C-E-L-E-B-R-A-T-E. Those words shine and sparkle on the stage as students across TISD performing the opening dance by Kool & the Gang. On July 31, TISD showcased its annual Convocation, marking the start of a new school year for teachers and student leaders.
This event showcases student leadership and the plans for the new school year. Convocation sets the stage for the teachers to maintain a positive vibe for the school year. It also attracts great keynote speakers such as Damon West, a three-time Wall Street Journal bestselling author and college professor of criminal justice.
“Seeing the kind of leadership that we have in the district, whether it’s our students or our staff, makes me feel proud and grateful to be a part of it,” Superintendent Dr. Doug Brubaker said. “I’m also really excited about the future when I look at the development of our students.”
Dr. Brubaker presented a message to all the teachers, addressing the past and new agendas for the school year.
“The main topic[s] were thanking [teachers] in advance for the great work that they’re gonna do with our kids this year, looking back on the past & celebrating our accomplishments to charting the course for the future,” Brubaker said.
Student leadership prevails here at Texas High and prepares students for the future ahead of them.
“We not only want to teach kids the knowledge and the skills that they’re going to need, [but also to] be successful later in life,” Brubaker said. “We also want them to learn how to make good decisions and lead others in positive ways.”
Student leaders such as Griffin White and Sanders Wiggins prepared for this event, specifically MC’ing and opening performances.
“I think it’s a great way to kick off the school year for our teachers,” Wiggins said. “They do so much for us all year long, so the least we can do is put on a show and give them some gifts from different companies.”
Susan Waldrep, student council and leadership advisor, welcomes the ushering in of a new school year with her colleagues.
“The TISD Convocation is really special because it’s like our kickoff,” Waldrep said. “You get to see people from all over the district that rarely get together, and it’s a good time to just celebrate as a tiger.”
The planning for this event goes back as far as January, from scripts to dances to inviting keynote speakers.
“A lot of central office people are involved in the actual planning,” Waldrep said. “[Damon West] happened to be a friend of Coach Stanford, and Christy Tidwell coordinated that.”
A positive tone and excitement for the new year build at Texas High.
“I just love the people I get to work with, and it’s such a pleasure to have them all together to kick off another school year,” Brubaker said.
