Bronco Roundup January 2026

Spring is almost here—a season of sunshine, new beginnings, and fresh opportunities. Just like the flowers starting to bloom, this is your time to grow, shine, and show what you’re capable of.

As we get closer to the LEAP test, I want you to remember something important: you are ready for this. Every lesson you’ve learned, every challenge you’ve overcome, every question you’ve asked, and every effort you’ve put in has prepared you for this moment.

You’re not facing this alone. Your teachers believe in you and I believe in you.

Over the next few weeks:

· Stay focused 🎯

· Keep giving your best effort 💼

· Ask questions when you need help ❓

· Believe in your abilities 🌟

The LEAP test is simply your opportunity to show what you know! And I have no doubt that each of you will rise to the challenge. Let’s make this spring a season of confidence, hard work, and success. I am proud of you every single day, and I can’t wait to see you LEAP forward! 🐸✨

Because "When you know you know." And, "When you don't you don't."

FEBRUARY 27 - Spring Pictures

March 11 - End of 3rd 9 weeks

March 16 - No School Teacher Inservice

April 3-10 - Easter Holiday

📘 “Don’t be the one left out—grab your yearbook today!” Click on the picture to order yours.

"Whoomp! There it is!"

A "Journey to America" sounds like something you would hear in a History book. Stories from long ago-the very beginnings of our country-but for Moss Bluff Middle School's 6th grader Yanzi Zhang, known to his friends and teachers as "Lucas", this was a very real, and very recent, reality.

Yanzi was born in 2013 in Chang Le, China. He and his family first came to America in 2018 for his father's business, when he was just five years old. They first lived in New York, then in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and finally settled right here in Moss Bluff, where his father is the owner and chef at a local favorite restaurant, Kumo. When asked about his name, Lucas said, "My mom chose two English names that she liked, Lucas and Chess, and let me choose."

Since Chinese is primarily spoken at home, Lucas had to learn English in school. He said that this was, and still is, one of the most difficult parts about moving to the United States. "The vocabulary is the hardest", he said.

Outside of school, Lucas takes lessons in Jiu Jit Su, and has earned his gray belt in the four years he has practiced.

We had to ask about his favorite foods-both American and Chinese-and the answers were very interesting. Pepperoni pizza from Domino's was hands-down his favorite, answering almost immediately, not that anyone could blame him, but we did have questions and research to do on his favorite Chinese meal, "Stinky Tofu". "It's basically exactly what it sounds like!" he said. According to a Google search, "Stinky Tofu" really is what it sounds like! It is defined as a "strong-smelling, fermented tofu dish that is popular as a street food in Taiwan and parts of China." People compare the smell to that of bleu cheese, but say that it has a rich, salty, and spicy taste. It can be served fried, stewed, or served cold. Most commonly, it is seen deep-fried and served with pickled cabbage and chili sauce."

Lucas and his family go back to visit family in China every summer. He especially loves visiting his grandmother. He excitedly shared that "my grandmother is coming to live here, in America, to stay, this March!"

What do we love about teachers?

They encourage us to do our best in school.

What are your favorite Valentine's candies?

The heart candies and the peppermints

What are your valentine's day traditions?

To go hangout with family and the gifts on Valentines that I am thankful for.

I believe that band teaches students the value of being part of something bigger than themselves. It teaches teamwork, coordination, critical thinking, resilience, and the value of hard work. Band is about making music, but it's also about making friends and having fun! I loved it so much that I decided to do band for life.

When and how often do you rehearse and the behind the scenes work you do to pull off such an incredible performance?

Our MBMS Bronco Band puts in lots of hard work getting ready for performances. We rehearse during class every day and have before school and after school sectionals for each of the instruments. Additionally, students turn in weekly practice logs for their practice time outside of school time. The Bronco Band is currently working on spring assessment music that will be presented in front of a panel of judges at McNeese State University towards the end of March. In addition to the music we are preparing, there is also a sight-reading component to the assessment. The band will be required to demonstrate their ability to play music they have not seen previously with only eight minutes of prep time. The band stays quite busy, but we have a lot of fun making music together!

We asked our 8th grade band students from each section a question: If you could give advice to your 6th grade beginner student self, what would you say?

Abigail Pugh (Clarinet) - Practice everyday and don’t let other people think you are desperate by doing it!

Tage Gustin (Trombone) - I think I would say that you need to learn how to spell before 6th grade.

Vivienne Duhon (Tuba) - Lock in fr fr omg

What inspired you to become a coach, and how long have you been coaching at our school?

-I have coached for the past 13 years, and I played sports growing up and continued playing softball in college. I always looked up to my coaches because they inspired me to be the best version of myself. I wanted to have that same positive impact on other kids.

What do you think makes a successful athlete, both on and off the field?

-Attitude. Having a positive attitude toward your coaches, teammates, and yourself can make or break an athlete.

How do you motivate your team during challenging games or seasons?

-I remind them that not everything will go our way in sports or in life. As long as we give 100 percent effort, there is nothing more we can do.

Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your coaching career here?

-One of my most memorable moments was when our team went 125 games without losing a single match.

What advice would you give to students who want to join your team?

-Work hard and be coachable. If you believe you already know everything, then this may not be the right team or coach for you.

How do you balance academics and athletics for your student-athletes?

-My athletes are required to maintain a certain GPA. Before home games, they work on assignments, so everything is completed before going home. Being a student is not optional—being an athlete is.

What are your goals for the team this season, and how are you working to achieve them?

-My goal is for the team to work hard and focus on improving one practice at a time. The girls will begin workouts soon and do drills to stay in shape.

How do you handle team conflicts or challenges among players?

-I do not allow drama. If an issue comes up, we address it face-to-face. If the problem continues, the player will be dismissed from the team.

What’s your game-day routine like for getting the team ready to play?

-The girls usually get together to do their hair, listen to music, and eat before games.

What role do you think sports play in a student’s overall development?

-Sports are important, but they are not the only activity that helps students grow. Not every student is interested in sports. What truly matters is being part of something bigger than yourself. Being on a team teaches students how to work together, understand others, and step outside their comfort zone.

How has coaching changed since you started, and what new techniques or strategies do you use now?

-Coaching itself has not changed much, but parents have. Coaching can be challenging because criticism has become more common. I truly love what I do, and coaching would be even more rewarding if it came with fewer outside pressures.

What advice would you give to future students trying out for basketball?

-Stay confident and put in the work.

What your game day routine to get ready for gameday?
-Shooting shots I would shoot in a game.

What's a memorable moment from your team this year?

-The last-minute buzzer beaters.

How do you balance academics and sports?

-I get most of my schoolwork done during classes and free time and anything else like studying ad stuff gets done during weekend and days practice ends earlier.

What do you think you have improved this season?

-Rebounding and shooting form.

Today Mrs. Lovell is handing out awards for the second nine weeks, positive office referrals, teachers bronco boost, and motivate from a classmate. All these students and teachers had bronco smiles on their faces.

-Students of the second nine weeks

• This group of students are chosen based on teachers getting together and talking who has shown the most bronco spirt, respect, kindness and defiantly deserved the honor of being a student of the second nine weeks.

-Positive Office Referrals

• These are students that teachers have written positive things about and have been noticed for showing the bronco spirit to their max limits.

-Bronco Boost

• These are teachers that students or other teachers choose to write something sweet and give them a boost of confidence.

• As one teacher said, "They like boosting me up."

-What is it like to be an assistant principal?

• It's fun and exciting to be able on some days to give people the positive they need.

-What things get you going when a hard day comes along?

• I'm already a positive person so really just a big cup of coffee.

What made you want to be an assistant principal?

• That I get to work with everyone from teachers to students and not just a specific group of people.

Our MBMS Student Council has officially made their campus beautification dream come to life!! After weeks of planning, organizing, and fundraising, we are thrilled to share our brand new outdoor tables!!

Click on any of these pictures below to see what is happening in your class!!

See if you can figure out which lies these teachers told!

Click on the form and take the quiz. How many can you get correct??📝

💜💛WE DO!!! Firestone surprised our custodians and cafeteria crew with king cakes. 💛💜

Several 6th graders attended a field trip sponsored by Firestone, our PIE. Students learned about the art and mechanics of making pasta with help from Mr. Michael and Alex at Pasta Lab.

Miss Harper Thornton has been named Moss Bluff Middle School's Student of the Year for 2025-2026! Harper is a Banner Roll student and is involved in numerous clubs and organizations on campus as well as in our community. She brightens every room she walks into with her enthusiasm and she spreads sunshine wherever she goes. We are so proud to have her represent MBMS at the district level!

Congratulations, Harper! Well deserved!

Moss Bluff Middle School received an "A" rating School Performance Score for the 2024-2025 School Year! We "LEAP"ed into an "A" school for the first time in MBMS history and are ALSO a Top Gains School as well with a school score of 90.8!

Way to go to our amazing student body for their hard work, the best faculty and staff for their dedication, and our wonderful administration for their leadership!

Lastly, thank you to our beautiful town of Moss Bluff for all the support given to our school!

There is a new App that can and will be used throughout the Parish to report things anonymously from your phone, iPad, or computer-The Close Watch App.

Brief Overview: A complaint is received by CPSO and law enforcement will check out the complaint to make sure it is legitimate and will then move forward.

Crimes and thefts can be reported, either in school or out, and it can prevent mass casualty incidents with just a few key strokes.

See something, say something, it’s right at your fingertips!

It's in the App Store called Calcasieu Close Watch or click the eye to go directly to the link.

*Remember, if you see or hear something, REPORT IT to a MBMS admin or a faculty / staff member IMMEDIATELY!*

Like Our Official Moss Bluff Middle School Facebook Page!

Want to see more photos and videos? Want up-to-date reminders? Please check out our MBMS Facebook Page!

We love our Partners in Ed! Thank you Firestone Polymers and Neighborhood Walmart for all of your help and support.

1. Daniel Radcliffe wore 160 pairs of prop glasses and used 70-80 wands during the films.

2. Steven Spielberg was first offered the director position, but he turned it down.

3. The school motto is "Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus", which translates to "Never tickle a sleeping dragon".

4. J.K. Rowling, author of the books, famously scribbled the Hogwarts house names on the back of an airplane barf bag while traveling.

5. To make the classrooms feel authentic, the child actors often did their actual school homework during filming.

6. Seven different owls played the role of Hedwig. Most were male because they are smaller and have whiter plumage.

7. J.K. Rowling and Harry Potter have the same birthday: July 31.

8. The actress who played the ghost student, "Moaning Myrtle", Shirley Henderson, was 37 years old!

9. Hermione Granger's character name was originally going to be Hermione Puckle.

10. All Hogwart students can attend Hogwarts free of charge, but supplies must be provided on their own. All tuition is covered by the Ministry of Magic.

297 Park Road

Lake Charles, LA 70611

337-217-4570