Newest facility honors GRIT of namesake

John Slater looks at a 1965 Chevy truck with a 2001 Corvette mid-mounted engine in the GRIT Auto Learning Lab. The life-long mechanic and car …

“It may not sound like much, but you never know the lives you touch.”

Those words from Weatherford's Holly Grizzard are what she said defined her dad, Roger Grizzard.

“Showing up can be defined as seeing a need and responding accordingly,” Holly said.

“For 21 years, dad showed up for the students of [Weatherford ISD] as a teacher but he had been serving Parker County long before that.”

Holly’s thoughts were part of a ceremony that highlighted the opening and tour of WISD’s Grizzard Regional Institute of Technology (GRIT) on March 23. The facility houses students looking to receive a high school diploma, an industry credential, and/or an associate degree at no cost in automotive technology, cosmetology, cybersecurity, and welding.

3454.Grizzard family members, school board members, WISD staff, instructors, and friends gather to cut the ribbon for the new GRIT Auto Learning Lab.

WISD Superintendent Beau Rees and Weatherford School Board President Mike Guest gather at the podium with school board members, Grizzard family …

LVN and Early Childhood Education programs will also be available soon.

“This new facility will enhance the learning environment for our students in so many ways,” said Mike Guest, WISD Board President.

“Our students will now be learning in an industry-based setting that mirrors their future workplace environment.”

Partnering with Weatherford College, GRIT opened this school year (2023-24) and had a total of 311 students enrolled. Applications for the 2024-25 school year are already at 424.

WISD boasts the top Pathways in Technology Early College High School, commonly known as P-TECH, program in the state. While most schools only start with two fields of study, Weatherford has four.

The automotive program alone has 173 students enrolled.

Roger Grizzard’s daughter Holly Grizzard, left, and widow Jeanine Grizzard spoke about Roger’s commitment to the students of the WISD.

WISD School Board President Mike Guest.

Later this spring, the GRIT Auto Learning Lab opens to students, featuring 10 basic auto bays and two diesel auto bays, where only three were available previously. Tire balancing equipment and the latest two-post auto lifts have been installed, thanks to a donation by Southwest Ford.

While the program is under the auspices of Weatherford ISD, students do not necessarily have to be in the district to avail themselves of the opportunity.

“We are a model other districts want to follow,” Guest said at a recent meeting of the WISD Board, highlighting the need to expand current facilities.

Funded with monies from the general operating budget, GRIT was named in honor of Roger Grizzard, who passed away in 2019.

For more information, email GRIT Principal Trista Stueart at tstueart@weatherfordisd.com or call 817-598-2847 Ext. 3760.