“We are incredibly proud of these students for representing the Murray Independent School District at the highest level and for their dedication to musical excellence,” said Hunter Carter, Murray Independent School District Band Director.
(from left to right) DeeDee Shastri, Zoey Medeiros, Kai Mize Harper, Amro Dalloul, Anthony Hughes, Jaden Park, Gideon Ross, and Caleb Zeiss
Jeremy Whitmore, Calloway County Tourism Commission Director ,( front right), and Sherry Purdom, Community Education Director (front left) holding $1,000 check from Calloway County Tourism Commission to assist with growing MKY Cares Mistletoe Marketplace. Also pictured (from left): Dr. David Meinschein, Ed.D.MISD Superintendent, Jessica Morris, Murray Calloway County Chamber Director of Membership Development, Sarah Kaegi, MISD Finance Officer/MKY Cares, Melanie Jarvis, MISD Director Student Services, Andrea Morris, The Den Services, Melissa Durham, Murray/Calloway FRYSC, Mechelle Morgan, MISD Director of Instructional Technology/MKY Cares/Leadership Tomorrow, Krystal Johnson, MKY Cares, Dan Hicks, Murray/Calloway Area Technology Center principal/ chair of CEAC, Brian Provine, ATC Carpentry Instructor, and Matthew Todd, ATC Electrical Kevin Colston, Machine Tool
The Community Education Advisory Council (CEAC) /MKY Cares received a $1,000 grant from The Calloway County Tourism Commission to assist with marketing for the Mistletoe Marketplace event launched by the CEAC sub-committee MKY Cares this past December.
This is the first year that the Calloway County Tourism Commission is offering marketing grants to support tourism-related businesses and nonprofits in Calloway County. These funds must be used exclusively for marketing and communications efforts aimed at attracting visitors from at least 50 miles outside of Calloway County. CEAC/MKY Cares is one of four grant recipients of the award designed to help local organizations increase visitors traffic to the Calloway County area.
"The Calloway County Tourism Commission is pleased to support Mistletoe Marketplace. This grant will support marketing outside of Calloway County and welcome visitors to this wonderful event,” said Jeremy Whitmore, Calloway County Tourism Commission Director.
This past year the CEAC/MKY Cares launched the first Mistletoe Marketplace at the Area Technology Center with 23 outside vendors and five school organizations. This new holiday event is hosted by the Community Education Advisory Council in honor of the vision of the late Ricky Lamkin, who passed away in 2019. The MKY Cares Mistletoe Marketplace now serves as the primary initiative to support local non-profits and student groups from Murray and Calloway County Schools.
MKY Cares, founded in early 2019, is a grassroots organization created to raise funds and distribute them to various organizations throughout Calloway County. The idea for the organization began through a collaborative effort between the Community Education Advisory Council and the Family Youth Services Center, representing both Murray and Calloway County Schools. The mission has expanded to include opportunities for student groups to support community non-profits and student organizations.
During the 2025 Mistletoe Marketplace, patrons enjoyed early holiday shopping, food trucks, and performances by Murray High and Calloway County High School’s choirs.
ATC HOSA, Carpentry, Machine Tool, Welding, Culinary departments participated. Each department sold their projects to the public, while HOSA collected items for the elderly and the Anna Mae Owen Hospice House.
The Leadership Tomorrow group, comprised of both Calloway County and Murray High School juniors and seniors, served as event ambassadors. The LT group also hosted fundraising for their program.
Most recently, MKY Cares announced the 2026 Mistletoe Marketplace dates, Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026 at the Area Technology Center. For more information contact sherry.purdom@murray.kyschools.us.
Kids Company is hiring summer staff, and we’re looking for energetic, positive, and dependable people to help make this summer unforgettable for our Tigers.
🕒 Daytime shifts only: 7:00–3:30, 8:00–4:30, 9:00–5:30
🚫 No weekends
💲 $11.25/hour
If you want a job that lets you make a difference AND still enjoy your summer—you just found it.
👉 Contact June Saville at june.saville@murray.kyschools.com
👉 Or submit your application online!
Join us and help make this the best summer yet! 🐯☀️
Grand March Tickets can be purchased at the link:
https://gofan.co/event/6339826?schoolId=KY13134
#murrayschools
(second picture left to right): Ariana Goodwin, Mackenzie Enochs, Brailee Resh, Jarrod Darnall, 5th grade math teacher, Khush Patel, MHS Beta Club, Betsy Weinberger, Dorothy Weinberger, Carstyn Byars, Jason Lindsey, and Cody Brown, MMS 4-5 Assistant Principal
During the Murray Middle School Math and Science Family Night, Jason Lindsey presented Hooked on Science in the MMS Auditorium. Lindsey is a Kentucky native who is a nationally recognized meteorologist, STEM educator, multimedia science journalist, and author.
Murray High School Ambassadors and students from MHS LEO and Beta Club directed by Sarah Hultman assisted with projects. The Math and Science stations included: Aluminum Foil Boat Challenge, Paper Airplane Accuracy Lab, and the Index Card Tower Challenge.
During the stations students were asked to answer questions that included----"How Does Weight Placement Affect Flight,” “Why do Engineers use triangles in bridges,” and “How does surface area affect how much weight it holds.”
#murrayschools
Students at the Willis Center Murray Preschool Headstart Class had their first cookin session. Using funds from a Health and Nutrition Grant, the students made Healthy Shamrock Shakes.
"Students even went back for seconds," said Katie Williams, Willis Center Instructor
The students will experience two more cooking sessions, then take home supplies to cook in their own kitchens with families. Families did receive a visual recpie of the Shamrock Shakes to try at home. #murrayschools
During the March Murray Independent Board Meeting some of Murray Middle School's Drama Club cast members from the upcoming Alice in Wonderland, Jr., play provided mini-performances for their upcoming March 26-27 show at Murray Middle School.
The play’s showtimes are 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. nightly, with doors opening at 4:30 and 6:30 each evening. There will be a $5 charge at the door. A grant from the MISD Foundation for Excellence helped offset expenses for the production that included props for the show and supplies to build/paint/create props, brochures for the show and tickets for admission.
"We are so excited for our production of Alice in Wonderland, Jr. as all of our cast members have worked hard with the outstanding guidance of Ms. Abby Meadows, our student producer from Murray State University. Our member list doubled in size from last year so navigating two casts has been challenging at times, however, the kids have thrived in their roles, “said MMS Drama Club Sponsor, Emily Parker.
MMS Drama Club consists of these team members: Emily Parker - Club Sponsor/Assistant Producer, Abby Meadows, MSU Student- Producer, Allison Haynes/Kristin Cooper - Running Sound/Music, Lindsay Orr/Taylor Garland – Choreography, Other Assistants: Betsy Kinnane, Lindsey Crane, Molly Logston, Jennifer Barnhill-McCormick, and Allison Dublin. Special Recognition: Shelley Stubblefield, MMS Principal, Cody Brown, MMS Assistant Principal, MMS Front Office-Teresa Butler, Jasmine McClain, and Linda Paluso, and Volunteer Parents who have dedicated countless hours and energy the production of the show. #murrayschools
There will be over 15 student-led tables that represent a variety of heritage and culture. There will be music, art, and food from around the world at this free, family friendly event.
Festival of Nations will be hosted in the commons area in front of the Taylor Gymnasium on March 26th 4:30-6:30. #murrayschools
“We are incredibly proud of these students for representing the Murray Independent School District at the highest level and for their dedication to musical excellence,” said Hunter Carter, Murray Independent School District Band Director.
(from left to right) DeeDee Shastri, Zoey Medeiros, Kai Mize Harper, Amro Dalloul, Anthony Hughes, Jaden Park, Gideon Ross, and Caleb Zeiss
Three Murray High students were state finalists (top six) and advanced in the following events:
DECLAMATION
5th - Lydia Smith
IMPROMPTU SPEAKING
4th - Ali Yarali
5th - Ava Podrovitz
Students advanced to semifinals (top twelve) in the following events:
DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION
Faith McCafferty
ORATORY
Olivia McLaughlin
PROSE
Ellie Shaw-Klarer
STORYTELLING
Laney Like
Students advanced to quarterfinals (top twenty-four) in the following events:
IMPROVISATIONAL DUO
Ava Podrovitz & Alexis Ray
The following students also added to the team effort and competed across various events at the state tournament: Roman Anderson, Anastasia Arkova, Emma Bailey, Lylah Bennett, Will Burkeen, Gavin Gorman, Jade Green, Mira Kinsley, Zoey Mason, Chyanne Miller, Vanessa Oster, Khush Patel, Susie Todd, and Arlo Vance.
The Murray High Speech Team is coached by Michael Robinson with assistant coaches Jennifer McCafferty and Drew Thompson.
(photo two) 2026 Leadership Tomorrow Students inside The People’s House -A White House Experience, created and operated by the White House Historical Association, provides cutting-edge exhibits, hands on displays of the White House located steps away from the museum.
(other pictures included from moments from the trip)
The Leadership Tomorrow Group comprised of Calloway County and Murray High School students travelled to Washington, D.C., with 25 students from the class, made up of 41 students. Chaperones Shawn Smee, Sherry and John Purdom, Mechelle Morgan, and Ashley Fritsche accompanied the students to Washington.
Members of the group apply each year by application and travel to D.C. as a culminating event to the year-long class. Members of this year’s Leadership Tomorrow class who attended the trip: Idaly Alvarado, Jackson Ames, Jolijah Arrieta, Will Burkeen Kaylee Cooper, Cindy Damian-Figueroa, Logan Dodd, Flora Falwell, Sophie Georgiou, Tyce Gibson, Connor Hall, Owen Howell, Naya James, Nate Johnson, Trent Jones, William Lanier, Tanner Morgan, Kameron Myers. Krishiv Patel, Connor Pile, Addison Shultz, Olivia Smee, Allie Speelman, Ryan Turman, and Claire Wilcher.
While in DC the students visited the Capitol, Washington and Lincoln Monument, National Archives, Smithsonian’s, Post Office Tour, Ford’s Theatre, and a nighttime Monument Tour. While there, students were able to meet outside the capitol with U.S. Congressman James Comer (R) U.S. Representative for Kentucky's 1st Congressional District, serving since 2016 and currently chairing the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability in 2026. Sen. Comer talked to students about his role in Washington –government operations, labor, and investigations, including recent inquiries into the Jeffrey Epstein case.
Students also visited Georgetown, and Georgetown University. A visit to the O Museum known as "The coolest place in DC," was a fun, family-friendly attraction. With unique collections (such as secret doors) that promoted every culture, resulting in a wide-ranging collection of art, paintings, photographs, sculpture, books, artifacts, music, sports, science, and architecture from all over the globe.
Each day the group took in sites throughout both D.C.s, walking up to twelve miles a day. A silent online auction hosted by the students, participating in The Mistletoe Marketplace, along with additional donations from numerous community businesses and individuals, made the trip possible.
We are so thankful and appreciative to everyone for their support and loyalty to our Leadership Tomorrow program and to make this trip possible! #murrayschools
Murray High School Educators Rising Club members attended the State Educators Rising Conference in Louisville, Ky. “We are very excited to keep building programming momentum and empower more future educators in this second year of this club,” said Sarah Hultman, MHS Advisor.
Students had the opportunity to attend breakout sessions to learn about different facets of the education field, they heard from the state officers about their work this year, and heard from several keynote speakers:
• Dr. Roger Cleveland — Education Advocate and Speaker
• Mrs. Kara Dowdy — KY High School Teacher of the Year (Mayfield HS)
• Mr. Rocky Adkins — Senior Advisor to Governor Andy Beshear
• Dr. Robbie Fletcher — KY Commissioner of Education
During the conference, students competed in a variety of categories:
• Bria Stiff competed and won first place in the Varsity Educators Rising Moment category, which required her to give a speech about why she wants to be an educator.
• Madelyn Sugg competed and placed fifth in the Varsity Interactive Bulletin Board category, which required presenting a bulletin board that she designed. Her board was "Hungry 4 Math" which helps teach addition using different number representations.
• Emerson Smee and Journie Merriss competed in the Junior Varsity Interactive Bulletin Board category, which also required presenting a bulletin board of their design. Their board was "CVC Rhyme Time" which could be used to practice CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words and to make connections with picture representations and rhyming words.
#murrayschools
David Hightower, Murray Middle School custodian, and Renee Ramsey, Murray Preschool Alexander Hall instructor, were recognized as the CFSB Tiger Pride Award recipients during March Murray Independent School Board meeting. Hightower was recognized as the Tiger Staff Member of the Month and Ramsey was recognized as the Educator of the Month.
Hightower was nominated for this award four different times by various staff members.
“Mr. David begins every day with a positive attitude. He always says good morning and asks me how everything is going. He is attentive and interested in anything I have to say, whether it is related to a custodial/maintenance issue, or if it is something about my weekend. He works hard and takes a lot of pride in how our building looks and that everything is operational. He never hesitates to help me out with any custodial/maintenance needs. He is thoughtful of my time. For example, he had to fix something in my room but rearranged his schedule so that he could come to my classroom when students weren't there.” said one nominator. “Mr. David, thank you for all that you do for the Murray Middle School family. Your dedication and service exemplify what it truly means to be a Tiger,” said another nominator.
Ramsey ‘s multiple nominations reflect the powerful influence she has on both students and colleagues. “A shining star who consistently goes above and beyond for her students and colleagues,” said one nominator. “Creative, hardworking, and deeply dedicated to making learning meaningful and fun--ways present, always committed—building a classroom where students feel respected, inspired, and excited to learn every day,” said another nominator.
As the Murray Independent School District celebrates the outstanding people who make Murray Independent School District special, the district offers their sincere appreciation to the CFSB, Murray Foundation for Excellence, and Sonic partners who show their support to the Tiger family. #murrayschools
The Superhero Festival is a collaborative effort between Murray FRYSC, MISD Preschool, and Murray Elementary, designed to support early learning and help prepare our youngest heroes for kindergarten. Through this working-together partnership children gain a strong and confident start to their educational journey. #murrayschools
Murray High School students pictured are recognized for their works from the show: (back row left to right) : David Howard, Grierre Bourque, Anatasia Arkova, Kristi Smith, Norah Tompkins, Allison Sugg, Zoe Rea, and Kenna Shutt. (front row left to right): Kailyn Lutz, Maya Crittendon, Adeline Pitman, Samantha Edwards, and Madelyn Sugg,
Awards:
Norah Tompkins- Honorable Mention Painting
David Howard- 3rd place Painting
Allison Sugg- 2nd Place Painting
Kailyn Lutz- 2nd place Drawing
Madelyn Sugg- 1st place Photography
Grierre Bourque- 1st Place Ceramics
Madelyn Sugg and Grierre Bourque’s art pieces advanced to the 2026 state level competition in May.
In honor of March being Arts Education Month, the Murray Independent School District salutes the district’s art programs, as well as the community’s art organizations. #murrayschools
