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Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD gathered as a community on Tuesday, November 11, to remember and celebrate the lives of students and staff members who have passed. The district’s fifth annual Ceremony of Remembrance took place at the Boswell High School Fine Arts Center and the USMC Cpl. Marty Medellin Memorial Plaza.

Family, friends, and supporters joined together as five students and one employee were recognized and added to the memorial wall this year.

“While the circumstances of each of these individuals vary, they share the common thread of being valued members of the Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD community,” said Matthew LeBlanc, Executive Director of Communications.

The ceremony featured performances and tributes by EMS ISD students, including the Saginaw High School Air Force JROTC, who presented the colors, and the Boswell High School Chamber Singers, who performed the national anthem. LeBlanc shared remarks in honor of those memorialized on the wall.

The evening concluded with the reading of all 134 names etched into the Memorial Plaza, a moving trumpet performance of “Taps” by Boswell senior Noah Tejada, and the Chamber Singers’ heartfelt rendition of Do Not Stand at My Grave.

“This ceremony is a time for us to come together as a district, to pause for reflection, and to pay tribute to those individuals from across EMS ISD who are forever remembered on the Memorial Plaza,” said Dr. Marilyn Tolbert, President of the 2025-2026 EMS ISD Board of Education, who opened the event. “Hosting this around Veterans Day makes it all the more meaningful.”

The Memorial Plaza honors Boswell High School graduate Cpl. Marty Medellin and all EMS ISD students and staff who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the nation or their community, including those who have passed while part of the district family.

The district holds the Ceremony of Remembrance each year near Veterans Day, and the Memorial Plaza remains open to the public year-round for those wishing to visit or pay their respects.

Watch the full Ceremony of Remembrance on YouTube.

Learn more about the Memorial on the EMS ISD website.

When Chisholm Ridge Elementary celebrated its 20^th anniversary last year, Jana Price had an opportunity to reflect on her 21-year career there.

“I was here the very first year that Chisholm Ridge opened,” Price said. “It was my first-year teaching—and I’ve been here ever since.”

Price began as a first-grade teacher, later taught second and third grades, and now serves as the math interventionist for kindergarten through fifth grade. She explains that her role centers on helping small groups of students who struggle with math, slowing the pace to meet them where they are and helping them experience success.

“They start realizing, ‘Oh, I can do this.’ That’s the best part.”

What has kept Price on the same campus so long is the strong sense of community. “The people are what keep me here—the coworkers and the families,” she said. “It really feels like home.” Through the years, she’s seen multiple siblings, second- and third-generation families walk through the halls, and former students now in college still stop in to give her a high-five.

Principal, Krystle Green agrees that Price is a fixture on campus. “Ms. Price brings warmth and positivity wherever she goes. Alumni often return delighted to see that her familiar face of hope and love still lights up our halls.”

Price cites her parents—both lifelong teachers—as her earliest role models, especially their belief: “Kids have to know you care about them before they’ll start caring about school.” That philosophy, she says, remains central to her work every day.

She also credits the very first principal of Chisholm Ridge, Liz Hatley, for establishing a culture of collaboration and community engagement:

“She really taught me how to handle situations—how to talk things out, solve problems together, and always keep the focus on families and community.”

Hatley is proud of the good work Price continues to do. “When I hired Jana in 2005 at Chisholm Ridge Elementary, she was a charter teacher. Her smile, her intellect, classroom instruction and management made her a top-notch teacher! I know she will continue to strive in her educational excellence!”

When asked about her future, Jana doesn’t hesitate, “I plan to stay in Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD … This is my home.”

Principal Green hopes Jana will continue to serve Chisholm Ridge.  “A true leader, encourager, and joy-spreader, we are Wrangler Proud of Ms. Price and grateful she continues to help us live the R.I.D.G.E. Way—with heart, humor, and plenty of pride!

Jana sees herself continuing to build the math-intervention program and staying connected to the community she has come to know so well. And while she jokes about a bronze statue on the playground or having the library named in her honor someday, what matters most to her is the day-to-day: the smiling students, the familiar families, the lasting relationships.

“It’s amazing to see them grown up… some even becoming teachers themselves. That’s what it’s all about."

The EMS ISD Trailblazers showed their skill and spirit at the 2025 Special Olympics Texas (SOTX) Area 11 Bowling Competition on Oct. 28, bringing home an impressive collection of medals and ribbons after weeks of practice and preparation.

Competing against athletes from four other districts, the Trailblazers’ hard work paid off as 39 athletes represented EMS ISD with pride and determination. The team earned twelve 1st place medals, ten 2nd place medals, six 3rd place medals, seven 4th place ribbons, three 5th place ribbons, and one 6th place ribbon.

“The Trailblazers brought the hype, competitiveness, and strength to this competition,” said Emily Kasper, Head of Delegation for the EMS ISD Trailblazers. “We are so proud of their determination and efforts in bowling this season. We cannot wait to see what next year brings.”

The Trailblazers wrapped up their bowling season with a strong finish and will now shift gears as they prepare for the start of basketball season in December.

Congratulations to all the athletes and supporters who continue to show their EMS pride both on and off the lanes!

Campuses across Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD celebrated National Red Ribbon Week from October 27–31, joining schools nationwide in promoting the importance of making healthy, drug-free choices through themed dress-up days, campus events, and student activities.

From capes to camouflage, students and staff across the district showed their commitment to living drug-free in creative and spirited ways.

Copper Creek Elementary encouraged students to “Be a Hero and Stay Drug Free” during their superhero and storybook character day, filling the halls with capes, masks, and favorite literary characters as students pledged to make healthy choices.

Highland Middle School hosted themed days that reminded students to have fun while staying drug-free. Their week included “Putting Drugs to Sleep” with pajama day fun, “90’s—Drugs Are Wack, Stay on Track,” and costumes to “Say Boo to Bad Choices.”

Saginaw High School organizations also joined the effort, visiting elementary campuses to share positive messages through energetic gym performances. The SHS cheer, gymnastics, Starsteppers, basketball, and volleyball teams inspired younger students with school spirit and encouragement to live drug-free.

Red Ribbon Week remains a meaningful tradition across EMS ISD, bringing students and staff together to celebrate healthy living and a commitment to a drug-free future. To discover more about how our other schools celebrated Red Ribbon Week, please visit their Facebook and Instagram pages through our social media directory.

The Fall 2025 edition of EMS PROUD! magazine, published in partnership with 287 North Living is now available with exciting updates on EMS ISD and our community.

View the EMS Proud! Magazine