Page 22 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2018- Online Magazine

HONORING J.T. & MARGARET

T ALKINGT ON

In the Steps of Margaret Talkington

BY JENNIFER CARDELLI

In 2008, ten years ago this spring, the give back to the community, just like the
Talkington School for Young Women school’s namesake, Margaret Talkington.
Leaders opened its doors as a very In 2016, Talkington School for Young
special middle school within the Lubbock Women Leaders was awarded the U.S.
Independent School District. One of only Department of Education’s National Blue
eight Texas schools in the prestigious Ribbon School award for overall academic
Young Women’s Preparatory Network, excellence and for closing achievement
Talkington has since evolved to become a gaps among student subgroups. The
combined middle school and high school, Talkington student body is wonderfully
academically challenging roughly 470 diverse, many who are first generation
young ladies from all over Lubbock. Much College-bound students, and features
like Margaret Talkington herself, the school young women who maintain a common
has set the bar high in its mission for goal of intellectual excellence and personal
personal and academic success: enrichment, regardless of background.
Our mission is to empower Young Under the leadership of Principal Julie
Women Leaders through rigorous college Wyatt, the students know a loving and
preparatory experiences, health awareness, kind, yet structured environment, which
commitment to service and personal encourages achievement and personal best.
accountability for lifelong success. Effort, achievement, and competition, UIL
and athletic alike, is celebrated. Talkington
Students are accepted to Talkington SYWL students can choose from a plethora of
via an application, requiring at least a 3.2 activities and clubs, such as cheerleading,
Grade Point Average, as well as letters Student Council, Big Sis/Little Sis,
of recommendation from teachers and volleyball, basketball and track, and have
community members. The majority of a wonderful time planning and attending
classes offered at Talkington are pre- school dances, pep rallies, Big Sis/Little
AP or AP, with 100% of our graduating Sis movie nights, as well as many other
seniors to date having been accepted to a activities.
four year university. Each student must
complete grade level goals - as well as club The Talkington Foundation endowment
goals for National Junior Honor Society, has been a huge blessing to the young
National Honor Society, Student Council, women who have studied within these
and Cheer – and also in service-learning, halls. Academic enhancements and
creating and nourishing the passion to opportunities, along with life-changing

22 Lubbock Senior Link