Cardinal Brief: Jan. 8-12

Miranda Sirota, Editor-in-Chief

January 5, 2024

Students get back to learning after the winter break in new classrooms. The second floor of the four-story expansion opened on Jan. 3 for classes previously housed in portable buildings.

Cardinal Update

DUAL CREDIT INFO: Students and parents who missed the virtual dual credit meeting on Jan. 4 can find the video presentation as well as more information by clicking HERE.
CHEER/MASCOT TRYOUTS: Interested in joining the MHS cheer program? Informational meetings will be held on Jan. 18 and Jan. 29 at 5:30 in the student union. Students must attend one of the two provided meetings prior to tryout clinics. Tryout clinics will be held at the sixth grade center from 4:30-6:30 p.m., Feb. 5-7. Tryouts will be held on Feb. 8 beginning at 4:30 p.m. Anyone with questions, please see Coach Whorton in A322 or email [email protected]
SENIOR PORTRAITS DEADLINE: Some seniors have not scheduled an appointment yet with CADY to be photographed. Remember, all seniors MUST be photographed by CADY to be featured in the yearbook. For students wanting the yearbook pose only, there is no charge and CADY will provide all clothing items (formal wear and graduation gown). CADY will return to campus one LAST time on Jan. 10. The last date to be photographed at their Plano studio is Jan. 15.
ACADEMIC EXPO: Counselors will begin visiting classes this week to discuss course requests for the 2024-25 school year. An Academic Expo will be held on Jan. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the gym and student union. This is an opportunity for students and parents/guardians to visit with teachers and learn more about all of the MHS programs of study.
DUAL CREDIT SESSIONS: The academic counselors will host “New to Dual Credit Application Sessions” during Mega Lunch A & B on Jan. 17, 18 & 19 for anyone interested in enrolling in a dual credit course for the first time. It is MANDATORY that students attend at least ONE of these sessions. The Collin College Dual Credit application deadline is Friday, Feb. 23. Any student who fails to meet the application deadline will NOT BE ALLOWED to continue with the dual credit registration process.
END OF SEMESTER: While semester exams for yearlong classes were given before winter break, the 2nd nine weeks and fall semester do not officially end until Jan. 19. The 3rd nine weeks and spring semester begin on Jan. 23.
SENIOR ADS DEADLINE: Yearbook tributes for graduating seniors are on sale now through Feb. 1, 2024. Build and purchase an ad online at YearbookOrderCenter.com.
THEATRE MUSICAL: Tickets for Melissa Theatre’s performances of “Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical” are on sale NOW. Click HERE to purchase tickets.
SENIORS: According to House Bill 3, every senior must complete either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or a state-mandated Opt Out form in order to graduate. Click here to learn more. The FAFSA opened on Dec. 31. MHS will host a FAFSA Night on Feb. 5 from 6-8 p.m. in the student union. Students needing an opt-out form must pick one up from their counselor’s office.
DRIVER’S ED: Sign ups are now available in the main office for Driver’s Ed. The next class begins Feb. 15.

Upcoming Events

Jan. 9 – JV, Freshman & Varsity Boys Basketball vs Princeton – 4:30, 5:45 & 7 p.m.
Jan. 9 – JV1, Varsity & JV2 Girls Basketball vs Princeton – 4:30, 5:45 & 7 p.m.
Jan. 10 – Senior Portraits on campus – 9:30 a.m. to noon
Jan. 10 – Girls Wrestling @ RL Turner – 6 p.m.
Jan. 11-13 – Freshman Boys Soccer @ Denison Tournament
Jan. 11-13 – JV & Varsity Boys Soccer @ Celina Tournament
Jan. 11-12 – JV & Varsity Girls Soccer @ Denison Tournament
Jan. 11 – Girls Powerlifting @ Commerce – 4 p.m.
Jan. 11 – Boys Wrestling @ RL Turner – 6 p.m.
Jan. 12 – JV, Freshman & Varsity Boys Basketball @ McKinney North – 4:30, 5:45 & 7 p.m.
Jan. 12 – JV1, Varsity & JV2 Girls Basketball @ McKinney North – 4:30, 5:45 & 7 p.m.
Jan. 12-13 – Debate & Academic UIL @ Princeton
Jan. 13 – Boys & Girls Wrestling @ Highway 5 Invite, Anna – 9 a.m.
Jan. 15 – MLK Day – No School
Jan. 17 – Incoming Freshman Meeting -5:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 – Academic Expo – Gym & Student Union – 6-7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 – Cheer/Mascot Tryouts Informational Meeting – Student Union – 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 – National Honors Society Induction Ceremony – 7 p.m.
Jan. 19 – End of 2nd nine weeks & fall semester
Jan. 19-20 – Debate & Academic UIL – Cardinal Winter Classic
Jan. 22 – Teacher Work Day – No School
Jan. 25-27 – “Bullets Over Broadway: The Musical” Performances – purchase tickets here
Jan. 29 – Cheer/Mascot Tryouts Informational Meeting – Student Union – 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 5-7 – Cheer/Mascot Tryouts Materials Clinic – 6th Grade Center Gym – 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Feb. 8 – Cheer/Mascot Tryouts – 6th Grade Center Gym – 4:30 p.m.

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About the Contributors

Miranda Sirota, Editor-in-Chief

Miranda Sirota is a senior this year at Melissa High School. This is her third year writing for the Cardinal Connection. Miranda is also involved in other extracurriculars including Band, HOSA, NHS, academic UIL, and Book Club. Outside of school, she enjoys reading, cooking, and binge-watching her favorite TV shows. After graduating, Miranda plans to study Dental Hygiene to become a registered hygienist.

Korinne George, Reporter

Korinne George is a junior this year at Melissa High School. This is her first year as a reporter for the Cardinal Connection. She is involved in Student Council, Theatre and Interact. After school, you can catch her at rehearsal, with her friends, or just relaxing at home. She loves to write and is so excited to become a reporter!