College & Career Buzz

All required sections of our P-TECH application have been signed! 🎊 The signed paperwork will be delivered on Monday, and I’ll submit our application for designation review once I receive it.

I also met with Hill College to talk about expanding opportunities for our welding students and exploring certificates our students could earn through the Education pathway. This will be a great way to expand the program offerings we already offer here at Meridian High School.

I’m planning a visit to Venus High School to learn from its established P-TECH partnership with Hill College. Venus currently offers Education and Training, Welding Technology, Network Cybersecurity, Animal Science, and Criminal Justice. I’m especially interested in how they’ve built their education and welding pathways and what we can bring back to Meridian as we develop our own program.

**Note: Our dual credit seniors have worked hard, and they deserve a little spotlight! I’ll feature one or two seniors each week, in the order completed submissions are received. I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments and plans for the future!

Casey Jones has been involved in FFA at Meridian High School and earned his Basic Arc Welding certificate through Hill College. It’s no surprise that when asked what he’ll miss about Meridian, Casey said welding!

Casey gives a shout-out to Mr. Pittman, Dr. Paceley, Mrs. Hood, and Miss Whitmer and plans to join the military after graduation.

Senior quote: “Gabos -- get a bag or starve.”

We’re proud of you, Casey, and wish you all the best as you take this next step!

🎓 Senior Spotlight | Joshua “J1” Nunez

Josh has been involved in football, basketball, track, baseball, and welding at Meridian. One of his favorite high school memories was scoring his 1,000th career point in basketball during his junior year!

After graduation
Josh plans to attend TSTC to pursue a career in welding.

Shout-outs
Coach Spivey and “my mom and dad for always keeping me on the right track.”

Advice to freshmen
“Chase purpose not validation.”

Walk-in song
“Pretty Boy Swag”

Senior quote
“Skip Physics because I been had motion.”

Congratulations, Josh! We’re proud of all you’ve accomplished at Meridian and excited to see what you do next! 💛🖤

Our Ag Mechanics students recently participated in a build-off in Dublin, Texas, putting their technical skills and teamwork into practice.

Several students are on track to earn their Basic Arc Welding Certificate from Hill College at the end of the fall term. By May, all of the following students are expected to have earned their certificates:

• Jon Cesar

• Edgar Ciseneros

• Jose Garcia

• Roman Garcia

• Casey Jones

• Landon Moore

• Mark Pittman

• Cameron Scott

• Walyn Sheppard

• AB Torres

• Derrick Williams

• Jason Wood

We are proud of these students for working toward a college credential while developing valuable skills for their futures!

Anatomy & Physiology (A&P)
Anatomy Exam 4 is on November 18.

College Statistics
The Unit 5 exam is on November 19 and 20. The midterm is on December 2.

College Statistics students, please mark your calendars for these upcoming exams.

• Unit 5 Exam: November 19 and 20

• Midterm Exam: December 2

11/16/26 - Hill College Registration in MHS Library

12/16-18th/26 - Dual Credit Fun Day Incentive (on campus)

01/14/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - AJ Nonwovens

01/14/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Sturdisteel
01/14/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages
01/21/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - The Delaney at Lake Waco
01/21/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - 360 Solutions
01/28/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Waco
01/28/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Lochridge Priest
01/29/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Hole in the Roof Marketing
01/29/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Baylor University Moody School of Education
02/04/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Waco Family Medicine
02/04/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Sherwin-Williams Waco Distribution Center
02/05/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Kirby-Smith Machinery
02/05/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - TSTC Aviation
02/18/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Carlson Law Firm
02/25/27 -- CTE Industry Tour - Jorge’s Cantina Waco (Culinary Pathway students only)
03/02/27 -- inWACO Health Careers Showcase (juniors and seniors only)