Will Traxson of the Hannigan Smith Funeral Home presents the Athens High School Show Choir with a donation in support of the choir’s upcoming trip. The Show Choir will be leaving Wednesday for Colorado to attend the Winter Park Music Ski Festival. (COURTESY PHOTO)
Category: Education
Malakoff wins “Gold Leadership Circle Award”
By mvhannigan
Malakoff ISD Superintendent Randy Perry announced today that the school district has been presented the Texas Comptroller’s “Gold Leadership Circle Award” for the fourth straight year.
The award recognizes “local governments across Texas that are striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online.”
As both a reporter and a taxpayer, I appreciate when officials make it easy to follow the money, and Malakoff ISD has scored the highest marks for transparency for four consecutive years.
“Congratulations to Business Manager Mary Ferguson and the business office for this distinction,” Perry said. “I am thankful for all of their hard work. Great things are happening at Malakoff ISD.”
According to the Texas Comptroller’s website, Eustace ISD is the only other Gold Circle award winner, and EISD has earned the award at least three straight years.
Malakoff High School: ‘No longer about providing just the basics’
Press release from Malakoff High School
Malakoff High School is busy working towards its preparation of students for their future success.
“High school is no longer about providing just the basics. It’s about making sure our students are college and workforce ready,” Principal Daniel Barton said.
In order for students to have the opportunity to gain university credit, the campus has added Advanced Placement classes in Psychology, World History, Government, and Calculus.
“This is an excellent chance for students to prepare to succeed at a major university,” counselor Laurie Boze added.
Malakoff High School also offers numerous dual credit courses with Trinity Valley Community College, such as College Algebra and Statistics, Biology, English, and History. These classes grant students the chance to gain college credit along with required state credits. In addition to these courses, there are several certifications available for students to earn such as a Certified Nurses Aide or Microsoft Office Specialist.
Boze has also opened a career center at the high school this year. This center is open to students to obtain scholarship applications, college and career information, and obtain SAT and ACT preparation materials. There are also two computers available to students who need to complete college or workforce applications, scholarship applications, college and career research, or to register for the SAT, ACT, or THEA.
“We are excited about the opening of the career center as it assists in achieving our vision at Malakoff High School: Developing superior 21st century leaders and thinkers in a global society,” she said
Additionally, Kenneth Hancock and Brent Watkins, Ag Science and Construction Trades instructors, became certified members of the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) to provide students the opportunity to gain certification. Students in journalism class are using the newest software available to create the Tiger yearbook and will head out into the workforce and to college with InDesign experience. Students are also able to take an Animation class that gives them experience in graphic design.
For added exposure to college life, several trips are planned for students to visit nearby colleges and universities. Students will have the opportunity to visit schools such as Mary-Hardin Baylor, The University of Texas at Tyler, Stephen F. Austin State University, Trinity Valley Community College, and Baylor University.
Malakoff High School is dedicated to the preparation of its students for the future. They are committed to student success.
Moss invited to National Youth Leadership Forum
David Moss is looking to make one of those life-changing trips.
David, a freshman at Eustace High School, has been invited to the prestigious National Youth Leadership Forum to be held in Washington, D.C. The forum which deals with law and crime scene investigation is scheduled for July 9-14.
Since 2000, there have only been five other students from Eustace who have attended this event, but David will be the first to attend the Law and CSI forum.
He has been aiming for a career in the law since he was 6 years old, his mother said.
Trips like this can be costly, however, and this one is no different. David is working to raise the nearly $3,000 needed. That includes $1,795 for tuition and $825 for travel expenses, plus a little extra for the required wardrobe.
David will be holding a bake sale and car wash at First Baptist Church in Eustace from noon to 4 p.m. April 6.
To help David, please contact Andrea Copeland at 903-603-6178 or email [email protected].
Big honor for AHS student
Athens High School student Chris O’Brien received the highest honor in the National Forensic League Speech and Debate Honor Society recently. He received Premier Distinction level as a competitor. Students are given these distinctions based on their competitive success while in high school. School officials say Chris is the first Athens High School student to ever achieve this honor.