Making spirits bright, the La Cima Club held its holiday party on Dec. 19. Ten percent of the evening’s proceeds went to the Mr. Pike’s Pals Scholarship, which is part of the Irving Schools Foundation’s scholarship programs. The scholarship established in Mr. John L. Pike Jr.’s honor by his daughter, Joy Goodrum, assists with college tuition for the physically handicapped and special needs students of the Irving ISD. Pictured enjoying the party are Joy Goodrum, John Pike Jr., Martha Pike and Mike Goff, General Manager of La Cima Club.

Source: Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce

The Universal Technical Institute staff and their families distribute toys to the children at the Christmas in the Park event.

The Universal Technical Institute Dallas campus in Irving celebrated the holiday season by helping families in need. The campus recently completed a food drive for the North Texas Food Bank that ran from Nov. 12 - 28.

Students and staff brought in 2,441 cans of food, approximately 900 more cans than last year. Jesse Torres, an instructor at the campus, told his students that he would personally match the amount of canned food they brought in. His class ended up donating 296 cans of food, which Mr. Torres matched.
“The generosity of the students and staff at our campus is truly a wonderful thing to see,” said Keith Pittman, Universal Technical Institute Dallas Interim Campus President. “Not only are we here to train the next generation of automotive and diesel technicians, but we are also committed to giving back to the community where we live and work.”
On Dec. 15, staff members donated their time at Dallas’ largest holiday charity event, Christmas in the Park. Held at Fair Park in Dallas, the event provides Southern Dallas families in need with everything from a hot meal to basic necessities like clothes and household items to bikes and toys to help make a child’s Christmas wish come true. Run by the S.M. Wright Foundation, this annual event has grown from serving less than 200 underprivileged kids in 1998 to an estimated 40,000 residents at this year’s event. 

Zach Kessler is no stranger to hard work even when it involves conflicting class periods as he’s a member of both the band and orchestra. Kessler’s ambitious nature is one of the major reasons he was selected as senior of the month at MacArthur High School for December. Kessler was recently named to the TMEA All-State Orchestra, and is the first MacArthur Orchestra student to do so since 2001.

If you’re looking for an example of student leadership at MacArthur High School, look no further than Zaahirah Souri. Souri was instrumental in establishing the first UIL math class at MacArthur High School as she recruited students and inspired them to sign up. Souri has a reputation as always smiling and working hard. Not hard to imagine why she would be selected as senior of the month at MacArthur.

Source: Irving ISD

Lamar faculty and staff recently honored former Lamar Middle School Principal Rocci Malone for her 18 years of leadership with a reception and portrait unveiling. The portrait will hang in the entrance of Lamar along with other past principals. Malone currently serves as the principal at Bowie Middle School.

Source: Irving ISD