Thompson held its annual Fun Day on Thursday (May 26) and celebrated the end of another happy and successful year. Students rotated through stations that included relay races, a gaming center, inflatables, a rock wall and a dunking booth that provided steady baths for assistant principals Dan Hoppie and Darby Hickman. (Below left) B'untranique Ervin, Amina Davis, Xavier Dotson and Cedric Horton cool off by eating snow cones. (Right) Marquinna Taylor climbs the rock wall.

Thompson students and staff honored members of the Pasadena ISD Police Department who serve at the campus with a recent breakfast/brunch. Pictured below are officers Joe Scarafile, Keri Smith, Eric Rojas, Lonnie Smith, Marco Vela, Bill McMahan and Ricardo Ontiveros.

Dona Nguyen, an eighth-grader at Thompson, has been named recipient of the 2011 Summer Math Institute Scholarship sponsored by the Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented and the Texas Academy of Mathemetics and Science at the University of North Texas. The scholarship is valued at $2,200. Nguyen (pictured at right) will attend the institute in July.

  The Thompson Intermediate choirs attended the UIL Concert and Sightreading Contest at North Shore High recently and came away with several Superior Ratings. 
  The Varsity Men's Choir and the Varsity Treble Choir each received Superior Ratings in both the Concert and Sightreading portions of the competition and earned Sweepstakes trophies. 
  The Treble Choir received three Superior Ratings from each part of the contest (three in Concert and three in Sightreading). The Men's Choir received three Superior Ratings in Concert and two Superior and one Excellent Rating in Sightreading.
  "All of our students worked extremely hard and we are really proud of what they have accomplished at UIL this year," said George Martin, one of Thompson's Choir Directors.
  "This is the second year that the eighth-grade students have experienced a Sweepstakes award. We are looking forward to next year and accomplishing a three-peat."
  (Below) The Varsity Men's Choir and (bottom) the Varsity Treble Choir.

  Thompson eighth-graders recently concluded their chemistry unit by conducting a "Foaming Elephant Toothpaste" experiment. 
  One student from each class was chosen to be the "scientist" in charge of conducting the experiment in a safe, methodical way. 
  The "Foaming Elephant Toothpaste " is a combination of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide, potassium iodide solution, dish soap and food coloring. The "scientist" uses the proper safety equipment while pouring the potassium iodide, which acts as a catalyst, into the other combined ingredients. The chemicals combine instantaneously and an exothermic reaction takes place. 
  Students were amazed to see the hot steam come out of the graduate cylinder and the foam.
  (Below) Alberto Flores and Maria Carballo in the laboratory; (bottom) Wendy Flores, Johnea Blevins, Tia Joseph and Raquel Delgadillo.

  Eighth-grader Dona Nguyen was named a finalist recently in the Dow Chemical Calendar Contest. For her achievement, Nguyen will received a cash award of at least $200. 
  Eight Thompson students entered the contest and two of those eight -- Nguyen and eighth-grader Taylor Nguyen -- made the semifinals. Their submissions were chosen from over 200 entries. 
  (Below left) Calendar contestants from Joyce Koska's seventh-grade class: Joanne Tran, Chris Waguespack, Iris Sinisterra, Mandy Cao and Michelle Tran. (Below right) Taylor Nguyen and Dona Nguyen, both students in Stephanie Albert's eighth-grade class.

  Thompson orchestra students garnered superior ratings for both varsity and non-varsity groups last week in the Texas UIL Concert and Sight Reading Contests. 
  Students had prepared the three pieces from their concert program and sight-read exercises since January. They also participated in special clinics, chair tests, section rehearsals and a mock-contest. 
  "These students really came together as a team," Thompson orchestra director Mark Vann said. "They never stopped trying after the notes were learned; we kept refining our sound all the way up to the contest. I am extremely proud of these young musicians for their accomplishment."

Symphonic Orchestra (Varsity Orchestra): Row 1: Vinh Tran, Ben Coronado, Celina Rabe, Charish Williams, Kayla Richard, Richard Nguyen, Tin Nguyen, Roderick Spikes and Desiree Johnson; Row 2:  Taylor Nguyen, Israel Martinez, Phuong Pham, Tiffany Garcia, Michelle Hoang, Celste Briones and Abraham Valencia; Row 3: David Cruz, Giaan Nguyen, Alex Martinez, Julian Coronado, Maria Mejia, Adriana Resendez, Alex Martinez, Joseph Mercado and Cristian Ascencio; Row 4: Nancy Nguyen, Catherine Nguyen, Sophia Sarabia, Abdon Ferreira, Kevin Nguyen, Jordan Jimenez, Alan Phan and Isaiah Munoz.

Thompson choir students earned 23 first division medals and five certificates at the Pasadena ISD Solo & Ensemble Contest held at Jackson Intermediate recently. Thompson's choir is under the direction of George Martin and Abby Seible. (Below) Choir students are (front) Marcela Pena, Giselle Rivas, Lauren Tran, Randall MacNeil, Kayla Posey, Alyssa Gonzalez and George Molina; (middle) Gabriele Flores, Julie Nguyen, Chelsea Tajonera, Jessie Huynh, Veronica Tzintzun, Nicole Cypert, A'yuana Bradford, Tea Ajuha Jackson and David Garcia; and (back) Krista Richard, Carlos Martinez, Jorell Campos, Caxton Petri, David Casas, Jimmy Nevarez and Kristina Enriquez.

Thompson science teachers attended their Second Annual Science Retreat at Brazos Bend State Park on Feb. 25-27. The retreat's goal is to bond the department and achieve total relaxation before the Science TAKS test reviewing begins. While at the park, teachers hiked around the alligator lake, went biking and observed the night sky. Event photos follow. (Right photo) Front: Susie Haas, Department Chair Felicia Petit and Jennifer Guerrero. Back: LaMona Lemarr, Holly Bailey, Martha Weatherford and Carol Waters.

The Thompson Science Department is encouraging students, parents and local businesses to donate the following used or broken items as part of a recycling drive: cell phones, ink-jet cartridges, GPS devices, laser cartridges, I-Pods, video games and consoles, DVDs, digital cameras, PDAs and laptops. For further information, contact Martha Weatherford, Thompson's eighth-grade Pre-AP science teacher, at 713-740-0410.

  Thompson's seventh-grade dark boys basketball team compiled a 14-2 record this season that included the championship of the Pasadena ISD tournament. The team finished second in regular-season district play and third in the 7th San Jacinto Invitational Tournament. 
  The seventh-grade light boys team finished with a 13-3 mark. The team finished second in both the district tournament and regular-season district play. The light team took third in the San Jacinto tournament. 
  (Below left) Thompson's seventh-grade dark team: (top) Coach Glen Russell, Adrian Flores, Ty Williams, BJ Ervin, DJ Hamilton and Jesse Paredes; (middle) Oliver Fransisco, Chazz Williams, Reeno Green, Craig Willes, Miguel Lopez, AJ Owens and Jose Leal; (front) Isaiah Brooks, Darius Hypolite, Deandre Childs, Travores Gilbert, Derek Leonard and Jeremiah Franklin.
  (Below right) Thompson's seventh-grade light team: (top) Coach Glen Russell, Chandler Tisby, Kenneth Gibson, Jason Lester, Kameron Dolford and Samuel Hart; (front) Kaelon Woods, Tyson Thompson, Tyler Giron, Malik Peters and Jaylon Bolden.

  Thompson's eighth-grade boys dark basketball team compiled a 13-2 record this season and won the Paadena ISD Tournament after compiling a 9-0 mark during regular-season district play.
  The Lions' eighth-grade light team went 15-1, captures the district title with a 9-0 record and also the district tournament championship.
  Over two years, this group of Thompson players combined to win four district titles, four district tournament titles and a total of 54 games -- a school record.
  (Below left) Thompson's eighth-grade light team: (front) Cedric Horton, Anthony Cantu, John Rico, Ryan Williams, David Casas, Isaiah Hammons and Jonathan Shaw; (top) D'Andre Jackson, Jarvis Lester, Xavier Rodriquez, Geron Hall, Ty Lozano and Coach Robert Boyes.
  (Below right) The Lions' eighth-grade dark team: (front) Keyaudre Conaway, Rashaad Randall, Jacob Lara, Keion Patterson, Zach Blue, Jared Wilson, Socrates Guzman and Ashton Craven; (top) Daniel Carter, Xavier Dotson, Xavier Brown, Austin Perkins, Josh Alix, Jimmy Nevarez and Coach Robert Boyes.

Recent power outages failed to drain the energy of Thompson science students, who carried on with their inertia lab by candlelight. The lab required students to roll a marble down a ramp into a paper cup to measure the distance it travels. Students then added washers to the cup to increase its mass. If the marble rolled on the floor, students enjoyed trying to find it in the dark. (Below left) Rashaad Randall and Richard Nguyen; (below right) Yesenia Herrera, Alex Martinez and Nick Houston; (bottom) Alex Carr, Travis Huynh, Denise Saravia and Xavier Brown.

Eighth-grade science students at Thompson labored in their labs last week absorbing illuminating lessons in everything from motion detection to the science of helicopters. (Immediately below and bottom right) Martha Weatherford's students delve into motion detectors and data recording devices. Students pictured are Andrea Tran and Phuong Pham (on the left) and (on the right) Carlos Martinez, Amenze Ewansiha and, to the right of Mrs. Weatherford, Michelle San Miguel. (Bottom left) Jimmy Nevarez, Nicole Banda and Rhehana Johnson, also in Mrs. Weatherford's class. (Bottom right) Testing helicopters are Carol Waters' students: Graciela Quiroz, Ricky Harris, Terrance Patterson, Orlando Ochoa, Ernest Luis Escalona, Kristin Scholwinski and Jai Jones.

Six Thompson eighth-graders were named to the Region Choir after competing against hundreds of other area students. (Below) Region Choir members are (front) Jorell Campos, Alexis Corpus and George Molina; (back) Carlos Martinez, Caxton Petri and Jimmy Nevarez. The Thompson choir is directed by George Martin.

  The Thompson yearbook staff has begun selling memory ads for parents who wish to express their best wishes to their children in the 2011 yearbook. Prices range from $100 for a full-page ad to $25 for a one-eighth page ad. The ad sale runs from Jan. 24 through Feb. 9, or until space sells out. For more information, contact yearbook adviser Eria Alvarez at elalvarez@pasadenaisd.org or call 713-740-0510. 
  (Below) The Thompson yearbook staff for 2010-11: (bottom) Tabinda Sayed, Gabby Barragan, Kara-Anne Snyder, Angelica Zuniga, Elaine Gilbert, Denise Saravia, Jonathan Shaw and Hieu Tran; (top)  Andrea Tran, Trang Bui, Jenny Tran, Veronica Tzintzun, Stacy Edopka, Valerie Vo, Hannah Gutierrez, Amina Davis, Jessie Huynh, Edward Velazquez, Dominique Obregon, Carlos Martinez, Racquel Delgadillo,  Jessica Jones, Valerie Mendoza, Nixon Melgar and Dre Conaway.

Eighth-grader Samson Tamijani won the Thompson Spelling Bee this week by successfully spelling "nostalgia." Seventh-grader Luis Correa was runner-up. The contest drew 61 fierce competitors and also a huge crowd of teachers, staff and family members to watch. A reception was held following the competition. (Below) Correa and Tamijani pose with their trophies.

The Thompson Dance Team last month took a holiday trip to the Hobby Center to see Broadway Across America's "Burn The Floor." The Dance Team is in its second year and is under the direction of Katina Kirk. (Below) Thompson Dance Team members pose for a picture during their Hobby Center trip: (bottom) Sasha McCoy, Leandra Hernandez, Celeste Briones, Jenny Tran, Karla Martinez and Amalia Perla; (middle) Maricruz Olivares, Isamar Martinez, Kasey Foots, Chelsea Tajonera, Tiffany Garcia, Madisen Minter and Dulce Morales; (top) Cherish Cooper, Ashly Gonzalez, Anna Goodman, Mason Miller, Cameron Guy, Julian Coronado and Desiree Johnson.

Thompson students recently participated in the school's 10th Annual Great Science Food Fight, a competition between seventh and eighth-graders to see which group could collect the most canned food items. Students were given the option of donating canned goods or money. Students collected a grand total of $777.20 (representing 1,554 cans) and 1,262 actual cans for a total of 2,816 cans that were donated to The Bridge Women's Shelter in Pasadena. The seventh-graders took first place with a total of 1,706 cans. The eighth-graders gathered 1,110 cans. The food drive is sponsored yearly by the Thompson Science Department.

Thompson's Mark Varian secured a mini-grant to fund a "Keys To Expression" project that will assist student performances in music and build a greater understanding of the elements of music. The $1,872 grant is sponsored by Thompson & Horton, LLP. (Below) Varian (second from right) receives congratulations from Pasadena ISD Education Foundation member Herman Williams; Monica Morgan, representing Brooks & Sparks; Maureen Singleton, representing Thompson & Horton; and Linda Lukaszewski, representing Gulf Coast Educators Federal Credit Union.

  Thirty-nine Thompson students received early high-school credit in Spanish by making a 90 or higher on their credit-by-exam test. 
  Pictured below are 34 of the 39 students: (Front row) Maricruz Olivares, Karla Martinez, Amalia Perla, Eison Martinez, David Ortiz, Alexander Frias, Francisco Rangel, Nixon Melgar, Mayra Bustillo and Renato Valdez; (middle) Isamar Martinez, Denise Saravia, Dulce Morales, Yesenia Rodriguez, Alexis Saldivar, Nereida Balderas, Aimee Montelongo, Hilda Melgar, Jorge Delagarza, Jennifer Salamanca, Guadalupe Acosta and Veronica Tzintzun; (back) Kevin Ramirez, Brian Cruz, Jordan Melo, Gustavo Garcia, Manuel Gonzalez, Luis Garay, Carlos Martinez, Felix Torres, Sergio Delacruz, Luis Gonzalez, Maria Mejia and Sabrina Frias.

Thompson art teacher Stephanie Albert and her sister, Renee Roberts, teammed up to produce an underwater scene, their contribution to the Via Colori Street Painting Festival last month at Sam Houston Park. Their mural consisted of an octopus in a coral reef with a diver watching from above. The square took about six hours to complete. (Below) The sisters and their drawing.

Thompson eighth-graders absorbed a vivid demonstration of changes in air pressure during a recent science experiment. Students took an aluminum can with a small amount of water in it and placed it on a hot plate. When students witnessed steam coming out of the top, they used tongs to place the hot can upside-down in an ice water bath. Because of the change in pressure, the can immediately imploded. (Below) Kasey Foots and Toni Cantu perform the experiment.

The Thompson Symphonic and Concert Bands competed in the Early Music Contest at the Texas Renaissance Festival on Nov. 2 in Plantersville -- and placed second and third, respectively, The Thompson bands are directed by Deborah Hirsch and by Areef Bhuya, a student teacher from the University of Houston.

Seventh-graders Alexis Espronceda and Alex Carley (left) watch for dragons; (right) Chelsea Johnson, Nicholas Jagdo, Jordan Ray, Arthur Robinson and (front) Alex Frias.

Seventh-graders Elton Nguyen and David Garcia, and eighth-graders Sebrina Frias and Catherine Neira.

Thompson observed National Gaming Day on Friday (Nov. 12) with a carnival of board games and card games filling up the school library. Students played Battleship, Sorry!, and Monopoly, and card games like Uno. Gaming allows students to practice their interpersonal skills while learning rules of the games and strategy. The celebration kicked off "Gaming Fridays," when students will have the opportunity to "get their game on" with friends before school. (Below left) Eighth-graders Alan Phan and Stephanie Dang tangle in a game of Sorry!; (right) Yenlynn Bahn and Linh Pham play cards.

Thompson science students were given the opportunity recently to learn more about the subject of weather. A local company, "Impact Weather," donated studio time to broadcast a different lesson for four days. Topics covered were aviation weather, hurricanes, extreme weather and how to become a meteorologist. Students were able to submit questions before the programs and some of their questions were answered during the programs. The video conference was arranged by Thompson's eighth-grade Pre-AP science teacher, Martha Weatherford. (Below) Thompson students participate in the video conference.

Students and faculty at Thompson let their college preferences be heard during College Week. (Below top left, and then clockwise) Julian Coronado and Cameron Guy give a shoutout for the Texas Longhorns. Choir director George Martin appears to have all kinds of favorites. Faculty members Jennifer Guerrero, John Fowler, Sherial Caswell and Todd Taylor pitched in for a pancake breakfast for Thompson staff. (Bottom) A clash of cultures: Texas A&M fans Sherial Caswell, Patrice Gilbert, Kara Anne Snyder, Toni Lopez (Thompson's principal), Kayla Posey and Zachary Blue deliver an earful to UT supporter Damien Molina.

Thompson students have set a goal to read one million pages this school year -- and they're on track to get there with 209,103 pages read so far. (Below) Reading breaks out in the main hallway with assistant principals Darby Hickman and Dan Hoppie, Principal Toni Lopez, eighth-grader Damien Molina, seventh-grade counselor Erin Richardson and eight-grade counselor Prodencia Reyna participating.

Thompson cornerback John Rico bars the door on Beverly Hills running back David Eldridge while teammates rush in to provide assistance.

LIONS LAY DOWN LAW: NO SWEEP FOR BEARS

  Thompson's DeAndre Jackson forced a fumble on the lip of his team's goal-line Tuesday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium, enabling the Lions to hang on for a 16-8 victory over rival Beverly Hills and the championship of the Pasadena ISD's Eighth-Grade "A" Team Division.

The Thompson victory prevented the Bears from sweeping all four intermediate school divisions. Beverly Hills won the regular-season contest between the two schools, 14-6.

Beverly Hills appeared primed to tie the game with time winding down. But with 1:23 left in the game, Jackson forced a fumble at the Lions' 4 yard-line and made the recovery himself. Thompson easily ran out the clock to secure the title.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Jackson scored the go-ahead touchdown on a
short run.

Thompson's offense devoured the entire
first quarter. On the first snap of the second quarter, wide receiver Ryan Williams caught a short pass from Ty Lozano and squirted 12 yards into the end zone for the game's first TD. A two-point extra-point by Alexis Saldivar gave the Lions an 8-0 lead.

Williams later made a leading interception to help keep the Bears at bay, but only briefly.

Beverly Hills tied the game midway through the third quarter following a Thompson fumble. The Bears used a 4-yard TD run by Carlos Gonzalez to cap a short drive and tie the game.

Thompson regained the late in the third quarter on a 12-yard TD burst by Jackson. Saldivar again added the two-point kick.

Beverly Hills used a late Lions' fumble to come storming back in the closing minutes. The Bears converted an improbable fouth-and-14 situation with 1:34 left before Jackson's recovery sealed the outcome.

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP RESULTS

Eighth-Grade "A" - Thompson 16, Beverly Hills 8

Eighth-Grade "B" - Beverly Hills 16, Southmore 0

Seventh-Grade "A" - Beverly Hills 14, Thompson 0

Seventh-Grade "B" --  Beverly Hills 14, Thompson 12

Thompson's Rashaad Randall breaks into the Bears' secondary in first-quarter action.

Carlos Gonzalez helps Beverly Hills tie the game with a 4-yard TD blast in the third quarter.

Thompson's Ryan Williams spins away from a Beverly Hills defender to turn a short reception into a 12-yard TD, the game's first.

The Bears' Brandon Ryan barges through a gap in the Thompson line.

Thompson's DeAndre Jackson (36) goes airborne to score the go-ahead TD late in the third quarter.

Thompson defenders chase down a fumble near the Lions' goal-line late in the game, caused and recovered by DeAndre Jackson (background right).

Thompson yearbooks are now on sale. The cost is $40. For additional information, contact Erica Alvarez at 713-740-0510.

The volleyball teams at Thompson are winding down the season. (Below) Seventh-graders Ashley Perez, Alaina Sitka and Marissa Longoria in action. (Bottom) Ashley Perez, Rebecca Nickelson, Marissa Longoria and Alaina Sitka congratulate their opponent.

The Thompson choir, under the direction of George Martin, held its first concert of the year at Dobie High School recently. (Below) Kritina Enriquez sings during the concert.

 Thirty-seven eighth-graders from Thompson ventured to Keystone Science School in Keystone, Colo., earlier this month.

 The school is a non-profit organization that tailors instruction to state standards. Students learned about standard science curriculum and also about the world around them.

 They were introduced to ideas of conservatism as it pertains to them and their surroundings. Students were encouraged to learn to respect themselves, nature and the Earth. These students were privileged to learn about science and nature as they hiked through the Colorado Rockies.

 The students were chaperoned by Holly Bailey, Sherial Caswell, Mary Curtis, Jennifer Guerrero, Susie Haas, LaMona Lemarr, David Petit and Carol Waters.

Thompson Principal Toni Lopez served as the first guest reader for Campaign READ recently. She sat down with a group of eighth-grade girls and discussed the benefits of reading and college readiness. She shared an excerpt from her favorite novel, "Among the Hidden."

Emily R. Cruz, Thompson's peer facilitator, described her passion for reading and invited the students to read her favorite book, "House on Mango Street," by Sandra Cisneros.

Prudencio Reyna, Thompson counselor, finished the event with a motivational discussion about obtaining personal goals as young women.

Campaign READ participants (front) Alisa Gonzales, Jennifer Ramirez, Danielle Cisneros, Mayra Bustillo, Cybelle Cerda, Dalcia, Garcia, Sabrina Bernal and Thompson Peer Facilitator Emily Cruz; (back) Thompson Counselor Prudencio Reyna, Schawnee Galicia, Daysi Hernandez, Jaquelin Partida, Thompson Principal Toni Lopez, Alyssa Medrano, Diana Contreras, Graciela Quiroz, Yesenia Rodriguez and Issa Rojas.

For the fourth year in a row, Thompson topped all other Pasadena ISd schools in the sale of breast cancer awareness shirts. The school sold more than 150 of the shirts. Thompson staff members were among the thousands who participated in the Komen Race for the Cure last Saturday.

Thompson participants (front) Carol Waters, Bob Boyes, Gina Gibson, Sue Evans, Jessica
Krustchinsky, Jenny Spray, Erica Alvarez and Debbie Scheffer; (middle) VeAnn Richards,
Stacey Kennedy, Susie Haas, Yolanda Grant, Nancy O'Connell, Laura Tuttle, Amy Whalen,
Joyce Koska and Felicia Petit; (back) Sherial Caswell, Todd Taylor, George Martin, Bill Kirchman,
Assistant Principal Dan Hoppie, Holly Bailey, Martha Weatherford and Jennifer Guerrero.

Gulf Coast Educators Credit Union participants (front) Joe Cuellar, Roxy Covarrubias, Selena
Lopez, Krystal Clark, Elena Chapa, Trisha Garza, Leslie Gonzalez, Alyssa Pattison, Katy Jernigan
and Pam Ladd; (middle) Zeke Nieto, Marshall Bennett, Cheryl Mundy, Brittany Jackson, Rhonda
Kirchman and Adam Smith; (back) Keagan Hebert, Taylor Hebert, Brandon Vorse, Stephanie
Hill, Blessy Abraham, Whitney Jewell and Michael Barry.  
 

The Thompson band was in fine form last week at Veterans Memorial Stadium as the Thompson Eighth-Grade "A" Team cruised to a 38-6 victory over Bondy. Below, Zoe Cortez and Elizabeth Gaona play their clarinets while the band plays under the direction of conductors Ryan Mahler and Shelby Yocum.

Thompson staff members joined over 35,000 others in the Komen Race for the Cure on Saturday. Participants (below) were (front) Katina Kirk, Carol Waters and Sandy Waters (Westbrook Intermediate); and (back) Sue Evans, Laura Tuttle, Sheila Smith, Yvonne Pena, Ray Broussard, Cathy Broussard and Gina Gibson.

Thompson's Seventh-Grade "B" Team rolled to a 41-7 victory over Bondy this week. The Lions' other two seventh-grade teams also won. The "A" Team beat Bondy 57-0. The "C" team beat Friendswood 7-6.

Verek Leonard, quarterback for Thompson's Seventh-Grade "B" Team, takes the snap against
Bondy.  
 

Reeno Green carries the ball for the Seventh-Grade "B" Team in the Lions' victory over Bondy.

   
Nick Alvarez tackles a Bondy ball-carrier while Raekwon Harvey (14) and Darius Hyppolite (35) rush
in for support.

More than four dozen Thompson students joined with 15 teachers in the recent "See You at the Pole" gathering held by the Christ on Campus student organization.

"See You at the Pole" is a student-initiated, student-organized and student-led national event during which students at more than 1,200 schools in four states gather around their school flag pole to pray for their friends and fellow students.

At Thompson, Christ on Campus meets every Thursday before school from 7:45 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. in the choir room. Faculty sponsors are Cliff Neel, Todd Taylor and George Martin.

Thompson students gather at the flag pole.    
 

Two Thompson students, Imelda Branch and Orlando Escamilla, were recently named local finalists for the "Do the Write Thing" Texas Challenge.

Last year Thompson writing students were asked to answer three questions about how to end violence. Then each composed an essay on the topic in which they drew from their own experiences and told how those experiences impacted their lives and the lives of their peers. Essays were submitted for competition, and Branch and Escamilla were among the finalists.

Their essays were published in a book containing all the finalists essays. The books were distributed to civil leaders.

Thompson essay finalists Imelda Branch and Orlando Escamilla.  
 

The Thompson Eighth-Grade "A" team took on rival Beverly Hills at Veterans Stadium this week and reveled in everything except the final score. The Bears won 14.6. Scenes from the contest follow.

Dandre Jackson uses a stiff-arm to gain extra yardage.  
 

Beverly Hills eight-grader Joe Gonzalez is helped up by
Thompson's Deandre Jackson (left) and Mason Miller.  
 

Thompson staff members cheer on the Lions. First and second row: Daliah Castillo and Carol
Waters. third row: Jenifer Hill, Brian Mason, Erica Alverez and Jennifer Guerrero. Fourth row:
Gina Gibson, Felicia Petit, Cliff Neel and George Martin. Fourth row: Stephanie Libroho, Sue
Evans, Joe Peabody and Assistant Principal Dan Hoppie.  
 

New to the Thompson faculty this year are (front row) Sarah Librojo, eighth-grade ELAR; Stacy Kennedy, seventh- and eighth-grade history; (back row) Sharon Curry, seventh-grade ELAR; Abby Seible, assistant choir director; George Martin, choir director; and Rebecca DeLaGarza, girls P.E. coach. Thompson Principal Toni Lopez (far right) welcomes the newcomers to campus.

Stan Whalen checks out a book to eighth-grader Albert Flores during the Thompson Book Fair last week. Proceeds from the event to toward purchasing new books and other programs for Thompson students.

Nearly 400 parents, grandparents, relatives and students turned out for Thompson's annual open house last week and the unveiling of the Lions' newly repainted campus. Principal Toni Lopez gave a warm welcome. Teachers introduced the curriculum to parents and offered advice on re-enforcing studying skills. Parents expressed strong interest in the Book Fair, the school athletics booster club and the PTO program.

Thompson staffers Sheila Smith and Debbie Sheffer show
off the Lions' new spirit shirt during open house.  
 

Thompson teachers Carol Waters and Susie Haas peddle treats during a recent Lions football game. The Thompson Science Department is selling refreshments at home seventh - and eighth-grade football games this fall to raise funds for the Lions' Keystone Science School trip to Keystone, Colo.

Ashton Craven (12), Julian Coronado (27) and Austin Perkins (40) -- all members of Thompson's Eighth-Grade B Team -- race downfield on the weather-delayed opening kickoff of the 2010 football season. The Lions beat San Jacinto in their opener 27-6. All four Thompson teams won their openers.