Photo Gallery Mooneyham Elementary's New Orleans-style chili took first place in the official chili judging for Best Tastin' Chili at the FEF Annual Chili Challenge. And the People's Choice vote once again went to Curtsinger Elementary. This Stafford student is just one of many talented dancers who performed traditional dances from around the world as part of Frisco Nation, a celebration of the cultures represented in FISD.

Organizers estimate approximately 3, 500 people turned out for the FEF Annual Chili Challenge and the new Frisco Nation event held at Pizza Hut Park, Friday night, October 14.

The parking lot was home to 27 booths hosted by FISD campuses and departments displaying creatively decorated chili booths. Each booth competed for the “Best Theme/Decorated” booth in addition to the “Best Tastin’ Chili” Award.

While families strolled and sampled chili, they also had the opportunity to visit 29 booths from FISD campuses that highlight various cultures represented in FISD. More than 20 groups of performers from campuses took to three stage areas to perform traditional music or dances from other cultures. This event, which has been planned by the FISD Diversity Committee, was canceled last year due to weather issues. Partnered with the Chili Challenge, it is believed that even more families came out to support their student and their school.

This year’s official Chili Judges were: Geri Briones of Remax Suburban; Jim Gandy, President of Frisco Economic Development Corporation; Lance Tyler, Founder and President of Auto Splash Car Care; Bob Allen, Frisco City Councilman and former FEF board president; Maher Maso, Mayor of the City of Frisco, Doug Quinn, President and CEO of FC Dallas, and Donnie Nelson, General Manager & President of basketball operations of Dallas Mavericks and owner of the NBA

D League Texas Legends.

After judging the chili samples, the judges announced the top three chili recipe winners were : 3rd Place-Wakeland High School; 2nd Place-Sparks Elementary; and 1st place went to Mooneyham Elementary.

The people also gave voice to their opinion, with Fisher Elementary coming in 3rd place for the “People’s Choice” Award on best chili, Rogers in a close 2nd place, with 1st place going to Curtsinger Elementary.

The competition also including a judging of the chili booth theme/decorations. After a very difficult judging process, the elementary campuses to take home awards in this category were: Boals Elementary with “KISS our Chili” in 3rd place, Rogers Elementary with “Medieval Times” in 2nd place, and Taylor Elementary taking home the 1st place Trophy with their “KISS the Cook Chili”. The high school's also got into the theme competition. The Secondary winners were: Lone Star High School’s “Lone Star Luau” winning 3rd place in this division; Frisco High School’s “Indiana Jones” coming in 2nd; and Wakeland High School’s “WHS Fright Fest” bringing home the 1st place trophy.

FISD departments also participated in the event. FISD Technology Department rallied again this year to run and operate the Concession Stand, the Construction Department constructed a “Barnyard Chili” booth bringing home the 1st place trophy in the FISD Department category of “Best Booth Presentation/Theme,” with the Allen Elementary Café representing FISD Child Nutrition coming in 2nd.

Campus Participation is also an area of great competition. This year, the secondary campuses with the most participation (tickets sold), were Pioneer Heritage Middle School in 3rd place, Staley Middle School in 2nd place, and Frisco High School in 1st Place. Elementary campuses who garnered the most tickets were: Sparks coming in 3rd place; Mooneyham rounding out 2nd; and Curtsinger Elementary taking home the 1st place trophy again this year.

"We had another successful Chili Challenge and appreciate everyone coming out to support the foundations mission through this event. It is truly a community wide, family friendly event that helps fund college scholarships for FISD graduating seniors, grants to FISD educators, and educational programs that would not otherwise exist if not funded by the Frisco Education Foundation," said Allison Miller, director of the Frisco Education Foundation.

The generous sponsors supporting this year's event were: Presenting and FEF Platinum Event Sponsor, Auto Splash Car Care; Gold Sponsor and FEF Platinum Event Sponsor, Corgan; Silver Sponsor, Land Rover; Bronze Sponsor, Encore Wire; and Picnic Area Sponsor and FEF Platinum Event Sponsor, Core Construction.

FISD, the sponsors, Pizza Hut Park, and the families and staff of the Frisco Independent School District make this event what it is, Miller said, but added without the support of all the campus staff, administrative staff, parents and students who come to the event .... "We would not have a successful event. We are lucky to be a part of FISD and in the City of Frisco."