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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 — 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’s goal of helping students see how early learning connects to future opportunities.

“We applied for a grant and had Aero Explorer come out and teach our students about careers in aviation,” Wilks said. “According to Aero Explorer’s 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’re doing in elementary school can turn into a career for them.”

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.

“I’ve asked pilots when they were inspired, and so many times people have told me it was by second grade,” McGee said. “Introducing this to prekindergarten through third grade creates generational change because kids can see themselves in roles they may not have known about.”

She added that aerospace careers extend far beyond flying airplanes.

“Any career that exists, exists within aerospace,” McGee said. “If students want to be a chef or a fashion designer, that exists within this field too.”

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

“I liked flying an airplane and controlling the airplane because we never did it before,” kindergartener Mason V. said.

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

“We were brushing teeth and going to see if the airplanes were safe,” 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’s impact was clear as she spoke with students across grade levels.

“I’ve gone around and asked kids, ‘What’s your favorite station?’ and they say, ‘All of them!’” Wilks said. “So if you’re trying to promote STEM, this is definitely it.”

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

“This program helps generations by exposing kids to careers they may have never considered,” 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.

91ֱ�� honored 93 student‑athletes during its districtwide ceremony today. 

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.

“I'm proud of all the schools in 91ֱ��,” said Dashuan Marable, a football player at Seguin High School heading to West Texas A&M University. “It 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.” 

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

“I'm really excited for the future, and I'm really thankful for my coaches preparing me for that next level,” said Brandon Heath, a football player from Martin High School heading to College of the Holy Cross. “From 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.”

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.

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

Many student‑athletes said the moment felt surreal, marking the payoff of years of early‑morning practices, late‑night homework, and unwavering support from their families and coaches.

“I’ve 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,” said Kalysa Humbles, a volleyball player from Arlington High School who will play at Weatherford College next year. 

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

“You don't have to keep the same sport just because you feel like that's what you are meant to do,” said Lydia Nichols, a cheer and tumbling athlete from Lamar High School heading to cheer at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. “I'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.”

That’s 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.

“Don't let anything deter you: games, practices – everyone has bad practices, it took me a while to learn that," Hall said.  “Keep pushing through, and you'll eventually get to where you want to be.”

Congratulations athletes!

Healthy Hub offers free food and wellness support

91ֱ�� celebrated the opening of its first at South Davis Elementary last week in partnership with Texas Health Resources and Atmos Energy. The Hub provides families free access to fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy shelf‑stable foods, and nutrition education designed to support long‑term wellness.

The Hub was a big success on opening day. South Davis Principal Kalisse Kelly said the Hub provided food to 96 families, representing 437 household members. Families received recipes featuring ingredients available at the Hub, along with information on local resources. Each household will be able to visit the Hub twice a month.

“This initiative not only addresses immediate needs within our community but also lays the foundation for long-term wellness by empowering families to make informed, healthy choices,” Kelly said. “I am incredibly humbled and proud of what has been accomplished through the collective efforts of our school and community partners, and I look forward to seeing the continued impact this Hub will have on the families we serve.”

Through the partnership with Texas Health, South Davis has also received a school learning garden, a free Scholastic book fair for all students, and a schoolwide yoga program promoting mindfulness and physical well-being. The school was also recently awarded a grant to support the South Davis Running Club.

“South Davis was selected as the first 91ֱ�� campus to receive a Good For You location as it clearly reflects a community need and is well-prepared to bring the program to life,” said Matt Dufrene, vice president of Community Partnerships, Ambulatory and Virtual Channel at Texas Health. “Pairing the Hub with existing Texas Health initiatives at the school expands support and creates a lasting impact.”

The campus plans to host quarterly nutrition events at the Hub that provide valuable education, practical resources, and family-friendly recipes that support healthy eating habits at home.

Texas Health currently supports more than 20 Hubs in neighboring school districts, community centers, and nonprofits. The South Davis location is the first within 91ֱ�� and reflects Texas Health’s commitment to creating school environments that strengthen the nutrition security of students and their families. The South Davis Hub is the result of 10 months of teamwork across 91ֱ�� departments, including the grants department, food and nutrition, and facilities, along with our dedicated partners from Texas Health and Atmos.

91ֱ�� has once again been recognized as one of the nation’s top school systems for music education, earning distinction in the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education awards presented by the .

This is 91ֱ��’s 20th year to receive this recognition, placing the district among the highest and most consistently recognized systems in the country. Only 35 districts can claim the same recognition, with only five from Texas. This award underscores the significance of 91ֱ��’s long-term performance and dedication to music education.

“Receiving this award for 20 consecutive years demonstrates 91ֱ��'s strong commitment to strengthening student success and enriching school culture through music,” said 91ֱ�� interim director of fine arts. “The honor belongs not only to our educators and students, but also to a community that continues to champion fine arts education.”

The NAMM Foundation’s designation is awarded to districts that demonstrate comprehensive access to music education, sustained program quality, and strong community support. 91ֱ��’s continued inclusion highlights the district’s strategic investment in fine arts programming and its alignment with broader educational goals.

91ֱ�� is drawing major attention in the fine arts world!

Thirty-seven high school artists were selected as Visual Arts All‑Staters through the This distinction places them among the top young artists in Texas and recognizes their exceptional dedication to the visual arts.

The All‑State medals showcase the remarkable diversity of mediums, styles, and artistic voices found throughout 91ֱ��’s high schools. From intricate drawings to expressive paintings, the students’ work reflects both technical skill and personal storytelling.

“VASE gives students a chance to express creativity and talent while gaining competitive experience with fellow artists,” said Tricia Turner, Lamar High School art teacher. “Through art, students explore endless possibilities, deepen their skills, and expand their understanding of what art can be.”

Earning All‑State status is the highest individual honor a Texas high school art student can receive. Students are evaluated in areas such as originality, technical ability, personal expression, and understanding of the creative process.

“Simply reaching the state level represents the culmination of months of dedicated work, both in creating their artwork and developing the ability to professionally articulate their process concepts and artistic choices,” said Sharon Miller, Martin High School art teacher. “This ability to clearly communicate one’s ideas is a skill our art students will carry with them for the rest of their lives.”

The State VASE event gives students a powerful chance to shape their artistic future by meeting directly with college and university art representatives who review their portfolios and may offer admissions acceptance or scholarships.

“I’m grateful our state and district offer such a big competition for young artists. We look forward to it every year,” said Elizabeth Fieler, Bowie High School art teacher.

91ֱ��’s commitment to fine arts continues to open doors for students to explore and excel in creative fields. That support doesn’t just prepare them for events like VASE, it empowers them to discover their voice and confidently pursue opportunities that shape their future.

According to the Texas Art Education Association’s 2026 District Administrators Summary Report, 32,456 artworks were evaluated at the regional level, with 2,154 advancing to State VASE. Of the 292 91ֱ�� entries submitted to High School VASE Region 11S, 210 earned the highest regional rating.

91ֱ�� 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, 91ֱ�� technology integration specialist. "91ֱ�� 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 Upper Elementary RVR category, Moore continued its winning streak, clinching another first-place trophy for their mastery of the all-terrain RVR+ platform.

Success in the Middle School Age Groups

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

• Gunn Junior High: Captured second place, showcasing elite problem-solving skills and technical precision under pressure.
• Swift Elementary: Secured 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’s ability to think on their feet. Both Moore and Gunn were recognized with the Best Solution Award 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 91ֱ��’s talent. In addition to the winners, the following schools sent dedicated teams that contributed to the district’s overall success:

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

Congrats to all 25 teams!