RaisingShow Animals

La Porte High School Senior Ryleigh Elko has raised livestock since she was a fifth-grader. This year, she raised two steers, two lambs, one heifer and one pig. These are six of the 14 animals she has raised. She is a Second Vice President in the La Porte High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization.

After graduation, Ryleigh plans to attend Blinn College to obtain her Livestock Judging certification. She then plans to study large animal veterinary medicine at Texas A&M University.

Ryleigh

Mornings at the Ag Barn

Ryleigh’s favorite thing about raising an animal is the bond she creates with the animal. She said, “Even though it is just a few months, you build an unbreakable bond and go through a lot together that sticks with you forever.” She also said she has loved learning how to take care of a sick animal and about the medical side of raising animals.

If it weren’t for the Ag program, I might not have made it through high school.

Ryleigh Elko La Porte High School senior

Mornings at the La Porte ISD Ag Barn start as early as 6:30 a.m. Activities include mixing the food for each animal, cleaning out stalls and giving each animal food and water.

Ryleigh said, “Since I compete around Texas with other programs, I strongly believe that our La Porte FFA program stands out as one union. We are always representing the La Porte program by being respectful to other programs and always being good showmen in and outside the ring. Not many other programs will congratulate you after a big win, but La Porte most definitely always will.”

Crystal Elko, Ryleigh’s mother, said, “The advice I would give any parent with a student interested in raising animals or even just needing a good organization to belong to would be to join the FFA program and get involved as much as possible, not just with raising animals, but the program as a whole. The last piece of advice I can give as a parent is to support your teachers and reach out to them for guidance.”

Kelsey Elledge, who attends James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus, said her favorite thing about raising animals is being able to learn new things. “Every animal you get is different, and you have to learn what works for them to grow to be good.” Elledge’s least favorite part of raising an animal is becoming best friends with them and then having to sell them at the end.

“As a junior FFA member, this program is special because they have good teachers helping us all along the way. The older FFA students include us in everything and it’s a fun program to be a part of. My favorite teacher in FFA is Mrs. Hicks,” said Kelsey.

Missy Elledge, Kelsey’s mother, said, “Showing animals has taught my children to be more responsible. It allows your child to be a part of a great group. It encourages them to be the best they can be and work hard for what they want. They learn responsibility and compassion.”

Showing swine could cost around $2000, according to Missy Elledge. This number includes the amount to purchase the pig and added cost for feed. However, it can be higher depending on how much a student wants to spend to get the animal. If students are successful with a project, and place high in an auction, they could profit from it a lot, she added.

Missy Elledge said, “My best advice is to always make sure your child is, above all else, having fun! That’s what it’s all about, win or lose.”

Carrie Hicks, Lead Agricultural Science teacher at La Porte High School, added, “My favorite thing is to see the bonds our students create with their animals and the close friendships that are made in the barn. Our students work so hard together raising these animals, and the excitement I see the students have for each other’s success in the ring makes a teacher very proud.”

Hicks went on to say the La Porte program is special because it is a well rounded program. “We have something for all students−anything from raising animals in our state of the art district Ag Barn, to public speaking in English and Spanish; we work hard to find ways for each student to excel,” Hicks said. “Additionally, La Porte FFA is very competitive in leadership development events, career development events, public speaking and raising animals. Our students have the opportunity to show the livestock they’ve raised at the Pasadena Livestock Show and Rodeo, Harris County Livestock Show, La Porte Livestock Show and Rodeo and all major livestock shows in Texas. Furthermore, we are so lucky to have a tight-knit community and school district that supports our students and the La Porte FFA program.“

Girls Varsity Basketball makes it to Area playoffs

The 2022-23 Lady Dawgs Basketball Team won the Bi-District and Area Playoff rounds and advanced to the Regional Quarterfinals. More recently, eight team members earned All-District honors, while 10 team members earned Academic All-District. All-District honorees are Addisyn Parker, 18-5A Most Valuable Player; Keely Cummings, First Team; Chloe Paul, First Team; Kera Arrington, First Team; Makayla Bellot, Second Team; Kaylee Mericle, Second Team; Sophia Rodriguez, Honorable Mention; and Angelina Goynes, Honorable Mention. The Academic All-District honorees are Kera Arrington, Makalya Bellot, Keely Cummings, Angelina Goynes, Sarah Green, Bailey Jackson, Kaylee Mericle, Addisyn Parker, Chloe Paul, and Esme Soto. The Lady Dawgs head coach is Elisha Thompson. Assistant coaches are Connie Linday, Tonia Thomas and Miranda Thornton. The team managers are Kloe Stone and

Singleton earns golf honors

Congratulations to La Porte High School junior Avari Singleton, who won the Jan. 23 Clear Brook Girls Golf Winter Invitational at Timber Creek Golf Club! She beat 33 competitors and shot a personal best 88.

Touchdown Club honors football team

The La Porte Bulldogs Football Team received a high honor on Jan. 26 from The Touchdown Club of Houston as a Sportsmanship Award finalist. Head Coach Kevin Berneathy and LPHS senior Dayshaun Wooley represented La Porte at the luncheon during which they were presented with the award.

Seniors sign to play sports and continue education

More than 100 students are learning about entrepreneurship

More than 100 students from La Porte ISD elementary schools and the James H. Baker Sixth Grade Campus are learning about entrepreneurship through the Lemonade Day program sponsored by the district, La PorteBayshore Chamber of Commerce and Amegy Bank. Lemonade Day is a nationally recognized fun, experiential program that teaches youths how to start, own and operate their own business—a lemonade stand. This is the second year for Lemonade Day in La Porte ISD, and this year’s activities will culminate in a community-wide event hosted at Bulldog Stadium on May 20.

Business leaders from the La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce began working with student participants and teacher sponsors from each campus the week of April 10. The six-week curriculum covers topics such as being an entrepreneur, making a plan, and working your plan. At the May 20 Lemonade Day celebration, students will operate their own lemonade stands, with judges awarding prizes for Best Lemonade, Entrepreneur of the Year, and more. Other activities will take place as the young entrepreneurs sell lemonade,

WHY ARE WE VOTING FOR THE BOND?

making Lemonade Day a fun family event for the La Porte community. La Porte ISD appreciates the efforts of La Porte-Bayshore Chamber of Commerce representatives Frank Nance, Jeff Martin, Adelina Gomez-Abshire, Rick Helton, Amanda DeAlejandro, Carol Spruiell, Ryan Mathis, Tiffany Mathis, Brandon Lunsford and Kelly Moses, who are serving as mentors for the Lemonade Day teams.

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It will allow us to keep our tax dollars in our schools and community.

LPISD has one of the lowest tax rates in the area yet the largest recapture (Robin Hood) payment . Last year, LPISD was required to send over $56 million of our local tax dollars to the state. Approving this bond and investing in our schools allows us to keep more of our tax dollars in our community.

This bond will provide devices for every teacher AND every student.

Currently, teachers and staff must buy their own laptops for work and instruction.

Bulldog Stadium has reached the end of its useful life and must be rebuilt .

TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFER

TO MAKE OUR STADIUM SAFER TO GIVE OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS THE TOOLS THEY NEED TO SUCCEED

CAN WE COUNT ON YOUR VOTE?

Over $19 million worth of repairs have been done on it since 2006, but it has still grown less and less safe for students and attendees, especially for those with disabilities. Originally built in 1958, the time has long passed for a new stadium. Over 875 kids use the stadium weekly - if we want everyone to be able to use our stadium and do so safely, we MUST rebuild. It is simply a matter of compliance with safety, UIL, ADA, and Title 9 requirements. $

BONUS: We can do everything without increasing the tax rate!

EARLY VOTING: APRIL 24 - MAY 2

ELECTION DAY: MAY 6

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