Publisher's Letter
It’s that time of year again, to set the alarm clock and get back into routines. Personally, I enjoy the structure of the school year because it keeps me on track. Don’t get me wrong, I welcome summer break by the time May rolls around, but in August, when the heat is making me feel like a roasted marshmallow, I’m ready for some structure.
Our summer was a mix of memorable moments, some medical bills, and plenty of time golfing and on the lake. My youngest, George, had a major bike wipeout, resulting in his first broken bone, so he’s starting the school year with his right arm out of commission. Both boys also got braces, that special rite of passage many middle schoolers must face.
This marks the first year the Meisenheimers will proudly consider ourselves Tiger Hawks, with one kid attending TISD and the other at PGISD. We are fortunate to have such excellent local schools in Texarkana. It’s a privilege that allows both my boys, with their distinct personalities and needs, to thrive in environments best suited to them.
Reflecting on my high school days, I’m grateful for how they shaped me. Those years were far from perfect but incredibly formative. I remember being intimidated by the older kids on my first day of high school. Initially, I tried out for cheerleader and mascot but didn’t make either. However, just before the year started, I found out I would be the mascot after all because the original choice withdrew. I was extremely excited knowing my friend, Kacie Kirkland, made varsity cheerleader as a freshman, and we would get to be together.
While I had fun with the cheerleaders, I didn’t enjoy my mascot duties. Wearing that bulldog head was like living in a sauna. I often wore ice packs under the costume to avoid heat stroke. So, while I have no desire to relive my days as “Spike,” the bulldog, it definitely led to some fun memories.
At one point, we got to travel to Austin to cheer on our volleyball team at state. I still remember the excitement and the no-seatbelt rides in the cheer sponsor’s conversion van—times sure have changed! I loved being involved and cheering on our team from the sidelines, but I wish I had engaged more instead of being a typical rebellious teen.
This is our annual Friday Night Lights and Back to School issue—always fun but a lot of work. Watching the students from each of the local districts come together for one night is so worth the effort. Friday Night Lights photos are an immense undertaking— coordinating all those kids and sponsors for football, cheer, band, drill team, color guard, and mascots. I am so grateful to everyone at Texarkana Magazine.
I hope you enjoy everything we have for you this month. Thank you for appreciating another issue into which we’ve poured our hearts.
