Athens ISD is very proud to be hosting a regional meeting of superintendents today where State Rep. Trent Ashby is discussing legislative issues facing public education. Rep. Ashby, who recently won the Republican nomination for Senate District 3, was an instrumental member of the House Education Committee in the most recent legislative session and is passionate about the importance of supporting public education.
🙌 A big congratulations to all members of the AHS UIL academic team for an outstanding showing at this weekend’s district competition. We had 37 students competing across 21 events. Our Number Sense team brought home first place with every member advancing to region, including Kobe Calloway (third), Gage Stasko (fourth), Gaden Riquelme (fifth), and Devin Bushman (sixth). As a team, Athens earned third place overall in academic sweepstakes and second place in speech team sweepstakes. In speaking events, Liam Tinsley placed third and qualified for region, while Caleb Burks (fourth) and Kraven Parker (fourth) will serve as alternates. Our Calculator Applications team placed second with Gaden Riquelme earning second individually and Olivia Silva placing fifth, and our General Math team also finished second with Gaden Riquelme (second) and Gage Stasko (sixth). In writing events, Jasmine Good placed fourth in Editorial Writing and sixth in Feature, News and Ready Writing, while Ariel Silas placed fourth in Ready Writing. Best of luck to our regional qualifiers! They compete April 25 at East Texas A&M University in Commerce for a chance to advance to state.
💪 Two more strong finishes on the state stage for our Hornets! Senior Brandon Casas (left) placed 13th at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet, setting personal records in the squat (645) and deadlift (500) and finishing with a total of 1,630 pounds across three lifts. Senior Jose Rincon placed 15th, setting personal records in all three lifts, squat (630), bench press (430), and deadlift (515), for a total of 1,575 pounds. Thank you, Brandon and Jose, for the way you’ve represented #HornetNation 🐝
❤️ We can't help but brag on these two homegrown Hornet leaders. Brothers Devon (left) and Desmond Bowie are proud AHS graduates from the class of 2011 and were part of the record-setting 2010 varsity football team that advanced to the fourth round of the playoffs. After graduating college, both returned to Hornet Nation in 2016, and we’ve been fortunate to have them serving our students ever since as coaches and classroom teachers. Des is in his first school year serving as co-girls athletic coordinator and head girls basketball coach, as well as being an assistant football coach. We're also excited to share that Von will serve in the upcoming school year as an administrative intern at Athens High School, taking on the responsibilities of an assistant principal while continuing to be an assistant coach for football and boys basketball. The Bowies are a great example of the dedication and heart that make Athens ISD the educational heart of East Texas. If you know them, share some love in the comments. 🐝 #HornetNation
🏅 Our AHS theatre students represented the district so well at yesterday's UIL 4A District 15 One-Act Play competition, and we are proud to celebrate these individual honors (pictured from left): Faith Lee, Outstanding Technician for Lights; Tristen Husband, Honorable Mention All-Star Cast for Ringmaster; Camden Garner, All-Star Cast for Joseph Merrick; and Citlali Villagrana, Outstanding Technician for Stage Management. Congratulations to each of these students for their hard work and talent on display. 👉Athens Creates Theatre (ACT) will present a public performance of their competition piece, "The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man," on Friday, April 10 at 7pm in the AHS auditorium. Admission is free. Show up and support these incredible students! #HornetNation
UPDATE: The game has been moved to Lindale, 6pm. We are the home team. Tickets should be available here: https://www.lindaleathletics.org/HTtickets ⚽️ Our Lady Hornet soccer team will take on Sunnyvale in the next round of the playoffs this Friday, March 27, 6pm at Lion Stadium in Kaufman. Come out and support the Lady Hornets as they battle for a spot in the next round! #HornetNation
🎭 The cast and crew of the Athens Creates Theatre program (ACT) spent the day in Brownsboro preparing for the UIL 4A District 15 One-Act Play competition taking place there tomorrow! Our talented thespians will be performing The Real and Imagined History of the Elephant Man by Tom Wright—the reimagined story of Joseph Merrick, known as “The Elephant Man,” who searches for acceptance in industrial London. Break a leg, Hornets; you’ve got this! 🙌
⚽ It’s a big night for Athens soccer tomorrow, March 24, as both our varsity teams play for the Area Championship! The Lady Hornets face Spring Hill at 6pm at Tyler Rose Stadium, and the Hornets take on Palestine at 7:30pm at Lindale Eagles Stadium. Make it a full night of Hornet soccer. Start in Tyler to cheer on the girls, then head over to Lindale to back the boys as they take the field. Let’s show up big for our teams! #HornetNation 🐝
👑 Fantastic news! AHS senior Kennedy Ard earned first runner-up in the Henderson County Livestock Show Queen and Princess competition on Saturday, representing Athens FCCLA. Kennedy will represent Athens ISD throughout this week’s livestock show, which begins today at the Henderson County Regional Fair Park. We're proud of you, Kennedy; good luck this week! 🙌 #HornetNation
🏋️♀️ All eyes are on this powerful Hornet trio! Junior Judith Rondan finished eighth in the state Friday, March 20, at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting Association 4A Division II meet, setting personal records in the squat (350) and bench press (185) and finishing with a total of 850 pounds across three lifts. We’re proud of you, Judith! 👏 Seniors Brandon Casas (pictured far left) and Jose Rincon will compete this Friday, March 27, in Abilene at the Texas High School Powerlifting Association state meet. Let's cheer them on as they represent #HornetNation! 🐝
❤️ After two strong days of competition at the UIL CX Debate State Championships, juniors Liam Tinsley and Ariel Silas wrapped up their run in the octofinals following a close 2-1 decision. They finish the season ranked 11th in the state, an incredible accomplishment at this level of competition. We are so proud of how they represented the district and can’t wait to see what they do next year! #HornetNation
Athens is back in the state spotlight! Juniors Liam Tinsley and Ariel Silas have arrived in Austin to compete at the 2026 UIL CX Debate State Championships, where they will spend the next two days going head to head with the best teams in Texas. The Hornets are chasing their third consecutive CX state title and seventh overall, and we could not be more proud of how these two. Good luck, Liam and Ariel!
⚽️ The Hornets face Sulphur Springs in the Bi-District Championship playoff game this Friday, March 20, at Hanby Stadium in Mesquite. Kickoff is 6:30pm. Tickets are $5 for adults & $4 for students. Tickets must be purchased online at https://www.mesquiteisdathletics.com/HTtickets. Sales open at 8am on game day. TASCO Soccer, THSCA, and District passes will be accepted for free admission. Come out and support the Hornets!!! 🐝
⚽️ The Lady Hornets take on North Lamar in Bi-District Championship playoff action this Thursday, March 19, 6pm at Royse City ISD Stadium. Gates open at 5pm. Ticket are $5 for adults & $4 for students. 👉There will be no cash accepted at the ticket booth; tickets must be purchased with card or digital payment (see link below). A clear bag policy will be enforced. Let’s pack the stands and cheer on the Lady Hornets!! 🐝 https://events.hometownticketing.com/boxoffice/rcisd/L2VtYmVkL2V2ZW50LzEwMjg%3D
🏋️♀️ State bound! Three Hornet powerlifters are headed to the State Powerlifting Meet after outstanding performances at their regional competitions: Brandon Casas and Jose Rincon for the boys, and Judith Rondan for the girls. 💪 Our regional competitors were (top row, from left) Ivan Rincon, Nic Peebles, Kaison Walker, Lawrence George, Braiden Marcs, Jose Rincon, Brandon Casas, Jacob Ariciaga, and (bottom row, from left) Jayleen Johnson, Kinley Bowlden, River Lang, Rainy Ibarra, Judith Rondan, Paolina Cazares, Isabella Aranda and Hannah Priddy. Congratulations to all of these athletes for the strength, discipline and determination it takes to compete at this level, and best of luck to our three Hornets as they prepare to represent Athens at the state level! 🐝
🔍 These adorable Pre-K4 students at South Athens Elementary were told to use their magnifying glasses to explore the world of insects on the playground. Curiosity leads to knowledge! #HornetNation
🎉 All eyes on Karla Rodriguez for an amazing accomplishment! Mrs. Rodriguez, an intervention teacher at Bel Air Elementary, earned her National Board Certification and was recognized during our recent board meeting. National Board Certification is one of the very highest honors a teacher can achieve, and it took Mrs. Rodriguez two years and more than 400 hours of work beyond the school day to complete. It is completely voluntary and represents a true commitment to her craft. We are BEYOND proud of her and the dedication she shows to her students every single day. Congratulations on this well-deserved achievement, Mrs. Rodriguez, and thank you for helping Athens ISD be the educational heart of East Texas! #HornetNation
🏀 The Hornets take on Sunnyvale this Friday, Feb. 27, 7pm at Wills Point High School in the Area Playoff game. Athens is the home team. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for students, and all passes will be accepted. Let’s pack the stands and support our guys as they continue their playoff run! 👏 #HornetNation
👀 Great news for all who like to plan ahead: At Monday night's monthly school board meeting, trustees approved the 2026-2027 school calendar. You can also find it on our website here: https://bit.ly/26-27AISDcalendar.
🏀 District 15-4A champs! Now it is playoff time. The Hornets will take on Gilmer in the first round on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 6pm at Tyler High School. Admission is $5 adults/ $3 students. (All passes accepted.) We're the home team. Let’s pack the stands and be loud and proud! #Hornetnation
