Carthage High School

📣 CHS STUDENTS: GET INVOLVED!

Looking for a way to connect, serve, lead, and get more involved at Carthage High School? Several student organizations are meeting this week! ❤️🖤

🌾 FFA Meeting
Monday, October 5
📍 CHS Commons
⏰ 5:30 PM

🔑 Key Club Meeting
Tuesday, October 6
📍 LRC
⏰ 7:30 AM

⚙️ TSA Meeting
Tuesday, October 6
📍 Room B-1
⏰ 5:00 PM

Whether you’re already a member or interested in finding a place to get involved, this is a great time to jump in!

Have questions about joining a club or organization at CHS? Stop by the Counselor’s Office or reach out to one of our club sponsors.

There’s a place for everyone at CHS. Find yours and get involved! 🐾❤️🖤

🔧💡 Happy National TSA Week! ❤️🖤🤍

This week, Carthage High School is proud to celebrate our TSA students and the teachers who help make those opportunities possible every day.

Through hands-on projects, competitions, leadership activities, community service, and career-focused experiences, TSA gives students the chance to create, problem-solve, collaborate, and build skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

We are incredibly proud of our students for the time, effort, creativity, and dedication they bring to TSA, and we are just as thankful for the teachers who guide them, challenge them, encourage them, and invest so much into helping them grow.

National TSA Week is a great opportunity to recognize the students who step up to take on new challenges and the educators who help inspire the next generation of innovators, leaders, and problem-solvers.

Help us celebrate our CHS TSA students and teachers this week!

#NationalTSAWeek #CHSTSA #CarthageHighSchool #CTE #BetterAsABulldog

📸 CHS PICTURE DAY IS MONDAY!

Carthage High School Picture Day will be Monday, October 5 for all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students, as well as CHS faculty and staff.

Students, come ready for your school picture and be sure to look your best! ❤️🖤🤍

📅 Monday, October 5
🎓 Grades 9–11
👩‍🏫 CHS Faculty & Staff

Please help us spread the word so everyone is ready for Picture Day!

#CarthageHighSchool #PictureDay #DawgNation

❤️🤍 THANK YOU, CHS CUSTODIANS! 🤍❤️ Today, Carthage High School is proud to recognize the incredible custodians who work hard every day to keep our campus clean, safe, and welcoming for our students, staff, families, and visitors. A special thank you to April Schuchardt, Amber Getro, Kia Bergstrom, Agnes Fuchs, Dravin Burroughs, and Wendy Gibbs for the pride, care, and dedication they bring to CHS each and every day. So much of their work happens behind the scenes, but their impact can be seen and felt all across our campus. From classrooms and hallways to events, activities, and everything in between, they help make sure Carthage High School is ready for our students every day. We are grateful for the work you do, the care you show, and the countless little things you take care of that make such a big difference. Happy National Custodian Appreciation Day! We appreciate you all more than you know. ❤️🤍

❤️🖤🤍 SERVING OUR COMMUNITY | CHS NHS AT POTLATCH 2026 ❤️🖤🤍

Our Carthage High School National Honor Society members were proud to spend part of their weekend giving back to the community at Potlatch 2026! 🎉

CHS NHS students volunteered in the Kids Zone, helping keep activities running smoothly, assisting families and children, and doing their part to make one of Carthage’s favorite community traditions a little more fun for everyone.

National Honor Society is about more than academics. It also represents leadership, character, and service — and we are proud to see our students putting those qualities into action beyond the walls of Carthage High School.

Thank you to our NHS members for representing CHS so well and for giving their time to serve the community that supports them! 🐾❤️

Proud of our Bulldogs. Proud of their service. Proud to be part of Carthage.

#CarthageBulldogs #CHSNHS #NationalHonorSociety #Potlatch2026 #BetterAsAbulldog

🎶🎉 FIFTEEN CHS CHOIR STUDENTS EARN ALL-REGION HONORS! 🎉🎶 What an incredible day for Carthage High School Choir! Congratulations to 15 CHS Choir students who earned a place in this year’s All-Region Choir following Saturday’s competition at Whitehouse High School! 👏👏👏 These students put in the work, stepped up to compete, and represented Carthage High School in a BIG way! 🎵 SOPRANOS Micaelah Burns Elizabeth Cocklin Bella Miller Dixie Nail Mary Cocklin Claire Lagroane 🎵 ALTOS Zari Glenn Lara Littleton Janiya Williams Kaelyn Wells Fallon Barrera 🎵 TENORS Solijah Allison Antwan Walton 🎵 BASSES John Martinez Tim Cocklin We are so proud of these talented students and this tremendous accomplishment! ❤️🎶 And they’re not finished yet! Next up, these students will compete in the Pre-Area round on November 17 in Jacksonville as they continue their journey through the audition process. Join us in giving these 15 outstanding CHS Choir students a huge congratulations and wishing them the very best in the next round! 👏🎉 WAY TO REPRESENT, DAWGS! 🎉👏 #ForTheC

🍎 Free & Reduced Meal Applications: Apply or Reapply Today Carthage ISD families, now is the time to complete your 2026–27 Free & Reduced Meal Application. If your family qualified last school year, please make sure you have reapplied for this school year. Eligibility from the previous year does not continue indefinitely, and families who have not submitted a new application may see their current meal discount end beginning Monday. We also encourage all Carthage ISD families to apply, even if you are unsure whether your household will qualify. Students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals can receive their regular school breakfast and lunch at no cost, thanks to continued state funding. Extra snacks and à la carte items are not included. Qualifying may also help students access additional opportunities such as reduced testing fees, college application fee waivers, financial aid resources and scholarships. The application is quick, secure and confidential, and only one application per household is needed. ➡️ Visit www.carthageisd.org Select Parents → Free & Reduced Meal Application A few minutes today can help prevent an interruption in your student’s meal discount and may open the door to additional opportunities throughout the school year.

Congratulations to Addyson Pitts, this week’s FCA Player of the Week for the 903 Volleyball Show! 🏐🔴 Addyson is a member of CHS Volleyball, Bulldogs for Christ, and FFA, and she makes a tremendous impact on those around her. She leads with positivity, energy, and encouragement, always cheering on her teammates and celebrating every success. Her contagious smile and personality lift those around her, and she is always one of the first to offer to lead the team in prayer. Addyson is a wonderful example of what it means to be a Christian athlete. She will be featured tonight on the 903 Volleyball Show with Harlen The Sports Guy and Pigskin Bob on 105.7 KYKX. The show airs Tuesday nights from 7:00–10:00 PM, with Addyson’s feature expected to air between 8:30–9:30 PM. Addyson attends First Baptist Church of Carthage and hopes to pursue a career in Dental Hygiene at Tyler Junior College. 📻 Tune in tonight and help us celebrate Addyson! #GoLadyDawgs #DawgNation

🎤 CHS Debate is off to a strong start! 🎤 The team competed in its first tournament of the year today at Sabine, and several Bulldogs came home with top finishes! * Claire LaGrone & Amy Suruy — 5th Place, CX * Javon Landers — 2nd Place, Persuasive Extemporaneous Speaking * Dayanara Iniguez — 1st Place, Informative Extemporaneous Speaking * Claire LaGrone — 3rd Place, Informative Speaking * Christopher Vance — 4th Place, Informative Speaking * Ja’von Manning — 5th Place, Informative Speaking It was a great first outing, and we’re proud of all of our CHS Debate students who competed and represented Carthage so well! 👏 Congratulations, Bulldogs!

Congratulations to CHS Class of 2022 graduate Melissa Salazar on her graduation from the East Texas Police Academy at Kilgore College and the beginning of her career with the Carthage Police Department! 🎓👮‍♀️ Melissa was a familiar face in Lady Dawg athletics during her time at CHS, competing in soccer, cross country, track & field, and cheerleading. After graduation, she continued both her academic and athletic career at Tabor College, where she competed in soccer, track & field, and cheer while earning her bachelor’s degree as a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice. Now, Melissa has reached another major milestone by completing the police academy and returning home to serve the Carthage community. From representing the Lady Dawgs to earning two degrees, competing at the collegiate level, and now beginning a career in law enforcement, Melissa continues to make Carthage proud. Congratulations, Officer Melissa Salazar! We wish you continued success as you begin this exciting new chapter. ❤️🤍 Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog! 🐾

🚨 FAN APPRECIATION NIGHT — TOMORROW NIGHT! 🚨

Dawg Nation, we need YOU in the gym as the Lady Dawgs take on Pine Tree! 🏐🔴

JV White — 4:30 PM
JV Red — 5:30 PM
Varsity — 6:30 PM

And CHS students…there’s a challenge on the line. 👀

If 100 CHS students come to the game, stay through the end of the varsity match, and bring the Bulldog spirit…

🥧 MR. MILAM WILL TAKE A PIE TO THE FACE AT FRIDAY’S PEP RALLY! 🥧

We’ll also be throwing out prizes to some of our LOUDEST FANS between sets!

🔴 Wear red
📣 Be loud
👥 Bring a friend…or 5
🏐 Stay until the final point

Students will be counted at the end of the varsity match.

100 STUDENTS. ONE PIE. LET’S MAKE IT HAPPEN.

#ForTheC #DawgNation

The stage is set, the zombies are coming, and our CHS Theatre students are ready to shine! 🎭🧟

Come support the incredible talent, creativity, and hard work of our Carthage High Theatre students as they present this year’s fall production:
10 Ways to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse: The Musical

From the performers on stage to the students working behind the scenes, this show is a celebration of the arts and the amazing things our students can do when their talents come to life. You won’t want to miss this fun, energetic, and wildly entertaining production!

📅 Friday, October 2 at 7:00 PM
📅 Saturday, October 3 at 7:00 PM
📍 Carthage High Performing Arts Center

🎟 Tickets:
$5 Students
$10 Adults
Cash only

Come out, cheer on our students, and celebrate the power of the arts at CHS!

💍 CLASS OF 2028 — IT’S TIME TO ORDER YOUR CLASS RING!

Carthage High School juniors and parents, celebrate this milestone with a Balfour Class Ring customized to represent your high school memories, achievements, and Bulldog pride!

🎥 Watch the Class Ring Video:
https://youtu.be/bm0XVHdBkRg

🛍️ Shop, Customize & Order:
https://www.balfour.com/texas/carthage/carthage-high-school

📦 Convenient Home Delivery
All class rings will be shipped directly to your home address.

Questions or need help with your order? Contact your local Balfour office:

📞 903-757-6595
📧 contactus@graduatesales.net

Class of 2028 — make it yours and wear your memories proudly!

🎉🌎 IT’S ALMOST HERE!

Our 3rd Annual Hispanic Heritage Celebration is happening THIS FRIDAY, September 11, from 4:00–7:00 PM at Carthage High School!

And come HUNGRY — you can skip cooking dinner Friday night! We’re expecting approximately 25–30 food vendors and food trucks, so there will be plenty of great food and something for everyone to enjoy.

Most vendors will be set up inside the CHS Commons, with additional vendors outside near the CHS letters or at the back bus ramp, depending on construction taking place behind the building.

Bring the whole family, grab some great food, support our vendors and students, and join us as we celebrate the cultures and traditions that make our community special. ❤️

📅 Friday, September 11, 2026
⏰ 4:00–7:00 PM
📍 Carthage High School — CHS Commons & surrounding areas

❤️ All proceeds benefit scholarships for the Carthage High School Class of 2027!

We hope to see everyone there this Friday!

🌾 AG EXTRAVAGANZA | TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 🌾 Carthage FFA students and families, make plans to join us for this year’s Ag Extravaganza! 📅 Tuesday, September 8, 2026 ⏰ 6:30 PM 📍 Expo Center Ball Park Rd. Carthage, TX 75633 We’ll have plenty going on throughout the evening, including: • Pay your FFA dues • Sign up for contests, livestock shows, and Junior FFA • Parents are encouraged to attend for the Alumni meeting • Glasses decorating • Cornhole • Supper catered by Chicken Express 🥫 DONATION DRAWING: Bring 4 canned goods and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $15 Sonic gift card! This is a great opportunity to get connected, get signed up, learn more about what’s ahead this year, and spend some time together as an FFA family. We hope to see you there! 💙💛

❤️🐾 Future Educators in Action! Our CHS Instructional Practices and Practicum students are continuing to grow in their roles at our elementary campuses, and these photos show that learning in action. As they work one-on-one and in small groups with younger students, they are learning how important it is to meet each child where they are. That means adjusting instruction, offering encouragement, and finding different ways to help every student understand and succeed. These experiences are giving our students a firsthand look at what it means to be an educator while allowing them to build meaningful relationships with the next generation of Bulldogs. We love seeing our CHS students learning, serving, and making an impact beyond the walls of the high school! ❤️

🎶 WELCOME TO CARTHAGE ISD, MR. DIOSDADO! 🎶

Carthage ISD is proud to welcome Mr. Danny Diosdado as our new Director of Bands and Director of the Carthage High School Battlin’ Bulldog Band!

An East Texas native, Mr. Diosdado brings more than a decade of experience in music education, fine arts leadership and successful program development to Carthage. Throughout his career, his programs have experienced tremendous growth while earning recognition at the regional, state and national levels.

But for Mr. Diosdado, a successful band program is about much more than performances and trophies. It is about helping students develop discipline, perseverance, responsibility, teamwork and leadership while creating experiences and memories that last long after their final performance.

“There is an incredible amount of pride in Carthage, and I felt that almost immediately. Our students want to be successful, our community wants to see them succeed, and there are people throughout the district who genuinely care about this program.”

Mr. Diosdado and his wife, Alicia, are also excited to return home to East Texas with their three children, Ian, Andrew and Elena.

We’re excited to welcome the entire Diosdado family to Carthage and can’t wait to see what is ahead for the Battlin’ Bulldog Band! 🎺🥁🎶

🔗 Meet Mr. Diosdado and read the full story: https://www.carthageisd.org/article/3105984

❤️ Celebrating a Career of Service, Strength & Heart: Mrs. Rhonda Gradberg

Today, on her final day with Carthage High School, we are honored to commemorate the retirement of Mrs. Rhonda Gradberg and celebrate an incredible 30-year career in education, including 13 years serving the students and families of Carthage ISD.

Mrs. Gradberg spent four years at Baker-Koonce before making Carthage High School home for the next nine years, serving one year as an English I & III teacher and eight years as a CHS counselor.

Mrs. Gradberg’s career is about so much more than titles, years, or job descriptions. For her students and coworkers, she has been a source of comfort, strength, trust, and unwavering positivity. She has always had a remarkable ability to find the light at the end of the tunnel, to find the right words when someone needed to hear them most, and to bring a sense of calm when everything around her seemed chaotic.

Whether it was a mountain of paperwork, an office in distress, a coworker having a difficult day, or a student simply needing a safe place and a trusted adult, Mrs. Gradberg was there. Every day. Every time.

She listened. She encouraged. She advocated. She reassured. And most importantly, she cared.

Her students knew they had someone in their corner. Her coworkers knew they had someone they could trust. And our campus was better because of the compassion, wisdom, patience, and steady presence she brought with her each day.

For 30 years, Mrs. Gradberg poured herself into others. She worked tirelessly for her students, believed in them through difficult moments, celebrated their successes, and helped countless young people navigate some of the most important years of their lives. The true impact of that kind of work cannot be measured in numbers. It lives on in the people whose lives were made a little better, a little calmer, and a little brighter because she was there.

Mrs. Gradberg, thank you for every conversation, every encouraging word, every problem you helped solve, every student you fought for, every coworker you lifted up, and every moment you reminded someone that things were going to be okay.

As you close this chapter today, Carthage High School will miss your presence more than words can adequately express. We are incredibly grateful for the legacy you leave behind and excited for the chapter ahead.

And we have a feeling those grandbabies are about to receive a whole lot more attention, love, and spoiling. ❤️

Congratulations on an incredible career and a retirement that is so well deserved, Mrs. Gradberg. Thank you for being a light for so many.

🐾 Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog.

🏈 SUBVARSITY FOOTBALL INFO | THURSDAY vs. PINE TREE The Sub-varsity Dawgs are back in action Thursday with both home and road matchups! 7th & 8th Grade 📍 Bulldog Stadium ⏰ 4:30 PM scrimmage 🎟️ FREE ADMISSION 9th Grade & JV 📍 At Pine Tree ⏰ 9th Grade — 5:00 PM ⏰ JV — Following ⚠️ Pine Tree fan information: All Carthage fans must park, enter, and sit on the HOME side of the stadium. 🎟️ Tickets for the 9th/JV games are ONLINE ONLY: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/tx/longview/organization/8893/pine-tree-high-school/tickets Come out and support the future of Bulldog Football! 🔴⚪️🏈 #ForTheC #DawgNation