DeSoto students receive awards and accolades

McCowan Middle School choir honors

DESOTO - On Jan. 23, 43 choral music students from McCowan Middle School attended the Region 20 Middle School All-Region Choir Auditions at Red Oak High School.

There were 43 middle schools represented with 950 students auditioning for a place in three honor choirs. 

Fifteen students made the choirs.

Shaquel Jackson, 20^th Chair, Bass, 8^th grade; Kambrelyn White, 5^th Chair, 2^nd Soprano, 7^th grade; Keeiona Burnett, 7^th Chair, 2^nd Soprano, 8^th Grade; Karrington Broden, 1^st Chair, Alto, 8^th Grade (3 year All-Region); Marquisa Piroutek, 9^th Chair, Alto, 8^th Grade.

Whitney McCarthy, 13^th Chair, 2^nd Soprano, 8^th Grade; Sierra Clark, 14^th Chair, 2^nd Soprano, 8^th Grade; A’sha Garrett, 13^th Chair, Alto, 8^th Grade (3 year All-Region); Desiree Green, 15^th Chair, Alto, 8^th Grade; Justice Canada, 16^th Chair, Alto, 8^th Grade (3 year All-Region); Macyla Davis, 18^th Chair, Alto, 7^th Grade; Jeanny Nguyen, 21^st Chair, Alto (Alternate), 8^th Grade; Jorey Bell, 22^nd Chair, Alto (Alternate), 8^th Grade.

Desha Britto, 3^rd Chair, Alto; Tessia Ransom, 12^th Chair, Alto.

These students also performed on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2009 at Duncanville High School.

The following players were named to various All State Superlative teams by 5ATexas Football.com.

Each team has about 37 players selected.

Passing: 251-384, 4,056 yds, 39 TDs, 13 INTs

Rushing: 101 carries, 302 yds, 3 TDs

Ryan was also named to the 2009 Class of Old Spice Red Zone Players of the Year.

He joins 50 players from across the nation who embody grit, determination, skill and effort to be a true leader in the red zone.

1^st Team All State – QB Ryan Polite, RB Marcus Murphy, WR Darius Terrell

2^nd Team All State – DL Brandon Forge, OL Evan Washington

3^rd Team All State – WR David Porter

All Junior Team (not an All State selection) - OL Marcus Hutchins

All Sophomore Team (not an All State selection) - LB Alex Lyons

Also of note, Assistant Football Coach Donald Hatcher was named an E5 Coach of the Week last fall by the NBC 5 show Inside High School Football.

Tthe West Middle School cheerleader squad won the Small Squad, School Division Level 5 competition at the Jan. 23-24 Global Cheer Alliance event at the Dallas Convention Center.

The event included local middle and high school squads as well as numerous small gym All-Star Squads from the Metroplex.

The DeSoto ISD Council of PTAs were notified of eleven awards earned by school PTAs for membership and recruitment by the Texas PTA.

The district and council have been working hard to rejuvenate the council of PTAs as well as each campus chapter.

PTA President LaTanya Miller, 10 percent increase, at least a 10 percent increase of last year’s total

- PTA President Monica Pennyweil, 10 percent increase, at least a 10 percent increase of last year’s total; Early Bird - 75 percent of last year’s membership submitted by Sept. 30

- PTA President Ebony Martin, Early Bird, 75 percent of last year’s membership submitted by Sept. 30; Golden Apple - 100 percent of staff and faculty participation

Men Really Are Super - MARS – 50 or more men enrolled in PTA by Oct. 15

5 Individual Hero Awards - Recruited 10 or more members each: Roy Douglas, Christi Mayes, Mary Tennison, Michelle Morrow, Karen Valentino

The girls swim team placed third overall and the boys fourth at the District Swim Meet held Jan. 30 at the Rockwall Natatorium. 

Individual and relay teams that finished in the top six places advance to the Regionals on Feb. 12-13. 

LeBraun Freeman, 200 Freestyle, 5^th, 2:28.81; Ciara McGrew, 50 Freestyle, 6^th, 32.27; Austin Howard, 100 Butterfly, 4^th, 1:20.74; Laura Lopez, 100 Freestyle, 4^th, 1:11.86; Harley McPherson, 100 Backstroke, 5^th, 1:55.18

Relay Teams - Girls 200 Freestyle Relay, 3^rd (2:16.55): Laura Lopez, Meagan Jentho, Ciara McGrew, Jasmyne Hambrick; Boys 400 Freestyle Relay, 4^th (1:59.07): Austin Howard, David Koehler, LeBraun Freeman, DeShawn Ball; Girls 200 Freestyle Relay, 2^nd (5:15.48): Laura Lopez, Meagan Jentho, Ciara McGrew, Jasmyne Hambrick; Boys 400 Freestyle Relay, 4^th (4:34.77): Austin Howard, David Koehler, LeBraun Freeman, DeShawn Ball.