Friday, March 29, 2024

CISD Names Johnson New Director of Bands

Ken Johnson, CISD Director of Bands

Carroll ISD has approved Ken Johnson as the new Director of Bands.

Johnson replaces Jay Bach, who is retiring after 23 with Carroll, including the last six as director. Johnson has been a long-time assistant under Bach, a role he has served the past 18 years in Carroll.

Johnson started in Carroll in 1999 as Assistant Band Director and Director of Percussion Studies and in 2010 he was elevated to Director of Carroll’s Marching Band.

“Mr. Johnson is a long-time Dragon that has a unique ability to connect with students, parents and the community,” said Shawn Duhon, Carroll Senior High School Principal. “His passion for seeing students and the marching band succeed is very personal to him and he takes great pride in this.”

During his tenure he has helped coordinate and direct the Dragon Band in UIL Marching Region and Area contests, invitational marching and drumline contests, halftime spirit and playoff shows (“LIDS”) and UIL Solo and Ensemble entries.

“His love for the Dragon Band is seen daily throughout Carroll ISD and the state of Texas,” said P.J. Giamanco, Carroll High School Principal. “His enthusiasm for music and music education has us eager to see him working more closely with our members, advanced and beginner players alike, as well as our directors to produce more excellence for CISD.”

The Dragon Marching Band is a consistent finalist at marching contests, including the Golden Triangle Classic every year entered since 2010 — winning multiple caption awards and being named the 2014 Grand Champion.

Johnson’s career path is similar to his predecessor Bach, who spent 16 years as assistant director before taking over the program following Ron Behrends’ retirement.

Dragons Face Showdown with DeSoto in Class 6A Playoffs

jeterThe Carroll Dragons face a second-round playoff showdown with DeSoto on Friday.

Carroll (10-1) is coming off a first-round victory against Wylie. DeSoto (11-0) defeated Killeen 51-7. The Dragons enter the game ranked No. 8 in the Class 6A Associated Press poll and DeSoto is No. 2.

The Class 6A Division II Region I area playoff is 7:30 p.m. Friday at Plano ISD’s Kimbrough Stadium – located at 700 North Murphy Road, Murphy, Texas.

Carroll is led offensively by quarterback Mason Holmes and running back Audricke Gaines. Holmes has thrown for 2,204 yards with 15 TDs and six interceptions.

DeSoto quarterback Shawn Robinson, a TCU commitment and transfer from Denton Guyer, faces the Dragons for the third consecutive year in the playoffs. He led Guyer to a second-round playoff victory against the Dragons last season. Robinson has thrown for 2,146 yards and 19 TDs and five interceptions this season.

Gaines is one of the area’s leading rushers with 1,417 yards (six yards per carry) and 20 touchdowns.

Carroll (10-1) vs. Desoto (11-0) – Class 6A Division II Region I Area Playoff
Date:
Friday, Nov. 18
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Site: Plano ISD’s Kimbrough Stadium
Radio: 100.7 FM The Word (pre-game show at 6:30 p.m.)
TV: KTXA Ch. 21

CSHS Announces Class of 2016 Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Nikhil Ravi, Salutatorian

Wongyeong Seong, Valedictorian

Carroll Senior High School has announced its Class of 2016 Valedictorian and Salutatorian.

The Valedictorian is Wongyeong Seong. He is the son of Nakjune and Youngsheen Seong and plans to study Human Biology at Stanford University.

The Salutatorian is Nikhil Ravi. He is the son of Priya and Ravi Venugopal. Nikhil will study computer science at Duke University.

Graduation will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 3 at Dragon Stadium. Seniors will report to the CSHS auditorium by 6:15 p.m. Seniors and faculty will bus from CSHS to Dragon Stadium. This is a new tradition and will help with traffic congestion and dealing with the heat. Rehearsal will be at 8:30 a.m. Friday, June 3 at Dragon Stadium. Attendance is required at rehearsal.