Connections Matter: The Return of MISD Convocation
McKinney ISD Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel addresses the audience at the 2021 MISD Convocation held Friday, August 6, 2021, at MISD Stadium. His message: Connections Matter.
In the relative cool of the early morning, they arrived in pairs and groups, making their way through the east and west gates of McKinney ISD Stadium. Those who arrived alone soon joined up with friends and colleagues, exchanging hugs and laughter as the concourse and seating areas began to fill with MISD teachers and staff.
Employees from every campus and office across the district had not gathered in one place since the 2019 Convocation. And, it was time at last to come together again, on the morning of Friday, August 6, to officially welcome MISD back for the 2021–2022 school year, to reconnect and share in the collective vision for the district.
Ultimately, MISD students were the focus of the proceedings and, appropriately, were among those who helped make Convocation happen. A host of cheerleaders from Cockrill, Dowell, Evans, Faubion, SJMS and all three high schools formed a welcoming party at the gates with members of the MISD Board of Trustees.
The Boyd Fusion Choir, MHS Royal Pride Marching Band and Color Guard and the McKinney North Drum Line provided entertainment that underscored McKinney ISD’s status as one of NAMM’s Best Communities for Music Education.
There was a dance contest among the high school mascots and video presentations that featured MISD students talking about their teachers — with heartfelt and, often humorous, sentiment.
![teachers from MHS standing in a group smiling](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6996_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
MISD Board of Trustees Vice President Stephanie O’Dell welcomed everyone back on behalf of the board, and Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel drove home his theme for the year: connections are essential.
“Connections matter; always have, always will,” he said. “I’m talking about reconnecting with our community through campus and district wide events. I’m talking about reconnecting with our peers … I’m talking about reconnecting with parents … But, most importantly, I’m talking about reconnecting with our kids. They’ve never needed us more than they do this coming year.
“That is why I am imploring you to keep our McKinney ISD connections strong,” McDaniel said. “As we move on and reconnect, I hope you understand that you are reconnecting with what is truly a calling. Each of you are called to do this. You do it with spirit. You do it with enthusiasm. But, most importantly, you do it with love.”
MISD 2021–2022 Convocation in Photos
![McDaniel at the podium](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7306_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: Superintendent Dr. Rick McDaniel
![three women smiling for camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7421_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![two staff members laughing](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7010_newweb-1.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![Stephanie O'Dell speaking on stage](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7265_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MISD Board of Trustees Vice President Stephanie O’Dell
![group of singers warming up on sideline](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6929_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney Boyd High School Fusion Choir
![Color guard girl posing with flag during performance](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7210_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MHS Royal Pride Marching Band and Color Guard
![line of student drummers performing on sideline](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7123_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney North High School Drum Line
![two teachers smiling for camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6905_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![two cheerleaders smiling for camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6906_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![Stephanie O'Dell waving a pom pon](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6909_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MISD Board of Trustees Vice President Stephanie O’Dell
![Boyd AP showing school spirit with face painted red](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6914_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: Boyd Bronco School Spirit!
![two women smiling at camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6977-2_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![Chad Green smiling at camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6910_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MISD Board Member Chad Green
![overhead view of people on concourse](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7005_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![row of middle school cheerleaders smiling at camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z6998_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![Larry Jagours shaking hands](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7002_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MISD Board Member Larry Jagours
![man and woman smiling at camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7019_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![teachers walking past in a line](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7025_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![group of teachers walking toward camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7028_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![three MISD high school mascots walking into stadium](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7051_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![principal of Press ES looking up from seats waving at camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7030_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![group from Wilmeth smiling at camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7034_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![group from Walker ES posing for a photo](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7039_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![MHS mascot doing dance moves](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7069_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![Boyd mascot running across field](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7083_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![bass drum players in a line waiting to play](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7092_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney North Drum Line
![teacher standing and cheering](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7098_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![teacher standing and cheering among seated crowd](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7103_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![shot of drummers in a line playing](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7142_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney North Drum Line
![view of bass drummers in a row](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7148_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney North Drum Line
![drummers walking off field reacting to audience](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7159_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney North Drum Line
![drummers walking off field reacting to crowd](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7165_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney North Drum Line
![line of flute players performing on field](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7172_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MHS Royal Pride Marching Band and Color Guard
![color guard member performing on field with flag](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7177_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MHS Royal Pride Marching Band and Color Guard
![drum major on pedestal directing band as they perform](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7189_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MHS Royal Pride Marching Band and Color Guard
![band performing and raising hands to clap](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7203_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: MHS Royal Pride Marching Band and Color Guard
![choir singers performing](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7224_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney Boyd High School Fusion Choir
![female choir performers singing holding microphones](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7229_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium: McKinney Boyd High School Fusion Choir
![man facing away from camera wearing shirt that reads Bringing our A Game](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7350_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![teacher in crowd watching performance](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7246_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![woman giving a thumbs up at the camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7404_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![woman leaving stadium at the end of the event](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7369_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![women walking toward gates at the end of the event](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7379_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![women and man posing for camera](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7408_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
![group of teachers smiling in photo](https://www.mckinneyisd.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/A83Z7411_newweb.jpg)
McKinney ISD 2021 Convocation — Friday, August 6, at MISD Stadium
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