Wichita Falls ISD students and staff recognized for London parade; district hears $1.4M trip fundraising report

Trustees heard two school recognition presentations: Memorial High School’s volleyball student-athletes were honored for academic-all-state awards, and district band staff and students described a recent London parade and performance tour that organizers said put Wichita Falls on a global stage.

Kelly Barnett, Memorial’s head volleyball coach, detailed academic honors for Jordan Freeman, Addie Renner and Eva Gazelle and explained the GPA and participation criteria for TGCA, THSCA and ABCA recognitions.

District band organizers and chaperones then described the band’s London trip, saying students performed in a parade viewed by large international audiences and took part in multiple cultural visits. A presenter said about 250 parents and supporters traveled with students and that many students were traveling by airplane for the first time. The presenter added, "We brought all the same people back," and recounted the group’s parade exposure and community response.

Organizers described the fundraising effort: one presenter said the total cost of the trip was "1,400,000.0" and explained that roughly half of that amount came directly from families and the other half from fundraising and private donations—more than 200 community foundations, businesses and private donors were mentioned. Presenters thanked parent volunteers and local supporters for making the trip possible and highlighted the trip’s educational benefits, including leadership development, cultural exposure and college-and-career readiness.

Board members asked about logistics—how students were fed, hotel arrangements and chaperone coverage—and presenters described prepaid meal cards, hotel-provided breakfasts and group-specific events (New Year’s Eve party, silent disco) set up for the travelers. The board recognized the trip as a notable educational and community engagement effort.