The Hive Happenings

This week has been a great one — full of spirit, teamwork, and moments that remind me how proud I am to be part of this campus. Watching our students and staff come together with so much heart always lifts me up.

I also want to take a moment to be a little vulnerable and share something personal. My mom, who lives in Seattle, is going through major cancer treatment (for a condition called Myeloma), and it’s been weighing heavy on me. If I’ve seemed a little quiet, sad, or stressed lately, please know it’s not you or the work we’re doing — it’s just that this has been at the forefront of my mind.

I don’t usually share much about my personal life, but I believe it’s important to remind one another that we’re all human. No matter our titles or roles, we each carry things that aren’t always visible. Thank you for the grace, patience, and kindness you continue to show — not just to me, but to each other and to our students.

We have a truly special community here, and I’m grateful every day to walk this journey with you. 💛

A huge thank you to our amazing parent volunteers, led by Mrs. Amy Buck Powell, for transforming MHS into a sea of Homecoming spirit! The decorations brought so much energy, excitement, and pride to our hallways — and our students loved every bit of it.

Your time, creativity, and teamwork helped make Homecoming week extra special. We’re so grateful for all you do to support our school and our students

**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. Students must submit a photo for it to be added with their spotlight.**

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!

Meet Domanic “Dom” Da’shawn Allen, a proud Meridian High School senior whose creativity and sense of humor shine as bright as his future. Dom has spent his high school years immersed in Esports, blending his love of gaming with teamwork and friendly competition. His favorite subject is Graphic Design, where he thrives under the guidance of his favorite teacher, Ms. Carpenter.

Some of Dom’s best memories include the excitement of attending prom for the first time, a milestone he’ll never forget. He enjoys the action and artistry of Demon Slayer, both as a book and TV show, and he’s a fan of the classic thriller Scream 1. When it comes to music, Dom is inspired by the song Come Back Tonight by JTmusic and the unique style of Lil Darkie. His go-to comfort food? Chicken bacon ranch pasta, of course.

Dom considers simply making it to senior year his greatest accomplishment—a testament to perseverance and grit. His parents have been the most influential people in his life, encouraging him with advice like, “You’re only as angry as you let yourself be.” Friends describe him as funny, hard-headed, and a little unrealistic, qualities that make him both memorable and determined.

After graduation, Dom plans to take the summer off before pursuing a degree in graphic design, setting his sights on a creative career. He dreams of collecting one of every type of weapon—a unique hobby that reflects his adventurous spirit—while simply being happy and “chillin like I always do.” In ten years, he envisions a relaxed and fulfilling life.

A few fun facts: Dom has an unusual hidden talent—he’s really good at sharpening knives—and his dream vacation is a warm, cozy cabin during a snowstorm. If he could meet anyone from history, he’d choose the mysterious Jack the Ripper.

Dom leaves Meridian High with a smile and a signature line that perfectly captures his playful personality: “Leaving Meridian they always say ‘I’ll see you later.’ Not if I see you first.” Congratulations, Dom, on reaching this exciting milestone and best wishes as you design the next chapter of your life!

My name is Katelyn Alejandra Ramirez, most of my family call me “Keta”. I am the daughter of Laura Barcenas and Jimmy Ramirez. During my time at Meridian High School, I’ve been involved in cross country, volleyball, cheerleading, track, and Leadership. I have loved being part of these groups because they have helped me grow as a person and as a leader. I am proud to say I found my school family. While all of this is happening we make memories that I'll have forever. My favorite subject is Practicum ( Graphic Design), because I love to express my creativity. My favorite teacher is Mr. Dagley, he has always helped me to be a better person and he is also really funny.

The person that has influenced me the most is my mom. She has always been my biggest supporter and a role model. She has always pushed me to become a better person and taught me never to give in something that you love. The best advice I have gotten from my mom was “Trust yourself”. My friends would probably describe me as silly, bubbly, and thoughtful, and maybe a little sarcastic. I am mostly proud that our senior class has supported one another. We all have different goals in life but I do believe that we have a real sense of family at Meridian ISD.

A fantastic idea from one of our parents: Meridian High is looking to launch a volunteer program—much like classroom moms but for our whole school! We’d love for parents or family members to help greet students, decorate hallways, make positive phone calls home, and support other school activities. This is a wonderful way to build connections and celebrate our students. Interested in joining the volunteer team or learning more? Let us know by filling out the form.

We will send out a monthly sign up sheet requesting volunteers for events happening at the school. Sign up for one or all. Anyone is welcome! Volunteer forms must be signed in order to participate during school hours.

We just survived—and thrived—through an incredible Homecoming week! From spirited dress-up days to exciting games and events, our students and staff showed off their creativity, energy, and school pride.

A huge shoutout to everyone who helped make this week memorable—from our student leaders and teachers to the staff behind the scenes. Your hard work and dedication truly made Homecoming shine!

It’s amazing to see our community come together, celebrate our students, and create memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you for making Homecoming week such a success!

🌟 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):

Ms. Yant was nominated by Kayla Mason. She said, "For always being so kind to my matty boy and making the kick off to his first year in school the best.! "

Mrs. Amenda was nominated by Kayla Mason. She said, "For being the best coach to our Mia Girl and giving her the confidence to not only be great on the field (softball), out on the track (cheer), but also in school. She thrives more than she ever has. Thank you.! "

Mrs.Pribble was nominated by Kayla Mason. She said, "For having to deal with the fifty-leven phone calls she has to make any time we pick our babies up early. Also extra gold star for giving my husband a hard time about it. It’s my favorite.! lol"

Mrs.Alonzo was nominated by Kayla Mason. She said, "For always being the sweetest to McKenna. She loves going to school to see Mrs Alonzo every single day.! "

Mrs.Alonzo was nominated by Madyson Martinez. She said, "The patience she has for the students is something I really admire. She is always good to the kids and makes them feel comfortable, and they are always so happy to see her. She is always happy, and always lift everyones spirit. I love going to her class and being able to help her and Ms.Conner."

---------------------

Remember anyone can nominate a teacher, staff member, or student! Let's help build each other up this year to make this the best school year ever! Go Jackets!!

Attendance by grade level as of September 19, 2025:

6th grade: 97.22% 🔼

7th grade: 98.18% 🔽

8th grade: 98.35%🔽

9th grade: 96.98%🔽

10th grade: 96.41% 🔽

11th grade: 97.06% 🔽

12th grade: 96.25% 🔽

**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!

• 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.
• 10/08/25 - Waco Job Fair for Seniors
• 10/08/25 - JH Football vs Bremond
• 10/09/25 - Varsity Football @ Bremond