Gainesville Junior High - Beyond

GAINESVILLE JUNIOR HIGH

Students at Gainesville Junior High are exposed to a variety of extracurricular activities that fit the needs and interests of our student population. These activities broaden student development, strengthen social skills, and tend to boost academic performance while giving students the opportunity to learn and develop abilities beyond the classroom. Although COVID-19 protocols changed how these activities looked, school staff aimed to maintain school spirit and student involvement throughout the 2020-2021 school year.

ATHLETICS

Over 280 students participated in GJHS athletic programs during the year. Led by Coach LJ Searcy and Coach Leslie Thomas, young athletes learn goal setting, self-discipline, problem-solving skills, and the value of teamwork, as well as develop a strong work ethic. GJHS offers football, volleyball, basketball, soccer, track, cross country, tennis, and golf. Competitively, a highlight of the year was the Henrietta track meet when all four 7th and 8th grade boys and girls teams placed first. The GJHS Athletic Department also held its very first Spring League volleyball, basketball, and football for athletes in grades 6-8. A similar skills program is offered during the summer and focuses on specific sports as well as overall strength and conditioning. BAND

During the 2021 school year, the GJHS Band program, led by Band Director Jeff Hodges, overcame many obstacles to find success and create new standards for the future. Being unable to publicly perform, the program instead focused on learning recording techniques and were able to have several virtual concerts this year. These virtual concerts were musically successful and well-received by the community. In the fall, many students auditioned for All-Region Band with a record-setting eight students who qualified. UIL concert and sight-reading recordings were submitted in the spring, and the band was awarded a Superior Rating. Members also participated virtually in the Pilot Point Solo and Ensemble Contest. As the school year closed, the band was involved in several other performances, including the Willie Owens guest composer concert, in which the composer rehearsed and performed his music with GJHS students. The junior high bands were also able to participate in the 1st annual Fiesta Day community event in May. CHOIR & THEATRE

GJHS has three choirs under the

BEYOND THECLASSROOM

direction of Sutton Hennessy. During the 2020-2021 school year, students TJ Foss and Joeseph Holmes were selected to be part of the All Region Choir. The Bel Canto Choir recorded a stellar performance for the UIL competition and also performed at the community Fiesta Day.

During the fall semester, theatre students, also directed by Sutton Hennessy, rehearsed and prepared for the UIL One Act Play competition. This year’s production of Still Life with Iris included 22 student actors and technicians. The troupe was awarded the Best Techs Award at the competition for outstanding work behind the scenes. All Star Cast was awarded to Virginia Evans and Honorable Mention was earned by TJ Foss, John Mitchell, and Kelsey Vaughn. During the spring semester, over 30 student performers staged Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Jr. ART

Each year, GISD sponsors a Christmas card contest to give our student artists a chance to show off their talents. Ericka Herrera-Franco’s detailed, COVID-inspired artwork, was first place for GJH and her art graced the inside of the card. In January, Art teacher Melissa Knight featured artist work at the Board meeting. The pieces included Pop Art Candy Labels, Raised Texture Zentangles with chalk, Shoe Drawings, and Eclipses with Tissue Paper inspired by artist Alma Thomas. Also in January, art students welcomed Ms. Anna Wayt, a Senior Artist from UNT, to assist the students with their self-portraits. Anna shared tips, techniques, and insight into self-portraits and drawing facial features. Students appreciated getting the extra assistance and a different perspective on drawing. ACADEMIC UIL & SPELLING BEES

Over 65 students participated in the Academic UIL competition, which was conducted virtually. Junior high teams won first place in Dictionary Skills, Maps, Graphs, and Charts, Mathematics, and Music Memory. Natali Garcia and Ericka Herrera-Franco tied for first place in Dictionary Skills. Ericka Herrera Franco also was first in Editorial Writing, Cora Gardner placed first in Mathematics and Music Memory, Amira Khan was first in Spelling, and Ray Glancy was first in Number Sense.

The GISD Spelling Bee was held on January 13, and the top three were junior high students. First place winner was Amira Khan, with Jackson Otts and Natali Garcia rounding out the top three spellers. At the district Spanish Spelling Bee in March, GJHS students Daniel Zuniga Carranza and Jasmine Ponce were both in the top three Spanish spellers.