The Panther Way: A Legacy of Leadership, Mentoring, and Relationships
A National Principals Month Spotlight on Principal Julie McManus | Lufkin High School, Texas
Some school leaders leave their mark through new initiatives. Others build something that lasts through changing administrations, shifting priorities, and generations of students.
Principal Julie McManus has spent more than two decades helping shape a culture at Lufkin ISD where relationships, high expectations, and student leadership remain at the heart of the Panther Way.
My relationship with Julie began in 2011, when Ignite first partnered with Lufkin ISD. Julie was serving as a lead counselor, working alongside a forward-thinking administrative team that recognized something powerful:
Students could play an important role in helping other students succeed.
Imagine entering a high school of nearly 1,900 students as a freshman. For years, incoming Panthers were told to find the third floor. The problem? There wasn’t one! It’s a funny story looking back, but for a freshman trying to find their way, that first year can feel overwhelming.
That’s why Lufkin’s mentoring tradition matters. Every incoming freshman has an older Panther to help them navigate high school, build confidence, and know they belong.
Long before advisory programs became commonplace, Lufkin and Ignite worked together to develop a yearlong system of student leadership, near-peer mentoring, and accountability. Some years, GEAR UP helped support the work; other years, the district found creative ways to keep it going.
The impact began early, with improvements in attendance and freshmen passing their classes. And the celebrations became traditions of their own: the Ignite Watch process, ice cream socials, and trips to Schlitterbahn Waterpark recognizing students for their commitment and growth.
What started as a shared vision grew into something much more lasting: a school culture where students helping students became part of the foundation.
Continuing a Legacy of Consistency
When Julie became principal four years ago, she inherited a strong foundation established by former Principal Kurt Stevens, who moved into the role of Deputy Superintendent. Rather than change what was working, she made it a priority to build on that foundation.
In our recent conversation, Julie kept returning to three things: visibility, consistency, and high expectations. For her, that means being present at school events, remaining approachable, and ensuring students know what is expected of them.
Those principles have guided Lufkin through changes in scheduling, campus safety, and student expectations, including the Evolv screening system, student identification requirements, and a school-day cell phone policy.
Julie understands that implementing policies is one thing. Building a culture where expectations are understood and consistently upheld is another.
It’s the same principle that has helped sustain the mentoring tradition:
Relationships matter, but so do the systems and the people committed to maintaining them year after year.
Making Room for Student Voice
One part of our conversation particularly caught my attention.Through ongoing school climate surveys, Lufkin gathers feedback from students, families, and staff. While parent and staff responses have been encouraging, Julie sees an opportunity to strengthen student voice, particularly around safety, fairness, and belonging.
Rather than simply review the results, she’s inviting students to help shape the solutions.
A new Student Advisory Committee will bring together juniors and seniors from athletics, fine arts, clubs, and other organizations every six weeks to share their perspectives and influence school decisions.
Their first opportunity? Helping shape new cafeteria menu choices. It may seem small, but student voice becomes meaningful when students see their ideas taken seriously.
And in many ways, this reflects the same philosophy behind Lufkin’s mentoring tradition:Â Freshman have something valuable to contribute to their school community and the upper grade students have been positively paving the way for nearly 2 decades
A Partnership That Helped Shape Ignite
For more than 15 years, Lufkin has demonstrated what can happen when student mentoring becomes a lasting commitment rather than a one-day event. Through leadership training, ongoing mentoring, Ignite Spark lessons, and leadership development, the partnership has continued to evolve alongside the needs of students.
Julie has been an important part of that journey, helping us think through mentor training, leadership assessments, curriculum, and ways to sustain a system of student support. Long before Ignite Spark, online training, and leadership certification became central parts of our work, Lufkin was helping us understand what a sustainable student leadership system could look like.
The lessons we learned alongside Julie and her team continue to influence how Ignite serves schools across the country.
As we celebrate National Principals Month, I am reminded that great leadership isn’t always about launching the next big initiative.
Sometimes it is about protecting what matters, showing up consistently, holding high expectations, and recognizing the potential of students to make a difference in one another’s lives.
Principal McManus, thank you for helping generations of Panthers recognize their potential and for reminding us that relationships will always be at the heart of the Panther Way!Â