Inspiring excellence in action: August trustee recognitions

Each month, the Midlothian ISD Board of Trustees takes time to recognize students, staff and members of the MISD community who are making a difference through dedication, achievement and commitment to excellence. These recognitions reflect the many ways our district continues to live out our commitment to inspiring excellence. At the August board meeting, trustees celebrated the following individuals and groups.

UIL Academic State Qualifiers
Two Midlothian Heritage High students qualified to advance to the UIL Academic State Competition. Andy Palacios earned 1st place at Region in Current Events and qualified to compete at the UIL Academic State Competition, and Braxton McAllister earned a 2nd place in Biology to qualify as an Alternate.

 

One Act Play State Qualifiers
Midlothian High School Theatre finished the season as a State Finalist and placed 6th in the UIL 5A One Act Play State Competition. This is the third state appearance for MHS Theatre in five years, with some seniors having competed with all three companies.

 

Recognition of Broadway Dallas Nominations
Midlothian High School performed as one of the Top Eight Outstanding Musical nominees at the Broadway Dallas High School Musical Theatre Awards. Our talented students shared the stage with some of the best programs in Texas. More than 100 high school productions are adjudicated across all divisions, public, private, and specialty academies. The top eight high schools are nominated for Outstanding Musical, which Midlothian High School Theatre has earned the distinction for the last three years in a row. 

MHS Broadway Dallas accolades include:
Outstanding Costume Design Winner (design team is led by Mrs. Sherry Almand)
Nominations for Outstanding Musical (previous winner for Newsies)
Outstanding Direction (previous winner for Chicago)
Outstanding Music Direction
Outstanding Ensemble
Outstanding Tech Crew and Execution
Outstanding Choreography (previous winner for Newsies)

Congratulations also go to Austin Bradshaw for earning the Theatre Ambassador Scholarship.

 

District 6 Congressional Art Competition
Every year the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across our nation and within each congressional district, including Congressman Jake Ellzey's office for District 6.  

The Congressional Art Competition held this past spring recognized eight MISD students with Honorable Mention awards and one of the students, Caitlyn Camp, received a 1st Place designation. This means Caitlyn's artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the next year as part of the national Congressional Art Competition exhibit.

 

HHS Earns International Thespian Awards
For the past few years, the Midlothian Heritage High School Theatre program has qualified to compete at the International level of the Thespian award program. To obtain a “Thespy,” students must achieve a qualifying score at state, compete at the International Thespian Festival, and receive a "Perfect" score in their category.

A total of 11 HHS theatre students attended the international competition this summer and competed in nine different categories. The students received four Excellent scores, four Superior scores, and a Perfect score to win a Thespy.

 

• Perfect Score- THESPY WINNER in Solo Musical Theatre- Madeleine Nabinger
• Superior Score in Duet Acting- Chloe Turk and Pearson Urquhart
• Superior Score in Contrasting Monologues- Louis Gonzalez
• Superior Score in Duet Musical Theatre- Noah Abbate and Haylee Hodges
• Superior Score in Solo Musical Theatre Dance- Fortevee Tante
• Excellent Score in Contrasting Monologues- Lizzie Vanpool
• Excellent Score in Contrasting Monologues- Jonathan Anderson II
• Excellent Score in Contrasting Monologues- Daniel Rendon Valdespino
• Excellent Score in Sound Design- Spencer McElyea

These students were unable to attend the board meeting, but were recognized and celebrated.

 

MHS Band TMEA State Honor
The Midlothian High School band has been selected as a Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) High School Invited Program Spotlight, earning statewide recognition for the excellence and innovation of its music program.

The TMEA Invited Program Spotlight recognizes outstanding band programs across the state that exemplify high-quality instruction and reflect the diversity of school environments and communities. Selected programs are featured during the annual TMEA Clinic/Convention where they are recognized for their commitment to student achievement and music education. 

The TMEA Invited Program Spotlight process celebrates the innovative teaching for which Texas band programs are known. The Band Division seeks to recognize high-quality programs that represent the diversity of school environments and the socioeconomic makeup of communities across the state.

 

Music for All Festival
The Walnut Grove Middle School Honors Band has been selected to perform at the 2027 Music For All National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, Indiana, April 1-3. The Honors Band students will work with nationally recognized composers and world-class educators throughout the year in preparation for the performance where they will represent Midlothian ISD at the national level.

This premier festival showcases the very best in scholastic concert bands, orchestras, chamber ensembles, and percussion ensembles, offering performances at top venues, expert feedback from celebrated clinicians, and a truly enriching educational experience.

 

JROTC opened August Board meeting
The Midlothian High School Army JROTC Color Guard presented our Nation’s colors and the Texas flag.

The Color Guard was under the command of Cadet Sergeant Major Layla Serrano. Carrying the Texas flag was Cadet Captain Marley Ramos.
Serving as our Senior Guard was Cadet Seyi “Shay” Adio. And serving as our Junior Guard was Cadet First Lieutenant Eve Pate.

Over the past five years, the Midlothian JROTC Color Guard has proudly represented MISD and our community at professional sporting events and nationally televised events, including appearances on ESPN.

 

Eagle Scouts
The Eagle Scout Award is the highest honor in the Boy Scouts of America and Midlothian ISD is proud to recognize two Midlothian ISD students for earning Eagle Scout status. The two Eagle Scouts are Grayson Bradley and Corbin Newcomb.