“Never bet against the Lobos.” ― John King
Longview Independent School District, founded in 1909
LISD takes a look back on some of our...
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ongview Independent School District was first established over 100 years ago. Over the course of that time, LISD has come a long way. Be sure to check out the stories and opinion pieces throughout this issue to get an idea of what the teachers, staff, and students have accomplished!
A brief history of the Lobo Nation, fr om befor e being founded, to the 1980’s. See History on Page 3
Judson STEAM Academy receives state and national r ecognition. See Judson on Page 8
The Lobos earned their 1937 and 2018 State Championship wins. See Sports on Page 14-15
Longview g raduation rate is ranked in the top 10 in the countr y. See Graduation on Page 16
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
Lobo proud, Lobo Nation strong By Mayor Andy Mack
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ear Lobos, As you know, I am a proud Longview Lobo who graduated in 1978. I truly do thank God for seeing fit to place my family in Longview as I have been blessed immensely for it. In reflecting on my time spent at LISD, I can envision so many people who made a difference in my life. Allow me to walk down Memory Lane with you a bit in this article. My career as a Lobo began at Mozelle Johnston Elementary School. I had fantastic teachers including Ms. Avis, Ms. Buchanan and Ms. Garrison. They were amazing and the first to fourth grade was so wonderful as a child growing up. I lived on Eden Drive and it was a great street to live on. Lots of kids and lots of fun, but you see, if you went to LISD, Eden Drive was the school district boundary line. Anytime the school district boundaries changed, the kids on Eden Drive were the ones that got moved around. Before fifth grade started, the line moved, so all the kids on the north side of Eden Drive continued at Mozelle Johnston. Since I lived on the south side of Eden Drive, I was off to Bramlette. My life was ruined. I didn’t know where Bramlette was. I thought it was a foreign country. I’d never heard of Bramlette. All I knew was Mozelle Johnston, but I went to Bramlette in fifth grade and I was blessed to have the most amazing human being as a teacher you could ever imagine, Ms. Ola B. Timberlake. She loved me, was amazing and thanks to her Bramlette was now my new home. Life was good again. Of course, in sixth grade the line changed again, so off I went to Judson. Judson was an amazing experience because I got to meet Mr. Wesley Whatley, who I still interact with today and actually ate lunch with not too long ago. He was my principal and a great example for a sixth grader. I also got to meet Coach McBride who taught me how to play basketball. I was really good and was highly recruited as a 6th grade basketball standout. Did I mention I was 6’7” in the 6th grade? Haha. This
was the time I also met didn’t play. At Forest poor Dr. Snowden. Dr. Park, I also met Mr. Snowden was the band Morris who instilled director at Judson. If fear in every child at the you were in athletics at school. If you got caught Judson in sixth grade, in the hallway after the you either had to be bell rang, you knew you in band or choir. Since were going to get it! You I couldn’t sing at all, could hear his cowboy band was my option. I boots and see his bald MACK thought I’d get to play head a mile away. I have some cool instruments since been acquainted like the drums, the trumpet with Mr. Morris as an adult or maybe the saxophone. But and he really turned out to be a nope, I was given the trombone. super nice guy, but as an eighth I had no idea what end to grader, I sure was terrified of even blow and poor Dr. him. Snowden realized that Well, off to high after three days school which l and brought about a sent change that I nevme to er thought would choir! have occurred. I Well, he had a teacher in didn’t the 10th realize grade I was who I even didn’t worse think at choir. could be Two any prettier days later of a human they sent me being, Ms. back to band. Dr. Sylvia Hunt. Snowden was probably the hapI don’t know piest person to see the line for what she taught, but I nevLISD change again in seventh er missed her class and was grade as I would soon be out of never late. She was amazingly his hair and was off to Forest beautiful. She actually taught Park. English. I spent 7th and 8th grade at I also had Mr. C.C. Turner, Forest Park and I got to be with who taught me Calculus. Mr. Ms. Brenda McKinney, who Wiley, who taught me physics taught me math. I got to meet and poor Ms. Canion and Ms. Mr. London and Mr. MeisenBassett, who tried so hard to heimer, who taught me shop. teach me English. Who would I got to be with Coach Cowan have thought you needed Enwho taught me athletics and by glish to be successful? Okay, if the way, is the only one that I I’d have just known, I’d have ever received licks from through taken a do-over. I know every my entire education. You see, time I have a publication or a when I was in school, if you got speech or something that’s writin trouble, you got licks with a ten, Ms. Bassett and Ms. Canion paddle. It made a huge impreshave their red pencils out going, sion on all of us as children. It “if you would have only listened worked. I have shared with you to us.” They were so wonderful. before that my offense was leavI also had Coach Wendell ing my locker open. I have never Graves, who taught me how to left a locker open since eighth play golf and a lot about life. grade. It worked. What a great man he was! I also had Mr. Yoakam, as Each one of these teachers as my counselor and he tried to get well as those I have not menme to play basketball at Forest tioned hold a special place in my Park. I had a really good looking heart and I love them all dearly. hair style back then – which That in itself should tell you happened to be in violation of all you need to know about the the hair code to play basketball. quality of the people at LISD. I was not about to cut it to play What an amazing support group a silly game of basketball, so I I had!
I was one of those lucky kids. I had support from my teachers but also had support from my family. My mom and dad were always available. They never missed anything. They were at everything we ever did. I thought my dad used to have a twin. I don’t know how he was able to do his medical practice and be at all of our athletic and sporting events. All the things we did, he was always present and then he was also the team doctor for the Lobos for 37 years; so, I had great support. My stepmother Marion was on the school board when my brothers and I were in high school. She was able to give all of us our diplomas which was very special for us. My brother, Chris served on the school board for over 20 years and he was able to give all three of my children their diplomas. My younger brother Ben is a General Surgeon here in town and also graduated from LHS. We all went through Longview High School, all of our kids, all of our family and there’s a common thread there. That common thread is LISD. I’m a huge proponent of public education. I think it’s very important. Public education played a huge role in all of our kids’ lives from Hudson Pep with Ms. Bogue as principal to Foster Middle School with Mr. Clark as principal. And then on to the high school with Mr. Brewer. They all had wonderful experiences and all went on to professional school. It’s a system. It’s a process. It’s an environment here at LISD and it works. The system that makes it work is every bus driver, cafeteria worker, custodian, coach teacher, educator, administrator, principal, superintendent, counselor and school board member. You are who make it work. It’s you that makes this successful. You are the big green machine. Go Lobos. Study hard, have some fun and say your prayers,
Andy — Dr. Andy Mack is a 1978 graduate of Longview High School. An oral and maxillofacial surgeon for more than 25 years, he is owner-operator of East Texas Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Longview.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
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A history of Longview Schools Up until the creation of city schools, education of Longview’s children was provided by small, private schools which charged a monthly fee that varied by grade level. A newspaper article from 1889 talked of plans to build a boarding house in connection with Longview public high school for “the benefit of students from abroad,” hopefully attracted to Longview for the town’s health-giving mineral wells, and the excellence of the school which teaches every branch of knowledge, from needlework to fine art. This 3-story frame school opened for white children in 1890. It had four rooms on the first floor, four on the second floor, and two in the attic. In 1888 Longview’s African-American children attended a 4-room frame building located on the Marshall Highway north of town. Before 1908 a two-story frame building was built for secondary education, and was called the Colored High School. It was later enlarged and renamed North Ward High School. Longview Independent School District was founded in 1909. In 1910, Longview and Kilgore were the only independent school districts in Gregg County. County schools included Harmony Grove, Judson, Peatown, Elderville, Spring Hill, Pine Tree, Gladewater, Sabine, Danville and White Oak. LISD Superintendent S. J. Blocker was also a builder and architect. He designed and supervised the construction of this first brick high school in Gregg County in 1909. In 1912, the growth of the community prompted four additional elementary schools to be built. They were First Ward, Northcutt Heights, Campus Ward, and Northside Elementary for African American students. In 1913, Longview High School had 6 faculty members and administrative staff, and 110 students — 15 seniors, 25 juniors, 21 sophomores and 39 freshmen. This brick High School was built in 1927 on the site where the 3-story frame structure had stood, and was used as a high school for 4 years. With the discovery of oil, after the high school building on Whaley Street was completed, the high school building on Green Street was converted to Longview Junior High and housed grades 6-9. Former Campus Ward school was converted to a Junior High Annex. Campus Ward was the oldest school
the new high school on Loop 281. In 1987, the building that housed Nicholson Memorial Library became an addition to Foster Middle School. In 1931, LISD purchased the city block known as the R. C. DeGraffenreid homestead on North Second street. This new high school was built there in 1932. Mark Lemmon of Dallas, raised in Longview, was the architect. The design featured art deco entrances and wooden floors in the classrooms. The football stadium was added in 1933, and the building that housed T. G. Field auditorium, the cafeteria and administration building was completed in 1955. Longview Negro High School was built in 1930, and served more then 200 students. After this school was destroyed by fire in 1948, Mary C. Womack High School was opened at the corner of Boyd and Luckett Streets. The school mascot was the Leopard. J. L. Everhart served as principal of Longview Colored High School and Womack High School from 1945-1970. In 1965, Longview ISD and Judson ISD were consolidated. The summer of 1970, when desegregation was federally mandated, was a challenging time for Longview. On July 4, 1970, 36 school buses in LISD’s bus yard were bombed. That fall African-American students from Mary C. Womack High School, Southside Elementary, Rollins Elementary and Ned E. Williams Elementary were transferred to previously all white schools. FBI investigations into the bus-bombing resulted in the conviction of two people on civil conspiracy charges in 1971. The new Longview High School, located on Loop 281, was dedicated on August 19, 1976. The ninth grade, which since the middle 1930s had been considered part of the senior high program but had been housed in the junior high building, was added to the new high school. The Mary C. Womack school building was torn down in 1983, and after a failed attempt by former alumni to save the old Longview High School building, it was demolished in the summer of 1988. building in Longview when it burned down in 1944. Students from Longview Junior High rotated classes with South Ward students until the new addition was built in 1945. In 1955 another addition was constructed. In 1957 Longview Junior
High was renamed Henry L. Foster Junior High School in honor of long time LISD superintendent H. L. Foster. It was renamed to Henry L. Foster Middle School in 1976 and grade 6 was moved to the elementary schools, and grade 9 moved to
SCHOOLS, PAST AND PRESENT
• Erskine Bramlette Elementary, located on Tupelo Dr., built in 1956. • East Ward Elementary, located on 1000 South Sixteenth Street, was opened in 1953. History|Continued to page 4
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
LOBO BLOCKBUSTER Student film earns second place in State Published Sept. 21, 2020
But after a 10-hour shoot and editing over the course of oboView Films has made a month and a half, the stua blockbuster of a film! dents pulled it off. In addition to their For the second year in awards from the film festival a row, the Longview High at the end of February, the film School film program was “Shadow Walkers” earned them ranked in the top six in the the second place prize in State state and was the only school in March! in Division II Narrative Film “I think it’s fair to say the to repeat from 2020. LoboView Film students are “As their sponsor and coach, beyond thrilled with the results. I have never been more proud It shows tangible improvement of a group of students. From too,” said the Lobo UIL film the very beginning, the Lobocoach Joshua Graves. “Back-toback State finals is an excellent Film|Continued to page 8 accomplishment in itself, but to also know that our film program is now number 2 in the state really gives the kids a goal to work towards for next year.” Due to the global pandemic, the students had to work around the struggles of remote learning as well as students getting sick.
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’ s r e k l Wa w s o d m l a i h F S ‘ iew V o b by Lo
Our district is Lobo Strong Since joining the Board of Trustees in May of 2018, I have seen this district continually progress year over year and push the envelope regarding how public education is presented to our students in the 21st century. Longview ISD strives to make sure every student graduating from our program is
either College Ready, Career Ready, and/ or Military Ready, but most importantly, is Success Ready! These students are our future and we need to invest every resource available to make sure they can compete with today’s global economy,
TUBB
and here at Longview, that’s exactly what we intend to do. Through the leadership of our Superintendent and his administrative team, in conjunction with the Board of Trustees, and all 1,400 employees of the district, we want to ensure that every
student has an opportunity at a successful life after high school. That success starts within our district, because here at Longview ISD, We Believe In Excellence For All! Go LOBOS! — Michael Tubb currently serves as the vice president for the LISD Board of Trustees.
HISTORY |Continued from page 3 • First Ward Elementary School building became the High School’s Shop, Band, and Agricultural units in the 1950s. • Forest Park Junior High, located on Lake Drive, was opened in 1957. • G. K. Foster Elementary, located on Sixteenth Street, was opened in 1953. • Jodie McClure Elementary, located on Melba St., was built in 1956.
• Northcutt Heights, located at 515 N. Court Street, was rebuilt in 1931 after the original building was destroyed by a tornado. It has previously housed the LISD Administration offices, and currently is home of the Gregg County Multi-Purpose Senior Center, and Meals on Wheels. • Northside Elementary, located on East Marshall between First and Second
Street, was opened in 1929 as an African-American school. It was later renamed Janie Daniel Elementary. • Pinewood Park, located on 200 Glenn Dr., was built in 1950, with an annex added in 1953. • Rollins Elementary, built in 1953 for African American students, closed in 1970. It was located on Humble Road near Rollins St. • Southside Elementary was
built in 1936. It closed in 1978. • South Ward Elementary school, located on Mobberly Ave. near Pliler St, opened in 1934, with additions built in 1947 and 1954. • Valley View Elementary, located on Alpine Road, was opened in 1953. • Ware Elementary, located off of High Street (then also called Ware Highway), was built in 1953.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
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District working with three charter partners Published Apr. 13, 2020 Longview Independent School District board members agreed to enter a charter partnership with two non-profit organizations, during a virtual meeting Monday, April 13. Trustees authorized Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox to negotiate and sign performance contracts with Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS), and Longview Educates and Prospers (LEAP). Dr. Wilcox praised the board members for their diligence and dialogue throughout this process. “Our trustees have done such an excellent job of communicating to [district staff] their thoughts, concerns, and questions at every step of the way,” he said. “We appreciate their service and leadership to the entire Longview community.” LISD Chief Innovation Officer Dr. Craig Coleman said the Texas Education Agency must still approve the application for benefits of the proposed contracts between the partners. “If approved, TCIS will operate the Hudson PEP, Ned E. Williams, South Ward, Foster, Judson, and Longview High School campuses,” he said. “LEAP will operate Longview
ABOUT THE PARTNERS
Early Graduation High School, Longview High School’s Career and Technical Education (CATE) program, and East Texas Advanced Manufacturing Academy.” This stands to be the second time Longview ISD has moved in this direction since the passage of Senate Bill 1882 in as many years — the first
being the partnership with East Texas Advanced Academies prior to the 2019-2020 school year. LISD schools currently in the ETAA network include East Texas Montessori Prep Academy, as well as the Bramlette, Everhart, Johnston-McQueen, Ware, and Forest Park campuses.
Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS) With a strong emphasis on International Baccalaureate education and elite academic excellence, TCIS’s mission is to partner with Texas school districts to shape the future of IB World Schools in Texas through program development, professional training, curriculum planning, marketing support, and scholarship programs. The IB Diploma Programme is an academically challenging and balanced programme of education that prepares students for success at university and in life beyond. The programme has gained recognition and respect from the world’s leading universities. Local board members for TCIS include Karen Phillips, Walter Sorenson, Dolph Briscoe, Bill Thomas, and Margaret Davis, with LHS Dean of Instruction Linda Buie expected to serve as district liaison for the board. Longview Educates and Prospers (LEAP) A partnership to provide a collaborative program that prepares students in real-world Charter|Continued to page 7
zSpace brings ‘virtual reality’ to Longview Published Jan. 10, 2020 The technology of the future is arriving at Longview ISD campuses soon and training is already underway. During a seminar at the LISD administration building last month, zSpace technicians were on hand to show teachers how to best utilize their technology. What makes zSpace so different from a normal computer is that zSpace combines elements of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) to create lifelike experiences that are immersive and interactive. Using glasses that are about the size and weight of regular sunglasses, five sensors on them work in conjunction to bring objects on the screen to life. “The experience itself is unique. It doesn’t require large equipment that the students have to wear,” said Kevin Dougherty, zSpace Senior Director of Sales. “Students can lift a human heart off the screen, still beating, in perfect proportion and manipulate it right there in front of their eyes.”
In August the district board approved spending $500,000 to purchase technology for LISD campuses: LHS, South Ward, Ned E. Williams, Hudson PEP, Judson, and Foster. With this upgrade, students will be able to get a more hands-on experience than would normally be possible. Something that might be cost-prohibitive, such as taking apart a vehicle’s engine, to the downright impossible, seeing the moon up close, and being able
to break it down into its various layers, can all be done with zSpace’s computers. “There should be joy and excitement in learning,” Dougherty added. “At the same time, education should also be tied to standards and assessment, while also being exploratory in nature so that the kids learn for learning’s sake. Not because they have to achieve a certain arbitrary goal,” Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox expressed enthusiasm for
the software, calling it “a potential game-changer.” “I have no doubt that what’s going to happen with zSpace here will be revolutionary, and will positively impact every student who uses the technology,” he said. “Who knows what future doctor, engineer, or other researcher is inspired to begin their career path because they were introduced to this technology at a young age.” Over 1,000 districts in the nation have rolled out zSpace to some extent with nearly 100 in Texas. No district in the nation though has seen as big of a rollout as LISD is seeing, according to Dougherty. The training that the teachers received is the first train-the-trainers seminar that was district specific.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
JOHNSTON-MCQUEEN
WARE EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI ACADEMY
JUDSON
601 W Garfield Ave.
259
EAST TEXAS MONTESSORI PREP ACADEMY
LONGVIEW HS
400 N Eastman Rd.
J.L. EVERHART
281
JOHNSTONMCQUEEN ELEMENTARY
BRAMLETTE FOREST PARK
80
EARLY GRADUATION
BRAMLETTE STEAM ACADEMY
ETX MONTESSORI PREP S. WARD
WARE
422 FM 2751
FOSTER
111 Tupelo Dr.
HUDSON PEP
31 20
NED E. WILLIAMS ELEMENTARY 5230 Estes Pkwy. J.L. EVERHART ELEMENTARY
149
2919 Tryon Rd. NED E. WILLIAMS
HUDSON PEP ELEMENTARY 1311 Lilly St.
SOUTH WARD ELEMENTARY
1011 S Mobberly Ave. JUDSON STEAM ACADEMY 5745 Judson Rd.
FOREST PARK MIDDLE SCHOOL
1644 N Eastman Rd. FOSTER MIDDLE
1504 S Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL
201 E Tomlinson Pkwy. EARLY GRADUATION HIGH SCHOOL 410 S Green St.
Registration Begins Soon Now, it’s your turn to learn more:
Visit ChooseLISD.org or call 903-381-2200. Paid for by the MSAP funds.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
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From seniors to middle schoolers Foster has served countless students for nearly a century The main building housing the first Foster Middle School was begun in 1927 and completed in 1929 and represented an investment of $130,000. At that time it was Longview Senior High School. The dedication read, “to the cause of education” and time has certainly proven this to be true as it has been in use continuously as a school since its construction. The architect for this project was Elmer J. Withers of Fort Worth, Texas. The builder was the Christy-Dolph Construction Company of Dallas, Texas. Located on 6.3 acres on the corner of College and Green Streets, the original building contained sixteen classrooms, a homemaking room, library, clinic, office and auditorium. It was built of multi-colored brick, wood frame windows, and a red clay tile roof. It was used four years as a high school, then converted to a junior high school when a new high school was built on East Whaley Street in 1932. The north wing of the building was used for elementary classes in the Fall of 1936 until the new South Ward Elementary School was completed.
The school building was also a center of community activity, having been used as a polling place and a temporary place of worship for various churches. The auditorium was used for Civic Music concerts, “Lion’s Jollies”, band concerts, and civic productions in the 1930’s and 1940’s. Today this is the main building in a middle school complex serving seven hundred fifty students in grades six through eight. This complex consists of a separate
annex built in 1946, a library built in 1974, and a band hall with attached gymnasium. In 1987, the building that housed Nicholson Memorial Library reverted to the Longview Independent School District when a new Longview Public Library was built in downtown Longview. This new addition to Foster’s complex is now being used as additional classrooms and computer labs. From 1932 to 1957, this school was known only as Longview Junior High since
it was the only junior high school in town. When population growth required another junior high school to be built in the north part of the city in 1957, Longview Junior High School was renamed Henry L. Foster Junior High School after a former educator and superintendent of schools. In 1976, with the relocation of the ninth grade to the newly constructed Longview High School and the transfer of the sixth grade to elementary campuses from junior high campuses, the name was changed to Henry L. Foster Middle School. The uniquely significant role this historical educational facility has played, is playing, and will play in the future, in the lives of thousands of past, present, and future students, stands as a continuous monument to education. The Texas Historical Marker for the former site of Longview High School was dedicated on October 6, 1993. It was sponsored by The Texas Historical Commission, The Gregg County Historical Commission, and The Longview Independent School District.
Proud to be called a Lobo I’m proud to call myself a Lobo! Longview ISD not only provided me with an excellent education, but also lifelong friendships and values that shaped me into who I am today. I can still name my elementary teachers from Hudson Pep: Mrs. Eaker, Draper, Wilder, Seabaugh, Skinner, and Morgan. And I’m not good with names! That tells you the impact these wonderful teachers had on me. I have the most sincere appreciation for all my
Longview teachers beclassmates. So when cause their hard work I entered the “real opened the door for world” and got my first me to attend a great job, it was nothing new college, and ultimately to work with others helped me get a law defrom diverse backgree. I’m grateful to be grounds with different able to put that educaperspectives. Longview tion to good use here in ISD taught me how to Longview. do that. It also taught MILLER me priceless values But beyond my education, Longview like preparation, dilISD gave me friendships that igence, and perseverance. I still have to this day. It also Nothing teaches you perseexposed me to all the different verance like a middle or high perspectives of my friends and school coach yelling your last
name when you’re lagging behind! Being on the School Board has brought everything full circle, and it’s exciting to see the tradition of excellence continue at Longview ISD. The class offerings are phenomenal. We have excellent teachers, staff, and coaches, and our administration is stocked full of talent. We should all be proud to call ourselves Lobos! — Brett Miller serves on the LISD Board of Trustees.
CHARTER |Continued from page 5 learning experiences for high-demand careers in our region, LEAP campuses will assist students with skills for employment and working collaboratively. LEAP hopes to represent the next generation of alternative learning environments. Rather than merely offering “high school light” or a narrow vocation experience, under the guidance of LEAP each cam-
pus will continue curating the learning experienced that are best-suited to the interests and objectives of their student population. Board members for LEAP include Wayne Mansfield, Shawn Hara, and Keith Bonds, with a leadership team that includes district Longview High CATE Director Gary Kreuger, Academy Director Jody Sanders, and Early Grad
H.S. Principal Kristi Means. The partnerships are governed by a 2017 state law called Senate Bill 1882 that provides extra funding to traditional public school districts that contract with outside entities such as charter networks, non-profits, and universities to run their schools as an in-district charter. In accordance with TEA policy, by having LISD be the
authorizer of charter campuses, the district maintains the authority to set the ground rules the partners have to follow. However, Dr. Coleman said students and staff will likely not notice any significant changes in day-to-day operations as a result of the proposed partnerships, as any of Charter|Continued to page 13
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
SCHOOL TO WATCH Judson receives state, national recognition Published Feb. 14, 2021
C
ongratulations to Judson STEAM Academy! They have been selected as a Texas School to Watch. Principal Melanie Pondant announced the designation in the Judson staff meeting Tuesday morning, Feb. 2. “We received this honor because of the hard work you are doing every day,” Principal Pondant said. “You are making a difference in your students’ lives and this school is better because you are here.” The National Forum to Accelerate Middle-Grades Reform and the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP) as part of a national recognition program have designated Judson STEAM Academy, and Longview ISD as a Texas School to Watch! Judson Steam Academy joins approximately 50 other campuses across Texas with this distinction and honor. During the regular board meeting on Monday, Feb. 8, Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox praised Judson STEAM Academy for earning recognition as a “Texas School to Watch” by TASSP. “Judson STEAM Academy has made great strides in the last several years, and
we’re excited about what the future holds,” he said. “This honor is a testament to the high-quality staff at Judson, as well as our hard-working teachers, students, and incredibly supportive LISD families.” Principal Pondant PONDANT said her campus will be honored in March at the Making Middle School Matter Symposium in Austin and will receive national recognition during the June 26-29 National Forum Schools to Watch Conference in Washington, D.C. Judson teacher Ms. Amy Bruyere, who is new to Longview ISD, said the commitment to reach all students sets it apart. “I think they do a really good job here of targeting our students who are learning at all different levels — our students who come from different cultures, our students who come from different socioeconomic backgrounds,” she said. “I think here, there’s a lot of attention placed on what can we do to reach each one of those groups at whatever level that needs to be, and I see that in academic and social and
all kinds of different ways that we try to reach out to students.” The Schools to Watch program was developed in 1999, aiming to identify the middle schools across the country that were displaying academic excellence and a commitment to helping all students achieve. The Schools to Watch selection process is based on a written application that requires schools to show how they met criteria developed by the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform. Schools that appeared to meet the criteria were then visited by state teams, which observed classrooms, interviewed administrators, teachers, students, and parents, and looked at achievement data, suspension rates, quality of lessons, and student work. Schools are recognized for three years, and at the end of three years, they must demonstrate progress on specific goals to be re-designated. Unlike the Blue-Ribbon recognition program, “Schools to Watch” requires schools to not just identify strengths, but to also focus on areas of continuous improvement; thus, the three-year re-designation.
FILM |Continued from page 4 View Film club wasn’t going to allow the adversity of virtual learning and a global pandemic to stop them from their goals,” Graves stated. “And the community can see the award-winning results on screen and know we are doing great and special things at LHS.” The film tells a story of a mother and daughter, isolated in
the woods; they attempt to survive while a dangerous presence lurks near and threatens to tear them apart. The film was influenced by both fairy tales and thrillers, with Mr. Graves stating that the students wanted to tell a story that felt familiar but had a twist. To watch the award-winning video, go to https://bit.ly/38aGWcc.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
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Maggie B. Hudson served 30 years at LISD Hudson PEP has been a place of education for over half a century MAGGIE B. HUDSON
Maggie B. Hudson Junior High School opened its doors for the first time at the onset of the 1959 -1960 school year after being constructed in HUDSON the summer of 1959. Set on spacious grounds, the facilities were comparable to the best in the State of Texas. Because of the great inspiration to scores of students who had come under her guidance, the school was named in honor of Mrs. Maggie B. Johnson Hudson. As a young woman, Mrs. Hudson began her career in a one-teacher rural school in Panola County. She served 30 of her 52 years in the profession educating the children of Longview Independent School District. Feeling compelled to serve the needs of her people, she held high moral standards while equipping students with the knowledge that they would need to be successful and productive citizens. The original structure consisted of 10 classrooms and housed 6 departments: homemaking, science, art, industrial art, music and physical education. The structure was built to provide services for 400 students. When initially opened, the enrollment reached an unexpected 567 students. Due to the overcrowd-
ed conditions, the board, with Superintendent R,E. Slayton, passed a bond and received 60,000 dollars to erect a new wing which included 6 new classrooms. The building of the new wing took place in the summer of 1960 and was ready for students during the 1960-61 school year. For eleven years the school operated as a Junior High School. As part of the integration movement, Maggie B. Hudson became an elementary school for first through fifth grades in 1970. In 1976 the campus became the first magnet school in Longview ISD and was named Hudson PEP (Planned Enrichment Programs). Magnet schools have strong emphasis in particular subject areas, for example music, science, drama, math, etc.
HUDSON PEP
Hudson Pep Elementary was
therefore, a new wing with 6 additional classrooms was added for the 1960-61 school year. The school operated for eleven years as a Junior High School. As part of the integration movement, Maggie B. Hudson became an elementary school for first through fifth grades in 1970. In 1976 the campus became the first magnet school in Longview ISD and was named Hudson PEP (Planned Enrichment Program) Elementary to serve gifted and talented students as well as average and above students motivated to learn and excel academically with an emphasis on the arts, math and science. In 1987 brought yet another change to Hudson PEP. A 6,335 square foot library and educational addition including two classrooms was added. Through the years Hudson PEP Elementary has been named a model school by the Texas Pathfinder Collaborative, A No child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School, Exemplary Campus by Texas Education Agency, A Distinguished Campus by Texas Education Agency with all 6 distinctions, Texas Monthly — Our Best Schools and Top Ten Schools, Just For Kids Award, UIL District Champions each year, and a School of Character Award. In 2008 a district bond was passed and we moved into the new facility in 2010 on the original school site. To enhance the
established in 1987 as a planned enrichment program for accelerated learners. The original building was a Junior High built in 1959. The Junior High School was named in honor of Mrs. Maggie B. Johnson Hudson. As a young woman, Mrs. Hudson began her career in a one-teacher rural school in Panola County. She served 30 of her 52 years in the profession educating the children of Longview Independent School District. Feeling compelled to serve the needs of her community, she held high moral standards while equipping students with the knowledge that they would need to be successful and productive citizens. The original structure consisted of 10 classrooms and housed 6 departments. When initially opened, the enrollment reached an unexpected 567 students; Hudson|Continued to page 11
Longview ISD: Perception isn’t reality By Matthew Prosser I remember the first impression I had of Longview ISD as an adult. The impression was not a positive one. It was an unfair impression based on rumor, innuendo, and downright falsehood. Returning to the East Texas area after leaving it to find my way in the world, I was glad to come back home and raise my own children in a place that provided me with such a blessed upbringing. As I considered where in this area my wife and I would “put down stakes,” the whispers began. “Oh, you don’t want your family to live on ‘that’ side of town, they’ll have to go to LISD. You want to move to this other neighborhood, where they can go
to [INSERT SCHOOL a public education powDISTRICT HERE].” erhouse leading the way Working as a journalfor innovation across our ist in Longview, I also state. unwittingly swallowed When I joined various organizational Longview ISD over six biases and prejudices years ago, I began to against this district. finally learn more of the There were (and are) truth about our commuwholly fallacious attacks nity, positive, negative PROSSER on the integrity of LISD and things in-between. staffers and administraIn the time I’ve served tors. There were (and are) vile the students, employees, and distortions and bigotry resulting families of this district, I have from jealousy over the fact that learned what incredible people this school district is the elite are a part of Longview ISD and school district in the Longview what amazing things are haparea. There was (and is) the pening here. gaslighting and redlining against However, over the course of our economically-disadvantaged numerous conversations, quesand ethnically minority-majority tions, and controversies concerndistrict, a district which has nev- ing this district, I have also seen ertheless prevailed and become how the bitter poison of classism
and racism remains a sickness in our community. It has become a perception of deception. A great lie that is being told in our midst. But the light of reason will prevail. Love and excellence will abide. Perception is not reality. Reality is reality. And the reality is that LISD is leading Longview into a better and brighter future. And we will all carry this future forward... together. We ARE Longview.
— An award-winning journalist and photographer, Matthew Prosser is Communications Director for Longview Independent School District.
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
Ned E. Williams showed the power of education A legacy of education and professional excellence for generations Ned Edward Williams was born a slave on September 4, 1864 to Ms. Partha Williams (being a slave, his father was WILLIAMS not known) on a Plantation owned by James W. Williams in Sabine County, Texas. He was reared in rural Shelby County, Texas (near the East Hamilton community), until he was approximately sixteen years old. His mother had three other children; Jake, Della and Ludie. In 1880 the family migrated by wagon train to Kansas for a better life and lived there for about 18 months in the Coffeyville area. Kansas proved to be no better than East Texas, in addition to the weather being rather hostile at the time. The family decided to return to Shelby County. Instead they stopped by a farm owned by Dr. Mitchell in rural Gregg County, near the Elderville community. They worked on the farm for a while and decided to stay in the area instead of returning to Shelby County. During this time Ned E. Williams kept privately studying books he acquired along the way after he finished his
chores. Dr. and Mrs. Mitchell encouraged him to continue his studies. Since he was selftaught and very studious, he was encouraged by Professor F. A. Glenn to enter the teaching profession. Williams took the examination and passed, despite having never received a formal education. He started his teaching career in 1883 at a small school in community of Fredonia, about 8 miles south of Longview. Ned E. Williams taught in Fredonia until 1889, when he was called home to the community of Greenville (southeast of Longview near the East Texas Regional Airport) to assist in setting up and running a school that would later bear his name. The school oper-
ated in the Elderville School District under the following names: Greenville School, Greenville High School, Gregg County Training School, and finally Ned E. Williams High School. The school continued in operation for over 80 years producing thousands of graduates who have served the community and the nation as teachers, preachers, lawyers, chemists, business leaders, administrators and leaders in the armed forces. Professor Williams was able attend Bishop College in Marshall, and the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama despite not having the benefit of a formal high school education. While at Tuskegee Institute he studied under influential American
thinkers Dr. Booker T. Washington and Dr. George Washington Carver. When he returned to Texas, Williams regularly corresponded with them until they each passed away. Dr. Booker T. Washington died in 1915. Dr. George Washington Carver died in 1943. Dr. Carver made his first visit to Longview in 1915, and again 1927 when he stayed in the home of Professor Ned E. Williams for about a week to visit the school and community. Shortly before Dr. Carver passed, he was scheduled to make another visit to the Williams family and school in Longview. The visit was called off because of scheduling problems during the war (World War II) and his illness. A devout member of the Pleasant Green Baptist Church, Professor Williams served a number of capacities as Deacon, Trustee, Church Clerk, and Sunday School Teacher to name a few. He was also a Mason in the Prince Hall Cuney Lodge. He kept the community informed of various issues affecting them through voter education, counseling, Notary Public. He continued to remind residents to pay their poll taxes and vote so they could effect the outcome of an election. Ned|Continued to page 11
LISD continues to offer the future to students By Dustin Taylor For my freshman year of high school I followed the tradition that my siblings set ahead of me: I switched from Kilgore to Longview. There were several reasons for this, but the biggest reason was that LHS had a lot to offer for students that KHS simply didn’t. From the sheer load of extra-curricular classes to having some of the best teachers in East Texas. For me, like most students, high school had its up and downs, but at the end of the day, as I took a hold of my diploma, I felt as though I was graduating from LHS with great memories and a head full of knowledge. As an introvert, I didn’t put myself out there and experience all of the opportunities that I could have. I only
scratched the surface I will forever be of all the amazing indebted to Chris things that were ofCraddock. Thanks to fered to students. For his kind attitude and me personally, the most encouragement, I found important class that a career choice that I I took during my four truly enjoy and have a years was a class that knack for. I initially took for the Mr. Craddock rep“easy” A: Journalism. resents the reason that TAYLOR my siblings and I went The off-handed choice wound up shapto LHS instead of KHS: ing my future like few other potential. choices ever would. I went to The potential classes, the college to become a journalist, potential to learn from great got a job for a local newspaper, teachers and the potential to then landed my current job put our feet on the right future working for LISD’s Community for ourselves. Relations Department where I With me now working at design this very newspaper. LISD and traveling all over the I am where I am because different campuses due to my I made a random choice for job, I am so proud to see that an extra-curricular class and the very reason that we chose because the teacher, at that LHS has not only continued time, saw something in me as to be a part of LISD but has a writer and encouraged me to grown by leaps-and-bounds. keep at it. The high school, for example,
has so many new teachers that exemplify excellence, as well as some that are still there (Some that I was lucky enough to have been taught by when I was a teen, such as Pam Mercer and Calvin Hanzik). Then there are the new opportunities afforded to the students: From the newer tennis courts (I’m certainly not at all jealous of their nice, new, non-cracked courts. Not at all.) to the ever expanding Ag program, the amazing robotics programs or the ability to graduate with a college degree weeks before even receiving one’s high school diploma. I am so happy to see that LISD has grown so much, offering seemingly endless branches of growth for the students. I am a proud Lobo. — An award-winning journalist and 2007 graduate of LHS, Dustin Taylor is the editor-in-chief of The Longview Voice.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
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South Ward to be renamed after Bailey Clarence W. Bailey was the first black school board member in Longview Published May 26, 2021 The Longview ISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved renaming South Ward Elementary in honor of the BAILEY district’s first African-American school board member, during a special-called meeting Wednesday, May 26. South Ward Elementary will now become Clarence W. Bailey Elementary, or “The Bailey School,” with a dedication set for later this summer. Mr. Clarence W. Bailey was elected in 1977, serving Place 6 on the LISD Board of Trustees for 21 years before stepping down in 1998. Dr. James Wilcox, LISD Superintendent of Schools, said the board asked him to find a way to honor Mr. Bailey after his passing on Feb. 14th. After forming a committee, Dr. Wilcox said it was determined that renaming the South Ward campus in Mr. Bailey’s honor would be the most appropriate action. “Mr. Bailey left a legacy of service and dedication to students, staff, and families of this district,” he said. “Our help is that — with this dedication — Longview ISD can show some
small gesture of appreciation for Mr. Bailey, and his life of service to our community.” One of the oldest campuses established by the school district, South Ward Elementary opened in 1934, with additions built in 1947 and 1954. The campus is located on Mobberly Avenue near Pliler Street, in the heart of historic south Longview.
CLARENCE W. BAILEY
Clarence W. Bailey was born September 25, 1933 to Arthur Jerome Bailey Sr. and Lorraine Darden Bailey of Longview. A native of Longview, Clarence graduated from Mary C. Womack High School in 1950. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and biology from Wiley College
in Marshall, later receiving a Master’s degree in psychology and counseling from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Beginning a career in insurance, Clarence established Bailey’s Insurance Agency in 1967. His career allowed him to qualify several years for the Million-Dollar Round Table, National Quality Award, Texas Leaders Round Table and National Sales Achievement Award. He was also given lifetime status for National Western Life’s President’s Council Award which sent his wife and daughter to worldwide trips in countries and places that included Hawaii, Barbados West Indies, Austria, Switzerland, Morocco, Russia, England and many resorts across the country. Heavily involved in civic
affairs as well as the business world, Clarence worked as a teacher-coach for Longview Independent School District for seven years; playground director for the City of Des Moines, Academic & Tactical Instructor for the U. S. Air Force, and eventually served four terms for the Longview Independent School Board of Trustees, which included tenure as board president. Clarence also served on various committees for the Longview Chamber of Commerce, Longview High School, East Texas Area Boy Scouts of America, the Longview NAACP, Wiley College, and numerous other local boards, organizations, and associations. Also an ordained minister, Rev. Bailey was an Associate Pastor of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Longview. He enjoyed reading the Bible and had a true passion for helping others, especially financially. He was married to his devoted wife, the late Mavis L. Bailey, for 64 years, and was the proud father of Sherry Bailey Smith (husband Pastor Johnny Smith), two granddaughters Tasha Smith Griffin (husband Aaron Griffin and son Taron), and Sherina Smith Boyd (husband Nicholas Boyd and two children Faith and Noah). For more information please contact Longview ISD at 903381-2200.
NED |Continued from page 10 None of his accomplishments could have been made without his wife the former Adah Richardson whom he married on February 1, 1883. Ten children were born to this union and they were; Cora H., Alfred L., John R., Mattie L., Neddie D., Elzie R., Frances A., Lena B., Victor H. and Wilbert E. Five of the children became teachers and five engaged other endeavors. Two of them taught with him at the school; Elzie R. and Lena B. Elzie (E. R.). In 1883, Williams established the Greenville School, in the former Elderville Community School District. In 1918, the school’s name was changed to Gregg County Training School, and Williams was named its first principal. Upon his death in 1945, the school’s name was changed to
honor its founder and longtime principal. His son, E.R. Williams, followed in his footsteps and served as principal and district superintendent. A brick building was constructed in 1964, and the original Ned E. Williams School operated until 1969, when it consolidated with Longview ISD as the district integrated its schools. When the Longview ISD board of trustees called for a bond election in May 2008 that would finance construction and renovation of facilities across the district, the plan was to follow a neighborhood schools concept that would, in part, shorten bus rides. Trustees decided to build a campus south of Interstate 20 to meet the needs of students in the area.
LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox said naming the campus after Williams was a natural choice. After over 60 years in the field of education, Professor Ned E. Williams passed away on November 27, 1945 leaving behind a world in much better shape than he found it. Writing in his book “History of My Life” dated December 11, 1928, Ned E. Williams stated: “I am indebted to the best Negroes and Whites of this country for my success if I have made any at all. I do know one thing I have spared no time in trying to make myself an honest citizen and all that come in my way to instruct. So this is about the career of my life. My only regret is I wish I had another to spend.”
in the regular classroom. All students benefit from our Gifted and Talented (GT) program. The GT teacher facilitates all classroom teachers as well as teaches lessons that are geared for GT and non-identified students. Additional students in third and fourth grade may participate in the Hudson
PEP string instruction in an after school program. Fifth graders have a choice for their music fine art and either choose band, orchestra or show choir. The atmosphere at Hudson PEP is one of a united family. Pleasant smiles and pos-
HUDSON |Continued from page 9 enrichment for students, there are unique classes offered. Students attend art classes, where they learn to appreciate art as well as develop the artist in themselves. Hudson PEP also offers students science lab experiences and engage in science investigations that correlate with the content that is being taught
Hudson|Continued to page 19
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
ENDING ON A HIGH NOTE Lobo boys, girls soccer wrap up record-breaking season
Published April 18, 2021
A
memorable and historic soccer season is over for Longview High School. The Lobos reached the Regional Semifinals and lost to the number #1 ranked team in the state, according to maxpreps.com, Frisco Wakeland (1-0). The journey for the Lobos started with a (1-0) win over Sulphur Springs back in January and continued with 15 matches going undefeated, tying only once against Pine Tree High School and beating every other team on their path. The Lobos scored a total of 50 goals and conceded only 9 in 17 games. Additionally, 11/17 games ended up in clean sheets for the Lobos, demonstrating that they were the most solid team defensively and offensively in East Texas and off to a record-breaking season. Several boys and girls varsity soccer players earned recognitions within our 5A District Area. Cam Jacobs and Johnathan Castanon earned “MVP of the Year (District)”, Alexa Polanco and Jose Luis Aguilar earned “Best Defensive Player of the Year”, Collen Gilliland earned “Midfielder of the Year”, and Alexis Olvera earned “Goalkeeper of the Year”. Alejandro Rojas and Royce McConnell earned recognitions from the Texas High School Coaches Association to be part of the “Academic All State Seniors for 2020/21”. Alex-
andra Sanchez, Gabby Casimiro, Izzy Hough, Tatum Fenton, Isa McMillian, Freddy Acosta, Francisco Hernandez, Royce McConnell, Alejandro Rojas, and Sergio Landin all made the 15-5A
First All District teams for boys and girls. Alexandra Rojas, Emma Wright, Kyla Johnson, Chance Williams, Diego Enriquez, and Jesus Ramirez all made the Record|Continued to page 13
Lobo Athletics teams up with ‘Gameday’ Published Apr. 12, 2021 A new communications partnership looks to take Lobo Athletics to the next level. Longview ISD has signed a marketing agreement with Longview Gameday, an East Texas-based sports multimedia organization owned and operated by Mr. Morgan Smith. But what does this mean for Lobo Athletics? “SignificantSMITH ly increased visibility for the many amazing Lobo athletes who walk the hallowed halls of Longview High,” said Mr. Smith. “And a steady stream of dynamic multimedia presentations, partnerships with local TV stations, and featured coverage of ALL
Lobo sports, focusing on the many hard-working athletes who make these programs renowned throughout the state and region!” Coach John King, LISD Athletic Director, said the quality of Lobo athletes is second to none, but unfortunately Longview’s smaller media market “some-
times makes it difficult for collegiate recruiters to have an accurate picture of how talented our players really are.” “I wouldn’t trade our hard-working, tough Longview kids for any in the country,” he said. “And history has shown that there’s more than enough
talent in Lobo Nation to make it to the collegiate and professional levels of multiple sports.” “We’re looking forward to working with Longview Gameday in celebrating the many excellent student-athletes in our program, and help them get the exposure they need to pursue their ambitions at the next level.” Coming at no cost to LISD taxpayers, the agreement stands to provide top-notch KING coverage and publicity for ALL Lobo sports. Coverage will include Longview High School’s award-winning marching band, cheerleaders, Viewettes, and Game|Continued to page 19
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
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McConaughey, Gov. Abbott honor Lobos Published March 6, 2019 The celebration continues for the State Champion Longview Lobos! Matthew McConaughey stopped by the Texas Capitol McCONAUGHEY on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, to congratulate his former high school’s football team on its recent state championship. The Academy Award winner and 1988 Longview High ABBOTT grad joined the Longview Lobos as they were honored in the House and Senate for winning the 2018 Class 6A Division State Championship in December, capping a KING perfect 16-0 season.
State Rep. Jay Dean (R-Longview) and state Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola), filed resolutions to congratulate the Lobos on their first state championship win in 81 years. “What a day! So proud of these kids,” Dean said. “They did a great job representing our community and left a real impression on our Capitol this
morning. This event was all about the players and coaches, but I want to thank the Governor and Mr. McConaughey for accepting my invitation to join us in recognition of our city. Go Lobos!” For nearly 20 minutes, McConaughey halted action on the Senate floor as Senators and their staff lined up for
photos with him. Outside the Capitol, McConaughey and the Lobos were joined by Gov. Greg Abbott, who also spent his youth in Longview. “What are your chances of repeating?” Abbott asked John King, Longview head football coach. “You’ve got your quarterback back!”
1992 hoop squad honored at state tourney Published Feb. 22, 2017 Longview High School’s 1992 championship-winning Lobo varsity basketball team were recognized March 12, 2017, during the UIL state tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The team was be honored during halftime of the Class 5A matchup in a special presentation. Led by legendary Lobo coach Leroy Romines, the team included future Notre Dame All-American and NFL star Bobby Taylor, as well as players and coaches Dayrion Taylor, Vince Taylor, Lonnie Taylor, Jacob Mauldin, Marlon Coleman, Howard Hawkins, Josh Welch,
Rontrek Floyd, Desmond Wesley, Brandon Lawson, James Palmer, Toby Bush, Gaylon Hyder, Byron Young, Eric Jones, Clint
RECORD |Continued from page 12 15-5A Second team All District with four honorable mentions: Erik Torrez, Victor Aguilar, Madelyn Creel, and Tenique Bauer. It certainly was an unforgettable season that many parents, coaches, teachers, students, and Lobo soccer supporters will treasure forever. But we know that this is just the beginning of an era for this program.
Musslewhite, Marvin Graham, Jimmy Kendrick, and Lissa Byrdsong. Romines, who passed away in 2014, put together a career
record of 714-312 during his three decades of coaching. He won 423 games in Longview over 18 seasons, retiring in 1996.
CHARTER |Continued from page 7 the shifts that may occur will involve details behind the scenes, “mostly on an administrative level.” “But what teachers and students will notice, is resources that have been desired in the past will actually be in the hands of teachers and students to improve the engagement of the instruction in the classroom,” he said, adding that
individual campuses may also notice more freedom to make decisions in the best interest of their students. “One of the goals of the non-profit partnerships is to provide those who deal most directly with the students more autonomy to make decisions that Charter|Continued to page 16
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
1937 STATE CHAMPS
1937 UNDEFEATED SEASON FOR LOBOS OPPONENTS
SCORE
North Dallas
25-0
Masonic Home
13-12
Port Arthur
19-12
McKinney
31-7
Kilgore
46-0
Texas High
26-0
Dallas Sunset
32-7
Tyler
27-7
Marshall
19-6
Gladewater
57-12
PLAYOFFS
Lufkin
19-0
Temple
19-12
Conroe
34-0
Wichita Falls
19-12
RECORD: 14-0
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
Page 15
STATE CHAMPS
Photos by Cannons Photography
2018 UNDEFEATED SEASON FOR LOBOS OPPONENTS
SCORE
Lufkin
35-28
Marshall
60-14
Tyler
41-13
Ruston
56-28
Rockwall
42-35
Horn
50-3
Rockwall-Heath
48-10
North Mesquite
63-3
Tyler Legacy
63-14
Mesquite
55-24
PLAYOFFS
Copperas Cove
70-22
Prosper
63-17
Vandegrift
56-28
Westfield
14-0
Tascosa
45-42
West Brook
35-34
RECORD: 16-0
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
Longview grad rate ranked in top 10 in the U.S. Published Oct. 18, 2019 The 2016-17 school year saw a national rise in the percentage of seniors graduating on time from high school. At 85%, this was a 1% increase from the previous year and a 5% five years prior to that. Longview then has something to be proud of as the graduation rate for 2016-17 was 94.1%, securing a spot within the top 10. As reported by USA Today, Longview came in 9th place in the country, beating out several other Texas cities that made the top 50, including Tyler (91.9%, 39th place) and Texarkana (92.3%, 30th place). The only city within the state to outdo Longview was Wichita Falls (96.7%, 1st place). James Brewer, Principal of Longview High School, said he is not surprised by the ranking, “but that doesn’t mean we’re going to rest on our laurels.” “Any time you’re able to see where you measure up with other areas, it’s helpful, but ultimately that’s not our priority,” he said. “Yes, we are encouraged by the progress we’re making — and will continue to build upon that success — but what’s more important to us than any ranking, is how we are constantly finding the best ways to help our students and staff achieve the maximum level of success.” Dr. James Wilcox, Superintendent of
Schools echoed Brewer’s sentiment, adding that “100 percent is our goal.” “We understand the many challenges students face in reaching the final objective of graduation, and so we are always looking for how we can better serve the students in our care.” The data collected by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University
of Wisconsin Population Health Institute was compiled into the 2019 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps which 24/7 Wall St. reviewed to determine the high school graduation rates in U.S. Metro Areas. Adults in the U.S. are far more likely to get a job if they received a high school diploma according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Lobos receive college degrees before diplomas Published May 19, 2019 Longview High School Early College and dual-credit students have a lot to celebrate! On May 7th there was a reception held for the 55 Longview High School seniors with dual-credit hours and those receiving their associate’s 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 GPAs: 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, 523 Longview High students were 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 dual-credit 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.”
CHARTER |Continued from page 13 are most beneficial for the students in their care,” said Dr. Coleman. Passed in 2017 by the 85th Texas Legislature, under the leadership of Gov. Greg Abbott, Senate Bill 1882 creates new incentives for traditional public schools to partner with outside entities to improve student outcomes.
MOVING FORWARD
Longview ISD will work together in partnership to develop and maintain continuity of services for all district campuses, but Senate Bill 1882 will allow
additional innovation and training for educators. “We will collaborate with the various executive directors in order to continue the mission of providing the best services for all students in the greater Longview area,” said district Chief Financial Officer Joey Jones. Earlier this year Longview ISD began negotiations with four applicants: International Center for Academics & Technology (iCAT) and Lions Pride (Texas A&M-Commerce), in addition to LEAP
and TCIS. Dr. Coleman and LISD administrative staff have been evaluating the applicants since that time and brought a recommendation to the board on April 13th based on which partners “provided the right fit for our students, staff, and community.” For more information about the Longview ISD public school charter program please visit LISD.org/charters, call the LISD Department of Innovation at 903-381-2200, or visit the TEA website: TxPartnerships.org.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
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THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
DEVELOPING A FUTURE District teams up with Gearbox, Microsoft for new gaming program Published Oct. 1, 2020
O
n Tuesday, Sept. 1, LISD took one step closer to starting a brand new program on three campuses that would see students starting on a path towards making video games for a living. On that Tuesday, a conference was held between LISD, Texas-based video game developer Gearbox Software, Texas THIBAULT Southern University, and Microsoft. The program that has brought all of these different organizations together is GBX Creative Computing Curriculum, from Gearbox. It will see video game design and production come to Foster, Judson, and Longview High. This will allow students to take their first steps towards becoming video game developers. “We are teaching students the ins and outs of working with The Unreal Engine, the same software that powers ‘Fortnite.’ This program introduces students to the core creative computing skills that are employed in the videogame industry to design and develop the most popular games in the world,” said Aaron Thibault, Gearbox Software Vice President of Strategic Operations. “These same skills are important to many other modern industries that use computer visualization and simulation, from automotive design to artificial intelligence engineering. Students who complete this project-based curriculum will be capable of making their own functioning game software, and they will explore specializations that are in high demand by videogame, animation, architecture, civil engineering, special effects, and many other employers around the world.”
WHERE IT BEGAN
In 2012, Joe Manns, who is the Foster video game instructor and founder of Thirsty Minds, reached out to Gearbox with a request for assistance to guide the development of a videogame program at the college level in Longview, focused on digital art, animation, and game design. “After several years of working with Joe in his after-school digital art program, meeting wonderful LISD staff like Shalona McCray and Elizabeth Ross, and having speaking opportunities at Longview area schools, we felt that Longview ISD may be a good partner to pilot our new ‘worldbuilding’ computing curriculum,” Thibault said. “Last year, we had an exploratory meeting with (LISD) about opportunities for Longview students in the game industry, important challenges that we face as top tier employers, and how a closer relationship between Gearbox and Longview can both benefit students and support our future hiring goals. “It was clear that Gearbox and Longview share beliefs in high standards for student performance, the need for industry assisted teacher training, entrepreneurial thinking, and career exploration as part of technology education that supports ambitious students’ career goals. We discussed our extreme need for hiring talented individuals with healthy teamwork mindsets who are skilled in art, technology, engineering, math, and design. We also discussed the need for more diversity in the industry; as Randy Pitchford, CEO of Gearbox Entertainment is fond of saying: ‘Our mission is to entertain the world.’ To achieve our mission, we need our development
team to be more representative of all the kinds of people who are in the world. Longview’s diverse population is a perfect location to reach lots of different kinds of people, and we will hopefully inspire students to consider future careers in games and creative technology.”
TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
Texas Southern University and LISD faculty are working together, engaging in teacher training as a cohort, and managing the growth and implementation of this program. Students from LISD middle schools, high schools, and TSU college students, will be working together and helping each other with motivation, peer mentoring, critique, and developing a community of creative thinkers. TSU faculty and students will be developing technical underpinnings and code for Unreal Engine applications that will enable LISD students to have custom learning experiences in their courses.
MICROSOFT
Microsoft is working with TSU and Longview to provide resources for students to compete in The Imagine Cup and to support this new program as we discover what we need to help students be successful.
VIDEO GAMES IN 2019
By the end of 2019, the video game industry generated $120.1 billion in sales from video game hardware, software, and accessories. For comparison, in 2009 the industry had a reported revenue of $19.7 billion. “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare” (Released in October 2019) earned more than $600 million during its opening weekend as well as had the best digital launch of any “Call of Duty” title to date. The amount of money that the industry made last year, as well as the amount of a single game made in a single weekend, shows that video games are no longer a casual entertainment or entertainment of a small group of people.
VIDEO GAME CAREERS
The industry is booming compared to just a decade ago. With an industry that is booming means more career opportunities for the students of Longview ISD. The video game industry has companies all over the world developing games throughout the year with job opportunities available all the time. To learn more about the different career opportunities that exist go to game industrycareerguide.com for more information about what your future could possibly hold.
THE LONGVIEW VOICE — Founded in 2016
GRADE
A CAREER
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Foster, Judson students take a tour of Meat Lab Published Feb. 1, 2021
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tudents from Foster and Judson are now offered agriculture classes and on Monday, Jan. 22, they were able to visit the LISD Meat Processing Educational Lab. The Ag program at LHS allows the students to learn a wide variety of agriculture, including meat processing at the meat lab. On Monday, LHS animal sciences teacher Braylon Sessions showed visiting middle school students the lab. “This is my first time getting to work with these students inside of an area like this,” Mr. Sessions told KLTV. Mr. Sessions, who has been with Longview ISD for three years, said that some of his students have taken their training from the Ag class and gone on to have a career in the meat processing industry. “A lot of people don’t get to see this in real life, or don’t know how their meat at the grocery store is made or anything,” said Mia Jones, a seventh grader at Foster. As the week went on, the students visiting from middle school were taught about what their high school counterparts do in the meat lab. The LISD meat lab has been around since 2014, with it being only one of eight in the entire state.
HUDSON |Continued from page 9 itive comments are what you find upon entering the doors of our campus. The year 1987 brought yet another change to Hudson PEP. A 6,335 square foot library and educational addition including two classrooms was added. The past seven years have proved successful for Hudson PEP. Most recently, the campus has been named a model school by the Texas Pathfinder Collaborative for the second time. In addition the Texas Education Agency nominated Hudson PEP along with 25 other schools in the state for the No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon School Award for academic excellence. Hudson PEP is no doubt a source of pride for Longview ISD. To enhance the enrichment for students who attend Hudson
PEP, there are unique classes offered. Students attend art classes bi-weekly where they learn to appreciate art as well as develop the artist in themselves. Hudson also offers students bi-weekly science lab experiences. Students engage in science investigations that correlate with the content that is being taught in the regular classroom. All students at Hudson benefit from our GT program entitled ACE. The GT teacher facilitates all classroom teachers as well as teaches lessons that are geared for GT and non-identified students in addition to the GT program. Additionally students in third, fourth, and fifth grade may participate in the Hudson PEP strings instruction or band. The atmosphere at Hudson
PEP is one of a united family. Pleasant smiles and positive comments are what you will find upon entering the doors of our campus. A community of educators, parents and students working toward a common goal is exemplified. The school song expresses the atmosphere best... We’re gonna sing and shout Because without a doubt We’ve gotta school that’s well worth singing about Come on and join our crew We all will welcome you Help us proudly wave the red and the blue No matter who you are Whether from near or far Just raise your voice up high And you’ll be a star And so let’s all shout Hooray
And give our best each day! Hudson PEP’s the school for ME! Parents are an integral part of our campus. Hudson PEP PTA has a history of strong programs and parent/teacher involvement. The school’s PTA was founded in 1974 and has been growing strong since. This is one of the most remarkable PTA’s across the state. The school, principal and PTA work very well together and provide many opportunities for the students who are enrolled. The PTA participates in training that is geared toward making a difference and putting students first. Three key areas that the PTA focuses on are children enrichment, parent education, and parent involvement.
GAME |Continued from page 12 Lobo student groups. “That’s a major priority for us,” added Coach King. “There is so much that goes into the athletic experience at Longview ISD, from the students and staff, to sponsors and volunteers, and we want everyone to be a part of this.” Mr. Smith agreed, “that what makes Lobo Nation so unique: how much everyone pours into supporting the kids of Longview.” “We want to celebrate every aspect of the athletic experience, from everything that happens in the stadiums and on the field, to the hard work
these athletes are doing in the classroom,” said Smith. Gameday currently operates in Texarkana and Rockwall, but Smith said “coming home to Longview was always the dream.” “To see my dreams expand into the town that I love truly is the ultimate dream come true,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back into Longview, and work hard at promoting these athletes in a way that they deserve.” For more information about Longview Gameday, please contact the LISD Community Relations department at ask@ LISD.org or call 903-381-2200.
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