The Hive Happenings

At Meridian High School, we believe that student leadership is essential to fostering a strong school community. That’s why I meet weekly with our Student Leadership Committee, a group made up of student leaders from each grade level, the principal, and our academic advisor. This committee serves as a platform for discussing important topics that impact our students, providing valuable insight and helping shape decisions that enhance the student experience.

Each grade level has its own designated meeting day during Jacket Period, ensuring that all student leaders have an opportunity to share their perspectives and ideas. These meetings focus on a variety of topics, including school events, academic concerns, student well-being, and ways to improve our school culture.

By working together, we empower our students to take an active role in shaping their school environment. Their voices matter, and through this committee, they have a direct line of communication to school leadership. I look forward to continuing these conversations and working alongside our students to make Meridian High School the best it can be!

Monday: Hannah, Dawson, Zeke, Josh, Jazlyn, Mark, Brianna, Ricky, Afton, and Derrick

Tuesday: Alexander, Gunnar, Nolan, Xander, Cylan, Parker, Andrea, Sophie, and Sadie
Wednesday: Benjamin, Zoey, Jasmin, Madisyn, Karla, Guissel, Dyna, Arianna, Noah, Justus, Camron, Joshua, Jesus, and Brianna
Thursday: Abigail, Daylee, Joshua, Kaya, Delyla, AJ, Anthony, and Logan

Our Student Leadership Committee had so many wonderful things to say about Mrs. Dunn, and we couldn’t agree more!

💛 She is always quick to help and goes out of her way to support students.
💛 She is a safe and trusted person for many, creating a welcoming and supportive environment.
💛 Her kindness shines through in everything she does.
💛 She brings fun and positivity to our school, always greeting others with hugs and smiles.
💛 She is dedicated to her students, working hard to teach in a way that makes learning accessible and meaningful.

Thank you, Mrs. Dunn, for your compassion, energy, and dedication to Meridian High School! You make a difference every single day! 💙💛👏

A big shout out to Eli Gillentine for stepping up and showing incredible leadership and kindness! Coach Schur shared how Eli went above and beyond to help on the bus today. Since Coach Schur was driving the route solo for the first time, Eli took the initiative to make sure every student was accounted for and every stop was made—acting as an expert navigator along the way!

Even though there were directions available, Eli’s knowledge and willingness to help made the trip smooth and stress-free. His helpfulness and leadership didn’t go unnoticed! Thank you, Eli, for being such a great example of what it means to be a Yellow Jacket! 💙💛👏

A huge shout out to Mr. Martinez for going above and beyond for our students! During his conference on Tuesday, he dedicated his time to providing one-on-one instruction, ensuring that each student received the support they needed. His patience, dedication, and commitment to student success are truly remarkable. Mr. Martinez consistently takes the time to sit down with students, meeting them where they are and guiding them toward their full potential. His efforts do not go unnoticed, and we are grateful to have such a caring and hardworking educator on our team! Thank you, Mr. Martinez, for making a difference! 👏🎉

**Note: Senior Spotlights will feature 2-3 Seniors per week in the newsletters. Students will be put in the newsletter in the order they are received.**

Alex Rodriguez is the son of Carmen Rodriguez and Alex Rodriguez. Alex is the middle sibling of his older brother Alejandro Rodriguez, and younger brother Adrian Rodriguez. Alex has attended Meridian Independent School District since pre-k and is graduating in 2025 at Meridian ISD. Alex has been involved in many school activities including, FFA, Tennis, Track, Football, Baseball, and Basketball.

Alex’s favorite memory of high school is being able to show animals and play basketball his senior year. Alex’s favorite memory from high school is playing basketball. Alex’s hobbies include working with his animals, playing basketball, fishing, and hunting. Alex’s favorite subject in school is Ag Mechanics with Mr.Gann. Alex plans on finishing high school, going to Tennessee to work with his uncle, coming home in August, and attending TSTC in the fall to become a Lineman.

Alex's advice to the underclassmen would be “Just have fun”. Alex's biggest reflection from his senior year would be to just have fun, and it's not that serious. Alex’s teachers Coach Shur and Mr.Gann have had the biggest impact on his life. Alex's peer who has the biggest impact on his life is his boss, David Winkler.

Alex's biggest pride in joy from his high school years would be winning the Native Steer show in June 2024, and winning the grand championship with h

Juan Triana is a student at Meridian High School. He is the son of Elizabeth Wong and Julio Basillio and the older brother of his little sister, Isa. After high school, Juan plans to earn his welding certification and live life to the fullest.

His advice to incoming freshmen is to embrace the journey of high school, understanding that it is filled with both highs and lows. He emphasizes how quickly the years pass and encourages students to stay focused, do their best, and overcome any challenges they may face. "You’ll face obstacles—some beyond your control, some that make you doubt yourself, and some that make you want to quit—but in the end, it’s over in a heartbeat," he shares. His message is one of resilience and determination: "Lock in, do your best, and beat the odds. If nobody else believes in you, be the one person who does. I know what that feels like—look where I am now. Cap and gown, baby!"

At Meridian High School, we believe that every student deserves the opportunity to thrive—not just in the classroom, but in every aspect of their lives. For many, school provides a consistent source of nourishment, but weekends can present challenges for those facing food insecurity. Thanks to the generosity and compassion of the Meridian Ministerial Alliance, our students in need have access to food over the weekend, ensuring they return to school on Monday ready to learn and succeed.

The Meridian Ministerial Alliance has demonstrated a true commitment to serving our community, working tirelessly to provide essential resources for our students. Their efforts go beyond simply providing meals—they offer hope, kindness, and a reminder that our town stands together in support of one another. Through their dedication, students who might otherwise go without have the security of knowing that they will have food to sustain them through the weekend.

We are deeply grateful for the Alliance’s unwavering generosity, their time, and their hearts for service. Their work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students and their families, reinforcing the values of compassion and community that make Meridian such a special place.

On behalf of Meridian High School, our staff, and the students who benefit from this incredible program, thank you for all that you do. Your kindness does not go unnoticed, and your impact is felt far beyond the meals you provide.

Participating members of the Band of Gold auditioned for the Centex Honor Band, a group of collective 2A-3A students competing for a spot in the top ensembles. For the first time ever, we had a few students placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Chair, along with several ranking in the top percentile of their respected section. This is a great representation of skill and talent from MISD and our award winning band program! #WeAreMeridian #RiseAsOne

We have yearbooks available from previous years, as well. Here are the years we have available.

2021-2022 https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Meridian22

2022-2023 https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Meridian23

2023-2024 https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Meridian24

2024-2025 https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Meridian2025

• 01/31 - V Girls and Boys @ Waco - Meyers
• 02/01 - Rio Vista Powerlifting
• 02/03 - JH Boys vs Bosqueville @ 5:30 P.M.
• 02/03 - JH Girls @ Bosqueville @ 5:30 P.M.
• 02/04 - JV/V Girls and Boys @ Rio Vista @ 4:00 P.M.
• 02/07 - JV/V Boys @ Valley Mills
• 02/08 - Yellow Jacket Invitational Powerlifting Meet
• 02/10 - JH Boys @ Crawford
• 02/18 - HS Softball vs Keene
• 02/21 - HS Softball vs Valley Mills @ 5:30 P.M.
• 02/24 - Varsity Golf @ Squaw Valley Links Course
• 02/24 - HS Baseball @ La Vega @ 5:00 P.M.
• 02/25 - HS Softball vs Texas Wind @ 5:30 P.M.
• 02/25 - Band Concert
• 02/27 - HS Track @ Bosqueville
• 02/27 - HS Baseball @ Gorman
• 02/27 - HS Softball @ Keene
• 02/28 - HS Baseball @ Gorman
• 02/28 - HS Softball @ Keene
• 04/28 - Band Concert