designed to engage students with new ideas early to build a foundation that can make future learning more meaningful. The camp activities are connected directly to concepts students will encounter in future chemistry, physics, engineering, and technology classes.

鈥淟earning about quantum physics exposes students to careers they might not have otherwise considered and helps them develop critical thinking skills they can apply beyond the classroom,鈥� said Amanda Benson, science teacher and camp instructor. 鈥淭his camp is important because it gives kids the opportunity to get curious about current science.鈥�

AOL offers two programs

91直播 Online Learning has arrived, and it might be the perfect option for your student.

AOL offers FREE flexible, high-quality virtual learning options, with two pathways for high school students:

1)听 听 听 听 Flexible virtual courses for juniors and seniors

2)听 听 听 听 Virtual Early College High School for incoming freshmen

Flexible Virtual Program for Juniors and Seniors

This program is perfect for high school juniors and seniors who need more schedule flexibility but still want a vibrant, traditional campus lifestyle. Students can take up to two virtual courses and fit them into their own schedule.

The program blends asynchronous (self-paced) online learning in up to two virtual classes each semester with traditional, on-campus courses. Available virtual courses focus on junior and senior requirements like English III, English IV, Government, Economics, and Precalculus.

Virtual Early College Pathway

This new fully-virtual early college pathway through Arlington College and Career High School is for incoming freshmen who want a 100% virtual high school experience with early college opportunities. It鈥檚 ideal for motivated incoming ninth graders ready to jumpstart their college education in a structured, highly-interactive online environment.

The innovative program provides the structure of a traditional school day combined with the innovation of a virtual classroom, complete with dedicated early college counselors and specialized support to help every student succeed.

While all coursework will be online, students may participate in campus events and school activities sponsored by ACCHS.

91直播's Back to School Kickoff on Aug 1 at AT&T Stadium is less than four weeks away. So, now is the time to sign up!听

Why sign up?

Your student can get a FREE new backpack plus:

• Free age-appropriate school supplies
• Dental and health screenings
• Haircuts provided by students from the听Career + Technical Center
• Vendors with information on after-school care and other community resources

Sign up for a free backpack now听here.

Families will also enjoy resources from vendors like:

• ACH Child & Family Services
• Arlington Public Library
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Texas
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America
• Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth, Inc.
• And many more!

A special thanks to the Gene and Jerry Jones Arlington Youth Foundation and all of our other sponsors for rallying behind our phenomenal students to help them succeed.

THIS EVENT IS FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE REGISTERED IN AN ARLINGTON ISD SCHOOL.

The AT&T Stadium bag policy will be enforced at the event.听.

Volunteer at the Kickoff

It takes more than 800 volunteers to make the Back to School Kickoff event run smoothly, and we still have lots of open spots. Please sign up to volunteer听.

鈥淲e鈥檝e helped nearly 100,000 families get ready for the school year, which is an amazing accomplishment that wouldn鈥檛 be possible without community volunteers and sponsor support,鈥� said Aaron Perales, 91直播 executive director of engagement, equity, and access.听

The Summer Enrichment Program is opening doors for 91直播 students!

Students from Sam Houston High School spent the past month improving their math readiness skills and working toward industry-recognized electronics certifications.

鈥淭his is a really hands-on program,鈥� said Selena Obara, sophomore at Sam Houston High School. 鈥淵ou get to meet a lot of people, you work with different people, but it's really good. You get a head start, and you just learn so much, it's fun.鈥�

This summer, 15 students passed the TSI math assessment, opening the pathway to enrolling in college-level math courses and advanced electronics courses this fall. The program is designed to inspire students in the field of electronics and engineering while blending academics with hands-on technical training.听

Nine students passed the , placing them among the youngest in Texas to do so. 91直播 is the only district in Texas with 15- and 16-year-old students passing the SACA exam.听

鈥淭his certification will help me a lot in expanding my academic and career experience, and it'll even help me land a job,鈥� said Alex Skilsky, sophomore at Sam Houston High School.

The students who earned the certification are already being recruited by major companies, including , with starting salaries at $75,000 directly after high school graduation.

鈥淭hat really pushed me and motivated me to go into this career,鈥� said Ibrahim Odunlami, sophomore at Sam Houston High School. 鈥淚t helped widen my view on electronics and engineering, and this is going to help me in the future to build my career and get paid more.鈥澨�

Learn more about P-TECH at Sam Houston High School!

Ceremony honors students and teachers

Extra work?

That didn鈥檛 sound too good to Julio Favela at the beginning of the school year. The sixth grader at Goodman Elementary was about to start the Read 180 program at school.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to do it 鈥� because I just didn鈥檛 want to do extra work,鈥� Julio said.

Fast forward to the end of the school year, and Julio has changed his tune. In fact, he excelled in Read 180 and was honored last month as one of the top Read 180 students in the entire country.

鈥淎mazing,鈥� he said about the award he received at last month鈥檚 Read 180 and Math 180 celebration. 鈥淚 would just focus on it. My teacher was really good.鈥�

The HMH听听补苍诲听听programs are designed to help students who are behind in reading or math make rapid gains. And the spotlight students who have overcome personal and academic challenges to make remarkable gains and educators who go above and beyond to deliver meaningful instruction, foster student achievement, and champion equity through intervention.

鈥淩ecognizing听Read听180听teachers and student winners is a way to showcase and celebrate their hard work, growth and perseverance 鈥� building confidence, inspiring a love of听reading and promoting a proud culture of literacy and learning in our school community,鈥� said Michelle Webb, an 91直播 intervention specialist.

The 180 Awards recipients are nominated by fellow educators, coaches, intervention specialists, parents and school leaders from across the country.

Remarkable success is the standard

Remarkable success in the Read and Math 180 programs has become the standard in 91直播, where producing national 180 Award winners is an annual tradition. And this year, it wasn鈥檛 just Julio. Two other amazing students earned the national recognition for their achievement. Martina Jiminez Ramon, a Rankin Elementary third grader originally from Spain, was also awarded for her monumental progress through Read 180.

On the math side, Rodriguez Junior High seventh grader Brianna Mayen Garcia was one of only five Math 180 winners in the entire country and the only one in Texas.

鈥淛ust stay positive,鈥� said Brianna, who is known for always helping others in her class. 鈥淜eep going. Don鈥檛 give up.鈥�

Student growth is only possible with great teachers, and three of 91直播鈥檚 also received national recognition as top Read and Math 180 educators, including:

• Joanna Butcher, Read 180, Rankin Elementary
• Sandy Emerson, Read 180, Ousley Junior High
• Alicia Parr, Math 180, Ousley Junior High

Congratulations to these dedicated teachers and students!

Standing on a professional stage in front of a large crowd is a moment many young performers only dream about. But for three 91直播 students, that dream has already come true.

Thanks to the , students Mason Engler of Martin High School, Ava Plumlee of Wood Elementary and Natalia Vega of Corey Academy stepped into the spotlight and performed for a live audience, gaining hands-on experience in a professional concert setting.

Designed to give young artists an introduction to the music industry, the program offers students the opportunity to experience the full performance process, from selection and preparation to performing on stage alongside established acts in similar genres. This year, the 2026 program expanded greatly due to its inaugural presenting sponsor, .

鈥淪tudents are selected via a submission process, with support from their music teachers, studios, and parents,鈥� said Letatia Teykl, executive director of . 鈥淥nce selected, we work with them just like we do with other artists, but in an educational way that gives them a first-time professional performance experience.鈥�

For the students, the experience was both exciting and unforgettable.

鈥淭his was definitely the biggest audience I鈥檝e ever performed in front of,鈥� said Engler, who describes his music as indie rock with influences from The Beatles. 鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to perform online and see the number count rise, but playing in front of a crowd of people really changes the perspective.鈥�

Vega brought a Texas flair as she performed songs in Spanish from the Levitt stage. She felt both pride and surprise after performing multiple songs in front of a large audience.

鈥淚t felt pretty surprising because I hadn鈥檛 done that before,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 was very proud of myself, and the audience took it very well. They all clapped for me and were chanting, 鈥楽ing another one, sing another one!鈥欌��

Beyond the performance itself, the opportunity left a lasting impact. Vega said the experience showed why students should follow their dreams, as the journey can lead to unexpected opportunities.

鈥淚 would encourage other students to participate in programs like this because if you have any form of art or creative idea, the best thing you can do is put it into action,鈥� Engler said.

The students are not the only ones who found the experience rewarding. With support from the community and Levitt organizers, the program continues to inspire everyone involved.

鈥淭he young artists are amazing, talented, curious, ambitious, and most of all, brave,鈥� Teykl said. 鈥淚t takes a lot of courage to get up on stage and perform in front of a large crowd. But the best part comes afterward. They walk offstage glowing, confident, and ready to do it again.鈥�

Seguin salutatorian Lee Kerk

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Seguin High School salutatorian Lee Kerk.

NAME: Lee Kerk
SCHOOL: Juan Seguin High School
COLLEGE:
INTENDED MAJOR: Public Health

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Get involved early and try different extracurricular activities because they can help you meet new people, build connections, and find things you genuinely enjoy. At the same time, do not overload yourself trying to do everything at once. Make sure to take care of yourself and get enough sleep every night because you will honestly be a lot happier and feel better overall.

鈱猈hat will you miss most about high school?

I will miss being able to see everyone I know every day. When I first started freshman year, I thought high school was going to feel slow, but now it feels crazy that it is already almost over. I鈥檒l miss the familiar faces in the hallways, being part of orchestra, volunteering with people I knew through Key Club, and going to club meetings with friends. Those everyday moments felt normal at the time, but looking back, they are what made high school meaningful.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I am most excited to continue my journey and keep working hard to become the best version of myself. I鈥檓 excited to learn new things, and continue growing through dedication and hard work while working toward the goals I have for my future.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My dad inspires me the most because he is one of the hardest-working people I know. Growing up, I saw how much effort and patience he put into supporting our family, even when things were not always easy. The way he keeps going and stays responsible makes me want to be like him. He has taught me that hard work is not just about one big moment, but about showing up every day and doing your best.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 your favorite high school memory?

One of my favorite memories was performing with my orchestra because it reminded me how much I had grown as a musician and how meaningful it was to be part of a group that worked hard together.

The Arlington High School FFA Wildlife Team wrapped up another competitive wildlife season with a trip to the State Wildlife Contest in Nacogdoches in April. But it also marked the final season for three Arlington High School seniors who have led the team to the state meet every year they have competed.

The trio is leaving behind a lasting legacy.

Seniors Spencer Doughty, Morgan Jones, and Zach Bastas achieved a rare level of consistency and excellence by reaching the state level every year, as they capitalized on the strength of 91直播鈥檚 agricultural science pathways and the opportunities available through career and technical education.

鈥淪tudents in Arlington FFA have endless opportunities to grow outside of the classroom,鈥� said Tanner Smith, Arlington High School FFA advisor. 鈥淭hey learn how to effectively public speak, how to answer questions about the topics they studied, and work together as a team to learn and present a script.鈥�

These hands-on experiences help students discover pathways they might not have realized were available to them, opening new doors to future careers.听

For Doughty, the wildlife contest led to a career path. He plans to attend Tarleton State University to study

鈥淏eing a first generation college student means a lot to me because I'm setting a new path for my family, and Arlington High School helped me get there through FFA and agriculture programs that helped me find my passion,鈥� Doughty said.

Jones and Bastas have both decided to attend Texas A&M University this fall. Morgan will study , and Bastas is going to major in finance.听

鈥淔FA has taught me many social and responsibility lessons that will help me excel in my future career, being able to talk confidently and know how to put my name out there,鈥� Bastas said.

Over the past few years, these students have had the opportunity to see every region of Texas while studying the wildlife across the state.听

鈥淚 am so proud of them and so lucky to have been able to spend countless hours coaching these three and traveling the state,鈥� Smith said.

The seniors said the encouragement from the campus agricultural science teachers and staff have been a driving force behind their team鈥檚 success.

鈥淢y FFA advisors have been the most supportive people in my high school career,鈥� Jones said. 鈥淚 am grateful for the clear and continuous guidance my teachers have offered me, giving me endless advice as I work to navigate this new chapter of my life.鈥�

As the three seniors move on, Arlington FFA will continue for the next generation.

鈥淎s coach Peach always says, 鈥楲eave a legacy,鈥欌�� Smith said. 鈥淭hese three have done just that 鈥� left their legacy here at AHS and for the future wildlife teams to come!鈥�

Sam Houston valedictorian Michael Okunrotifa

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Sam Houston High School valedictorian Michael Okunrotifa.

NAME: Michael Okunrotifa
SCHOOL: Sam Houston High School
COLLEGE:
INTENDED MAJOR: Electrical Engineering

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F95wP7XnSXs[/embed]

Arlington Collegiate High School senior Giovanni Roman has earned one of the most prestigious scholarships in the nation: the . The award provides him with a full four鈥�year college education at the , including tuition, room and board, medical benefits, and travel expenses.听

The QuestBridge scholarship is a highly competitive national program that connects high鈥�achieving students from low鈥�income backgrounds with top colleges and universities across the country. For Roman, the opportunity represents more than financial support; it marks a pivotal milestone for both him and his family.听

鈥淚 saw the QuestBridge program and it covers four years for top schools,鈥� Roman said. 鈥淚 was really interested in that because it would be life changing, and it would really help out my family a lot with paying for my college.鈥�听

Roman first learned about QuestBridge as a junior while researching scholarships. Like many students, his original plan was to stay in Texas.听

鈥淥riginally I was kind of more committed to applying to TCU and UT Austin, more in鈥�state schools,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I also was planning on applying to a couple of schools like Harvard or Stanford.鈥�听

Arlington Collegiate counselor Danielle Ely helped guide Giovanni through the QuestBridge application process by assisting with recommendations, transcripts, and essay support. Ely said Giovanni stood out early on.

鈥淗e鈥檚 a leader here on campus. He鈥檚 involved in several activities and very influential with his peers,鈥� she said. 鈥淗e鈥檚 a hard鈥�working student, has a great GPA, and steps out of the box to take initiative.鈥�听

Roman said the achievement carried special meaning for his family, and he is especially thankful for support from his mother during his journey to college.听

鈥淔our years ago, I wouldn鈥檛 have imagined I would have gotten a full ride scholarship to a really good school like Notre Dame,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just an accomplishment for me, but also for my mother. She put in a lot of work, helping me and supporting me in my academic journey. I really feel like the work that we put in paid off.鈥�

Following his acceptance, Roman recently had the opportunity to visit Notre Dame, where he toured campus and explored student life. During his visit, Roman learned more about student organizations, academic programs, and volunteer opportunities and said he looks forward to getting involved in clubs and activities that align with his interests during his time at Notre Dame.听

ACHS principal Jeff Krieger said that Roman鈥檚 QuestBridge scholarship has already begun inspiring other students on campus.听

鈥淲hen others see somebody like them earn it, they believe it鈥檚 possible for them too,鈥� he said. 鈥淕iovanni is the first student at Arlington Collegiate High School to actually receive the QuestBridge scholarship, and when he walks that stage in a few months, we鈥檒l all know that we鈥檝e played a part in his success.鈥�听

Roman credits Arlington Collegiate鈥檚 close鈥�knit environment with听helping him reach this milestone.听

鈥淲e鈥檙e a smaller school, but everybody knows each other, and we all help each other out,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat really played a big role in everything I did here.鈥�听

As Roman prepares for his next chapter, he is eager to pursue research, internships, and community service opportunities, all of which play an important role in his goal of attending medical school. Roman hopes his journey encourages other students to take chances on themselves.听

鈥淒on鈥檛 be scared of applying for big scholarships or big colleges,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou never know what might happen. You鈥檙e more than just what鈥檚 on your application.鈥�听

See website for locations and times

91直播 is connecting children 18 and younger and enrolled students with disabilities up to 21 years old with healthy, free summer meals. The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition program administered in the Lone Star State by the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). For the children who rely on school meals during the academic year, these meals offer a source of good nutrition when school is out for the long summer vacation.

鈥淥ur students need good nutrition year-round,鈥� said David Lewis, 91直播 executive director of Food and Nutrition Services. 鈥淲ith nearly 78% of our students under-resourced, these healthy meals are vital to nourishing students during their summer vacation. This summer we are excited to announce that we are again partnering with Arlington city libraries and Arlington YMCAs to bring healthy meals alongside their enrichment programs.鈥�

See the list of meal sites and times, and check back throughout the summer for updates and changes to the sites and times. Please visit the website before traveling to one of our summer meal sites.

91直播 is one of the nonprofit organizations partnering with TDA to serve meals across Texas. Families are encouraged to use these two tools to find a meal site anywhere in the state:

路 Call 2-1-1

路 Visit SummerFood.org for an interactive site locator map

Organizations partner with TDA to serve meals in areas where more than 50% of children are eligible for free or reduced-price meals in the National School Lunch Program. Eligible sponsoring organizations include schools, faith-based groups, nonprofit summer camps, government agencies and other tax-exempt organizations. All meal sites must be sponsored by an organization that has a contract with TDA.

(Photo by Ronaldo Bola帽os - published in )

These Vikings are about to make history!

Lamar High School is getting ready for a celebration years in the making as the Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program prepares to graduate its first senior class on June 1.

鈥淲e are incredibly proud of this inaugural class for paving the way for future Vikings and establishing a legacy of excellence for the Lamar P-TECH program,鈥� Lamar principal Lesley Maroney said. 鈥淥ur Lamar P-TECH students have demonstrated what is possible when students are provided with rigorous academics, industry experiences, and strong support systems focused on college, career, and workforce readiness.鈥�

All of the Lamar P-TECH seniors have earned college credit, and 70% will graduate with an associate degree or certificate from All together, they have secured more than $22 million in scholarships. Every senior has a defined post-graduation plan, whether pursuing college, trade school, military, or the workforce.

鈥淟amar P-TECH represents opportunity for students and prepares them for success beyond high school,鈥� said Aretha Hudson, P-TECH counselor. 鈥淲e are proud to provide students with the tools, college experiences, and career pathways needed to thrive in the future.鈥�

P-TECH programs are innovative, open-enrollment high schools that give students an opportunity to earn up to 60 hours of free college credit and industry certifications simultaneously. The Lamar High School P-TECH partners with and features academic pathways focused on cybersecurity and business.

鈥淥ur goal is to continue strengthening our industry partnerships and refining our pathways,鈥� assistant principal Teri Williams said. 鈥淲e want to ensure that every Viking who enters this program has a clear, supported route to a degree or a high-value career."

Way to go Vikings!

Lamar High valedictorian Jenna Darkazalli

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Lamar High School valedictorian Jenna Darkazalli.

Lamar High salutatorian Carson Plamondon

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Lamar High School salutatorian Carson Plamondon.

Bowie High salutatorian Alex Vu

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Bowie High School salutatorian Alex Vu.

NAME:听Alex听Vu
SCHOOL:听James Bowie High School
COLLEGE:听University听of Texas at Arlington
INTENDED MAJOR:听Computer Science

鈱�What is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Absolutely stay on top of your work. Procrastinating will be your downfall and it's important to not fall behind in your classes, it will come back to bite you!

鈱�What will you miss most about high school

I will miss being able to see all my friends every day, as they gave me countless memories filled with laughter that I will never forget. Although we may split ways after high school, I'm sure everyone will achieve amazing things.

鈱�What are you most excited about after graduation?

I'm most excited about the amount of free time I will have, as I feel like I invested a lot of my time into my classes in high school. I can't wait to get a moment's rest, even if for just a moment.

鈱�Who inspires you the most听补苍诲听why?

My parents inspire me the most because of how patient they are with me. They're able to give me the best advice they can while still respecting my听wishes. I also admire them for being able to persevere against many hardships and still remain standing tall.

鈱�What鈥檚 your favorite high school memory?

My favorite high school memory was definitely Prom 2026. It was an amazing experience being able to watch everyone enjoy the moment after a long and tedious two years of fundraising money as a class officer. It truly felt like a moment of delayed gratification after working so hard towards the goal of fundraising for prom since fall of 2024.

Tips for summer safety

With summer break just around the corner, 91直播 students are getting ready for time away from the classroom filled with swimming,听travel,听and outdoor fun. Before school听lets听out, district and community leaders are reminding families that safety should remain a top priority all summer long.听

鈥淲e know you鈥檙e going to make good choices this听summer,听and we know you鈥檙e going to do great things next school year,鈥� said 91直播 superintendent Dr. Matt Smith.听

Smith joined听听Chief of听Police Al Jones听at听Williams Elementary听to speak with students as part of the annual Take 25 initiative. The campaign encourages families to spend 25 minutes talking with their children about important summer safety topics.听

鈥淓very chance we can make you feel safe in our city, we听want to make sure it happens,鈥� Jones said.听

Students learned practical tips for staying safe online, at home,听and in the community, including making good decisions, avoiding sharing personal information听online,听and knowing how to respond if something feels unsafe. Leaders also emphasized reporting suspicious activity and turning to trusted adults when needed.听

Water safety was another key focus, with reminders to always swim with adult supervision and use the buddy system.听

The Take 25 initiative also encourages families to pair safety conversations with 25 minutes of reading each day to help students stay academically engaged over the summer.听

Here are a few safety tips听to keep in mind this summer:听

Stay safe online

Only communicate with people you know on the internet and social听media and听never share personal information with strangers. Students were also reminded to be respectful online and help stop cyberbullying by speaking up when they see it happening.听听

Have a plan

Before going to places like pools, parks, malls,听or theme parks,听make a plan听in case听anyone听gets听separated. Students were reminded to look for trusted adults or people in uniform if they听need听help.听听

Use the buddy system

Whether swimming, walking around a public place, or spending time outdoors, stay with a friend or trusted group and avoid going places alone. 听

Choose good influences

Spend time with positive friends who help听you听make smart choices and stay safe throughout the summer.听听

Speak up听

Speak up if you notice something unsafe, suspicious, or concerning, and always tell a trusted adult when something does not feel right. 听

Use parental controls

Families听are听encouraged to use parental controls on devices听补苍诲听monitor听what听apps听students听use听during the summer break.听

And remember 鈥� put your phone away and enjoy some time outside!听听

鈥淚t鈥檚 important to have our kids active, healthy,听补苍诲听safe听this summer,鈥澨齋mith said.听

Have a safe summer!听We鈥檒l听see you next school year!听听听

Arlington High valedictorian Katie Todd Castro

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Arlington High School valedictorian Katie Todd Castro.

Arlington High salutatorian Abigail Moore

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Arlington High School salutatorian Abigail Moore.

NAME:听Abigail Moore
SCHOOL:听Arlington High School
COLLEGE:听
INTENDED MAJOR:听Mechanical Engineering

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Don鈥檛 be afraid to try new things and put yourself out there 鈥� sports, clubs, extracurricular activities because you will meet new people, develop constructive life skills, and build a community full of support and love.

鈱猈hat will you miss most about high school?

Being able to play sports and representing Arlington High School alongside some of my closest friends.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

Traveling around Europe and continuing my collegiate athletic career while pursuing engineering, a field I鈥檓 passionate about.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most听补苍诲听why?

My mom, because she has achieved success in many different careers while never losing her character, kindness, or strength. She has shaped the way I see hard work and perseverance, and I hope to follow in her footsteps.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 your favorite high school memory?

Hitting my first grand slam against Haltom 鈥� at Haltom 鈥� to tie a close, nail-biting district game.听

ACHS valedictorian Nancy Nguyen

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Arlington Collegiate鈥檚 valedictorian Nancy Nguyen.

NAME: Nancy Nguyen
SCHOOL: Arlington Collegiate High School
COLLEGE:
INTENDED MAJOR: Nursing

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

Growth isn鈥檛 linear, and it will take time to figure out your own path. Even if it changes in the future and becomes different from what you expected going into high school or different from the paths of those around you, it鈥檚 your journey that you鈥檙e exploring. Don鈥檛 lose sight of that.

鈱猈hat will you miss most about high school?

Being close to everyone, especially during my freshmen and sophomore years, is something I will miss the most. My classmates and I had the same schedules for the most part during our first two years, so I got to see familiar faces everyday and spend a lot of time with them.

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I am most excited about meeting new people and socializing more at new organizations in college. There are many opportunities out there that I am so excited to explore.

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My mom has been the greatest inspiration for me as the hard-working and strong woman that she is. I admire her for her generosity and deep care she has for others. She has sacrificed and done a lot to give me the opportunity that I have today.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 your favorite high school memory?

Homecoming during freshman year of high school is my favorite memory to this day. The venue we were located in and the fun upperclassmen made it really exciting and enjoyable. It was truly one of the best nights I鈥檝e had.

ACHS Salutatorian Jailah-Simone Anderson

It鈥檚 graduation season and we're celebrating the Class of 2026 valedictorian and salutatorian for all eight 91直播 high schools. Meet Arlington Collegiate鈥檚 salutatorian, Jailah-Simone Anderson.

NAME: Jailah-Simone Anderson
SCHOOL: Arlington Collegiate High School
COLLEGE: 听
INTENDED MAJOR: Journalism

鈱猈hat is one piece of advice you would give an incoming freshman?

I would advise every incoming freshman to plan early! Have a good idea of what you want to major in, research potential colleges/universities, and stay involved in extracurriculars so applying to colleges your senior year will be a walk in the park. High school seems scary but can be conquered with an unwavering drive to succeed.听

鈱猈hat will you miss most about high school?

I will miss the connections I have made with every teacher and faculty member at ACHS. They have left a profound impact on me because of their continuous support throughout my educational journey. My journey had its ups and downs, and they stood by my side despite it all. I will miss them and, most importantly, my friends who I can proudly call my family. Our paths may never cross again, and I will certainly miss our days of laughter, but I will never forget how they made me feel on my worst days.听

鈱猈hat are you most excited about after graduation?

I am excited to not only continue my educational journey but continue making connections with new people I encounter. My biggest goal in life is to be a dependable friend and ally to all walks of life. I am excited to positively impact my community by staying involved with extracurriculars, volunteering, and mentorship opportunities.听

鈱猈ho inspires you the most and why?

My mother inspires me the most because, without her, I would not have realized my strengths in journalism and public service. I do not know where I would be today without her endless love and support, and I am eternally grateful for her guidance. I love you mom, and I will always hold your selfless sacrifices dear to my heart.

鈱猈hat鈥檚 your favorite high school memory?

Final exam week was always my favorite part about high school. After our exams, my friends and I would hang out in the study rooms at Tarrant County College to watch YouTube or chat about anything on our minds. These memories will always be the most prominent for me.听

Bookmarks will be available at libraries

As part of the year-long Arlington150 celebration, the听听partnered with the听91直播听to invite sixth-grade students across the district to showcase their creativity and community pride through a special Arlington150 Bookmark Contest.

All sixth-grade classes throughout 91直播 were invited to participate by designing bookmarks inspired by Arlington鈥檚 history, future, landmarks, neighborhoods and community spirit as the city prepares to celebrate its sesquicentennial in 2026.

A panel of judges including Arlington Mayor Jim Ross and representatives from 91直播 reviewed submissions from campuses across the district and selected seven winning designs based on creativity, originality and how well they reflected the spirit of Arlington鈥檚 150th anniversary.

The winners were recognized during the Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Arlington City Council meeting.

The Arlington150 Bookmark Contest winners are:

• Ximena Aldana 鈥� Berry Elementary
• Lauren Maqueda 鈥� Johns Elementary
• Emilia Navarro 鈥� Remynse Elementary
• Garrett Hosier 鈥� Little Elementary
• Atziry Marinez 鈥� Berry Elementary
• Cecilia Tran 鈥� JB Little Elementary
• Airiana Woods 鈥� Sherrod Elementary

Thanks to the generous support of the , each winning bookmark design will be professionally reproduced and distributed throughout the community as part of the Arlington150 celebration. One unique bookmark will be available at each of Arlington鈥檚 seven public library locations, giving residents the opportunity to visit every branch and collect the full commemorative series. In addition, bookmarks will be included in backpacks distributed during AISD鈥檚 annual Back to School Kickoff, helping share the Arlington150 celebration with students and families across the city.

鈥淭he Arlington150 celebration is about bringing our entire community together,鈥� said Mayor Jim Ross. 鈥淭his contest was a great way to engage students and families from across Arlington and ensure people of all ages have an opportunity to participate in celebrating our city鈥檚 150th anniversary.鈥�

Linh Nguyen, assistant director of Fine Arts 鈥� Visual Arts for 91直播, said the contest gave students an opportunity to connect art, history and civic pride in a meaningful way.

鈥淭his partnership gave students a chance to express what Arlington means to them through art,鈥� Nguyen said. 鈥淧rojects like this help students see that their creativity matters and that they are an important part of the story and future of our city.鈥�

The bookmark contest is one of many community engagement initiatives planned as part of Arlington鈥檚 150th anniversary celebration, which will feature events, public art, storytelling projects and partnerships spanning all 99 square miles of the city.

The Arlington150 celebration is made possible through a generous partnership with the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, whose support is helping bring community-focused programs and initiatives to life throughout the city鈥檚 sesquicentennial year. Through this partnership, the winning bookmark designs are being professionally reproduced and distributed across Arlington, allowing students, families and residents to take part in celebrating the city鈥檚 150th anniversary in a meaningful and lasting way.

To learn more about Arlington鈥檚 150th anniversary celebration, visit听.

Kathy Kaju beamed with pride as four of her former Gifted and Talented students safely crossed Cooper Street at the new pedestrian crosswalk light in front of Webb Elementary.

[caption id="attachment_201818" align="alignright" width="500"] (Photo by Nicole Williams Quezada | Fort Worth Report)[/caption]

The now retired teacher's fifth-grade assignment on bridges and structural design has been transformed into a lasting community improvement that will help make walking to school safer for generations of Webb students.

Jaquelin Carranco, Jesus Garza, Alonzo Salinas, and Edgar Toribio were in that class. The four students 鈥� now in junior high 鈥� came back to Webb last week to celebrate an accomplishment that was years in the making.听

All four students visited the site of the crosswalk with the mayor on Friday and got to be among the first to try out Cooper's newest addition.

Before they put on their cap and gown for high school graduation, a group of 91直播 seniors have already crossed a different stage 鈥� one where they received college degrees!

Nearly 200 91直播 students walked the stage at 2026 commencement ceremony this past weekend, earning associate degrees weeks before receiving their high school diplomas.听

The students hail from Arlington Collegiate High School, Arlington College and Career High School, Bowie High School, and Lamar High School.

鈥淲e are extremely proud of the 91直播 students who are graduating with their associate degree from TCC before earning their high school diploma,鈥� said Traci Thomas-Bragg, director of postsecondary partnerships. 鈥淭hese outstanding students began taking college courses during their freshman year of high school and have achieved this remarkable accomplishment debt-free.鈥�

Through the district鈥檚 partnership with Tarrant County College, students are able to start taking college courses as early as their freshman year, at no cost to families. The early college and dual鈥慶redit programs allow students to complete up to 60 hours of transferable college credit, giving them a head start toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree or career certification.

This includes students enrolled in P-TECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) programs, which blends high school classes, college courses, and industry training. Students study business and cybersecurity through P-TECH at Lamar and health sciences through P-TECH at Bowie.

鈥淭hrough our partnership with 91直播, students are not only earning credentials, they鈥檙e building momentum toward meaningful futures,鈥� TCC Chancellor Elva LeBlanc said. 鈥淭ogether, we are aligning education with opportunity and creating pathways that connect students directly to high-demand careers and continued learning.鈥�

Congratulations graduates!

Register now for next year

If your students aren't graduating yet, it's time to register them for the 2026-2027 school year. Get started online today.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsyG76cGrvE[/embed]

Students at Beckham Elementary are taking flight.

They journeyed recently into the world of aviation with a hands-on, in-house field trip that introduced pre-K through third grade students to STEM concepts and aerospace careers 鈥� one of the largest employment sectors in North Texas.

The experience was made possible after the campus applied for and received a grant to host , an organization focused on introducing young learners to aviation and aerospace careers. Principal Christi Wilks said the event aligned perfectly with the school鈥檚 goal of helping students see how early learning connects to future opportunities.

鈥淲e applied for a grant and had Aero Explorer come out and teach our students about careers in aviation,鈥� Wilks said. 鈥淎ccording to Aero Explorer鈥檚 statistics, one in six adults in North Texas works in the aviation field, so we wanted to start promoting an interest early and help students see that what they鈥檙e doing in elementary school can turn into a career for them.鈥�

Throughout the day, students rotated through interactive learning stations designed to encourage curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving. Nancy McGee, the Aero Explorer program director, said the stations were intentionally designed to reach students across multiple grade levels while introducing complex ideas in age-appropriate ways.

Stations included a pretend flight simulator, where students wore airplane costumes and learned how to read maps, a weather prediction station, airplane engine rebuilding, a small rocket area, and an airflow station where scarves floated upward in front of a fan to demonstrate how air moves.

McGee said early exposure plays a critical role in shaping long-term interests.

鈥淚鈥檝e asked pilots when they were inspired, and so many times people have told me it was by second grade,鈥� McGee said. 鈥淚ntroducing this to prekindergarten through third grade creates generational change because kids can see themselves in roles they may not have known about.鈥�

She added that aerospace careers extend far beyond flying airplanes.

鈥淎ny career that exists, exists within aerospace,鈥� McGee said. 鈥淚f students want to be a chef or a fashion designer, that exists within this field too.鈥�

For Beckham Elementary鈥檚 youngest learners, the excitement was evident. Two kindergarten students shared their favorite moments from the experience, highlighting stations focused on health, safety, and exploration.

鈥淚 liked flying an airplane and controlling the airplane because we never did it before,鈥� kindergartener Mason V. said.

Kindergartner Jersey S. said her favorite part was learning about safety.

鈥淲e were brushing teeth and going to see if the airplanes were safe,鈥� Stewart said.

While younger students focused on exploratory stations, older students also had the opportunity to listen to professionals currently working in aerospace careers. The speakers shared real-world experiences and helped students understand how science, math, and problem-solving connect to their everyday work.

Wilks said the event鈥檚 impact was clear as she spoke with students across grade levels.

鈥淚鈥檝e gone around and asked kids, 鈥榃hat鈥檚 your favorite station?鈥� and they say, 鈥楢ll of them!鈥欌�� Wilks said. 鈥淪o if you鈥檙e trying to promote STEM, this is definitely it.鈥�

McGee said in-house field trips like this help remove barriers while exposing students to possibilities they may not otherwise encounter.

鈥淭his program helps generations by exposing kids to careers they may have never considered,鈥� McGee said.

By bringing immersive learning experiences directly onto campus, Beckham Elementary created an opportunity for students to explore big ideas, imagine future possibilities, and discover that learning can take them just about anywhere.

91直播 honored 93 student鈥慳thletes during its districtwide ceremony today.听

The event celebrated seniors from six high schools who have committed to continue their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level next year. These students earned more than $8.9 million in scholarships from 58 colleges and universities.

Student-athletes were awarded scholarships in 15 different sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, baseball, soccer, golf, cross country, track, softball, swim, flag football, cheer, and wrestling.

鈥淚'm proud of all the schools in 91直播,鈥� said Dashuan Marable, a football player at Seguin High School heading to West Texas A&M University. 鈥淚t really made me happy to see a lot of people grow up, and now we are achieving something better, so it's really a good feeling.鈥澨�

Families, coaches, teammates, and district leaders filled the 91直播 Athletics Center as each student walked the stage to be recognized for their achievement.

鈥淚'm really excited for the future, and I'm really thankful for my coaches preparing me for that next level,鈥� said Brandon Heath, a football player from Martin High School heading to College of the Holy Cross. 鈥淔rom the get-go, they've trained us like we've been college athletes, so that when we go to play at the next level, we're already ready.鈥�

The ceremony highlighted not only athletic excellence but also the discipline, academic commitment, and resilience required to reach the collegiate level. For many students, this achievement is the result of more than a decade of dedication.

鈥淚've been working for this moment since I was five years old,鈥� said Jayden Bibbs, a football player from Bowie High School heading to Oklahoma Baptist University. 鈥淚 grew up dreaming about this. My coach and my family, they always had trust in me, and I always had trust in them.鈥�

Many student鈥慳thletes said the moment felt surreal, marking the payoff of years of early鈥憁orning practices, late鈥憂ight homework, and unwavering support from their families and coaches.

鈥淚鈥檝e played volleyball since I was in third grade, and my family has never missed a game of mine, so them coming to every game really supports me and just pushes me to be better,鈥� said Kalysa Humbles, a volleyball player from Arlington High School who will play at Weatherford College next year.听

Students shared their best piece of advice for student-athletes.

鈥淵ou don't have to keep the same sport just because you feel like that's what you are meant to do,鈥� said Lydia Nichols, a cheer and tumbling athlete from Lamar High School heading to cheer at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. 鈥淚've done a lot of sports. I've done gymnastics, I've done weightlifting, track, and everything. Just have fun and do what you want to do.鈥�

That鈥檚 what Retta Hall did. The flag football and soccer player from Sam Houston High School will keep playing both sports next year at Texas Wesleyan University.

鈥淒on't let anything deter you: games, practices 鈥� everyone has bad practices, it took me a while to learn that," Hall said.听 鈥淜eep pushing through, and you'll eventually get to where you want to be.鈥�

Congratulations athletes!

Goodman Elementary fourth grader Delilah Salinas returned to school Monday morning in a way she never expected: on a fire engine escorted by first responders from the station that helped her family during a devastating house fire earlier this spring.

After the incident, Delilah spent nearly a month at Parkland Hospital recovering from second- and third-degree burns sustained in the fire. To help lift Delilah鈥檚 spirits on her first day back, the Arlington Fire Department arranged for an engine to pick her up at home and bring her to school.听

Her mother, Alexandra Salinas, said the support from first responders and the school community has meant a great deal to their family.

鈥淪he's been through a lot, but to see how happy she is 鈥� I haven鈥檛 seen her smile in a long time, so this is really cool. I appreciate everyone,鈥� Salinas said.

As the fire engine pulled up to Goodman, students and staff lined the sidewalk, cheering to welcome her back.

鈥淚t was surprising, I didn't know they were gonna be out there,鈥� Delilah said. 鈥淚 think the last time I saw them was the day before the accident, and all I heard was screaming 鈥榳e missed you.鈥欌�澨�

The fire department shared that being part of Delilah鈥檚 return was an honor and a reminder of the deep bond they share with the community.

鈥�We usually show up, put the fire out, and move on to the next call, but our job doesn鈥檛 end there,鈥� said Juan Mata, public information officer. 鈥�It鈥檚 about supporting families through recovery, and moments like this remind us why we do what we do. We are proud to be part of this great community.鈥�

Goodman principal Marisa Guzman said this moment was meaningful for the entire school community.

鈥淎fter everything she endured, her return symbolized strength, hope, and resilience,鈥� Guzman said. 鈥淔or our staff and students, it was a powerful reminder of the importance of compassion, unity, and the joy of coming together with true Grizzly pride.鈥�

Now, Delilah is back in class, surrounded by classmates, teachers, and a community that rallied together to welcome her home.

Welcome back, Delilah!

Bum-bum-bum-bum-bum-bum.

Shark Tank鈥檚 theme music played as six South Davis Elementary students 鈥� dressed sharply in matching blue blazers 鈥� filed in and took their places in front of the panel of judges.

They were there to pitch for a Wellness Innovation Grant from . All members of South Davis鈥檚 Running Club, the students asked the panel of judges 鈥� representing , , the , and other community and school leaders 鈥� for a running track at their school.

The South Davis Bulldogs had a hard act to follow. Just before them, five Bowie High School students had wowed the judges with their own grant pitch to revitalize a courtyard at their school.

But the elementary students did their own wowing.

鈥淥nce you got the track, how often would you use it?鈥� asked one of the judges.

A South Davis student immediately raised his hand.

鈥淎 hundred times a day,鈥� he said.

Another student explained that their running club keeps them healthy.

鈥淚t鈥檚 taught me to encourage others to run and to stay healthy,鈥� she said.

Staying healthy 鈥� and encouraging others to stay healthy 鈥� is exactly what Texas Health is after with its Wellness Innovation Grant, underwritten by the Fort Worth-based R4 Foundation. Studies show that healthier students perform better, have higher attendance rates, tend to be better adjusted and socially connected, and have greater potential for future job opportunities and income earnings.

This is the seventh year of the program designed to encourage healthy living at 91直播 and Fort Worth schools. This year, six teams advanced to the finals in the competitive process, including South Davis, Bowie and two others from 91直播: Crow Leadership Academy and Rankin Elementary.

All four student teams clearly impressed the judges because all four teams won.

About a week after the student presentations, representatives from Texas Health visited all four 91直播 finalists and surprised them with $5,000 grants to fund their proposals.

• Bowie High School: Students at Bowie plan to revitalize the school鈥檚 Legacy and Wellness Courtyards to create spaces where fellow students can relax, reflect, and recharge. Grant funds will be used to purchase outdoor seating, landscaping materials, raised gardening beds, plants and maintenance supplies. The improved courtyards will be available to students at times during the day, and can be reserved by faculty for instruction and by clubs and groups for afterschool activities.
• Crow Leadership Academy: Crow鈥檚 Earthly Explorers garden club wants to share the benefits of gardening and nature with fellow students through a Wellness Labyrinth. The labyrinth will be more of a maze than a walking path, with tall grasses, outdoor musical instruments, and various plants that can be touched and examined along the way. While the labyrinth will be available to support outdoor instruction, the main outcome will be to provide a space where students can take a mental break and be more focused for learning in the classroom.
  
  [caption id="attachment_201127" align="alignright" width="500"] Rankin Elementary students surprised with grant.[/caption]
• Rankin Elementary: Rankin鈥檚 student council leaders are leading the way on campus by bringing the Rankin Recharge Room to the school. Funding will pay for seating, sensory and regulation tools, reflection materials, and wellness resources for staff. The room won鈥檛 just be a space to hang out. While there, students will gain learning skills for managing stress, emotions, and challenges so they can do their best work in the classroom. Teachers will also have access to the room for relaxation.
  
  
• South Davis Elementary: Soon, more South Davis students will be 鈥淩unning with the Bulldogs鈥� thanks to Wellness Innovation Grant funding. The school鈥檚 new running club wants to run faster, farther, and more safely, but runners don鈥檛 have a flat, clear running path around the school. Through the grant, the Bulldogs plan to work with the district鈥檚 Operations team to clear and level their makeshift track through the trees with crushed gravel and sand. Funds will also be used for pedometers, running shoes, team T-shirts, and running awards to motivate even more students to join the running club and stay active.

鈥淵ear after year, these students continually impress us with their commitment to improving their schools and their own personal well-being,鈥� said Bret Helmer, R4 Foundation president. 鈥淭hey are our future, and it is clear from the competition that our future is in good hands.鈥�

Matt Dufrene, vice president of Community Partnerships, Ambulatory and Virtual Channel at Texas Health, said schools play a key role in creating an environment that promotes healthy behaviors that can last into adulthood.

鈥淲hen we can get students engaged in making healthy choices at a young age, we set them up for a lifetime of well-being,鈥� Dufrene said. 鈥淲e look forward to seeing these ideas come to life on area campuses, knowing that the impact of these students鈥� efforts will be felt for years to co尘别.鈥�

Since Wellness Innovation Grants were first awarded during the 2019-2020 school year, they have provided over $175,00 in support to Tarrant area schools. The grant program is just one way Texas Health is supporting health and well-being in schools. Other Texas Health Community Hope initiatives that promote wellness for students and their families include: school bookfairs and literacy initiatives; access to healthy foods and nutrition education; after school and physical activities; support for school learning gardens; and resources through the Texas Health School Wellness Network.

Two seniors from Martin High School are officially on their way to becoming engineers after being selected as , one of the most competitive STEM scholarships in the country.听

Months after submitting their applications, Tuyet Do and Julia Tran were surprised with the news during a guest speaker presentation in class. What began as a routine visit quickly became a moment they鈥檒l never forget, as the speaker announced that both students had been selected as scholarship recipients.

The Amazon Future Engineer Scholarship provides up to $40,000 in college funding and a paid internship at Amazon after the students鈥� freshman year of college. With thousands of applicants nationwide, earning this recognition is a major accomplishment.听

鈥淭his scholarship has definitely given us a head start,鈥� Tran said. 鈥淚've been struggling with finances and looking for scholarships, trying to find ways to afford college. Now, I can tell my parents that we don鈥檛 have to worry about money.鈥�

Tran discovered her passion for engineering through Martin鈥檚 drone team. She helped build drones from the ground up, gaining hands-on experience that set her apart in the competitive scholarship process. She is currently taking classes at the and completing an internship.

鈥淚 had no idea, so when I heard that I won AFE I was really happy,鈥� Do said.

Do is a member of the school鈥檚 HACK Club, where she explores coding, programming, and logistics. Last summer, she used her artistic talent to create visuals for a club event. She says blending creativity with technical skill is a combination that helped her application shine.

鈥淛ulia and Tuyet are guaranteed incredible paying jobs after their first year of college and will be able to continue to build their resumes as they work on their degrees,鈥� said James Hovey, computer science teacher at Martin. 鈥淚 am very proud of both of them and cannot wait to see where their journeys will take them.鈥�

Congratulations, Julia and Tuyet!

What if you could help create the menu in your school cafeteria?听

That鈥檚 the challenge 91直播 culinary students recently took on as they put their skills and creativity to the test in a high鈥�stakes menu competition in the By Students 4 Students competition. With hundreds of future diners in mind, students stepped out of the classroom and into a hands鈥�on, career鈥�ready experience that could soon land their dish on lunch trays across the district.听

In the latest installment of the By Students 4 Students program, students gathered at the 91直播 Food and Nutrition Services building to showcase a variety of dishes for a hungry audience. Working within strict food safety and nutrition guidelines, students from six 91直播 high schools presented creative options, including butter chicken, breakfast croissants, chicken Alfredo lasagna rollups, and buffalo chicken pita wraps.

鈥淵ou have to take into account carb intake, sugar intake, sodium levels and what makes a meal balanced and healthy,鈥� said Jayden Sosa of Arlington High School. 鈥淲e鈥檒l come up with an idea, see if we鈥檙e restricted anywhere, and then we鈥檒l work to find ways around those obstacles if we need to.鈥� 听

A crucial part of developing a successful recipe that works is knowing your audience. Student chefs must consider elementary, junior high, and high school diners and account for each group鈥檚 needs. From buffalo chicken sandwiches and Korean fried chicken with garlic noodles to pulled pork sliders, many students drew inspiration from local eateries in an effort to bring more variety to their cafeterias.听

鈥淪tudents often do go off campus to eat if they have the chance, but we can bring those foods into our schools by making them with ingredients that we have available,鈥� said Martin High School culinary teacher Lindsey Krokus. 鈥淲e鈥檝e adapted popular dishes from fast-food joints, and they鈥檝e become hits in the schools.鈥�

While showcasing their latest creations, students also had the opportunity to speak with 91直播 sponsor Chef Aziz Kobty of and Chef Juan Carlos Flores of .听

鈥淪eeing how experienced they are and how calm and collected they are really inspires me because I want to be that confident in what I鈥檓 cooking,鈥� said Dominic Griffin of Seguin High School. 鈥淏eing around new people and letting them try my food is new for me, so I鈥檝e really benefited from this experience.鈥�听

听Judges are currently reviewing the student dishes. Winners will go on to be showcased at the Taste of the District and then added to the 2026-2027 school cafeteria menu.

听

听

When Jenna Nguyen, a senior at Martin High School STEM Academy, began her practicum at , she hoped to get some good real-world experience. What she didn鈥檛 expect was that her hard work and dedication would lead to a $1,000 scholarship.

Marquez Bakery recently hosted its second-annual Youth Empowerment Event, designed to help students explore future opportunities, whether that means college or forging their own unique path. During the event, Nguyen was awarded the scholarship, a testament to the impact she made during her time with the business.

Jenna鈥檚 experience working at Marquez is not unique in 91直播鈥檚 Career and Technical Education (CTE) practicum program, which offers students meaningful, hands-on learning that connects classroom knowledge with real-world application.

鈥淲e are incredibly proud of our students and the way they represent themselves and our programs,鈥� said Katie Wawak, 91直播 work based learning specialist. 鈥淲ith approximately 70 business partners and more than 215 student placements, our CTE Practicum provides meaningful, real-world experiences that open doors, making achievements like this scholarship especially rewarding to celebrate.鈥�

At Marquez Bakery, Nguyen focused on marketing, creating flyers, promoting events and helping manage social media efforts. Her work didn鈥檛 just stay behind the scenes 鈥� it became part of the customer experience.

鈥淚f you have walked into the bakery, you have seen her work.鈥� said Courtney Leppke, Business Management Practicum teacher at the Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center. 鈥淭here are posters and flyers created by Jenna on display for all customers to see. She is leaving a legacy and deserves to be recognized.鈥�

Her impact also stood out to the Marquez Bakery team.

鈥淛enna鈥檚 selection had everything to do with the dedication and passion she showed in her submission,鈥� said Karina Nunez of Marquez Bakery. 鈥淗er words truly reflected the mindset of a scholar who is committed to furthering her education and one day having a classroom of her own.

鈥淲e just wanted to take a moment to let you know how proud we are of her,鈥� Nunez said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to watch all the incredible things she will accomplish in the future. Jenna is truly a great addition to the Marquez team, and we鈥檙e lucky to have her.鈥�

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Through her practicum, Nguyen gained valuable insight into running a business while building skills she plans to carry into her future career.

鈥淲hile interning at Marquez, I mainly worked on marketing for their social media platform,鈥� Nguyen said. 鈥淚 made flyers about upcoming deals and events at the bakery and helped them manage some reports. I also worked on preparations for their monthly night market. I believe that this internship allowed me to understand the inner workings of what it means to run a business, and it will allow me to have a firm understanding of how I want to run my future business.鈥�

Nguyen plans to attend Texas Woman鈥檚 University after graduation, where she will major in early childhood education and pursue her goal of becoming a first-grade teacher.

鈥淚 want to become the kind of teacher who not only contributes to their academic success but also inspires them to believe in themselves and their abilities,鈥� she said. 鈥淎fter I become a teacher, I want to continue running a small bakery on the side and use my experience from working at the bakery to help grow my business.鈥�

A Program That Opens Doors

Jenna strongly encourages other students to consider enrolling in a practicum.

鈥淚 would absolutely recommend practicums to other students,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to get hands-on experience in the field you are interested in. These experiences offer valuable hands-on experience, allowing you to explore whether your career path aligns with your interests and goals.鈥�

Her journey also highlights how taking a chance can lead to unexpected opportunities.

鈥淚f you never take the risk, you鈥檒l never know what could鈥檝e happened and you鈥檒l always be wondering 鈥榳hat if,鈥欌�� Nguyen said. 鈥淚 honestly wasn鈥檛 even going to take a practicum class at first but I鈥檓 glad that I decided to do it because without the class I wouldn鈥檛 have all these opportunities available to 尘别.鈥�

There鈥檚 also another bonus to taking a practicum through 91直播.

鈥淧lus, if anyone decides to do the Business Management Practicum, you鈥檒l have the sweetest teacher and her amazing joke of the day,鈥� Nguyen said. 鈥淚 want to thank Mrs. Leppke for my internship at听Marquez听because without her none of this would鈥檝e been possible.鈥�

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pO_2fr-nBFw[/embed]

Yes, those are fresh flowers on all the tables in听your local听Chick-fil-A.听And they were arranged by floral student at 91直播鈥檚 Dan Dipert Career and Technical Center.听听

Through a partnership with Chick鈥�fil鈥�A owner and operator Carmenza Moreno, students in Megan Brundrett鈥檚 Advanced Floral Design class design and place fresh floral arrangements in two North Arlington Chick鈥�fil鈥�A restaurants throughout the听school听year. 听

Moreno said the partnership addresses a听long鈥�standing听challenge in听maintaining听fresh听dining鈥�room听d茅cor.听听听

鈥淭here鈥檚 always a huge struggle to keep flowers fresh in my dining rooms, so we reached听out听and the CTC class now provides the flowers for both of my stores,鈥� Moreno said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very grateful for the partnership because it keeps the dining rooms听looking fresh and sharp for our customers.鈥�听

To meet the expectations of a large听business, Brundrett鈥檚 students begin the school year by planning their floral designs months in advance. This preparation allows them to听modify听arrangements weekly based on holidays, approved Chick鈥�fil鈥�A colors, and seasonal flower availability.听听

For students, the experience offers both creative fulfillment and professional growth. 听

鈥�It鈥檚听really enjoyable听to be able to go somewhere听that鈥檚听a huge establishment like听Chick鈥�fil鈥�A, especially with my family members, and get to say, 鈥業 made one of these in class,鈥欌�� said Martin High School senior听Ally Kaychatwell. 鈥淭hen I get to post them and add them to my floral portfolio and say that I鈥檝e worked with听Chick鈥�fil鈥�A听by making designs that go on their tables.鈥澨�听

Brundrett emphasized the value of providing students with听real鈥�world听experience while teaching them to meet customer expectations. 听

鈥淚t鈥檚 a great foundation on which my students can build their floral portfolio and gain experience on event work, meeting听timelines, and听creating听concepts and designs, so I hope it never ends,鈥� laughed Brundrett.听听

The flower arrangements on the tables have helped raise awareness about the CTC鈥檚 programs, and now several other businesses have contacted the school to explore potential partnerships across various career fields.听

Moreno said giving back to the community is a key motivation for her continued involvement. 听

鈥淲e get a lot of compliments听about听our听flowers,听and I think it鈥檚 important to give back听to听your community and invest in our youth, so that鈥檚 the reason why I do it,鈥� Moreno said.听听

[embed]https://youtu.be/01x8LgmDnis[/embed]

When Bowie High School junior Destinee Carey first walked into Devin Gerrity鈥檚 woodshop and welding class a few months ago, she didn鈥檛 know if welding would be for her.

She quickly found out.

Gerrity鈥檚 classroom is always full of sparks. Some come from the witty banter students enjoy with their instructor and even more come flying from their welds. Carey soon found her own spark and has since emerged as one of Gerrity鈥檚 fastest-learning students.

Carey鈥檚 unexpected interest in welding has evolved into much more than a classroom activity. It鈥檚 become a safe space for her to escape the outside world where she can rely on a structured routine to achieve her best welds.

鈥淭his year has been one of my most impactful years, and the consistency of being able to come in here and weld has been very comforting,鈥� Carey said. 鈥淓very day at 7:50 a.m. we come in and weld for 45 minutes, and you always know what you鈥檙e going to get. It鈥檚 a strange kind of calm.鈥�

Gerrity is proud of the growing number of female students taking welding and impressed by emerging welders like Carey.

鈥淚 would love to see more women in welding because, why not?鈥� Carey said. 鈥淚t never hurts to try something new, and it鈥檚 a lot of fun, so why not? You can鈥檛 leave it all to the boys!鈥�

Carey and other students credit Gerrity with creating a unique and supportive space through personalized handshakes, encouraging comments, and an overarching positive environment.

鈥淚 teach kids something that seems wildly unreachable,鈥� Gerrity said. 鈥淭hen they do it and see improvement day to day. There鈥檚 positivity, they鈥檙e coached, and they look good, feel good, and succeed in this classroom.鈥�

That鈥檚 exactly how it鈥檚 gone for Carey.

鈥淪eeing Mr. Gerrity helped me realize that you always have the power to have a good day,鈥� Carey said. 鈥淚鈥檓 thankful to him for helping me unlock a new interest. I feel like you can make anything for you and that鈥檚 what I鈥檝e done here. Welding is for 尘别.鈥�

Learn more about 91直播's manufacturing program.

Despite the possibility of inclement weather, more than 100 91直播 students experienced an exciting day of hands-on science during the annual Rotary STEM Day on Saturday, March 7. The event, hosted by the , took place at Adams Elementary and featured interactive activities conducted by representatives from .

Second- and fourth-grade students from across the district participated in a variety of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) stations designed to spark curiosity and encourage exploration. Through engaging experiments and demonstrations, students discovered the excitement of science through hands-on learning.

Charisse Brown, a teacher at Remynse Elementary, braved the weather so her child could attend the event.

鈥淪he enjoyed the various stations, especially the slingshot and airplane station," Brown said. 鈥淪he loves science and anything related to it.鈥�

Through the strong community partnership with the听Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club, students are discovering new ways to spark their curiosity, explore exciting learning opportunities, and imagine the innovators they can become.

Together, we鈥檙e not just teaching lessons, we鈥檙e opening doors to possibilities, celebrating creativity, and supporting every student as they take bold steps toward their future.

A big thanks to the Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club!

SanSan Ly, a senior at Martin High School, loves everything motorsports. So, she was really excited about the field trip she and 40 91直播 high school students took to the yesterday.

But it was more than just a chance to see racecars for the aspiring engineer.

鈥淚t gave me really good insight behind the scenes,鈥� Ly said.

She was really impressed by the logistics.

鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know that they had a whole team for every section,鈥� she said.

That was exactly the point of the field trip 鈥� an opportunity for students to see the many career opportunities that go into motorsports.

鈥淲e think it鈥檚 a great opportunity for younger people to come out and experience the NTT IndyCar series, learn about motorsports, but also see what all the different careers are out here in motor sports,鈥� said Bill Miller, president and general manager of the inaugural Java Grand Prix of Arlington. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 promotions 鈥� like we have helping sponsors 鈥� whether you want to go into engineering, which is working on racecars, whether you want to go into public relations, which is working with the media out here, you can see all kind of different things. If you鈥檙e into the arts, you can see all of the graphics that we put around here of how you portray the event and make something very exciting and very enjoyable.鈥�

The graphics were what stood out to Bowie High School senior Nathan Minnieweather.

鈥淚 do graphic design,鈥� Minnieweather said. 鈥淚 lean toward how things are presented. I鈥檓 happy that we got this opportunity not only to see cars and F1 cars but also see how they build an entire event for an entire city.鈥�

During the visit, students got a behind-the-scenes look at many of the moving parts that make a major sporting event possible.

The tour began in the activation space, where students learned about the logistics of setting up the race and coordinating partners and sponsors. From there, they visited the media center to hear how public relations and marketing teams work with reporters and broadcasters to tell the story of the race.

Students also stopped by the medical trailers to learn about safety operations before continuing on to the hospitality areas and finally the event鈥檚 operations and management headquarters.

At every stop, professionals shared how their roles contribute to bringing the race to life 鈥� from engineering and design to communications, event management, and health services.

For students like Ly and Minnieweather, the experience helped connect classroom learning with real-world careers. Seeing the massive coordination required to run the event showed students that motorsports is about much more than what happens on the track. It鈥檚 also about the hundreds of people behind the scenes with many different kinds of careers who make the event possible.

Students, start you engines!

Annual Market Expo at Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center

The 91直播 Dan Dipert Career + Technical Center recently turned into a big market for two days, and all of the vendors were students.

Entrepreneurship students from the CTC put their business ideas to the test during the district鈥檚 annual Market Expo.

鈥淢arket Expo is a one-day pop up event where our entrepreneurship students participate in a preliminary competitive pitch, and the teams who present the most viable business ideas are provided a safe and supportive space to create and sell products,鈥� said Debbie Blackner, 91直播 CTE specialist and one of the pioneers of entrepreneurship in the district.

The event is the culmination of months of preparation for students in 91直播鈥檚 entrepreneurship program. Working in teams of three to five, they developed business plans, created products, designed marketing materials, and took on leadership roles.

But long before anything was sold, the student teams first pitched their business ideas to the in a competition to secure micro-loans to fund their startups.

Nineteen teams received funding from the Chamber and went on to more than double their micro-loans in total revenue during the Expo. After repaying their loans and covering expenses, each team earned profits that the students got to keep.

The budding entrepreneurs sold a wide variety of products during the event, including BBQ beef tips, pork sliders, mac-and-cheese chicken bowls, street tacos, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, flowers, hand-sewn bags, and more.

But not every student was running a booth. Some students formed specialized teams responsible for marketing, logistics, customer experience, and data analysis to ensure the event ran smoothly. An eight-person student leadership team also helped coordinate the day.

The experience mirrors the real world of business. Students tracked key performance metrics throughout the event, including the cost of goods sold, completed sales, and both gross and net profits.

鈥淥ur Entrepreneurship I students truly hit it out of the park at this year鈥檚 Market Expo,鈥� said Angela Montgomery, one of the entrepreneurship teachers who leads the event. 鈥淭heir creativity, resilience, and new entrepreneurial mindset resulted in our most successful and profitable Expo to date.鈥�

Montgomery and fellow CTC entrepreneurship teacher Izehi Agboaye were thrilled to see their students put so much into their businesses.

听鈥淲hat makes this achievement even more meaningful is the pride students expressed in their work and the confidence they gained along the way, many now seeing opportunities in the business world they hadn鈥檛 imagined before,鈥� Montgomery said. 鈥淢arket Expo gives students a safe space to test ideas, take risks, experience failure, recover, learn, and ultimately succeed 鈥� exactly what entrepreneurship is all about.鈥�

Through partnerships with the Chamber and hands-on experiences like Market Expo, 91直播 students are learning far more than theory. They鈥檙e gaining the confidence and real-world skills to turn their ideas into a profitable reality.

91直播 students proved their prowess in robotics and coding last Saturday, securing seven major awards at the state competition in Little Elm, Texas. The competition builds problem-solving skills through real-world challenges and incorporates robotics, coding, design, and computational thinking skills.

"We're really proud of our 25 elite teams from across seven campuses," said Susan Anderson, 91直播 technology integration specialist. "91直播 students demonstrated exceptional teamwork, technical skill, and creative problem-solving."

Moore Elementary dominates

Moore Elementary emerged as a powerhouse during the event. The campus took home both first and third place in the indi category, showcasing their ability to master color-sensor programming and logic.

In the high-intensity听Upper Elementary RVR category, Moore continued its winning streak, clinching another听first-place听trophy for their mastery of the all-terrain RVR+ platform.

Success in the Middle School Age Groups

The district鈥檚 sixth through eighth grade teams also delivered strong performances against tough state-wide competition:

• Gunn Junior High:听Captured听second place, showcasing elite problem-solving skills and technical precision under pressure.
• Swift Elementary:听Secured听second place, demonstrating exceptional coding logic and a creative solution to a challenge.

The "Mystery Challenge" Champions

Beyond the standard categories, the Sphero Global Challenge tests a team鈥檚 ability to think on their feet. Both听Moore听补苍诲听Gunn were recognized with the听Best Solution Award听for the Mystery Challenge, an impromptu task that requires immediate application of coding and engineering principles.

A Districtwide Achievement

The 25 competing teams represented a broad cross-section of 91直播鈥檚 talent. In addition to the winners, the following schools sent dedicated teams that contributed to the district鈥檚 overall success:

• Berry Elementary
• Rankin Elementary
• Atherton Elementary
• Nichols Junior High

Congrats to all 25 teams!

Math books connect math concepts to football

Excitement filled the halls of South Davis Elementary last month when students welcomed a special visitor,听Rowdy听of the Dallas Cowboys, for a high-energy celebration of math.

Through a partnership between the and , third grade students at South Davis got to participate in an interactive, football-themed math experience designed to strengthen foundational skills ahead of end-of-year assessments. Approximately 130 Dallas Cowboys math books were provided to the campus, and every third grader received a workbook connecting math concepts to the strategy and excitement of football 鈥� transforming problem-solving into a fun, game-day experience.

鈥淲hen Rowdy arrived on campus, the excitement was immediate and contagious,鈥� said South Davis principal Kalisse Kelly. 鈥淥ur third graders were thrilled to receive new math books, and their enthusiasm was evident as they eagerly flipped through the pages.鈥�

In total, more than 2,000 Dallas Cowboys math books will be distributed to third graders across 91直播.

鈥淲hat made the event truly special was the way it connected learning with motivation,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淪tudents left feeling inspired to work harder and push themselves toward their individual goals. We know this event will leave a lasting impact on their confidence, motivation, and academic growth.鈥�

By combining education, innovation, and a little Cowboys spirit, the initiative demonstrated how creative collaboration can inspire confidence in young learners.

鈥淭he message that education and perseverance matter was clear and powerful,鈥� Kelly said. 鈥淓xperiences like this remind our students that their community believes in them and supports their success."

91直播 is grateful to the Dallas Cowboys and Blockchain.com for investing in our students and helping make math memorable, meaningful, and fun. We know that when community partners step up, our students win every time.

Students dress up as historical and cultural figures

Anderson Elementary was buzzing with excitement yesterday as students transformed into some of the world鈥檚 most influential figures for second grade鈥檚 Living Wax Museum. Families and staff walked through hallways lined with 鈥渋cons鈥� such as Albert Einstein, Cristiano Ronaldo, Selena Quintanilla, Neil Armstrong, and Princess Diana.听

The Living Wax Museum began last year thanks to a $10,000 grant awarded to Anderson librarian Christina Stewart. The grant funded a new collection of biographies, giving students access to engaging texts about historical and pop culture figures.

鈥淭he students work very hard researching their historical or pop culture figure, writing a speech as that person, creating a visual display, and dressing up in costume as their person,鈥� Stewart said.

The hands-on learning experience helps blend reading, writing, research, and public speaking.

Leading up to the event, students spent weeks immersing themselves in the lives of their chosen figures. They researched biographies, created posters, rehearsed their lines, and pulled together costumes that made their characters instantly recognizable. By the time families arrived at the event, each student was prepared to 鈥渃ome to life鈥� at the press of a button.

鈥淭hey revised their writing, strengthened their speaking skills, and rehearsed until they felt prepared and confident,鈥� second-grade team lead Tammy Owens said. 鈥淚 am incredibly proud of the dedication, perseverance, and responsibility our students have shown.鈥�

With two successful years behind them, Anderson鈥檚 Living Wax Museum has continued to inspire curiosity, build academic skills, and allow students to shine in front of their community.

The project is a powerful example of how innovative teaching, strong collaboration, and support from the 91直播 Education Foundation create unforgettable learning experiences for students.

23 students sell animals in Sale of Champions

Saturday was a really good day for 91直播鈥檚 agriculture program at the . And it was extra good for Martin High School senior Max Maurer.

First, Maurer鈥檚 steer was named the Champion American Steer. Then, the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Brooke Rollins, purchased his steer at the Sale of Champions.

鈥淲hen Brooke Rollins bought my steer, it meant a lot to me,鈥� Maurer 鈥� who is planning to go to Angelo State University next year and major in agribusiness 鈥� said. 鈥淚t made all the early mornings, late nights, long days at stock shows, and hard work worth it. Having someone in her position recognize my effort was a huge honor and showed that the work I put in the arena paid off."

Maurer said he couldn't have done it without his ag teachers.

"I give credit to Jwilli [Mr. Williams] and Ms. Garner, for finding a great calf for me," Maurer said. "I couldn't do it without their guidance."听

Tanner Smith, an ag science teacher at Arlington High School and the district鈥檚 (FFA) advisor, got to speak with Secretary Rollins about the steer she purchased.

鈥淪omething that will always stick with me from this particular sale day is when I got the opportunity to personally thank the United States Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淪he called the student by name when she told me, 鈥楳ax was so impressive, that steer is beautiful, and I knew he was from your program. I was excited to support him.鈥� Those words I will think about for a long time. What we are doing here in Arlington is so special, and all of the ag teachers have put in countless hours working to give our students opportunities they will cherish forever."

There will be a lot cherish from Saturday.

Maurer wasn鈥檛 the only 91直播 student to walk away a champion. There were many, like Arlington High鈥檚 Wyatt Hausenfluke with his first-place sheep that won Reserve Champion Fine Wool, Catherine Knowles and her goat, the Overall Reserve Champion Market Goat, and Karmin Harvey, whose Britannia Petite rabbit won Best of Breed. Even an elementary student 鈥� Lincoln Clark from Mary Moore Elementary 鈥� won first place for his Polish rabbit.

A major reason for the success of so many students is the incredible support and guidance they receive from the district's ag teachers. They're champions, too. In addition to Maurer's advisors (Jwilli Williams and Shelby Garner), Zoe Baskerville and Angeles Daniels provided guidance for the听 lambs, Brandon McNeil and Anna Seiber oversaw the goats, Kristin Clark oversaw the rabbits, and Megan Brundrett was the advisor for the youth fair.

Sale of Champions

When it came time for the Sale of Champions, 91直播 FFA was well-represented with 23 students who sold steers, goats, sheep, poultry, and even a turkey. Combined, the students sold their animals for over $43,000. The purchased 19 of those animals, spending nearly $20,000.

But it wasn鈥檛 just students with animals who won awards. Martin鈥檚 Ally Kay Chatwell was busy winning all day. She won first for interpretive floral design and first place for her succulent. Plus, she was named Grand Champion for her first-place cookies! And Cruz Becerra from Lamar High School won first for assymetrical floral design.

"I am so proud of every student in Arlington FFA,鈥� Smith said. 鈥淭he work that these young people put into their projects since July really showed through their presence in the ring and around the barn this week 鈥� If you know any of these students, please congratulate them on a very successful show season! Now it鈥檚 on to clean the barn and get it ready for next year鈥檚 season!鈥�

Students invested a virtual $100,000

At听Morton Elementary, sixth graders听weren鈥檛听just learning about money this fall 鈥� they were making it grow!听

By the end of the semester, their smart decisions paid off. Morton Elementary sixth grade听gifted and talented听students earned听first place at the middle school level听in the Fall 2025听, a statewide competition that introduces students to real-world investing and personal finance.听

Presented by the听, the Stock Market Game gives students a virtual $100,000 to invest using real-time market data. Teams study market trends, follow global news, and adjust their strategies throughout the competition while learning about capital markets, asset allocation, and long-term financial planning.听

For Morton Elementary Principal听Leigh听Adams, the win reflects both academic growth and confidence in her students.听

鈥淎s the proud principal at Morton, I am absolutely bursting-at-the-seams proud,鈥� she said. 鈥淪eeing our students tackle real-world concepts that usually make adults break into a cold sweat is nothing short of inspiring. They听didn鈥檛听just听participate听鈥� they owned it.鈥�听

The opportunity began in the classroom, where听gifted and听talented teacher听Jennifer Riley听introduced the game to her sixth-grade students to make math more meaningful and engaging.听

鈥淪he wanted a way to make numbers feel real rather than just symbols on a worksheet,鈥澨鼳dams听said. 鈥淭he classroom turned into a collaborative trading floor. This was听a great example听of providing 鈥榟igh-floor, no-ceiling鈥� opportunities that challenge students and keep them engaged.鈥�听

During the competition, students managed diversified portfolios that included stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and听exchange traded funds listed on the听听补苍诲听. They worked together to analyze performance, make decisions, and adjust their strategies听鈥撎齭ometimes from the bottom of the leaderboard.听

鈥淲e feel satisfied because we were tough throughout the game and eventually came out first place,鈥澨齭aid听sixth grader Aylin Hernandez. 鈥淥ur team was at the bottom of the leaderboard most of the competition, but we persevered and never lowered our efforts.鈥�听

Along the way, students developed skills that go far beyond investing.听

鈥淭his wasn鈥檛 just about picking stocks,鈥澨鼳dams听said. 鈥淥ur students showed strong critical thinking, mathematical precision, collaboration, and patience听鈥撎齭kills that many adults spend years trying to master.鈥�听

Students also walked away with valuable lessons about money.听

鈥淲e learned you have to be willing to take risks and invest all your money,鈥澨齭aid听team member听Ernesto Teran. 鈥淟eaving money uninvested will not return anything.鈥�听

And while the learning was serious, the experience was fun, too.听

鈥淥ur favorite part was watching our portfolio go up,鈥澨齭aid听team member Adrian Rodriguez. 鈥淭he best part was winning at the end and celebrating together in class."听

The team鈥檚 success听didn鈥檛听go unnoticed. Last week, they were recognized at an 91直播 Board of Trustees meeting, where trustees celebrated their first-place finish and the听hard work听that led to it.听

The Stock Market Game supports Texas academic standards and STEM goals, helping students build skills in math, economics, language arts, and social studies while also strengthening teamwork, planning, and听financial responsibility.听

For Morton Elementary students, the experience proved one thing: with the right opportunities and support, 91直播 students are ready to take on real-world challenges!听听

Congratulations听Stock Game Winners!听听

Abigail Moore is interning with Caterpillar

Abigail Moore, second in her senior class at Arlington High School,听isn鈥檛听just an听aspiring engineer听补苍诲听soon-to-be听professional women鈥檚 baseball player.听She鈥檚听also an听intern听with the world鈥檚 leading manufacturer of construction equipment,听.听

Moore鈥檚听path to a professional internship began with specialized coursework听at听91直播鈥檚听Dan Dipert Career听+听Technical Center听(CTC).听Reflecting on the impact of the program,听Moore听noted that the听CTC听provided her with a听tailored skillset that helped her transition to the professional world.听听

鈥淪tepping into the corporate world as a student, you don鈥檛 really know what to expect,鈥� Moore said.听鈥淵ou听don鈥檛听know the proper terms to use, you听don鈥檛听know how to carry yourself,听and so听I think that they听guided us in the right direction. They taught us how to speak, how to answer interview听questions,听and how to fit into a professional听setting."听

The CTC听has been an integral part of Moore鈥檚 budding career path since her听freshman听year when she听participated听in a class that gave her hands-on engineering experience and knowledge of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems.听From there,听Moore听participated听in a CTC program that pairs students with听internships,听and Caterpillar selected her to join their Risk and Compliance team.听听

鈥淚鈥檝e been having fun learning about Caterpillar as a whole because risk and compliance听is听needed in every听division and sector of the company,鈥� Moore said.听鈥淏ut on the听side,听I鈥檝e听been able to collaborate with some of the engineers that work alongside me and get an inside scoop of what that looks like.鈥�听

Beyond the classroom, Moore is a standout athlete on both the varsity girls鈥� basketball and softball teams for Arlington High and recently signed with the New York Women鈥檚 Professional Baseball League team. Despite having a very busy schedule, Moore believes you can work hard in the classroom and be very successful in extracurricular activities.听

鈥淚 just remember that school always comes first,鈥� Moore said.听鈥淎thletics听are my passion and where my heart is, but听they鈥檙e听not possible without good grades.听It鈥檚听hard balancing those two, but听it鈥檚听necessary to uphold听everything.鈥澨�听

Moore鈥檚 success is impressive, but she is one of many successful students in 91直播 who are leveraging the opportunities offered by the district鈥檚 CTE program. Whether it鈥檚 professional internships, professional certifications, or real-world, hands-on classes, there is something for every student. Learn more about the 91直播 CTE experience.听听

Calling All 91直播 fourth-9th graders

Looking for a fun, FREE way to spend the summer?

Join us at 91直播鈥檚 Camp Innovation, a week-long camp in June where students dive into coding, robotics, and all things tech!

Camp Innovation exposes students to a variety of innovative technologies and learning experiences, designed to:

• Build foundational knowledge and skills for computer science readiness
• Develop the thinking and problem-solving processes required for coding
• Provide hands-on opportunities to develop coding skills
• Participate in enrichment opportunities with technology that emphasizes communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity.

The opportunity to learn coding skills at Camp Innovation can set campers up for success long after camp ends. Teaching kids how to code is one of the best ways to prepare them for the future. Coding helps kids develop academic skills, build qualities like perseverance and organization, and gain valuable 21st-century skills that can even translate into a career. (.)

But Camp Innovation offers even more than that.

"Camp Innovation offers great coding opportunities, but it鈥檚 true value lies in four days of collaborative problem-solving,鈥� said Steve Simpson, 91直播 Director of Technology Integration and Innovation. 鈥淩egardless of their future careers, it鈥檚 the communication, iteration, and teamwork required here that sets students up for success."

There are so many reasons you don't want to miss Camp Innovation. Here are just a few more:

• It's completely FREE
• Learn awesome new skills
• Make new friends
• Enjoy fun snacks like snow cones
• Camp is at the 91直播 Career and Technical Center with free bus rides from your school!

Registration opens on March 1, and spots are limited. Visit for details and the registration link on March 1.