Horizon 2025 - Flipbook - Page 5
performance of “Almost, Maine” and screenings of 18 student
films at the Shelton Film Festival.
engineering and sports featured professionals from Southern
Methodist University, UT Dallas, The Dallas Morning News and
K Strategies Group.
Athletics
Athletics excelled this year thanks to Athletic Director
Alan Burt, Assistant Athletic Director Michelle Rivera and
a dedicated team of coaches and staff. Shelton fielded 60
teams, with 65 percent of Upper School students and 66
percent of Middle School students participating in at least one
sport.
• 25 Upper School athletes earned Academic All-State
honors.
• 72 Upper School athletes received TAPPS All-District
or All-State recognition.
• Boys Cross Country finished second in state, with
Jack Conger placing sixth individually.
• The Chargerettes and Charger Cheer teams both finished
fourth at the TAPPS State competition.
• Boys Golf placed second in state.
• In track and field, Grayson Metz earned his second
consecutive state title in shot put, and Drew Metrailer was
state champion in the 800 meters.
Innovation and Community
Innovation continues to thrive at Shelton. This year saw the
debut of Urban Homesteading, a semester-long Upper School
course where students maintained beehives, built a chicken
coop and raised chicks under the leadership of Tripp Givens
and Zac Ladd.
The new illuminated “S” art installation in the Dining Hall —
designed by Studio 11 Design founder and Shelton parent
Kellie Sirna with contributions from Aphrodite Paulos,
Kathleen Goree and Christy O’Neal — stands as a daily
symbol of Shelton’s mission and community spirit.
Through Shelton Pathfinders, seniors are now connecting with
alumni mentors for career and college guidance, an initiative
championed by the Class of 2025’s Katie Guerra and led by
Chief Advancement Officer Christi Contreras and Alumni
Relations Coordinator Carolyn Strickfaden.
Meanwhile, Hope Squad, Shelton’s peer-to-peer mental health
support group, continues to foster a culture of compassion
and understanding. Junior and senior members participated
in the Texas Peer-to-Peer Youth Conference in Arlington,
representing Shelton among students statewide.
On Jan. 31, 2025, Shelton hosted its 23rd Annual Ethics
Symposium, “Shaping Your Future With Integrity,” bringing
together students, educators and professionals to explore
how ethics guide real-world decisions. Student Council
President Ford Myers and alumnus Nathan England (Class
of 2005) opened the event, urging students to protect their
reputations and stay true to their values. Bob Mong, former
University of North Texas-Dallas president and former Dallas
Morning News editor, delivered the keynote, “Living a Life of
Integrity,” encouraging students to pair intellect with ethics
and follow their conscience. Panel discussions on social media,
Shelton in the Media
This year, Shelton earned recognition across Dallas and
beyond for its leadership in education and advocacy for
students with learning differences. D Magazine featured
Shelton’s 50th anniversary, highlighting its impact over five
decades, while The Dallas Morning News recognized the
school’s growth in its 140th anniversary special section.
Fox 4’s Clarice Tinsley covered Shelton’s Feed My Starving
Children MobilePack and iHeartRadio’s Anna de Haro
interviewed senior Kate Williams and me during 2024’s
Learning Differences and Dyslexia Awareness Month, helping
to amplify Shelton’s message to a wide audience.
Gratitude for Leadership and Support
Shelton’s success is rooted in collaboration and exceptional
leadership. My thanks go to our Associate Head of School
Mellany Barnett and heads of school — Christine Davis,
Patricia Gallaher, Jenny Cheatham — and to our assistant
heads of school Lena Hilbert, Beth Womble, Rachel Brandt,
Dyana Payne, Will Riemer, Zac Ladd and Terri Wilson for
ensuring every Shelton student is known, supported and
celebrated.
I also want to thank Chief Advancement Officer Christi
Contreras and Development Officer Julie Griffith, along with
Annual Fund Chairs Chrissy Collins and Julie Mitchell, for
leading a record-breaking $1,501,778 Annual Fund.
Our Shelton Parents’ Association, led by Co-Presidents
Kimberly Kahn and Leigh Erin Lundy and Director of
Volunteer Relations & Events Shelly Lloyd, presented a check
for $930,000 to Shelton in May 2025. Their tireless work,
along with the support of Stampede Co-Chairs Lindsey Sherry
and Carolyn Strickfaden, continues to enrich every corner of
our community.
Shelton’s continued excellence is supported by dedicated
professionals across divisions and departments whose
teams serve thousands of students, families and educators
within Shelton, throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area, across
the nation and around the world. Special thanks to Krista
Norwood, director of the Speech Center; Dr. Laure Ames,
director of the Evaluation Center; and Chris Bedenbaugh,
director of Outreach & Training, for their leadership and
commitment to advancing Shelton’s mission of empowering
individuals with learning differences.
Moving Forward Together
As we celebrate 50 years of excellence and look ahead to
Shelton’s next chapter, one truth remains constant: Learning
differences are not limitations. They are the foundation of our
students’ creativity, resilience and success.
Thank you for your trust, your partnership and your belief in
Shelton’s mission. Together, we will continue to build on this
incredible legacy — preparing students to learn without limits
for generations to come.
SHELTON SCHOOL
THE HORIZON
NOVEMBER 2025
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