Navarro Intermediate Takes the Win at 2026 Duck Fest: A "Growing” Celebration of Education
GERONIMO, TX — May 15, 2026 — The feathers have settled and the results are in! The Navarro Education Foundation (NEF) successfully concluded its annual Duck Fest fundraiser on May 8, 2026, with a high-energy pep-rally. The event celebrated a community-wide effort that continues a 21 year legacy of excellence, contributing to over $867,000 in total funding provided to Navarro ISD for educational and innovative grants since the foundation’s inception.
The competition was fierce this year as campuses vied for the highest number of rubber duck adoptions. Ultimately, Navarro Intermediate emerged victorious, earning the right to host the grand finale celebration. The win secured the students a front-row seat to the action and—most importantly—the chance to witness the "Principal’s Challenge."
Emceed by Superintendent Dr. Mandy Epley, the celebration reflected the district’s deep agriculture and community roots with a farm and ranch themed event. The pep-rally featured a star-studded lineup of Panther talent and local support from the Junior High spirit squad, drumline, and theatre department who performed an original skit titled “Georgina and the Golden Wrench” featuring the Duck mascot. 2025 Navarro Graduate Maddux Adams returned to his alma mater as the guest DJ for the afternoon.
One of the afternoon's highlights was the Rancher Relays, where 3rd, 4th, and 5th-grade student representatives competed in stick-horse racing, pig showing with a balloon, and a classic potato sack race to the cheers of their classmates.
The excitement reached a fever pitch during the Principal’s Challenge. To honor the Intermediate campus’s winning adoption numbers, Principal Schwarzlose took to the center of the gym to fulfill her promise: kissing a live pig in front of a roaring crowd of students and staff.
The event culminated in the epic " Duck Drop." Hundreds of numbered rubber ducks were released from a giant bag suspended from the gym ceiling. As they rained down toward the target, lucky adopters were identified for prizes and fun packages.
"Your support of Duck Fest is an investment in the quality education provided by Navarro ISD," said Kasie Tankersley, NEF Secretary. "Every duck adopted translates directly into classroom and campus grants that will be awarded this coming fall, and we are especially grateful to our Duck Fest sponsors for their generosity and support of education in our community.” Please note to include Guadalupe Regional Medical Sponsor as a Platinum Sponsor.
The Navarro Education Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the educational experience for all students within Navarro ISD. Through annual fundraisers like Duck Fest and Clay Fest, the foundation funds innovative teaching grants and campus initiatives that fall outside the traditional school budget. Over the last 21 years, NEF has distributed more than $867,000 back into the classrooms.