TACS COMMUNIQUE’
by Barry Haenisch, Executive Director
May 10, 2016
TACS SCHOLARSHIPS
“I’ve given some money for scholarships in the District of Columbia…Many of the students have written me letters telling me they could not have afforded to go to college without the scholarship and money that I have given them.” David Rubenstein, American financier and philanthropist
TACS exists to provide advocacy for small and mid-size schools and to deliver professional development for educators. If an educational organization is to be really successful, however, it cannot lose contact with the classroom and school students. TACS stays connected to the classrooms of our members through our student scholarship program. This year TACS will, with the help of our corporate partners and other friends, deliver over $70,000 in scholarship money to deserving young men and women who are graduating from our member schools. For some of the students being recognized, it may mean the difference in attending a college or university or not. For others this economic boost may reduce the debt they carry after completing their degree or certification program. It is our pleasure to recognize the scholarship recipients at this time:
TACS Scholarship Program
A few years ago a loyal friend and corporate partner of TACS, Chico Bargas of A. Bargas & Associates, came to the organization with a good idea. He wanted to provide $1,000 for a student scholarship, and he wanted TACS to administer the selection and awarding of the scholarship. From that humble beginning, the program has grown. Eventually, Mr. Bargas added another $1,000 scholarship, and then in 2015, Texas Tech University ISD provided an additional $1,000 so that three students could be recognized. This year, Mr. Bargas added another scholarship, and Gravely & Pearson LLP and Walsh Gallegos Trevino Russo and Kyle, P.C. each provided money to expand the program even more. From its modest start of one scholarship for $1,000, the program has grown to six scholarships of $1,000 each in a very short period. This year TACS received over 120 applications for the six scholarships that were awarded! From the very beginning, we have depended upon an independent team unassociated with TACS to review the applications and to select the deserving winners.
A.Bargas & Associates Scholarships
Julie Ngo Drew A. Berry
Sherman ISD, Region 10 Sundown ISD, Region 17
Mr. David Hicks, Superintendent Mr. Scott Marshall, Superintendent
Dylan Moore
Dayton ISD, Region 4
Dr. Jessica Johnson, Superintendent
Texas Tech University ISD Scholarship – for a student who will attend Texas Tech University
MikenaMader
Alvord ISD, Region 11
Dr. Randy Brown, Superintendent
Gravely & Pearson, LLP Scholarship – for a student studying for the law or law enforcement
Samuel Saucer
Muenster ISD, Region 11
Mr. Steven Self, Superintendent
Walsh Gallegos Trevino Russo & Kyle, P.C. Scholarship – for a student who will enter the teaching profession
BrennynSeagler
Gruver ISD, Region 16
Mr. Troy Seagler, Superintendent
TACS sends congratulations to each student recognized and a BIG thank you to our corporate friends who made the awards possible! I know that each of the donors can relate to the introductory quote from Mr. Rubenstein.
TACS Academic Challenge
On April 24, 2016, forty-five teams from around the state competed in two divisions in the TACS Academic Challenge Scholarship Contest that was held on the campus of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. Division 1 was composed of high schools classified as A, 2A, and 3A. Division 2 included schools classified as 4A, 5A, and 6A. Participants were competing for a total of $31,800 in scholarships that day.
Each competing team consisted of three high school students, and students answer five questions each to make a “round”. There are four “rounds”. Students have fifteen seconds to answer each question. The contest resembles an athletic event as the competition can become intense and exciting with college scholarships on the line!
To automatically qualify for the state contest, a team needs to finish as one of the top five teams in an Area Contest. The next five highest scoring teams in the state are invited to compete at the state contest as “At-Large” teams.
Dr. Gene Sheets, the retired superintendent of the Muleshoe ISD, is the contest director, and he does an outstanding job each year. TACS cannot express enough our appreciation to Dr. Sheets for his fine work! Judges for the event were professors from UMHB. Here are the winning teams:
Division 1Division 2
1st Sundown “I” Team $7,200 Bushland “I” Team $6,000
2nd Sundown “Q” Team $3,600Tuloso-Midway “I” Team $2,400
3rd Tahoka “I” Team $3,000 Fabens “I” Team $1,800
4th Denver City “I” Team $2,100 Fabens “U” Team $1,800
5th Seagraves “Q” Team $1,500 Fabens “Q” Team $1,200
6th Fort Stockton “I” Team $1,200
In addition to the scholarship winnings at the State Contest, Area Contest scholarships awarded this year amounted to $31,056.53. That means in 2016 TACS awarded $62,856.53 in scholarships with the TACS Academic Challenge Scholarship Program!!
Next year each school district should consider entering high school teams in this scholarship contest. There will be an Area Contests near you. Look for more information beginning in the fall, 2016!
TACS SAN ANTONIO CONFERENCE, 2016
Mark your calendar! Plan to be in San Antonio on the Riverwalk on September 11-13, 2016. It’s TACS San Antonio Conference time again! Like always, it will be a Sunday, Monday, and Tuesdayof fun, really good food, and insightful learning. Rooms are starting to fill fast. Don’t wait to register until all the rooms are gone. All you need to do is go to to register. Registration is easier than ever!
WANTED: SUCCESS STORIES
In October of each year, The Texas Association of Community Schools publishes a magazine called TACS TODAY.Each edition is a “brag rag” of outstanding stories of interesting, exceptional, or inspiring events that occurred in your schools this past year.TACS TODAY is an opportunity to provide recognition to your students, your school, or your community. Share your stories with us or get more information by emailing Linda Valk at .