TEXAN NEWS
Wimberley High School Weekly Newsletter
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Friday, January 16, 2026
UPCOMING DATES
UPCOMING DATES
1/19 - No School - MLK Day of Service
1/20 - Last Senior Photo Day (see info below)
1/28-29 - Juniors at JKR - (Parents/Guardians of Juniors, check your email for permission slip)
2/2 - College Credit Infor Night - 6 pm - see info in counseling section of newsletter.
2/5 - English 2 Field Test (Students NEED to bring their own charged Chromebook)
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL WILKES
MESSAGE FROM PRINCIPAL WILKES
It is the first full week of the second semester, and we already have a lot happening. Both the boys' and girls' basketball teams have started their district play, while the boys' and girls' soccer teams are participating in tournaments and preparing for their district matches. The swim team recently competed in their final meet before district, where they earned 3rd and 4th places against 6A schools. Additionally, the Texan Cheer team is competing today in the UIL State Spirit Competition in Fort Worth. We wish them the best of luck, and I look forward to hearing about their performance.
Lastly, on Monday, the 19th, we will celebrate MLK Jr. Day by hosting a Day of Service campus clean-up, with participation from several WHS clubs. Stay warm, and I hope you enjoy the long weekend!
Go Texans!
Ryan Wilkes
Wimberley HS, Principal
CAMPUS NEWS
CAMPUS NEWS
STUDENT LIFE & CLUBS
CHROMEBOOKS
Students, parents, and guardians -
It is so important that students bring their fully-charged Chromebook to school every day. The library is running dangerously low on daily Chromebook loaners, and testing season will begin soon, which will close the library and prevent students from securing a Chromebook that day. Please remind your student to charge their Chromebook at night and grab it before they head out the door each morning.
LAST DAY FOR SENIOR YEARBOOK PHOTOS - 1/20
January 20 will be the LAST DAY Seniors will have their yearbook photos taken to WHS. If you are a senior and have not taken your photo yet, you MUST SIGN UP using this link.
If you are having trouble with the link, please go to see or email Ms. Amber in room 306. (amber.wakempoole@wimberleyisd.net)
LAST CHANCE FOR SENIOR ADS!
This is the final opportunity to celebrate your senior in the 2026 Wimberley High School Yearbook! Senior ad sales close February 10, 2026, so don’t miss your chance to recognize your student with a personalized message they’ll treasure forever. All ads are created and purchased online through Jostens—simply choose a size, upload photos and text, and check out. Proceeds help support the WHS yearbook program and keep costs affordable for students.
NHS ELIGIBILITY FOR SOPHOMORES AND JUNIORS
The Wimberley High School chapter of the National Honor Society will be distributing invitations to sophomores and juniors (who are not current members) during the week of January 12-16. Students who qualify for membership will have a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.5 and a good disciplinary record. Students are not eligible for membership until after they’ve completed the first semester of their sophomore year in high school, so no freshman students will receive invitations at Wimberley High School. Students do NOT need to apply first, but will be invited based on the criteria mentioned above. When eligible students receive an invitation, they will have several weeks to complete the membership application and submit it before the deadline of February 6th.
To remain a member in good standing of the National Honor Society at WHS, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5 (cumulative), an exemplary disciplinary record, complete a minimum of 20 community service hours annually, and be a leader on their campus in a variety of ways.
Questions about NHS membership can be sent to the faculty advisor for NHS at Wimberley High School. Please contact Mr. Biggers at brad.biggers@wimberleyisd.net.
SENIORS! HAVE YOU ORDERED YOUR CAP AND GOWN? - DEADLINE APPROACHING FAST
Save the date! Graduation will be here before you know it.
You don’t want to miss your chance to order your cap and gown and other official grad supplies.
Order Online now through Monday, FEB 2nd!
AMP MENTORSHIP PROGRAM
What’s next after high school? AMP helps students envision and achieve their post-graduation goals, including college, trades, careers, and more.
Who: All 10th–12th graders (with a special focus on first-generation and undecided students)
When/Where: Tuesdays, Wednesday, & Thursdays during Texan Time in the library computer lab
What You'll Do:
Career exploration and goal-setting
College & trade school guidance
FAFSA/TAFSA, financial aid, and scholarships
Help with applications and next-step planning
Why AMP? Personalized, free support from trained Wimberley community educators (Brilliant Pathways curriculum) to uncover strengths, explore options, and make confident decisions.
Scholarship boost: Regular AMP participation gives students priority consideration for Amigos scholarships in the spring.
Parent Info Sheet (click here)
Hoja de información para padres (haga clic aquí)
DELL CHILDREN'S OFFERING FREE IMPACT BASELINE TESTING FOR ATHLETES AGES 12-18
ImPACT baseline testing is a computerized assessment that measures memory, attention, reaction time, and processing speed before an athlete's season begins. If a concussion occurs, post-injury results are compared to the baseline to help healthcare professionals diagnose concussions and make safe return-to-play decisions.
OPTIONAL STUDENT TRAINING OPPORTUNITY: BLEEDING CONTROL TRAINING FOR WISD STUDENTS IN GRADES 7-12
At WISD, we use training methods from the “Stop the Bleed” program, which is designed to provide a simple, effective way to possibly save a life from a serious bleeding injury. Each of our WISD campuses has multiple bleeding control stations available, and our staff members receive training and guidance from our campus nurses. Stop the Bleed is a national initiative launched by the American College of Surgeons. Stop the Bleed represents the most up-to-date standards of bleeding injury care presented in an accessible and easy-to-understand way. A class on Stop the Bleed methods takes about 50 minutes, is hands-on and requires no background knowledge.
Per Texas Education Code 38.030 regarding Traumatic Injury Response, WISD offers this training free-of-charge to current WISD students in grades 7-12 on a voluntary basis. This year, the student Bleeding Control training will be provided by WISD Nurse Krista McNamara on Wednesday, February 18 from 3:50-4:40 pm in the Danforth Junior High Library. Due to space and training materials restrictions, we can only accommodate the first 20 students who sign up for this voluntary class.
If your student (in grades 7-12) is interested in attending this training to learn how to provide possible life-saving steps in a traumatic injury situation, please use the link below to complete the sign-up Google form as soon as possible. Once we receive the maximum number of student responses, we will close down the form.
https://forms.gle/G3dhYn7v43ZcH56c8
This opportunity will be offered again next school year, so if your student isn’t able to sign up for this one, please keep checking the campus newsletters for future training dates.
WAYS TO HELP
NEED COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS OR WANT TO START VOLUNTEERING?
The Science Mill in Johnson City is looking for student volunteers for several upcoming museum events! These volunteer days offer a great way for students to earn service hours, gain experience working with families, and support STEM learning in our community.
A flyer with all volunteer dates is available below. Students involved in science classes, National Honor Society, or any service-oriented groups are especially encouraged to participate.
If your student is interested, please have them check out the flyer (or watch this video) for more details. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved and make a positive impact!
COUNSELORS CORNER
COUNSELORS CORNER
Course selection for next school year is coming soon!
Course selection for next school year is coming soon!
WHS COLLEGE CREDIT INFO NIGHT
Curious about earning college credit while you’re still in high school?
Come to WHS on February 2nd at 6 pm to learn more about how WHS courses can help you get college credit now.
Parents/guardians will also receive an email soon with details about an informational meeting covering all opportunities for students to earn college credit while enrolled at WHS.
TSI SPRING SIGN-UP 2026
The TSI will be given at WHS during school hours (see flyer below for dates). Students are responsible for all work missed from classes. Students need to communicate ahead of time with their teacher to get their work.
Please fill out the form LINKED HERE to sign-up to take the TSI.
Go by the front office to pay Ms. Vannoy or Ms. Cockerham. The full TSI Test - $20 or $7 per section. Cash, check, or card accepted.
You will receive an email from Mrs.Vannoy prior to the test to confirm and give you the details. There are only 40 seats for each test day. You will be notified if the date is full and you need to reschedule.
STUDENT SAFETY & AWARENESS: NEW LIFE REFUGE
We are proud to partner with New Life Refuge, a Texas non-profit dedicated to preventing child exploitation through age-appropriate education.
For Students: Internet & Phone Safety Classroom lessons presented by New Life Refuge will focus on digital safety and smartphone habits.
9th Grade (WHS): Feb 11, 2026 | click here to OPT OUT
6th Grade (DJH): Feb 12, 2026 | click here to OPT OUT
For Parents: Protecting Your Child Online Learn to bridge the gap between adult understanding and youth online culture, including app safety and spotting signs of grooming.
When: Feb 12, 2026 | 5:00 – 6:00 PM
Where: WISD Boardroom
For Staff: Professional Training Staff at JWE, DJH, and WHS will receive training on recognizing behavioral indicators of trafficking in schools and proper reporting protocols.
Date: Feb 13, 2026
AUSTIN YOUTH CAREER FEST: REGISTRATION DEADLINE EXTENDED
Who:
Students grades 8–12, chaperones, and career/university vendors.
18+ may attend independently
Under 18 need parent permission or a chaperone
When: January 28, 2026 • 9am–12pm
Where: Palmer Events Center, Austin, TX
What: Explore careers, youth jobs, resources, and meet college reps: over 200 vendors and 3,000+ attendees.
Last year’s vendors: click here
2026 vendors will be announced soon
Dressing in business casual is recommended. Examples here.
FASFA APPLICATIONS
SENIORS! FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is open for post-secondary education in 2026-27. The sooner you fill it out the better - the money runs out!!
Here are some helpful resources to help with the process:
1 - The FAFSA link.
SCHOLARSHIPS
WCCC Scholarship - Wimberley Community Civic Club (WCCC)
HMAC Scholarship Program - The HMAC Scholarship Program is a launchpad for your future in the booming Texas asphalt pavement industry.
Ken Parmerter Memorial Scholarship - SEMI promotes collaboration to develop future professionals in the semiconductor and microelectronics industries.
TEXAS LEADERSHIP SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The Texas Leadership Scholars (TLS) Program (TLS) offers a 4-year renewable scholarship (capped at cost of attendance and need) plus leadership development, mentoring, undergraduate research, and study abroad opportunities at 31 partner universities.
Student applications will be accepted October 1, 2025 – February 17, 2026.
Each application requires a high school staff recommendation. Students enter the staff member’s name and email, and that person receives the recommendation link immediately after the student submits their application.
TACS SCHOLARSHIPS
Every year, the Texas Association of Community Schools (TACS) awards multiple scholarships to students. Click here to view the different scholarships. To apply for a scholarship, please send a completed application to TACS by 11:59 PM on March 1st, 2026.
GUADALUPE-BLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM - OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
The Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority Scholarship Program is now open to accept applications for the 2025-2026 school year.
Scholarship recipients will be awarded up to $2,500 and can be used at any four-year and two-year university, community college, technical or trade school. The application has been updated with a new prompt and like last year, students are asked to submit their resume and cover letter. Please emphasize to students that they take time to research the prompt and write a well thought out essay with citations.
More information and student application: gbra.org/education/scholarship/
The deadline to submit an application and documents is January 31, 2026.
NROTC SCHOLARSHIP
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