Raise the Praise

Good Morning and Happy Friday!

Good luck to the Lady Blues and Graham Steers competing in basketball tournaments in Albany and Santo.

Kudos to Crestview Principal Amanda Townley for being a good sport.  The second grade students earned the right to tape her to the wall for bringing the most items for the food drive.

Marzano High Reliability Schools (HRS)- I shared this several weeks back.  The principals will begin discussing this with the staff following the holidays.  We will be creating three teams- Pioneer/Crestview (need 4 teachers from each campus; Woodland/GJHS (need 4 teachers from each campus; GHS (need 9 teachers).

This past year I submitted a request to ESC 9 for our district to be included in the HRS professional development program.  I recently learned that we will be afforded this opportunity.  The HRS framework is not about adding a new initiative… It is about discovering best practices and providing indicators that will allow us to measure progress and increase levels of reliability related to:

1. Safe and Collaborative Culture
2. Effective Teaching in Every Classroom
3. Guaranteed and Viable Curriculum
4. Standards-Referenced Reporting
5. Competency-Based Education

Based on Marzano's research districts and schools, using the framework and indicators, can drive permanent, positive, and significant impacts on student achievement by synthesizing multiple complex initiatives into one harmonious system.

Funding (approximately $75K per team) for the training is being provided by the Priddy Foundation. I am thinking that we will be establishing three ten member teams (Pioneer/Crestview, Woodland/GJHS & GHS) to participate in the 17-18 school year. If you are interested in participating in this opportunity please email me and your campus principal.

A-F Accountability System for 2017 - 18 and Beyond- Sometime over the Christmas break, the district will receive our “mock” A-F Rating. This rating will be made public sometime in January.  This coming week, I will be sharing information related to this with the campus principals and they will share it with you following the break. I have created a shared folder on Google Drive that is available to all that contains information related to the A-F Rating System.

Commission of Education to Set a Permanent Scale Score Passing Standard for the minimum passing score on each 3-8 STAAR and EOC STAAR assessments.-

• The Commissioner is also proposing new names for each performance level.  The proposed changes include having 4 performance levels.  These levels will no longer be referred to as "Satisfactory, Final Level II and Advanced Level III".  The new proposed terms are:
• Did Not Meet Grade Level: This performance category applies to students scoring below Approaches Grade Level. This performance level indicates that students are unlikely to succeed in the next grade or course without significant, ongoing academic intervention. Students in this category do not demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the assessed knowledge and skills.
• Approaches Grade Level: Performance at this level indicates that students are likely to succeed in the next grade or course with targeted academic intervention. Students in this category generally demonstrate the ability to apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts.
• Meets Grade Level: Performance in this category indicates that students have a high likelihood of success in the next grade or course but may still need some short-term, targeted academic intervention. Students in this category generally demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in familiar contexts. For Algebra II and English III, this performance level indicates students are sufficiently prepared for postsecondary success.
• Masters Grade Level: Performance at this level indicates that students are expected to succeed in the next grade or course with little or no academic intervention. Students in this category demonstrate the ability to think critically and apply the assessed knowledge and skills in varied contexts, both familiar and unfamiliar. For Algebra II and English III, this level of performance indicates students are well prepared for postsecondary success.
• The amendment would establish the 2015-2016 STAAR® passing standard as the minimum passing requirement (Approaches Grade Level) and set the current panel-recommended standard as the benchmark indicating a higher level of satisfactory achievement (Meets Grade Level). The Level III performance standard would be renamed "Masters Grade Level" to clearly indicate advanced grade-level performance on a STAAR® assessment and articulate the relationship between each of the performance levels.
• The proposed rule change is open for public comment from December 9 - January 9, 2017. To view these proposed changes, please click here.

Raise the Praise

Raise the Praise and Minimize the Criticize is a growth mindset.  Taking the positive approach is key to enhancing the morale of others.  Active acknowledgement of the many positive things occurring within an organization and with individuals may be the critical factor in growing a positive culture within one's team.

One of the challenges that all educators face is learning how to praise.  Often teachers have spent their entire careers looking for what is wrong, pointing out errors and focusing on mistakes. Although this is part of being a teacher, the exceptional educator looks for opportunities to find people doing things right.  

Ben Bissell (1992) described five areas that help praise work.

1. Authentic- Praise others for something genuine; recognize them for something that is true.
2. Specific- Praise should be clearly defined or identified.  The behavior we acknowledge often becomes the behavior that will continue.
3. Immediate- It is vital to recognize positive efforts and contributions in a timely manner.
4. Clean- For praise to be “clean” it is offered without an expectation of change and it can’t include the word “but.”
5. Private- The majority of time, praise needs to be private. Many students prefer private recognition to avoid peer resentment, not being “cool”, etc.

I encourage you to find a way to praise that works for you… postcards, phone calls, emails, etc.!

Take care of yourself, have fun and raise the praise!

Corny Joke of the Day

What do reindeer hang on their Christmas trees?
 (Scroll down for the answer)

Horn-aments!

HOPE

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY FRIDAY!  

Congratulations to Lady Blue Jasmine Sims!  She has been selected as a Texas Girls Coaches Association (TGCA) All-Star.  This a huge honor as only 12 girls from 1A, 2A, 3A and 4A  were selected to represent Blue Team in the All-Star Game that will be held this coming July.

Congrats to the Lady Blues who received Volleyball All-District Honors! Offensive Player of the Year- Jasmine Sims; Newcomer of the Year- Emma Ranger; 1st Team All Dist Nicole King and Marleigh Sanders; 2nd Team All Dist- Emily Davis and Delaney Sullivent; Honorable Mention- Baylee Loomis and Skylar Morris

Congrats to the Graham Steers that received Football All-District Honors!  Those receiving honors include: Jack Hays- Defensive MVP; Will Hays- Defensive Sophomore; Jaxon Brockway- First Team Running Back; Adam Groves- First Team Receiver; Hunter Dooley- First Team Offensive Tackle; Hector Alejo- First Team Offensive Guard; Alfonso Duran- First Team Defensive Tackle; Cy Holt- First Team Outside Linebacker; Wes Martin- First Team Cornerback; Tucker Horn- Second Team Quarterback; Kody Perry- Second Team Receiver; Riley Wyatt- Second Team Center; Preston Langley- Second Team Defensive End; Joel Jones- Second Team Outside Linebacker; Peyton Johnston- Second Team Safety.

Congratulations to the Graham Steers Basketball team on Tuesday’s victory over Bridgeport.

Best of luck to the Lady Blues competing in basketball tournaments at Jacksboro and Mineral Wells this weekend.

Good luck and safe travels for our Ag Leadership Team students competing at Sam Houston State today and tomorrow.

The Chamber of Commerce Hot Chocolicious Competition and Movie has been moved to the GHS gym. The event will be held from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm with the movie, It’s a Wonderful Life, set to begin at 6:45 pm.

HOPE

Barry Haenisch with the Texas Association of Community Schools organization shared this with me this week. Enjoy!

I hope that each of you enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiving. The passing of Thanksgiving marks the official beginning of the Christmas season. Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. It is a season filled with symbolism, both religious and secular. While it is the time that the Christian tradition celebrates and remembers the birth of Christ, it is also a time of excess; too much food, too much celebrating, and too many presents. Christmas is the one time of the year where the gaudier and brighter the lights in the neighborhood, the better!

Two hundred years ago in the early 19th Century, as astonishing as it may seem, Christmas almost ended in England. The primary newspaper of the country at that time did not mention the word “Christmas” one time between 1790 and 1835. Beginning in the 1840s, famine and unemployment were widespread throughout the country. About 10% of the population lived in extreme poverty; worse poverty than you can even imagine. For too many people life seemed hopeless. At that time an author, Charles Dickens, was planning to challenge the government and the wealthy to act with generosity and compassion. His little book, A Christmas Carol, through the character Ebenezer Scrooge brings the challenge into focus. In many ways, the book struck a chord with the populace. Many historians credit the return of Christmas in England to the popularity of the book. As a result of the work, a scrooge became a miserly, miserable person. From this little work, hope began to creep back into the lives of the British populace.

It’s kind of sad the effect despair can have. Despair can swing elections. It can infect the culture of companies and nations. Despair can poison the spring of “peace on earth, good will to men”. With the gap between the haves and the have-nots in our country, the verbal and physical battles at play after our recent election, and the prospect of an economy in down-turn, too many people are in despair in our country.

In England in the mid-19th Century a little book about a mean, money-grubbing miser who got to really see his past, his present, and his future somehow brought hope to the people. Even today, when we hear the story again, we aspire to be the joyful, genial, generous Scrooge from the end of the book. Funny, isn’t it, how sometimes the smallest of things can make the biggest difference in a person’s life or in the direction of a country?

As a country we face a real unknown. Is our future in good hands? Will the terrorism that others are facing impact us? Will world tensions spring out of control into another global conflict? As a state, we worry about the price of oil and its impact on our lives. Higher taxes seem to suck up every salary increase most people receive. Health care costs just keep spiraling upward. Educators worry that public education seems to be a lower priority with our leaders each year.

And yet, hope springs eternal. As we enter the Christmas season most of us will get the Christmas spirit. We will wish one and all a very Merry Christmas! We will sing the songs of the season with vigor and gusto! We will, like Scarlet O’Hara in Gone With the Wind, decide to “…think about that tomorrow”.

In reality, hope is a frame of mind. Hope lies within each of us, and it is a choice that we make…or choose not to make. I like the words from the book, Grateful the Heart of Prayer. “Hope looks at all things the way a mother looks at her child, with a passion for the possible. That way of thinking is creative. It creates the space in which perfection can unfold. More than that, the eyes of hope look through the imperfections to the heart of all things and find it perfect. The eyes of hope are grateful eyes. Before our eyes learned to look gratefully at the world, we expected to find beauty in good looking things. But grateful eyes expect the surprise of finding beauty in all things.”

As we look forward to the future with a new President, to the cheer of the holiday season, the uncertainty of a legislative session, and to the new beginnings of a new year, may you feel real hope; may you look with grateful eyes at the beauty that you take for granted every day. Or, as Desmond Tutu once said, “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.”

Corny Joke of the Day

What do Santa's little helpers learn at school?
 (scroll down go to for the answer)

The elf-abet!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY ½ DAY FRIDAY!

Congrats Graham Steers Basketball for the win over “Old High” this week.  Big clutch shot by Steven Kimberling in the closing seconds to seal the deal!

Best of luck and safe travel to the everyone traveling out to Lubbock to cheer on the Graham Steers over Monahans. GO STEERS!

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

In the  Spirit of Thanksgiving... I encourage each of you to think of someone who makes you really happy. Do they make you smile even when don’t want to? Do they make you laugh? Does being in their presence give you peace? Have you taken the time tell them, call them or send them a text letting them know how thankful you are for having them in your life?

If not, what are you waiting for?

I hope you each have a wonderful, safe, and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Corny Jokes of the Day

Why did the police arrest the turkey?

They suspected it of fowl play

What do you get if you divide the circumference of a pumpkin by its diameter?

Pumpkin pi.

A Salute To Our Veterans 2016

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY!

GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY VETERAN’S DAY!

Please take the time today to thank our veterans and active duty soldiers for everything they do to serve our country protecting our freedom!

BEST WISHES TO LADY BLUE, CHLOE MORRIS AS SHE COMPETES AT THE  STATE MEET TOMORROW IN ROUND ROCK, TX!

Congratulations to the Graham Steers on a solid 49-21 win vs Godley last night! Next game will be vs Monahans in Region I Area Championship at 7:00 in Lubbock at Jones AT&T Stadium.

The Lady Blues finished the volleyball season with a record of 32-9!  They did an excellent job of representing themselves, their families and their school and their community on and off of the court. GREAT JOB LADIES!!!

Using Animoto we created a video using the pictures included in this blog posting.  The music for the video is American Pageant performed by the US Air Force Band of Flight. Please click on the link below to view the video.

A SALUTE TO OUR VETERANS

We hope you enjoy the pictures and information below!

Standpipe Mountain, Graham America

Graham Texas is a proud community known for taking care of its own.  Often times, this "taking care of our own" mantra extends to members of family and extended family protecting ours and others freedom.

Graham ISD has the pleasure of serving the families of Graham and Young County.

Many members of the GISD family understand the personal sacrifice and commitment it takes to extend our service to Our Nation and to Our World via currently or having previously served in the United States of America Armed Forces.

On this Veteran's Day, we take this opportunity to share the stories or our veterans around the district. This, of course, is just a portion of the men and women in our district that have served Our Nation. As you look through this post, you will see the diversity of Graham ISD reflected in these stories of service.

Although each person and each path to service is unique, they all share a two common bonds- they are all connected to the Graham ISD Steer Nation Family and they all have served with honor.

Thanks so much to the brave men and women that have served, are serving and have made the ultimate sacrifice of life to protect our safety and our FREEDOM!

William McClendon- US Air Force, husband of Crestview Elementary Teacher, Kaci McClendon

Twenty-four year old Sergeant Reynaldo Arvizu, Jr, son of  Alicia Arvizu, is currently stationed at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii. Previously he was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas (August 2009-December 2014), while there he served in Afghanistan from October 2011 until July 2012. He is also a 2009 graduate of Graham High School. He is in Bravo Company 2-27 Battalion Infantry Regiment 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division. 

Jason Robertson, nephew of Barbara Droz, signed up for the National Guard in April 2004, graduated from Graham High School in May 2004  and was deployed the next week to Iraq where he served overseas for one year! During his 11 years of service Jason has been deployed to Afghanistan four times- 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2012. 

David Smith, husband of Carol Smith, served proudly in the US Army for 21 years!

Sergeant Randy Rose, step-son of Elizabeth Rose, has proudly served in the National Guard for five years and was deployed to Afghanistan from September 2013 to July 2015.

Billy C. Wooldridge, grandfather of Elizabeth Rose served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Jonathon Thomas is the husband of Katy Thomas.

Sergeant Bryan Davidson is the son of Kenny and Susan Davidson.

G.A. Hawkins is the father of Keress Stuckey.  He served proudly as member of US Marines during the Korean War.

Necia Marin's cousin, Lane Floyd is a proud serviceman with the US Marine Corps.

Rebecca Browning's (GJHS) and Philip Robertson's (Woodland) father Johnnie Robertson, served as MP SP4 Fingerprinting Specialist for the US Army from 1964 to 1966 in Vietnam.

Regina England's father and Misty Mill's grandfather, Marlin James Sargetn, served proudly in the US Air Force for 20 years!

Daniel Brian Sargent is the brother of Regina England and the uncle or Misty England.

Patrick William Sargent is the brother of Regina England and uncle of Misty England.

Sandra Clayton's son, Bobby Cowan II has proudly served in the US Army for 4 1/2 years.

Graham High School Math Teacher, Sarah Curd, served in the US Army for 8 years.

GJHS's Sheena Parilla's father, Brent Jordan, was drafted into the US Army towards the end of the Vietnam War on June 19, 1972.  While serving in the Army he was an operating room technician, medic, and an instructor in Anatomy and Physiology. He was able to use the GI Bill to fund his college education. He graduated from pharmacy school in October 1978. He has been a pharmacist for 37 years. He and Mrs. Parilla's mother own and operate Jordan Pharmacy in Graham,Tx and he is the proud "Pop" of three grandchildren.

Lance Corporal Colby Walker is the son of GHS teacher, Sherri Walker. Colby is a product of Graham. He was born in Graham and he attended GISD K-12. He graduated from GHS in 2014 and shortly thereafter attended boot camp. He has completed his first year and is currently an active duty US Marine.

Shondra Seebeck is a Crestview Elementary 3rd grade teacher.  Her husband, Anson L. Seebeck is currently deployed to U.A.E. and any/all prayers are greatly appreciated for him and for his family.

GJHS teacher Susan McAlister's daughter, Lindsey Miller, served two tours of duty in Iraq. She was medically discharged and is considered a disabled veteran due to PTSD.  

Graham High School Assistant Principal, Thomas Iles, served active duty as USAF Medic and Army Guard M-60 Tank Gunner.  He began his service in 1973. 

Tom Lewis and Barbara Lewis's nephew, Jordan Lewis has served our country as a US Marine for 10 years!

Tom and Barbara Lewis also have a cousin, Colonel Steve Clouse, that has served admirably in the US Army.  Colonel Clouse was a career military man giving 34 years of service to our country.

Retired Lt. Colonel Robert H. Breding is the step father-in-law of Toni Stansell (GHS).  He served in the US Air Force from 1943 to 1975. This gentlemen was in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Wars. Papa was also in NASA with the First Man in Space Program! He was often heard saying "the most important thing anyone can do, is to get an education!"

Toni Stansell's father-in-law, Jack Stansell, served with the United States Coast Guard from 1958 to 1961.

Mike Stansell is the brother-in-law of GHS's Toni Stansell. He served in the US Army from1985 to 1993. During his time of duty, Uncle Michael was in the Gulf War.

Toni Stansell's nephew, Justin Stansell has been an active duty soldier in the US Navy since 2014.

Bud Freeman is GISD Assistant Band Director Dax Freeman's father. Bud served in the US Army from 1952-1955.

Dax Freeman's grandfather, Bill Meher. Bill served in the US Army 1941-1950.

Jim Perryman is the husband of GHS's Debbie Perryman. Jim served in the US Navy as an active serviceman from 6/74-6/78 and in the Reserves 6/78-6/80

Debbie Perryman's father, retired Master Sergeant Donald T. Diehl, served in the US Army for 20 years.

Douglas D. Perryman is the father in law of Debbie Perryman. He served in the US Army for 20 years.

Kitty Rosser's (GJHS) dad, Leonard O. Gragson served in the Army.  He worked for Patton (but never saw him) developing reconnaissance photos in a day so they would have info right away.  He was awarded the Bronze Star for his work. Additionally, he received an additional Bronze Star for photographic work but turned it down for higher rank and better pay. He also worked for Time/Life magazines and photographed death camps. He described this as the worst thing he ever had to do. Leonard destroyed most of the photos so we would never have to see them. Kitty still has one of the photos of the ovens at Auschwitz-Birkenau! He always wished he had saved them for a Holocaust museum.

Edie Hopping's (GJHS) grandfather Colonel Theodore Caldwell Hoffman, served for 30 years in the US Air Force.

Dutch Grubbs is the father of GJHS Band Director, Hugh Grubbs. He served with US Navy for 28 years.

Hugh Grubbs grandfather, Hardman "Tex" Grubbs, served in the US Army for six years.

 

Jayne Beale's dad, Colonel Herbert Elliott, served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team which was a fighting unit composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought in World War II. The 442nd Regiment was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of American warfare. Colonel Elliott also served in the Korean Conflict. He retired as a US Army full-bird Colonel with 40 years of service!

Frank Fujita is the uncle of GISD Director of Technology, Jayne Beale.  Frank Fujita was one of only two Japanese Americans to be captured by the Japanese during WWII. He was a member of the "Lost Battalion" and was a prisoner in Japan for three and a half years.  Frank served for 20 years in the US Army.

Jayne Beale's nephew, Jerrod Elliott has served in the US Army for 10 years. Sergeant First Class Elliott served as an Army Ranger during his deployments--once to Iraq and four times to Afghanistan in support of the Global War On Terrorism. He is still proudly serving in the US Army.

Tracy Pippin's (GHS) husband, Jimmy Pippins Jr. served in the US Navy for five years.

Lowell Flanery is the father of Tracy Pippins (GHS).  He served in the US Army for two years.

Scott Flanery is the brother of GHS's Tracy Pippins.  He served with the Army Reserves for ten years.

Michael Iltis is the husband of Maria Iltis (GHS). Mike started out as Helicopter pilot and he retired as the Vice Wing Commander from Hansom AFB, Mass. in 2001 after 26 years of service in the US Air Force.

Maria Iltis's daughter and son-in-law both serve in the US Air Force. Her daughter Jamie Beck served for 5 years and her son-in-law has served for 15 years.  Mathew will pin on Major this November. Mat is in the satellite "squirrel stuff" career field. 

Captain Shawn Iltis is the son of Maria Iltis (GHS).  He has served in the US Air Force for 10 years. Shawn is a Combat Rescue Officer. He pins on Major the 1st of December.

Shawn is pictured here with other members of his team.

Major John Grimes (middle of picture) is the son-in-law of Maria Iltis. John has served in the US Air Force for 15 years. John is a Missile Officer.

Emily Yates (Woodland) father and grandfather both served in the US Air Force.  Her father, Darrell served for 5 years. Her grandfather, Al Kingery, served for 29 years.

Janie Roach's (GHS) father, Corporal Joe John "Jack" Hoehn served state side in the Army Air Force from May of 1943 to February 1946.

Colonel Bertha Jane Hoehn is the aunt of Janie Roach. Jane began her US Army nursing career in 1945. She retired in 1972 after 27 years of service.

Janie Roach's uncle, 2nd Lt. Clarence M. Hoehn, began his service in the US Airforce November 1940. He served in South Pacific 1941 thru Dec. 1942. He returned home and attended Pilot school and died in a plane crash in May 1954.

Janie Roach's uncle, Albert Donnelly Hoehn, enlisted in the US Navy in 1942. He was an active duty serviceman from Sept. 1942 through the spring of 1946. Al served in the South Pacific from 1943 thru August 1945. Following active duty Albert then joined the reserve and retired with the rank of Captain in 1972.

Madalyn Miller's (GISD Athletic Trainer) grandfather, James Camp, served 30 years in the US Air Force from 1951-1981. During his military career he served in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam.

Rhnea Milam's father, Major Harvey Lee Clinton, served in the US Army for 18 years.  He was deployed to Korea for 2 years.  He spent 6 years in the Army Reserves and 10 years with the America Volunteer Reserves.  

Edward Alan Karper is the father-in-law of GJHS's Alison Karper. Edward served for 4 years in the US Navy.

US Marine Corp Corporal, Emiliano Evan Simental is the son of Pioneer Elementary's Lupe Simental. Evan was a 2009 graduate of Graham High School.

Graham Junior High School teacher, Jennifer Perkins, served 4 years in the US Navy.

Don Davis's grandfather, Fred Hugh Davis was killed in action over Germany. He served a Tailgunner for the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII. As he was too young to join the US forces, Bill "jumped the border" and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Blake Davis is the nephew of Stephanie and Don Davis (GHS/Admin). He has served 5 years in the US Navy.

Cindy Thomas's father, William "Bill" Hoffman served in the US Navy. Bill was on the ship - USS Chelab serving as First Class Specialist/Storekeeper. His was assigned to the Pacific War Zone, Philippines, Hawaii, and Japan 1945-1946.

Vickie Coleman's (Admin) father, William S. Ferguson was in the US Navy during WWII.

Bob Larry Bishop is the step-father of Vickie Coleman.  He served in the US Navy.

Howard Earl Whitaker, grandfather of Vickie Coleman, served in the US Army during WWI.

Debbie Townley's son, Caleb Townley, served in the US Navy for 2 years. Caleb was injured while on active duty. He is a disabled Veteran and he loves the United States of America!  

John Townley is the father-in-law of Debbie Townley. John served 2 years in the US Army.

Sergeant Aaron Taylor is the husband of Heather Williams (Admin). Aaron served in the US Marines from 1996-2001 as Sgt, Fireman - MCAS, Yuma H&HQ

Warrant Officer Grundy Taylor is the grandfather of Heather Willaims. Grundy served with the US Army Air Corps from 1935 to 1953. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for meritorious service during World War II. 

Maranda Roberts (Woodland) brother, Zach Hardin (left in pic) has served in the National Guard for 6 years.  In 2008 he was deployed to Iraq for a year. We are thankful and proud of him for helping protect our country!

Patti Hornsey's (GLC) father Gilmer Spring served in the US Army from 1954 to 1958.

J. I. Moody Sr. is the grandfather of Patti Hornsey. He served for 4 years in the US Army during WWI.

J. I. Moody Jr. is the uncle of Patti Hornsey. He served 4 years in the Pacific during World War II.

Bill Reese is the father-in-law of Paige Reese (GJHS).  Bill served in the US Navy from 1969-1972 in Vietnam.

Corporal Larry Mahan is the grandfather of Paige Reese.  He served in the US Army from 1944 to 1951.  Larry had tours of duty in WWII and the Korean War.

Paige Reese's grandfather Don Hugh Casey served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Wendell L. Webb is the father of Lana Hazlet and the grandfather of Paige Reese.  Wendell served in the US Army as a Pfc Infantry 137-Company L. He served during WWII in the Normandy and Rhineland campaigns of1944.

Thomas Rasile is the grandfather of Chris Rasile (Technology). Thomas served 20 years in the US Air Force.

Alexander Macey is the stepson of Chris Rasile.  He has served in the US Army for 5 years.

GISD Board of Trustee, Andrea Lowery's husband is Jeff Lowery.  Jeff served in the US Army for 4 years.  He was an Army- 3/75 Ranger. Jeff was an active member of this community and has two children in Graham ISD.

Sara Lowery is the step daughter GISD board member, Andrea Lowery. She was a structural aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Navy for 5 years and served two tours on the USS Carl Vinson during the Gulf War.  She is pictured here with Jack Lowery at age 9/10. Jack is currently Junior at Graham High School.

Odis "Buddy" Broomhall is the father of Brenda Fields (GJHS).  He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army on the USS Mitchell during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Matthew "Bubba" Broomhall is the nephew of Brenda Fields.  He has served in the US Army, SPC 3rd BCT 82nd Airborne Division.  Bubba has been deployed to Afghanistan twice.

Alicia Arvizu's son, Staff Sargent Reynaldo Arvizu Jr., has served seven years in the US Army. He is stationed at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, HI.  He has served one tour in Afghanistan.

Not Pictured

Chris Rasile's father-in-law- Terry Watkins

2 1/2 years in the US Army

Military career was cut short because he was shot in action during the raid on the American embassy in Saigon.  He survived, although the Newsweek article from February 1968 that related the events said he was killed.  The article did not name him by name, but described the events and said that the person who was him in the fighting was shot and killed.

Alice Day's (Crestview) father- Lester F. Starr

US Army- 1930's

Brandi Menard's father- D. L. Goble

US Army

Christy McChristian's (GJHS) dad- Albert Watts

US Army 1966 - 1968

Vietnam

Dawn Riley's (Pioneer) son- James E. Riley

US Air Force

James graduated from Graham High School in 2014. He joined the Air Force in December of 2014. He is currently stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State.

Mary Sander's (GHS) father- John C. Hammond

US Army 1951 - 1953

Thomas Iles (GHS Asst. Principal)- father- Aubra Lee Iles

US Navy

Served WW II 1943-46 as Gunners Mate on the USS Wilkes Barre Light Cruiser. He saw action in the China Sea and landed ashore after the fall of Tokyo. The ship became the Flag Ship of the Pacific after  the surrender of Japan.

Thomas Iles- grandfather- Aubry Iles

US Army

Served WWI from 1918-1920 as an Infantry Rifleman. He spent 12 months in the trench warfare thoughout France until the surrender of Germany.

Thomas Iles- father-in-law- Dale Proctor

US Marine- 8 years

Served during the Korean War as a Drill Sergeant

Thomas Iles- mother-in-law- Lahoma Downing Proctor

US Marine- 4 years

Served during the Korean War as a Drill Sergeant

Vicki Chauncey's (?) father- W. M. DeTurpin

US Navy during WWII

Vicki Chauncey's grandfather- R. J. DeTurpin

US Army during WWI

Vicki Chauncey's father-in-law- W. B. Chauncey Jr. 

US Army

Vickie Chauncey's nephew- Jake Machnicki

US Navy

Vickie Coleman's (Admin) father-in-law- 

Robert Andrew Coleman

Army Air Corps during WWII and the Korean War

Robert was on active duty but never over seas. He was a flight instructor. The Army Air Corps which was changed to Air Force while he was in service.

Kelly Qualls father- George M. White

US Marine for 4 years during Vietnam

Anne Routon and Sara Murray grandfather-
Major Joseph E. Murray Sr.
US Army 4 years
Joseph served as a Captain in WWII, receiving 4 Bronze Stars. He retired from the Army Reserves as a Major.

For those of you who did not have the chance to participate in our survey over the past couple of weeks, we invite you (and everyone else) to share your thoughts by commenting on this post.

Again... THANKS A TON FOR YOUR SERVICE AND MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!