The Brownwood ISD End-of-Year Employee Awards ceremony was held Friday, May 31, 2019. The ceremony, sponsored by the Brownwood Education Foundation, included recognition for those who earned advanced degrees during the year, service awards, retiree recognitions, employees of the year, teachers of the year from each campus, as well as regional teacher of the year nominees.

Thursday, May 23rd is quickly approaching, bringing with it an electric and festive event: The National Academic Signing Day for Brownwood High School’s graduating class of 2019. Brownwood’s Education Foundation (BEF) will honor the seniors who have elected to attend institutions of higher learning, to serve the country in the armed forces or who will enhance their skills at a vocational institute. “As a Foundation and the community at large, we want them to know just exactly how proud we are of them,” said BEF Development Officer Larry Mathis. “This is a significant accomplishment and we want them to enjoy this celebratory day especially for them.”
 
From 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM on May 23rd in the Warren Gym, all BHS juniors, seniors, and community members are invited to attend the event sponsored by Texas Bank. Refreshments will be provided. Tables will be set up representing each institution chosen by the 151 seniors who have already designated their intentions to further their academic education. “The BHS Jazz Band will play, local radio personalities will be there broadcasting live, as well as television media in the area,” Mathis said. “BHS Cheerleaders will be there to help celebrate as well and assist in collecting donations, large or small, as the Foundation seeks to provide every single student a scholarship. A Donor Station will be located in Warren Gym for financial donations.”
 
The Brownwood Community is invited to rally behind these students by donating funds to the scholarship pool. The more money donated, the more these students see what a welcoming and encouraging home they have. University alumnae are invited to wear their school colors and attend the event, connecting with their future fellow alumnae. The NASD event offers alumnae an opportunity to assist their own and show just how supported they are. “We want to encourage all alumni from wherever it is you graduated to wear your school colors and take a moment to drop by and tell the kids how excited you are they are attending your alma mater,” Mathis said. “The Brownwood Education Foundation is a 501c organization so all gifts are tax deductible.” For those wanting to make donations online, visit https://www.supportbisd.com/donate.

Article by Sara Musgrove

​The future shines bright, especially for Brownwood High School’s (BHS) graduating class of 2019. The upcoming National Academic Signing Day (NASD) event will recognize their achievements and send them into their academic future with not only a round of applause but also a scholarship check. The impending changes facing high school seniors can be overwhelming, but the Brownwood Education Foundation (BEF) wants to assist every BHS senior heading off into higher education or the military by offering financial assistance, up to $1,000 per student. “It is going to be as much a celebration of achievement for those students as it is offering them aid,” said BEF Development Officer Larry Mathis. “We want them to know we’re proud of them, we’re proud they’re going to pursue their education, and we want to celebrate with them. And in the process of celebrating with them, we’re going to give them some money. It’s going to be an exciting day. It’s going to be electric.”
 
On Thursday, May 23rd from 12:00 to 1:30 PM in the Warren Gym, all BHS juniors, seniors, parents, and community members are invited to attend the event sponsored by TexasBank. Refreshments will be provided. Tables will be set up representing each institution chosen by the 129 seniors who have already designated their intentions to further their academic education. While some students will be attending local schools like Howard Payne University, Texas State Technical College, and Ranger College, a wide variety of other schools will showcase the diverse plans and passions of the senior class. Ten students are joining the armed services, others will be using their certifications achieved, some will move into technical schools for culinary arts, real estate, and cosmetology, while many will be matriculating into educational establishments like Texas A&M, Texas State, the University of Texas, the University of Memphis, the Metropolitan State University of Minnesota, and Michigan State. “We have quite a variety,” said BEF Advisory Board member Jamie Munson. “We would love for them to get their education, then come back to Brownwood. We hope that there is something in Brownwood, Texas, that they can do. The kids with certifications are ready to hit the ground running. They’re going to be in our community. Let’s give them a big hurrah.”
 
The Brownwood community is invited to rally behind these students by donating funds to the scholarship pool. The more money donated, the more these students see what a welcoming and encouraging home they have. University alumni are invited to wear their school colors and attend the event, connecting with their future fellow alumni. The NASD event offers alumni an opportunity to assist their own and show just how supported they are. “For the student who might be on the fence—to go to work or go to school—and they come and see this, they will see they are important,” said Munson. “They have value. We want everyone to come home. We really want people to choose to live in Brownwood. Like I told my kids, go off and get your education, then choose to come back. We want you to choose us.”
 
Seniors who are interested in being a part of the NASD need to contact their counselors. All interested donors can submit a check to Brownwood’s Education Foundation at the BISD Central Support Center (2707 Southside Dr.) or online at www.supportbisd.com/donate. Donations are being taken and will be taken up until the time of the event, where a donor station will be available. Those wishing to contribute in the name of their university can make a note when submitting the tax-deductible charitable donation.
 
Many people know about athletic signing events, but the Education Foundation wants to ensure recognition for the students who are investing in their educational careers. These students are Brownwood’s future. “The community needs to know about these kids,” said Mathis. “They’re going to be our future teachers, lawyers, engineers, social workers, and more. We want to get the community excited. We want those kids to have some money to buy books, or whatever they need, to do their work. The amount we give the kids depends on how energetic we can get the community and how involved they become in helping us do this.” So, while these students have spent the last twelve years of their lives working toward a greater goal, here lies the opportunity for their community to surround them as they begin the next chapter. “The Education Foundation has touched these lives throughout their academics and high school,” said Munson. “We want to send them off and say, ‘We haven’t forgotten you. We want to touch your life one more time. Let’s celebrate’.”