Students and community celebrate 5th Annual Cinco de Mayo Food Festival at Justin F. Kimball High School

Justin F. Kimball High School Cinco de Mayo celebration

5th Annual Cinco de Mayo Food Festival

Team spirit at Justin F. Kimball High School was tops again as English Language Learners from several Spanish speaking countries hosted today's grand Cinco De Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May")  celebration.   Working with them, native English speaking students from diverse backgrounds collaborated to help implement and host a cultural day of learning.

Cinco de Mayo is observed in the United States and regionally in Mexico, primarily in Puebla  to celebrate Mexican heritage and pride.  The day also commemorates the cause of freedom and democracy during the first years of the American Civil War.

An annual event for Kimball Knights, this 2012 Cinco De Mayo celebration began with a pre-dawn live broadcast from the school.  By Noon, several news stations and reporters were there to capture the activities, bursting with colorful decorations and a festival of food dishes homemade by student families.

Media Center Director Teresa Anderson had positioned  books and tables to help students transform the library into a mini-center of Mexican culture.  Adding to the atmosphere, several teachers and staff  together with  student hosts wore authentic Mexican garments, jewelry and hair pieces.  In addition to students' exposure to history, art and customs, Mexican music and dance enriched the experience with ballet folklorico and mariachi demonstrations.

There will be no standardized tests on today's lessons on teamwork, respect, communication, creativity, self-discipline, personal development, ...among others.  Nor will these lessons be a factor in school ratings for Kimball.  However, I am certain that this day of teaching and learning will go farther than high-stakes standardized tests do in helping the students to become responsible, successful citizens.
 
Congratulations to Spanish teacher Carmen Carrillo and English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher Lisa Aguilar for coordinating the event.

Thank you, Principal Earl Jones, administrative team, faculty and staff for supporting and contributing to a nourishing, wholesome school day.
 
Justin F. Kimball High School Knights will have memories of  the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration!

Kimball knights light up the day in state basketball victory celebration

Senator Royce West and Mayor Dwaine Caraway hold trophies
Saturday, March 26, 2011

“I love a parade," was the look on everyone’s face this morning as children of all ages -- from those in strollers to those on canes -- lined up along West Ledbetter Drive in Oak Cliff.   Citizens came out to greet the parade of the Justin F. Kimball (Knights) basketball team.  It was the first opportunity, since their dreams-come-true victory in Austin two weeks ago, for the Knights to present to the community their winning trophy for being Class 4A State Basketball Champions.

Parade arriving at Justin F. Kimball High School

In addition to Kimball cheerleaders, majorettes and organizations, student groups from surrounding feeder schools also marched  in the parade.  They all, elementary - 12, entertained the crowd with performances and enthusiasm.

Dallas Police Chief David Brown

This was the Knights' second public celebration this week.  On Thursday at Dallas ISD Board meeting, Supt. Michael Hinojosa and I gave resolutions of recognition for the sixteen team members as they stood handsomely dressed in school colors navy and crimson.

Appreciating the number of other basketball teams the Kimball Knights had to defeat and games they won to get to the state championship, a packed board room of students, parents, staff and teachers gave the Knights a standing ovation and several rounds of applause.  We recognized that for many months, these humble  young men had to commit to performing athletically and academically in order to have a chance at winning the title, ...and they did.  With effective coaching and teaching, with steadfast determination and dreams, ...that’s just what they did.  They took the challenge.  They got the chance.  Now, they are 2011 state champions.

Congratulations and much appreciation for service, love of the game and deep love for students to: head coach Royce Johnson, assistant coaches Ryan Foppe, Robert Jacobs, Bo Johnson and Toby Daniels; and athletic coordinator Carlton Nelson.

Thanks to Ms. White and Ms. Stevenson for coordinating the parade and festivities.

Great gratitude to Principal Earl Jones for campus leadership.

Thanks to Senator Royce West and Mayor Dwaine Caraway for their participation.

Justin F. Kimball Class 4A State Basketball Champions!

In 2011, Kimball Knight time is the right time!