ongview Voice
“Live in the present. Make each day count. Learn from the past, with an eye on the future” ―Matthew McConaughey
THE
Sharing the good news about LISD!
Vol. 4 No. 6 June 2019
A publication of Longview Independent School District
Complimentary Copy
Congratulations to the Class of 2019 ALRIGHT ALRIGHT ALRIGHT
On a warm and breezy evening at Lobo Stadium, the Class of 2019 donned cap and gown to celebrate their graduation from Longview High School... and begin the first day of the rest of their lives. Grads|Continued to page 4
TSA advances to NATIONALS Awards of Excellence honors arts, academics
Longview High School’s Technology Student Association team has 11 students heading to Nationals after competing at the State meet held April 25-27 in Fort Worth. National Qualifiers are Carly Snyder, Brady Miller, Ejehi Ihionkhan, Payton Schaap, Hyndavi Jatavalabhula, Matthew Guck, Katherine Burlingame, Matthew Hanson, Matthew Reed, Daivik Lakaki and Kyle Ashley. KySean Dixon will be attending as Chapter Team alternate. Student Gowri Rangu was elected as the TSA State Treasurer. Her duties will be performing duties of a state officer at nationals.
Longview ISD Administrators and Board of Trustees recognized student achievement in academics as well as the arts May 9th during the 43rd annual LHS Awards of Excellence Banquet at Pinecrest Country Club. Each presentation of medals was accompanied by a creative arts performance by Longview High School students.
Awards|Continued to page 5
TSA|Continued to page 5
THE
Longview Voice
Opinion Coming Events
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Job Fair Sports
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Foundation Library Events
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
June 2019
LONGVIEW CLASS OF 2019
BELIEV E I N EX CE LLEN C E
THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
June 2019
OPINION
Some words of ‘wisdom’ for the Class of 2019
By Matthew Prosser
This time of year high schools throughout East Texas (and colleges throughout our nation) hold commencement ceremonies, as yet another graduating class prepares to take their talents to the next level in education, vocation, and life itself. A graduation ceremony also affords wellintentioned blowhards like myself an opportunity to tell yet another bright-eyed and bushy-tailed generation bent on world conquest, wealth, and fame about all the struggles and failures waiting for them just around the next bend. That, or they pump enough sunshine to make a desert out of a rainforest. Either way, you’re still stuck listening to some tiresome old windbag hold court until the men in the audience start looking at their watches and the ladies start fanning themselves with the program. But I want to take advantage of this moment to offer a few of my own “pearls of wisdom” gleaned in the years since I left the classroom and joined the workforce full-time. Hopefully you’ll take this advice for what it is, and maybe it’ll even help save some of you some unnecessary frustration later. At any rate, the least you could do is hear me out. I’ve got some years on me and I think I’ve learned a little... First and foremost: keep an even keel. The idiom “keep an even keel” is a nautical phrase which means, “don’t rock the boat.” Now don’t misunderstand me, I’m not telling you to avoid challenging the status quo (quite the contrary!) but do strive for balance in your life. Many of you face an inordinate number of possibilities and career/life paths you can take, such that you may feel overwhelmed and fearful of striving off in any one direction… for the sake of keeping your options open. Well, I’m 42 years old, married with five children, and I’m here to tell you that, even now, I could suddenly change careers and take another life path if I so chose. I could do so easily and never look back. Such is
the great privilege of our civilization and society. In the years since I graduated from high school, I’ve held numerous jobs, lived in several different states, moved to a completely different part of the country, and pursued no less than five different college majors. Granted, PROSSER this meandering adventure has led me to a job with Longview ISD, so I leave it up to you if my path was one you wish to emulate. The point is: there’s always a choice. Good heavens, if you’re reading this then you’ve practically “won the lottery” existentially speaking! You are probably American, a Texan, and from either the high or low end of the suburban middle class… this puts you among the Top 10 percent wealthiest people in the entire world. Relish your good fortune, and thank God for it, for many on our planet are not so blessed! With that in mind, always remember that you’re limited only by how hard you’re willing to work in the pursuit of your ambitions. Develop yourself, your mind and spirit as well as your physical health. Travel far and wide, packing light and experiencing different cultures than those you’ve known. Read books that challenge you. Broaden your horizons. Work jobs that are thankless but are a service to others. Do things that are hard and push you outside your comfort zone. I’ve found these sorts of things have a way of helping you find the direction you want your life to take. You might also find it helpful to drop off the map for a time. I know you young whippersnappers were practically weaned on the Internet, and cut your teeth on social networks, but “back in my day”
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Coming Events June 1 8 a.m. SAT Testing 8 a.m. East Texas Tennis Camp (LHS Tennis Courts, May 28-July 31)
June 3 Bad Weather Makeup Days (if needed, June 3, 4) when we left school it was somewhat routine to blow town and get a little crazy. I thank the 8 a.m. Lobo Strength & good Lord there was no such thing as Twitter or Conditioning (June 3-August 1, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday) Facebook back then. So maybe it’ll do you some good to take yourself “off the grid” for a time and act on some June 4 of your foolish impulses while you’re still young 6 p.m. Lady Lobo Volleyball Camp enough to hide behind the folly of youth. By the time you’re my age such deeds can and will be (Lobo Coliseum & P.E. Gym, June used against you in a court of law, especially if 4-6) you’re daft enough to take photographs and post June 7 them online. Also: expect changes to occur… increasingly 10 a.m. Longview Summer Reading so with each passing year. Program (Longview Public Library) You and that high school sweetheart may very well drift apart, or maybe you’ll stay together. That perfect couple that everyone knows may June 8 split up after only a couple years of marriage. 8 a.m. ACT Testing That geeky space cadet might make a million dollars in the computer field. Maybe you’ll June 10 become a lawyer, or maybe you’ll flunk out your 8 a.m. Don Newton Lobo Boys first semester. & Girls Basketball Camp (Lobo In closing, I want to both encourage and Coliseum, June 10-13) chasten you. Do not squander what you have been so 6 p.m. Board of Trustees Regular undeservedly given but look upon it as an Meeting (ESC Building) inheritance still to be earned. You’ll never be 9 p.m. Lady Lobo Volleyball able to truly “earn” or “deserve” it but you must Summer League (Lobo Coliseum & still try. P.E. Gym) You have so many who want you to achieve great things and so few hindering your steps, thus you have every reason to succeed and little June 11 4 p.m. Lady Lobo Volleyball Camp excuse to fail. I wish you well. (Lobo Coliseum & P.E. Gym, June 11-13) June 16 — Matthew Prosser is an award-winning journalist Father’s Day and photographer, currently he is Communications Specialist for Longview Schools and a born-again Lobo. June 17 8 a.m. Lobo Baseball Summer Camp (June 17, 18, 20) 8:30 a.m. Lady Lobo Softball 2019 Skills & Pitcher/Catcher Camps (Lobo Softball Complex) 4 p.m. Lady Lobo Volleyball Summer League (Lobo Coliseum) June 18 8 a.m. Lobo Summer Band Tutoring (June 18, 19, 25, 26) June 19 Juneteenth June 21 Summer Solstice June 24 8 a.m. Lobo Band UIL Physical Exam Forms Deadline 6 p.m. National TSA Contest Demonstration for Parents (Little Theatre) June 24 June 28 8 a.m. National TSA Competition (Washington, D.C.)
Page 4 Grads|Continued from page 1 LHS salutatorian Ejehi Ihionkhan greeted the crowd, sharing an impassioned and lighthearted exhortation to her peers. “On the note of inspiration, I am happy to say that this class has no scarcity,” she said. “I personally have been inspired by this class, a class that pulls one another up and is only satisfied when every member is risen.” Class of 2018 valedictorian Nitin Rangu challenged his classmates to really let their graduation sink in, and reflected on the years they’ve all shared together. “We played in some big games; we found out we’re pretty good at those big games,” he said, and joked that: “We took some hard classes, and found out hard classes are easy with the internet.” Rangu also took time to thank his family, specifically his mother. “I’m here because of you, for you,” he said. “Kevin Durant told his mom she’s the real MVP. I’m not good at basketball, so that will never happen, but you’re the real valedictorian to me.” Commencement speaker, Class of 1988 graduate (and Academy Award-winning actor), Matthew McConaughey encouraged the students to always remember where they came from. “Longview, Texas: that’s your home, and that’s your heart,” he said. “No matter where you go or what you do, always keep that with you [...] always remember where you came from, and always remember where your heart is.” McConaughey credited his many career achievements to always remaining grounded in who he is, and what he values most in life. Dressed in a slim-cut blue suit and an
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — open collared shirt, the Academy Award winning actor said: “Tonight, you are graduating. You’ve made it this far and I want to tell you that the adventure of life is about to get even more fun — even more exciting — harder, happier, everything. It starts now.” Congenially addressing the large group of graduating Longview High School seniors with his back to the audience and facing the graduates, McConaughey continued: “You may not know where you’re gonna go. You may not know what you’re gonna do. And that’s OK.” “I didn’t know what the heck I wanted to do when I graduated from here in 1988,” he said. “Thirty-one years ago, I was you.” “I sat here on this night ready to go out into the world,” McConaughey recalled. “I traveled; I went to college; I got cast in a movie; I found a career ...31 years ago — I was you — a graduating Longview Lobo.” The Oscar winner continued by sharing what he believed was the most important thing for graduates to know if they want to be successful in the future. “The most important reason, though, for my success, and for your success — the one thing that we all have that should never be for sale,” he said. “The thing that we give the most of and should protect with our life ...is our heart.” McConaughey added: “As you head out into the world, do not negotiate your heart. It’s the most important value you have. People will try to get it from you, too... it ain’t for sale.” Weaving imagery based on the military location identification term, ‘What’s your 20?’ McConaughey aligned his travel to the
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ceremony along Interstate 20 with the heart theme and applied it to the graduates, the Lobo’s recent state football championship, and even the City of Longview itself. He implored the students to ask themselves, “What’s my 20? and [to] know it’s your heart. That 20, my heart, that got me here today. Your heart: that 20, that location, that’s what got you here today and that’s what’s gonna get you wherever you’re gonna go.” In ending his speech, McConaughey urged: “Make your 20 your heart from now on. Go Lobos!” The delighted senior class members and approving crowd offered applause and cheers from their seats in Lobo Stadium. Moments later, the Texas actor was presented his original 1988 high school diploma by a school official. Showing surprise, McConaughey opened the diploma case, showed a sly grin and asked, “Is it really?” Upon his visible confirmation of the vintage document, McConaughey exclaimed: “Proof!” With some offers still pending, scholarships total $8,530,705 for the 581 seniors who received their diplomas, that’s around $2 million more than last year’s class. The Top 2 percent of the Class of 2019 includes (in alphabetical order): Amanda Dominguez, Allison Howe, Ejehi Ihionkhan, Nitin Rangu, Morgan Roberts, Kathryn Roper, Payton Schaap, Wyatt Scott, Magdalen Shen, Alyssa Shobert, Samantha Taylor, and Anna Ward. Graduates finishing in the Top 10 percent of their class includes (in alphabetical order):
Cristina Angelica Adame, Blake Lawrence Aldridge, Grace Ann Buie, Sophie Jordan Bunn, Kimberly Angcon Diez, Alexis Paschée Freeman, Emma Grace Frierson, Autumn Ranay Gauthier, Maritza Nicole Gonzalez, Austin Barrett Greifenkamp, Mary Claire Henderson, Alexa Hernandez, Aslan Paul Joseph Hilliard, William Joseph Holloman, Measha Brianna Jones, Claire Elizabeth Long, Madelyn Claire Mack, Daniel Jesus Mancha, Blake Andrew Martin, Laura Yesenia Martinez, Alondra Martinez Martinez, Fatima Maria Massare Somers, Myles Shane Meader, Jessica Tanya Mena, Brady Cole Miller, Paul Morin, Evan Salvatore Pistone, Tania Melissa Ramirez, Emily Aguilar Rico, Morgan Riley Roberts, Keithan Lamont Ross Jr., Jonathan Wyatt Scott, Natalie Marie Serrato, Gaurav Singh, Benjamin Cole Taylor, Karina Torres, Mouminatou Jisca Traore, Kasey Makala Whitenack, Noah Armstrong Williams, and Meredith McCall Wright.
Awards|Continued from page 1 Receiving medals in the Academics category was the Class of 2019’s Top 2 percent graduates (in alphabetical order): Amanda Dominguez, Allison Howe, Ejehi Ihionkhan, Nitin Rangu, Morgan Roberts, Kathryn Roper, Payton Schaap, Magdalen Shen, Alyssa Shobert, Samantha Taylor, and Amanda Ward. Nikola Jeremic and Maritza Gonzalez were honored in the Art category by instructors Jeff Hull and Meleah Hall, with samples of their work displayed throughout the venue. Ghaytra Ford and Miles Meader received medals in Band from Director of Instrumental Music Tommy Moore, with Ghaytra performing a twirling routine while Miles performed a Clarinet Concerto by Carl Nielsen. LISD Orchestra Director Joanie Russell also presented a medal Payton Schaap, who then performed “The Swan” by Charles Camille Saint-Saëns. Angela Dominguez, Autumn Gauthier, D’Keriyan Alexander, and Timmie Ingram Jr. were honored in the Choir category by instructor Kenton Walker, and Alyssa Shobert, Kasey Whitenack, Sophie Bunn recognized for their publishing work in the Communications category by Yearbook/Journalism adviser Sasha Cantu. Ainsley Polk, D’Keriyan Alexander, Kasey Whitenack, Nicholas Smith, and Noah Williams rounded out the evening’s honors by receiving medals in Theatre from instructor Pam Mercer McWilliams, lending their talents to a performance of “Beauty and the Beast.” Established in 1976, the event honors the most outstanding senior students in the arts and academics. At that first banquet, then-superintendent Dr. Henry Wheeler said the purpose is to “pay tribute to our best, our most talented, and to impress upon them that they each have a story to tell.” LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox praised the students, staff, and families in attendance “for giving so generously of your time, your energy, and your talent.” “Those of us in the administration can just stand back and say ‘wow’ when we see what these young people are able to accomplish,” he said. “It’s very personally rewarding for me to play just a small part in helping all of our students pursue and achieve such excellence.”
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TSA|Continued from page 1 The LHS organization is run under the guidance of longtime Career Technology instructor Mr. Charles Mosley, who said he was thrilled with the results and looks forward to the national meet set for June in Washington, D.C. where she will also be sworn into her position. Longview dominated in both team and
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — individual events, with numerous top 10 finishes in a variety of events. Top medalists in team events include: 1st Place in Chapter Team (Parliamentary Procedure Team): Carly Snyder, Brady Miller, Ejehi Ihionkhan, Payton Schaap, Hyndavi Jatavalabhula and Matthew Guck 2nd Place in Digital Video Production: Carly Snyder, Katherine Burlingame, Matthew Hanson, Matthew Reed, Daivik Lakaki and Kyle Ashley Top medalists in individual events include: 2nd Place in Prepared Presentation: Payton Schaap 3rd Place in Prepared Presentation: Hyndavi Jatavallabhula 7th Place in Prepared Presentation: Rachna Edalur The top 3 in these events will go on to compete at the TSA National Contest from June 28-July 2 in Washington, D.C.
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Top medalists in State events include: 1st Place in Graphic Solutions – Manufacturing Design: Kyle Ashley 2nd Place in Photography – Color Special Effects: Kaylee Evans 2nd Place in Multimedia Presentation: Nitya Jagarlamudi 2nd Place in Graphic Solutions – Promotional Design: Luisa Contreras 3rd Place in Wood Turning CNC: James Markowitz 3rd Place in Photography – Color Montage: Kaylee Evans 4th Place in Extemporaneous Presentation: Gowri Rangu 5th Place in Children’s Stories: Fatima Akilo, Karla Bobadilla, Kaylee Evans, Matthew Guck and Jane Melendez 5th Place in Engineering Design – Multiple Parts Drawing: Aditya Jagarlamudi 6th Place in Future Technology Teacher: Rachna Edalur
Foster students advance to Nationals After several big wins at the Texas Technology Student Association state meet held April 25-27 in Fort Worth, 20 Foster students have advanced to Nationals which is a new record for the middle school. “I’m super proud that our students’ dedication and hard work was rewarded with a trip to TSA Nationals in Washington D.C.,” said Foster Principal Ryan Carroll. “I’m looking forward to seeing how this group of first time qualifiers do at the national level.” National Qualifiers are Evelyn Campos, Riley Gonzalez, Sami Jatavallabhula, Hibah Khan, Divya Nirmal, Namita Reddy, Vianney Aguilar, Mary Leak, Mikeia Robertson, Jefferson Dunaway, Delia Fourie, Addison Griffin, Avery Lambright, Jacky Wang, James Angus, Steven Castillo,
Jaden Davis, Israel Ibarra, Gustavo Orocio and Matthew Khieu. “This was a complete team effort and could not be done without the volunteer work of our teacher sponsors Melissa Swallow and Joseph Ford along with the numerous parents who devoted their time and presence as chaperones,” Carroll said.
Top medalists in team events include: 1st Place in Chapter Team (Parliamentary Procedure Team): Evelyn Campos, Riley Gonzalez, Sami Jatavallabhula, Hibah Khan, Divya Nirmal, Namita Reddy and Vianney Aguilar 1st Place in Forensic Technology: Mary Leak and Mikeia Robertson 2nd Place in Leadership Strategies: Evelyn Campos, Hibah Khan and Namita
Reddy 2nd Place in Mechanical Engineering: Jefferson Dunaway, Delia Fourie, Addison Griffin, Avery Lambright, and Jacky Wang 2nd Place Off the Grid: James Angus, Steven Castillo, Jaden Davis, Israel Ibarra and Gustavo Orocio 3rd Place in System Control Technology: Diego D’arbell, Gabe Duncalfe and Diego Freire 4th Place in Challenging Technology: Riley Gonzalez and Divya Nirmal 5th Place in Children’s Stories: Vianney Aguilar, Karla Chavez, Riley Gonzalez, Sami Jatavallabhula and Namita Reddy 6th Place in Structural Engineering: Israel Ibarra and Jocelyn Rubio 6th Place in Tech Bowl: Samuel Felipe, Jonathan Lebanon, Aman Saridena 6th Place in Technical Design: Samuel Felipe, Jasmine Perry 7th Place in Challenging Technology: Avery Lambright and Addison Griffin 7th Place in Problem Solving: Steven Castillo and Cedric Wrighten 7th Place in Website Design: Eduardo Andrade, Keva Jackson and Jasmine Perry Top medalists in individual events include: 3rd Place in Flight: Matthew Khieu 4th Place in CAD Design: Jefferson Dunaway 4th Place in Coding: Jefferson Dunaway 4th Place in Digital Photography: Mary Leak 4th Place in Essays on Technology: Vianney Aguilar 4th Place in Prepared Speech: Divya
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7th Place in Debate: Hyndavi Jatavallabhula and Gowri Rangu 7th Place in Photographic Technology: Neha Nirmal 10th Place in Engineering Design: Luisa Contreras, Ini Ekpenyong, Anthony Holyfield, Nitya Jagarlamudi, Mason Lamaster and Brayden Strong These events do not take part at the TSA National Contest.
Nirmal 5th Place in Flight: Jonathan Lebanon 6th Place in Career Prep: Jocelyn Rubio 8th Place in Digital Photography: Keva Jackson 8th Place in Dragster: Jaden Davis 8th Place in Prepared Speech: Delia Fourie The top 3 students in these events will go on to compete at the TSA National Contest from June 28-July 2 in Washington, D.C. The exception to this is System Control Technology which only sees the top team head to Nationals. Top medalists in State events include: 1st Place in Technology Problem Solving Graphic Solutions: Samuel Felipe 1st Place in Communication Technology Graphic Solutions: Namita Reddy 1st Place in Computer Applications Graphic Solutions: Jefferson Dunaway 2nd Place in Communication Technology Graphic Solutions: Israel Ibarra 3rd Place in Communication Technology Graphic Solutions: Vianney Aguilar 3rd Place in Computer Applications Graphic Solutions: James Angus 4th Place in Middle School Written Exam: Diego D’Arbell 5th Place in Middle School Written Exam: Traivon Kempson These events do not take part at the TSA National Contest.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
June 2019
Lobos receive college degrees before high school diplomas
Longview High School Early College and dual-credit students have a lot to celebrate! May 7th there was a reception held for the 55 Longview High School seniors with dual-credit hours and those receiving their associates degree, and on May 10th the 36 Early College Kilgore College graduates walked across the stage in Kilgore. “These students have worked so hard during their time at LHS and Kilgore College and they deserve to be celebrated,” said James Brewer, Longview High School principal.
Two students had perfect 4.00 GPA’s: Laura Martinez and Kimberly Diez. Six were inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society for two year schools: Martinez, Diez, Monica Lozano, Tania Piedra, Prisila Reyes, and Natalie Serrato. In just the 2018-2019 school year there were 523 Longview High students taking dual-credit classes, and 263 of those were seniors. A total of 6,531 semester credit hours were earned, averaging more than 12 hours per year each! Carla Williams Brown, assistant
principal for the LHS Dual-Credit program, said these early graduates will be ready to transfer to four-year colleges with a Junior standing. “We are so proud of our students that have graduated from Kilgore College with 60 hours and either an Associate of Arts or an Associate of Science degree,” she said. “Many others will have accumulated at least 30 hours of core curriculum courses and will be classified as Sophomores. Still others will have completed 12 or more hours of either academic transfer courses or workforce education courses, and they will be eligible to take part in Kilgore College’s new KC Connection program. Williams-Brown said the program allows students to continue next Fall semester with the continued reduced tuition normally reserved for dualcredit students only. “The reduction is 40 percent off regular tuition for as long as students continually register as full-time students,” she said. “Students will also apply for additional scholarships and
financial aid to go with the reduced tuition.” The 2019 Early College graduates are: Luis E. Aguirre, Kalyn Reign Anderson, Celina Baeza, Rynie Keayla Barnes, Shadda Lynn Botkin, Akarrius Kani Boyd, Mara Ceyna Cooks, Deborah Grace Cortez, Margie Starr Davis, Kimberly Angcon Diez, Kysean Tyrell Dixon, Angela Mercedes Dominguez, Ghnytra Keilana Ford, Ariana Vanessa Garcia, Alaiya Michelle Hawkins, Jaydyn James-Rollins, Garrett Taylor Johnson, Erin Jone Kelly, Monica Lozano, Brycelyn Durell Lynch, Laura Yesenia Martinez, Dijon Maxie, Rachel Nicole McCarty, Ryley Davis Nelson, Tania Piedra, Prisila Ester Reyes, Jackeline Rojas, Natalie Marie Serrato, Key’yon’tae Devon Shaw, Kristian Keith Shumaker, Marquel Ti’Shawn Smith, Mark Laronn Thompson, Michael Antione Traylor, Morgan Monique Vance, Daiton D. Wells, and Alyssa Gabriel Williams.
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Payton Schaap Science students wins 2019 Mayor compete at STATE Mack Scholarship Mayor Andy Mack announced the winners of his annual scholarship during the May 9th City Council meeting, among them was Longview High School honor student Payton Schaap. “This is the fourth year we’ve done this program, and each year it just keeps getting better and better,” said Mayor Mack. “If these students are any indication of what the future holds for Longview, well, the future of our city looks very bright.” Payton was one of four graduating seniors from Longview, Pine Tree, Spring Hill, or Hallsville high schools. The application includes a one-page essay on how you desire to make an impact on improving Longview. Funds for the Mayor Mack Scholarship are paid for out of the Mayor’s annual stipend. Rather than take a salary, the mayor’s stipend is used to invest in students’ futures. “It’s just a small way to give back to the city I love,” Mayor Mack added.
Congratulations to our STATE Science Fair qualifiers! Nine students competed on Saturday, March 30, in the Texas State Science and Engineering Fair at Texas A&M University, College Station. Amazing job! We are so proud of you and all your hard work! Congrats to our Foster students who went to state, Jasmine Perry, Carolina Rodriguez, Grace Rucker, Adriana Pierce, Mary Leak, Cole Stout, Jefferson Dunaway, Matthew Khieu and Carolyn Purdum. “Sadly none of our students placed at the Texas Science & Engineering Fair at Texas A&M University. However, they were able to observe what they need to do for next year in order to place and win,” said District STEAM Coordinator Shalona McCray. “These are some very competitive and bright students. They have an amazing future in front of them because they are not afraid of competition. They are already planning for next year.”
OVER $8M IN SCHOLARSHIPS GIVEN The Class of 2019 scholarship recipients were honored Sunday, May 5, at the annual scholarship awards.
Seniors celebrated local, collegiate, and athletic scholarships bringing their year-end total to more than $8 million awarded.Thank you to all those who took part in the awards ceremony.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE —
Signing day celebrates career-minded seniors With the school year drawing to a close and seniors getting ready to say goodbye to friends and teachers, the annual Academic Signing Day event took place on Friday, April 26 at LHS to recognize students for taking the next step in education. The purpose is to honor the effort of the students and encourage other students to attempt to make the effort. “It’s a good opportunity for people like me. Most of my family didn’t go to college and I will be the second one to actually just go off to college,” said senior My’Tasia Jackson who is planning on attending Navarro College in Corsicana but says that she will miss LHS. During the event, students who show a letter of admission to a college were then allowed to place a copy of the letter on a bulletin board and sign a banner with their future college and name. “We leave the (bulletin board) up there through all next year until this time next year with the idea that kids will come by and maybe they will see a name of someone they know and think ‘if he can go to college, I can go to college,’” said LHS Scholarship Coordinator Kay Ray. “The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board sponsors ‘Generation Texas’ to encourage students to go to college with the idea being that many students think that they can’t go to college because it’s unaffordable, unreachable or just undoable.” Academic Signing Day is one of Longview High School’s several ways of trying to take part in “Generation Texas”. Each year, different businesses
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have been on hand to offer support and advice to the seniors. Texas Bank & Trust, East Texas Professional Credit Union and Eastman Credit Union were all present, giving students advice on how debit and credit cards work and other financial advice. Gregg County Health Department was giving free Meningitis shots to children with no insurance or on Medicaid, while Partners in Prevention were there to promote safety at college. “We feel that it’s important (for us to be here) because seniors are going off to college and we know that there’s always a threat for activities that could harm them, so we want to protect them,” said Partners in Prevention member Whitney Pierce. “We’re here as a resource for them so that they know how to protect themselves.” Students were in large attendance, checking out the various booths, grabbing cookies or root beer floats and taking part in the banner signing. One such senior was Wyatt Scott who had been accepted to six colleges and wait listed at three more. From UCLA, where he plans to head, to Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Wyatt is just one of the many students at LHS that are doing their teachers proud and working towards a bright future.
Crowd packs LISD job fair Hundreds of prospective employees visited the East Texas Montessori Prep Academy on April 25th for the annual Career Expo, hoping to join Longview Independent School District. Representatives from the district’s various campuses and departments answered questions with the goal of adding valuable educators to one of the fastest-growing school districts in East Texas. With over 25 campuses and departments looking to fill about 100 jobs, there were plenty of opportunities available. From those looking for a future job to those there to greet them, everyone seemed to be in good spirits. “I think the Career Expo is a great opportunity to see what’s out there and interview,” said Hudson PEP Elementary 1st grade teacher Susie Webster. “If you’re a brand new teacher it just gives you an opportunity to talk to people and see what it’s like.” Webster is proof that the expo can work as she first attended it as someone seeking a job and now she’s on the other side of the table, there to greet potential candidates. Getting your name and your face out there is important according to Webster, a belief that is echoed by Teenesha Robinson who attended the event looking for a potential job as a teacher’s aide or a physical education teacher. Robinson herself worked for the district in her past and is quite happy about the idea of returning. “It’s home. It’s very welcoming; all the employees treat you like family,” Robinson said. “There’s no other feeling like working at LISD.” It was Robinson’s first time at the expo and like Webster, she was keen on the event. “This is really cool. It really gives you an opportunity to look at a whole variety of job openings that they have,” Robinson said. “You’re able to interact with the
principals and other coworkers. If you do get the position, you’ll already be familiar with them.” Hudson PEP Elementary Principal Sue Wilson applauded the Human Resources depar tment, say ing “the job fair was very organized and it is evident that (HR) worked very hard to make the event a success. “The venue at the East Texas Montessori Prep Academy was accommodating and allowed for many job seekers to visit with many schools in an uncrowded environment,” Wilson said. “Everyone who attended felt welcomed.” Describing the job fair as a “kickoff event,” Human Resource Director Loretta Thompson Martin said her department will continue recruiting throughout the spring and summer. “This isn’t the end of our search for qualified applicants, actually more like the kickoff,” she said. “For anyone who wasn’t able to make it out here tonight, we encourage them to submit an application through the website, and contact us for any questions about positions that may still be available.” Many applicants traveled from as far away as Dallas and Houston, with others coming from neighboring districts around Tyler and the greater Longview area. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Jody Clements said an important goal of the job fair is to allow interested applicants an opportunity to sit down with potential supervisors and to get a sense of whether it was a good fit. “There’s only so much you can get from a resume, this expo allows professionals to meet and put a face to a name,” he said. “Tonight we had a lot of excitement, a lot of great conversations and positive applicants. You can see people smiling and know relationships are being built.” For more information about career opportunities at Longview ISD please visit LISD.org and click on the Job Listings page, or contact the Human Resources Department at (903) 381-2200.
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SPORTS
Field Day offers Youth football camp coming in July fun for all
Despite the gloomy weather outside and the possibility of rain, the spirits of the athletes for the annual LISD Special Education Field Day were not dampened on Friday, May 10. “They really prepare the whole year for this,” said LHS coach and life skills teacher Keri Sanders. “Coach (Tommy) Jamerson works with the kids in adaptive P.E. throughout the whole year.” Although the event was moved inside to the Lobo coliseum, over 150 special education students from across LISD’s elementary, middle school and high school campuses were eagerly competing, cheered on by the crowd and receiving assistance from Lobo football players, cheerleaders and Viewettes. “Every single one of these special people are champions,” said Lobo Athletic Director John King. Coach Sanders states that LISD Field Day is a great experience for everyone involved. “Our district does a great job of supporting the track and field here…These kids have a chance to compete and perform in front of a group. The support that the community and school district provides for these students means a lot to them,” Sanders said. “They
talk about it every day.” One such student that has enjoyed competing in the event is LHS junior Brennin Gillespie who said that looks forward to it every year and he will miss taking part in it once he graduates high school and heads to Kilgore College. A variety of sports are on hand allowing the students a variety of ways to compete. From wheelchair dash to different lengths of meter dashes to softball throws and tug of war, there are many options for the athletes. “This event is designed to give these students…an opportunity to be a part of something that they see their peers be a part of. It also gives them a sense of accomplishment,” Jamerson said. “Everyone will win something. This is one of the main reasons the district puts so much effort in keeping the event going.” This year marked the 31st year that LISD Field Day has occurred which sees students from all across the district’s school compete. The event is comprised of five elementary schools, two middle schools and LHS. Great job out there athletes and a big thanks to the teachers, coaches and volunteers who helped make this possible!
Lobo Football Camp is set for 8:30-11 a.m. July 29-31 at Lobo Stadium. The camp is for students entering grades 1-9 in the fall of 2019. Registration fee is $30, and registration is set for 8 a.m. Monday, July 29th at the high school turf room. Campers will be provided breakfast and lunch each day, and Athletic Director John King said participants will be “taught the fundamentals, skills and techniques specific to positions of interest.” “All campers will be able to compete in live game situations, while also learning more about the Lobo Philosophy and Attitude,” he said. “In addition, campers will receive important guidance and instruction on weight training and nutrition.” For more information about football camp please call (903) 3813950.
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King invites students to Congrats to Lobo summer strength camp Softball Team
Longview High School’s Athletic Department is offering a FREE strength and conditioning camp this summer at Lobo Stadium. Individual sessions are set for 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. from June 3rd through August 1st on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Athletic Director John King said all Longview ISD students going in to grades 7-12 are encouraged to participate. “Students need to wear the proper workout attire of shorts, t-shirt and footwear (cross trainers and cleats are recommended),” he said. “Everything else is taken care of, all free of charge.” LISD’s Food Service Department will provide meals after the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. workouts, and King said the camp offers young athletes an opportunity to develop their skills under the direction of his professional staff. Close attention will be paid to the students’ hydration during the program, King added. “Our students’ health and well-being will be top priority at all times,” he said. “Our staff will be monitoring throughout camp to ensure our young people are getting plenty of water and not getting too hot.” For more information about the 2019 Lobo Strength and Conditioning Camp please contact the LHS athletic department at (903) 381-3950.
We are very proud of our Lady Lobo Softball team for all their hard work this season! You ladies are wonderful role models to all mini softball players all over East Texas.
Lobos take the next step 54th Viewettes say goodbye to seniors
The Longview High School Viewettes officially closed the book on the 54th Line of Viewettes with their beautiful banquet on Monday, May 6. Thank you so much to our fabulous booster club and banquet committee for a wonderful evening full of love, laughter, and memories to cherish. To our 54th line we truly could not have asked for more. Thank you for a perfect year and may you always ‘Enjoy the View’!
The Spring 2019 signing class included nine lobos; two from Lady Lobo Basketball, two from Lobo Football, three from Lobo Soccer, one from Lady Lobo Soccer and one from Lobo Track. McKenzie Brown (Basketball): Kilgore Junior College Heavunli Reese (Basketball): Texas A&M - Texarkana Keilyn Williams (Football): Cisco Junior College DaQuavion Randall (Football): Arkansas Baptist College Edwin Mata (Soccer): Blinn Junior College Jay Jackson (Soccer): Paris Junior College Michael Aguilar (Soccer): Paris Junior College Diana Godoy (Soccer): Navarro Junior College Kyeran Monroe (Track): Wayland Baptist University “You have all worked hard and it is time to say thank you to those who have helped you get there,” said John King, Athletic Director. “It’s also a testament to your support team; your parents or grandparents. Those who love you, who supported you, who drove you to practice, came to games, pushed you when you thought you couldn’t go anymore. They got you in that seat.”
Congratulations!
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Lobo Cheer D A Z Z L E S ! hosts clinic Viewette Revue
A three day event that takes nine months of planning and preparing, the successful annual Viewette Revue’s theme in April was “Admit One”. “It’s all about entertainment in the aspect of things you need a ticket for. So each dance is a different ticket. It could be a ticket for a train ride, a theme park or the museum,” said Viewette Director Debbie McGowan. “Some of the things are very broad and some are very specific to Longview. We have a ticket to the state championship game that we won, go Lobos! Our advanced jazz routine is a nod to fashion designer Brandon Maxwell who is from Longview.” McGowan who says that jazz is her favorite to perform aims at teaching her students more than just high kicks
that drill teams are known for and aims to show the public this with the Revue. “We have really pushed the girls in the performance aspect and their dancing techniques,” McGowan said. “We really want them to be overall performers and be good at all genres, so we’ve really tried to immerse them in other styles of dance besides the high kick that you see drill teams do.” The Viewette Revue is not just a show that showcases the skill and dedication of the Viewettes but is also a chance for other groups to also perform; from the Mini Viewettes from the Viewette Mini Clinic to the Lobo Cheerleaders and Majorettes. This year also saw some of the state champion football players’ show off their dancing skills, much to the delight of the audience. Fathers of the Viewettes went on stage to show their daughters who they may, or may not, have gotten their dancing genes from. Lobo senior and the Viewette Captain Madelyn Mack has enjoyed her time as a Viewette and believes that it is an organization that is amazing to be a part of. “I love d t he performance aspect of Viewettes; I’ve always loved that. But…I’ve learned so much more than that,” Madelyn said. “Having a team of girls that I can call my sisters and directors…are also like
On Saturday, May 11, Lobo Cheer hosted a stunt clinic for more than 400 area cheerleaders. After working hard all afternoon with other cheer squads, Lobo Cheer stepped out in the community to help the linemen on duty. Thank you Lobo Cheer, Heather Gee, and our cheer parents for all you do for the school and the community!
family to me.” With no previous dance experience prior to high school, Madelyn says that her dedication to the Viewettes has been worth it, not just for becoming a skilled dancer but for becoming a better person. “I’ve learned so much more than being a dancer and how to perform. I’ve learned so much about being a better woman, kindness and grace and that’s been the most important thing to me,” Madelyn said. “There is no better place for you than Viewettes because there’s so much more to learn and so many experiences to be had than just dancing.” Madelyn’s thought ref lect what McGowan hopes to accomplish with her position of directing the Viewettes. “I’ve always said I teach dance for a living, but at the end of the day my job really is to teach life skills through dance,” McGowan said. “To watch these students come in as girls and just see them mature and learn responsibility, discipline, work ethic and time management, just to prepare them for life…that’s the biggest reward for a teacher.” McGowan says that for any girls that are interested in trying out for Viewettes or any students interested in dancing in general, Longview High School has numerous classes that are a great starting point. “We’ve really worked on growing our dance program here at the
school,” McGowan said, speaking of the Viewette Prep class, Dance 1 and Dance 2 classes that are offered at the high school.
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Lobo football superstars Viewettes welcome visit Hudson Pep ‘rookies’
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Some of our Lobo football players (and Hudson PEP alums) on Friday morning, May 3, dropped by Hudson PEP’s morning assembly to talk to students about perseverance.
JMQ fundraiser pulls in $21,000!
Johnston-McQueen received a surprise bonus for their PTA fundraiser on Thursday, April 18, that raised $21,000! Thank you to our parents, students, and World’s Finest Chocolate for helping make Johnston-McQueen’s major PTA fundraiser a success!
June 2019
On Saturday, May 11, the Viewettes 55th line rookies were officially inducted and became members of the Longview High School Viewettes! Welcome to the family rookies! It’s time to thrive with 55! Rylee Babino, Clancy Davis, Miranda Gonzalez, Laney Hart, Rylee Hunter, Taylor McDaniel, Meagan McGuire, Kaitlyn Mancha, Ahrial Martin, Angie Mendoza, Alexis Nunley, Hailey Patterson, Dolores Pena, Michele Reyes, Sh’Niyah Williams, Abbey Frierson (manager) and Jalexia O’Quinn (manager) The outgoing Spirit Committee is excited to introduce their replacements for the 55th Line! Senior President Caroline Henderson, Senior Ava Loyd, Junior Meg Jackson, Junior Elizabeth Monsour and Senior Chaplain Emma Broquie Congratulations to all of the newcomers and welcome to the family!
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FOUNDATION
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Lamplighter honors students, staff The 19th annual Lamplighter Awards Banquet hosted by Longview ISD Foundation was held Thursday, April 4. Based on an idea inspired by the children’s book “My Great-Aunt Arizona” by Gloria Houston, this banquet honored a student from each Longview ISD campus and the educator or education support staff member who has had a significant influence on him or her. The Longview ISD Foundation is proud to present the 2019 honorees: Bramlette Elementary School—Mable King honored by Jamaya Smith East Texas Montessori Prep Academy—Dr. Nora Diaz honored by Dariana Aguilar
J. L. Everhart Elementary School—Priscilla Johnson honored by Jasmine Carter Hudson PEP Elementary School—Alison Campbell honored by Mary Claire Hilton Johnston-McQueen Elementary School—Patty Daniel honored by Mixie Gallant South Ward Elementary School—Susan Moon honored by Oscar Olivares Ware Elementary School—Vanessa Pipkin honored by Kierra Freeman Ned E. Williams Elementary School—Latanya Garlon honored by Mercia Otahhe Forest Park Middle School—Arri Moore honored by Yudiel Aguirre Foster Middle School—Kayleigh Mayhall honored by Madalynn Maddox Judson Middle School—Brandis Jamerson honored by Kenia Otero Longview Early Graduation High School—Kristi Means honored by KyJuan Elam Longview High School—Alan Raith honored by Jose D. Tenorio III Helen Davis, retired Foster Middle School teacher, honored by Zach Fasang The Longview ISD Foundation awarded the seventeenth annual Cornerstone Award to Chuck King, owner of Chick-fil-A, for his loyal support of the Foundation and the annual Green Out at Chick-fil-A.
Get your Lobo tumblers TODAY
With the approval of Coach John King, the Longview ISD Foundation, in conjunction with Blackhawk Hydrographics owned by Phillip Milam, husband of Sharon Milam who works at LHS, is selling Lobo Football Championship Powder Coated Laser Engraved 30-ounce stainless steel double-wall copper-lined tumblers! The commemorative tumblers come in Lobo green or black with a silver design and inscription and can be purchased with personalization up to fifteen characters or without personalization. Information about ordering is available on the Foundation’s website at LISDfoundation.org. The Milams are graciously returning a portion of this sale’s proceeds to the Longview ISD Foundation so that it can continue to fund its three grant programs. The Foundation appreciates your support and Coach King’s support as it works on behalf of LISD’s students and teachers!
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Math-Science team Castro, Landin finishes strong at earn Flint Hills State Competition scholarships Foster Middle School’s Texas Math & Science Coaches Association team finished in the top 15 percent at the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association meet on Saturday, April 27, in San Antonio, with two students placing in the top 10 in individual competitions. “Our Foster team did very well this year, especially taking into considering the changes that impacted our preparation time,” said Christi Shobert, 6th grade math teacher and lead coach for the program who coaches all grade levels in number sense, calculator and general math. “I want to acknowledge the students’, parents’ and coaches’ diligence and commitment to this program. It is my pleasure to work with the entire team.” The Foster TMSCA ranked 11th overall out of 75 schools in Class 6A (the largest classification in the state of Texas). More results are as follows: Number Sense 12th place team: Aman Saridena, Carolina Rodriguez, Gizela Terrones, Jacky Wang General Math 17th place team: Aman Saridena, Christina Holder, Dominic Pistone, Alec Germanwala Calculator 11th place team: Aman Aridena, Christina Holder, Katelyn Clendenin, Dominic Pistone Science 18th place team: Jacky Wang, Delia Fourie, Aman Saridena, Jonathan Lebanon Number Sense (7th Grade) 6th place: Aman Saridena Calculator (7th Grade) 1st place: Aman Saridena General Math (7th Grade) 8th place: Aman Saridena Science (6th Grade) 11th place: Jacky Wang
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Congratulations, Luis Castro and Jose Landin on your latest scholarships offers! Each year Flint Hills Resources gives the Longview ISD Foundation funds for two scholarships through its Outstanding Student Scholarship Program for students who are pursuing degrees or certification in any of the fields that Flint Hills Resources employs, one of which is welding. For the fourth year, the Longview ISD Foundation has worked with Matthew Strange, Longview High School dual credit welding instructor, to choose two outstanding, deserving students. Luis Castro and Jose Landin, Class of 2019, have competed throughout the year in welding competitions and have consistently won. Both are planning to continue their studies at Kilgore College. The Longview ISD Foundation, Inc. thanks Flint Hills Resources for giving this opportunity to deserving students.
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FFA earns honors Akilo, Bunn win Longview FFA had a good learning experiencing in April with various teams competing throughout the month. The horse evaluation CDE team competed at the Area VI CDE Contest on Monday, April 1, at the Marshall City Arena. Team Members Brennin Gillespie (11th Grade) Natalie Green (12th Grade) Montayvion Craig (11th Grade) Kelinda Jones (12th Grade) The Meat Evaluation CDE team competed at the Area VI CDE contest on Saturday, April 6, at the Texas A&M Meat Lab in College Station. They placed 5th as a team and Savannah Humphrey was the 9th high individual. They advanced to state contest which was held May 3rd at A&M as well Meat Evaluation CDE Team Madison Hunka (9th Grade) Gregorio Alvarez (12th Grade) Savannah Humphrey (12th Grade) Kelli Owings (9th Grade) The Entomology, Vet Tech, Floriculture, and livestock evaluation CDE teams competed at the Area VI CDE contest on Tuesday, April 16, at Texas A&MCommerce. The Entomology team placed 8th as a team and Wesley Manion was 14th high individual. Cooper was 14th high individual in the Livestock contest. Vet, floral, and Livestock team did a great job for many of their first area CDE contest. Entomology Team Wesley Manion (10th Grade) Kevin Moncada (9th Grade) Nancy Suarez (10th Grade) Floriculture Team Jennifer Barrios (10th Grade) Sony Betancourt (9th Grade) Vet Science Team Anna Hairston (10th Grade) Angelica Lambarria (11th Grade) Michele Loza (10th Grade) Livestock Team Cooper Mayes (10th Grade) Daja Boyd (10th Grade) Yahir Gaona (10th Grade)
STATE medals!
Longview High School had two students compete on Friday, May 3, in State UIL academic competitions in Austin. We are very proud of Fatima Akilo and Sophie Bunn of all your hard work! Fatima Akilo - First Place Latino History Essay Contest UIL Academic State Contest Sophie Bunn - state qualifier in Editorial Writing Fatima is a junior at Longview High School and is a member of the Literary Criticism and Ready Writing teams. Sophie is a senior at Longview High School and is a member of the Journalism and Ready Writing teams.
Partners in Prevention recognize LHS students The Coalition for Drug-Free Youth celebrated its Longview High School students on Tuesday, May 7. Students received a certificate and a letter of recommendation from Partners In Prevention CDFY program coordinator, Whitney Pierce. “We appreciate all your hard work and dedication to this cause,” Pierce said. “It is so important to tune in to what our students are experiencing and we could not do that without you.”
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Egg hunt sees large support
Thank you for those who volunteered for the 2019 Easter Egg Hunt Tyler Lighthouse for the Blind hosted by Region 7 ESC and Creature Teacher. Longview ISD students played several games that with the assistance of students from UT Tyler and Stephen F. Austin State University. Creature Teacher shared amazing animals like the bearded dragon and chinchilla. Students also participated in a obstacle course and hunted for beeping eggs.
‘LOBOTS’ ADVANCE TO TOP COMPETITION The LHS “LoBots” team competed on April 21-23 in Greenville, showing off their robotics skills. While the team did not earn any awards, Lead Mentor Antonio Gomez Pedroso said that they “were able to better our ranking which in this year meant a lot for us. Points from the Greenville competition combined with the points their competition on March 7-9 in Amarillo meant that the “LoBots” were “able to climb from the last positions 182 to 167…” according to Gomez Pedroso. “We did better, but we still have to work on our weak points. Some of the student captains were absent during the first competition…,” Gomez Pedroso said. Great effort by our “LoBots” team and we wish you the best of luck next year! Elijah Kianizadeh and Stephanie Dortch (9th Grade). Caden Bishop, Ayaan Khan, Christian Kingston, Jonas Lansford, Harrison Lin, James Markowitz, Raymond Montoya, Dante Runnels, Colby Stokes, Erick Vazquez, Daniela Gome-Pedroso, Elliott Murphy and Dagmawit Worke (10th Grade). Connor Gilliland, Mathew Nguyen, Robert Hough, Davik Lakkadi, Oracio Soria and Timothy Nardi (11th Grade). Jessica Sanchez (12th Grade).
June 2019
Foster fights bullying
On the Foster Middle School campus, students are taking a hands on approach aga in s t pos sible bullying. Meeting on Thursdays the Student Ambassadors AntiBullying Committee is geared towards bringing positivity and fostering friendship among students. “It’s a really great group of kids. Our main goal is to prevent as much bullying as we can or if we can’t prevent it, give the kids a place to go and spread the message of kindness,” said Christina Holder who is in eighth grade and serves as the president of the newly formed group. Foster’s Principal Ryan Carroll came up with the initial idea of having a group that would allow students to have a way to take on the issue. He relayed his thoughts to Intervention Specialist Lenora Choice at Foster what he had in mind and since then she has helped the students as they have grown the organization and come up with ideas. “We’re a new committee, we didn’t start at the beginning of the school year. It started out with a bang. Within a couple of weeks, our numbers just grew exponentially,” Choice said. “We quickly had 25, then two more joined just a few weeks ago. “They’ve created a day we call ‘Friendly Friday’ and it’s about getting to know somebody you don’t know or know that well. Going and sitting with a whole new group at lunch. That’s one of the first things we started.” For the vice president of the committee, meeting new people has been the favorite part of Hannah McCrory. Getting to meet students that she normally would not interact with has been an enjoyable thing for her. “There’s a huge variety of kids at the school who come to our meetings, so I really get to meet a lot of new kids,” Hannah said. “It has also been really nice to spread kindness and know that I’m making a difference in my school environment.” Both Carroll and Choice view the committee as a way to change the school not just at an administrative level but changing the atmosphere because it allows students to be the cause of change, impacting their school lives. “I can lay down discipline, but that doesn’t really change the culture of what’s happening on campus,” Carroll said. “The biggest thing for me is I see that there does need to be a lot of changes in schools, but the changes have to come from the students. Putting the power with the students and having them make some changes.”
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June 2019
Longview Public Library is hosting ‘Out of this World’ Summer Events Children and teens can earn prizes just for reading
Longview Public Library invites the children and teens of East Texas to “take me to your reader” this summer with a space themed Summer Reading Club. Summer Reading Club is free for anyone 0-18 and encourages children to read throughout the summer by offering prizes or coupons for each week a participant achieves their reading goal. The library even offers a summer reading club for adults who are interested in participating. “Kids who don’t read over the summertime experience what is called a ‘summer slide’ in their reading. They slide a grade level back; our goal is to keep that from happening! The Summer Reading Club is able to encourage thousands of children each year to keep reading during the summer months, develop a life-long love of
reading, and stay on or raise their reading levels,” said Youth Services Supervisor Jenna Yeakley. “We work hard to offer fun, engaging activities each day of the week throughout June and July and plenty of great prizes to incentivize readers.” Summer Reading Club kicks off with a party on the library’s Eastman Plaza on Friday, June 7 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The six-week program will culminate with an end party at Broughton Park on Wednesday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Summer Reading Club is FREE to the public and registration opens online and at the library on Wednesday, May 1 and continues throughout the program. SRC activities will include performers from across Texas at the Maude Cobb Convention and Activity Complex, story-times, crafty kids, LEGOS,
movie days, Super Smash Bros. tournaments, and, new this year, a slate of teen activities which will end with a Library After Hours event from 6 p.m. to midnight on Friday, July 26. A full schedule of Summer Reading Club programs will be available at www.longviewtexas. gov/library and in the library on Wednesday, May 1. Also, for the first time ever, the Summer Reading Club t-shirts that staff & volunteers wear will be on sale to the public this summer! Shirts will be available for purchase at the circulation desk. “For the past two years, we have had more than 2,000 registrants,” Yeakley said. “We are excited that due the support of generous and loyal sponsors, we can make a difference in the lives of so many kids and teens again this year.”
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