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Making a Difference
Kate Hegi '18 never set out to return to teach at her beloved Bradfield Elementary. But once a Bronco, always a Bronco!
When Kate graduated from HPHS, she headed to study Psychology at SMU in the fall of 2018. She chose Psychology thanks to her experience in her AP Psychology class at HPHS. She said it was the first time that she "felt good" at a class.
After taking AP Psychology, she had dreams of becoming a therapist but never dreamt that this plan would bring her back to Bradfield, where her mom and three sisters had attended elementary school.
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Tierney Block '18 (current preschool teacher at Bradfield) with Kate Hegi '18 | |
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While at HPHS, Kate was active in cross country and the swim team but credits her time spent in the peer tutoring program as her first glimpse into working with special needs children. She continued this path in college and loved her time spent working alongside a non-verbal child and his family.
After graduation from SMU, Kate followed her dream of becoming a therapist and worked at a therapy practice in Ft. Worth but came to find that it wasn't a great fit. She missed working with children. Last summer, she saw a job posting on HPISD's website at Bradfield and was thrilled to accept a position as a Resources Teaching Assistant in the Fundamentals classroom. She enjoys teaching different grade levels and assisting with small groups for extra support. Her classroom also assists students with learning differences or anyone who might need to take a break to re-set or re-focus. Students in this classroom ask questions freely and have concepts explained to them in ways that are helpful to their learning style.
Although she might not have set out to work with children, Kate quickly realized that her time spent helping children were her most enjoyable. She feels honored to work in a district that fosters the special needs community and their growth and inclusion. She says "I get to watch these kids grow and learn so much each day. These students are changing lives, and I'm lucky to be a part of it." This is everything I could have hoped for in a job. I will forever work with kids. Kate is currently halfway through her masters program in counseling at Amberton University.
HPISD is lucky to have many alumni faculty and staff who embody the HPISD motto, "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve"!
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Kate Hegi '18 with her team at Bradfield
L to R: Grace Hendry, Sarah Nelson '16, Lumi Seagroves '92, Kate Hegi '18
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HPHS alums Sandy Bassarear Crosland '91 and Ben Crosland '91 and their IDD Employment Foundation have launched the Super Duper Cookie Company to inspire everyone to enjoy a cookie, treat each other with kindness and to create a more inclusive community. Along with their Inclusion Liaison, daughter Ellie Crosland, they are committed to support training and employment for people of all abilities, including those with intellectual and developmental differences. One of their first Boogie Guides is HPHS alum Emily Morrow '20. Their motto is "Be Kind. Be Inclusive. Be Super Duper." | |
Boogey Guide Emily Morrow '20 with Super Duper Cookie Company's Inclusion Liaison, Ellie Crosland | |
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Sandy Bassarear Crosland '91 and
Ben Crosland '91 at Super Duper Cookie Company, 6401 Hillcrest Avenue
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Scots return to the HPHS hallways
This month, four alumni returned to the halls of HPHS to spend time with students in the Moody Advanced Professional Studies (MAPS) program.
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Film producer and director
Matt Spradlin '88 spoke to the Modern Media and Environmental Architecture classes. In addition, he invited guests from Sociology and AV Production about the making of his most recent movie, American Forest Fires for EarthXTV. He educated students on how to create a compelling story based on
well-established facts spanning multiple viewpoints.
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Filmmaker and journalist
John Marks '81 traveled from his home in Massachusetts to discuss his experiences with handling interviews, establishing "ground rules", and the difference between "on the record" and
"off the record".
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President of Dallas County Veterinary Medical Association
John Vandermeer '83 shared his expertise and experiences with Brain Science and Health students on the eve of their Doggy DNA project.
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What a rewarding experience for students! Thank you John, Matt, Hillary, and John for taking the time to engage students and spread knowledge,
embodying the HPHS motto "Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve!
To learn more about the MAPS program, click here.
Interested in being a speaker to MAPS classes?
Contact Polly McKeithen McKeitM@hpisd.org
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The Scots Baseball program welcomed a large crowd to the Jersey Retirement dinner event for Clayton Kershaw '06 and Chris Young '98 on January 31st at SMU's Armstrong Fieldhouse. Kershaw's #23 and Young's #25 will be commemorated at Scotland Yard this spring. Congratulations to these baseball legends on and off the field. Once a Scot, Always a Scot! | | |
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Above: Liz and Chris Young '98 with children
Right: Ellen Melson Kershaw '06 and Clayton Kershaw '06 with children
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Please join the Highland Park Alumni Association in celebrating
the 2024 Distinguished Alumni and Service Award honorees and their families on Thursday, April 25th at 6:00pm at
the Dallas Country Club.
Individual tickets are on sale now!
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Lead for Tomorow Endowment Campaign | |
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The Clark Family
Bob Clark ‘64 still treasures a photo of his first-grade teacher Mrs. McCrary at University Park Elementary School and his classmates, many of whom are still his “best pals.” Both Bob and his wife of 55 years, Gail ‘64, have nurtured the roots that their parents put down long ago, remaining in the Park Cities community that they hold so dearly. “When we were growing up, many of the kids were the children of SMU professors or their parents played in the symphony,” explained Gail. “As the Park Cities have grown, that has changed.” But, Bob said, “What hasn't changed is the quality of the community and the quality of the education. It is and has been extraordinary for our entire lives.”
They created the Gail and Bob Clark Legacy Fund to help continue that tradition of excellence for the next generation, which includes all of their grandchildren. Their son Bobby ‘89 is the father of Rob ‘22 and Mary Jane, a Highland Park High School sophomore. The Clark’s other son Ben also attended Highland Park schools for several years, and hopes his twin daughter and son will soon do the same. “We want to give back to Highland Park because it’s made the lives of our entire family so much better.” said Bob.
Bob also finds ways to build the district up by mentoring students. An architect, Bob worked with the HPHS Moody Advanced Professional (MAPS) environmental architecture class. His firm restored the Elbert Williams house, purchased by Jan and Trevor Rees-Jones, and helped students bring to life a playhouse replica of the historical home. Their Legacy Fund provides ongoing support for the district’s greatest need, which is currently closing the gap in teachers’ salaries. “We want to see the high quality of education offered continue and we want our teachers to be paid better,” Gail explained. “We don’t want to hear that they can go to Plano or Frisco for a better salary. We hope our support helps keep them in our wonderful district.”
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Know a senior at HPHS? Point them our way!
The Highland Park Education Foundation offers 30 scholarships that HP seniors can apply for to use for college.
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Applications close NEXT WEEK on March 7! | |
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Class reps from the classes of 1954, 1964, 1974, 1984, 1994, 2004 and 2014 have begun preparing for reunions this fall. Several classes have selected their reunion dates while other classes are waiting for the Scots football schedule to be released. Some classes might be celebrating a 5 year,
15 year, 25 year reunion as well!
Continue to check our website for updates on all reunion classes:
hpef.org/reunions.
SAVE THE DATE:
Class of 1964
September 28, 2024
Class of 1974
October 4-5, 2024
Class of 1984
October 4-5, 2024
To update your contact information for the reunion planning committees, please email info@hpef.org
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Connect, support, and celebrate being a Scot.
Join the HPHS Alumni Association today!
We welcome your support and help our membership grow to over 4,000 dues paying members.
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Raise your hand if you are ready for Spring Break! | |
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These Highland Park Junior High students were eager for spring break
in 1966. Recognize anyone?
Did you know that the Junior High changed it's name to Highland Park Middle School in 1970 when the sixth grade was moved to the school from the four elementary schools. Three years later, the school board voted to change the name again to McCulloch Middle School, in honor of the late Arch H. McCulloch, the longest-serving trustee in HPISD history (1950-1972).
The name changed again in 1995 when the new building opened as two schools housed in one building with McCulloch Intermediate School serving fifth and sixth grades and Highland Park Middle School serving seventh
and eighth grades.
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