When more than 1,000 essays penned by third through sixth graders pour into a contest, the odds that a school will have a winner of any kind aren't, well, great. So imagine Butler Elementary last week when three of its students were told they'd won first place among their grade peers, with a fourth student placing second.

What's in the water over there? | Principal Stacie Humbles and Butler Elementary were proud to have four winners - three first place and one second place - in the City of Arlington Animal Essay Contest.  

To know just how popular the Key Elementary Daddy-Daughter Dance has become, you have to get there early. Really early. Like 6 p.m. or 30-minutes-before-it-starts early.

Dads and their dates are already at the door.

"You ready for us?" one wanted to know.

The DJ wasn't set up. All the food wasn't out. And the photographer snapping the official - and free - photos for the evening had yet to set up.

"C'mon in," they were told anyway. | Russell Woods and daughter Ashiya C. ham it up on the dance floor at the Second Annual Daddy-Daughter Dance at Key Elementary.  

Bigger than most and faster than many, Stody B. found his way to athletics easily and quickly. Basketball had its day, as did soccer. But football hung around, from peewee leagues to junior high to high school with the Bowie High School Volunteers.

Now Stody, a senior, will have his next football challenge at New Mexico State in the Sun Belt Conference. | A group of Lamar High School football players proudly wear their new college colors after signing national letters of intent during the recent districtwide National Signing Day ceremony.