Grads Make Radio Gold and Take National Title

Sammy Gonzalez, Ryan Tuomey (Media Tech Teacher at BBCTA), and Gabriel Kunda show off championship medals

Congratulations to Sammy Gonzalez and Gabriel Kunda for winning gold in the Audio/Radio category at the 2013 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The conference was held June 24-28 in Kansas City, MO. The 49th annual SkillsUSA NLSC is a showcase of career and technical education students.

Representing Ben Barber Career Tech Academy's media tech program, Sammy and Gabriel competed and won gold in the Audio/Radio. Listen to their winning entry. Kunda and Gonzalez are both recent Summit High School graduates.

"I couldn't be more proud of my guys," said Ryan Tuomey, media tech teacher at Ben Barber. "I didn't think I would get emotional, but seeing their face and how happy they were when their name was called, reinforced why I became a teacher. They have worked so hard, stayed focused, and their dedication is what brought them success. I took a line from Friday Night Lights, 'Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose' and that became our motto throughout the competition. These are two great young men and I am honored to be their mentor. They will go on to do great things one day."

Gabriel Kunda will attend Dallas Baptist University and plans to major in music and minor in communications. Sammy Gonzalez plans to attend the MediaTech Institute in Dallas for a year, and then on to Full Sail University in Florida.

Check out the video, produced by Ryan Tuomey, documenting the SkillsUSA trip and gold medal win:  
Skills USA 2013 National Championship from 2me Productions on Vimeo.

Congratulations to Sammy & Gabe from @999thewild, 2013 #SkillsUSA Audio/Radio production Nat'l Champs! winning entry: http://t.co/50WVFmQ025
— Mansfield ISD (@mansfieldisd) July 1, 2013

Pictures of the Week (Sept 24-28)

Wednesday, September 26, marked the public re-opening for Savvy's Bistro, our culinary program's student-run restaurant. Read the post.

Summit HS was the final campus in the high school iPad program deployment. Students and the professional staff at all MISD high schools were issued iPad devices. Over 9,000 iPad 2 devices were issued at high schools. Make-up dates for deployment and an upcoming Parent informational meeting date are pending. Stay current on the high school iPad program.

Dr. Fred Garza's "Reflections" Scientific, Technological, and Literary Observations in Pastel, art exhibit opened on Wednesday, September 26, in the Mansfield HS Library Learning Commons. This exhibit is divided into three distinct parts. Each part of the exhibit is influenced by areas of which Dr. Garza is very passionate. The exhibit will be available Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. -3:30 p.m., until Thursday, November 15, 2012.

Each month during the school year, students from our elementary schools are selected to receive the Superintendent’s Star Award for outstanding citizenship. The photo above is from the September 2012 School Board Meeting photo gallery.

Timberview HS Basketball Coach, Duane Gregory, took some of his basketball players to Thelma Jones Elementary for the elementary school's Camp Out Reading Day on Thursday, September 27. "I’m not sure who enjoyed it more, the elementary students or my guys," said coach Gregory.

Congratulations Summit Girls Basketball 4A State Champions

On Saturday, March 3, the Summit High School varsity girls basketball team defeated Rockwall to secure the UIL Class 4A state championship. Congratulations, Lady Jaguars!

UPDATE: Summit will hold a State Championship Girls Basketball Pep Rally at 8:00 PM on Monday, March 19, 2012 in the varsity gym.

The Jagwire: Lady Jags End Season With State Championship

"For the second time in four years, the Summit Lady Jaguar basketball team ended their season as state champions.

The Lady Jags defeated the Rockwall Lady Yellow Jackets 45-42 in the 4A State Championship game.

'I’m speechless,' senior guard Ashley Eli said. 'I’m sitting here crying, but I’m not sad at all. I’m just really happy. I’m never going to play for Summit again.'" Read more...

Star-Telegram: Mansfield Summit girls outlast Rockwall for 4A championship

"Mansfield Summit won its second state title in four seasons by defeating Rockwall 45-42 Saturday in the UIL Class 4A girls basketball championship at the Erwin Center.

Maya Hawkins, who missed the final two weeks of the regular season and the Jaguars' first three playoff games with an ankle injury, won tournament MVP honors by scoring a team-high 19 points. The junior guard also grabbed five rebounds, dished out a pair of assists and was the only Jaguar to play the entire game." Read more...

Photos courtesy Mansfield Summit High School via Craig Lusinger:

Summit girls basketball last won the state championship in 2009.

Summit Library Aide Humbled by Heartbeat Award

Brenda Wells has a heart for helping others and an eye for opportunities to serve. As a library aide at Summit High School, Wells goes above and beyond her day-to-day responsibilities to make a positive difference in the lives’ of those around her.

Wells was nominated for the MISD Heartbeat Team Award by her coworkers, who had no shortage of positive things to say about her. When Dr. Morrison, Superintendent of Schools, surprised Wells with the award on the morning of November 11, she was overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude.

“I don’t think I’m deserving of this,” she said. “There are so many other people in this school that do so many great things!”

Even in a moment that was intended to honor her, Wells’ instinct was to focus on lifting up those around her.

“We have a great school and great kids,” she said. “The staff is just like a big family and everybody is willing to help everybody and pull together in any situation.”

It’s not uncommon to hear stories about Wells’ generous spirit. She supports many special events at Summit, but is also known for initiating her own special programs. When she heard that a student was in the hospital and would have to miss out on Homecoming and her birthday, she worked to create a poster with hundreds of student signatures and messages for her.

“Brenda has a spark about her,” said Keli Cullen, Teen Leadership teacher. “She is always giving and wanting to do more.”

Wells does so much to make those around her feel special, but thanks to her peers it’s her turn to feel the love. The Mansfield ISD administration is proud to present the November 2011 Heartbeat Team Award to Brenda Wells for her commitment to helping the students and staff of Summit High School.

About the Heartbeat Team
The Mansfield ISD Heartbeat Team was established to recognize employees who display heart in their lives and inspire other district employees through their actions. Heartbeat Team members are nominated only by other district employees. Winners are selected during the school year from those nominated. Those named to the Heartbeat Team are still eligible for other district honors.