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EMS ISD Recognized as One of the Nation's Best Communities for Music Education for 13th Consecutive Year

For Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, music education is about more than performances and awards. It is about creating opportunities for every student to discover their talents, build confidence and develop skills that last a lifetime.

That commitment has once again earned national recognition.

Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD has been named one of the 2026 Best Communities for Music Education by The NAMM Foundation, marking the 13th consecutive year the district has received the prestigious honor.

The Best Communities for Music Education designation recognizes school districts across the nation that demonstrate outstanding achievement in providing music access and education to all students. To earn the recognition, districts complete a comprehensive application detailing funding, graduation requirements, music class participation, instructional time, facilities, support for music programs and community music-making opportunities.

"This recognition reflects what we believe at EMS ISD, that every student deserves the opportunity to experience the power of music as part of a well-rounded education," said Carla Hardy, EMS ISD director of fine arts. "Receiving this honor for the 13th consecutive year is a testament to our dedicated teachers, supportive leadership, families and community members who continue to invest in meaningful opportunities for our students."

The NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education program celebrates school districts that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to ensuring all students have access to high-quality music education.

"Our community understands that fine arts are an essential part of preparing students for success," Hardy said. "We are grateful for the continued support of our music programs and look forward to creating even more opportunities for students to learn, grow and shine."

Receiving this recognition for the 13th straight year reflects EMS ISD's long-standing commitment to providing students with enriching educational experiences that extend beyond the classroom. From elementary music programs to award-winning middle and high school ensembles, students have opportunities to develop creativity, collaboration and confidence through music at every stage of their educational journey.

We are #EMSProud to once again be recognized as one of the nation's Best Communities for Music Education.

After a year of competing as Hollenstein Career & Technology Center students, four recent EMS ISD graduates earned some of the highest honors in the nation at the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference, held June 20-23 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, bringing home two national championships, a third place finish and three Blue Ribbon awards.

For Destiny Corner, a 2026 Boswell High School graduate, the moment marked more than a national win. It marked a return to the top.

Corner won 1st place in Educators Rising Moment, earning the title of national champion for the second consecutive year. Last summer, she earned a Blue Ribbon and 1st place in Varsity Project Visualize: Service at the Educators Rising National Conference in Orlando. This year, she stepped into a new event, built around the personal story of why she wants to become a teacher, and once again finished first in the nation.

Earlier this year, Corner said Educators Rising Moment was a natural fit because it allowed her to lean into her strengths and speak directly about the future she sees for herself in the classroom.

“I think of this as another step of being a successful teacher,” she said earlier this year. “All of these moments build up into one, so you learn how to build a lesson plan and why you want to be a teacher. So all of this works into an equation of why you want to be in a class one day.”

While Corner’s repeat national championship led the honors, she was not the only HCTC future educator recognized among the best in the nation.

Kaylee Higgs, a 2026 Saginaw High School graduate, finished first in the nation in Teacher Created Materials, earning a Blue Ribbon. Breslyn Tremaine, a 2026 Boswell High School graduate, and Lizeth Garcia, a 2026 Chisholm Trail High School graduate, finished third in the nation in Interactive Bulletin Board, also earning a Blue Ribbon. A Blue Ribbon is the highest achievement awarded in the competition, with only 10 students receiving Blue Ribbons in each national event.

Higgs’ first place finish and blue ribbon in Teacher Created Materials reflected the growth she has shown throughout the year. At state, she remembered having to adjust quickly when her presentation setup did not go as planned. Instead of letting the moment shake her, she adapted.

That flexibility became part of the lesson.

Teaching, after all, often asks educators to prepare carefully and then respond in real time to the needs of students, the classroom and the unexpected moments that come with both. For Higgs, the competition experience mirrored that reality and helped build confidence along the way.

“I feel like we spend so much time on the projects and put in so much effort that when we go compete, I don’t get nervous anymore,” Higgs said earlier this year. “I’m showcasing something I love, so it’s exciting for me.”

For Tremaine and Garcia, the recognition was the result of a partnership that began with creativity, teamwork and a shared love for teaching.

Earlier this year, Garcia said the Interactive Bulletin Board event pushed her to stretch beyond what felt comfortable and tap into her creative side. Working alongside Tremaine, she said, made the process even more meaningful.

Tremaine described the partnership as one of the most important parts of the experience.

By the time they reached the national stage, that work represented the skills future educators use every day, including communicating clearly, planning with purpose, creating something that helps students engage and learning how to collaborate toward a shared goal.

The national recognition is part of a larger story for these students who have already committed to pursuing education beyond high school and returning to serve others.

Through HCTC’s Education and Training program, students gain hands-on experience alongside mentor teachers in EMS ISD classrooms. As part of their practicum of education class, students completed 1,000 hours working with mentor teachers at grade levels they hope to teach in the future. They also graduated high school with six college credit hours through coursework completed in partnership with Tarleton State University.

Corner served at Creekview Middle School and plans to attend the University of North Texas to major in English with Secondary Teacher Certification. Garcia served at Willow Creek Elementary and plans to attend Tarrant County College and Tarleton State University to major in Elementary Education. Higgs served at High Country Elementary and plans to attend the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to major in Elementary Education. Tremaine served at Lake Country Elementary and plans to attend Tarleton State University to major in Elementary Teacher Education.

Each of those paths points back to the classroom.

For HCTC Education and Training Instructor Lindsey Metz, throughout the year, she watched these students grow into future educators learning how to carry themselves with purpose, professionalism and confidence.

“I love seeing their growth every year,” Metz said earlier this year. “From being scared to stand up and present to now showing confidence and being recognized for their work, it’s validation beyond our District.”

That validation now includes national recognition.

From a repeat national championship to Blue Ribbon honors, the results represent students who have found their voices, strengthened their skills and taken another step toward becoming the kind of educators who will one put these skills into practice in their own classrooms.

Please join EMS ISD in congratulating Destiny Corner, Breslyn Tremaine, Lizeth Garcia and Kaylee Higgs on their outstanding achievements at the 2026 Educators Rising National Conference.

EMS ISD celebrated an exciting milestone this summer with the launch of its inaugural TeachFest, a dynamic new professional learning experience designed to energize, empower, and elevate educators as they prepare for the year ahead.

TeachFest 2026 took place June 15-17 at Eagle Mountain High School and welcomed approximately 450 EMS ISD educators over the course of three days. The multi-day event marked a bold step forward in how EMS ISD approaches professional learning by offering educators a flexible, engaging and impactful experience tailored to their individual needs and goals.

Participants had the opportunity to attend one, two, or all three days, building their own personalized professional learning journey. Modeled as an “all-star training camp” for educators, TeachFest encouraged participants to “build their own playbook” by selecting sessions that aligned with their interests, campus needs, content areas and professional goals.

“TeachFest represents more than a single event. It signals a shift in culture,” said Dr. Walter Berringer, Deputy Superintendent. “This experience reflects our commitment to empowering teacher voice and leadership, promoting collaboration across campuses and content areas, and delivering professional learning that is relevant, differentiated and meaningful for our educators.”

What makes TeachFest especially meaningful is its foundation. The event it was built by educators, for educators. The event brought together EMS ISD teachers and leaders, along with experienced professionals and partners, to facilitate sessions that were both practical and inspiring.

Throughout the three days, educators participated in a wide variety of sessions focused on research-based instructional strategies, differentiation and scaffolding practices to support diverse learner needs, innovative technology tools that enhance teaching and learning and specialized sessions supporting areas such as special education, gifted and talented education, and more.

Beyond the session content, TeachFest was designed to be a true professional learning experience. The event created space for collaboration, connection and celebration, allowing educators to learn from one another, share best practices and build momentum heading into the new school year.

“The energy around TeachFest was remarkable,” Berringer said. “This was not just about attending sessions. It was about igniting passion, sparking innovation, and strengthening the collective efficacy of our teaching community. When educators have opportunities to learn from one another and take ownership of their growth, our students ultimately benefit.”

TeachFest also reinforced EMS ISD’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement and investing in the growth and success of staff. By celebrating the expertise within the district and creating opportunities for educators to lead and learn together, EMS ISD continues to strengthen a culture of collaboration and excellence.

As TeachFest grows in the years ahead, district leaders hope it will continue to serve as a meaningful professional learning experience that inspires educators, supports strong instruction, and helps prepare every classroom for a successful school year.

What started as a trip to Fort Worth for the PBR World Finals turned into a memorable stop at Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD’s Hollenstein Career and Technology Center (HCTC), where graduating students in the welding and automotive technology programs received a surprise designed to help them take their next step with confidence.

BRUNT, a workwear company known for supporting the skilled trades, was in Fort Worth in May as a sponsor of two PBR riders and a bull. While spending time at Dickies Arena, company founder and CEO Eric Girouard and his team made time for another kind of arena, one filled with welding booths, automotive bays, career-ready students and the tools of tomorrow’s workforce.

The company, based in Massachusetts, visited HCTC and donated a new pair of BRUNT Boots, made in San Antonio, to every graduating welding and auto technology student.

For Girouard, the stop was a natural fit.

“We run the boot donation program around the country, and we had an event in Texas, so we found a local tech school that we could come to,” Girouard said. “These USA boots are made here in Texas, so it all came together.”

But the visit was about more than boots.

Girouard spoke with students about the importance of the careers they are choosing, the value of skilled trades, and the pride that comes with building something with your own hands.

“All of our energy goes into the future of the trades and the folks starting their careers,” Girouard said. “This is our small way of starting their careers with their first pair of boots. As much as it is about the boots, it’s also about them hearing about the brand and knowing there’s a company out there that wants to give them the attention they deserve.”

Girouard also praised HCTC and the opportunities students have inside the facility.

“This facility is amazing. One of the best I’ve seen,” he said. “The size and scale, walking down the welding hall, and seeing the access students have to that type of equipment is impressive. It’s inspiring. The fact that students at this level have access to all the equipment they could need is impressive and inspiring.”

For students like Manuel Orellana, who graduated on Saturday from Eagle Mountain High School and plans to continue his welding training at Arclabs, the donation came at exactly the right time.

“I’m doing this for my family, to give back what they gave me and more,” Orellana said. “This is going to help a lot. These feel great, and they’re comfortable. It feels good knowing I’ll have a new pair of boots when I go into Arclabs.”

The visit also made an impression on Orellana because it showed students that others believe in the path they are choosing.

“It feels great,” he said. “It always feels nice to have people investing in us. I think it’s great that they’re coming over and giving back to the community and helping future welders. When I have a company, I’ll do the exact same.”

Lillian Mitchell, who graduated from Boswell High School on Saturday, also left with a new pair of boots and a little extra encouragement for the road ahead.

Mitchell, who was named champion in the second division welding competition at the Tarrant County Junior Livestock Show for her vertical-up stick weld, plans to attend Tarleton State University to study agricultural education. Her goal is to weld as a career and teach others to weld as well.

“It was pretty cool,” Mitchell said. “It was a great surprise. I didn’t expect it at all.”

And the boots?

“They’re awesome,” she said. “I love them. They’re nice and really comfortable.”

For HCTC welding teacher Aaron Rogers, the visit stood out because BRUNT did more than ship a donation. The company showed up, spent time with students, talked with them about their future, and gave them a quality piece of equipment they will need as they enter the workforce.

“It says a lot,” Rogers said. “They didn’t give the kids cheap boots. They really went the extra mile, and I appreciate that. I hope they always do this. A little bit of support for the students goes a long way.”

It is especially helpful, because the boots remove one of the first barriers students often face when beginning a trade career.

“They’re set up now,” Rogers said. “They don’t need that initial investment. Almost every trade job, the first thing they’ll say is, ‘You need safety shoes.’”

He also hopes the visit reinforced something his students have already been learning every day at HCTC, that their skills can take them somewhere.

“I think they saw that they can make something of themselves,” Rogers said. “They can start from scratch with skills and achieve things. The sky’s the limit nowadays for what they can do.”

For the graduating welding and auto technology students, the visit was a practical gift, a vote of confidence and a reminder that the careers they are stepping into matter.

And thanks to BRUNT, they will take those next steps in a brand-new pair of San Antonio made boots built for the work ahead.

The room was filled with quiet anticipation as Phoenix Saysanam approached, unaware of who was waiting for him. 

At the end of the long hall stood two familiar faces, the same ones he had recently seen on the cover of an EMS Proud magazine that left a lasting impression. Officers Koby and Antoine Stevenson, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD graduates, were now standing in front of him. 

“I’ve seen them on the cover, and now I get to see them in real life and connect with them,” Phoenix said. “It all came full circle today.” 

For Phoenix, a Boswell High School senior and Hollenstein Career and Technology Center (HCTC) student, that moment was more than a surprise. It was a reflection of a journey shaped by inspiration, opportunity and the people who believed in him along the way. 

A PATH TAKES SHAPE 

Phoenix’s interest in law enforcement didn’t begin through a family connection. It started during a school career day at Elkins Elementary. “It was when our school resource officer came by and showed us the equipment,” he said. 

That early spark grew into a clear path through EMS ISD’s Career and Technical Education programs. At HCTC, Phoenix has immersed himself in the law enforcement program, gaining hands-on experience, earning certifications, and documenting training activities through his own project, Tactical Thursday Media. 

“This district really prepared me,” he said. 

The Stevenson brothers saw that same preparation in themselves years earlier. As graduates of Boswell High School, they take pride in the foundation EMS ISD gave them. They remain committed to giving back and mentoring students like Phoenix as they begin their own journeys. 

THE POWER OF ONE EDUCATOR 

While Phoenix’s career path is rooted in opportunity, his story is anchored in something deeper: the impact of a teacher. For Phoenix, that teacher is Mrs. Conners-Casillo at Boswell. “She bridged the gap between being a teacher and being human. She was more like family,” he said. 

In her classroom, students felt seen, heard, and connected. That sense of belonging didn’t fade when she transitioned to teaching a different grade level. Instead, it inspired Phoenix to find a way to keep that connection alive. 

INSPIRATION IN PRINT 

After reading the EMS Proud editions of 287 North Living and seeing stories that highlighted people he knew and the community he calls home, Phoenix was inspired to create something of his own. 

“I just wanted to highlight my class for the impact they’ve had on me and my teacher as well,” he said. 

What started as a simple idea became Senior² Standard, a student-created publication filled with stories, photos, and updates designed to keep his classmates connected to one another and to the teacher who made such an impact. 

The process wasn’t easy. “It takes a long time… a lot of effort,” Phoenix said. But for him, the work was worth it. “We didn’t want it to be goodbye. We wanted it to be like a ‘see you later.’” 

Through writing, design, and storytelling inspired by 287 North Living, Phoenix created something meaningful not just for himself, but for those around him. 

OPPORTUNITY IN ACTION 

Stories like Phoenix’s are a reflection of what’s possible when students are given opportunities to explore their interests and are supported by educators who go beyond the classroom. 

From early exposure to careers, to hands-on training at HCTC, to teachers who build lasting relationships, EMS ISD provides pathways that help students discover who they are and who they want to become. 

For Phoenix, those experiences have built both confidence and clarity as he prepares for what comes next. “I’m excited to meet more people, make more memories, and prepare myself for the fast-paced industry,” he said. 

LOOKING AHEAD 

As graduation approaches, Phoenix plans to continue his education in criminal justice, with long-term goals of serving his community in law enforcement. 

Along the way, he carries the lessons he has learned from educators, mentors, and experiences that shaped his journey. 

After reflecting on his path, Phoenix summed it up in a way that speaks not only to his future, but to the impact of those who helped guide him there: “Make your life matter, not by how much space you take, but by how much meaning you create.” 

In Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD, that meaning is built every day, through opportunity, connection, and the people who inspire students to turn meaningful moments into momentum. 

FEATURED IN 287 NORTH LIVING

Phoenix Saysanam's story was featured in the May 15 - June 19, 2026 edition of 287 North Living magazine.