Two weeks ago, I had the honor of serving as the announcer for the goat show at the Wylie Livestock Show and Sale and let me tell you, it was an incredible experience. I couldn’t be prouder of our students. Their dedication to their projects and exceptional showmanship lit up the arena and truly embodied the Wylie Way!
Raising and showing livestock is no small task. It takes early mornings, daily care, patience, and an ability to perform under pressure. But our students rose to the occasion. This year’s top honors, the coveted belt buckles for Grand Champion and Reserve Champion, were awarded to Wylie High School’s Mimi Erwin and McMillan Junior High’s Abby Felthous. Watching them be celebrated for their hard work and expertise filled my heart with pride. And I know their families felt it too.
Testing Character in the Spotlight
Moments like these remind me that the true test of character often comes when the pressure is high, when the lights are bright, and it’s time to perform. Whether it’s a livestock show, a band performance, or a state assessment, I want our kids to walk in with pride and leave knowing they gave it their all.
When a Wylie bus rolls up, my hope is that others feel the energy shift. They know our students are prepared, proud, and relentless, ready to give their best from the opening curtain to the final second. That kind of grit and determination doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from strong teaching, intentional leadership, and a loving community that refuses to settle for anything less than excellence.
STAAR Season, Wylie Style
This week, students across Wylie ISD will begin taking the STAAR test. Just like Mimi and Abby, they’ve been working hard, learning, and growing and now it’s their time to shine.
And as always, the Wylie Way shows up in big and small ways. From marching bands playing students into the building to handwritten notes of encouragement, our kids begin STAAR week with something powerful: love and support.
One of my favorite examples comes from Tibbals Elementary, where Principal Tiffany Leech and Assistant Principal Erica Brunson will proudly wear their “Smarty Pants,” a pair of overalls signed by every student in the school.
Mrs. Leech said, “We wear our Smarty Pants to relieve some morning test jitters and also to make our Tigers feel like rockstars. They look for their autograph before, during, and after testing. It’s a way to bring a smile to our kids’ faces on STAAR day.”
I’ve got my own pair of Smarty Pants, and they’re one of my most cherished keepsakes.
The Power of Family, The Wylie Way!
After the goat show, Abby’s mom told me how much her daughter looks up to Mimi. It reminded me of the encouragement posters at Davis Intermediate, sent by the elementary schools that feed into it—Smith, Dodd, Bush, and Birmingham. These little gestures say something big: You’re part of something bigger. You are loved. We believe in you.
That intentional feeling of family is part of what makes Wylie ISD special.
Gambare: A Word to Live By
When I was a principal, I often used the Japanese word “がんばれ” (Gambare) to cheer on students before big moments. It means:
“Do your best!”
“Hang in there!”
“You’ve got this!”
It’s more than just wishing luck. It’s a heartfelt encouragement to persevere, and to give your best effort because you have what it takes. It’s a belief in someone’s inner strength and it’s exactly what our students feel when they walk into a classroom, onto a field, or into an arena.
Gambare reflects everything we believe in as educators, parents, and leaders in Wylie ISD. We don’t just hope our kids succeed – we prepare them, support them, and remind them they’re never alone.
Keep Cheering, the Wylie Way!
There were no bigger smiles than when Abby and Mimi walked out of that show ring, surrounded by cheers from people who believed in them. And I have no doubt our students will feel that same pride when they finish the STAAR, knowing they did their best.
So, thank you. Thank you for being the notes in a lunchbox, the high-fives in the hallway, and the calming voices in the chaos. Thank you for loving and encouraging our kids to take on life’s challenges with courage and joy, the Wylie Way.
Gambare, Wylie. You’ve got this!
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