Distinguished Alumni Awards
Every year the Royse City ISD Alumni Association recognizes and honors former students for the Royse City Independent School District whose achievements, strengths of character and citizenship serve as models to inspire and challenge today's students.
2019 Distinguished Alumni Justin Nichol
Justin Nichol is a 1993 graduate of Royse City High School. He is the son of Eddie Don and Janet Nichol, who still reside in Royse City. Justin is married to Heather Nichol, and together they have three boys. Landon is 15 and is a sophomore at Rockwall-Heath High School. Brody is 7 in the second grade, and Bryson is 5 in Kindergarten at Amy Parks Elementary.
During Justin’s high school years, he played football, basketball, baseball, golf and ran track. Upon graduation, Justin received his pilot license. Flying has always been a passion of his, and he continues to enjoy it with his family.
Justin started in the car business in 1995. He has worked in every position such as technician, service writer, service manager, financial controller, sales manager, and currently the General Manager for Sewell Cadillac of Grapevine.
Justin enjoys traveling, flying airplanes, fishing with his boys, and teaching the Nichol Lifegroup class at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall.
2019 Distinguished Alumni First Responder - Mark Kerby
Mesquite Fire Chief Mark Kerby graduated from Royse City High School in 1981. During his high school career, Mark participated in football, track, band, FFA and was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduating high school, Mark attended Eastfield Community College where he completed his Associate of Arts and Science degree and later graduated Cum Laude from the University of Texas at Dallas with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He returned to UTD 27 years later and earned his Master of Public Affairs degree in December 2018.
Mark has had the pleasure of serving the citizens of Mesquite as a member of the Mesquite Fire Department since January of 1985. He rose up through the ranks in Mesquite and in 2003 was appointed Chief of the Department. Chief Kerby holds certifications as a Master Fire Fighter and Fire Instructor II from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection. He received certification as a Paramedic from UT Southwestern Allied School of Health, where he was Valedictorian of Paramedic Class 80. He is a graduate of the prestigious four-year Executive Fire Officer Program at the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and is credentialed as a Chief Fire Officer through the Centers for Public Safety Excellence.
Chief Kerby is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs and the Texas Fire Chiefs Association. He has served as President of the Dallas County Fire Chiefs Association and President of the Mesquite Rotary Club.