The Hive Happenings

Our Yellow Jacket family started the day off right with our annual Bright Beginnings Breakfast, honoring the important parents, grandparents, and adults who play such a vital role in our students’ lives. 💛🖤

The room was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of Yellow Jacket pride as we celebrated the strong partnerships that make our school community thrive. Thank you to everyone who joined us—you truly are the foundation of our students’ success!

Together, we are building brighter beginnings and even brighter futures. 🐝✨

Our Digital Media CTE program, led by Mr. Blake Dagely, is thriving with student leadership and creativity!

Students have been busy creating marketing videos, posters, and social media graphics to showcase the great things happening at Meridian High School. In fact, most of the flyers and graphics you see on our social media are now designed and led by our very own high school students!

Through this program, Yellow Jackets are building real-world skills in marketing, photography, video production, and digital design—all preparing them for future careers in media and beyond. The talent and initiative these students are showing is truly impressive, and we couldn’t be prouder of the amazing things they are creating!

Below is an example of their work.

Coach Bailey has introduced a new Classroom Ticket System designed to celebrate students for making great choices! Students earn tickets for positive behavior, participation, helping others, showing good sportsmanship, and more. At the end of each grading period, they can “cash in” their tickets for rewards.

Our Yellow Jackets have been working hard this six weeks, and Coach Bailey is proud of their efforts! This system is a fun way to encourage responsibility, teamwork, and positivity in the classroom.

Mrs. Alcarez’s art students have been experimenting with the power of contrast to make their work come alive. From bold black-and-white sketches to vibrant color pairings, each piece shows a unique take on how light and dark can create depth and drama. Their finished works brighten our halls and remind us how creative thinking turns simple shapes and shades into striking masterpieces.

**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.**

The journey to graduation is filled with achievements, friendships, and unforgettable moments. Meridian High School is proud to shine a spotlight on this year’s seniors, celebrating their hard work, stories, and the bright futures ahead. Join us in recognizing the Class of 2026 — each week in our newsletter, we’ll share personal highlights and memories from our amazing seniors. Let’s honor their dedication and celebrate the start of their next adventure together!

Stay tuned for inspiring stories and help us cheer on the Class of 2026!

My name is Karla Pribble, and I am a senior at Meridian High School. During my years at MHS I have been involved with Varsity cheer for three years and I am co-captain my senior year, FFA for five years, Volleyball Manager for two years, Class Officer for three years, Band for four years, and National Honor Society for three.

My favorite subject in school would probably have to be history. I love being able to learn about the different events that have happened in our world to lead it to where it is today. I would have to say that my favorite high school memory is getting to cheer on the Yellow Jackets football every Friday Night Lights. I love getting to make memories like I do with my cheer team, and getting to see our community come together to cheer on our team as well.

My biggest accomplishment in high school was when I got inducted into the National Honor Society. I try my best to do well in my classes, and get good grades, so knowing that my hard work was paying off by meeting the requirements for the NHS meant so much to me.

The most influential people in my life have been my Mom and Dad. They always make me strive to do my best and push me to my full potential. They always remind me that it is okay to fall and mess up sometimes, but to not let it keep you there, and to make sure you get up and try again, and keep going.

After graduation, I plan to attend Dallas Baptist University to study nursing and then transfer to the Louise Herrington School of Nursing to pursue my dream of becoming a NICU nurse. My dream of being a NICU nurse comes from the fact that I was placed in the NICU after I was born. I was two months early, and weighed two pounds and eight ounces. I wasn't breathing for the first eight minutes after I was born. The doctors told my parents that I would end up being completely brain dead and totally blind when I got older. I was then placed in the NICU, where they made sure to care for me and make sure that I was healthy enough to leave and to be able to prove the doctors wrong. With the help of those nurses, I am able to be here today and be as successful as I have been. In ten years, I can see myself working in the newborn intensive care unit, saving babies lives, and helping their families be able to take care of their miracles as well. Maybe even eventually working on a mission healthcare unit to be able to help people in other countries and be able to share the love of God as I am there.

The bible verse Jeremiah 29:11 is my motivation for senior year. “ ‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future,”. This verse is my motivation because it gives me faith that the Lord has a future for me, and he knows that I will make it through my troubles through him.

Cohen Lumpkins is the son of Jennifer & Michael Lumpkins; grandson of Linda & Don Bice of Meridian; and Floyd & Polly Fuhrman of Ft. Worth; brother to Tate, Zayne & Megan Lumpkins and the coolest Uncle to Lucas Lumpkins.

Cohen proudly participates in the varsity football team and track team, and he is also involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

This marks his fourth year volunteering with the Meridian Food Bank Distribution and the EpiCenter Youth Complex.

Cohen plans to attend Hardin-Simmons University in the fall. He will be studying Environmental Science with plans to pursue a master’s degree in meteorology.

As a homeschooler, Cohen expresses his gratitude for the time he spent at Meridian ISD. He wishes to extend his thanks to the administration, staff, coaches, and teammates for warmly welcoming him into the Jacket Family.

Go Jackets!

Sunday: 09/28/25 -- Decorating Meridian High School for HOCO - 1 PM - 3 PM

Monday: 10/06/25 -- Organize Celebration for National Coach Appreciation Day (Staff workday)

Friday: 10/10/25 -- Attendance Incentive Lunch Service

Wednesday: 10/15/25 -- College Application Night Volunteers

We’re kicking things off with the Homecoming Parade and Community Pep Rally on Monday, Sept. 29th—a time for our whole town to come together and celebrate Jacket pride! Parade lines up at 6:30 p.m.

And that’s just the beginning! Throughout the week, our students and staff will show off their Jacket spirit with fun dress-up days (see the picture below 👇).

Let’s pack the streets, fill the stands, and make this Homecoming Week one to remember! 💛🖤

#JacketPride #MHSHomecoming #WeAreMeridian

🌟 Gold Stars: Celebrating Our Everyday Heroes

Every week, we’ll shine a little spotlight on moments—big and small—that make our campus stronger, kinder, and more connected. Gold Stars aren’t about titles or checklists; they’re about the heart and hustle we see in each other every day.

💡 Want to nominate someone for a Gold Star? Send me a quick note with their name and what they did. All shout-outs are not just welcome—they’re encouraged!

This week's Gold Star Nominations were (insert drum roll here):

Donna Jarman was nominated by Amber Sterling. She stated, "She has so much love for everyone. No matter what, if you need her, she is there. She has always been there for my boys since day one of moving to Meridian. Every time she sees me she tells me how proud she is of me and my family. I believe she should win every week ❤️ we love you Mrs. Jarman."

Estafana Whitmer was nominated by LeeAnn Ardeneaux. She said, "Helping Dustin get all the information he needed for completing a scholarship application on a Sunday. I want her to know we really appreciate her. "

Lyndsie Schur was nominated by Lisa Lee. She stated, "I would like to sincerely thank and nominate Coach Schur for always going above and beyond for my girls. She’s supports them both through everything they wants to do, even for Destinee not playing in sports anymore but offering guidance, encouragement, and even giving rides to and from events. Her dedication, kindness, and leadership have made a lasting impact throughout the years we moved here., and I’m truly grateful. Coach has always been a tremendous help to me for my girls."

Lizette Paceley was nominated by Karla Childers. She said, "Mrs. Paceley loves our kids and goes the extra mile for whatever it takes to make them or our school better! Thank you Mrs Paceley for everything you do for our school and district. YOUR THE ABSOLUTE BEST 🖤💛🐝"

Lizette Paceley was nominated by Rachel Beaudin. She said, "Her work, love and dedication to her students is incredibly obvious! She is doing an amazing job at MHS!! I'm so thankful for her enthusiasm for and support of our kids."

Jessica Chandler was nominated by Rachel Beaudin. She said, "She has brought such excitement and positivity to MES! From dressing up to greet students to giving support to teachers, she's making a difference. Her love and support is evident. Great job!!"

Adan Reyes was nominated anonymously. They stated, "Coach Reyes always brings such a fun energy with his quick wit and funny jokes! I appreciate him always keeping everyone laughing. He is also willing to step in whenever needed to help. "

Chelbye Dagley was nominated by Ulani Davenport. She said, I’m giving Mrs.Dagley a gold star, because she is an amazing teacher who most definitely deserves it. I love working with her and her kindergarten class at the elementary it’s really the highlight of my day and her classroom doesn’t just feel like a classroom it feels like one big happy home. She’s interactive and very engaging with her students and the same for her students as well she’s just amazing so huge shoutout to Mrs Dagely ⭐️"

Mr. Martinez was nominated by one of his students. He said, "He taught me a lot better and made it easier to learn new subjects." Great job Mr. Martinez!

Attendance by grade level as of September 26, 2025:

6th grade: 97.01% 🔽

7th grade: 97.45% 🔽

8th grade: 98.33%🔽

9th grade: 96.93%🔽

10th grade: 96.77% 🔼

11th grade: 97.44% 🔼

12th grade: 96.48% 🔼

**Note: Letters were sent home last Friday for absences and tardies! Call the front office for more information.

Note: A student may not have any absences or tardies to earn the library lunch.

For field trips, a student can have zero unexcused absences, no more than 2 excused absences, and no more than three tardies.

It will reset every three weeks for the lunch and every six weeks for the field trip!

• 09/27/25 - HOT Steer Show
• 09/29/25 - JH Volleyball @ Rio Vista
• 09/29/25 - HOCO Parade -- Line up at 6:30 p.m.
• 09/30/25 - HS Volleyball @ Italy
• 10/01/25 - HS XC @ Stephenville
• 10/01/25 - JH XC @ Stephenville
• 10/02/25 - JH Football @ Frost
• 10/03/25 - Homecoming Game vs. Frost
• 10/06/25 - Student Holiday/Staff Workday
• 10/06/25 - Varsity District XC @ Valley Mills
• 10/06/25 - JH District XC @ Valley Mills
• 10/06/25 - JH Volleyball @ Italy
• 10/07/25 - HS Volleyball vs Frost
• 10/07/25 - National Night Out, 5:30 p.m.
• 10/09/25 - Waco Job Fair for Seniors
• 10/09/25 - JH Football vs Bremond
• 10/10/25 - Varsity Football @ Bremond