News

Article Image Alt Text

North Forney Band Receives Gold Medals at NTCA

On Saturday, April 15th, 2023 the North Forney Indoor Winds & Percussion competed in the North Texas Colorguard Association Championship. The NTCA Championship is the culmination of a season of five contests that began in February. Going into the championship, both North Forney groups were seated in first place in each of their divisions. In championship competition, North Forney Winds earned the 1st place gold medal with a score of 86.65. In their first year of indoor competition, the North Forney Winds score of 86.65 is the highest score in NTCA Regional A Winds history dating back to 2016. The North Forney Percussion Ensemble successfully defended the championship title they have held since 2017 with a score of 93.65, earning another gold medal. Both scores reflect the judges’ appreciation of an outstanding performance that was technical, precise, and moving. The next performance of the North Forney Percussion Group is Saturday, April 29th at 7:00 pm in the North Forney High School Auditorium. Admission is free, and the group will perform a variety of percussion music including their 2023 championship indoor production entitled “Doors”.

Article Image Alt Text

Pictured: Forney ISD School Board President Greg Pharris with Superintendent Dr. Justin Terry, Board Members Chad Johnson, Hanna Bateman, Katrina Burkhalter, Becky Dobbs, and Teachers of the Year, Kimberly Kelly and Corey Graves.

Kimberly Kelly and Corey Graves Named Teachers of the Year

Congratulations to the 2022-2023 District Teachers of the Year! They were chosen by a panel of judges with representatives from businesses, the community, and retired educators. The district is proud to have you represent Forney ISD!

Article Image Alt Text

Shirley Bruner Honored with TDCAA’s Suzanne McDaniel Award

Shirley Bruner was honored with the Suzanne McDaniel Award at the Texas District and County Attorneys Association (TDCAA) Key Personnel-Victim Assistance Coordinator Annual Conference. This annual event attracts over 300 Texas prosecutor-office personnel for a week of training and recognizing the people who daily make a difference in our counties.

City Nature Challenge Returns to Texas for the Eighth Year

The City Nature Challenge is back in full force for the eighth year. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), through the Texas Nature Trackers program, invites all Texans to participate Friday, April 28, through Sunday, May 1, in a friendly competition between 15 Texas metropolitan areas. Everyone is invited to explore nature in their immediate surroundings: outside their front doors, in their yard or anywhere nature is found and can be safely and responsibly explored.

Forney Chamber of Commerce to Host 35th Annual Civic Auction & Casino Night

Forney Chamber of Commerce to Host 35th Annual Civic Auction & Casino Night

The Forney Chamber of Commerce will host their 35th Annual Civic Auction & Casino Night on Saturday, April 29 at The Venue at Rusted Rail Golf Club in Crandall. This year’s theme is “Building Something Special,” a nod to the efforts of the Chamber’s new executive director and board of directors to grow partnerships and offer local businesses more opportunities to connect with potential clients and promote their businesses.

Young Marines Honors Jacqueline Bracey of Heartland as Adult Volunteer of the Year

Young Marines Honors Jacqueline Bracey of Heartland as Adult Volunteer of the Year

In observance of National Volunteer Month in April, the Young Marines named Heartland resident Jacqueline Bracey as Young Marines Adult Volunteer of the Year for Division 4. She is the Unit Commander for the Kaufman County East Young Marines who meet in Crandall. She will vie with five other division Adult Volunteers of the Year for the top national honor, Young Marines National Adult Volunteer of the Year, to be announced April 22, 2023, at the Young Marines Awards Banquet in Dale City, Virginia.

Shining Moments in Spring

Shining Moments in Spring

The way a shaft of Spring sunlight moves through the air is sometimes a surprise to the viewer. Light in the sky illuminates but a shaft of light is special unto itself. And when a student’s face lights up like a shaft of light, the teacher is rewarded with that source of illumination signifying comprehension. Many of the educational professionals in Forney ISD are masters at engaging with their students causing those shining moments to happen.

We Like to Party (We Like, We Like to Party)
We Like to Party (We Like, We Like to Party)

We Like to Party (We Like, We Like to Party)

Last night was one for the ages. I was surprised. We were carded as soon as we walked in the door. It was a very exclusive place, too. They had to buzz you inside through a locked door. Very speakeasy. It was a packed house! So much activity everywhere. Lots to see. Of course, there was drama. There always is at these sorts of soirees. Something about late nights, too many people, and shots brings out the best and the worst in folks. The event staff was nice. There just weren’t enough of them. We spent too much time waiting on service. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was time to leave all the excitement behind and journey home. We both had splitting headaches, but my husband said he was fine to drive. I was glad. I had already gotten sick in the restroom. In fact, he almost had to pull over several times for me to puke on the side of the road. And, here we are now, at 10am, still in bed and reeling from the aftereffects of what we experienced. Were we at a fancy nightclub somewhere, drinking it up and dancing until the wee hours? Nope. We were just a couple of middle-aged grandparents who had extreme anxiety at the emergency vet until 1 am with a sick standard poodle. We still know how to rock.

Fitting Conclusion

And, since HISTORY usually involves “ old folks and events,” such as Harry Power and his good buddy, Don Themer, I will close with some “tidbits” he recently sent to me, since, as he too often says: “Themer, we are closing in on ‘old age’.”

Article Image Alt Text

Will Grooms Inducted Into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi

Will Grooms of Forney, Texas, was recently initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society. Grooms was initiated at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Grooms is among approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Pages

Forney Messenger

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 936, Forney, TX 75126
Physical Address: 201 W. Broad St., Forney, TX 75126
Phone: 972-564-3121
Fax: 972-552-3599