Are you a Sunnyvale ISD Alumnus?

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Mission Statement: The mission of the Sunnyvale ISD Alumni Association is to provide a network of support for students and graduates of Sunnyvale Independent School District, encourage community spirit and continue to advance the mission and vision of Sunnyvale ISD. 

President: Codie Stidham Lunt

We welcome new members! Please contact Emily White if you would like to join our board! emily.white@sunnyvaleisd.com.

Make your mark on the Sunnyvale Campus by purchasing a personalized brick to show your support and commemorate your days at Sunnyvale ISD.

ANYONE CAN ORDER!

Proceeds benefit the Gwinn Blankenship Scholarship Fund.

Legacy Walk will be located near the entrance of Raider Stadium.

You May Order Online:

www.bricksrus.com/donorsite/SunnyvaleRaider

The Sunnyvale Alumni Association has announced that Julie McFaul (SJH '89) will be the 2023 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. Julie will be recognized during homecoming week, where she will act as Grand Marshall of the Homecoming Parade on Sept. 16  and at half-time of the homecoming game on Sept. 22.

“Julie is the most intelligent person I know,” fellow alumnus Emily Tidwell White (SJH ‘89) said. “And while she has used her analytical skills to help better our country in many ways, it’s her heart for her family and friends that makes a true gift to the world.” 

Julie graduated the valedictorian of Sunnyvale Junior High’s 1989 class and then attended Poteet High School, where she was also valedictorian. She graduated from Texas A&M University Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Computer Engineering and then worked for many years as a software engineer at the defense contracting company, Raytheon. She created, tested, and delivered software for a range of large scale distributed systems and single user desktop applications. She received a Technical Honor at the company which was voted on by her work peers.

Julie remembers her experiences as a junior high student at Sunnyvale Junior High.

“I believe the small community feel of the school coupled with excellent academics and athletics made me who I am today,” Julie said. “It was really nice to go to a school where everyone knew your name, even if they were not your teacher or in your class. The school provided a sense of belonging, and the friendships I made while there still carry through to this day.”

One of the highlights of Julie’s time at SJH was the 1987-88 volleyball season, coached by student favorite, Karen Holland. 

“My favorite memory of my time at Sunnyvale is winning the Mesquite Volleyball Tournament in 1987,” she said. “This was the year they changed the rules and allowed only kids of that grade to compete as a team. Ms. Holland was fit to be tied about that rule change. There were only 6 seventh graders on the team to compete in our tournament. We won the whole thing when the odds were stacked against us. We showed that we could work as a team and overcome those challenges.”

Julie and her friends were part of SISD’s first Odyssey of the Mind competition, which was the predecessor of what is now  Destination Imagination. Her team, lead by SISD retiree Joy Hounsel, won silver at the state championship. 

“It was a competition that celebrated being smart and creative,” Julie said. “It showed that being smart could be cool. Especially when we won silver at the state level competition, it felt so good to come back home where our doors were decorated and everyone at the school was so proud of us. It reinforced to me that being smart, being who I was, was ok to be.” 

Julie married the love of her life, Dallas Police Sergeant Nathan Foreman, in 2007. In 2015, they welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth. The family resides in Richardson. Julie has won many ribbons at the Texas State Fair for her artwork and needlework. She loves to read, play games, and make art.

Sunnyvale ISD Alumni Association Names Julie Boltz 2023 Legacy Award Recipient

The excellence of SISD Fine Arts can trace its origin to this year’s Sunnyvale Alumni Association’s Legacy Award recipient, Mrs. Julie Boltz. 

The beloved Sunnyvale ISD music and choir teacher, who created a culture of musical appreciation and performance at SISD during the 1980s and 90s, set the foundation of what Sunnyvale fine arts is today.

Mrs. Boltz will be honored at half-time of the SISD homecoming game on Friday, Sept. 22. The Legacy Award was designed by the Alumni Association as a way to honor members of the SISD faculty and staff who played a significant role in their education.

“Mrs. Boltz is responsible for some of the best memories of my elementary years,” Sunnyvale Alumni Association President Codie Stidham Lunt (SJH ‘96) said. The Christmas and Spring programs always packed the gyms and singing carols at the mall was a hit! Talent shows, music game day and learning to read music made her and her class very special to me. Mrs. Boltz taught kindergarten through 8th grade every aspect of music; reading and writing music, voice lessons, keeping the tempo and even dancing. If it weren’t for her, hundreds of Raiders wouldn’t know the importance of and have an appreciation for music. She made a huge impact on our school and town. ”

Mrs. Boltz (then Julie Polk) began working for Sunnyvale ISD in 1983. Prior to then, she taught private piano and voice to students from Mesquite and Sunnyvale ISD’s. Before moving to Texas, she taught at schools in Missouri.

“Superintendent Gwinn Blankenship asked me to establish and develop a music program for the nine grade levels at Sunnyvale School,” Mrs. Boltz said.  “Since there wasn’t a room available for a music class at that time, he made it work by finding available spaces around the school. An additional building was added to the campus soon and I was able to have my own classroom.”
With the support of the administration, faculty and community, Mrs. Boltz began building her program. In no time, students began performing in annual Christmas and spring programs and learning critical music education skills as well as confidence in presentations.

The programs — which always drew packed crowds —  were always community projects, with parents and local businesses donating time, funds and talents to ensure they were successful.

“Each year, the students were more comfortable and confident being in front of the packed venues and the enjoyment of both the performers and the audiences were amazing!” Julie said. “The productions were group efforts that included parents and faculty creating sets, costumes and props. The students were often accompanied by Mesquite ISD musicians. It was a community affair and a great example of what Sunnyvale was about! And now look at its success!”

Her students not only gained confidence as performers, but became skilled audience members. Mrs. Boltz created an environment of culture and music appreciation by providing Sunnyvale students with an introduction to the Dallas-area fine arts scene with annual visits to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. 

“To foster interest in the arts offered in the Dallas area, a trip to the Meyerson for the Dallas Symphony’s Children’s Concert became an annual affair,” Mrs. Boltz said.  “We spent weeks studying the orchestra, the music, and audience etiquette and behavior expected at the concert. Each year it was a highly anticipated day for everyone and memorable for our excited children. Following the performances, we would receive a letter from the Symphony, commending the Sunnyvale students for their exemplary audience behavior, another reason to be proud of them!”

Mrs. Boltz also created the Junior High Choir, which met after school and performed at the annual programs and at other venues. Annually, the group made Christmas caroling trips around Sunnyvale via hayride with plenty of hot chocolate. 

“A large number of students participated, and we had great times singing in the community, for assemblies, and school concerts,” Mrs. Boltz said. “They were so musical and such a joy to teach, even if some of our choir outfits were “unusual”. I was always delighted to see them continue in the arts when they went on to local high schools.”

However, Mrs. Boltz wanted so much more than excellent performances and audience participation for her students. Her goal was simple:

“My passion for children—to not only know about music, but to love it and find joy in it—helped me introduce all ages to an exciting world of the arts,” Mrs. Boltz said. “They absorbed it all – to sing, dance, act, perform, and not only read music but to write it! And since I taught them each year, many of them became my lasting friends who remain today. Sunnyvale was a small school then, but not in quality nor in expectations, thanks to a great Superintendent, School Board and Faculty. It was just the seed of a music program that now excels in every area. I am proud to say I had a part in its development and its star power!”

Mrs. Boltz lives in Austin with her husband, Nick (retired Director of Fine Arts for Round Rock ISD). She and Nick are the Music Directors at Hope Presbyterian Church in Austin, where she directs several children and youth choirs, ages 3-18. Mr. and Mrs. Boltz are clinicians for middle and high school choirs in the Round Rock, Leander, and Austin school districts. The Boltzes have five children, 15 grandchildren and one very indulged cat, named Annie. 

DID YOU KNOW…

Many people think that Mrs. Boltz wrote the Sunnyvale ISD school song, “Sunnyvale  Our Sunnyvale.” However, the song was already written when she arrived at SISD. There was no full copy of the song available, so she wrote an arrangement, which is the version now sung at all games and pep rallies. 

Mrs. Boltz did, however, write the school songs for Poteet High School and Kimbrough Middle School when each school opened.

 Share your favorite memory your time with Mrs. Boltz!