Courage, Integrity and Purpose: MISD Staff Gather for 2019–2020 Convocation at MISD Stadium
McKinney, Texas – The sun climbed slowly above the horizon and started working its way through a low bank of early morning cloud cover as McKinney ISD staff began to arrive at MISD Stadium on the morning of August 9.
It was time once again for Convocation, the annual gathering of the entire body of MISD staff, called together by Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel and the Board of Trustees to kick off the official start of the 2019-2020 school calendar.
Cheerleaders and mascots from the district’s middle and high schools fanned out at the entrance to form a welcoming committee as staff made their way into the stadium while the McKinney North Marching Band, accompanied by the NorthStars drill team and the Colorguard, began to warm up outside the north end of the stadium.
2019-2020 MISD Convocation (See complete photo set at end of article.)
Inside, as MISD teachers, staff and administrators filed in and began to gather by school and department in various sections of the stadium’s visitor seating, members of the McKinney High School Marine Corps JROTC Color Guard and True North choir ensemble readied themselves for the presentation of the colors and the national anthem. Meanwhile, orchestra members tuned up at the edge of the field.
The North drum line were greeted with cheers and a forest of waving “thunder sticks” as they moved along the sideline from section to section, adding to the growing energy of the staff with outbursts of percussion. At the other end of the visitors side, the North varsity cheerleaders did their part to hype the crowd.
In the middle of all this were heartfelt moments as colleagues and friends reconnected with smiles, handshakes and hugs.
Once the stands were full, and it was time to begin, MISD P.E. teachers led the audience through an energetic choreography with the thunder sticks and then yielded to the student performers—who were fantastic, as always.
2019-2020 MISD Convocation (See complete photo set at end of article.)
There was the national anthem from TrueNorth, a string version of a-ha’s 80’s hit “Take on Me,” from the orchestra; a selection from more current radio play with the band’s rendition of “Old Town Road” and a dance routine from the NorthStars.
With their contribution completed, the band and drill team filed off the field along with the orchestra and choir, and Board President Curtis Rippee stepped forward to the small stage at the edge of the sideline. During his remarks, he reminded MISD staff and teachers of the board’s faith in them and assured them that they have what it takes to accomplish the task ahead, that they are doing what they are meant to do.
At the conclusion of his comments, Rippee handed the microphone to McDaniel, and the superintendent referenced JFK’s 1962 speech at Rice University in which the president announced that the U.S. would put a man on the moon. “He challenged a nation to its core,” McDaniel said, “with a sense of pride for what could be accomplished when we choose to take on tasks, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.
“We choose to challenge our students…not because it’s easy, but because it’s hard,” he continued. “We challenge our students to live a life of kindness and respect for all—not because it’s easy, but because this endeavor is hard.”
McDaniel called upon every MISD staff member to be “all in,” to continue to promote kindness among MISD students, and said, “My additional challenge to you this year…is that you in turn challenge your students, our future innovators, our future caretakers, to dream big things. I assure you that the power you hold…through the very words you speak to them is enormous.
“Just as JFK challenged a nation to accomplish one of the greatest feats of mankind, you have the power to challenge a classroom of kids that will be reporting to you in six days,” McDaniel continued. “And … the generation of Americans that so wanted our country to be great in the late sixties felt the exact same feelings we all share for MISD.
“We all desire to be great, to do great things, to remain a first class organization, to make a positive difference in the world, and it is my belief that we have the faculty and staff in place to do just that this year—not because it is easy, but because it’s hard. I believe we are up to the task at hand, and I personally wish all of you the very best of school years ahead. Make a positive and significant difference this year, MISD, with courage, integrity and purpose.”
More Photos from 2019–2020 Convocation
McKinney North High School Colorguard
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
McKinney North High School NorthStars
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
McKinney North High School Orchestra Members
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
McKinney North High School Drum Line
McKinney North High School Drum Line
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
McKinney North High School Cheerleaders gather before Convocation.
MISD Middle and High School Mascots
MISD Middle and High School Cheerleaders
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
McKinney North TrueNorth Choir Ensemble
McKinney High School Marine Corps JROTC Cadets
McKinney North High School Marching Band
McKinney North High School NorthStars
McKinney North High School Marching Band
McKinney North High School Marching Band
McKinney North High School Drum Line
MISD School Board President Curtis Rippee
MISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
2019-2020 MISD Convocation
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