Holidays begin Thursday
Editorial by Rickie R. Harris

December is one of the most exciting months of the school year for Mustangs and Mustang fans. Not only is the first semester almost complete; but, the holidays are only a matter of days away. At WOS, December also includes the UIL State Championship Football Game.

I would like to commend the West Orange – Stark High School football team on a monumental season. Not only has it been a pleasure to watch these young men play football; but it has also been a pleasure to see them in the halls of our High School. I have enjoyed watching these young men realize their team’s potential and see it carry over into their academic lives. Our coaches have done a fantastic job of leading, motivating, directing, and mentoring each of them. We are proud of every one of our Mustangs and their coaches. Thank you also to our community for supporting us to every venue, rain or shine, hot or cold! You are the best! I encourage you to continue to remain involved in the lives of our students. Your presence makes a difference.

Our students are also making a difference in the community. Our WOS Elementary National Honor Society students collected an unbelievably large amount of canned goods for the Granger Chevrolet Canned Food Drive to benefit the Salvation Army and Orange Christian Services, recently. The group has already set a goal of doing more next year. Collections for Toys for Tots are also going on in our campuses.

Recently, West Orange – Stark Middle School hosted area schools for the UIL District Academic Meet. The two-day meet was quite a success. Congratulations to all of the students who competed. Additionally, I would like to commend the elementary students who competed, as well, at our respective UIL District Elementary Academic Meet; and, good luck also, to our elementary students who will compete soon. These students are our future leaders. We are very proud of each of you and encourage you to continue to be involved in these academic opportunities.

This week I had the pleasure of having lunch with students at WOS Elementary, Middle, and High School who earned All A’s during the second marking period. Over 175 students earned an invitation to the Superintendent’s Honor Roll luncheons. The luncheons provide the opportunity to congratulate our students and learn more about their individual goals. It is good to see the numbers of students who earn honor roll distinction increasing at our campuses.

If you had the opportunity to attend the West Orange – Stark Elementary Christmas program this week, you were treated to a very entertaining evening. Excellent program, fourth graders and teachers! Another campus holiday program had to be rescheduled due to the state championship football game. The West Orange – Stark Middle School Winter Showcase which was originally scheduled for this past Thursday night will be presented at a future date which has yet to be determined.

Our students and staff will begin the holidays this week, on Thursday, Dec. 22. Due to the holiday taken for the football game, students must return a day sooner than scheduled in the new semester. They will return on Monday, Jan. 9, 2017. A date for our staff to make-up the professional development day, originally scheduled for Jan. 9, will be determined in the spring.

As contemporary author John Maxwell said, “One is too small a number to achieve greatness.”

In the meantime, be warm, be safe, and Happy Holidays!

Go Mustangs!

Rickie R. Harris is the Superintendent at West Orange – Cove CISD