MARAUDERS WEEKLY

December 15:

• SILVER DAY: College and Career Day
• After School Tutoring, 3:15-4:45 PM
• Girls Basketball vs. Green Valley Ranch @ Green Valley Ranch, 6PM

• Finals for BLOCK 1 and BLOCK

December 17:

• Finals for BLOCK 3 and BLOCK 4

December 18:

• Finals for BLOCK 5 and BLOCK 6
• Boys Basketball vs. Manitou, MHS, 4:30PM/6PM

December 19:

• Finals for BLOCK 7 and BLOCK 8
• Unified Basketball @ Palmer, 12:30 PM

December 20:

• Boys Wrestling-Bear Creek Tournament, TBD
• Grils Wrestling-Columbina Tournament-TBD

SEMESTER 1 FINALS this WEEK

Dear Mitchell High School Families,

As we move into the final stretch of the semester, the halls of Mitchell have been filled with a mix of pride, accomplishment, and festivity. Last week, our Thespians competed at ThesCon, and we are all proud of their performances and the confidence that comes from standing on a statewide stage and pouring their hearts and souls into their individual presentations. Their commitment to their craft, hours of rehearsal, collaboration, feedback, and courage were evident in every moment, and their success reflects the thriving arts culture growing at the heart of our school.

At the same time, our Student Council was hard at work behind the scenes of something equally meaningful. Preparing for the 5th Annual Toy Nation Toy Distribution is no small undertaking, yet STUCO approached it with determination and heart. From organizing donations and hosting the charity game to coordinating logistics, they demonstrated what true leadership looks like: service, consistency, and care for our wider community. Their efforts ensure that young students and families across our feeder schools feel the magic of the season.

The arts continued to shine as our Band and Choir students took the stage for their winter concerts. Families filled the audience. Each performance highlighted not just musical skill, but the countless hours of practice, teamwork, and shared passion that make these ensembles special. It was a moment of celebration for students and directors alike, and a reminder of how deeply the arts enrich our school.

Academically, our focus remained strong as students engaged in the winter STAR Benchmark assessments. Although we did not reach our 95% participation goal, we are encouraged by the early data, which points to meaningful growth in both reading and mathematics across our campus. That progress reflects consistent instructional work in classrooms, improved student ownership, and the supportive partnership between home and school. It’s a reminder that growth is a journey, and we are moving in the right direction.

This week marks the start of our final assessment window, and with it comes an important message for students and families. Semester grades matter. These grades become part of the permanent transcript, impact a student’s GPA, and determine the credits that move students closer to graduation. This is the time to tap into focus, effort, and energy to finish strong.

Together, we are building momentum, one performance, one service project, one assessment, getting WINS, one at a time. Let’s carry that momentum through this final stretch. Stay focused, stay determined, and let’s finish the semester with purpose. Keep pushing for those WINS, Marauders.

George Smith-Principal

The School Accountability Committee (SAC) comprises a dedicated team committed to driving student success and ongoing school improvement. Reverend Michael Bibbs and Alyssa Webb serve as co-chairs for the 2025-2026 school year, bringing strong collaborative leadership that will further strengthen the SAC’s mission. Their guidance is expected to boost parental engagement and foster greater community involvement.

The next SAC meeting will be held at its regularly scheduled time and place, Mitchell High School on Thursday, January 8, from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. For your convenience, a virtual attendance option is also available via the provided link.

We sincerely appreciate everyone who has attended and contributed to the Mitchell High School SAC. Your involvement is vital to our shared success.

For more information, contact our committee:

Co-Chair Michael Bibbs at michaelbibbs039@gmail.com (719) 287-2729

Co-Chair Alyssa Webb at opuswebb@gmail.com (719) 475-7465

DAC Representative Alyssa Webb ... Substitute Representative Sharon Simpson-Dogon

Secretary Sharon Simpson-Dogon at yeswellnessmatters@gmail.com

This season, we’re putting together festive goodies to show our appreciation for our amazing Mitchell staff. If you’re able, please consider donating holiday treats, snacks, or small seasonal goodies.

Donations can be dropped off at the main office and left for Emily Lavery.
Thank you for helping us bring a little extra cheer to our teachers this holiday season! 🎄✨

Mitchell Thespians return from the Colorado State Thespian Conference with outstanding results!

Our students had an incredible weekend of learning, performance, and competition in Denver, showcasing their talents on a statewide stage. Khylei Keller (Musical Theatre) and Aaliyah Valencia (Sound Design) earned Superior ratings, qualifying them for the National Thespian Conference this summer. In addition, 14 Mitchell Thespians received Excellent ratings, reflecting the high level of preparation, creativity, and commitment across the program. Along with these achievements, students participated in professional workshops, connected with colleges and universities, and gained valuable feedback to continue growing as theatre artists. We are proud of how our Thespians represented Mitchell High School!

Marauders Toy Nation wrapped up with an incredible impact on our community!

Student Council delivered hundreds of toys to local elementary schools, spreading joy, excitement, and lots of smiles along the way. The energy was high as our Marauders made a meaningful difference for younger students and families this holiday season. Thank you to everyone who donated and helped make Toy Nation such a success!

Marauder Wrestling competed in a pair of challenging tournaments this weekend.

Our girls wrestlers faced tough competition at the Eaglecrest Invitational in Aurora, a 32-team event that brought together strong programs from across the state. Our competitors represented Mitchell with determination and grit. On the boys’ side, the team competed at the Ridge Rage Tournament at Palmer Ridge High School, finishing 6th out of 9 teams on Saturday. These experiences continue to build confidence and momentum as the season progresses. Great effort, Marauder Wrestling!

Mitchell Unified Basketball opened the season with an exciting 12–12 tie against Doherty!

The team kicked off the year with a hard-fought home opener to begin the season. The team will compete at the Palmer Jamboree on Friday before the winter break. A great start for our Unified athletes as they continue to compete, represent inclusion, and build momentum—go Marauders!

Mitchell Basketball searching for its first wins of the season this week!

The girls will hit the road on Monday to take on Green Valley Ranch, while the boys our home on Thursday to host Manitou Springs for Blue and Orange Christmas Night. Fans who attend Thursday’s game will receive a free orange Santa cap to complete their blue and orange holiday spirit. Come out, show your Marauder pride, and support our teams!

Don’t miss out on the Mitchell Holiday Shop!

The Holiday Shop will close on December 17, so be sure to get your Marauder gear and gifts before the deadline. It’s the perfect opportunity to show your blue and orange pride this holiday season!

The Mitchell Athletics & Activities Department wishes our students, families, staff, and community a happy and safe holiday season!

Thank you for your continued support of Marauder athletics and activities. We look forward to a great year ahead—happy holidays and Go Marauders!

Thespians head to the Colorado State Thespian Conference Thursday!
This major statewide event brings together over 5,000 high school theatre students at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver for three days of intensive workshops, performances, and competition. Our Marauders will train with professional theatre experts, meet representatives from colleges and universities across the country, watch top-rated high school productions, and compete with pieces they’ve been preparing since September. This conference also serves as the qualifying event for nationals this summer. It’s an exciting and important weekend for our Thespians. Wish them luck as they represent Mitchell on the statewide stage!

Marauder wrestlers open with strong performances this weekend!
Our boys’ team went head-to-head in multiple duals at the 55th annual Golden Invitational, highlighted by Damontae Simpson, who dominated the heavyweight division and won all of his matches. Osvaldo Acosta and Angel Saenz also represented the Marauders with strong efforts throughout the competition. On the girls’ side, our athletes turned in an impressive set of results at the Strasburg Invitational with Rye Wilson placing third, Jazmyn Williams fourth, and Katie Boggan fifth in their respective classes. Great work, Marauder Wrestling—way to compete!

Basketball teams open their seasons at the Lamar Thunder Throwdown.
It was a challenging start for both the boys and girls varsity teams, who went 0–3 during the tournament. Despite the rough start, our Marauders showed grit, gained valuable early-season experience, and are focused on improving as they head into a full week of home games and theme nights. Keep supporting our teams as they continue to grow and compete—Go Marauders!

Marauders Holiday Shop Closes Soon!

The Marauders Holiday Shop closes soon, featuring all-new styles and designs! Check out the updated gear and grab something fresh to show off your Marauder pride this season. The Holiday Shop closes Dec. 16th. Order today!

District 11 Food & Nutrition Services has created a helpful flyer for individuals and families in need. It includes resources for food assistance, pet food support, and assistance with utility bills. Please feel free to share this valuable tool with anyone who may benefit.

THIS Week in the Future CENTER

Tuesday, December 16, 2025

FAFSA Completion Workshop

12:10pm-1pm, right after the last final in the Future Center

Sign up in Schoolinks

Fun Events:

On Thursday, December 11, 2025, students attended a field trip to Fort Carson and learned about the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Program. They also got to learn about potential job opportunities, climbed the rock-climbing wall, bowled, and had lunch at the Army Base. It was a day of learning and fun! (IMAGE ABOVE)

A Note About College Applications and Post-Secondary Planning:

Senior students still needing help completing their college applications should see Mrs. Montez or Mr. Cooks in the Future Center. If students are not interested in attending college directly after high school, we still need to meet with you! There are lots of other opportunities for students who are interested in apprenticeships, internships, military, etc.

Students With Jobs Outside of School/Potential High School Credit:

For any student who is employed and has not filled out the application for high school credit in Schoolinks, please see Mrs. Montez or Mr. Cooks in the Future Center. Students who work a certain number of hours within a semester can earn high school credits.

The Future Center would also like to wish all students good luck on their finals and a nice Winter Break!

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