STEM Students Create Empowering Girls Conference

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The Empowering Girls Club, started by four Jerry Knight STEM Academy learners, held their kick off event on April 6 at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts. The event was meant to help build middle school girls self-esteem.

The club began as a school project created by seventh-graders Erica Christenson, Lillian Osborne, Rebecca Peck and Anna Tomlinson, and is now blossoming into an ongoing resource for female students to be empowered and inspired for years to come.

“The purpose of creating Empowering Girls was to mainly help teenage girls with their self-esteem,” said Tomlinson. “We saw a problem with their social and emotional learning and we really just wanted to help them maintain a higher self-esteem throughout their education careers.”

The event was for moms and their students. It featured guest speakers, breakout sessions and the Debully Band.

“I loved seeing all the girls during it and seeing how interested they were in the actual event itself,” said Peck. “It made me very proud of all the work we did.”

The event stemmed from a project focusing on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a psychology theory that states that there are certain needs that must be met before becoming self-actualized.

“We tasked all of our learners with identifying a need in the community,” said Jeremy Beckwith, a designer at the STEM Academy. “This is a significant need with the young girls in our society right now. I’m very proud that they chose something that is near and dear to them.”

Using the engineering design process, the creators began planning for the event in the fall of 2018 and in December, Empowering Girls was awarded a grant from the MISD Education Foundation.

“The research part of this project was probably one of the longest stages,” said Tomlinson. “We needed a lot of information to try to make our club the best it can be.”

In the future, the creators hope to expand the event to make it more purposeful and impactful.

“I’m proud of the event and the work we’ve done,” said Osborne. “Overall it was a lot of work, but it was really great.”

MISD Names 2019 District Spelling Bee Champion

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After two hours of meticulously spelling out a list of vocabulary words, the word “cordial,” followed by the sound of an elimination bell, left only one student standing.

Tiffany Lam, a seventh-grader at T.A. Howard Middle School, stepped forward to the microphone. Her heart started to beat rapidly when she knew she was only one word away from being the Mansfield ISD spelling bee champion.

“When he first said ‘amputation,’ I thought it was really easy, but I went slower just in case,” Lam recalled.

She spelled the word correctly, and the crowd cheered with excitement to welcome the new districtwide winner.

MISD hosted its annual spelling bee on Feb. 8 at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts. The contestants are students from third grade through eighth grade throughout the district who have won at their campus.

“Last year, I think we went 17 rounds. This year, we went 53 rounds. That’s the longest, I believe, in our history,” said Kristi Gonzales, MISD coordinator of elementary language arts. “So it’s pretty incredible to see the growth, and I think that’s attributed a lot to some of our explicit phonics instruction in the classroom.”

Beekman says she was more nervous than Lam during the bee.

Lam knew the feeling of being in the final round all too well. She was a runner-up in the district spelling bee last year; but this year, she felt confident that the trophy would be hers. She said her strategy for remembering the correct spelling was to write the word with her finger on her hand.

“It felt amazing because I’ve been going to the district spelling bee since fourth grade,” said Lam. “Now, that’s all paid off.”

Event organizers noted that being part of the competition is about more than simply spelling. Participants are able to increase their social skills as well.

“We’re asking them to get up on stage and spell publicly, which is helping them with their communication, and their public speaking skills and their building their self-confidence,” Gonzales continued.

This is the second consecutive year a student from T.A. Howard Middle School has placed first in the district spelling bee. Her teacher said it is a very proud moment.

“She’s absolutely a phenomenal kid,” said English teacher Lisa Beekman. “We just have some phenomenal spellers. They’re just phenomenal spellers out there. We’ve been blessed for two years in a row to collect those kids.”

Lam will participate in the 2019 Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on Thursday, March 7 at 8 a.m. The event will take place at Texas Christian University.

MISD Schools Team Up to Empower Adolescent Girls

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With the growing emphasis on social media likes and the changing standards of beauty, there’s a lot of pressure put on teenage girls in today’s society.

Two Mansfield ISD counselors heard firsthand the various stories of low self-confidence, so they set out to let young women know their own worth.

“The young ladies who come into my office are often talking about their low self-esteem, doing things in regards to them wanting attention from young men, and things of that nature,” said Candace Chism, seventh-grade counselor at T.A. Howard Middle School. “Or they’re coming in and just saying, ‘I don’t think I’m beautiful. I don’t think anybody likes me.’”

Chism collaborated with Marcie Thomas, a counselor at neighboring Cross Timbers Intermediate School, to inspire girls to become positive women through a half-day conference. Approximately 100 teenage girls from both campuses attended the Level Up Girls Empowerment Conference on Jan. 10 at the Mansfield ISD Center for the Performing Arts.

There were four breakout sessions covering the topics of self-image, mental health, hygiene and career goals. The keynote speaker was former Miss Black USA, Ocielia Gibson.

Organizers and students wore "flawsome" shirts to remind
each other that everyone is flawed yet equally awesome.

“I had an amazing time with the girls. What we did is talk to them about being pretty ‘L.I.T.,’” Gibson said after her presentation. “My philosophy and my recipe for being L.I.T. is loving yourself, ignoring distractions and turning towards your dreams and destiny.”

The girls who attended said they were able to learn something new and open up about relevant topics to adults who have been through the same thing.

“I think it’s a really good thing to have for kids my age and a little older because it’s something that we don’t really like to talk about a lot,” said Rebekkah Gorman, sixth-grader at Cross Timbers Intermediate School. “And I feel like if we have people who have come from that and can really explain it to us, that’d be good for us.”

Thomas said she plans to continue the conference in the years to come. In the meantime, she hopes to see some immediate improvements in the attitude and behavior of the newly empowered teenagers.

“Success to me would be me seeing these girls in the hallway exuding what they’ve been taught,” the counselor explained. “I’d love to see the girls affirming each other after this and staying away from the unnecessary drama.”

The conference was for girls in grades 6 through 8. The counselors said those who attended were chosen directly by them, referred by other staff members or showed great interest in the topics being discussed.

MISD Students Make Holidays Brighter for Community Members

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‘Tis the season to give to others, and many Mansfield ISD students did just for people of all ages before leaving for the winter break.

QUALITY TIME WITH SENIORS

Students at The Phoenix Academy walked down to the Mansfield Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with decorations, food and games to let residents know that they are not forgotten. It’s a tradition that the teenagers and staff members look forward to every year.

Phoenix Academy students sing carols down the halls.

“We do lots of activities,” explained Sally McClure, a science teacher at the school. “We cut out snowflakes. We pass out stockings, refreshments and Christmas cards. The students go caroling around the halls for the residents. It’s just a great time.”

Although it may seem like a small gesture, senior Kelsy Jackson said she knows it makes an impact in the lives of the elderly residents because quality time is important to them.

“Honestly, I think it just brings them a lot of joy because some of them just haven’t seen their family in a long time or they haven’t had visitors,” she said. “So when we come and visit them, I feel like maybe it just makes them a bit happier.”

McClure said the event helps the development of the students as well. She said they are able to develop empathy and learn how to get along with various members of the community.

KIDS HELPING KIDS 

Over at Rogene Worley Middle School, students adopted 25 Mansfield ISD elementary school students to make their holiday season a little more joyous.

As part of its Adopt-A-Kid program, Worley Middle School gets a list of what some less fortunate students will need for the holidays, and the middle schoolers buy as many of the items as they can.

Worley students gather as their adopted child opens one of many gifts.

Principal Julia McMains said she heard heartwarming stories of fundraising efforts throughout the week, but one in particular really showed how dedicated her students were to the cause.

“My friend came into class, and she had mentioned that she had seen a big dollhouse, and she really wanted to get it, but it was $200,” said eighth-grader Zachariah Castillo. “Whenever I did the math, it would have been $8 per student, so we pushed to raise the money. I was surprised that it worked out. We didn’t get a lot at first; but by the third day, we had more than enough to make a little girl’s dreams come true.”

Apart from gifts, the elementary-aged children are also treated to a time of food and fun.

Worley Middle School has held its Adopt-A-Kid Program for more than 30 years. Hundreds of children have been adopted by the school within that span of time.

MISD School Mixes It Up to Cross Social Boundaries

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Lunchtime can be a scary moment for students. As they walk into the cafeteria, they have many quick decisions to make. Where do I sit? With whom? Will they like me? Will I fit in?

To help ease the possible anxiety and create a campus atmosphere of togetherness, staff at Danny Jones Middle School decided to break up the usual groups and change things up a bit.

It was part of Mix It Up at Lunch Day, an international campaign that encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries. Jones Middle School students walked into the cafeteria on Wednesday and had to sit at table with kids who shared the first letter of their first name.

“They mix up your seat organization so that you sit with people that you don’t normally sit with and make new friends and enjoy your time with other people that you don’t normally spend time with,” said eighth-grader Aaron Newman.

Tonya Willis, the school counselor, said she brought the idea to Jones Middle School because she wanted to spread kindness and connectivity.

New friends captured the moment at a decorated area on the stage.

“We try to talk about this because most times when you read about things that happened in school, the person who committed a crime when asked says, ‘I went to school and no one ever said hi to me. No one spoke to me in the school day,’” Willis explained. “We like to have Mix It Up Day so that all kids get to meet someone else, and they feel they’re a part of something.”

During the mixed up seating arrangement, games are played to help the students feel more comfortable to talk with one another. When students made a new friend, they had the chance to take a picture together at the Mix It Up photo area.

Plenty of students went outside of their usual social bubble on Mix It Up Day. Willis said the effects of the connections will last well beyond lunchtime.

“These kids are going to see the people they met all throughout the school year and built deeper relationships,” she added. “Some even exchanged information so that they can talk even outside of the school day.”

The counselor explained that the day was successful because she saw plenty of smiles and students were able to meet new people.

Teaching Tolerance launched the Mix It Up program in 2001 to promote inclusion. Schools can organize a Mix It Up at Lunch Day any time during the school year. Registration is free, and schools that register are eligible for special contests and giveaways.

This is the second year Danny Jones Middle School has held a Mix It Up at Lunch Day.

MISD’s Youngest District Spelling Bee Champ Reclaims Title

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It was a familiar feeling for 13-year-old Kailey Choi to be on stage holding the district spelling bee plaque.

The eighth-grader from T.A. Howard Middle School made her debut at the Mansfield ISD District Spelling Bee when she was in third grade and became MISD’s youngest champion.

In the following years, Choi qualified for the competition but fell short of the first place title. That is, until this year’s contest, which is the last year she will be able to participate in the event.

“It’s like a legacy,” she said. “I won first, and I won last.”

Choi competed with campus winners from MISD’s elementary, intermediate and middle schools to earn the district title. She won in the ninth round with the word “infrastructure.”

Choi's father and principal came to support her.

“When I heard the word, I freaked out; but then I calmed myself down and said it letter by letter,” Choi explained.

Organizers of the Feb. 9 event, sponsored by the Mansfield Sunshine Rotary Club, said they have been preparing for it since September. It takes work to coordinate each campus bee and the district competition, but they said the end result is satisfying.

“My favorite part of the spelling bee is seeing those kids on stage with their eager faces and all of their study skills and habits coming into fruition,” said Kristi Gonzales, MISD coordinator of elementary language arts.

Gonzales added that spelling bees help students with communication skills and self-confidence.

Choi will be going off to high school next year and will not be eligible to compete, but she gave her advice for those wanting to earn the next district title.

“What you have to do is strive for it, study and be calm.”

The spelling bee champ will now prepare for the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee on March 1 at Texas Christian University. When she appeared at the event five years ago, she lasted 14 rounds.

MISD Spelling Bee Campus Winners

School	Student
Alice Ponder Elementary	Dinh Luong
Anna May Daulton Elementary	Prince Olowookere
Annette Perry Elementary	Riley Myrow
Asa Low Intermediate	Samantha Malone
Brooks Wester Middle School	Emmanuel Allison
Carol Holt Elementary	Emily Trinh
Charlotte Anderson Elementary	Daniel Ogiozee
Cora Spencer Elementary	Kaleb Giggins
Cross Timbers Intermediate	Tiffany Lam (district runner-up)
D. P. Morris Elementary	Amina Allen
Danny Jones Middle School	Zoe Leddy
Della Icenhower Intermediate	Ayush Shah
Donna Shepard Intermediate	Jaxson Latimer
Elizabeth Smith Elementary	Caden Overby
Erma Nash Elementary	Joseph Oehlke
Glenn Harmon Elementary	Omar Akkad
Imogene Gideon Elementary	Adebola Adeshola
J. L. Boren Elementary	Mariam Dohadwala
James Coble Middle School	Yvaine Penaranda
Janet Brockett Elementary	Marli Field
Judy Miller Elementary	Zain Durrani
Kenneth Davis Elementary	Josiah Smith
Linda Jobe Middle School	Ruth Oyerokun
Louise Cabaniss Elementary	Lucy Duku
Martha Reid Elementary	Angel Brefro
Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary	Marcus Jones
Mary Lillard Intermediate	Collin Overby
Mary Orr Intermediate	Noah Gakuba
Nancy Neal Elementary	Kamryn Ross
Roberta Tipps Elementary	Ryu Cheng
Rogene Worley Middle School	Tojumi Olayiwole
T. A. Howard Middle School	Kailey Choi  (district winner)
Tarver-Rendon Elementary	Joshua Oyerokun
Thelma Jones Elementary	Hailey Alajandre
Willie Brown Elementary	Tej Marimuthu

 

Middle Schoolers Adopt a Child for the Holidays

The holidays came a little early for some children at Alice Ponder Elementary School. Students at neighboring Rogene Worley Middle School adopted a few of the elementary school students and showered them with gifts, food and fun.

The Adopt-a-Child tradition has been going on at Worley Middle School for more than 20 years. The school gets a list of what some less fortunate Ponder Elementary students will need for the holidays, and the middle schoolers buy as many of the items as they can.

A Worley student presents a child with one of many gifts.

"It's just a wonderful day to see our students watch joy in the eyes of another person and know that they were a part of that," said Principal Julia McMains of Worley Middle School. "This is one of our best days of the year and one of our proudest moments."

One by one, the elementary students unwrapped their gifts, ranging from bikes to dolls and race cars. The look of excitement could be seen on the faces of the children and the older students who surrounded them.

"We decided that we need to make their Christmas happy," said eighth-grader Malachi Witherspoon. "It was all worth it when we saw the expressions on the children's faces."

Worley's Adopt-a-Child event is sponsored by the student council. The student body spends time decorating classrooms and providing snacks to make the day of opening presents extra special for the elementary students.

MISD Eighth Grader Heads to State Geography Bee

Eighth grader Anaiah Matthews said he is preparing every day
for the state geography bee.

If at first you don’t succeed, you try again. For Brooks Wester Middle School student Anaiah Matthews, that persistence took him all the way to the state competition of the National Geographic Bee.

The eighth grader said he was eliminated in the school primary round of the geography bee last year, but he didn’t let that keep him down.

“I was disappointed,” said Matthews. “But then I said, ‘You know what? I’m going to get them next year.’”

This year, Matthews made it past the school rounds and advanced to the online test portion. He later received the news that he was part of the top 100 fourth through eighth graders in Texas who will be competing in the National Geographic State Bee.

The Pre-AP student said he was shocked because the state test was difficult, but he’s been practicing since the age of four.

“Geography is my favorite subject. When I was little, my mom would teach me states and capitals,” said Matthews.

Matthews said he studies for the competition with his father for more than an hour every night. He reads from a massive book of geographic facts and practices with 200 flash cards.

“Right now I feel nervous, anxious, and excited,” said the state contestant. “I’ve been getting ‘congratulations’ from students and my teachers. They all want me to represent well.”

The National Geographic State Bee takes place April 1 in Bedford, Texas. The winner of the state competition will move on to the national competition in May. View more information about the National Geographic Bee here.

Eighth Grader Spells His Way to Victory...Again

Spelling Bee winner Jeremy Phan receives his championship plaque.

It’s a word Jeremy Pham will never forget. After successfully spelling catastrophe, the James Coble Middle School eighth grader was named the 2016 Mansfield ISD spelling bee champion.

Pham, who also won the district spelling bee last year, was the last student standing out of the 35 contestants from each of the district’s elementary, intermediate, and middle schools. He said he is proud to be able to take home another winner’s trophy.

“I’m happy I was able to win because there were many tough competitors,” said Pham. “You have to study every day for a few hours, and it’s best to study with flashcards to go over the words.”

The district spelling bee’s coordinator said the contest is not just about spelling words correctly. The contestants are developing skills that they will use even after graduation.

First runner-up Kailey Choi was a past district
spelling bee winner.

“The Bee fosters public speaking skills, enhances vocabulary and grammar skills, as well as building self-confidence through a friendly competitive environment,” said Krista Cobb, ELA instructional coordinator. “These are life-long skills that students can apply throughout all aspects of their lives.”

The district spelling was held Friday, Feb. 12 at the MISD Center for the Performing Arts. It was sponsored by the Mansfield Sunrise Rotary Club.

Congratulations to Jeremy Pham, first runner-up Kailey Choi from Cross Timbers Intermediate School, and the following campus winners who competed in the district bee.

School	Name
Alice Ponder Elementary	Michaela Oczak
Anna May Daulton Elementary	Erica Christenson
Annette Perry Elementary	Jordan Bosuro
Asa Low Intermediate	Vivian Cao
Brooks Wester Middle School	Gregory Jason Dey
Carol Holt Elementary	Lauren Eddington-Dixon
Charlotte Anderson Elementary	Ezra Escamilla
Cora Spencer Elementary	Ezenna Akubukwe
Cross Timbers Intermediate	Kailey Choi  (first runner-up)
D. P. Morris Elementary	Jacqueline Hoang
Danny Jones Middle School	Quinten Dukes
Della Icenhower Intermediate	Niladri Nath
Donna Shepard Intermediate	Eric Alan
Elizabeth Smith Elementary	Alvin Rhaman
Erma Nash Elementary	Aiden Bond
Glenn Harmon Elementary	Laila Mohammed
Imogene Gideon Elementary	Synia Roberts
J. L. Boren Elementary	Phillip Besand
James Coble Middle School	Jeremy Pham  (winner)
Janet Brockett Elementary	Aaron Pradith
Judy Miller Elementary	Peyton Mitchell
Kenneth Davis Elementary	Tiffany Lam
Linda Jobe Middle School	Micah Donathan
Louise Cabaniss Elementary	Annabelle Rodriguez
Martha Reid Elementary	Oluwatade Olayiwole
Mary Jo Sheppard Elementary	Jayden Nche
Mary Lillard Intermediate	Michael O. Asokwah, Jr.
Mary Orr Intermediate	Tojumi Olayiwole
Nancy Neal Elementary	Shaun Ukeje
Roberta Tipps Elementary	Oladipo Owoyele
Rogene Worley Middle School	Sandra Khuon
T. A. Howard Middle School	Jonathan Walker
Tarver-Rendon Elementary	Grant Ruhland
Thelma Jones Elementary	Precious Agwagom
Willie Brown Elementary	Prapti Patel