Texarkana Independent School District rang in the new school year with its annual Convocation on July 31, a high-energy celebration of student leadership and the teachers who make learning possible. Opening with a spirited student performance to Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration,” the event brought together educators, administrators, and student leaders to set a positive tone for the months ahead, writes Temilola Ogunkolade in the student newspaper at Texas High School.
(Mike Goad/Flickr Creative Commons)Superintendent Dr Doug Brubaker praised the district’s teachers for their dedication and impact, noting that the day was about both honoring past achievements and charting a course for the future. “The main topics were thanking [teachers] in advance for the great work that they’re gonna do with our kids this year … to charting the course for the future,” he said. The presence of keynote speaker Damon West, a bestselling author and college professor, further reinforced the message that educators shape not just academic knowledge but also lifelong leadership and decision-making skills.
Student leaders played a central role in the celebration, with Griffin White and Sanders Wiggins serving as emcees and performing to show their appreciation for the teachers who support them year-round. “They do so much for us all year long, so the least we can do is put on a show and give them some gifts,” Wiggins said. Leadership advisor Susan Waldrep called the convocation “our kickoff,” a rare chance for staff across the district to come together in one place and celebrate as a community.
Months of planning — from booking speakers to choreographing dances — went into making the event memorable, reflecting the same level of care and preparation teachers put into their classrooms every day. As Dr Brubaker summed it up, the joy comes not just from the start of a new school year, but from working alongside people committed to helping students grow, achieve, and lead.
