The Hive Happenings

Participating members of the Band of Gold auditioned for the Centex Honor Band, a group of collective 2A-3A students competing for a spot in the top ensembles. For the first time ever, we had a few students placing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Chair, along with several ranking in the top percentile of their respected section. This is a great representation of skill and talent from MISD and our award winning band program! #WeAreMeridian #RiseAsOne

A big Shout Out to Izzy V. for helping with some book keeping organization during her free time during her off period. It was a big task and she took it on like a champ. It was a very big help. Thanks Izzy for going above and beyond to show your Jacket Pride!

**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.**

After high school, Ben hopes to obtain a bachelor's degree from Howard Payne University and do whatever God calls him to do. His greatest influential teachers have been Mr. Y and Mrs. Dunn. Both have helped him see his role as a leader in their areas and have helped him grow in his understanding of what it means to be a Christlike leader. Finding how to be a leader has changed his relationships with other people.

His favorite memory in High School was being on the bench and watching Chewy walk off the Area baseball game vs. Blum and the players storming the field. His farewell message to the underclassmen: "Don’t get lackadaisical. Don’t get lazy in your faith, don’t get lazy practices, don’t let the work that you've already done leave you."

His favorite hobbies are practicing tennis, baseball, and band as well as hanging out with friends. His favorite subject in school is Band.

After High School, his goal is to finish the year strong. He wants to FOCUS on what truly matters first, then let that show in how he works and acts in all of other activities.

The biggest lesson he has learned in high school is: "just because someone says something, that doesn’t mean it’s true. In my very own life, I’ve seen that many of the things I say haven’t been lived out in my life and I’m working to fix the areas that I haven’t been true to myself and others. "

His advice to incoming freshmen: "Don’t waste your time. Get off your phone, use your time on things that matter. Things that are eternal, things that will help you in college, help you in your relationships, help your team. Don’t fall into the trap of wasting your time."

His accountability partners Noah and Kenneth have been his very best friends for a long time now. Having people around him that help him grow in Christ and to do life with is something that every person needs to have.

His favorite extracurricular activities are Future Christian Athletes, Band, and Tennis. FCA has been a help in his walk with the Lord, but he hopes that after high school he hopes to continue playing tennis and band going on into college as well as living out his faith in Jesus and His work on the cross.

Mackenzie Borhofen, the daughter of Julie and Bob Borhofen and sister to Megan Borhofen, is a student at Meridian High School. Mackenzie is actively involved in volleyball, basketball, and tennis, while also contributing her time to the National Honor Society and the local food bank.

With aspirations to attend Texas A&M University to pursue a career as a Veterinary Anesthesiologist, Mackenzie balances her academic goals with her love for the outdoors, enjoying hobbies such as beach outings and hunting with her dad.

This year, she aims to secure admission to a reputable college and earn scholarships to support her education. Mackenzie advises freshmen to work hard while also remembering to have fun.

Reflecting on her journey, she credits her first-grade teacher, Mrs. Thompson, as the most significant influence in her life.

Mariana Paniagua is a dedicated and driven senior at Meridian High School, where she has balanced academics, athletics, and community involvement with grace. The daughter of Maria Perez and Manuel Paniagua, Mariana is one of eight siblings, including five sisters and two brothers. Throughout her high school years, she’s been deeply involved in sports—playing volleyball, basketball, powerlifting, softball, and track—and has also been an active member of the National Honor Society and volunteered at the local food bank. Volleyball holds a special place in her heart, and some of her fondest memories come from team bonding moments after games.

Mariana has been fortunate to have had some incredible mentors during her time at Meridian. Coaches like Coach Young, Coach Schur, and the Coach Taylors have had a profound impact on her, providing guidance both on and off the field. Coach Schur, in particular, has been a source of valuable advice and a steady presence whenever she needed someone to talk to. Alongside her coaches, her best friend Journey, who’s been by her side since elementary school, has been an unwavering support system, always having her back no matter what.

After graduation, Mariana plans to attend Hill College and pursue a degree in Echocardiography, a field that aligns with her love for math and her passion for helping others. As she navigates her senior year, Mariana is focused on making a lasting impact on her school and being a role model for younger students. Her advice to underclassmen? “Be yourself, don’t worry about what others think, and avoid leaving things until the last minute!” She encourages others to stay true to who they are, get involved in as many opportunities as possible, and make the most out of their time in high school.

We have yearbooks available from previous years, as well. Here are the years we have available.

2021-2022 https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Meridian22

2022-2023 https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Meridian23

2023-2024 https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Meridian24

2024-2025 https://link.entourageyearbooks.com/my/Meridian2025

• 01/23 - JH Girls vs Valley Mills - JH Boys @ Valley Mills
• 01/24 - JV/V Girls and Boys vs Crawford @ 4 P.M.
• 01/27 - Junior / Senior College Application & Scholarship Night
• 1/28 - Caps and Gown Purchases @ 8:30 a.m. (parents are welcome, but not required)
• 01/28 - JV/V Girls and Boys @ Itasca @ 4:00 P.M.
• 01/31 - V Girls and Boys @ Waco - Meyers
• 02/01 - Rio Vista Powerlifting
• 02/03 - JH Boys vs Bosqueville @ 5:30 P.M.
• 02/03 - JH Girls @ Bosqueville @ 5:30 P.M.
• 02/04 - JV/V Girls and Boys @ Rio Vista @ 4:00 P.M.
• 02/07 - JV/V Boys @ Valley Mills
• 02/08 - Yellow Jacket Invitational Powerlifting Meet
• 02/10 - JH Boys @ Crawford
• 02/18 - HS Softball vs Keene
• 02/21 - HS Softball vs Valley Mills @ 5:30 P.M.
• 02/24 - Varsity Golf @ Squaw Valley Links Course
• 02/24 - HS Baseball @ La Vega @ 5:00 P.M.
• 02/25 - HS Softball vs Texas Wind @ 5:30 P.M.
• 02/27 - HS Track @ Bosqueville
• 02/27 - HS Baseball @ Gorman
• 02/27 - HS Softball @ Keene
• 02/28 - HS Baseball @ Gorman
• 02/28 - HS Softball @ Keene