STUDENT NEWS
Aaron Godwin competed in the Region 3 Division 2 boys powerlifting meet. Aaron deadlifted 370 pounds on his last lift to finish 2nd in the region with a total of 935 pounds. Aaron will be competing at the state powerlifting meet.
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Texas Student Selected as Section 6 Recipient of
NFHS National High School Heart of the Arts Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INDIANAPOLIS, IN (March 12, 2019) — Dayton Thomas, a student at Mabank (Texas) High School, has been selected as the 2019 Section 6 recipient of the “National High School Heart of the Arts Award” by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS).
The National High School Heart of the Arts Award was created by the NFHS to recognize those individuals who exemplify the ideals of the positive heart of the arts that represent the core mission of education-based activities. This is the sixth year that the National High School Heart of the Arts Award has been offered.
Thomas, who along with his twin brother, Dylan, has muscular dystrophy (MD), is an outstanding student who is involved with numerous clubs and activities.
Among them, he is in the National Beta Club and DECA, and he participates in archery. A National Honor Society member, he ranks in the top 10 percent of his class. In addition, he is very involved in his youth group at church and has given sermons to the group.
As a high school freshman, Thomas joined the Mabank High School speech and debate team, where he learned how to express opinions in front of a group and not be a shy public speaker. The following year, he placed third for the sophomore class in the Texas Association of Pupil Transportation speech contest, and in January 2019, he advanced to state in Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) Congress and placed second overall in UIL Conference 4A.
When it comes to competing in UIL Congress, Thomas faces several complications that require forethought and practice.
Among them, because he cannot raise his arms, he holds the placard by bending his elbow and using his other hand to help wave his arm to gain attention during questioning.
His MD affects his physical excursion when using a gavel as a presiding officer. He also cannot grasp stopwatches, and therefore was granted permission to use his offline phone to time speeches.
And, since Thomas lacks the muscular power to breathe in a consistent rhythm that would be considered normal for any other person, in order to speak, he must pace his breathing, avoid speed and concentrate on clarity.
About the Award
The NFHS divides the nation into eight geographical sections. The states in Section 6 are Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico.
Nominations for this award were generated through NFHS member state associations and reviewed by the NFHS Heart of the Arts Award Selection Committee composed of state association staff members.
While the national winner will be recognized June 29 at the NFHS Summer Meeting in Indianapolis, Indiana, the section winners will be recognized within their respective states and will receive awards before the end of the current school year.
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Be sure to tune into American Idol this season to see the journey of our student, Riley Thompson, who got a golden ticket!
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Congratulations to the following students who had success at the Kaufman County Stock Show.
Grand Champion Breeding Doe- Jaci Harris.
Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Breeding Lamb, Breeding Showmanship Champion- Lexi Ruthart
Grand champion Angus heifer and Grand Champion English Heifer- Brogan Rademacher
Reserve Champion Simmental- Laura Dyer
Champion Exotic ORB Heifer- Rhett Dyer
Grand Champion Steer- Ryan Davis
Reserve Champion Pig- Kayla Paul
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