Student Starts Organization to Help Homeless Kids

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As she accompanied her mom to help out those who do not have a permanent place to live, McKenzie Charles noticed something—the homeless adults often had children who needed certain items as well.

The sixth-grader at Mary Lillard Intermediate School started thinking about what she could do to solve the problem and came up with an idea.

“I decided to start McKenzie’s Helping Hands to specifically target kids who are less fortunate and need their own items and hygienic products,” she said.

She recruited a group of friends to help plan the execution of the idea and began raising money and products for her cause.

After about a month of fundraising and soliciting donations, she and her friends spent a day gathering all the items and preparing them for distribution.

Charles (second from left) held weekly meetings about the drive.

“We made blessing bags, and we put soap, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, lotion and feminine products that they might need,” Charles added. “We also collected blankets because it’s getting colder outside, and the kids would have something of their own to keep them warm.”

Altogether, 100 blessing bags, 75 blankets and several books were donated to Arlington Life Shelter. Those who helped deliver the items said it was a very humbling experience.

“When we walked into the center, I could tell that the manager on duty was very happy that we were there to deliver them,” explained Chaneera Francis, a kindergarten teacher at Martha Reid Leadership Academy. “But the children—our kids—were pretty much quiet and taking in everything and just having a moment of gratefulness that they were able to give back and have an impact on their community.”

Francis said that the project was completely student-run, and it taught the students some valuable lessons as well.

“They had real meetings with each other to go over logistics and ramp up their fundraising efforts,” Francis continued. “There were a lot of learning experiences along the way, and they were able to hone a lot of their social and business skills while helping others.”

Charles said she likes giving back. Eventually, the 11-year old said she wants to make her organization global.

“Some of the other countries I’m thinking of helping are Russia, Spain, Panama…just anywhere that has a need really. I don’t want anybody to go without the basics.”

Charles plans to host another drive to help local homeless children in the spring. She said she is already in talks with shelters to see what items will be needed.

MISD Teacher Leads Junior Step Team to Success

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It’s hard to imagine that Christy Heath didn’t even know what stepping was five years ago. The dance form, which uses the body to produce rhythmic sounds through footsteps and handclaps, was a new concept to her.

Heath was introduced to it when she was asked to help with the administrative side of a step team at her previous school district.

“I had no clue what stepping even was, but I was in marching band, so I knew about form, timing and precision,” she explained.

The following year, the math teacher became the main coach for the group, leading her team to back-to-back national titles. She came to Mansfield ISD in 2015 and revitalized the step team at Mary Lillard Intermediate School.

“I simply asked them if they wanted to compete or not, and they were all gung-ho about competing,” she said. “So I signed them up to compete, and that year they did go to nationals.”

The girls practice after school at Lillard Intermediate
during competition season.

The Powerhouse Steppers, which also includes students from Danny Jones Middle School, didn’t win the national title, but they kept pushing themselves to learn harder routines and compete with the best step teams in the area.

As a result, the group was named 2018 league champions of the Texas Dance and Step Association.

The steppers said that performing is fun, but they also value the relationships they develop with team members.

“We’re like a family,” said Camryn Morgan, seventh-grader at Danny Jones Middle School. “We help each other, we motivate each other and we just have each other’s backs.”

The group started working together with neighboring Lake Ridge High School to get the younger team familiar with their future teammates and coaches.

“When we’re at competition, they’re supporting us, we’re supporting them, and it’s just ‘Bring it home to Mansfield. Bring it home to Mansfield’ every time,” said Heath.

The Powerhouse Steppers earned five trophies for the 2017-18 school year, placing in nearly every compeition. Their season will resume in August.

MISD Students Explore the Sounds of Strings

A new type of sound can be heard in the hallways of Mansfield ISD intermediate schools this year. Students are getting the opportunity to participate in the district’s new orchestra program.

“I love that orchestra is important to the district,” said Kevin Pearce, orchestra instructor at Mary Lillard and Mary Orr intermediate schools. “I think it’s an essential part of a well-rounded music program in school.”

For its inaugural year, the program serves as an exploratory class to expose fifth graders to string instruments. Students are learning various techniques, such as bowing and plucking. Pearce said he is impressed with how quickly his classes are learning the concepts.

Pearce led the orchestra class during a recent mini-concert.

“I’ve seen some really nice progress in them, especially considering how they’re not practicing at home,” Pearce explained. “They’re still moving as quickly through a method as other school districts where they did have instruments that they’re taking home.”

Lilan Jackson, fifth grader at Mary Lillard Intermediate School, said although she loves singing, being able to play a stringed instrument brings a different dynamic that she appreciates.

“For singing, it’s my voice, so I know how to control it; but for music, I can control it with my fingers, but I don’t control the sound,” said Jackson. “I like how it just comes out, and I like to hear that.”

The MISD orchestra program will expand in phases to the middle school and high school levels. For more information about the district’s fine arts programs, visit the MISD website.

Respect Yourself. Be Drug Free.

Red Ribbon Week, the nationwide campaign to take a stand against drugs, is 30 years strong and continues to gain momentum. The annual initiative is held every year on Oct. 23-31.

Joe Scriv, Champ, Principal Rita Ashley, and Mavs Man
getting ready to inspire kids to be drug free.

Campuses around Mansfield ISD joined the effort to show the importance of living a drug-free lifestyle. Students and staff took part in activities like putting a cap to drugs by hearing hats, showing that they have power over drugs by dressing up as super heroes, and turning their backs to drugs by wearing their clothes backwards.

Mary Lillard Intermediate School had something special in store for their students to kick off Red Ribbon Week. Dallas Mavericks mascots Champ and Mavs Man visited the campus to encourage the kids to stay confident and resist peer pressure.

“We talk to the kids about making sure they stay drug free and make better choices so that they can stay on the path to success,” said Joe Scriv of the Dallas Mavericks Organization.

Organizers said the performers were the perfect touch to get the message across.

“We really wanted to provide something students could relate to,” said Lillard PTA chairperson Lisa Huff. “After brainstorming, we thought this high-energy show would bolster student morale and let the students know that cool people really don’t do drugs.”

Mansfield Mayor David Cook and Principal Rita Ashley
after the proclamation of Red Ribbon Week.

The finale was certainly one to remember as Mavs Man dunked over several students and staff who were standing under the basketball net. It was yet another reminder to the kids that they can’t perform at those optimum levels if they start using drugs.

Mansfield Mayor David Cook ended the event by proclaiming it to be Red Ribbon Week in the City of Mansfield. He inspired the crowd to take the Red Ribbon theme to heart throughout the entire year: Respect yourself. Be drug free.