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Autumn Reo
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FOR RELEASE: Start the Journey Youth Voice Finalists

Finalists Named for “Start the Journey” Youth Voice Competition presented by the Ramblin’ Roads Music Festival
Finalists to Compete at Arlington Music Hall

Part of the Three-Day Celebration of 60 Music Acts at 18 Venues + Special Events in
Downtown Arlington, October 1-3, 2021

(ARLINGTON, Texas – Sept. 27, 2021) – Sixteen local North Texas young adults, ages 14-19, have been named finalists for the Start the Journey Youth Voice Competition by the Ramblin’ Roads Music Festival. The Start the Journey finalists were chosen by a special committee including faculty and representatives of the Music Industry Studies Department at The University of Texas at Arlington. At 2 pm this Sunday, Oct. 3, the specially selected finalists will advance to the Start the Journey competition performance at Arlington Music Hall, the same stage where many legendary artists like Maren Morris and Leann Rimes have kickstarted their music careers. The public is invited to this free event and no tickets are required to attend the performance.

The Start the Journey Youth Voice Competition finalists are:

Amy Hoemke, Grand Prairie Fine Arts Academy, Grand Prairie ISD

Anyssa McDonald, Summit High School, Mansfield ISD

Camille Breitenstein, Martin High School, Arlington ISD

Dylan Dalton, Martin High School, Arlington ISD

Emylie Althoff, Haltom High School, Birdville ISD

Erica Fulbright, Greenhill School, Addison, Texas

Ilanna Feldman, Greenhill School, Addison, Texas

Julia Suazo, Haltom High School, Birdville ISD

Kiara Mullin, Martin High School, Arlington ISD

Landon Hodges, The Oakridge School, Arlington, Texas

Lucan Lopez, Greenhill School, Addison, Texas

Mallory Rose Gomez, Lamar High School, Arlington ISD

Miki Hooper, Keller High School, Keller ISD

Riley Gilbreath, North Crowley High School, Crowley ISD

Finalists are competing for the title of Best Vocalist in each of the four teams as well as a Fan Favorite, chosen by the audience. One winner will be selected from each group and receive $250. The overall Grand Prize Winner will also receive $500. In addition to the cash prize, each winner will receive a recording session at The Cove Studios, a professional recording studio, and an opportunity to perform live as part of an opening act at the Levitt Pavilion Arlington.

The “Start the Journey” Youth Voice Competition is part of the 2021 Ramblin’ Roads Music Festival, a celebration of all the diverse music, people, and memories that come together for the best American road trip. Debuting October 1 – 3, 2021 in Arlington, a designated State of Texas Music Friendly Community, attendees will enjoy an eclectic mix of live music throughout the three-day festival featuring Levitt Pavilion, Arlington Music Hall, Texas Live!, and 15+ venues and various hosted events including Jazz in the Park, Urban Artisan Market, “Start the Journey” Youth Voice Competition, Classic Car Show and Sunday Gospel Brunch. Founded and coordinated by the Downtown Arlington organization, Ramblin’ Roads is created through the collaboration of the community and its many businesses that make up Downtown Arlington. This year’s schedule is available on the festival’s website, RamblinRoadsFest.com.

The Board of Trustees met in regular session on Thursday, September 23. The following link will provide you a summary of actions taken at their meeting.

> View September 23, 2021 e-review
> View Board of Trustees Website

Birdville ISD is paying for all 10th and 11th grade students to take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) on Wednesday, October 13, 2021*. 

* Ninth-grade students may opt in to take the test by registering and paying the $18 fee on the BISD web store.  >Access BISD PSAT/NMSQT Registration/Payment form  

Seniors may opt-in to take the SAT School Day** (Wednesday, October 13, 2021) by registering on campus. Only seniors who did not participate as juniors are eligible. 

** Non-testers in Grade 12 will adhere to a 9:30 a.m. late arrival. Late arrival does not apply to Shannon High School. 

Birdville ISD is paying for all eighth-grade students to take the PSAT 8/9 on the dates below. (Dates are campus specific.) 

NOTE: If a student does not feel well on test day, please stay home. The District is taking measures to help create a safe testing environment; however, it is critical to take personal responsibility in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure. For additional information, contact the department of Advanced Academics at 817-547-5500, ext. 14908. 

Resources 

Practice with Khan Academy 

>View College Board SAT Practice Flyer 

>View Khan Academy/SAT Practice 

Prepare with the 2021–22 PSAT 8/9 Student Guide 

>View 2021–22 PSAT 8/9 Student Guide 

Prepare with the 2021 PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide 

>Access 2021 PSAT/NMSQT Student Guide 

Prepare with the 2021–22 SAT School Day Student Guide 

>Review 2021–22 SAT School Day Student Guide 

Connect with Colleges by Opting In to Student Search Service (SSS) 

>Opt In to Student Search Service (SSS) 

Connect Students to Scholarships with the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, and PSAT 10 

>See How It Works 

Opportunity Scholarships (NEW from College Board) 

>View Scholarship Opportunities  

There is a trend on TikTok called “Devious Lick” that encourages students to video themselves vandalizing bathrooms and stealing odd objects from schools and homes. This activity is a crime and students may face criminal charges and school discipline up to long-term DAEP placement, as well as financial responsibility for costly replacement or repair costs. Please help us stop this expensive trend. 

Birdville Stadium will be closed to the BISD community Aug. 31 – Sept. 7 for maintenance work on the track. We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

With the return of students to face-to-face instruction, BISD has created a dashboard (“the Dashboard”) to provide BISD families and staff with information about new active COVID-19 cases in the District. An “active case” is defined as an individual who has been in a BISD school and test-confirmed to have COVID-19. Individuals who test positive are excluded from participation in any in-person/on-campus activity until the campus nurse verifies that the individual meets the return criteria set by state and local health authorities. 

This data will be updated each Friday afternoon.  

Click to view the Dashboard