At GISD, we are incredibly grateful for our principals and assistant principals who lead with vision, compassion, and commitment. Their leadership helps create positive school communities where students and staff can learn, grow, and thrive.
Please join us in thanking Eric Davis, Sarah Claunch, Josh Barton, Susanne Brackeen, and Lance Lemberg for all they do to support our campuses and our GISD community!
Happy National Principals Month!
Yearbook Photo Day - Monday, October 5th
GUNTER HS
9TH – 11TH GRADE
YEARBOOK PHOTO DAY
Garner Studio will be at GHS:
Monday, October 5
We will not have picture pre-order.
Once pictures are posted, we will send you an email (using your email on file at school) with the link & passcode to view/purchase your student’s photo. Discount pricing and school delivery will expire 1 week after pictures are posted. After the due date, regular pricing will apply and shipping will be added.
Thank you,
Garner Studio
High School Students: Get Ready to Shine at the Gunter HOCO Dance: Denim & Diamonds!
Dust off your fancy boots and join us for this year’s Homecoming Dance, "Deep in the Heart of Gunter: Denim & Diamonds"!
Event Details
Date: Saturday, October 24th
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Early Bird Tickets (Through October 9th): $20 per person | $40 per couple
Standard Tickets (After October 9th): $30 per person | $50 per couple
Event Highlights
Special Event: The Underclassman Court will be crowned live during the dance!
Fun & Refreshments: Food, gift card giveaways, and more!
Support Our Tigers: All funds raised from the dance go directly to support the Gunter Cheer Program.
How to Purchase Tickets
Scan the QR code on the flyer or use this link to purchase your tickets today before prices go up after October 9th!
Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing our Tigers there!
Homecoming 2026: Dress-Up Days & T-Shirt Order Information!
The theme for this year’s Homecoming is “Deep in the Heart of Gunter!” Homecoming is the week of October 19, and we’re getting ready for a week of Tiger spirit, Western fun, and Homecoming traditions.
Homecoming T-Shirts are now available to order!
Order deadline: Monday, October 5
Order here: https://guntermerch.com/collections/cheer
Show your class spirit with your grade-level color:
Seniors: White
Juniors: Royal Blue
Sophomores: Black
Freshmen: Baby Blue
Community Homecoming shirts are also available in Gray and Baby Blue!
Check out the graphic below for our Homecoming Dress-Up Days, October 19–22!
Deep in the Heart of Gunter — we can’t wait to celebrate Homecoming 2026! Look for more information to come out this week!
Saddle Up, Gunter! 2026 HOCO Parade Float Registration Open
It is time to get ready for Homecoming and the annual Homecoming parade!
All community organizations, groups, and school clubs are invited to participate in this exciting Gunter tradition. This year’s parade theme is "Deep in the Heart of Gunter," proudly sponsored by Mustang Water.
To recognize the hard work and creativity behind each float, this year's parade features a friendly competition! Winners will be announced at the HOCO Game!
Parade & Registration Information
Parade Date: October 23rd, 2026
Registration Deadline: Apply by October 6th
Entry Fees: $30 per entry for non-school groups. School clubs are free, though registration is still required.
Spot Availability: Float spots and numbers are limited and assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, so register early.
Entry Limit: One entry per float.
How to Enter
1. Fill out the float entry form linked HERE or scan the QR code on the attached flyer to secure your spot today!
2. Payment link: https://guntercheerbooster.square.site/product/hoco-float-contest-entry-fee/9?cp=true&sa=true&sbp=false&q=false
For any questions, please contact guntercheerbooster@gmail.com.
Thank you,
Gunter Cheer
Gunter ISD: A Legacy of Champions!
For generations, Gunter ISD students, teams, and programs have represented our community with excellence and pride. As we work to preserve our district’s history, we have compiled a verified list of 42 State and National Championships and Titles.
These accomplishments span decades and include UIL Academics, athletics, baseball, football, volleyball, golf, track & field, robotics, FFA, band, cheer, twirling, and more.
🏆Our 42 Championships & Titles🏆
1960 — Slide Rule (UIL Academics): Marshall Anderson
1963 — Slide Rule (UIL Academics): Sandy Graham Garner
1973 — Long Jump (Track & Field): Barry Harris
1976 — Shorthand (UIL Academics): Bonnie Holcomb Stafford
1980 — Typing (UIL Academics): Dara Reed Arrington
1988 — 800 Meter Run (Track & Field): Roger Reed
1989 — Typing (UIL Academics): Randall Reed
1991 — Shot Put (Track & Field): Sean Terry
1994 — Class A Baseball State Champions (Team)
1998 — B.E.S.T. Robotics State Champions / National Participant
1998 — Class AA Baseball State Champions (Team)
1999 — Robotics State Champions
2002 — Cross-Examination (CX) Debate (UIL Academics): Blaine LaBron & Michael Morelli
2002 — Beta Club State & National Champions
2002 — Prose Interpretation (UIL Academics): Norman Trinh
2003 — 300 Meter Hurdles (Track & Field): Kendall Harrison
2010 — 100 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Payton Baker
2010 — 200 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Payton Baker
2011 — 400 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Payton Baker
2012 — 400 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Payton Baker
2012 — 3200 Meter Run (Track & Field): Cody Campbell
2014 — GHS Concert Band — 1st Place ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series
2016 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)
2016 — Wheelchair Shot Put (Track & Field): Tyler Buysse
2016 — Wheelchair 100 Meter Dash (Track & Field): Tyler Buysse
2018 — FFA Land Judging — National Champions: Ainslee Stovall, Halle Ward, Alyssa Jerrell, Luke Willard
2019 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)
2020 — UIL Spirit / Cheer State Champions (Band Chant)
2022 — UIL Spirit / Cheer State Champions (Band Chant)
2022 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)
2022 — Class 3A Volleyball State Champions (Team)
2023 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)
2023 — UIL Lone Star Cup Winner (Top Overall 3A Academic & Athletic Program in Texas)
2023 — Shot Put (Track & Field): Abby Elmore
2024 — High Jump (Track & Field): Abby Elmore
2024 — Class 3A Division II Football State Champions (Team)
2024 — UIL Spirit / Cheer State Champions (Band Chant)
2025 — Girls Individual Golf State Champion: Katy Merchant
2025 — Individual Twirling State Champion: Analeia Aleman
2026 — Individual Twirling State Champion: Analeia Aleman
2026 — Boys Golf State Champions
2026 — Boys Individual Golf State Champion: Austin Anderson
Two additional honors were reviewed but are not included in the 42 because they are individual distinctions rather than competitive state championship titles:
2014 — Jonathan Avendano: First Chair Clarinet, ATSSB All-State Band - Rationale: Earning 1st Chair in the ATSSB All-State Band is an elite individual ranking and All-State ensemble honor, but it is not a competitive state tournament championship title.
1998 — David Clark & Heather Brumit: Strings Outstanding Performers, UIL State Solo & Ensemble - Rationale: Being named an "Outstanding Performer" at the UIL State Solo & Ensemble contest is an individual medal/distinction award, not a competitive state championship win.
What Did We Miss?
We know Gunter has a proud history, and we want to make sure we have it right!
If you know of a State or National Championship or Title that is missing from our list, please share it with us. Photos, programs, newspaper clippings, records, and memories are all welcome as we continue documenting the history of Gunter ISD.
Questions or additions? Please contact Stacy Watson at swatson@gunterisd.org.
Throws are perfect for game days, make a great gift, and support our Tigerettes!
Order by September 19th using the link below:
https://mydesigns.teamthrows.com/f/tigerettes-booster-club/
Help Us Complete Gunter ISD’s State Championship History!
Calling all Tiger fans, alumni, former students, coaches, and Gunter community members!
Gunter ISD is working to compile a complete history of our State Championship teams and individual champions. We currently have 23 State Championships on record, but we want to make sure we haven’t missed anyone or anything!
Here is the list we currently have on record:
1960 – Slide Rule – Marshall Anderson
1973 – Long Jump – Barry Harris
1976 – Shorthand – Bonnie Holcomb Stafford
1980 – Typing – Dara Reed Arrington
1988 – 800M – Roger Reed
1989 – Typing – Randell Reed
1991 – Shot Put – Sean Terry
1994 – “A” Baseball
1998 – “AA” Baseball
1998 – Robotics
2002 – CX Debate – Blaine LaBron & Michael Morelli
2002 – Prose Interpretation – Norman Trinh
2016 – Football
2019 – Football
2022 – Football
2022 – Volleyball
2023 – Football
2024 – Football
2025 – Girls Individual Golf – Katy Merchant
2025 – Twirling – Analeia Aleman
2026 – Twirling – Analeia Aleman
2026 – Boys Individual Golf – Austin Anderson
2026 – Boys Golf Team
Do you remember a Gunter State Championship that is missing from our list? Do you have photos, programs, newspaper clippings, or other information that could help us fill in the gaps?
We want to hear from you!
Please reach out to Stacy Watson at swatson@gunterisd.org with any information you have that could be added to our records.
Help us make sure every Tiger championship is recognized and remembered!
Gunter ISD Communication Survey
Gunter ISD is reviewing how we communicate with our families, students, staff, and community, and we want your feedback!
We want to better understand:
Where you get information from Gunter ISD
What communication methods work well
What information may be getting missed
How we can improve our communication
Your responses will help us establish clear district communication priorities and expectations.
The survey takes approximately 3–5 minutes to complete.
Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GRX3DW8
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback and help us strengthen communication across Gunter ISD!
Gunter ISD Begins the 2026-2027 School Year with 1,233 Students
Gunter ISD is excited to welcome students back for the 2026–2027 school year and proudly announces a first-day enrollment of 1,233 students across the district.
Enrollment by campus level is as follows:
Elementary School: 512 students
Middle School: 300 students
High School: 421 students
We are thankful to our students, families, educators, staff, and community for their continued support. We look forward to a successful school year filled with learning, growth, and opportunities for every Gunter ISD student.
Meet the Tigers – Saturday, August 8th
Gunter ISD families and community members are invited to Meet the Tigers this Saturday, August 8th, at Tiger Stadium as we kick off the 2026 football season!
The evening will include:
Scrimmages begin at 5:00 PM
Introductions begin around 7:15 PM
Be sure to stick around after the event! Our Senior Football Players and Cheerleaders will be by the Hamburger Hut to meet our youth fans and autograph football and cheer cards.
Bring the family, wear your blue, and come help us celebrate our Gunter Tigers! We hope to see you at Tiger Stadium!
TPW!
The new Tiger Lane Extension will open on August 10th to assist with morning and afternoon Gunter Middle School traffic.
During peak drop-off and pick-up times, Tiger Lane will operate as a one-way street. All traffic must exit via Kerfoot, following the route shown in the instructional video. A traffic flow map has already been shared with middle school parents and can be viewed [here] or on the district website.
To help ensure a smooth transition, staff members will be on-site during the first week of school to assist drivers.
Important Safety Reminders:
Two-Way Road: Although Tiger Lane will function primarily for the morning carline, the extension remains a two-lane road, and oncoming traffic may occasionally be present.
Drive Safely: Please use caution and do not pass other vehicles.
GMS Traffic Pattern Video:
https://youtu.be/ggJjV0_fsfw
Welcome Back to the 2026–2027 School Year!
Gunter ISD is excited to welcome our students, families, staff, and community back for another outstanding school year.
As we prepare to welcome students on August 10th, excitement is building across the district. Behind the scenes, our teachers and staff have been working hard to prepare classrooms, campuses, and learning experiences that will ensure every student has a strong start to the school year. Their dedication and passion are already setting the stage for another year of excellence.
Superintendent Dr. Enos has shared a special Welcome Back message highlighting district updates, exciting initiatives, and what our community can look forward to throughout the coming year.
We invite you to watch the video below and join us as we kick off another year of learning, growth, and Tiger pride.
🎥 Watch Dr. Enos' Welcome Back Message:
Thank you to our families, staff, and the entire Gunter community for your continued partnership and support. We look forward to welcoming students on August 10th and celebrating another successful year together.
Go Tigers!
Transportation Department Announcement: Bus Compass is Now Available!
Gunter ISD is pleased to announce that Bus Compass is now available for families who ride the school bus.
Bus Compass is a secure mobile app that provides real-time bus tracking, allowing parents and guardians to view their student's bus location, know when the bus is approaching their stop, and take the uncertainty out of daily transportation.
Getting Started
Families can begin using Bus Compass by downloading the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
To create an account, register using the same email address or phone number that is on file with Gunter ISD. Your contact information must match the information in the district's student information system to securely connect your account with your student's bus route.
If you have any questions, please contact Gunter ISD Transportation Director Nicole Mann at nmann@gunterisd.org or 903-696-1500.
We are excited to provide this new service to our families and hope it makes your student's daily transportation more convenient, predictable, and stress-free.
We're excited to welcome our Tigers back for the 2026–2027 school year on Monday, August 10, 2026! We can't wait to see everyone back on campus.
Please review your campus schedule below and plan to arrive before the tardy bell each morning to help your student start the day off right.
Gunter Elementary School
Doors Open: 7:00 AM
School Hours: 7:20 AM – 3:45 PM
Tardy Bell: 7:30 AM
Gunter Middle School
Doors Open: 7:15 AM
School Hours: 7:35 AM – 4:00 PM
Tardy Bell: 7:45 AM
Gunter High School
Doors Open: 7:15 AM
School Hours: 7:35 AM – 4:00 PM
Tardy Bell: 7:45 AM
We hope you've had a great summer and look forward to an amazing year together. See you on Monday, August 10! Go Tigers!
It's almost time for our Tigers to catch the bus! We are excited to welcome students back for another great school year and want to share a few important transportation updates.
Streamlined Transportation Registration
Transportation registration is now managed directly through the Parent Portal—no additional forms are required. If you completed the transportation section during your student's registration, you're all set!
New Bus Tracking App Coming Soon
We are introducing an upgraded routing and camera system to enhance student safety and improve communication with families.
Once bus routes are finalized, we will share instructions—expected by the end of the week—on how to download our new bus tracking app. The app will allow parents and guardians to:
Track their student's bus in real time
Receive proximity alerts
Get notifications about delays or route updates
The safety of our students is always our top priority, and we appreciate your patience as we implement this new system.
If you have any questions, please contact Nicole Mann at (903) 696-1500 or nmann@gunterisd.org.
We can't wait to welcome our Tigers back on the bus for another amazing school year!
Senior Schedule Pick-Up is just a couple of days away! We can't wait to welcome the Class of 2027 back to campus on Wednesday, July 29, from 12:00–4:00 PM.
New this year: Seniors will receive their assigned Chromebook and charger during Schedule Pick-Up. After picking up their schedule, students should proceed to the Technology Room (Room 4) to receive their device for the 2026–27 school year.
We look forward to seeing everyone and starting another great school year!
GHS Class of 2027 Senior Portrait Sessions – Thursday, August 7th
Senior portrait sessions for the GHS Class of 2027 will be held on Thursday, August 6, at GHS during the following times:
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Please review the letter from Garner Studio Photography sent through ParentSquare for important information regarding portrait sessions and attire.
We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2027!
Reminder for Families of Extracurricular Participants (Grades 7–12)
As part of the online registration process for the 2026–2027 school year, parents and guardians of students participating in extracurricular activities in grades 7–12 completed the required agreement and consent forms for Gunter ISD's Mandatory Drug Testing Program.
This reminder is intended to help families understand what to expect during the school year. In accordance with the district's Mandatory Drug Testing Program, students participating in extracurricular activities may be subject to initial testing (for new extracurricular participants) and random drug testing throughout the school year.
The program is designed to support the health, safety, and well-being of students participating in extracurricular activities.
For complete program information, please review the Drug Testing Program Guide:
https://aptg.co/ns5PPK
Questions may be directed to:
Allison Thornhill
High School Nurse & Drug Testing Coordinator
athornhill@gunterisd.org
Welcome to the 2026–2027 School Year, Gunter ISD Families!
We're excited to welcome you back and look forward to an amazing year together!
One of the best ways to stay informed is by activating your ParentSquare account. ParentSquare is Gunter ISD's primary communication platform, bringing district, campus, classroom, and teacher communication together in one convenient place. You'll receive important announcements, emergency alerts, attendance notifications, event information, permission slips, volunteer opportunities, and much more.
An invitation was sent this morning to all new Gunter ISD families to activate their ParentSquare account. To sign up, simply use the same email address you used in ParentPortal when you registered your student. Your ParentSquare account is connected to the contact information in ParentPortal, so using that email will help ensure a smooth sign-in experience.
Our Communications page also shares all the ways Gunter ISD keeps families informed throughout the year, including ParentSquare, our website, social media, newsletters, and more.
Thank you for partnering with us to support your student's success. We can't wait for a fantastic 2026–2027 school year with our Tiger families!
Learn more about how we communicate with our families: https://www.gunterisd.org/page/communications
