See video: https://youtu.be/58Q3hGIJshs
Andrea Lopez is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Cockrill Middle School. She is a 8th grade math teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 8 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/54dRmIGtmSM
Michelle Haas is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McGowen Elementary. She is a 3rd grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 23 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/475y_VmqK9M
Olivia is an outstanding athlete on the Lady Bronco softball team.
She was selected 2nd Team All-District her freshmen year and 1st Team All-District her junior year. As a sophomore she won the “Defensive Player of the Year” award, and she has achieved Academic All-District 3 years in a row.
Olivia maintains academic rigor by taking AP and Dual Credit courses. She is a member of the National Honor Society, and she has won the Academic Excellence award 3 times.
Olivia participates in the Interact Club, Environmental Activist Club, AVID Club and the Created Puzzle Club. She has completed her Green Cord, and she is studying Dental Terminology in HOSA.
Olivia volunteers for Feed My Starving Children, and she works at HOTWORX.
Olivia plans to attend Lubbock Christian University to study Biochemistry and business and continue playing softball. She intends to obtain her dental degree from Texas A&M and pursue a career as an orthodontist.
Congratulations to Olivia Locke from McKinney Boyd High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week.
McKinney High School Top 10 Students!
McKinney ISD kicked off the first of its annual Top 10 Student celebrations of the 2025-2026 school year at McKinney High School this morning as Superintendent Shawn Pratt and MHS Principal Dr. Paula Kent welcomed family members and McKinney ISD officials to a special recognition breakfast to honor these remarkable students. The district will celebrate each high school's Top 10 students in the coming days.
These McKinney High School seniors have achieved a monumental honor, working ceaselessly throughout high school to reach the Top 10 of the Class of 2026, and Pratt commended them for their commitment and perseverance. "There were many days when you gave up things you wanted to do and days when you had to do things that were challenging. The fact that you did those difficult things is the reason you are in the Top 10, and that is a tremendous accomplishment that you should be proud of."
Congratulations to the Top 10 Students of the McKinney High School Class of 2026!
1. Kammie Kristufek
2. Carson Holland
3. Daniel Nwaekwe
4. Leo Ziman
5. Zalana Aguillard
6. Quinn Haney
7. Taro Higuchi
8. Audrey Tremble
9. Saylor Baker
10. Alyson Pittman
Visit the McKinney ISD Facebook page for more photos!
Program Spotlight: Color Guard and Winter Guard
McKinney ISD Color Guard offers students a welcoming opportunity to participate in a nationally recognized visual performing arts activity that combines dance, equipment choreography, and teamwork. High school students can earn Fine Arts and Physical Education (PE) credit while building confidence, coordination, discipline, and artistry. No prior experience is required.
Students perform with flags, rifles, sabers, and props to bring marching band productions to life, with instruction provided through rehearsals, clinics, and camps. Performance opportunities include football games, community events, parades, and competitions.
Students may also participate in Winter Guard, an indoor competitive program that competes regionally and nationally. Middle school students can join Winter Guard as an introduction to the activity and to build skills before high school.
Color Guard fosters a strong sense of belonging while developing confidence and leadership. All students interested in performance, movement, or teamwork are encouraged to get involved.
Visit their websites for audition information and to learn more about the programs.
MBHS Color Guard auditions are April 21 - April 23.
MHS Color Guard auditions are April 29 and April 30.
MNHS Color Guard auditions are May 4- 5
See video: https://youtu.be/C4_ex_XtaQo
Aaron Stark is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Evans Middle School. He teaches 6th – 8th science, and he has worked as an educator for 22 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/ISzGEDkDoPs
Sarah Kile is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Reuben Johnson Elementary. She is a 5th grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 18 years.
Today, McKinney ISD Superintendent Shawn Pratt's Student Advisory Committee met with the McKinney ISD District Advisory Council at the CEC for lunch and a collaborative discussion on McKinney ISD programs.
Grouping the students with teachers and campus leaders, Pratt introduced an activity that called on the students to sit in the seat of the decision makers and determine characteristics of McKinney ISD most appealing to students and parents, while weighing the real world challenges facing a school district. As always, our students offered thoughtful insight in their feedback.
The session also included a student panel segment as senior SAC members shared their perspectives and experiences in McKinney ISD during a Q&A led by Pratt.
The annual meeting of the councils was another great opportunity for our students to meet and interact with leaders from across the district and a valued opportunity for McKinney ISD leadership to hear from a student's perspective.
See video: https://youtu.be/QTY_nDOtmFQ
Michelle Zavala is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for the Discipline Alternative Education Program. She is a 6th – 8th grade English teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 5 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/coD2OajE06A
Shalicia Bables is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Malvern Elementary. She teaches 3rd grade, and she has worked as an educator for 5 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/7c8yLBITtVk
Congratulations to our 2026 Teachers of the Year! We are honored to celebrate each one of them for their dedication to our students and the hard work and excellence they pour into their classrooms. Thank you, Teachers of the Year!
See video: https://youtu.be/dURkYCxFhto
See video: https://youtu.be/stwsJACBdLg
Annam is the “Class of ’26” 2025 Art Student of the Year, and she is a 2-time State VASE Medalist. Annam is a TASB recipient and a TSA State Semifinalist for Fashion Design. She received the Gold Key Scholastic Arts & Writing award for her senior portfolio, and she earned 1st place in the Pastels Division in the Art Club of McKinney.
Annam currently has a 4.5 GPA, and she has taken 16 AP classes. She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a TSA State Semifinalist for Biotechnology and Design. Annam has earned “AP We Serve” certification, and she is a member of the National Honor Society.
In her free time, Annam is the Founder & President of the Asian Student Union, and she serves as treasurer of both the STEMists Club and the Engineering & TSA Club. She is also a member of HOSA and the Muslim Youth Association. Annam is involved with the Dear Asian Youth Club, and she is the main co-illustrator of a published STEM children’s book.
After graduation, Annam plans to major in Pre-Med and minor in Art History.
That’s Annam Tran from McKinney High School, this week’s Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Artist of the Week.
See video: https://youtu.be/jSe_9aN7ZH8
Jacob Mannis is 2nd Runner Up Secondary Teacher of the Year for McKinney ISD, as well as the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McKinney North High School. He is a 9th – 12th grade health science teacher, and he has worked as an educator for 16 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/JoaAQResO3I
Paris Mays-Johnson is the 2nd Runner Up Elementary Teacher of the Year for McKinney ISD, as well as Teacher of the Year for Walker Elementary. She is a kindergarten teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 3.5 years.
The Superintendent’s Student Advisory Committee is composed of junior and senior leaders from McKinney Boyd, McKinney High, and McKinney North. This group provides students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills while providing feedback on district and campus initiatives, events, and procedures. As the school year draws to a close, we asked these students to reflect on what they love about their schools and McKinney ISD. In this video, we hear from McKinney High School seniors Caleb Starnes and Danielle Howard, and junior Juett King.
Samuel Thomas is the 1st Runner Up Secondary Teacher of the Year for McKinney ISD, as well as the 2026 Teacher of the Year for McKinney Boyd High School. He teaches visual arts, and he has worked as an educator for 23 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/FQOJjKTg4SA
Naudia Monroe is the 1st Runner Up Elementary Teacher of the Year for McKinney ISD, as well as the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Press Elementary. She is a 5th grade teacher, and she has worked as an educator for 4 years.
See video: https://youtu.be/Bfge6cXGMyc
See video: https://youtu.be/ze4ub97TBqY
Carson is a senior, and he serves as a captain on the Lions cross country team. Carson’s personal record for the 1600 is 5:07 and 10:59 for the 2-mile. He has earned the Most Spirited and the Lion Heart awards, and he achieved Academic All-District for cross country and track.
Carson currently maintains a 3.9 GPA, and he is a member of the National Honor Society.
Carson has also participated in choir for the past 4 years, and he was selected for All-Region Choir. He is also a member of the Headhunters.
Beyond school, Carson is active in his church youth group, and he volunteers with Feed My Starving Children.
After graduation, Carson plans to serve a two-year mission before attending BYU.
Congratulations to Carson Staiger from McKinney High School, our Dennis Baker State Farm Scholar Athlete of the Week!
See video: https://youtu.be/coUkxkrpKqk
“I grew to love middle school…they are so funny, they keep you grounded…Everyday is a new day in middle school, and I love that.”
Reagan Brannon is the 2026 Teacher of the Year for Faubion Middle School. She teaches 6th grade social studies, and she has worked as an educator for 3 years.
