Leverett’s Chapel Independent School District

Don't forget that Prom is this Saturday, May 3rd at the Overton Community Center from 7pm-11pm. Be sure to purchase your tickets in the secondary office before Wednesday, April 30th, and if you need a guest permission form, have that completed before Wednesday as well! We can't wait to see you all dressed up for a night on the red carpet!

The LC Yearbook is coming along nicely. We are all working to bring you a great book full of memories of this past year. Take a moment and click the link to get your very own copy. There is also a section for you to add your own personal memories. The price of the book is $40 plus tax and it’s a hard back, full color yearbook. Thank you for your support. The LC Yearbook Staff https://www.treering.com/purchase?PassCode=1015937316961492

LC Community- As Superintendent of Leverett's Chapel, I’m proud to share that our kindergarten students will be graduating on Friday, May 23rd at 8:30 AM. These young learners—the Class of 2037—are taking their first steps on a journey we know well. It starts here, where the foundation of our school is built: in classrooms filled with curiosity, encouragement, and care. As we continue to highlight former students through our Alumni Spotlight, we’re reminded that today’s kindergarteners are tomorrow’s alumni. Their path is just beginning. Small school. Big dreams. Bold futures. It’s not where you start—it’s where you’re going. Go Lions!

LC Community- Good Luck to Our UIL Academic Team! We’re proud to send off our High School UIL Academic Team as they head to the Regional Meet in Plano this weekend. These students have put in serious time and effort to prepare, and we’re excited to see them compete. Shoutout to their coach, Ms. Tracey Amaya, for leading and supporting them every step of the way. As she shared: “Many of these students have completed SO MUCH extra work to prepare for these upcoming contests and have really embraced the idea of having their work critiqued and criticized in the interest of improving. If you happen to get an opportunity to chat with any of them before they leave, I'm quite confident they'd appreciate an encouraging word or two from any of you.” Representing us this weekend: De'Waylon Brown (11) Areli Castillo (11) Bella Hodges (9) Itzel Mata (11) Layla Neumeister (11) Kaiven Quinalty (9) Samantha Santana (12) Let’s all wish them the best! Go Lions!

LC Community- We are so proud of Trent and his Coaches! https://www.thehendersonnews.com/etvarsity/track-and-field-leveretts-chapels-wheat-qualifies-to-state-championships/article_14f8cdaf-f46e-476c-a2cf-3a324fcb9f89.html Go Lions!

LC Community- Happy Administrative Assistants Day! Today, I want to take a moment to publicly thank DeAnn Thrash, Kristie Howard, and Carmen Chavez for everything they do for Leverett’s Chapel ISD. On this Administrative Assistants Day, we recognize their hard work, dedication, and ability to juggle multiple roles each day. They go above and beyond to keep our district running smoothly and ensure that both the staff and students have what they need. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a talented and hardworking team. Thank you for all you do! Go Lions!

At this point, most of the students have received their packets for the UIL physicals that will take place on Friday the 25th. If they have not, then they will receive them tomorrow. The physicals are for all incoming Junior High and High School students for the 2025-2026 school year. This includes today's 5th grade through 11th grade. It is not mandatory for any student to go but it is a requirement for all students that wish to participate in certain UIL activities. This includes all sports, cheerleading, and marching band. We will leave the school at 8:00 a.m. and will return at approximately at 10:30 a.m. The return time is estimated only based on the information given to us by Christus Medical. If any student has any questions or concerns have them come see a coach about what they need to do with their packets. If a student does not go for any reason, whether they are absent or just don't want to go, they would still need to make sure they have a physical on file if they wished to participate in any of the mentioned activities. If a student feels that they already have a current physical on file, the paperwork must be updated every year. Therefore, a physical update is available to them. Any student still needing a physical after the 25th, will be financially responsible for their own physical costs.

As painful as it is, I must let everyone know that Friday's home game vs Miller Grove, has been canceled. They will be missing several players due to UIL Academics Regional competition. With that being said, we would still like to recognize and honor our Seniors and give our community a chance to express their love for our kids. Therefore, we we hold a community pep rally in the high school gym at 5pm on Friday evening the 25th. Any and all are welcome.

LC Community- Trent Wheat Qualifies for State in Shot Put! We’re proud to announce that Trent Wheat is headed to the UIL State Track & Field Meet after an outstanding 2nd-place finish in the Shot Put at Regionals. Trent threw 43 feet, 2¼ inches, securing his spot to compete among the best in the state. He will represent Leverett's Chapel at the State Meet in Austin on Saturday, May 3rd at 2:00 p.m. Great job, Trent. We’re proud of you and behind you all the way. Also, congratulations to all our regional qualifiers who competed in Waco: Lacie Hayes – 100m Hurdles, High Jump Girls 4x400m Relay – Alyvia Page, Brynleigh Seymore, Layla Neumeister, Maria Contreras Jaggar Ward – 100m Dash, 200m Dash, Long Jump Trent Wheat – 100m Dash, Shot Put DeWaylon Brown – Triple Jump Boys 4x100m Relay – DeWaylon Brown, Evan Lucas, Jaggar Ward, Trent Wheat Thank you all for your hard work and dedication and for representing Leverett's Chapel with pride. Go Lions!

ATTENTION 8TH GRADERS - We will have a Freshman Orientation on Monday, April 28th at 6pm. please make arrangements to attend!

LC Alumni Spotlight: Matthew Harris – From Black & Gold to Red, White, and Blue U.S. Army Veteran, Community Servant, Business Owner, and Proud LC Lion Some alumni leave a legacy that continues to grow long after they’ve walked the halls of Leverett’s Chapel—and Matthew Harris, Class of 2008, is one of those Lions. A proud product of the Black and Gold, Matthew stood out during his days at LC as a multi-sport athlete with unmatched drive. He was a member of multiple state-qualifying cross country teams, a state qualifier in track, and someone who led by example in both his athletic and academic efforts. That same discipline continues today—Matthew is still an elite endurance athlete, having completed both the Boston and Chicago Marathons in under 2 hours and 55 minutes, with a personal best of 2:52. After graduation, Matthew enlisted in the U.S. Army and deployed to Afghanistan in 2009, serving his country with courage and honor. When he returned home, he and his wife Lucero came back to East Texas to raise their family and continue investing in the community that raised them. Matthew spent several years in the oil and gas industry, but he never stopped pushing forward. He attended Kilgore College, completing his training in the firefighter, EMT, and police academies, while also earning an Associate’s Degree in Process Technology. He’s currently pursuing a second associate degree in Fire Protection, all while serving as a Gregg County Sheriff’s Deputy in the airport division. In 2020, Matthew and Lucero launched a new venture, Operation Unbroken. The mission of their store is powerful and close to their hearts: to promote brands and products created by veterans. It’s a space that represents resilience, service, and second chances—a fitting reflection of Matthew’s journey. While service and hard work are at the core of his story, family is what drives Matthew most. He and Lucero are raising talented young athletes of their own, and Matthew now coaches his children in golf, track, and cross country—instilling the same values that made him a leader in his LC days. We’re always thrilled to see the Harris family at the annual Wes McWhorter Golf Tournament, where Matthew and his team have become a force—defending back-to-back championships. We look forward to cheering them on again this year on April 26th as they go for a three-peat! Up next for Matthew? He’s currently preparing to become a licensed insurance agent, helping support the family’s newest business venture. It’s another step forward in a journey fueled by service, hard work, and unwavering pride in where he comes from. Matthew, you embody the spirit of the Black and Gold—tough, loyal, and built for more. Your path reminds us all that it’s not where you start—it’s where you’re going, and we are proud to celebrate every mile of your journey. To our LC community—please share this and tag other LC alumni who are doing great things. Let’s continue shining a light on the amazing lives our graduates are building. Know someone who should be featured next? Email: meverett@leverettschapelisd.net Cell: 903-808-0182 Small school. Black and Gold. Big futures.

LC Community- Huge congratulations to Senior Carson Ford for being named The Henderson News Boy Athlete of the Week! Great Job, Carson! Read the article here: https://www.thehendersonnews.com/etvarsity/thn-boy-athlete-of-the-week-leveretts-chapels-carson-ford/article_dca8f832-b612-4e84-9fff-eadb34c1d8b8.html Go Lions!

Leverett's Chapel Students - We need your help! In an effort to raise money for our Senior Class of 2025, we are holding a "Duct Tape" fundraiser! Send your child to school with money (every penny helps!) to add to the jar of the person they choose! Jars will be setup outside of the cafeteria. The jar with the most money on Friday, May 16th will be DUCT TAPED to a WALL!! Who will it be? Mr. Everett? Mr. Borden? Coach Hughes? or Coach AJ? Fundraising begins on Monday, April 21st!

The Leverett's Chapel JH teachers are preparing for the Junior High FUN day! We need YOUR help! Fun day is scheduled for Wednesday, May 21st. Please check out the flyer for items we are looking for to help our LC Junior High Students enjoy a FUN filled day! Any parent who would like to volunteer to help with setup or cleanup, or if you have any of the items you'd be willing to allow us to use, please email bhughes@leverettschapelisd.net or hmcclendon@leverettschapelisd.net

LC Community- Leverett's Chapel ISD would like to thank Altra Federal Credit Union and their Office Manager, Karina (Castillo) Rico, a proud Leverett’s Chapel alum, for their generous support of the LCHS Class of 2025 Project Graduation. Their donation of two $50 Visa gift cards and custom Arctic cups will contribute to a memorable send-off for our seniors. We deeply appreciate their commitment to our community and their ongoing support of our students. Altra Federal Credit Union, with the mission of "Helping You Live Your Best Life," offers a comprehensive range of financial services, including personal and business banking, loans, mortgages, investment services, and digital banking solutions. If you're in the area, consider visiting their Tyler branch: https://www.altra.org/locations/tyler-tx-troup-hwy/ Altra Federal Credit Union 5523 Troup Hwy. Tyler, TX 75707 Phone: 800-755-0055 Fax: 903-581-9870 Lobby Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Drive-Up Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM They also offer SAM-e®, Altra’s Smart 24/7 Deposit & Loan Payment Taking ATM, for your convenience. Thank you once again, Altra, for being a valued partner in our community. Go Lions!

LC Community- I know I sound like a broken record—but Lion Country did it again. On Wednesday, the district celebrated another fantastic day of attendance at 98.14%, with only four students absent across all campuses. If being excited about great attendance is wrong, I don’t want to be right. This is what commitment looks like. Attendance matters—and our students are showing up. Great job, everyone. Go Lions!

LC Community- Another great day in Lion Country. Yesterday, our district hit 99.59% attendance. Both the High School and Junior High posted a perfect 100%, and Elementary came in strong at 99.17%. Across all campuses, only one student was absent. That’s an outstanding reflection of our students’ dedication and the support from families and staff. Great job, everyone. Let’s keep the momentum going. Go Lions!

LC Community- The Lions are now officially over .500 and have already surpassed their total number of wins from last season. Offensive highlights from the latest victory include: Ethan Williams: 1-3, triple, RBI Ethan Vaden: 1-2, 3 runs scored, walk Carson Ford: 3-3, triple, 2 RBI Davis Tryon: 2-2, 3 RBI Keaton Geter: 1-2, 2 RBI Trent Wheat: 0-1, 2 walks, 2 runs scored, 4 stolen bases On the mound: Carson Ford was dominant, pitching 4 complete innings with 7 strikeouts, allowing only 3 hits in a shutout performance. Next game: Monday, April 21st vs. Union Hill At Union Hill | First pitch at 6:00 PM Go Lions!

The baseball schedule has changed to help accommodate our test takers to give them the best opportunity for success.

LC Community- LC Alumni Spotlight: Karina (Castillo) Rico – Leading with Heart, Building with Purpose Some stories are rooted in quiet strength, relentless drive, and a deep sense of purpose. That’s exactly what you’ll find in the journey of Karina (Castillo) Rico, a proud Leverett’s Chapel Valedictorian from the Class of 2014. Karina began her time at LC as a freshman and quickly established herself as a standout student, earning top honors while also pursuing a cosmetology certificate through Kilgore College during her junior and senior years. By the time she graduated, she already held her cosmetology license—a remarkable accomplishment for any high school senior. She’s continued working part-time in that field ever since, blending creativity with her lifelong commitment to service. In fact, I have to share this—my wife, my son, and I have all gotten our haircuts from Karina over the years. She’s just that dependable, talented, and trusted by our community. She’s been serving others for a long time, even before her career officially began. Karina’s post-graduation journey reflects the very spirit of Leverett’s Chapel: small beginnings, big dreams, and the courage to chase them. She earned an Associate Degree in Management from Kilgore College, graduating with high honors in 2015. While still in school, she started her first job in the financial industry as a part-time teller at East Texas Professional Credit Union, quickly moving up to Financial Services Representative. In 2016, she enrolled at UT Tyler, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting with a minor in Management by 2018. During that time, she joined Altra Federal Credit Union, where her career has blossomed. Through hard work and drive, Karina has risen through the ranks—from part-time teller to Financial Service Rep II, to Assistant Office Manager, and now Office Manager II, a role she’s proudly held for the last three years. She currently leads a team of ten employees, overseeing all aspects of branch operations—from staffing and training to financial decision-making, community engagement, and conflict resolution. Management has always been her dream, and she’s living it with purpose and grace. “Helping you live your best life,” Altra’s vision, is something Karina embraces every day—not just through her leadership at work but through her active involvement in the community. She has volunteered with organizations such as Junior Achievement, PATH, For the Silent, Champion for Children, Ambucs, and the East Texas Food Bank, serving in roles from event planning to fundraising and committee leadership. She’s also given her time as a faith formation teacher at Christ the King Catholic Church in Kilgore. Karina’s drive extends beyond her full-time career. Alongside her husband—whom she met in high school—she co-owns Rico’s Welding Services, where she manages business operations while her husband handles the welding. Their teamwork, both personally and professionally, is an inspiring testament to what dedication and partnership can build. As a first-generation college student, Karina’s path wasn’t always clear—but she credits Leverett’s Chapel with giving her the guidance and support she needed. “My parents didn’t go to college, so they couldn’t guide me through that part of life. But the staff at LC stepped in. My math teacher showed me how to take college courses early, and my English teacher helped me improve my essays. They went above and beyond to make sure I had the tools to succeed—and I’ll never forget that.” Karina’s story reminds us that success isn’t about where you come from—it’s about where you’re going, and who you choose to become along the way. She is a shining example of how a small school can produce powerful leaders, and her journey continues to inspire our current students and alumni alike. Karina, we are proud of the life you're building—at home, in your career, and in your community. Thank you for showing us all what it looks like to lead with purpose, and to give back with heart. To our LC community—please share this spotlight and tag other LC alumni doing great things. Let’s keep this celebration of success going! Know someone who should be featured next? Reach out! Email: meverett@leverettschapelisd.net Cell: 903-808-0182 It’s not where you start. It’s where you’re going.