With just a few weeks left in the school year, campus is buzzing. End‑of‑year testing, performances, and celebrations are in full swing, so please keep an eye out for all the activity coming your way.

We have several upcoming volunteer and donation opportunities, including AP Testing support. Volunteers are needed May 4–15 for proctoring assistance and hallway monitoring. All sign‑up links are included below.

Planning is also wrapping up for the cross‑conservatory production, Creations on May 1, that will close out an extraordinary season. We’re excited to showcase a display of past production posters and playbills in the MAT lobby, dating back to the show’s debut in 1977. Our scholar‑artists have been working hard, and we hope you’ll join us for this special performance. Volunteers are needed, and a concessions wishlist is available to help stock the stand, with proceeds benefiting the Class of 2029.

There’s a lot happening and even more to look forward to as we head into the final stretch. The energy is building, and we’re excited to lean into the growing momentum.

With gratitude,

Leah

Welcome, Rising Pegasi! New and returning families of students attending BTWHSPVA for the 2026–27 school year can now purchase PTSA memberships and pay class dues for the upcoming year.

Class dues* are collected annually and contribute to each grade’s Senior Fund, which supports senior‑year activities, celebrations, and traditions once students reach 12th grade. Paying dues each year helps build a strong foundation for an unforgettable senior experience.

Early PTSA membership and class‑dues payment ensure a smooth start to the school year and allow our PTSA to begin planning with the resources needed to support our newest Pegasus families.

We’re excited to welcome all Rising Pegasi into the BTWHSPVA community and look forward to an amazing year ahead.

Click the graphics below to purchase!

Missed contributing to class dues in the past, or have family members who’d like to help? No worries — it’s never too late to support your class! Click on your class year below to make a contribution in any amount and help fund the senior year activities and celebrations that make this milestone unforgettable.

The PTSA Summer Scholarship Program opened for applications on March 15th, offering students the chance to receive up to $500 toward tuition for an academic, performing, or visual arts summer enrichment program. This is a meaningful opportunity for students to grow their skills, explore new interests, and deepen their artistic or academic experience.

To be eligible, students and at least one parent must be a current PTSA member and must have a total of at least 20 PTSA-sponsored volunteer hours* logged for the current school year prior to applying. (Parent and Student PTSA volunteer hours both count toward this requirement total.)

*Only PTSA-sponsored volunteer opportunities count toward this requirement; Conservatory/Crew or Guild opportunities do not apply toward eligibility. 

Scholarships are awarded on a first‑come, first‑served basis from March 15th through April 30th, or until funds are depleted, so early applications are highly encouraged!

APPLY

NOTE | If you paid into your class dues for this school year, it includes a student membership.

April is a great time to celebrate the planet and our own well‑being. We're excited to share simple, family‑friendly ways that we can honor Earth Day on April 22 while boosting physical, mental, and community health.

Why it matters

Small changes at home and school add up. Choosing active, low‑waste habits reduces pollution and increases movement, fresh air, and time together-benefits that support both environmental and personal health.

Simple actions for families

• Walk, bike, or carpool for short trips or use DART; replace one of your usual trips per week.
• Pack waste‑free lunches using reusable containers and cloth napkins.
• Plant native flowers or a small vegetable or herb pot to support pollinators and observe where food comes from.
• Turn off lights and unplug devices when not in use to save energy.
• Choose a screen‑free outdoor hour each week for family play, gardening, or neighborhood walks.
• Swap or donate gently used clothes and school supplies instead of throwing them away.

Thank you for helping our school community grow healthier and greener.

These are official time windows when volunteers are needed*:

• 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Prep concessions/lobby/last minute set-up
• 2:00 - 4:00 PM | Feed the Kids (set up/receiving deliveries)
• 4:00 - 7:00 PM | Lobby-Final rush (control/concessions/rush que assistance)
• 7:30 - 10:00 PM | Lobby (monitoring/concessions/clearing lobby after show)
• 9:30 - 11:00 PM | Clean out crew (help strike and load out lobby)

Contact Tonya Perkins at tperkins@artsmagnet.org if you can help out!

*Flexible! You can let Tonya know when you will be coming and going.

(This volunteer opportunity is not affiliated with the PTSA.)

Creations, our student‑led production featuring performers and creators from every conservatory, is right around the corner, and we need your help to make it a success.

We’re looking for volunteers to support our cast and crew and help keep the show running smoothly:

• Feed the Kids | help facilitate meals for cast and crew before rehearsal and performances on Thursday, April 30 and Friday, May 1
• Merch & Concessions | sell merchandise and concessions on Friday, May 1

This is a fantastic opportunity to support our students as they bring this collaborative production to life. If you’re available, we’d love to have you on the team. Thank you for helping make Creations shine!

VOLUNTEER

Creations Concessions Wishlist | Please consider donating an item from our Amazon Concessions Wishlist. Every contribution helps make the event a success. Thank you for supporting our amazing students!

BTWHSPVA is seeking parent volunteers to support AP Testing from May 4 through May 15. Your help is essential to creating a smooth, quiet, and well‑supervised testing environment for our students.

We need volunteers to serve as hall monitors and proctors. Most days include two volunteer shifts, and we need 3–4 volunteers per shift.

Volunteering during AP Testing is a great way to support our students during an important academic milestone. No prior experience is required, and all instructions will be provided on site.

If you’re available, please consider signing up for one or more shifts. Your time truly makes a difference for our students’ success.

Thank you for supporting our AP scholars and the entire BTW community.

SENIOR FAMILIES | We are still in need of contributions for our amazing raffle prizes* that we have planned to give away at the party.  Please take a look at our Sign Up Genius and sign up for an item or donation to make Senior Party spectacular!

Parents who would like to volunteer at the party, please sign up here.

*Students must be present to win.

We are seeking parent and student volunteers from the Class of 2027 to support the Class of 2026 Baccalaureate by assisting with reception set‑up, guiding students, and ushering families throughout the event. It is both the honor and tradition of junior class parents to volunteer for this important milestone, allowing senior families to fully enjoy the ceremony and celebration. Current junior students are also encouraged to serve as ushers. All volunteer shifts are three hours.

On Friday, April 10, BTWHSPVA held its Inaugural Poetry Slam, presented by the Pegasi Poetry Society. Founded in August, this student‑led club has spent the year building a creative, welcoming space for writers and performers from all conservatories and grade levels to share their voices.

The Poetry Slam featured original works performed by BTW students in front of peers, staff, and families. Guests enjoyed an evening of powerful poetry, good food, and meaningful conversation. The event was judged by teacher and poet Ms. Townsel, local community poet Derrick Walker, and the 2026 Dallas Poet Laureate, Black Ceasar.

To stay connected with upcoming poetry events and performances, follow the club on Instagram: @the_pegasi_poetry_society

Poetry Slam Winners:

• 1st Place: Dearon Cumby
• 2nd Place: Zoi Madison
• 3rd Place: Annabelle Thackray

Congratulations to all of our performers and winners for sharing their talent, courage, and creativity with the BTW community!

Lucas Sanchez, a Visual Arts senior, is making an impressive debut at the Dallas Art Fair with his sculpture featured by Pencil on Paper Gallery (Booth B10). Working with reclaimed scrap steel, Sanchez draws inspiration from his Native American and Southern heritage to create lifelike sculptural forms that echo the Texas landscape, wildlife, and his own lived experience. By transforming industrial materials, he reimagines their purpose and meaning, weaving together personal history and regional identity.

In an exciting milestone for his emerging career, Sanchez’s sculpture was acquired during the VIP Preview Day.

Held in the heart of the Dallas Arts District, the Dallas Art Fair brings together collectors, arts professionals, and the public to experience a dynamic selection of modern and contemporary works from leading national and international galleries.

Multi–Grammy Award winner Samara Joy was recently performing across the street at the AT&T Performing Arts Center when she heard our students playing outside... AND STOPPED TO LISTEN. She then invited them inside during her sound check, spent time talking with them, signed autographs, and posed for a group photo.

What an unforgettable moment for our students. Thank you, Samara, for inspiring the next generation of artists!

Dear Booker T. Washington PTSA:

I want to thank you all — not just for the generosity you’ve shown me, but for the kindness behind it. As a teacher, I always hope I’m making a difference for your children. Your support has been a powerful reminder that those connections go both ways.

During a time that could feel overwhelming, your encouragement, messages, contributions and survivor stories have lifted my spirits more than I can fully express. You’ve helped turn something difficult into something filled with hope and, miraculously, you've made me smile more than a few times along the way.

Please know how much this means to me, not just as a teacher, but as a person navigating a tough chapter with a lot more strength because of you. Thank you for your compassion…and for being one of the best parts of our school community.

Warmly,

Melody Townsel

Join us for a virtual Senior "Tea" call on Sunday, May 3rd at 7pm.

This is your chance to hear directly from current senior parents and students about what to expect during senior year—and trust us, there’s a lot. They’ll walk through the key milestones and timelines, including headshots, yearbook photos, Jostens orders, showcase events, college applications and visits, senior dinner, and more.

The Zoom link and details are below—be sure to save it to your calendar now so you don’t miss it!

Topic | BTWHSPVA Senior Tea

Time | May 3, 2026 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 864 8013 9079

Passcode: 310081

Join us for the New Works Reception, a special exhibition showcasing the creativity and emerging voices of our 9th- and 10th‑grade visual art students. This collection highlights fresh ideas, developing techniques, and the unique perspectives of our youngest artists as they explore new mediums and concepts.

The opening reception will be held on Thursday, May 7, from 6–8 p.m. in the Hudson Gallery. Guests will have the opportunity to view the artwork, meet the student artists, and celebrate their accomplishments in a warm, supportive setting.

We invite families, friends, and the entire BTWHSPVA community to attend and encourage these talented young creators.

If you weren’t able to secure seats for the 6 PM Friends & Family performance, the Advisory Board has released a limited number of single tickets for the 8:30 PM VIP show. The lowest‑priced single ticket is $250, which guarantees a seat.

Occasionally, space becomes available at either show right before curtain, but this is not guaranteed. When it happens, it functions like a ticket rush:

• Guests may line up for the 6 PM show first, though openings are very rare.
• If you don’t get into the 6 PM performance, you may queue for the 8:30 PM show at approximately 8:20 PM (pending), any unclaimed seats may be released for $10 each.

We hope this helps more families experience this incredible production!

NOTE | Even though tickets to the Friends & Family performance are sold out, the Advisory Board is still welcoming donations to support BTWHSPVA. 

The Arts Magnet will have a livestream of the show! Be on the lookout for a link to be published the week of!

Mark your calendars for May 1 as BTWHSPVA PTSA Class of 2029 presents CREATIONS, our final all‑school, student‑led production of the year. This signature event brings together original works crafted through collaboration across every conservatory — Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts.

Creations is an evening dedicated to fresh ideas, bold experimentation, and the unique artistic voices of our students. Every piece is conceived, developed, and brought to life by students working together across disciplines, making this one of the most innovative and inspiring events of the year.

Join us on campus for a night that celebrates imagination, collaboration, and the creative spirit that defines Booker T.

The BTWHSPVA community is invited to celebrate our young filmmakers at the 2026 Flight Film Fest, taking place May 5, 2026, in the MAT. This annual showcase highlights original student films across genres, featuring narrative shorts, documentaries, animation, experimental work, and collaborative projects created throughout the year. 

Flight Film Fest is a signature event that honors the creativity, technical skill, and artistic voice of our students. Families, friends, and supporters are encouraged to attend and cheer on these talented filmmakers. 

Tickets sold at the door | $5 for Students, $10 for General Admission.

The Class of 2027 is officially stepping into senior year! All rising seniors and their families are invited to the Rising Seniors Meeting on Monday, May 11 at 6:30 PM in the Commons.

We’ll cover everything you need to know as you head into this exciting final year—important dates, senior events, fundraising, expectations, and how to stay connected throughout the year.

And yes… rising seniors will receive their very first Senior Surprise at this meeting. You won’t want to miss it!

Let’s kick off senior year together and make it unforgettable.

Get ready, Prom 2026 Masquerade is almost here and it is going to be unforgettable!

• Saturday, May 2nd
• The Loft at Gilley’s Dallas
• 7 - 10 PM

Step into a night of mystery and elegance with dazzling masks, stunning outfits, and a dance floor full of unforgettable moments. Whether your style is classic, bold, or completely over the top, this is your night to shine

Mark your calendars, gather your friends, and get ready for an incredible evening of music, dancing, and memories you will carry long after graduation

Prom 2026 Masquerade, where the mystery begins and the memories last forever!

TICKETS| Deadline is THIS Friday, April 24

(BTW Prom is open to current Juniors AND Seniors!)

This year, as part of our effort to encourage students to complete DISD college‑readiness milestones and graduation requirements, our senior ASP leaders have proposed a Senior Incentive Raffle. Students who complete the required tasks will be entered for a chance to win a selection of college‑themed prizes.

We are hoping to offer three big‑ticket items (such as scooters or a mini‑fridge, typically priced around $70–$80) and three smaller college‑essentials (like shower caddies, extension cords, first‑aid kits, and a custom college T‑shirt donated by a family‑owned business).

We would love to collaborate with our community to help fund or donate these raffle prizes, and we welcome any additional ideas you may have. Our goal is to announce the winners on May 8, so this is a quick turnaround — but we believe it will make a meaningful impact for our seniors.

If you’re interested in contributing or partnering with us on this effort, please reach out to BTW ASP Advisors, Ms. Butler or Ms. Belmonte.

Get ready, Seniors — your moment is just around the corner! We’re kicking off a full slate of events designed to honor your hard work, your artistry, and everything you’ve accomplished. Mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable finish to your senior year.

• Senior Scream | May 12 | 4:30 PM
• Senior Week | May 13 – 19 | 10 AM–12 PM (Wed–Tues)
• Senior vs. Faculty Volleyball Game | May 14 | 5 PM
• Game Day | May 18 | 10 AM–12 PM
• Rescheduled! Senior Party | May 18 | 1–3 PM
• Senior Breakfast | May 19 | 8:30 AM
• Cap & Gown Check Out | May 19 | 10 AM–12 PM
• Conservatory Dinners:

      Music | May 18 | 6:30 PM

      Dance | May 19 | 6:30 PM

      Theatre | May 20 | 6:30 PM

      Visual Arts | May 21 | 6:30 PM

• Senior Awards | May 26 | 6–7:30 PM
• Baccalaureate | May 30 | 11 AM–1 PM
• Graduation | May 31 | 8 PM

Look for specific details for each event from Senior Class Chair, Kathy Ruff coming soon!

The Vertee Kyle Memorial Success Scholarship celebrates the extraordinary life and legacy of Mrs. Vertee Kyle, who dedicated more than 40 years to Dallas ISD. For 33 years, she inspired young learners as an elementary teacher, followed by seven years mentoring new educators. She believed deeply in the power of education and in the arts as a transformative force for students.

This scholarship will be awarded to Booker T. Washington HSPVA seniors who embody Mrs. Kyle’s commitment to learning, leadership, and future success. It continues her enduring mission to uplift students and support their paths beyond graduation.

We are seeking students who demonstrate:

• Strong academic achievement
• Meaningful volunteer service in the community
• A thoughtful 10‑year success plan

Application Deadline | April 30, 2026

Questions? | Students can visit the BTWHSPVA ASP office (Room #212) or email a BTWHSPVA College Advisor: Ms. Butler or Ms. Belmonte.

VERTEE KYLE MEMORIAL SUCCESS SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

The PTSA Weekly Newsletter is produced and published by 2025-26 BTWHSPVA PTSA 3rd VP of Communications, Jennifer Wheeler Hall. For questions or issues, please complete the PTSA Inquiry Form.

Thank you for your engagement & support!