Category: School News

DHS National Honor Society Induction Ceremony

NHS officers: Caroline Suhr, president; Paige Barron, vice president; McKailee Sorrell, secretary; and Chloe Goetz, Student Council representative.Current members: Karlee Atteberry, Melenie Cardenas, Kyrie DuBose, Viola Dzierzanowski, Matthew Grissom, Kyra Pompa, Ava Rangel, Jack Rumfield, Esai Sanchez, and Carlos Talamantes. New inductees: Tracy Alaniz, Jacob McKee, Esteban Mendoza, Kylie Monreal, Calleigh Schneider, Camila Sierra, Rylie Wells, Violet Aguirre, Emma Kate Caballero, Morgan Coleman, Karsyn De Leon, Addison DuBose, Kassandra Fajardo, Zane Fritz, Jovianne Gomez, Emma B. Gonzales, Emma Gonzalez, Jacqueline Gonzalez, Mackenzie Hennessey, Payton Hester, Dylan Hinnant, Greeley Malone, Brayden Mann, Asher Mills, Reese Navarro, Zachary Ortiz, Vicente Ramirez, Kenzie Ray, Jaime Rodriguez, Canton Urrabazo, and Faith Wilcox.

Jerel Beaty
Staff writer
Being selected for membership in the National Honor Society is an honor that represents much more than academic achievement. It is a recognition of students who have demonstrated a commitment to scholarship, leadership, character, and service, while also accepting the responsibility that comes with being part of an organization dedicated to making a positive difference in the lives of others. For the newest members last week’s induction marked both the culmination of accomplishments already achieved and the beginning of a new commitment to serve their school and community.
Under the direction of sponsor Mrs. Nicole Suhr, the Devine Chapter of the National Honor Society held its annual Fall Induction Ceremony Thursday, October 1, inside the Student Activity Center Auditorium.
High School Principal Michael Gomez welcomed students, family members, faculty. and guests before Paige Barron led the Pledge of Allegiance.
The ceremony continued with current NHS members recognizing those who have been…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!


Natalia Band takes 2nd in Seguin!

The Natalia Marching Band traveled to Seguin this past week where they competed in the Seguin Marching Festival where they took second place! Photos by Mable Byrd.

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HOMECOMING 10 DAYS AWAY!

Friday, October 16, the game starts at 7pm. The Class of 1976 will be honored at half-time on the track. Pictured above are 1976 Warhorse standouts Francis Schmidt, Jack Schneider, and Bob Briscoe.

Devine Homecoming Oct. 16 & 17!

ALL Devine Alumni are invited to a Homecoming Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 17th starting at 1:00pm at the Devine VFW Hall, with the Devine Ex-Students Teachers Association (DExSTA). Join us with the 50th Reunion Honor Class of 1976, and former Warhorse & Colt Football Teams & Coaches to Celebrate Homecoming 2026!
Friday, October 16, registration will open at 6:30 pm at Warhorse Stadium. Game starts at 7pm. Tickets are sold online or at the gate. 1976 Honor Class recognition will be at half-time on the track in front of the press box. Wave as your name is called out. All Devine Exes look for the…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Ballet Folklorico team from Devine Intermediate brought Fiesta spirit to HS pep rally

The Devine Intermediate Ballet Folklorico team showed out and proudly represented Devine for the DHS Fiesta themed pep-rally on Friday, Sept. 25!

The Devine Intermediate Ballet Folklorico team showed out and represented Devine for the DHS Fiesta themed pep-rally on Friday, Sept. 25! This club only started one year ago in September 2025 and has already proved great talent.
Folkorico dance is a blend of traditional dances and ballet within Mexican culture often made up of flowy, colorful dresses that play a large role in the choreography, along with some footwork and dances to mariachi music.

The group of girls and boys brought a bold, powerful and moving dance performance, filling the gym with loud cheers and excitement. Their colorful dresses and big smiles all brought the spirit to the Fiesta-filled day. The talented group of young individuals is coached by Elisia Mitchell, Amy Bailey and Crystol Rosales-Tolbert.

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Natalia ISD celebrates Bond 2024 construction milestone with “Topping Out Ceremony” and final steel beam

NISD Superintendent Dr. Elmer Avellaneda (center) and members of the Central Office and Administration celebrate at the “Topping Out Ceremony” last Friday, Sept. 25, 2026. Natalia celebrated a major milestone in the construction of their new Natalia Elementary School. The ceremony marked the placement of the final steel beam, symbolizing the completion of the building’s structural framework and the continued growth of the district. Photos by Debbie Petty/ Natalia ISD Public Relations/Communication. Pictured above are: members of the Central Office and Adminstarion Maricela Passmore, Shelby Montgomery, Jeannette Roberts, Tanya Crisp, Julie Oppelt, Dr. Elmer Avellaneda, Nichole Speer, Rebecka Rendon, Sunnie Jass, Joseph Guidry, and Tina Castro.

NATALIA, Texas — Natalia Independent School District celebrated a significant milestone in its Bond 2024 construction program on September 25 with a Topping Out Ceremony recognizing the continued progress of the district’s construction projects.
Superintendent Dr. Elmer Avellaneda, Natalia ISD Board President Eric Smith, Elementary Principal Nichole Speer, Ag Teacher Madison Hightower Flores, and SpawGlass San Antonio Region President Jason Smith delivered remarks during the ceremony.
The event brought together representatives from SpawGlass, Pfluger Architects, and AG|CM, along with Natalia ISD School Board members, district administrators, staff, and other distinguished guests.
Natalia Mayor Tommy Ortiz and City Secretary Dora Rodriguez also attended the ceremony, joining district and community representatives in recognizing the milestone.
Bond 2024 improvements include…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

School opts for exemption to Chapter 37 armed security guard requirements due to funding/ staffing constraints

DMS Principal Kandi Darnell speaks about the campus C accountability rating among other campus news. Enrollment figures were shared to show the school’s size and grade distribution. With an enrollment of 445 students, 151 students are sixth graders and 158 are seventh graders, making the seventh grade the largest of the three middle school grades.

Board approves a final payment of $85,456 for the new tennis courts

By Anton Riecher
At this week’s Devine ISD school board meeting, the board voted 5-0 to approve a final payment of $85,456 to Austin-based Hellas Construction for the new tennis courts at the athletic facilities outside Warhorse Stadium. Completion is scheduled for mid-November.
The motion to approve final payment was made by board member Chris Davis and seconded by Ali Buvinghausen. Board members Candace Esparza and Carl Brown were absent for the Monday meeting.
Exemption to armed security guard requirement
By a 5-0 vote, the Devine School board approved a resolution for an exemption to the new state requirement, which required public school districts to place at least one armed security officer at every district campus during regular school hours (Texas Education Code Section 37.0814).


Because of funding and staffing constraints, the board determined the district qualifies for a good-cause exemption and will use an alternative safety plan.
With the exemption, our district’s alternative plan includes…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!



Devine ISD votes to keep same tax rate

By Anton Riecher
During its Monday night meeting, the Devine School Board unanimously approved an ad valorem tax rate of $0.8891 per $100 valuation for the 2026-2027 fiscal year the same as the current fiscal year.
Approved on a motion by Alixana Buvinghausen, seconded by Britney Stricker, the tax rate breaks down as $0.6969 for maintenance and operation and $0.1922 for the interest and sinking fund covering principal and interest on debt.

Board members also voted to re-adopt its 2026-2027 school budget of $25.3 million originally approved in June. At that time an anticipated revenue shortfall forced the elimination of…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $42 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Meet the teachers!

Devine ISD…

Ciavarra Elementary and Devine Intermediate is set for Thursday, August 6 from 5 to 6:30 pm. Devine High School will be 6:30 to 7:30pm.
Devine Middle School held Meet the Teacher on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
The First Day of School is August 11.

Lytle ISD…

Lytle Jr High and High School will hold Meet the Teacher on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 from 5 – 7 PM. Lytle Elementary School is set for Thursday, August 6 from 4 – 6 PM and Primary School from 5 – 7 PM.
The first day of school is Wednesday, August 12.

Natalia ISD…

Natalia ECC and Elementary School will hold Meet the Teacher on Monday, August 10, 2026at 5 PM while Natalia Jr High and High School are set for 5:30 pm.
The first day of school is Tuesday, August 11.

Devine school board votes to expand health care education

Donny Whitaker (left) will join the team as a second School Resource Officer for Devine ISD along with SRO Eliseo Perez (right). Photo by KK Calame.

By Anton Riecher
The Devine ISD school board reviewed and acted on several operational and policy items Monday including approval of a new full-time career and technical education (CTE) teaching position for the district’s patient care technician program.
District Superintendent Todd Grandjean said that the expanded program will build on the present district health services program.
“This is the exact direction we were heading when we had our health services program that nurse (Joslyn) Wilson was teaching before,” he said. “That was two classes this past year. Now we are moving into a six-class regimen in partnership with Southwest Texas College.”
Devine ISD offers a Career and Technical Education (CTE) Health Science program at Devine High School, which allows…LOGIN TO CONTINUE READING at www.devinenewsmembers.com. You will get instant access to our full E-edition, and begin getting the newspaper delivered to your home next week for $36 a year in Medina County. Support important local city, county, and school news like this!

Students receive scholarships from Rotary Club of Medina County

President Johnette Dixon presented Jeremy Steinbrunner (Jr.) of Devine with his $1,000 award at a Rotary Club meeting.

The Rotary Club of Medina County awarded $8,200 in scholarships to area students during the month of May. Students from multiple county communities were awarded scholarships – two students from Medina Valley ISD, two from Devine ISD, three from Hondo ISD, and one from Lytle ISD.
Mikaela Trejo and Zamyra Lightsey of Hondo both received $1,000, Jeremy Steinbrunner (Jr.) and Briar Pareson of Devine both received $1,000, Collin Sprenger of Lytle received $1,000. Sabrina Rodriguez of Hondo received the vocational scholarship – $1,200, Nicholas Riff received the Tim Gillis Merit scholarship – $1,000, and Kaleigh Lewis received the Ann Peden Merit scholarship – $1,000 – scholarship.
Scholarships, and other club projects, are funded through our Hometown Heroes BBQ Event in October which serves both as a fundraiser and an event to honor the counties’ first responders. The first responders are treated to a catered meal, musical entertainment, a vendor fair, kids activities, and in 2026, we are adding a car show. At the same time, BBQ teams compete in a Champions Barbeque Alliance (CBA) authorized event to earn points towards the state BBQ championship.

Linda Bohlen, Foundation Chair, presented Briar Parson of Devine with his $1,000 award; Briar’s mom, Carlu, is also pictured.

The three Hondo ISD awards – the vocational scholarship – $1,200, the Tim Gillis Merit scholarship – $1,000, and the Ann Peden Merit scholarship – $1,000 – scholarships were presented by President Johnette Dixon to Sabrina Rodriguez, Nicholas Riff, and Kaleigh Lewis, respectively.

Linda Bohlen also presented Collin Sprenger of Lytle with his $1,000 award.