The mission of the Wylie East High School news site is to inform, educate and entertain readers. Established Jan. 13, 2011. Principal: Mrs. Tiffany Doolan; Adviser: Ms. Kimberly Creel

Blue Print

The mission of the Wylie East High School news site is to inform, educate and entertain readers. Established Jan. 13, 2011. Principal: Mrs. Tiffany Doolan; Adviser: Ms. Kimberly Creel

Blue Print

The mission of the Wylie East High School news site is to inform, educate and entertain readers. Established Jan. 13, 2011. Principal: Mrs. Tiffany Doolan; Adviser: Ms. Kimberly Creel

Blue Print

Casi Thedford

Casi Thedford, Adviser

Heads and tales

I teach my students all the workings of running news publications. This website allows us to showcase all the different journalistic styles of writing that take place in room 826, from writing headlines to telling the tale.

I am a member of  the "Alpha Staff," teachers and faculty who have been at Wylie East High School since the first year we opened. This group, which started around 50, is now down to 12. Though it's already been 13 years since this second high school in Wylie opened, it feels like it was just yesterday. 

I teach yearbook, newspaper, journalism and photojournalism. I also coach six different academic UIL events, sponsor Quill and Scroll and am the campus tech for all campus communications.

We like to be a little Extra! Extra!

I have been the journalism teacher, yearbook and newspaper adviser since the school opened. We started publishing a newsprint issue, The Raider Reader, once every six weeks. Then came along our online site, Blue Print, in 2010. Once Blue Print was up and running full steam, we dropped our print issues to just once a semester. My third newspaper editor in chief, Brooke Vincent, wanted to publish a magazine: The Raid. It debuted in 2015, featuring Tanner Smith as The Cat in the Hat in our first musical, Seussical.

We're always write!

Just as in the 'real news' world, we saw a decline in sales of our news print issue. The Raider Reader's last issue was in 2018. We currently produce online content daily and publish our magazine once a year.

I hope you will find this site as a source of news, entertainment and reference. I know I often advise others to use Blue Print when needing to find out about something that has happened or will happen at Raider Nation. In fact, I used it on four different occasions just to write this biography!

Let bylines be bylines

I haven't written my bio in years. Just for fun, here's my very first one written by my first webmaster, Tiffany Ing.

All content by Casi Thedford
A few of my teacher friends and I purchased an ad in the football program. We had our favorite football players pose with our kids for it.

Continued on page…

writer: Casi Thedford, Adviser
May 13, 2022
Fruits of labor \\ The yearbook staff celebrates the 2021 yearbook’s recognition in the Jostens’ annual Look Book. The book was selected from among  1,000 and 2,000 books submitted for consideration. “Its great to be featured in the book; I worked hard,” sophomore sports editor Tori Thedford said. “I want everyone to feel that way when seeing themselves in the yearbook.”

[Photo] Some things never change

writer: Heath Hadley, Editor in Chief
April 13, 2022
Crowning moment \\ Senior Luis Lopez won the annual Big Man on Campus competition April 5. Hosted by the International Thespian Society, Big Man is a fundraiser for the City House Youth Shelter.

[Video] They’re back

writer: Casi Thedford, Adviser
April 6, 2022
Mr. and Miss Wylie East: Everett Vasquez and Ryah Hill

[Photo] Making their mark

writer: Shelby Perry, Digital Media Editor
March 17, 2022
Out with the old \\ The spring pep rally will take place in the new Williams Center during fourth period Feb. 25.

Pep rally in new Williams Center Friday

writer: Casi Thedford, Adviser
February 21, 2022
Back again \\ Former administrators, friends and family came out to honor Mr. Williams and see the new facility.

[Photo] MVP: Most Valuable Principal

writer: Hannah Hansen, Editor-in-Chief
January 27, 2022
Pop up reindeer \ Out of the Blue performs the 12 Days of Christmas Sort of, a special twist on the regular Christmas Carol where senior Luis Lopez steps out to mimic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. The song is always a great hit with audiences with special moments throughout that make them laugh, senior Heath Hadley said. And its fun to perform.

[Photo] Choir concert full of holiday spirit

writer: Heath Hadley, Editor in Chief
December 13, 2021
Zero to hero \\ Using analogies of heroes and villains, Mrs. McKenna Tooke gives juniors a speech about deciding between good and bad. She was the guest speaker at the ring ceremony Nov. 1.

[Photo] Setting the stage

writer: Hannah Hansen, Editor-in-Chief
November 15, 2021
To the brim \\ Stop supporting fast fashion. SHEIN is cheaply manufactured. Its low prices contribute to an influx of sales which in turn causes landfills to overfill.

[Photo] Fast fashion dispassion

writer: Maggie Volpi, Copy Editor
October 28, 2021
Back at it \\ Meet the 2021-2022 Blue Print newspaper staff. Led by Editor in Chief Heath Hadley, Copy Editor Hannah Hansen and Digital Editor Shelby Perry.

[Photo] About

December 22, 2010
Directions anyone? \\ Embodying her best tacky traveler, Spanish Teacher Mrs. Gricelda Mathis participates in Thursday’s homecoming theme, A Day of Travelling.

[Photo] Drippin’ or Trippin?

writer: Gloria Olajimi, Staff Reporter
September 21, 2021
Every day is a jeans day \\ Next school year, students may wear jeans any day of the week, opposed to the current policy in place of Thursdays and Fridays only. The school board approved updates to the standardized dress code at the last board meeting.

[Photo] The deal with dress code

writer: Shelby Perry, Digital Media Editor
May 3, 2021
A little Hart \\ Freshman Jeremiah Hart holds up his mother’s new book, Unstoppable: A Story of Hope about the accident that changed their family’s life forever. Despite his injuries, Jeremiah has pushed through 36 surgeries and countless other challenges with his faith and family. Photo Casi Thedford

[Photo] Hart and Soul

writer: Heath Hadley, Editor in Chief
April 21, 2021
Look it up \\ The yearbook staff celebrates their recognition of being put in the 2020 Jostens Look Book. This is the 11th out of 13 yearbooks to be included in the book of excellence.

[Photo] Look good on paper

writer: Katie Borchetta, Staff Reporter
March 31, 2021
Fight or flight \\ Taking a breather from the intense game, senior Jayme Bailey eyes her next play during the Mesquite Horn game Jan. 4. Varsity won 4-0. Bailey scored two of the four goals. “Getting to be a leader on a team full of a lot of young talent makes being a senior on the team so much more enjoyable,” Bailey said.

Varsity girls soccer ranked #1 in state

writer: Casi Thedford, Adviser
February 11, 2021
Partnering virtually \\ With their lab partners tuning in remotely, seniors Tyler Allen and Nolan Lincoln collection trace evidence for Locard’s Lab to find the primary location of the victim’s homicide in their forensics class Sept. 28. Remote learners paired up with on-campus learners via a Google Meet or FaceTime to participate in labs.

[Photo] Remote students choose to stay home, not go to school

writer: Isabel Zambrana, journalism student contributor
September 29, 2020
True blue \\ Decked out in boas and bling, juniors Hailey Gummelt, Ashtyn Arp and Campbell Andrews participated in the annual Ultimate Raider contest.

Back in blue

writer: Casi Thedford, Adviser
September 28, 2020
The crew \\ The third period yearbook staff celebrates their Look Book and Bronze Star awards. (Note the remote learners also appearing on the laptop!)

Time for celebrations

writer: Casi Thedford, Adviser
September 14, 2020
Leading the way \\ The Volume XII yearbook leadership team consists of sports editor Lauren Vasquez, people editor Melissa Wrobel, editor in chief Maddie Smith, assistant editor in chief Emily Wygant, assistant sports editor Whitney Tobias and clubs editor Addie Orr.

Yearbook receives top rating

writer: Casi Thedford, Adviser
March 17, 2020
Initial shock \\ Sophomore Suzie Martinez shaves Mr. Zach Neus beard Feb. 21 for the Haircuts for Holcomb fundraiser. It was terrifying to try and not cut my teachers face. I couldnt believe I was shaving his beard off, Martinez said.

[Photo] Teachers lose their hair  

writer: Natalie Aguilar , journalism student
February 26, 2020
On a roll \\ Facing juniors and seniors, drumline performs a piece titled “Spice Mon.” The drumline took center stage at the rally, hyping up the student body and football team before they opened their season against North Forney. “It was incredibly gratifying to show off our hard work for an audience,” sophomore snare player Daniel Cline said.

[Photo] Golden age

writer: Andrea Ensign, Staff Reporter
September 18, 2019
A look back \\ Little did journalism adviser Mrs. Casi Thedford know that the photo she was taking of her daughter seven years ago would be used to showcase current Sapphires when they attended the Junior Jewel clinic as young girls. Senior Jordan Smith, on the front row, far left, attended the same clinic and is now an officer on the drill team. See her before and after below.

[Photo] Dancing through the decades

writer: Addie Orr, Editor in Chief
April 5, 2019
CT-Scott Roper

[Photo] What ifs

writer: Zoe Villegas, Staff Reporter
March 25, 2019
Thumbs up \\  Relishing in his students’ music, Mr. Bassett attended all pep rallies as he directs the Pride of the East.  “Reliving the same day is BORING,” Mr. Bassett said.

[Photo] Mr. Adam Bassett

writer: Valerie Msafiri, Video Editor
March 2, 2019
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