Game On!
East Junior High teachers and students took to the volleyball courts to see who could earn bragging rights for the best volleyball players on the East side of Wylie and earn a little money for their campus. Allison South, assistant principal at East Junior High, said this was the first year for the student/teacher volleyball tourney, which was held from 1:30-3 p.m. on Oct. 25. There were three teams of teachers and students representing seventh and eighth grades for combined total of six teams and each team had a student coach. South said student spectators were selected randomly to participate in fun games between volleyball games that resulted in prizes. The teachers prevailed this year, but our money is on the students to win next year.
Photos Courtesy of A. South
Just One Drive Teaches Community Awareness
Unified Bulldogs was one of the student groups to support the first district-wide drive for the Bulldog Protection Program. DeeDee Baker, coordinator for United Bulldogs, felt the opportunity to serve in this capacity aligned greatly with what ideals her student group champions.
“My hope is that it will emphasize the importance of helping others and being there for their fellow Bulldogs. Everyone comes from different backgrounds and different situations, but everyone deserves to feel accepted and have basic needs met. Unified Bulldogs basic concept is to make others feel accepted and included. The Bulldog Protection Program provides items that can help kids achieve the same thing.”
Photo Courtesy of D. Baker
And the 2024 Don Mouser Award Goes to…
Senior Bryant “Bear” Meng was named the recipient of the Don Mouser Award on Friday, Nov. 1. Meng has played quarterback the last two years for Wylie High School. A senior football player has been selected to receive this leadership award since 1979. Congrats, Bear!
Photo By Wylie Sports
Wylie Nation on Display
Glenda McDonald used her mad art skills to bring the mantra of Wylie High center stage, literally. McDonald, who is the braille transcriber for Wylie ISD, completed the mural over a four-day period.
McDonald said to paint such a large mural she begins with transferring the design to the wall using a projector. This allows her to scale it to the space properly.
“You can’t truly draw it,” said McDonald. “What works for me is to draw in the lines for size and placement and then go back in to fill in the details.”
She completed it last spring break with the help of her husband, Terry, who is the director of the SOAR program for the district. This is McDonald’s fifth mural to complete. She has painted murals on campuses in Forsan ISD, her own classrooms and private residences, and she has another on the horizon for The Stagecoach, an event center located in Stamford.
The mural, which was designed by Wylie High School principal Reagan Berry, was sponsored by the Class of 2024 senior student council members.
Photos Courtesy of K. Johnson and G. McDonald
Having a Ball at Halftime
Wylie senior Nayeli Quintero and junior Josh Corrigan went head-to-head to win $250 at Wylie’s last district home game on Nov. 1. Students registered via Google form to be randomly selected to compete. Quintero won the field-long race to claim her prize, which was sponsored by First Financial Bank. On Sept. 27, senior Jayden Dahl won $500 when she successfully kicked a 25-yard field goal; this was the first half-time activity of the season, which was sponsored by Clear Fork Bank.
Photos Courtesy of K. Johnson and Wylie Sports
How About Some Bacon with that Sundae?
With a little bit of Griddy, too! When Wylie East Intermediate principal Ricky Bacon makes a promise to his students, he goes big or goes home! On Oct. 25, Mr. Bacon followed through on the promise he made to his students if they reached their fundraising goal for their campus – to dance the Griddy all the way out to a human-sized sundae bowl and let them decorate him with all kinds of toppings. Bacon said 25 students were selected randomly to do the job. From the looks of it, they did a great job!
Photo Courtesy of R. Bacon
A Royal Evening
Homecoming nominees shone brightly during Friday night lights Sept 20. Representing the senior class (L-R) are Reagan Graham, Allison McCall, Ella Heuerman, Brighton Diller and Callie O’Connell.
Congratulations to Allison McCall for being selected by her class to reign as the Class of ‘25 Homecoming queen. McCall, who serves as the head drum major for Wylie’s Pure Gold Band, didn’t hesitate to continue her duty before and after being crowned. Congratulations to McCall and all the nominees for being selected to represent their class in this manner.
Photos Courtesy of Wylie Sports and Pure Gold Band
Pink, White & Blue, Plus a Football and Some Tutus
Friday night lights looked a little different on Oct. 25 when more than 300 West Junior High students and volunteers took to the turf at the Hugh for the first annual Powder Puff Football fundraiser. The evening included two games: the fifth-grade girls vs. sixth-grade girls and seventh-grade girls vs. eighth-grade girls with a combined halftime performance by boys from all four grades. Each team was coached by a group of eighth grade football players who serve in various leadership organizations on campus.
According to Jasa Ruff, teacher coordinator for the event, this event would not have been possible without all the parents and staff who volunteered. “Thanks to PTO president Erin Shack who co coordinated with Ruff, all the parents who acted as ‘point people’ for each grade level and handled practices and managed sidelines, and all the teachers and administrators in various roles, it was a success and a night of fun for all,” she said. Coach Garret Cox acted as head official at what Ruff says will be an annual event.
Photos Courtesy of J. Ruff
Story Book Characters Go to School
From east to west, Wylie’s littlest bulldogs, teachers and administrators breathe life into their favorite story book characters. Do you see your favorite?
Photos Courtesy of Campus Staff and K. Johnson