MPJHS Dance Teams State Champions!

The Mount Pleasant Junior High School Advanced Dance Team (ADT) and the Dance II class competed at the Danceline Bluebonnet State Dance Championship Saturday at Denton High School on March 5. They walked, or danced away, State Champions.

While ADT had competed in competitions before, this was the first year they competed in a State Championship. They competed in five team routines, two ensembles, one duet and four solos. In addition, the Dance II class competed in the Student Choreographed Ensemble category. 

Between them, the two teams won 20 awards. Dance II won 1st Place and State Champions in Student Choreographed Ensemble.

The ADT was named the Junior High State Grand Champions after winning the following awards: Turn Technique Challenge:  2nd Place Madison Blalock, 3rd Place Tatum Scott; Toe Touch Technique Challenge: 3rd Place Tatum Scott; Leap Technique Challenge: Top 5 Finalist Madison Blalock & Maddie Grigsby; Junior High Solos: 1st Place Tatum Scott; Junior High & High School Duets: 1st Place Maddie Grigsby & Tatum Scott; AJC Award: Nayeli Fuentes & Kristian Matkin; Sweepstakes Award; 1st Place and State Champions in Small Ensemble; 1st Place & State Champions in Large Ensemble; 1st Place & State Champions in Jazz; 1st Place & State Champions in Lyrical; 1st Place & State Champions in Novelty; 1st Place & State Champions in Pom; 1st Place & State Champions in Hip Hop; Outstanding Technique for Jazz; and, the Gold Award.

The MPJHS teams also won the entire competition with a score out of 98 out of 100 for their Pom Routine. Receiving the State Championship Ring of Champions and Gold Trophy with a gold medal and a $1,000.00 Camp Scholarship.

“In order to make sure we were ready for this very competitive event, we worked overtime during school, after school and most weekends,” said Coach Erica Davidson-Curley (Coach D). “The girls have been performing at the MPJHS basketball game halftimes.”

Coach D said that she knew in order to compete at a State Championship, it would take a lot more dedication, team unity and hard work than in the past but if any team could do it, this one could. “This by far has been one of the most talented teams that I have ever had, and also one of the closest. Practicing with this ADT group has been more like bonding with family and growing closer as a unit. I truly enjoy practices this year.

“This year for ADT has been dedicated to Keeping God First, Remaining Humble and Sisterhood,” she added. “I believe we are achieving those goals.”

The ADT Members are 7th Graders Madison Blalock, Emily Brown, Taylor Craig, Presley Jones, Carly Lewis and Morgan Thurman; and 8th Graders, Brenda Cano, Stephanie Deciga. Becky Farr, Rachel Fernandez, Maddie Grigsby, Kristian Matkin, Melina Medel, Tatum Scott and Tylo Turner. The Dance II Members are Kara Brewer, Erica Fields, Nayeli Fuentes, Yvette Garcia, Daisy Marquez and Lulu Villa. 

44 MPJHS 8^th Graders Inducted into NJHS

Forty-four Mount Pleasant Junior High School eighth grade students are now members of the National Junior Honor Society following the official induction ceremony Tuesday night (February 28).

The students and family members heard a welcome by Anne Webster, MPJHS 8^th grade counselor and NJHS sponsor, and then listened as chapter officers read descriptions of the characteristics of NJHS members: Leadership, Character, Scholarship and Service and Citizenship.

To be a member of the MPJHS Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society, students had to maintain a 91 average, demonstrate leadership ability, good character, citizenship, and participate in community service.  They also had to be recommended by a teacher on the MPJHS campus.

Following the awarding of he NJHS pins and reciting of the NJHS Pledge, Principal Brian McAdams congratulated the students on their achievement. He also thanked the parents and family members noting that “these students sitting here are where they are today because of the support they receive from their families.”

Community service is an important component of membership in the National Junior Honor Society, Webster explained after the ceremony

“The students did individual service hours the first semester for a total of 5 hours minimum.  Many completed as many as 13 hours the first semester!” Webster explained. “They ranged from working at Titus County Cares, folding clothes at Good will, relay for life projects, working at the Villa nursing home, working at the animal shelter, children’s camp, and working at the public library just to name a few.  This semester they will do an additional 5 hours minimum.  As a "group project" we will do a food drive for Titus County Cares and working with them in other various capacities like the backpack program, ‘Cares 4 Kids’, shelving, and any other task they might ask us to do”.

Officers for the 2011-2012 school year are President Christian Moulton, Vice President Dylan Shaw, Secretary Cassidy Russell and Treasurer Cecilia Alaniz. 

Members of MPJHS NJHS include: Cecilia Alaniz, Alexis Amerson, Dillon Anderson, Braylin Barker, Destiny Barnes, Denisha Bolden, Cash Brown. Miranda Burson, Juan Cardona, Jocelyn Castorena, Alyson Cortez, Gavin Dethrow, Maci Dorsey, Brandon Dykes, Kodye Engle, Rachel Fernandez, Erica Fields, Nayeli Fuentes, Jennifer Gonzalez, Michelle Gonzalez, Alicen Grace Gray, Colton Guest, Kerry Harper, Tynesia Hopkins, Juanita Luna, Daisy Marquez, Kristian Matkin, Christian Moulton, Ty Neal, Karla Ochoa, Brooklyn Petty, Alli Proctor, Vanessa Quinones, Anahi Rodriguez, Anayeli Rodriguez, Cassidy Russell, Rocky Scoggin, Dylan Shaw Precious Thompson, Lourdes Villa, Jessica Williams, Joshua Yox, Leivy Zuniga and Yami Zuniga.

Pictured: The new members of the MPJHS chapter of the National Honor Society.

MPJHS 8^th Grader Attends Anchor Club State Convention

Mount Pleasant Junior High School 8^th grader Maci Dorsey, the daughter of Robert and Candye Dorsey, represented the MPJHS Anchor Club at the 30th Annual Texas District Anchor Convention held at the Crown Plaza in Addison February 17.Dorsey brought home two awards for the club.

They entered the Scrapbook Award category and won 3rd Place.  This is quite an honor since there are 34 Anchors Clubs in Texas. 

They also received an ASAP award which means that they have exceeded the minimum requirements for a good Anchor Club.

It is the second time that the club has attended the Texas District Anchor Convention.  It is the first time they have entered any of the award categories.  

MPJHS Math teacher Colleen Proctor is the school Advisor for the MPJHS Anchor Club.

Pictured: Proctor and Dorsey