Hillcrest HS CrestSide Weekly

Vision: Empowering learners to lead globally.

Mission: Cultivating lifelong learners prepared to culturally engage in an evolving community.

We are a 'B' rated campus!

Thursday, September 17 North Texas Giving Day

Hillcrest Community Foundation GOAL: $75,000

A few of the items your donations will support:

• Pre-Game Meals
• Courtyard Seating and Shading for Student Lunches
• Campus Filtered Water Fountains
• Campus Cultural Signage and Visual Wrapping
• Student Events and Activities

Each graduating class at Hillcrest raises funds to help cover the cost of senior year activities. Your donation will help fund the traditions that make their senior year meaningful and fun, including:

• Bleacher Painting for the Class of 2027

• Last "First Day of School" Celebration

• Group Dynamix Field Trip

• Senior T-shirts & Yard Signs

• Senior Sunrise Breakfast

• Fall & Spring Field Trips

• Senior Prom

• Senior Week Celebrations in May 2027

• Senior Yearbook

With over 350 students in the Class of 2027, your generosity ensures that no senior is left out of these once-in-a-lifetime memories.

Each graduating class raises funds throughout high school to help cover the cost of senior year activities—and now it’s time for the Class of 2028 to start building their legacy!

Your donation will help fund a variety of events and traditions that make senior year memorable, including (but not limited to):

• Bleacher painting with class year

• First day of school breakfast

• Senior T-shirts

• Senior Sunrise & Senior Sunset events

• Movie nights

• Senior Prom

• Senior Week celebrations

Join us this North Texas Giving Day in supporting the Hillcrest High School Class of 2029!

Your generous contribution will directly fund student programs, class projects, and key initiatives over the next three years—ensuring that every student benefits, not just a select few. By giving today, you help remove the financial burden from parents and students, allowing the entire class to thrive together through shared experiences, opportunities, and lasting memories. Let’s invest in the future of the Class of 2029—because when we give together, we grow together.

Whether you’re a parent, alumni, neighbor, your donation - big or small - makes a difference.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity! Let’s rally together and give these young students the resources they need to succeed.

🐾🎓 It Starts Now: Building Toward an Unforgettable Senior Year for the Class of 2030! 🎓🐾

They just started as freshmen — but the Class of 2030's senior year is already on its way, and we're getting a head start to make sure it's everything it should be.

Every graduating class at Hillcrest spends four years building a fund for the traditions that make senior year unforgettable. It takes time, and it takes a community — so we're starting early, right alongside these 300+ Panthers as they begin their high school journey.

When these freshmen become seniors, this fund will help make possible:

• Bleacher painting with their class year
• First Last Day of School breakfast
• Senior T-shirts
• Senior Sunrise & Senior Sunset events
• Movie nights
• Senior Prom
• Senior Week celebrations

...and more Panther pride to come!

🐾 It may be four years away, but the memories start being built today. Every gift helps make sure no Panther misses out when their senior year finally arrives. 🐾

Thank you for investing early in a class that's just getting started — Go Panthers! 🎓🐾

We’re raising $5,000 to support our E-TECH Program - and we need your help to make it happen!

This campaign will fund items that help support students in the area of technology including state of the art monitors, tablets and calculators. These resources are necessities for learning engineering!.

Whether you’re a parent, alumni, neighbor, or student, your donation - big or small - makes a difference.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity! Let’s rally together and give these students the resources they need to succeed.

Be a part of Engineering Brighter Futures with the Hillcrest Academy of Engineering (AOE) program. Offering a four-year engineering curriculum incorporating hands-on experiences with state-of-the art equipment, field trips, and internships. These opportunities are invaluable for Hillcrest students — and we need YOUR help!

⚙️We have one simple goal: ⚙️
To raise $5,000 for the 2026/2027 academic year.

Last year, funds raised directly supported

• Field Trips for all engineering students to places like Eagle Circuits, Amazon, Frontiers of Flight Museum and Delta Steel.

• Robotics Competition food and supplies.

• Electric Circuit Kits for Digital Electronics, where student learn about digital circuits and learn to solder their own circuit boards.

• EDD Presents! senior capstone show.

The Hillcrest PTSA Peace Pantry is organized and operated exclusively for charitable purposes, helping to meet the essential needs of our students and ensuring they can focus on learning and thriving at school.

This campaign is about caring for our students BEYOND THE CLASSROOM!

Your support will:

• Provide food security, including bags for students to take food home during the week and supplemental meals during holidays and long breaks.
• Meet basic needs like coats, hygiene products, and other essentials.
• Support academic success by providing the materials students need to participate fully in their classes.
• Enable extracurricular participation so all students can engage in sports, clubs, and activities.
• Cover emergency expenses or other unexpected costs that create barriers to student success.
• Fill critical gaps so every student knows they are cared for and supported.

Under the bright lights of Hillcrest High School’s stage, stories come alive — but behind every performance is a team of hardworking students who need the right tools to make magic happen.

This year, we’re raising $5,000 to help our Panther Theater Department dream bigger, build bolder sets, and give every student a chance to shine.

Your gift will help fund:

• Costumes & Props – from period gowns to pirate hats, giving students the power to fully step into character.

• Set Construction Materials – lumber, paint, and tools to turn a blank stage into a whole new world.

• Sound & Lighting Equipment – microphones, spotlights, and cables that make every line and scene crystal clear.

• Royalties & Scripts – so we can perform exciting plays and musicals that inspire both cast and audience.

• Workshops & Field Trips – connecting students with professional theater artists and live performances across DFW.

That's why we're raising $5,000 to support the teens behind our screens on our E-Sports Team - and we need your help to make it happen!

We're not just playing! E-Sports players are highly recruited for universities, marketing agencies, the military and tech companies. E-Sports encourages individual and team play for the bold, the silent and those growing in between.

This campaign will fund:

• Equipment

• Travel Expenses

• Practice Necessities

The Hillcrest Panther Yearbook staff and journalism students need your help!

Hillcrest High School, a Title I school in Dallas ISD, faces significant funding challenges. Unlike athletics and other campus programs, the yearbook receives no financial support from the school. The entire editorial staff operates on a $0 budget, relying solely on yearbook sales to fund production.

To keep yearbooks affordable for all students and expand the program’s reach, we need help from our community.

This year marks the 89th edition of the Hillcrest yearbook - a treasured tradition that captures the memories, milestones, and moments that define each school year. As the program grows, students are eager to enhance their pages, add more creative content, and reflect the full spirit of Panther life - but that requires new equipment, updated cameras, and additional resources.

Your support also helps fund the school’s digital newspaper. Volume 82 of the Hillcrest Hurricane is underway, and students hope to launch a website that will make their reporting more accessible and relevant. Through journalism, students develop strong writing skills, critical thinking, and a deeper awareness of the world around them. The newspaper is more than a class project - it’s a platform for student voice and a source of connection for the entire Hillcrest community.

With your help, we can ensure that all students - regardless of financial background - have access to these enriching experiences and lasting keepsakes.

Please consider donating to support Hillcrest’s yearbook and journalism programs. Your generosity will make a direct impact on student learning, creativity, and pride. Thank you for helping keep these important traditions alive!

Whether you’re an alum, a parent, extended family, a community supporter, or simply a fan of the performing arts — Hillcrest students need you.

Our goal is $5,000 for the Hillcrest Band — and we can’t get there without you.

Your gift provides:

• Meals for students at camps and performances
• Instrument and equipment repairs and replacements
• Transportation to performances
• Entry fees for local and national competitions
• Concert and marching band uniforms so students look their best
• A richer music education for every student in the program

We’re raising $5,000 to support our Panaders Dance & Drill Team - and we need your help to make it happen!

This campaign will fund:

• New uniforms for team members

• Travel expenses for competitions

• Equipment and supplies for practice and performances

Hillcrest High School, a Title 1 school in Dallas ISD, faces significant funding challenges. Although cheerleading was officially recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee in 2021, our cheer team receives far less financial support compared to other athletic programs.

Cheerleading is costly, with expenses for custom uniforms, competition fees, and cheer camp. This financial gap makes it difficult for our dedicated Panther cheerleaders to compete with wealthier districts, despite their commitment and passion.

Our cheerleaders are more than athletes; they are leaders who promote self-confidence, sportsmanship, and community spirit. They uphold the rich tradition and pride of Hillcrest High School, and your support is crucial for their success.

They have already achieved success this school year! Recently at NCA Cheer Camp, our Varsity got Top Team Cheer award and the Hillcrest program received the Herkie award which is where all the schools vote on a team who exemplified spirit, leadership and teamwork!

By donating, you will help fund their participation in important competitions and cheer camp, ensuring they have the resources needed to excel. Every donation, big or small, makes a significant impact.

Dallas is the hub of the one billion-dollar cheerleading industry as the home of 15 of the biggest competitions in the world including the National Cheerleader’s Association’s All-Star National Championship.

Your 2026 Hillcrest High School Cross Country team is off and running this season with some new and returning athletes! The 2026 District 13 competitors are primed for another District Championship Title and eager to sail into Regionals and beyond! As they continue training for excellence, we are asking you for help. Your generous donation will go a long way to help us reach our goal of $5,000. That will allow our team to acquire the necessary new equipment including:

* Running Spikes and Training Shorts

* Backpacks

* Road Running Shoes

* Folding Sideline Benches and Stretch Mats for Meets

* Icy Hot, Foot Supports, and Other Therapeutic Items

* Team Meals

* Anything else necessary for the benefit of our team!

The Hillcrest Lady Panthers Basketball Program is made up of dedicated student-athletes who work hard to succeed both on the court and in the classroom. As a Title I Dallas ISD school, many of our players face challenges beyond basketball, and we want to provide them with the resources and experiences they need to thrive.

Our biggest need is nutrition. We are raising $7,000 to provide healthy snacks, drinks, and team meals for all three teams throughout the season. Our overall goal of $10,000 will also help provide basketball equipment and training aids, team-building activities, and postseason shirts.

Your support is about more than basketball. It helps our young women develop confidence, discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and leadership while creating memories and opportunities that will last beyond their playing days.

This North Texas Giving Day, our goal is to raise $20,000 to strengthen the Hillcrest Football program and provide resources that directly support our student-athletes.

Your donations will help support:

• 🚌 Travel & playoff expenses — $1,500
• 🏈 Safety equipment, including helmets and pads — $4,500
• 👕 Practice gear & player uniforms — $4,000
• 🍎 Team pre/post game meals & recovery resources — $9,000
• 📸 Media equipment (drone w/camera) — $1,000

Every contribution becomes part of something bigger.

A helmet protects an athlete. A team meal fuels him. A bus gets the Panthers to the next field. Practice equipment helps prepare them for game day. Academic support reinforces that success in the classroom matters just as much as success on the scoreboard.

Together, those investments help us build the kind of football program our student-athletes deserve, one centered on preparation, accountability, teamwork, opportunity, and pride.

With a new year & new coaching staff, we’re ready to take on new challenges. Funds will be used to feed three teams and our amazing coaching staff on game days (around 60 people), we need to supplement our equipment and uniforms along with senior celebrations and we'd love to participate in a tournament this season as well! Please consider donating to the Hillcrest Girls Soccer team to help us defend our District Championship, every donation big or small makes an impact! Please check if your company will match your donation as well to help us reach our goal of $10,000.

Raising funds:

$4000 - team meals on game days

$2500 - equipment & uniform needs

$3500 - tournament (travel & fees)

Thank you for your support! We can't do this without you.

Hillcrest Wrestling is building something special — from middle school to the State podium.

Last season, our boys became District Champions, while our boys and girls programs sent 14 wrestlers to Regionals and 4 to State. Victor Ramirez brought home a 3rd-place State finish, and Coach Hobar was named Boys Coach of the Year.

The momentum is growing. Franklin Middle School finished District Runner-Up in its first year, creating a pipeline for the next generation of Panthers. And Coach Randall Balch was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame – Texas Chapter.

Your support helps provide the equipment, uniforms, tournament tra and opportunities our athletes need to compete and grow.

The results speak for themselves.

Help us give these student-athletes what they need to go even further. Invest in the next generation of Hillcrest champions.

Our program proudly fields 60+ student athletes led by a team of dedicated coaches. Last season, our Varsity squad posted a dominant 30-5 overall record, finished completely undefeated in Dallas ISD play, and captured the UIL District 13-5A Championship before advancing to the second round of the state playoffs. Over the past five years, our program has consistently established itself, winning the district championship multiple times—including two titles in the last three years alone. To build on this exceptional momentum, we have just hired a phenomenal new Head Coach, Jared Fowler.

Your generous support goes directly toward critical program needs that school budgets simply don't cover including:

• Field Safety & Enhancements: Maintaining our playing facilities, hitting cages, and bullpen areas at Panther Park to keep them safe and top-tier
• Player Apparel & Gear: Helping cover training shirts, team caps, and essential equipment for the field
• Team Logistics: Supporting umpire fees, tournament entry costs, and operational needs across all of our squads—Varsity, JV White, and JV Red
• Community & Milestone Events: Funding special events like our Alumni Weekend Game, Senior Night, and the year-end celebration banquet.
• Field Maintenance: Covering expenses for our beautiful natural field.
• Team Meals: Providing meals for the team during away games.
• Communications and Media: Making sure to keep our community informed of our games, team photos, and game video for social media and live streaming.

Lady Panthers Softball welcomes your support to provide for basic needs like game day meals, new uniforms, refreshments and a refrigerator for the girls and upgraded options for the concession stand, an upgraded sound system, capability to film games and for transportation. The team has a strong desire to be more competitive and is looking to attend tournaments outside the DFW area this year.

The Hillcrest High School Boys & Girls Golf Program serves student-athletes who are passionate about the game and committed to excellence both on the course and in the classroom. Our golfers represent the diversity, determination, and Panther Pride that make Hillcrest special.

Why We Need Your Support

Building a successful high school golf program requires much more than clubs and a place to play. Throughout the season, there are numerous expenses associated with giving our student-athletes the opportunity to practice, compete, improve, and enjoy the full experience of being part of a team.

Your donation will help us:

• Purchase additional golf equipment and training aids.

• Provide drinks and snacks during the school day, practices, and tournaments.
• Provide team meals, especially during long tournament days.

• Provide additional team apparel and potential postseason promotional shirts that recognize our athletes and build pride in the program.

• Create team-building and bonding opportunities that strengthen relationships and help our boys' and girls' teams grow together.

We’re raising $3,000 to support our Tennis Team - and we need your help to make it happen!

The Hillcrest Tennis Team is fundraising for the upcoming 2026-2027 season. Contributions will directly impact the ability to cover travel costs, uniforms, ensuring the team is well-equipped and allowing every player to attend. Every donation, regardless of size, helps achieve goals and pursue a passion for tennis.

This campaign will fund:

• Travel cost for away games & playoffs

• Tournament fees

• Essential equipment needs

• Nutrition and recovery resources for our athletes

• End of the year banquet and senior night

• Media day and banners

• Create team-building and bonding opportunities that strengthen relationships and help our student-athletes teams grow together.

The Hillcrest Swim Team is a co-ed varsity sport that continues to make waves - with multiple swimmers advancing to regionals year after year, and two repeat district champions last season! While our team is small, we are dedicated, determined, and proud to represent Hillcrest High School with heart and hustle. Help us grow our team and make it a Three-peat in 2026!

But to keep swimming strong, we need your help!

As a Dallas ISD school, we operate with limited resources - especially for smaller sports like swim. Our growing team is in need of essential gear and support, including:

• Matching swim caps and team suits

• Warm parkas for winter meets

• Team banners to celebrate achievements

• Meals for swimmers at regional and state competitions

Our goal is to raise enough funds to equip every swimmer and show Panther pride at every meet. With your support, we can ensure our athletes have what they need to train, compete, and shine - both in and out of the pool.

Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. Help us keep the momentum going and give these student-athletes the recognition and resources they deserve. NEW for 2025, we have a dollar for dollar match contribution for the first $500!

We’re raising $4,000 to support our Hillcrest HS Girls' Flag Football Team, who competed in its inaugural season last Spring. We need your help to make that happen. In its infancy, the program needs many basics.

This campaign will fund:

• Equipment: balls, speed ladders, speed hurdles, and cones

• Practice uniforms (shirts and shorts), practice bibs, gloves, and wristbands

• Pre-game meals, End of Year Awards, and Team Bonding Activities

We’re raising $20,000 to support our Athletic Association - and we need your help to make it happen!

This campaign will fund:

• Scholarahips

• Team uniforms/equipment

• Annual awards banquet

Your generosity will directly impact 500 student-athletes, helping them feel supported, unified, and prepared.

We’re raising $10,000 to support our Alumni Association - and we need your help to make it happen!

This campaign will fund:

• Student Scholarships Expansion

• Hillcrest High School Homecoming Events

• HHS Alumni Association Page Social Media Growth

• HHSCF.ORG Web Design and Constant Contact Newsletter Costs

Whether you’re a parent, alumni, neighbor, or fan of Hillcrest, your donation - big or small - makes a difference.

Thank you in advance for your support and generosity! Let’s rally together and give these students the resources they need to succeed.

The Hillcrest PTSA helped our teachers and staff start the school year off right!

We’ve stocked the workroom and break room with coffee, tea, and snacks to keep our amazing educators fueled through all the busy school days ahead.

Thank you to our teachers and staff for all you do for our Panthers—we’re excited for a great year ahead!

Help us continue to stock the teacher's lounge and workroom all year. Take a look at our Amazon Wish List and shower our staff with goodies! Click the link below.

Email Ms. Balderas at hillcresths@dallasisd.org with a written note that the students needs to be checked-out, the reason, and at what time. In addition, a photo ID of the requester needs to be attached to the email. This is to verify the requester has the legal authority to check out the student.

We want every Panther family to feel connected, informed, and involved! Each grade level has a dedicated parent leader ready to share updates, answer questions, and keep everyone in the loop. Together, we can cheer on our Panthers, plan exciting events, host fun fundraisers, and build a strong community. Let’s work side by side to create lasting memories and make these high school years the very best!

Class of 2027

Class of 2028

Class of 2029

Class of 2030

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Mrs. Flores (Office Manager): enajera@dallasisd.org 972-502-6816 *Please email Mrs. Flores to schedule all appointments with Principal Florie.*

Mrs. Harrell (Financial Clerk: Donations & Volunteers): yharrell@dallasisd.org

Ms. Balderas (Registrar: All things attendance & Parent Portal): vbalderas@dallasisd.org

Ms. Banda (Data Controller: Data entry from counselors): mbanda@dallasisd.org