Wylie ISD Community News

Please join us to learn about the fears, dangers and concerns of “Fentanyl, Vaping & Social Media.” All of our Wylie ISD families are invited to attend this informational meeting Wednesday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the BJHS gym. The event will feature experts on these topics.

Please register at https://bit.ly/WISDfentanyl

We appreciate Burnett Junior High and the Burnett PTA for hosting and organizing this informational program.

Wylie ISD is proud to announce four high school seniors were recently recognized as 2024 National Merit Finalists by the National Merit Scholarship Program (NMSP). Only 15,000 high school seniors nationwide received the prestigious finalist designation. Wylie High School's Daniel Abagwe, Kennedy Ostoja and Riley Wong and Wylie East High School’s Tendai Mweene will continue in the competition and be considered for some 7,880 National Merit Scholarships worth more than $35 million.

Wylie High School

• Daniel Abagwe (Dodd Elementary, Davis Intermediate, McMillan Junior High)

• Kennedy Ostoja (Groves Elementary, Draper Intermediate, Cooper Junior High)

• Riley Wong (Whitt Elementary, Draper Intermediate, Cooper Junior High)

Wylie East High School

• Tendai Mweene (Akin Elementary, Harrison Intermediate, Burnett Junior High)

NMSP is an academic competition for recognition and scholarships, and approximately 1.3 million high school students enter the program each year. Students are entered into the competition by taking the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT), which typically occurs in the fall of their junior year. The preliminary test serves as an initial screen of program entrants. NMSC uses the PSAT/NMSQT Selection Index scores to determine the 50,000 high-scoring participants who qualify for program recognition. Of those 50,000, approximately 16,000 students are named semifinalists.

To become a finalist, semifinalists and their high schools must submit a detailed scholarship application in which they provide information about the semifinalist's academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstration of leadership abilities and honors, and awards received. A semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay and earn SAT scores that confirm the student's performance.

Congratulations, Daniel, Kennedy, Riley and Tendai!

Art II Advanced students at McMillan Junior High recreate famous artists’ paintings on chairs. The project started in October when these eighth graders researched famous painters who inspired them. They were to choose a painting to recreate on a chair that would later be sold in a silent auction during Fine Arts Night.

Eighth-grader Sadie Wehner painted Sarah Lee’s Starry River on her chair.

“I enjoyed watching my chair come to life,” Wehner said. “It started from a white, wooden chair and turned into a beautiful, painted chair with stunning artwork displayed all over. This [project] took a lot of dedication and time to finish and it was fun.”

Learn more about these talented students by reading the full story on our website.

Wylie Independent School District Career and Technical Education students in the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) competed in the Region III Leadership Conference on February 15 - 17th in Waco, TX. FCCLA students participate in Family and Consumer Science (FCS) courses like interior design, hospitality and tourism, and education.

Both Wylie High School and Wylie East High School competitors are advancing to the State Leadership Conference in Dallas, TX. Congratulations to the following students!

Wylie East High School Results

• 1st Place in Interior Design Level 2 | Team: Valentina Lopez and Trystan Wischnewsky
• 2nd Place in Interior Design Level 2 | Team: Ainsley Mcalister and Delani Cardenas
• 2nd Place in Hospitality, Tourism, And Recreation Level 3 | Team: Hazel Pugh and Jada Williams
• 3rd Place in Hospitality, Tourism, And Recreation Level 3 | Team: Nicholas Nobleza and Jake Beattie
• 1st Place in Interior Design Level 3 | Sarah Montez, Sofia Blanco Barajas, and Allison Koonce

Wylie Independent School District Career and Technical Education students in DECA competed at the DECA State Career Development Conference on February 15-17th. DECA mission is to prepare emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.

High school students from all over the state competed in the State Leadership Conference! We are very proud of our Wylie ISD students! Wylie East High School had 8 competitors and Wylie High School had 13 competitors. These students competed in events like accounting applications, business law & ethics, international business plan, human resource management, business solutions project, restaurant & food service management, entrepreneurship, apparel & accessories, and many more!

DECA at WEHS is new this year and WHS is still very young! Congratulations to WHS for be awarded the DECA Thrive Level, which is DECA’s highest level, of recognition for our membership campaign work. Advisor Catherine Dyer said, “We had to enroll 20 more student members than last year and enroll 20 professional members. This achievement will allow us to send 2 members to DECA’s International Career Development Conference.”

We look forward to the growth of these chapters! Congrats to all the competitors! A thank you to the advisors who work to build these chapters and educate these students, WEHS (Kristie Smoot and Melanie Fuller) and WHS (Catherine Dyer, Fred Cassano, and Katy Petrus).

Every February, Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs bring awareness and celebrate CTE across the country. CTE month gives us a chance to celebrate our CTE students, teachers, and programs. Students enrolled in the Career and Technical Education (CTE) program at Wylie ISD are presented with a wide array of options for progression in their chosen field of study. Wylie ISD provides 18 specialized programs of study along with 92 individual courses aimed at enhancing students' expertise in their preferred area of interest. Students begin their CTE journey with an introductory course in 9th grade, students' progress through continuous learning and development during their high school career, ending with practical hands-on experiences or work-based learning opportunities, possible internships, and with the potential to earn industry-based certifications.

CTE participation extends beyond the classroom! Students have the opportunity to participate, compete, and run for a leadership position in a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). Throughout the school year, these students go to Fall Leadership Conferences, District & Regional Competitions, State Competitions, and National/International Competitions.

By participating in CTE courses, students are equipped with the necessary skills for their future endeavors in various industries and occupations! Wylie ISD CTE is proud of the role our CTE programs play in the future career and workforce development. Follow us on Facebook at CTE Wylie ISD (@wylieCTE).

Who said learning can’t be fun! In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center, right here in Wylie, TX, is open to the public during Spring Break!

How far can a lion’s roar be heard? How fast can a cheetah run? Why does a tiger have stripes? Learn the answers to these questions plus what is required to care for the cats who live here.

Come see our 70+ rescued, exotic felines. We are paws-itive you’ll have a grrreat time!

Learn more at https://www.insyncexotics.org

Spring Break Hours: March 11 – 15, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm

Regular Public Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm

Welcome back to News from Collin College. Stay up to date with the latest information about Collin College and the Wylie Campus.

Q. Did you know?

A. The Wylie Campus will have its biennial Shamrock Fest event on Thursday, March 28 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring interactive program and resource tables, community vendors, giveaways, inflatables, and local restaurants.

Plus, performances by the Wylie Campus band, “Cougar Alert” and “DJ Cutz” from 106.1 KISS FM. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact shamrockfest@collin.edu

Q. What new summer camps are coming this year?

A. Students can enroll in a new summer youth program known as “College for Kids.” The program will offer a true college experience where students can take part in project-based and exploration courses, discovering new talents, meeting new friends, and developing knowledge and skills for college success. More information coming soon.

Q. Have you seen?

A. The Collin College Wylie Campus is showcasing Nikki Stinson’s artwork daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from now through March 8 at the Bill and Anita Collins Art Gallery. There will be a closing reception and artist lecture to celebrate Stinson’s artwork from 3-7 p.m. on Feb. 29.

Q. Did you hear?

A. The Collin College Wylie Campus Artist Lecture Series will host two public lectures titled “Street Art and Contemporary Culture,” from Art Historian Dr. G. James Daichendt. The lectures will take place from noon to 1 p.m. on Monday, March 4 at the Wylie Campus Conference Center, and from 6 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 5 at the Wylie Campus Student Center.

Q. Have you thought about a career in the veterinary field?

A. Collin College is proud to offer a Veterinary Technology associate degree program for those passionate about helping animals. Fall 2024 applications are due May 22. For more information, contact Dr. Catherine Pfent at catherinepfent@collin.edu.

Dr. Gwendolyn Weatherford, an associate dean of academic affairs/workforce programs at the Wylie Campus started working at Collin in March 2021.

Dr. Weatherford began her career as a teaching assistant in 1998, with a background in kinesiology (study of human movement) and specifically sport management. Initially, her university teaching focused on general kinesiology courses and preparation of K-12 physical activity and education teachers. With the completion of her Ph.D., her focus narrowed down to sport management and graduate education. From there, she moved into college and university administrative positions.

Dr. Weatherford holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Psychology, and a Master of Science in Health and Physical Education from Texas A&M-Commerce, and a Ph.D. in Kinesiology-Sport Management from Texas Woman's University.

What do you love most about your job?

Dr. Weatherford: I love the people I get to work with, the students, faculty, and staff. I really enjoy helping others achieve their goals and dreams.

What would you like parents and students to know about the Wylie Campus?

Dr. Weatherford: The Collin College Wylie Campus is an awesome place filled with people who are kind and helpful and have a genuine interest in helping students. The Wylie Campus is a beautiful place that offers so many awesome degrees, certificates, licensures, camps, and event opportunities for the community to come and be a part of.

For more information about the Wylie Campus, visit www.collin.edu/campuses/wylie.

To learn more about Collin College, visit www.collin.edu/.