After Convocation, the district put on the inaugural Back to School Block Party. Over 100 vendors from all over the county, including University Health Immunizations and Communities in Schools, came together to give free resources to students in the district. From back-to-school immunizations to free backpacks, the event was a great way to gather the community to ensure students are successful for the upcoming school year.  The district also offered free water, hotdogs, and popcorn to anyone who attended. 

The event also includes student performances from the district’s Mojorimba group, the district’s mariachi groups, and the dance team from Judson High School. Convocation keynote Stephen Mackey returned to give attendees and athletes uplifting words of encouragement for the upcoming school year. The event was a rousing success, ensuring that students are set up for success for the upcoming school year.

Click here to view the entire photo album for the event.

Guest Speaker: Stephen Mackey

Stephen Mackey is a player development coach, Wall Street Journal Best Selling Author, and founder of 2Words Character Development.

In January 2017, Mackey asked the question: “What would it take to help one million athletes and coaches connect the dots between sports and life?”

The answer to that question became 2Words Character Development (www.2words.tv). Built on the Six Pillars—Tough People Win, Integrity Over Everything, Growth Follows Belief, Excellence Everywhere, Relentless Effort, and Service Before Self— 2Words has become one of the top leadership and character curriculums in the country; and in 2021, became the Official Character Development Curriculum of the Texas High School Coaches Association.

As a member of the THSCA’s IDEA committee, Mackey is the author of the 4L’s Curriculum, a resource designed to equip Texas coaches to lead their athletes and programs through the most difficult issues of the day (www.thsca.com/4ls).

Over the last five years, Mackey has spoken on stages and in locker rooms—from six man to six A— over 1400 times. He has an uncanny ability to connect with the heart of today’s student athlete. Through humor, timeless wisdom, and his infectious energy, Mackey equips students and coaches to go beyond the game in ways few others have. Drawing upon the lessons learned from coaches, championship teams, and the Six Pillars, Mackey helps teams build a Culture of Character.

Mackey’s first book, co-authored with Damon West, is called The Locker Room: How Great Teams Heal Hurts, Overcome Adversity, and Build Unity, and debuted on the Wall Street Journal Best Sellers List in May of 2022.

Mackey is a first-generation college graduate with a B.S. from Texas A&M University and a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary. Mackey is currently working on a Doctorate of Ministry, also at Fuller. Among his many accomplishments, Mackey is most proud of his role as a devoted husband to his wife, Teressa, and father to their four kids.