This week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're kicking off 2026 by celebrating Gold Star Peer Award winners from Iola’s High School & Middle School campuses and welcoming a new staff member to the Iola family!

Meet our award winners: January Paraprofessional - Wendy McKown, December Employee of the Month - Cathy Oliver (US & TX History), Paraprofessional Newcomer - Kamryn Michael, Overall Newcomer - Taylor Fowler (Band Director), and September Employee of the Month - Debbie Lero (Algebra 2, Pre-Cal & Calculus). We also recognize Coach Eric Blenden (November Employee of the Month) and Anthony Marks (October Employee of the Month), who couldn't join but were celebrated by peers. Plus, welcome new Life Skills staff member Celina McKown!

Band Director, Taylor Fowler, shares exciting news about the program earning top competition marks for the first time in five years and calls the Iola staff "the most wholesome I've ever been part of in 10 years of education." Staff share powerful testimonies about what makes Iola special—from Mr. Marks' dedication to repairs to Coach Blenden leading the team to feed multiple families at Thanksgiving.

The conversation includes holiday traditions, wedding planning updates, binge-watching confessions, must-have holiday foods, and heartfelt New Year reflections about fresh starts and finding joy in small moments.

Congratulations to all our award winners, and welcome to the Bulldog family, Celina! 🎉🐾

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