We love our Talent Search students! We are so proud of their accomplishments. Take a look at all of the awards, workshops, activities, and star students.

 

AWARDS

 

TALENT SEARCH GRADUATES EARN SCHOLARSHIPS 

Date: 6/20/2023

CONGRATULATIONS to the Ryan Talent Search Class of 2023 Seniors who were scholarship recipients this year. They were recognized at the DPSF Scholarship Awards Ceremony Wednesday evening, April 26th at the new Ryan Fine Arts Center. Talent Search is proud of you!

Pictured starting top left to right by row: Abigail Nunez, Carlos Febres, Dantrell Sanders, Cynthia Guima, Amanda Ezeigbo, Casey Peeters, Griselda Mendoza, Angelina Hernandez, Victoria Fadipe, Seth Moyer

 

BRONCOS IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Date: 7/7/2023

TALENT SEARCH staff have been working hard this summer providing Rising Senior Summer Bootcamps for Seniors 2023! We provided small group workshops with individualized attention to help students complete their summer college and financial aid tasks. Here are some highlights of what has been accomplished in June and July 2022. Please allow me to recognize seniors for being flexible, adaptable, and still very much willing to take time out of their summer to complete college prep items, all with location changes as needed due to DHS still being under construction.

  • Seniors signed up for a minimum of two bootcamps, each about 4 hours long, completing resumes, essays, writing requests for letter of recommendations etc.
  • Students created their Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID accounts to help them begin the process of applying for financial aid when the FAFSA opens in October 2022.
  • Students completed scholarship research, identifying a minimum of 5-7 scholarships ranging from local, regional, state and national.
  • Seniors completed or have begun one or more, 4-year college applications.
 

WORKSHOPS & ACTIVITIES

 

TALENT SEARCH STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL LITERACY FROM UNT SMMC PROFESSIONALS

Date: 6/24/2023

The UNT STUDENT MONEY MANAGEMENT CENTER presented a financial literacy seminar for our Talent Search students. We want our students making good choices when they leave high school to pursue their educational goals!

 

STEM@thePark

Date: 6/24/2023

STRICKLAND MS TALENT SEARCH STUDENTS toured UNT Discovery Park and learned all about their engineering programs. One of the engineering concepts they learned about was in circuitry. Students learned about how electrons flow through circuits and travel between positive and negative terminals of a power source, such as a battery. After learning about these concepts, students assembled functioning flashlights utilizing popsicle sticks, copper wire, a battery, and electrical tape attached to an LED light!

 

TALENT SEARCH MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS PRACTICING TO BE FUTURE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

Date: 6/24/2023

WISE HEALTH SURGICAL CENTER in Argyle offered our TS students the most fantastic career day! Medical professionals gave presentations and spoke with our students about their career fields.

We learned all about the healing powers of a hyperbaric chamber and robotic surgery! We explored various types of imaging. We even got to speak to one of the most skilled surgeons as she gave us a presentation of her surgical tools. The staff were so attentive and personable with our students. We love you so much, Wise Health Surgical Center! More pictures to come…

 

TALENT SEARCH SENIOR BOOTCAMPS ARE UNDERWAY

Date: 6/24/2023

GAINESVILLE HS SENIORS 2024 are currently meeting with their Talent Search College Prep Advisors this summer to complete college-going tasks. We appreciate that our students want to be prepared ahead of time for college admission, financial aid, and scholarship deadlines! If you have a senior graduating in 2024, have them make an appointment with us!

 

PEOPLE

 

MEET ALEXA

Date: 6/29/2023

ALEXA WORKS HARD in the classroom, and outside of it, she is a top student, head cheerleader, and student body president. Her passion for improving the lives of fellow classmates can be seen in her hard work on Mental Health week at GHS, bringing awareness and encouragement to the student body. She has been offered several large scholarships and acceptance to the Honors college at the University of Missouri to study social media management and marketing, continuing her passion for connecting people with each other in an ever-changing world. We are so proud of you, Alexa!!

 

MEET MELANIA

Date: 6/29/2023

MELANIA STRIVES FOR EXCELLENCE and inclusivity in all of her many passions. Top ten in the school, lead clarinet player, and manager for many successful productions, there is no area that she doesn't shine. She is attending the University of Evansville in Indiana on a full tuition scholarship this fall to study Theater Stage Management, as she hopes to bring her creative visions to life on stages around the world. While there, she intends to study abroad at Harlaxton College, the sister campus in England. We could not be more proud of you, Melania!!!

 

WE LOVE OUR GAINESVILLE HS COUNSELING TEAM

Date: 6/29/2023

GAINESVILLE TALENT SEARCH loves our counselors! A wonderful day of professional development with the GHS counselor team learning about all the resources UNT has to offer our high school students. From speaking to professors about student need, learning what the counseling and testing department has to offer, to a wonderful lunch at Eagles Landing, the love for educators is clear to see! Until next time!

 

ARI HEADED TO TEXAS TECH

Date: 11/4/2023

WRECK 'EM! ARI is headed to Texas Tech University to study nursing with the intention of getting her degree to work as a Registered Nurse one day. She exemplifies what it means to search for the good in others and work hard when life is difficult, Talent Search is so proud of all her dedication and cannot wait to see where she goes!

 

JAZ HEADED TO UT AUSTIN

Date: 11/4/2023

HOOK 'EM! JAZ is headed to the University of Texas in Austin, she was accepted as a Plan II student in the Steve Hicks School of Social Work. She is a passionate advocate for issues of injustice in underprivileged communities, Talent Search cannot wait to see where she goes!

 

MELAINA HEADED TO UE INDIANA

Date: 11/4/2023

GO ACE'S! MELAINA is going to the University of Evansville in Indiana to study Stage Management in a very selective program, due to her hard work in high school she is going to this private school tuition-free! She's a brilliant creative girl who will go on to make a space for others to express themselves, Talent Search is so proud of her!

 

WELCOME THE NEW GAINESVILLE HS TEAM

Date: 11/4/2023

Dr. Laura Boysen:

Laura serves as the Assistant Director for the UNT Talent Search program. She comes to us with 31 years in education serving students on all levels. Her career in TRIO just began, but she has a love for students and their personal successes. "I am so excited to start this new journey in helping students fulfill their educational goals by entering college and realizing their dreams."

Fun Facts: I am an animal advocate and lover of all types of animals. I have eight dogs ranging in sizes from six to 75 pounds! I am also the very proud mother of 23-year-old triplets who are currently realizing their college dreams. love to work in my yard and read.

Mr. Brandon Neal:

Brandon serves as an Advisor in our Talent Search program, with over 20 years of experience in the United States Military in multiple leadership positions. Upon retirement, he ministered to military servicemen and their families in KoreaBrandon is the Chaplain here at GHS and leads the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Fun Facts: I love old Western movies! I enjoy visiting the mountains but don't get to go as often as I'd like. I am a big coffee addict!

Miss. Jacqueline Thomas:

Jackie serves as an Advisor for our Talent Search team. Originally from Toronto, Canada, Jackie is a 2018 GHS graduate and former Talent Search student. She graduated from the University of North Texas in 2021 with a BA in English and a concentration in Creative Writing She is a former 1st grade teacher with a passion for creativity and self-expression.

Fun Facts: I love crazy, abstract art! My favorite movie series is Lord of the Rings. In my free time, you can find me playing Zelda, Animal Crossing, or some other video game.

 

Talent Search Terry Scholar graduates from UNT!

Imagine the smile on Talent Search Advisor Diane Owen’s face when she received this update from one of her students, Rachel Owusu-Odei. During Rachel’s high school years, Ms. Owen provided one-on-one guidance to help her prepare for college enrollment. Best of all, Ms. Owen assisted Rachel through the process of becoming a Terry Scholar which helped her pay for her college education!! See Rachel’s message below.  

Hi Mrs. Owen!
I graduated last Friday with my bachelor's degree in Audiology & Speech Language Pathology from UNT, and I am planning to pursue a PHD in neuroscience. I just wanted to say thank you for dedication and encouragement while I was in Talent Search, and for providing me with the skills that I needed to succeed in college. Thank you for encouraging me to apply for the Terry scholarship (I am now part of the Terry Scholar Alumni!) and for  I wouldn't have made it through without your help, and I certainly haven't forgotten about you and your impact.
Hopefully you are doing well! I hope to come visit soon!
Rachel Owusu-Odei