Sunnyvale ISD E-News

English teacher Heather Dykes shared that SHS Junior Dual Credit English students recently participated in the 2025 National Garden Club’s Youth Poetry Contest, and we’re thrilled to share our Sunnyvale winners!

• 1st Place: Daniel Shibu
• 2nd Place: Jesslynn Gigi
• 3rd Place: Jeremy Abraham

Honorable Mentions:

• Madison Andrews
• Cate Macha
• Sofia George
• Jayden Varghese

Each of these students showcased creativity, insight, and a love for language through their poetry. If you’d like to read their winning work, please see the attached PDF below.

Congratulations to all of our talented poets!

SHS student group Serve Sunnyvale is asking for your support to help stock the shelves of the Sharing Life food pantry. Contribute to their food drive by dropping off donations this coming week at any SISD campus. Donations are also being collected at the Varsity Football game this Friday! #RaidersRise #SunnyvaleISD

Sunnyvale ISD is excited to announce the recipients of this quarter’s RISE Award, honoring staff members who have gone above and beyond in service to their campuses. The RISE Award is presented each quarter to one staff member from each campus who demonstrates strong relationships with students and colleagues, innovation in their work, a servant’s heart, and enthusiasm for their role in supporting student success.

Congratulations to our fall quarter honorees:

• Sunnyvale Elementary School: Lisa Beatty

• Sunnyvale Intermediate School: Renee Stancliffe

• Sunnyvale Middle School: Trisha Jean

• Sunnyvale High School: Jessica Chreene
  
  

Sunnyvale ISD is proud to recognize outstanding student accomplishments across our campuses this fall, highlighting excellence both in academics and extracurriculars. These students were honored at the Sunnyvale ISD Board of Trustees meeting on October 27.

Additionally, Superintendent Matt Kimball recognized long-time SISD board member Linda Gooch with a Superintendent's Challenge Coin for her tireless dedication the SISD board, campuses and students.

National Merit Recognition

Congratulations to Sunnyvale High School seniors Sara John and Obasi Nwanyanwu, who have been named National Merit Semifinalists in the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students represent the top academic achievers nationwide based on their PSAT performance.

Also earning distinction as National Merit Commended Students are Heidi Antony, Ashwini Aryangat, Jonathan Joy, Julia Mathews, and Avery Mollett. Their hard work and dedication to academic excellence make Sunnyvale proud.

Tennis Team Excellence

The Sunnyvale High School Tennis Team, led by Coach Jones, continues to demonstrate skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship. We commend their efforts and accomplishments during the fall season.

Students of the Month

SHS Principal Carlos Soliz and SMS Principal Angel Perez recognized their fall students of the month students who model leadership, responsibility, and Raider pride.

At the October Sunnyvale ISD Board of Trustees meeting, the district recognized its campus principals in celebration of National Principal Appreciation Month.

SISD extends heartfelt gratitude for the tireless work of SES Principal Sherrie Koerner, SIS Principal Esther Castro, SMS Principal Angel Perez, and SHS Principal Carlos Soliz. They each create environments where students thrive and staff feel valued and supported.

Thank you for the genuine care you bring to each day and for making Sunnyvale ISD a place where both students and staff can shine.

The Sunnyvale Raider Speech and Debate Team competed at the Lindale Fall Classic UIL Debate Tournament on Saturday 10/25 excelling across the board. Through their combined efforts they won the 1st place Speech and Debate sweepstakes team award defeating 27 other schools.

Varsity Policy Debate

Timothy Samuel and Amit Kumar- 4th place

Novice Policy Debate

Crystal Thomas and Chrisha Varkey - 4th place

Varsity LD debate

Rowan McDaniel- 3rd place and Top Speaker award

Varsity Congress Debate

AM Session

Chloe Ross- 3rd Place

Khloe Johnson- 4th place

Charlie Johnson - 6th place

Jalia Green - 7th place

Carter Sandler- 10th place

PM Session

Chloe Ross- 1st place

Charlie Johnson -3rd place

Jalia Green- 4th place

Grace Ellsworth- 10th place

Informative Speaking

Timothy Samuel- 1st place

Valentina Fernandez- 3rd place

Persuasive Speaking

Amit Kumar- 3rd place

Chrisha Varkey- 6th place

This week, our school is celebrating Red Ribbon Week, a time when students across the country come together to take a stand for a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. Red Ribbon Week reminds us to make smart choices, respect ourselves, and support our friends in staying safe and drug-free.

November 3 - 7 is National School Psychology Week. Sunnyvale ISD is grateful for our dedicated school psychologist, Shae McPhail, who helps students thrive every day with care and expertise. Thank you, Mr. McPhail, for making a positive impact!

November 3 is Father of Texas Day! On this date, we celebrate Stephen F. Austin, whose vision and leadership brought the first American settlers to Texas, earning him the lasting title “Father of Texas.” Across our state, his legacy lives on in names of parks, colleges and universities, our capital city, and so much more.

The Parent Pick Me Up Podcast

Try to say that three times fast. Or just listen 3 times a week(Monday, Wednesday, And Friday), wherever you get your Podcasts. You'll get insightful tips and encouragement from Technology Director Buck Baskin on dealing with the many things our kids are facing that affect their social and emotional health, behavior, and achievement.

Calling all Sunnyvale Veterans!

Sunnyvale High School's chapter of the National Honor Society is hosting a Veterans Day program on Monday, November 10.

They will be providing breakfast for the attendees at 9 a.m. in the SHS library, followed by a ceremony starting at 9:30 a.m. in the SHS gym.

If you would like to attend and/or add a name (or names) to the Roll of Honor, please fill out this form or RSVP to NHS sponsor Shelby Webster-Payne at shelby.websterpayne@sunnyvaleisd.com.

We hope to see you there!

🏐 Show your Raider Pride and support our Lady Raiders Volleyball team as they head into the playoffs! 💙💛

Visit https://sunnyvaleraidermedia.com/ to access the livestream.

Tune in all year long as Raider Media broadcasts all Varsity Raider Football games as well as playoffs for all Raider Athletics.

Are you interested in advertising on Raider Media? Contact Emily Henvey, Director of Communications, at emily.henvey@sunnyvaleisd.com for information.

Sunnyvale ISD is pleased to partner with Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers, located at1980 N Town E Blvd, Mesquite, TX 75150. Thank you for partnering with us!