The Principal’s Read

Week of October 6, 2025

McMullen County ISD – “Where success creates success.”
At McMullen County ISD, we believe that students should be well-rounded—actively involved in multiple programs that help them grow as learners and as people. We also believe that success creates success and that today’s setbacks are simply pathways to tomorrow’s victories.
Our scoreboard isn’t measured only in trophies, but in the long-term success of our young people as college graduates, workers, parents, and leaders. Those are the big goals—but it sure is fun to watch our students succeed right now as they learn to set goals, work hard, and chase excellence.

Celebrations

FFA – State Qualifiers and Area Champions!

Our FFA students kicked off the 2025–2026 competition season in style at the Area X Land, Range, and Homesite Contest in Sinton!

• CDE Sweepstakes Champions – Area X Fall CDE’s 🏆
• Land Team – Area Champions & State Qualifiers
  • Seth Coolidge – 1st High Point
  • Jack Craig – 2nd High Point
  • Joseph Timms – 8th High Point
  • Isabella Weiss – 10th High Point
• Homesite Team – 2nd in Area & State Qualifiers
  • Ryleigh Fetterman – 5th High Point
  • Cheyene McClaugherty – 7th High Point
• Plant ID – 12th Place Team & State Qualifiers
• Greenhand Land – 3rd Place Team
  • Graysen Serrata – 4th High Point
  • Zaylah Pecos – 6th High Point
• Greenhand Homesite – 3rd Place Team
  • Rustin Buehrer – 2nd High Point
• Greenhand Plant ID – 6th Place Team
  • Preslea Gonzales – 7th High Point
• Range Team – 8th Place
• Greenhand Range – 4th Place Team
  • Caley Pruett – 7th High Point
  • Atley Quintanilla – 10th High Point

What an incredible start to the year! Congratulations to our students and FFA sponsors for their dedication, early mornings, and excellence.

Cross Country – District Dominance!

Our runners absolutely dominated at the District Meet in Lasara this weekend!

• Varsity Girls – District Champions
  • 1st London Yanity (District Champion)
  • 3rd Bella Billingsley • 4th Caroline Trudeau • 5th Ella David
  • 6th Maddie Villalobos • 7th Camie Taylor • 8th Crystal Gardner
• Varsity Boys – District Champions
  • 1st Mason Villalobos (District Champion)
  • 2nd Joseph Timms • 3rd Colton Ray • 4th Skyler Richter • 5th Graysen Serrata
• JV Girls – 1st Place: Leighton Yanity
• JV Boys – 3rd Place: Reece Hamilton
• Junior High Girls – District Champions
  • 1st Laikyn Serrata (District Champion)
  • 2nd Sarah Rios • 4th Cali Langley • 8th Isabella White • 9th Ainslee Vyvlecka
• Junior High Boys – District Champions
  • 4th Eason Royal • 5th Garrett Ray • 7th Hunter Brosig
  • 8th Guy Demoin • 10th Zion Serros
  • Meet clinched on a tie-breaker thanks to our 6th runner, Zeke Pate!

Outstanding job to all of our runners and coaches—you continue to make Tilden America proud!

The Cowboy Chronicle

The Cowboy Chronicle team just published their first edition of the year! This completely student-run newspaper, led by Mrs. Pate, showcases writing, photography, and editing skills—and it looks amazing. Great work to everyone involved for their creativity and professionalism.

Announcements

Communication:
We’re eight weeks into the school year, and things are busy! Please keep open lines of communication between home and school. If you have a question or concern, don’t wait—reach out early and start the conversation. We can solve most things quickly when we work together.

Discipline:
This is the time of year when routines start to feel long and students test boundaries. But we’re proud to report that through eight weeks, we’ve had zero discipline referrals from Pre-K through 12th grade! That speaks volumes about our kids, our teachers, and the supportive environment you help us maintain.

FFA Fundraiser:
FFA students begin their annual fundraiser this week—selling fruit, vegetables, and a variety of meats. Proceeds directly support student activities and competition expenses. Thank you in advance for supporting our award-winning FFA program!

PALS Meeting:
Join us Thursday at 4:15 PM in the cafeteria. We’d love to see more parents get involved with this vital organization that supports students and teachers.
Senate Bill 12 – Permission Forms:
Today, Mrs. Pate sent out two important forms related to new state laws:

1. Permission to receive nurse services
2. Permission to receive counseling services

Please sign both forms. Saying “yes” simply allows our nurse and counselor to continue providing the daily care your child has always received. Call me if you have any questions.

Career Exploration & College Visit Days:
By law, juniors have two Career Exploration Days; seniors have two Career Exploration Days and two College Visit Days. These days don’t count against attendance. Just bring a note or itinerary from the institution to Mrs. Acker. Use them—they’re valuable experiences!

Senior Scholarships:
At McMullen County ISD, we are blessed with a generous community that believes in investing in our students’ futures. Over the past ten years, 70% of our graduates have attended 4-year universities, 15% have pursued trade schools, and 12% have gone on to 2-year colleges—and about 70% of them complete their programs. That’s something special for a small town.
Our goal is simple: no student should ever have to give up on their dreams because of money. Each year, local families, ranches, businesses, and organizations provide scholarships that help make those dreams possible. These gifts don’t just fund education—they leave a legacy that echoes through the lives of our young people.
If you or your business would like to create a scholarship or contribute to an existing one, please contact Mrs. James or me at the school. You can choose the amount, the criteria, and even name the scholarship after a loved one or your family. Every dollar goes directly to helping a McMullen County graduate continue their journey.
Thank you for being a community that believes in its kids—and invests in their future.

Transportation Changes:
Thank you for continuing to call the office by 3:20 PM for transportation changes. It keeps dismissal safe and smooth for everyone.

Halloween Carnival:
The senior class is selling tickets for the annual Halloween Carnival fundraiser—tickets include two meals and Bingo cards. They’re also accepting donations for Bingo prizes and the Silent Auction.  The seniors could really use your help with these donations.  This event is always a highlight for our younger students and a major fundraiser for the seniors’ trip.

Schedule Highlights

Monday, Oct. 6:

• JH Volleyball vs. Pettus @ MCISD – 5:00 PM

Tuesday, Oct. 7:

• Varsity Volleyball @ Bruni – 5:00 PM
• Junior FFA Ag Mechanics Work Day
• Letterman Jacket Orders

Wednesday, Oct. 8:

• Regular school day

Thursday, Oct. 9:

• PALS Meeting – 4:15 PM (Cafeteria)
• FFA Senior Ag Mechanics Work Day

Friday, Oct. 10:

• Regular school day

Saturday, Oct. 11:

• Varsity Volleyball vs. Falls City @ MCISD – 10:00 AM
• JH “A” Volleyball @ George West – 9:00 AM
• Seis Rios District FFA Leadership Camp @ Skidmore-Tynan
• FFA Senior Ag Mechanics Work Day
• TPWD Fund Day & Hunter Safety Course @ DWMA Office

Next Week:

• Mon, Oct 13: State FFA Officer Visiting during 1st and 2nd Period
• Wed, Oct. 15: PSAT (9–11) & ASVAB (12) Testing, State Fair Ag Robotics Competition
• Thu, Oct. 16: Sheep, Goat, & Heifer Validation – McMullen County Show Barn

Final Thoughts

It’s not every week that you qualify three teams for State and bring home four District Championship titles—but that was our week last week!
I can’t wait to see what our students accomplish in the weeks ahead as we approach Regional and State Cross Country, Volleyball Playoffs, and the start of the FFA LDE season.
This school year continues to go so smoothly because of the strong partnership between our school and you at home. Watching our students excel and grow is one of life’s greatest joys—and it’s even better when we work together to bring out the best in each of them.
Have a blessed week, and thank you for allowing us the privilege of working with your children.

Joe Timms, Principal
McMullen County ISD