January 12, 2026

Greetings Fellow Scots,

We had a successful first week of the spring semester. Thank you for your support.

Our focus this week will be to emphasize to students the importance of following all rules, expectations, and guidelines defined in the Kiltie Handbook. It is important for students to have their IDs at school every day. It is also important for students to keep their phones turned off and put away in their Yondr Pouches during the school day on school property. When students follow rules and instructions at school, they are more likely to be successful in their classes and at school.

As always, please let me know if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns.

Thanks and Go Scots!

Dr. Kevin Hunt - Principal

Highland Park High School

huntk@hpisd.org

Campus Mission: Highland Park High School, upholding its tradition of excellence, exists to provide a learning environment that prepares students to serve as engaged global citizens in a complex and ever-changing world.

HP CAFETERIA JANUARY MENU

View all menus on Nutrislice or download a printable version HERE.

CAFETERIA KITCHEN RENOVATION & MODIFIED SERVICE

We are excited to share that renovations will begin in the HPHS kitchen and serving area on Tuesday, February 17. While the renovation is underway, we will continue to serve our students in the cafeteria dining area, with certain modifications to our food offerings. Our parent volunteers continue to be essential during the renovation period. Please sign up for any open shifts on SignUp.com.

Please see further details regarding the renovation HERE.

SCOTS SUPPLY SHOP

Get Your Spring Books in the Supply Shop!

All required spring semester titles are available in the Supply Shop while supplies last!

Open during lunches

Payment accepted: cash or physical credit card only

Available Titles Include:

Romeo and Juliet • Tuesdays with Morrie • 1984 • Life of Pi • Julius Caesar • Fahrenheit 451 • A Raisin in the Sun • Purple Hibiscus • Macbeth • The Crucible • Just Mercy • The Great Gatsby • Brave New World • The Working Poor • Othello • Walden • Frankenstein (1818 Text & Signet Classic) • The Inferno • Beowulf • Hamlet

TAG TESTING REGISTRATION

FINE ARTS TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS

Please submit your nominations for Fine Arts Teacher of the Year to help us honor our amazing teachers and HP Arts Community Advocate! You can find the link at HPArts.org. Deadline is January 16, 2026.

SENIOR INTERNSHIP MEETING

MAPS APPLICATIONS FOR THE 26-27 SCHOOL YEAR ARE OPEN

Highland Park ISD is excited to announce that applications for the 2026–2027 Moody Advanced Professional Studies (MAPS) program are now open for current HPHS sophomores and juniors. MAPS empowers learners to explore career pathways through hands-on experiences in media, business, engineering, design, and more—all while collaborating with industry partners and professionals.

This year’s application season includes multiple entry points, two information sessions for families, and designated interview windows. Students are encouraged to review the timeline carefully and apply early if possible. 

Students interested in applying should do the following:

1. Fill out an information form at www.hpisd.org/maps
2. Sign up for a 10-minute interview time in the MAPS Makerspace (NW312) and attend their interview
3. Look for the MAPS Application Status email by Friday, January 23, 2026, in their student email

Families and students are encouraged to attend one of the information sessions to learn more about course offerings, program expectations, and the unique opportunities MAPS provides.

For questions or additional information, please contact Polly McKeithen (McKeitM@hpisd.org) or visit our website www.hpisd.org/maps.

FLICKFEST

LITFEST 2026

Calling all book lovers! Take some time over the holidays and read Blake Crouch’s bestseller, Dark Matter! Please join us for the HP LitFest Parent Book Club, which will be held on January 28th at 7:00 pm at 3216 Westminster Ave. All are welcome! RSVP to info@hplitfest.org

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CLOTHES CLOSET

HP BASEBALL TO HOST MEET THE SCOTS

HP CREW

After another amazing racing season, Dallas United Crew (DUC) invites new athletes to join our High School Learn to Row Trial Program — the perfect chance to see what rowing is all about!

Two 1-Week Trial Sessions (Grades 9–12):

• Trial 1: January 5 – 9, 2026
• Trial 2: January 12 – 16, 2026

Details:

• Location: 417 E. Lawther Drive, Dallas, TX
• Time: 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM
• Contact: admin@dallasunitedcrew.org
• Register: www.DallasUnitedCrew.org/highschooltrial
• 
  

No experience is necessary — we’ll teach you everything you need to know.

Rowing is also excellent cross-training for out-of-season athletes looking to build endurance, strength, and teamwork.

Through our partnership with Highland Park Crew Club, qualified athletes can earn a varsity letter through Highland Park High School Athletics.

Dallas United Crew also offers:

• Off-campus PE credit
• Service-hour opportunities
• Regional and national competition opportunities
• A fun, supportive team community

Join us on the water and discover why rowing is the ultimate team sport — and the perfect way to start 2026 strong!

HPHS GIRLS LACROSSE TRYOUTS

HP CHEER TRYOUT MEETING

BELLES LIEUTENANTS ANNOUNCED

Highland Belles Announce New Lieutenants

for 2026-2027 Season



Following a demanding try-out process with a panel of experienced judges, the Lieutenants for the Highland Belles were selected on January 8, 2026. We are incredibly excited to announce the 2026-2027 Lieutenants shown left to right: McKennaKate Houghton, Louisa LaGere, Sadie Baker, Natalie Anne Brewer. and Solene Perhirin. Congratulations!

FOOTBALL PLAYERS NAMED TO THE ALL-DISTRICT TEAM

Congratulations to the HP Scots Football players who were named to the 2025 HP All-District Team! Following the regular season, coaching staffs across District 5A met to nominate and vote on players they felt were deserving of these honors. We are proud of our Scots for their hard work, determination and accomplishments this season!

LADY SCOTS SCROSS COUNTRY CELEBRATION

Lady Scots Cross Country Celebrates the 50th Birthday for UIL Girls Cross Country

On Thursday, January 8th, the Lady Scots Cross Country current and former team members, parents, and coaches celebrated the 50th birthday for UIL Girls Cross Country. The UIL sanctioned Girls Cross Country in 1975.

It was a great night of celebration with Coach Mouser and Coach Sutterfield being the special guests. The tradition of excellence throughout the years is special. Since 1975, the program has won 47 District Championships, 34 Regional Championships, and 14 State Championships.

A big thank you to everyone who made this event happen! It was so much fun to see everyone.

Go Scots!  

SCOTS SELECTED FOR TMEA ALL-STATE CHOIR

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to our Singing Scots Raj Luthra, Caroline Davidson, Jaron Pierce, and Luka Anderson for being selected to the TMEA ALL-STATE CHOIR!!! 

They auditioned in the final round of the all-state auditions today, and ALL 4 of them earned placement and will be singing in San Antonio in February. Your choir family, Mr, Patel, Ms. Pickett and Mrs. Walker are beyond proud of you! Way to represent HP!!!!

HIGHLANDER BAND COMPETES AT TMEA AREA AUDTIONS

Fifteen musicians from the Highlander Band competed at TMEA Area Auditions on Saturday, January 10. Congratulations to Emily Luu, Ian Hyde, Preston Telfer, Elaine Engel, Sam Stobaugh, Beckett Woodson, Ryaan Khan, Nathaniel North, Romi Segal, Donna Chen, Nathan Cooke, Michael Mamminga, Nicholas Garretson, Carson Critcher, and Harrison Barden! These musicians had excellent auditions at Area and made us proud! 

The Highlander Band is thrilled to announce that we have three new All State musicians. Congratulations to Sam Stobaugh, Carson Critcher, and Ryaan Khan for being named 2026 TMEA All State Musicians! 

TMEA All-State is the highest honor a Texas music student can receive. Approximately 1,800 students are selected through a process that begins with over 70,000 students from around the state vying for the honor to perform in one of 18 ensembles sponsored by the Band, Orchestra, or Vocal Divisions. The All-State student ensembles will attend clinics and perform in concerts at the annual TMEA Convention in February in San Antonio.

Congratulations Sam, Carson, and Ryaan! We are so proud of you! 

HP GIRLS SOCCER

BASKETBALL

The Men’s team went 2-0 in district last week with big wins over Frisco Wakeland and The Colony. Versus Wakeland, the Scots opened fast with two 3-pointers by Canon Wyatt and a big finish at the rim by Conrad Noble, jumping to an 8-0 lead they never relinquished. Drew Fisher and Zach Jackson scored the final points in a convincing win against one of the district favorites. Canon led the team in scoring with 25 points, while Chris Martinez was close behind with 18 and Will Saunders and Cade Kaplan also finished in double digits. Chris led the team in assists, followed by Canon and Will. Conrad Noble looked dominant all night going against Wakeland’s best player and led the team in rebounds while Will and Chris followed closely behind. 

The Men’s team then travelled to The Colony. The Scots again started strong, jumping to a double-digit lead with a Charlton Bradford 3-pointer. The Scots ended the half up 35-27, but the Colony fought back in the second half to send the game into overtime. With a great pass from Chris Martinez to Will Saunders who finished strong at the basket, the Scots took a 2-point lead in overtime and ultimately won the game 63-59 after a pair of free throws by Canon Wyatt. Canon led the team with 24 points, with Chris and Will were also in double digits. Chris led the team in rebounds with Canon, Will, Conrad Noble and Spencer Omundson close behind. Chris led the team with 7 assists and Cade, Spencer and Charlton followed.

The Scots continue their district slate with a home game every Tuesday until Feb 17th, and a road game every Friday. Next up is Carrollton Newman Smith at home and Frisco Reedy on the road. 

Volunteer sign-ups for the 2026/2027 school year are coming up soon! Thank you to Esther Choi for building next year’s volunteer calendar in our SignUp.com database. We know that it took much time over the holidays, and we are so appreciative of your detailed work to ensure upcoming smooth sign-ups!

The PTA Cafeteria Renovation Advisory Committee has been working overtime to ensure a smooth transition during the upcoming cafeteria kitchen and serving area renovation. Ashley Blanchette, PTA Cafeteria Finance, and Brenda Vardell, HPHS Cafeteria Manager, along with HPISD staff, have carefully managed the many details related to this project. We are so thankful for their leadership throughout this exciting process! Thank you to the other members of the committee – Claire Baker, Nicole Brewer, and Carrie Cothrum - for the many hours they have devoted to this process!

Thank you to Janice Van Arsdale for posting so many important details on our PTA Instagram. Follow us at highlandparkhspta.

The year is off to a wonderful start thanks to our wonderful parent volunteers helping in the Cafeteria and Supply Shop last week!  

A shout-out to our cafeteria volunteers: Leigh Anne Haugh, Jessica Klein, Clay Stapp, Maggie Kipp, Surabi Shetty, Marta Kopach, Ryan Scripps, HPUMC Youth, Ali Cullum, Bavita Doolabh, Heidi Fristoe, Jane Butler, Martha Jackson, Marta Kopach, Sarah Pollan, Lisa Bedford, Diana Swope, Anne Cochran, Cassandra Wright, Allyn Waid, Becky Ethridge, Julie Gonzalez, Margarita Coale, Page Wick, and Patricia McCord.

We thank our Supply Shop volunteers: April Bigby, Tracy Port Melech, Catherine Pate, Deanna Carrell, Natalie Sharpe, Kerri Gale, Jennifer Barfoot, Katie Schumacher, Mary Houston, Leila McCarty, and Melissa Leake.

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Didn't see a school-related shout-out, blurb or mention this week? We want to hear about it so please email ScotsWeekly@hphspta.org the details and up to four (4) pictures! Deadline for submissions is each Wednesday by 5 pm - FIRM DEADLINE to make it into the Monday newsletter. If submitted late, it will go in the next week's newsletter.