May Magic Make Dreams Real

🎓✨ Congratulations to the Class of 2025! ✨🎓

To our incredible graduates — your hard work, perseverance, and growth have led you to this amazing milestone. We are so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see what you do next. Whether you're heading to college, the workforce, or exploring new paths know that your future is bright, and this is only the beginning. Let’s celebrate your journey, your achievements, and your next chapter!

Promote Student Success:

As we finish out another year of learning, we wanted to provide you with some ways you can continue to support and encourage your child to finish the school year strong. Below you will find 5 ways to support your student.

• Set or continue to work on your academic goals for the year.

• Create a consistent routine and try to stick with it each day.

• Celebrate the progress, and hard work.

• Remain engaged and keep communicating with your student’s teacher(s).

• Continue to model and promote healthy habits.

Our College Readiness teams are proudly celebrating our seniors as they take the next big step toward their post-secondary plans! From college to career and beyond, each high school is hosting a special Decision Day to honor their achievements.

📸 Check out highlights from the incredible celebrations that have already taken place—more unforgettable moments are still to come in these final weeks of school. Let’s cheer on the Class of 2025! 👏💙💛

The Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation scholarship program is designed to recognize eighth graders who demonstrate that they are exceptional students through their scholastic achievements, athletic accomplishments, and participation in extracurricular and community activities. The scholarship committee recognizes that not all applicants are interested or involved equally in all these areas and respects these individual differences. The students that apply for this scholarship are competing with 151 middle school schools in the DFW area.

In GPISD, two campuses had winners:

• Fannin MS - Tony Nguyen
• GPFAA MS - Lola Rodriguez

Each student won $2,500 to go towards their post-secondary plans (i.e. College, University or Trade School). Let's congratulate these scholars! 👏

Heads Up, Parents!
Your student has already met with their School Counselor to select classes for next year. Now is the perfect time to check in with them about their course choices. It’s much easier to make adjustments now than after school starts in the fall. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to contact your student’s counselor directly.

Shout-out to our incredible AVID Leaders!
Grand Prairie ISD is honored to recognize our AVID Site Coordinators for their dedication and hard work. They provide our AVID students with the tools, support, and opportunities to thrive. Providing students with academic support and exposing them to leadership, college, and career experiences. They ensure that AVID students are ready for college when they graduate. Thank you for all you do!

AVID Hooding Ceremony
GPHS proudly held its first AVID Hooding Ceremony, where senior AVID students were honored with their graduation cords and stoles. The event celebrated their outstanding academic achievements, including college acceptances, scholarship awards, and class rankings. Additionally, the ceremony welcomed and introduced new inductees into the AVID program, marking an exciting milestone for both current and incoming members.

Jackson Middle School held its annual AVID 8th Grade Ceremony, where students transitioning to high school pledged to carry forward the AVID strategies and lessons they've learned to persevere through high school and pursue their post-secondary goals. A big shout-out to Mrs. Black, Jackson’s AVID Site Coordinator, for organizing such a meaningful and memorable event for students and their families!

Students who have earned *specific benchmarks on college readiness tests will be eligible to receive honor cords at graduation. To qualify for these cords, students must meet the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) testing standards in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. These testing standards can only be met through the ACT, SAT, or the TSIA2 exams. Importantly, students do not need to meet the TSI standards for both subjects on a single test. For example, a student could achieve the ELA standard on the SAT and the Math standard on the TSIA2 exam (see chart below). Check with your campus counselor, administration, and senior sponsor to see your status towards earning this honor cord. GPISD has all test scores taken in the district, but if you have taken an exam outside of the district, we may not have those scores. Use this link to report scores taken outside of the district. Please upload the entire score report that shows both the score and the student's identifying information.

Additionally, we are proud to honor students who have committed to serving our country. Students who are enlisting in the military will be eligible to receive an honor cord upon submission of a completed DD4 form. This is a way for us to recognize the dedication and commitment of these students to the nation's service. Use this link to report military enlistment through a completed DD4 form.

We believe these honor cords will be a meaningful acknowledgment of the hard work and achievements of our students. They symbolize not only academic readiness for college but also a commitment to serving and contributing to our community and country. We look forward to celebrating these accomplishments with you at graduation.

*Specific qualifying score benchmarks on ACT, SAT, and TSIA2 below*

**For any questions regarding these honor cords please contact/direct others to Holly Mohler, Director of College, Career, and Military Readiness Outcomes at Holly.Mohler@gpisd.org.

Attention High School Students! Are you READY for graduation? Are you SET with your college entrance exams and courses? If not, it's time to GO to our June summer TSIA2 prep camp!

Kickstart your college preparations and earn your college-readiness graduation honor cords, all while preparing for higher-level courses in both high school and college. This camp is interactive and packed with fun, featuring five days of engaging virtual activities and learning. You'll end the camp with an in-person bootcamp and free TSIA2 testing.

Step into the next school year prepared and full of confidence. Sign up now to secure your spot for the English Language Arts camp, the Mathematics camp, or you can attend both camps. Let’s make this summer productive and pave your path to success!

• Eligibility: Rising 9th - 12th grade GPISD students
• Dates: Scholars must attend the following dates:
• All five days of online instruction on June 4, 5 ,9 ,10, and 11. In-person Bootcamp on June 12 at the Vern Alexander Building- SGPHS
• In-person testing on June 16-17 at the Vern Alexander Building- SGPHS (June 16 ELAR; June 17 Math)
• Hours for Virtual Classroom: ELA (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM); Virtual Math (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
• Hours for In-Person Bootcamp and Testing: 7:00 AM- 12:30 PM
• Location for Virtual Classroom: Virtual Classroom for Online Preparation Course(s)
• Location for In-Person Activities: In-Person Bootcamp and Testing at the Vern Alexander Building June 12, 16, and 17.
• Cost: FREE
• Register Here: TSIA2 Registration Form
• Program Contact: Dr. Holly Mohler, email: Holly.Mohler@gpisd.org

Parents you have a great opportunity to celebrate and encourage your student to continue to work until the very last day. Encourage them to keep up the good work and to not give up. Consistency is key and is often hard to maintain; but with your help, your student will finish this school year strong. Below you will find the step-by-step instructions to monitor their grades and step-by-step instructions on how to send notifications to your email weekly or daily.

Parent Instructions to View Grades

Parent Instructions to setting of notifications

As we wrap up an incredible school year, we’re excited to share some amazing highlights from our AVID programs across the district!

Our AVID campuses included:

• Austin Elementary

• Florence Hill Elementary

• Travis World Language Academy

• Fannin Middle School

• Jackson Middle School

• Reagan Middle School

• Truman Middle School

• Arnold Middle School

• Sallye Moore College & Career Preparatory

• Grand Prairie High School

• South Grand Prairie High School

• Grand Prairie Collegiate Institute

GPISD proudly served over 1,500 AVID students this year!

Here are just a few accomplishments worth celebrating:

🎓 124 AVID seniors are graduating this year.

💰 They earned a combined total of $10,011,936 million in scholarships.

📄 113 students completed their financial aid applications.

🎯 95 students committed to a 4-year university, 22 to a community college, and 3 are joining the military.

📝 121 out of 124 seniors submitted at least one college application, with 108 being accepted to three or more universities.

🏫 A total of 15 college/university field trips, including two Saturday visits!

We are incredibly proud of all our AVID students, especially our seniors and can’t wait to see the continued success of our AVID programs in the 2025–2026 school year.

Thank you to all of our AVID supporters, students, and educators for your hard work and dedication.

We are hiring AVID Tutors! Are you interested in supporting the implementation of GPISD's AVID secondary programs by assisting students in reaching their full potential? If so, you may be eligible to work as a full time AVID tutor at a GPISD AVID secondary campus. AVID Tutors are trained in AVID strategies to improve academic performance for AVID students. They also act as role models and mentors to prepare students for college, career readiness, and success in a global society. You don't need to be an expert in any of the middle/high school subject areas as tutors are trained to facilitate small learning groups.

AVID tutors have the opportunity to:

• Help students achieve their full potential
• Facilitate AVID tutorial process
• Support students’ academic skill development
• Serve as a positive role model

Are you interested in becoming an AVID tutor? Submit this form.

We are proud to celebrate our incredible students who have earned the Presidential Volunteer Service Award for their outstanding commitment to serving others and making a difference in their communities! 💙🙌

🏅 These students have gone above and beyond, dedicating countless hours to volunteer service and leadership. Their hard work and selflessness truly embody the spirit of giving back.

👏 Let’s give a big round of applause to our PVSA winners your service inspires us all!

Beat the Heat

“Cool Wave: Summer Success Program” for the Class of 2025!

(formerly Summer Melt)

Ready to ensure your fall 2025 college experience is nothing short of amazing?

This virtual outreach program assists Class of 2025 graduates in fulfilling their college admission requirements, ensuring the completion of FAFSA or TASFA submission, obtaining housing assistance, and overcoming possible challenges for a seamless transition to college in the upcoming fall of 2025. Don't miss this opportunity—your future awaits!

Eligibility: 2025 high-school graduates
Dates: May 27-July 10 (Closed June 19 and June 30-July 4)
Hours: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Grand Prairie ISD recognizes that the transition after high school is a critical time for all students regardless of whether they plan to go to college, university, technical school, enter the military, or work.

For this reason, we are excited to support GPISD graduates as they transition from high school to their next stop on their chosen post-secondary journey. Understanding that every graduate’s journey is unique, our team of college advisors, counselors and higher education partners are committed to providing support, resources and information and empowerment for graduates through the GPISD Cool Wave Summer Success program!

We are here to offer a full circle of support through text messaging, one-on-one virtual meetings, email, phone calls and social media to:

• Inform students of college-related tasks and deadlines that they may not be aware of.
• Remind graduates of time sensitive tasks and deadlines.
• Help graduates complete matriculation tasks like Dallas County Promise, financial aid, meningitis information, career exploration and/or guide them to the appropriate contacts.

Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

• Amount: $10,000

• Deadline: June 30, 2025

• Eligibility: Open to all students

• Details: No essay required; simply apply through the Scholarships360 platform.

• Apply: Scholarships360 $10,000 “No Essay” Scholarship

SMART Scholarship

• Amount: Varies

• Opening: August 2025

• Eligibility: U.S. citizens pursuing STEM degrees

• Details: Full tuition, health insurance, and a stipend.

• Apply: SMART Scholarship

scholarships can be found here:

https://scholarships360.org/scholarships/summer-school-scholarships/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

https://scholarshipamerica.org/students/scholarships-for-high-school-students/

1. Coca-Cola Scholars Program

• Amount: $20,000

• Eligibility: High school seniors with a 3.0 GPA or higher, demonstrating leadership and community service.

• Opening: August 1, 2025

• Deadline: October 31, 2025

• Apply: Coca-Cola Scholars ProgramUniversity of Cincinnati+1Bankrate+1

2. Gates Scholarship

• Amount: Full-ride scholarship covering tuition, fees, room, board, books, and transportation.

• Eligibility: High-achieving, Pell-eligible, minority seniors with a 3.3 GPA or higher.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: September 2025

• Apply: The Gates ScholarshipUniversity of Cincinnati+1Huron Daily Tribune+1Scholarship America+3Going Merry+3eStudyKit+3

3. QuestBridge National College Match

• Amount: Full-ride scholarships to partner colleges.

• Eligibility: High-achieving, low-income seniors.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: September 26, 2025

• Apply: QuestBridge National College MatcheStudyKit+1Plainview Herald+1

4. Horatio Alger Association Scholarships

• Amount: $10,000–$60,000

• Eligibility: Seniors who have faced and overcome significant adversity.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: March 1, 2026

• Apply: Horatio Alger ScholarshipsWikipedia+5University of Cincinnati+5Huron Daily Tribune+5

5. Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship

• Amount: $1,000–$12,500 per year

• Eligibility: High school seniors demonstrating leadership and financial need.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: November 15, 2025

• Apply: Elks National Foundation ScholarshipsHuron Daily Tribune+2eStudyKit+2Norwalk Hour+2

6. Dell Scholars Program

• Amount: $20,000, plus a laptop and book credits.

• Eligibility: Seniors participating in a college readiness program, Pell-eligible, with a 2.4 GPA or higher.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: December 1, 2025

• Apply: Dell Scholars ProgramUniversity of Cincinnati

7. Cooke College Scholarship Program

• Amount: Up to $55,000 per year.

• Eligibility: High-achieving seniors with financial need, planning to attend a four-year college.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: November 2025

• Apply: Jack Kent Cooke FoundationHip2Save+2University of Cincinnati+2eStudyKit+2ctpost.com+1Going Merry+1

8. United States Senate Youth Program

• Amount: $10,000 and a week-long educational program in Washington, D.C.

• Eligibility: Seniors interested in public service and have held an elected position.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: Varies by state; typically in September 2025

• Apply: United States Senate Youth ProgramBankrateUniversity of Cincinnati

9. Burger King Scholars Program

• Amount: $1,000–$50,000

• Eligibility: Seniors who are employees or children/spouses of employees of Burger King.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: December 2025 or until 50,000 applications are received

• Apply: Burger King Scholars ProgramOnline SAT / ACT Prep Blog

10. McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship

• Amount: Up to $100,000

• Eligibility: Seniors of Hispanic heritage with a 2.8 GPA or higher.

• Opening: August 2025

• Deadline: October 2025

• Apply: McDonald’s HACER Scholarship

1. Start Early

• Begin searching and applying for scholarships as early as freshman or sophomore year.

• Many major scholarships open in junior or senior year, but early prep gives you an edge.

2. Use Scholarship Search Engines

• Great free resources include:

• Fastweb

• Scholarships.com

• Cappex

• Going Merry

• Scholarships360

3. Apply for Local Scholarships

• Local awards usually have less competition than national ones.

• Ask your school counselor, local businesses, rotary clubs, or community foundations.

4. Get Organized

• Keep a scholarship calendar with deadlines.

• Track requirements (GPA, essays, transcripts, recommendation letters).

5. Customize Every Application

• Tailor your essays and responses to match the specific values or goals of the scholarship.

• Avoid copy-pasting generic answers.

6. Write a Strong Personal Essay

• Tell a story—be authentic and specific.

• Highlight challenges you’ve overcome, leadership, community service, or passions.

• Have teachers or mentors proofread.

7. Ask for Strong Letters of Recommendation

• Request letters from people who know you well—teachers, coaches, employers.

• Give them at least 2–3 weeks’ notice and provide your résumé or brag sheet.

8. Apply Broadly

• Apply to a mix of big national scholarships and small local ones.

• Even small awards ($500–$1,000) add up—and are less competitive.

9. Beware of Scams

• Never pay to apply for a scholarship.

• Legitimate scholarships do not ask for your Social Security Number or bank info upfront.

10. Keep Your Grades and Activities Strong

• Maintain a solid GPA.

• Stay involved in clubs, sports, volunteering, or part-time work—these show well-rounded character.

Let us be honest. Being a student athlete is not easy. Between late night practices, early morning classes, game day pressure, and trying to keep everything together, it is easy to place your mental health on the back burner. This month, let that change. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this newsletter is focused on you. Your mindset, your emotions, your peace, and your strength all matter. 💪

Click below to discover helpful tips, honest encouragement, and motivation to support your mental wellness. Use what you learn to uplift yourself, your teammates, and even your coaches.

👉 Read the full newsletter here

In the National Scouting Report (2025), the author discussed 5 questions a coach may ask when considering recruitment and they are:

• Can the athlete compete at our level?

• Can he or she improve our team? Add value or bring some skills to the team.

• Will the athlete be admitted to and thrive at our college?

• If so, how much academic money will he or she qualify to receive?

To read the entire post, click here.

We provide services for mental health, food assistance, clothing and uniforms, and supplies for your everyday life. To get started, please call 972-522-7070.

Visit the College & Career Hub website today!

Education Center

2602 S Beltline Road Grand Prairie, Texas 75052

Jereese H. Johnson

Email: jereese.johnson@gpisd.org

Patricia Calahan

Email: patricia.calahan@gpisd.org

Dr. Holly Mohler

Email: holly.mohler@gpisd.org

Ana Gonzalez

Email: ana.gonzalez@gpisd.org

Melissa Rodriguez

Email: melissa.rodriguez@gpisd.org

Website: https://www.gpisd.org/Page/42249
Twitter: @GPCollegeReady