![NEW CHALLENGE, NEW TEAM MEMBERS: Every season, VEX creates a new game that robotics team members are faced with and have to build a robot to compete in. This year’s game forces students to create a robot that is able to stack rings onto mobile goals in order to score points. The change in games each season is something that robotics teacher Audrea Moyers appreciates.
“One of the things that I like about VEX is that they have a new problem to solve every year,” she said. ¨Even though the equipment’s the same, they have to analyze the game, and they have to come up with solutions that are unique that year. They are using their knowledge from prior years, but they have to kind of redesign a problem.”
As returning teams were faced a new game, some new teams and members had to adapt to a uncommon playing field and game.
“Three of our four teams were competing for the first time this year, and they had very different experiences match to match, so I think they learned a lot,¨ she said. ¨It’s hard just watching a video online to know how it’s actually going to be in person, so they all learned a lot about what gameplay is like, how to work with an alliance partner [and] how to adapt during the day to changes.”](https://bestofsno.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/IMG_9283-1-1200x800.jpg)
In October, Nacogdoches ISD lost a beloved educator, Jody Franks, after a year-long battle with a brain tumor. She was diagnosed with a glioma in September 2023 and began treatment immediately.
“I never would have dreamed that was going on,” former high school counselor Emily Taravella said. “Both of my children had her as a teacher, and no one could really believe that that’s what was going on. But one thing that she was so adamant about was that she wanted to keep teaching for as long as possible.”
Ms. Franks joined Nacogdoches ISD in 2016 at Mike Moses Middle School, before moving to the high school, where she taught advanced biology, and STEM.
“I’ve been friends with her since she moved from the middle school to the high school,” science teacher Roya Dinbali said. “She would help me with my lesson plans when I would go visit her while she was sick. She always tried to think outside the box, and make learning fun.”
Ms. Franks taught for as long as she could. She tried to be with her students as much as possible, however, her health prevented her from spending a lot of time teaching.
“Being around the students was everything to her,” Taravella said. “She loved teaching, she loved being around the kids. I know she really wanted to come back this school year and was really broken-hearted when her health wouldn’t let her.”
Ms. Franks was flooded with visitors while she was at home recovering. Friends, family members, colleagues, and even students went to see her.
“I went to visit her a lot while she was sick, and we just talked about anything and everything,” Dinbali said. “I think she was happy with her life though, and angry that her life was cut short. She loved to travel, and I was going to take her to a Texas A&M game, but she passed away before I could.”
Ms. Franks’ funeral was held on October 26, at Austin Heights Baptist Church. The funeral was well attended by former students, colleagues, and old friends.
“It was very packed,” Taravella said. “Their overflow rooms were full and there were so many people from the high school. I thought it was really beautiful.”
Ms. Franks left a legacy at NHS. In addition to her work in the classroom, she helped fill the flower gardens at the high school with flowers and plants.
“She loved teaching, and she loved learning,” Dinbali said. “I think her memory is always going to be here.”
This story was originally published on Dragon Echo Online on February 3, 2025.
