It’s incredible to think a high school student would know the first steps in how to cook a five-star meal, design the world’s tallest skyscraper, or save a human life. Technical careers require years of firsthand experience and the confidence to excel at a high-demand job. Career Institute North (CIN) is offering students the chance to receive the resources and training necessary to be considered “career-ready” after graduation.  For the 2023-2024 school year, the institute opened its doors to students in grades nine through 12 so they can explore Career and Technical Education pathways. Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery, learning spaces,…

Bethany G. was only in the sixth grade when she first began playing trumpet at Young Women’s STEAM Academy at Balch Springs. Little did she know that experience would lead to her eventually being admitted to Dallas ISD’s competitive Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, where she is described by the orchestral leader as “a stellar contributor” to the wind ensembles, big band, full orchestra, and mariachi ensemble. “I didn’t know the potential I had to play the trumpet until I played in the [Balch Springs] band with my directors Ms. Baker and Mr. England,”…

Imagine it’s 1 a.m. and pitch black outside. You wake up to start an 11-mile trek as you’ve done for the last six months – only stopping once the sun comes up. Last year, this was Axsel E.’s life. At 12 years old, Axsel accomplished a feat many kids his age could not imagine. Toting only a backpack, water and encouraging words from his mother, the pair walked from Tegucigalpa, Honduras to Dallas with purpose and determination, in the direction of hope.  “No te preocupes; vamos a pasar bien,” his mother would reassure him. “Don’t worry; we’ll get through.” A…