Vernon ISD

Students in Mrs. Price's first grade class had fun building gingerbread houses to complement the fairy tale "Hansel and Gretel" that the class read together. The students did an amazing job and had so much fun bringing the story to life with their creative designs.

Due to the potential for heavy rain overnight and early Saturday morning, the decision has been made to postpone the Lions Baseball Alumni game. Lions Head Coach Leo Murguia said it was a hard decision, but was the best decision. He thanked all of the Alumni who had signed up to come and play. The game is being moved to the end of the baseball season. Coach Murguia said if the Lions did not make the playoffs, the game would be played on Friday, May 1. If the Lions do advance to the postseason, the date will be pushed back. He added those who had ordered a t-shirt can contact him and make arrangements to pick it up.

Tomorrow is the last day to sign-up for cheerleader tryouts for the 2026-27 cheerleading squad. Scan the QR code below to sign-up. There will be two parent meetings -- Feb. 18 & Feb. 25 -- both starting at 6 p.m., and being held in the VHS Cafeteria. Parent/guardians of those students trying out MUST attend ONE of those meetings.

Our Lions will take the court at D.O. Fulton Gym tonight for the last time this season. Vernon will face off against Jacksboro in this season's home finale. District 7-3A action will begin at 4:30 p.m. with two junior varsity games that will lead up to the varsity battle scheduled to tip off at approximately 7:30 p.m. Tickets must be purchased online at https://www.vernonisd.org/page/ticket-purchases
Good luck Lions!!

This is a 3-day weekend for Vernon ISD students as they are out of school on Monday, Feb. 16. Monday is a scheduled Professional Development day for VISD teachers and staff. Students will return to join their teachers in the classroom on Tuesday.

Earlier this year, our VES Student Council held a blanket and sock drive for a local nursing home. On Wednesday, the students delivered the 150 blankets and 75 pairs of socks to residents at Advance Rehab and Healthcare of Vernon. The students had a great time delivering the items and the residents were so happy to see the kids. A contest was held for the classes that collected the most items. Those winning classes were: 2nd Grade -- Mrs. Wendler; 3rd Grade -- Ms. Woods; 4th Grade -- Mrs. Sandoval; and 5th Grade -- Mrs. Miller. The prize for these classes is a popcorn party!!

A sendoff was held this morning for VHS junior Bowie Eakin, who is heading to the Class 5A State Wrestling Tournament after finishing fifth in his weight class at the Region 1 Class 5A Wrestling Tournament held last weekend in Lubbock. The State Wrestling Tournament begins tomorrow in the Houston suburb of Cypress and continues Saturday.

National Signing Day -- Feb. 4 -- was an historic day for VHS, as six Lion athletes signed letters of intent to attend college on athletic scholarships. Signing to play football at the next level were Ty Scott, Jamari Chance, Tru Gipson, Manny Ochoa, and Cordell Scott, while Brinden Farrell signed to play baseball. This makes seven members of the Class of 2026 who have signed athletic scholarships. Powerlifter Kamryn Hall signed her letter of intent earlier this month. To read more about our National Signing Day Ceremony, please click on this link: https://www.vernonisd.org/article/2704525

Earning our 1st Grade Student of the Week honors for the week of Feb. 2-6 were: Ava Viruegas, Isabella Allen, Gemma Ornelas Jimenez, Mayeli Cabello, Vanaya West, Kamilah Smith, and Fernanda Meza. Congratulations!! Way to go!!

Tapped as our Kindergarten Students of the Week for the week of Feb. 2-6 were: Mason Hafer, Julian Moo, Alex McArthur, Bowen Bell, A'niyace Zuniga, Avery Taylor, and Emilia Mullins. Way to go!! Great job!!

Named as our Pre-Kindergarten Students of the Week for the week of Feb. 2-6 were: Atticus Bonillas, Natalie Grinie, Colton Cordova, and Ellianna Parker. Great job!! Congratulations! Keep up the good work!!

Vernon Elementary is participating in the American Heart Association's Kids Heart Challenge.
Did you know:
Your family can learn Hands-Only CPR and other lifesaving skills when you sign up for Kids Heart Challenge?
http://www2.heart.org/site/TR?fr_id=12402&pg=company&company_id=530844
· Immediate action during a cardiac arrest can double or triple the chances of survival?
· Kids as young as 4 can be a part of the chain of survival?
· Kids as young as 9 have the strength to perform compressions?

Last night was Senior Night for our basketball, wrestling and powerlifting athletes. Seniors and their parents were recognized during festivities prior to the Lady Lions' basketball game at D.O. Fulton Gym.

Earning our VES Student of the Week honors for the Week of Feb. 2-6 were: 2nd Grade -- Benjamin Brocklehurst; 3rd Grade -- Mason Smith (not pictured); 4th Grade -- Ethan Fox-Guerrero; and 5th Grade -- Eutropia Sanchez. Congratulations!! We're proud of you!!

Eight Lions made the Times Record News 2025 Red River 22 Large-School Team and two earned special honors. Ty Scott was named the Most Valuable Player, while Adrain Felton was named the Defensive Player of the Year. Also making the Red River 22 team were offensive linemen Manny Ochoa and Keigan Ballard; linebackers Bowie Eakin and Tyce Payne; defensive back Jamari Chance; and kicker Mu Soe.
Ty is only the fourth Lion to be named the Red River 22 MVP and the first since 2006. The others are Mark Tidwell (1977), Benny Cherry (1992), and Aston Whiteside (2006). Ty finished 2025 with over 1,000 yards passing and rushing, and also contributed on defense in the secondary. From his defensive end position, Adrain racked up 13 1/2 sacks and 32 tackles for loss. He is the first Lion to receive the Red River 22 DPOY since 1997 when defensive lineman Sidney Gaines earned the honor.

Congratulations to our January VMS Teacher and Staff Member of the Month -- Audrey Wrinkle and Cassandra Villalobos. Both go above and beyond for our students and staff.

Receiving our Student of the Week honors for the week of Feb 2-6 were: 6th Grade -- Moo Paw & Cheston Freeman; 7th Grade -- Annabella Hernandez & Luis Mendoza; and 8th Grade -- Emely Rivera & Cayson Streit. Congratulations! Keep up the good work!!

Tapped as our VHS Staff Member of the Month for January was Danielle Donnell, while Stacy McNutt was selected as our VHS Teacher of the Month for January. Both go above and beyond to help students and staff members. We appreciate all of their hard work! Congratulations!!

A big CONGRATULATIONS!! to Brandon Juarez and Jacklyn Maldonado for receiving our VHS Student of the Month honors for January. Both Brandon and Jacklyn are wonderful students and well-deserved of this honor.

We will be honoring the two senior members of our Vernon Lions basketball team tonight. Senior Night festivities will begin at 5:45 p.m., at D.O. Fulton Gym, with senior basketball players, as well as seniors involved in wrestling and powerlifting, and their parents being recognized. Our Lions will square off against the Iowa Park Hawks in a District 7-3A battle following the Lady Lions' game. The boys' varsity game should tip off at approximately 7:15 p.m. Good luck Lions!! Cage the Hawks!!