
👏 BIG WIN for senior Blaine DeShazo: He brought home Reserve Grand Champion in the Hampshire class at the HCLS!!! Way to represent and make us proud, Blaine! #HornetNation



🐝 Hooray for Athens FFA members (l-r) Eddie Cleto, Yahir Medina, Luis Pina, Antony Rondan, and Diego Madera for earning Overall Best Team Showmanship in the Ag Mechanics division at the Henderson County Livestock Show! 🏆 The team built a 14-foot welding trailer almost entirely from scratch — including custom toolboxes and workbenches — and wowed the judges with their deep knowledge of every aspect of the build. From interpreting AutoCAD plans and following safety protocols to presenting their project as a market-ready product, these students showed what hard work, teamwork, and skill look like. We're so proud of you all! 👏 #HornetNation

👉 What’s in the 2025 Athens ISD bond package? Check out the bond fact sheet for a breakdown and get more details (including answers to some common questions) at www.athensisdbond.com. Early voting is April 22–29 and Election Day is May 3. #HornetNation


🔥⚽️ AREA PLAYOFF GAME DAY! ⚽️🔥 Our BI-DISTRICT CHAMPION Lady Hornets take on Spring Hill in the area round of playoffs today, March 25, at 5:30pm at Rose Stadium in Tyler!
🎟️ Tickets are $5 adults; $3 students and available online at: https://tylerisd.hometownticketing.com/embed/all
👜 Clear bag policy in effect.
Let’s pack the stands, make a lot of noise and support our team! #HornetNation


👑 Congratulations to the 2025 Henderson County Livestock Show Princess Reese Ann Tappan! Reese, a fifth grader at Central Athens Elementary, is representing our community with grace and charm. We’re so proud of you, Reese — way to shine! #HornetNation



Seniors Cooper Rich (left) and Isaac Hoch are two-time state champions in CX debate! The duo went undefeated, earning unanimous 3-0 decisions in every paneled round. Their victory marks Athens ISD’s sixth state title in CX debate since 2014. What a legacy! #HornetNation


🐂 Class Champion! Central Athens Elementary fifth-grader Reese Ann Tappan and her 2-year-old Red Brahman, Riqa (AKA: Moreno Ms. Lady Riqa 976/3), dominated the ring at the 2025 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, earning the prestigious title of Class Champion. Last year, Riqa placed second in her class, but this year, the powerhouse duo took it to the next level. As a dedicated member of Athens Junior FFA, Reese is proving that supervised agricultural experiences start young. #HornetNation 👏👏 #HornetNation


Attention Senior Parents!
Time is running out to order a yearbook!
And don't forget to celebrate a senior's journey with a personalized ad in the yearbook! Senior ads are the perfect way to honor their achievements, share pride, and give them a keepsake they'll cherish forever.
💡 Why purchase a senior ad?
✔️ Highlight your senior’s accomplishments
✔️ Share heartfelt messages and favorite photos
✔️ Give them a lasting memory of this milestone
⏳ Deadline to purchase ads: March 7
📍 Order now at: yearbookordercenter.com. School code: 6927
Space is limited, so don’t wait! Let’s make this year’s yearbook unforgettable! 🎉📸 #SeniorAds #ClassOf2025 #MemoriesThatLast


👉 If your student receives special education services through an IEP, they may be eligible for a one-time $1,500 grant through the Parent-Directed Special Education Services (PDSES) program! Use the grant for:
📚 Books, laptops, tablets and school supplies
🎨 Sensory & therapeutic items
📖 Tutoring, therapy, social skills classes, and more!
🗓 Application deadline is March 31, 2025. First come, first served!
🔗 Apply & Learn More: https://bit.ly/pdsesGrant



🎉 We're putting the spotlight on the very wonderful Henry Thornton. Mr. Thornton, a former teacher and principal at another district, volunteered for 14 years(!) at Athens High School. He served as a student liaison by befriending hundreds of students — showing kind interest in their lives and encouraging them toward their futures. While he's been absent from the building a few years now, Mr. Thornton still cheers on many of the students he connected with, as well as the staff. We miss you, Mr. Thornton, and we THANK YOU! ❤️👏 #HornetNation


🏆 AHS Debate Dominates! Off to Nationals! 🐝 This past weekend, our Hornet debaters brought their A-game to the National Speech & Debate District Qualifier in Longview. Seniors Cooper Rich and Isaac Hoch took 🥇1st place in Policy Debate, and junior Regan Head earned 🥇1st place in Big Questions Debate—securing their spots at the National Speech & Debate Tournament! 🏆 Our talented underclassmen made some noise too! Sophomores Liam Tinsley and Ariel Silas finished 🥉3rd in Policy Debate (1st alternates to nationals), and freshman Camden Garner placed 🏅4th in U.S. Extemporaneous Speaking (1st alternate). To top it all off, Coach Will Honea was honored as 🏆 NSDA District Coach of the Year! 👏 Huge congratulations to our incredible debaters and coach! 📸 Pictured (back row, from left) Camden Garner, Liam Tinsley, Ariel Silas, and (front, from left) Isaac Hoch, Regan Head and Cooper Rich. 🐝 #RoadToNationals #AHSDebate


🏀🔥 Our 12-0 boys basketball team is headed to the bi-district playoffs! 💪 Athens takes on Pine Tree TOMORROW—Tuesday, Feb. 18, at 6 PM at Wagstaff Gym, Tyler Junior College. (We're the visiting team.) Tickets are $5 for adults & students, and passes are accepted. Get yours online at the link below or at the gate; TJC is card-only! To purchase online: Click the link, scroll down to "HS Playoffs First Round," find Pine Tree vs. Athens, and hit "Get Tickets." Let’s pack the stands, wear our maroon, and cheer our Hornets on to victory! 👏🐝 #HornetNation 🔗 https://www.apacheathletics.com/tickets


🔥🏀 PLAYOFF TIME! The undefeated district champion Hornet boys basketball team (12-0) is headed to the bi-district playoffs! 💪 Athens takes on Pine Tree on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 6pm at Wagstaff Gym, Tyler Junior College. We're the visiting team. Tickets are $5 for adults and students, and passes will be accepted. Let’s pack the stands, wear our maroon, and cheer our guys on to victory! 👏 🐝 #HornetNation


👏🎶 AHS choir students competed in the UIL Solo and Ensemble contest in Whitehouse yesterday — and they ROCKED IT. 🎶👏 These students put in extra time outside of class to prepare and memorize their songs for judges, and their hard work paid off with great ratings and six students advancing to the next level! 🏅 Earning a Superior (1) Rating on their solo and advancing to the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in May: Kelly Burras, Kaitlyn Capps, Cayden Hill, Victoria Juarez, Megan Mayne and Jesus Rodriguez. 🏅 Also earning a Superior (1) Rating on their solo: Justus Booker, Azaneth Flores, Nahomi Fraire, Armani Garcia, Kane Mitchell, Kraven Parker, Jordan Pena, Amelia Santos, Bianca Santoyo, Melissa Sauceda, Dominik Snow, Yolanda Sorto and Kaison Warren-Walker. 🌟 Earning an Excellent (2) Rating on their solo: America Cazares, Trevin Hill and River Lang.
Huge congratulations to all these students! 🎶 #HornetNation


✍️ Nominations via the link below are open through Sunday, Feb. 9 for the AISD Distinguished Alumni recognition. The 2025 induction dinner will be held the evening of April 24. Let us know who should be considered by using the link! ✨To qualify, they must have graduated at least 10 years ago.✨ Past inductees include Jerry Rogers, Thelma Griffin, Freddie Paul, Derek Daniels, Vivian Anderson Castleberry, Drew Douglas, Richard Fisher, Eugene Buford, Kaci Koviak, William Wayne Justice, Randy Jones, Dr. Joe Mike Murphy, USAF Sgt. Timothy Johnson, Steve Grant, Katie Leatherwood and John Glover. https://forms.gle/dRabee6xgGPEcgw39


🙌 Athens Middle School students showed up and showed out at the 2025 UIL Academic Meet! With speaking and listening events hosted at AMS on Friday, our students competed across multiple disciplines and delivered outstanding performances. Congratulations to both dedicated students and hardworking teacher/coaches on your hard work and achievements. Here’s a look at our results:
8th Grade
Chess: 2nd Place - Sylus Holland, Team: 2nd Place
Dictionary Skills: 1st Place - Justin Carpenter, 5th Place - Kennedy Billington, Team: 1st Place
Editorial Writing: 2nd Place - Kinley Boyle, 3rd Place - Gracie Robinson
Impromptu Speaking: 3rd Place - Karis Williamson, 4th Place - Caleb Burks
Listening Skills: 3rd Place (tie) - Karis Williamson & Eisley Diamond, 5th Place - Taryn McAlister, Team: 1st Place
Maps, Graphs, & Charts: 5th Place - Kinley Boyle
Modern Oratory: 2nd Place - Gracie Robinson
Music Memory: 2nd Place - Jayleen Johnson, 6th Place - Rebekah Salazar, Team: 2nd Place
Number Sense: 4th Place - Shaun Scheibmeir, 5th Place - Justin Carpenter, Team: 2nd Place
Ready Writing: 4th Place - Eisley Diamond
Science: 4th Place (tie) - Caleb Burks & Fisher Lang, Team: 2nd Place
7th Grade
Art: 6th Place - Jocelyn Anguiano
Chess: 2nd Place - Jeffrey Casas, 4th Place - Jack Ottaberry, 5th Place - Wesley Patterson, Team: 1st Place
Dictionary Skills: 4th Place - Gabi Arcos
Editorial Writing: 4th Place - Samuel James, 6th Place - Lewis Jones
Music Memory: 3rd Place - Phoebe Stuckey
Number Sense: 5th Place - Allison Subba Rai, Team: 3rd Place
Ready Writing: 4th Place - Felicity Smith, 5th Place (tie) - Levi St. Clair & Ella Richardson
Science Team: 3rd Place
6th Grade
Dictionary Skills: 5th Place - Israel Aguilar, 6th Place - Nelly Powell, Team: 2nd Place
Listening Skills: 5th Place (tie) - Alexis Holt & Colton Clark, Team: 3rd Place
Maps, Graphs, & Charts Team: 3rd Place
Mathematics: 4th Place - Cooper Jennings, Team: 2nd Place
Modern Oratory: 2nd Place - Augustus Alen
Music Memory: 1st Place - Anna Willy, Team: 2nd Place
Number Sense: 1st Place - Cooper Jennings, 4th Place - Mercer Riquelme, Team: 2nd Place
And One-Act Play
Honorable Mention Cast: Kinley Boyle & Owen Duran









⚡️ Bel Air Elementary preK-3 student Charlotte Rios is having a shockingly good time on the slide. Milder temperatures have caused many of our young students to feel ecSTATIC during recess. 😝 #HornetNation


📣✨ Announcing our 1st Ever Dance Competition! ✨📣 Get ready to cheer on our AHS Stingerettes and AMS Jr. Stingerettes as they host our first dance competition at Athens High School! The campus will be hosting more than 20 schools and several dance studios for this incredible event. The AMS Jr. Stingerettes will compete on Feb. 8 at 6pm, followed by an AHS Stingerettes exhibition performance around 6:45, just before the awards. Plus, some of the I AM DANCE studio dancers will be performing their solos throughout the day. Then on March 1, the AHS Stingerettes will take their contest routines to North Forney to compete! Come out and show your support as we showcase the spirit of dance in #HornetNation! 🎶💫

🥳 Today is a great day for Athens ISD! Central Athens Elementary proudly hosted the Elementary UIL Academic 4A District 15 competition, welcoming talented second- through fifth-grade students from Brownsboro, Mabank, Chandler and Kemp. 👏 We’re thrilled to announce that Athens won the overall sweepstakes award! 🥇Congratulations to our hardworking students and their dedicated teacher/coaches — representing Bel Air, Central Athens, and South Athens elementaries — for such an outstanding achievement! 🎉 Here’s how our Athens students performed:
5th Grade
• Maps, Graphs, and Charts: 2nd Place - Maya Duran
• Music Memory: 4th and 6th Places - Athens Team
• Music Memory Team: 1st Place - Athens Team
• Number Sense: 4th Place - Kalvin Roberts, 6th Place - Presley Neal
• Oral Reading: 2nd Place - Kaleb Handley, 5th Place - Charlotte Quills
• Ready Writing: 1st Place - Olivia Hollifield, 4th Place - Amelia Akin
• Spelling: 1st Place - Penelope Davidson
4th Grade
• Art Memory: 1st Place - Isaias Cardenas, 2nd Place - Ian Resendiz
• Art Memory Team: 1st Place - Athens Team
• Number Sense: 1st Place - Mateo Garcia, 5th Place - Frank Capan
• Oral Reading: 6th Place - Madeline Pham
• Ready Writing: 2nd Place - Rowan Diamond, 5th Place - Sylee Jones, 6th Place - Audrey Turner
• Spelling: 4th Place - Maximus Bowman
• Chess: 2nd Place - Julieta Olvera
3rd Grade
• Oral Reading: 2nd Place - Claire David, 4th Place - Bennett Autry
• Ready Writing: 5th Place - Annalees Ruiz
• Spelling: 5th Place - Eli Bowlden, 6th Place - Stella Harrell
• Storytelling: 4th Place - Miguel Garcia
• Chess: 4th, 5th, and 6th Places - Athens Team
2nd Grade
• Creative Writing: 3rd Place - Cheyann Strange
• Storytelling: 1st Place - Kylah Upshaw, 3rd Place - Charles Carpenter, 5th Place - Karter Wheeler
• Music Memory: 2nd Place - Bryce Padilla, 3rd Place - Graham David, 4th Place - Elliot Gorka
• Chess Team: 1st Place - Athens Team











🧪 Students in Mr. Schmitz's chemistry class got hands-on in the lab Thursday. They explored how different substances interact by mixing solutions to uncover which combinations form solids. It’s all part of learning about solubility and how ionic compounds behave. Science in action! 👏 #HornetNation



