Fort Worth ISD Visual and Performing Arts

Congratulations to Charlotte Woods, vocal student from R.L. Paschal High School and Sabastian Ferrell, trumpet student from Eastern Hills High School, for being awarded the prestigious E. Clyde Whitlock Music Scholarship from The Woman's Club of Fort Worth to support their summer music camp studies.

These scholarships provide talented young musicians with opportunities to further develop their artistry through summer music enrichment and advanced study. We are proud of Charlotte and Sabastian for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to musical excellence.

Thank you to The Woman's Club of Fort Worth for their continued support of music education and for investing in the future of student musicians in Fort Worth ISD.

🎓Congratulations to our incredible Fort Worth ISD graduates!🎓

Thank you for your dedication, creativity, and passion for the arts. Your contributions have left a lasting impact on our schools, our community, and the hearts of everyone you've inspired along the way.

As you take the next step in your journey, know that we are cheering you on every step of the way.

May the road you take lead to everything you want for your life.
Keep creating. Keep dreaming. Keep shining.

CONGRATS CLASS OF 2026!

“Break a leg” to the incredible company of I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA Theatre as they head to Austin tomorrow to represent Fort Worth Independent School District at the 4A State UIL One Act Play Contest! 🎭⭐

The journey to the State stage begins months earlier, auditions and rehearsals start in November, followed by clinics, benchmarks, and countless hours of preparation. Schools advance through multiple rounds of competition: Zone, District, Bi-District, Area, and Region, before earning the opportunity to compete among the top eight plays in the entire state.

This year marked a historic milestone for Fort Worth ISD
🎭 FWISD had representation in both the 4A and 5A Region contests for the first time ever.
🎭 I.M. Terrell Academy for STEM and VPA advanced to the State Contest — the first FWISD school to do so this century.

FWISD’s history in the State UIL One Act Play Contest runs deep:
🏆 Fort Worth Central (now R.L. Paschal High School) won the State Championship in 1928-29 with The Sponge directed by Geraldine Hill.
🏆 Polytechnic High School earned second place in 1931 with Thursday Evening directed by Margaret Cameron.
🏆 Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School advanced in 1997.
🏆 Arlington Heights High School advanced in 1998 with Edith Stein under the direction of Anne P. Hunter, Bob King, and Faith Massey.

Now, on May 18, the cast and crew of Shipwrecked: The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as told by himself) take the stage under the direction of Hayden Lopez and Breanna Bonilla.

Congratulations to the entire company on this extraordinary accomplishment. FWISD is proud of you and cheering you on all the way to the State stage!

During the 2026 TEAM season, 7,262 works were adjudicated at the regional level, with only 472 earning the prestigious Top of TEAM medal distinction. Fort Worth ISD submitted 114 entries in TEAM Region 11S, with an incredible 90 works receiving the highest rating of a 3 — and 12 FWISD students earning Top of TEAM honors! 👏🏽

Congratulations to these outstanding student artists and their dedicated teachers for this achievement:

🏅 Alexander Delgado – Painted Desert
Teacher: David Orona | Manuel Jara Elementary School

🏅 Carlos Granados – Thunder Clap
Teacher: David Orona | Manuel Jara Elementary School

🏅 Nathan Medina – Neon Flying Flower
Teacher: Rachel Rogers | Natha Howell Elementary

🏅 Angel Moreno – Dancing Tiger
Teacher: David Orona | Manuel Jara Elementary School

🏅 Abby Gonzalez – Mom, Where’s Lunch
Teacher: David Orona | Manuel Jara Elementary School

🏅 Fatima Castro – Tio Cheche Backyard
Teacher: David Orona | Manuel Jara Elementary School

🏅 Nadalie Cruz – Here Comes Rain
Teacher: David Orona | Manuel Jara Elementary School

🏅 Mateo Diaz – Let’s Dance!
Teacher: Margaret Bubb | WJ Turner Elementary School

🏅 Andre Jocol – How We Celebrate Dia De Los Mu***os
Teacher: Margaret Bubb | WJ Turner Elementary School

🏅 Ximena Chavez – La Quinceañera De Mi Hermana
Teacher: Margaret Bubb | WJ Turner Elementary School

🏅 Kate E. Palmer – Embellishing Sunset
Teacher: Myra Shaub | Westpark Elementary School

🏅 Ashley Mendez – Funny Snowmen
Teacher: Ashley Elizondo | Worth Heights Elementary

We are grateful to the Bass Performance Hall Children’s Education Program for recognizing the incredible impact of arts education.

Congratulations to our Teaching Chairs honorees, Kacee Dobbins and Christa Martien Chanthavongsy, for this well-deserved recognition.

A special thank you to the students of McLean Middle School Band and the dancers from Diamond Hill-Jarvis High School for representing FWISD through their performances.

For the 13th consecutive year, Fort Worth ISD has been recognized as one of the by the NAMM Foundation!

This national honor recognizes Fort Worth ISD’s unwavering commitment to providing every student with access to high-quality music education and celebrates the exceptional music programs that thrive across our district.

Huge thanks to our incredible teachers, talented students, supportive district leaders, and community. Your dedication makes this recognition possible year after year.

To learn more about the award, visit: https://www.nammfoundation.org/what-we-do/bcme

Celebrating 13 years of excellence! Fort Worth ISD has earned recognition as a Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation — highlighting a strong commitment to music education and student success.

Join us in Fort Worth ISD! Apply here: https://bit.ly/applyfwisdvpa

Congratulations, Dr. Emily Saenz!!

From creating safe spaces for students to grow, to building a choir culture rooted in empathy, leadership, and community, Benbrook Middle-High School choir director Emily Saenz is changing lives through music. 🎶

Now, her impact is being recognized on a national stage as a quarterfinalist for the 2027 Grammy Music Educator Award. Out of more than 7,000 nominations nationwide, Saenz advanced into the top 200 educators recognized for excellence in music education and community impact.

Through her choir program, students regularly give back to the community by performing at churches of different faiths during an annual holiday choir tour, visiting and spending time with residents at local nursing homes, and helping restock community food pantries. These experiences help students build empathy, leadership, and a deeper connection to the people around them.

Whether she’s leading students in performances, organizing service projects, or helping students find confidence through song, Saenz is proving that music education is about far more than music, it’s about belonging.

This Teacher Appreciation Week, we celebrate educators like Dr. Saenz who go beyond the classroom to inspire and shape the next generation every single day. Thank you for the lasting impact you make on Fort Worth ISD students and families!