In the thick of it

New leader likes hanging out in the hallways at LHHS

Story by ELISSA CHUDWIN I Photo by RASY RAN

JOSHUA DELICH isn’t the type to hole up in his office all day.

Lake Highlands High School’s newest principal greets students with high fives and handshakes each morning. When he’s not in meetings, he sits on the hallway floor with his laptop and catches up on emails.

“Whether it’s a well-to-do home or a home that struggles to put food on the table or pay the bills, kids thrive with an authentic relationship,” he says.

Being visible to students and staff is crucial to Delich, who is building trust in a high school with inconsistent leadership.

When former principal Frank Miller resigned in 2016 after a three-year stint, Lake Highlands was forced to find its fifth leader in a decade. Delich, who served as principal of Fort Worth Polytechnic Institute, was up for the task. He got his start teaching six subjects to middle-schoolers before graduating to the high school level.

Delich’s first priority is restoring stability to the high school. Thirty-three teachers resigned from Lake Highlands last year alone, and there’s a 20-percent turnover rate districtwide.

There won’t be many changes until the staff and students feel comfortable, and Delich is adamant about maintaining his values. He even uses an acronym to describe himself — GRIT — which stands for grace, responsibility, integrity and trustworthiness.

“If you don’t think I’m living to my GRIT, let me know,” he says.

Education Guide

TOUR ON OCT. 24TH

• Classical education

• Christian

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL

848 Harter Rd., Dallas 7521 214.328.9131 / stjohnsschool.org

Founded in 1953, St. John’s is an independent, co-educational day school for Pre-K through Grade 8. With a tradition for academic excellence, St. John’s programs include a challenging curriculum in a Christian environment along with instruction in the visual and performing arts, Spanish, German, French, and opportunities for athletics and community service.St. John’s goal for its students is to develop a love for learning, service to others, and leadership grounded in love, humility, and wisdom.

Accredited by ISAS, SAES, and the Texas Education Agency.

White Rock North School

9727 White Rock Trail Dallas/ 214.348.7410

WhiteRockNorthSchool.com

6 Weeks through 6th Grade. Our accelerated curriculum provides opportunity for intellectual and physical development in a loving and nurturing environment. Character-building and civic responsibility are stressed. Facilities include indoor swimming pool, skating rink, updated playground, and stateof-the-art technology lab. Kids Club on the Corner provides meaningful after-school experiences. Summer Camp offers field trips, swimming, and a balance of indoor and outdoor activities designed around fun-filled themes. Accredited by SACS. Call for a tour of the campus.

Now offering specialized services for students with: ADHD, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, and Speech/Language challenges.

Challenging Academic Curriculum and Experienced Therapists

Our Redeemer Lutheran

School of Dallas 7611 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75225 214.368.1371 / ORDallas. org

On a beautiful campus just across from NorthPark Center, Our Redeemer encourages working above level, but without the atmosphere of anxiety and pressure. We’re nationally accredited through NLSA with our students historically scoring 2.5 years above level in nationally normed testing. PK 2 – 6th graders are provided a faithbased education of co-curricular Fine Arts and Language enrichment, strong academics, daily PE and recess and interscholastic athletics. Before and aftercare options are offered for PK3 and up. Private tours by request.

OUR

Putting Faith in Education

OPEN HOUSE WEEK: NOV. 6 - 10 Contact carolb@orlcs.com

• Age PK2 through 6th grade programs

• Low student – teacher ratio • Nationally accredited

• Test score average 2.5 years above national norm

• Music/Fine Arts, Religion, Spanish, Daily P.E. & Recess

• Interscholastic athletics

• Traditional educational curriculum blended with integrated technology

214-368-1371 | ORDallas.org

7611 Park Lane, Dallas, TX 75225

Education

Transforming Lives.

Zion Lutheran School

6121 E. Lovers Ln. Dallas / 214.363.1630 ziondallas. org

Toddler care thru 8th Grade. Serving Dallas for over 100 years offering a quality education in a Christ-centered learning environment. Degreed educators minister to the academic, physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of students and their families. Before and after school programs, athletics, fine arts, integrated technology, Spanish, outdoor education, Accelerated Reader, advanced math placement, and student government. Accredited by National Lutheran School & Texas District Accreditation Commissions and TANS. Contact Principal Jeff Thorman.

Educating in Dallas for over 100 years.

Zion Lutheran School provides a quality Christ-centered education.

6121 E. Lovers Ln. (@ Skillman) Dallas, TX 75214 214-363-1630 ziondallas.org

School Spotlight

Growing Gardens

Students at Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet now have a new classroom, although it lacks a chalkboard or books or even walls. No, these students will be digging in the dirt, watching plant life grow and otherwise getting an outdoor education in “The Garden of Life.” It was a labor of love bolstered by volunteers. Landscape architect Curtis Scoggins got a team together to professionally grade the uneven space this summer, adding ground cover to help prevent weeds from popping through. After that, Lowes Heroes showed up with 14 garden boxes, which they filled with proper soils so the sites would be ready for the kids to plant. Bonney Plants provided more than 1,000 starter plants, with even more pollinators from Brumley Gardens, ensuring every student had something to plant. “From the water cycle, to the rotation of the earth, conservation and insects, our teachers are committed to using this hands on tool to enhance all subjects,” says Andrea Hauglie, community liaison for the school.

Keeping Up With The Wildcats

Texas Tech volleyball opened its 2017 season by introducing Haley Harman, Red Raider freshman and recent Lake Highlands High grad, in a video (find it on the Texas Tech Volleyball Facebook page). “Haley has shown a lot of strength and toughness, and I’m looking forward to seeing how her talent and character impacts our program,” says Texas Tech coach Tom Graystone.

Wildcat senior Corey Fulcher continues his stand-out season on the football field. The rushing and receiving hot shot has verbally committed to attend Texas Tech next year.

Lake Highlands High 2013 grad Ali Miller can be seen around the rink as the newest member of the Dallas Stars Ice Girls. She learned dance from the legendary Kitty Carter, who is famously harsh and honest to Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders hopefuls and owns Kitty Carter’s Dance Factoryin Lake Highlands. Skating, however, was a new skill. “I actually have not skated before besides casually skating around the Galleria,” Miller says. “They started teaching us how to skate during training camp, and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Share your school news with the Lake Highlands Advocate. From student awards and fundraisers, to new school programs or teachers, all the tidbits can be sent to editor@advocatemag.com.

James Reilly

LHHS CLASS OF 1972

James Reilly was destined to explore our earth, our oceans and beyond. The lifelong adventurer was active in ROTC as a teen growing up in the neighborhood, earning a U.S. Navy scholarship that sent him to the University of Texas where he got an undergraduate and master’s degree in geosciences. From there, he has scoured the earth and even left its atmosphere as a NASA astronaut.

Three things to know:

1 He was selected to serve as a research scientist in Antarctica when he was a graduate student, specializing in stable isotope geochronology (whatever that means). It earned him the Antarctic Service Medal in 1978.

2 As part of his work for as an oil and gas exploration geologist for Enserch Exploration Inc., Reilly spent approximately 22 days in submarines operated by Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution and the U.S. Navy.

3 After years of applying, he was selected by NASA in 1994 to serve as a mission specialist, leading to three trips outside the earth, including a visit to the International Space Station.

Worship

ANGLICAN

ALL SAINTS EAST DALLAS / allsaintseastdallas.org

Sunday worship 5:00 pm / Live in God’s Presence. Live Out His Love. Meeting at Central Lutheran Church / 1000 Easton Road

BAPTIST

PARK CITIES BAPTIST CHURCH / 3933 Northwest Pky / pcbc.org

Worship & Bible Study 9:15 & 10:45 Traditional, Contemporary, Spanish Speaking / 214.860.1500

WILSHIRE BAPTIST / 4316 Abrams / 214.452.3100

Pastor George A. Mason Ph.D. / Worship 8:30 & 11:00 am

Bible Study 9:40 am / www.wilshirebc.org

Bible Churches

NORTH HIGHLANDS BIBLE CHURCH / nhbc.net / 9626 Church Rd.

Sun: LifeQuest 9:00 am / Worship 10:30 am / 214.348.9697

Wed: AWANA and Kids Choir 6:00 pm / Student Ministry 6:30 pm

Disciples Of Christ

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH / 629 N. Peak Street / 214.824.8185

Sunday School 9:30 am / Worship 8:30 am - Chapel 10:50 am - Sanctuary / Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes / edcc.org

Episcopal

ST. JOHN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH / stjd.org

Worship: Sat 5:30 pm, Sun 8 & 10 am / Christian Ed Sunday Morning & Weekdays, see calendar on website / 214.321.6451 / 848 Harter Rd.

LUTHERAN

CENTRAL LUTHERAN CHURCH, ELCA / 1000 Easton Road

Sunday School for all ages 9:00 am / Worship Service 10:30 am

Pastor Rich Pounds / CentralLutheran.org / 214.327.2222

FIRST UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH / 6202 E Mockingbird Ln.

Sunday Worship Service 10:30 am / Call for class schedule. 214.821.5929 / www.dallaslutheran.org

METHODIST

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RICHARDSON

503 N Central Exwy / fumcr.com / 972.235.8385 / Dr. Clayton Oliphint

8:45, 9:45, 11:00 am sanctuary / access modern worship 11:00am

LAKE HIGHLANDS UMC / 9015 Plano Rd. / 214.348.6600 / lhumc.com

Sunday Morning: 9:30 am Sunday School / 10:30 am Coffee

Worship: 8:30 am & 11:00 am Traditional / 11:00 am Contemporary

NON-DENOMINATIONAL

LAKE POINTE CHURCH – WHITE ROCK CAMPUS

Classic Service at 9:30 & Contemporary Service at 11:00 am lakepointe.org / 9150 Garland Road

Presbyterian

LAKE HIGHLANDS PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 214.348.2133

8525 Audelia Road at NW Hwy. / www.lhpres.org

9:00 am Contemporary, 9:55 am Christian Ed., 11:00 am Traditional

NORTHRIDGE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH / 6920 Bob-O-Link Dr.

214.827.5521 / www.northridgepc.org / Sundays 8:30 & 11:00 am

Sunday School 9:35am / All Are Welcome