In The Schools

DENTON ISD

Denton High School

Jazz bands to perform with Brave Combo

Denton High School’s jazz bands will join Brave Combo to perform a special concert benefiting the DHS jazz studies program at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in the school’s auditorium.

Brave Combo is a two-time Grammy-winning polka/rock band based in Denton. The group is known for its rock-infused original polka songs and unique covers.

The Denton High jazz studies program features two full jazz ensembles and has allowed students in ninth through 12th grade to perform with a variety of artists and at locations across the nation. Jesse Woolery is the jazz bands director at Denton High.

Tickets to the concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students and can be purchased at www.dentonjazz.org  or at the door.

Denton High names students of the month

Denton High School recently announced its students and scholar of the month for January.

A male and female student from grades ninth through 12th were recognized by their peers and the Denton High staff for their academic achievements and dedication to make the school better. Students are selected at the completion of each month school is in session.

The female students of the month for January were freshman Heather Bucy, sophomore Marisa Cervantes, junior Morgan Rushing and senior Lara McQuaid.

The male students of the month for January were freshman Franky Delgado, sophomore Vineet Aziz, junior Ryan Steiner and senior Dominic Kelley.

Sarah Ben Ezra was named scholar student of the month.

D.J. Hicks chosen as 2012 Mr. DHS

Deavonte’ “D.J.” Hicks is the 2012 Mr. DHS.

He was crowned Feb. 10 at the 11th annual Mr. DHS event. Nine contestants vied for the title, which was ultimately decided by Denton High School teachers and administrators.

With the title, Hicks receives a $250 scholarship, a refrigerator to take with him to college and gift cards from various organizations.

The high school senior is the son of Jinaki Cochran and Archie Hicks. He is captain of the varsity basketball team and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Society of High School Scholars. At a recent assembly, he was named senior class favorite and given best personality honors.

Hicks is undecided on where he will attend college but plans to pursue a career in sports medicine.

LAKE DALLAS ISD

Corinth Elementary School

School to participate in Boosterthon Fun Run

Corinth Elementary School will host the Boosterthon Fun Run on Thursday, the culmination of a nine-day fitness and leadership program designed to help schools raise funds for education while inspiring students to live character-filled lives.

This year’s character theme is “Epic Adventure.” Boosterthon officials say the theme will show about 430,000 students at 615 schools across the United States this school year how to work together in teams through the adventure actions: encourage, play, invite and celebrate (EPIC).

“Every day, our team members see students across the country get excited about character and leadership,” said Chris Carneal, Boosterthon founder and president. “Schools exceed their financial goals, and we challenge students to live out the daily character action in school and at home.”

As part of the 2011-12 program, schools across the nation will join Boosterthon in Operation Playground, an initiative that will build playgrounds for underprivileged schools in Guatemala.

Leading up to the Boosterthon Fun Run event at their school, students are invited to gather pledges for each lap they run.

For more information on Boosterthon, visit www.boosterthon.com .

LIBERTY CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

Spring theater show set for this weekend

The surrounding communities are invited to the Liberty Christian theater department’s production of The Three Musketeers, by playwright Peter Raby.

Performances are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for students and seniors.

Liberty Christian is located at 1301 S. U.S. Highway 377 in Argyle.

For more information, call 940-294-2000 or visit www.libertychristian.com .

Music lab reaching students at young age

John Racina, Lower School music teacher at Liberty Christian School, sees every child in kindergarten through fourth grade each week, instructing them in hopes they make music a lasting part of their lives.

“I want my students to experience the joy that playing a musical instrument provides,” he said.

Racina teaches in the music lab, where Liberty Christian students are provided a keyboard that is connected to a computer filled with “exceptional” music software. Each student is guided through the “Children’s Music Journey” and “Piano Suite.”

Racina said he’s grateful to everyone who made the music lab a reality. In his lab, students have fun learning the fundamentals of music while moving through the material at their own pace.

“Every so often, students hear me perform for them on my clarinet, saxophone or flute,” he said. “Students who take piano lessons are also encouraged to play for their classmates.”

Spanish Club partners with community group

More than 50 Liberty Christian Spanish Club members became mentors after school to at-risk elementary-aged children in Lewisville recently through the Communities in Schools program.

Many of the children Liberty students befriended spoke Spanish and some spoke Burmese.Even though the children are rapidly learning English, they still need someone who can understand them in their native language in the interim. Liberty students spoke to them in Spanish and English while playing board games, reading books, drawing and playing basketball and soccer.

Communities in Schools is a nationwide network of professionals who work in public schools to surround children with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. With 181 local affiliates, Communities in Schools serves nearly 1.3 million children in 25 states and in Washington, D.C.

Before partnering with Communities in Schools, Liberty students attended an orientation and received training. The Spanish Club is planning another day with Communities in Schools in March.

ARGYLE ISD

Free-throw marathon to honor boy’s memory

A free-throw marathon will be held April 27 at Argyle High School, benefiting the Alex Betzhold Memorial Foundation.

Alex, a seventh-grader at Argyle Middle School, died unexpectedly Jan. 17.

The event in his honor begins at 7 p.m. April 27 and continues through 9 p.m. April 28 at the Argyle High School cafeteria and main gymnasium. Event organizers said the goal of the marathon is to make 13,035 free throws in 24 hours at four baskets — 13 representing how old Alex was when he died, 35 signifying his basketball number and four representing the number of immediate family members he left behind to carry on his memory.

Following the marathon is a guest speaker, live auction and celebrity basketball game.

For more details on the marathon or to volunteer, contact Steve Sheridan at 940-464-2829 or jesses23@verizon.net, or visit www.abmsf.net

THE LEGENDS ACADEMY

New free, lower-priced meal program enacted

The Legends Academy recently announced a plan to provide free and reduced-price meals for students served under the School Breakfast Program.

A copy of the policy is available in the school’s central office for anyone interested in reviewing it.

Students from households whose income is at or below a particular level are eligible for free or reduced-price meals. Foster children who are the legal responsibility of the state or court also are eligible for free meal benefits regardless of the income of their household.

Application forms are being distributed to all households with a letter informing families of the availability of free and reduced-price meals for their children. Applications also are available in the school administration office.

To apply for free and reduced-price meals, households must fill out the application and return it to the school. Applications may be submitted anytime during the school year. The information households provide on the application will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and verification of data. Applications may be verified by the school officials at any time during the school year.