👏🐂 Big shoutout to the Tappan siblings for representing Athens ISD at the East Texas State Fair Livestock Show in Henderson County! Sophomore Wyatt Tappan placed 3rd in the Red Brahman Cattle Show, which was filled with top-notch entries from across Texas and Louisiana. And sixth-grader Reese Tappan also crushed it, placing 2nd in class and 2nd overall in showmanship! 👏 We’re so proud of these two for their hard work and heart! #HornetNation
about 11 hours ago, Toni Clay
Wyatt Tappan stands proudly next to his Red Brahman heifer at the East Texas State Fair backdrop, holding a lead rope with a 3rd place ribbon attached to the cow’s halter. Both are standing on straw, posing for a show photo.
Reese Tappan, a young exhibitor in a turquoise patterned shirt and jeans, leads a Red Brahman calf in the show ring at the East Texas State Fair. She holds a show stick confidently, with a focused expression as other competitors and cattle appear in the background.
🍁 This group of friends makes us smile. These Central Athens Elementary kindergarteners were having a great time on the playground. Pictured, from left, are Aiden Chi, Messiah Bowman, Aaden Mullins, Lauren Chancellor, Marisol Lopez and Karina Cerrillo. #HornetNation
7 days ago, Toni Clay
A group of six kindergarten children stands close together on the playground at Central Athens Elementary, smiling brightly with their arms around each other. They are dressed in colorful school uniforms, including navy, burgundy, green, and purple polo shirts paired with khaki or dark bottoms. The playground equipment and other children playing are visible in the background under the shade of trees.
🎊 Seniors Gage Stasko, Chloe Coker and Gaden Riquelme (pictured, l-r) have earned academic honors from the College Board National Recognition Program, placing them among 15% of high school students nationwide. Chloe was honored with all three of the available recognitions: the Rural & Small-Town Recognition Award, the First-Generation Recognition Award and the School Recognition Award. Gaden and Gage each received the Rural & Small-Town Recognition Award and the School Recognition Award. Several of our May 2025 grads were also honored: Sebastian Campa, Zachary Carrizales, Alexia Cruz, Baleigh Due, Yahir Medina, Cooper Rich, Andrew Thong and Breana Vargas. We’re incredibly proud of these students! 👏
9 days ago, Toni Clay
Athens High School seniors Gage Stasko, Chloe Coker, and Gaden Riquelme stand in a hallway in front of the Library Media Center. All three students were recognized by the College Board National Recognition Program for academic achievement.
✨ More proof that our students are the best students: Seniors Matalie Ortega (left) and Starlette Johnson are headed to Washington, D.C. this September to represent Athens High School as SkillsUSA District 5 officers! They’ll join students from across the country at the SkillsUSA Washington Leadership Training Institute conference, where they’ll advocate for skilled trades and grow their leadership skills. Matalie serves as District 5 reporter, and Starlette as District 5 chaplain. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and they are true leaders for our school and our region,” said Advisor Maria Cerrillo. We are SUPER proud of these two! 👏 #HornetNation
15 days ago, Toni Clay
Two young women stand side by side indoors, both wearing red blazers over white tops. One has long curly brown hair and is smiling, while the other has long straight dark hair, wears glasses, and has a neutral expression. The woman on the right has a SkillsUSA patch on her blazer. The background shows open wooden doors and a hallway.
🏈 Friday night lights are about to be on at Bruce Field! #HornetNation
16 days ago, Toni Clay
Game day promo graphic for Athens Hornets Football. On the left is a maroon Athens Hornets helmet with a white 'A' logo, and on the right is a blue Henderson Lions helmet with a red lion logo. In the center is a hornet mascot over a Texas-shaped background. Text reads: Athens Hornets vs. Henderson Lions, Friday August 29, kickoff 7:30 PM at Bruce Field.
🐝🏈 Get ready #HornetNation! The first varsity football game of the season kicks off this Friday at Bruce Field against Henderson. Check out the full schedule and make plans to support the team all season long, whether you're cheering from the stands or live streaming on YouTube at KLVQATHENS or on Facebook at 945KLVQ. For audio only, tune your radio to 94.5 FM, 1410 AM, or online at etexradio.live. For updates throughout the season, you can join the Athens Athletic Booster Club Remind group by texting @joinus25 to 81010. We hope to see full stands and lots of Hornet pride all school year! 🙌
17 days ago, Toni Clay
The 2025 Varsity Football Schedule graphic features a yellow jacket mascot and a honeycomb layout with yellow and orange hexagons listing each game. All games begin at 7:30 PM. The schedule includes: August 29 vs. Henderson (Home), September 5 at Kaufman, September 12 at Palestine, September 19 vs. Jacksonville (Homecoming, Home), September 26 vs. Waco Connally (Youth Football Night, Home), October 3 open date, October 10 at Brownsboro (district play begins), October 17 at Carthage, October 24 vs. Rusk (Pink Out, Home), October 31 at Center, and November 7 vs. Bullard (Senior Night, Home). The background has a maroon dotted gradient design.
🛝 These kindergarteners at Bel Air Elementary enjoyed recess Tuesday morning when there was still a touch of morning coolness in the air. #HornetNation
23 days ago, Toni Clay
A group of kindergarten students at Bel Air Elementary stand together outdoors on the playground during recess, smiling and posing with arms around each other; they wear colorful school uniforms in shades of teal, gray, purple, black, white, burgundy, and red, with khaki or black shorts and skirts, and the background shows trees and a wooden fence.

🐝 Athens High School's annual Meet the Hornets event is Thursday, Aug. 14 at Bruce Field. Come enjoy a FREE hot dog, chips, drink and dessert beginning at 6:30pm. At 7, we will begin introducing all our amazing Hornet varsity athletes, along with the incredible members of our band, cheer squad and Stingerettes. A huge thank you to our sponsors: the Athens Athletic Booster Club, Hope Springs Water & Brookshire's! See you there! 🎉🏈🏐🎾⚽️🥎⚾️🏃‍♂️🏋️🏌️‍♀️🎺📣

about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Promotional graphic for the “Meet the Hornets!” event, sponsored by the Athens Athletic Booster Club, Hope Springs Water & Brookshire's. The design features a large, bold white title “MEET THE” at the top and “HORNETS!” at the bottom, with a cartoon hornet mascot in the center wearing a red and white striped outfit. Text on the left reads: “Food service begins at 6:30 PM, program starts at 7.” Text on the right reads: “Thursday, Aug. 14, Bruce Field.” The background is a smoky maroon gradient.
🚨Hey, Hornets! The Henderson County Emergency Management Office is asking for your input through the Hazard Mitigation Plan Survey. Your responses will help the county better understand local risks and improve emergency preparedness. It only takes a few minutes. Make your voice count! 💪 https://www.henderson-county.com/departments/emergency-management/hazard-mitigation-plan-citizen-survey
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Green background with white words: Hazard Mitigation Plan Citizen Survey and a graphic representing an online survey image
Several of our teachers, staff and administrators met yesterday with architects from Claycomb Associates for an all-day planning and design discussion. We’ve put out a call for proposals for a construction manager at risk to oversee the bond-related projects, with bids opening Aug. 21. After narrowing the field to a short list of contenders, we’ll hold interviews and expect to make a selection by Sept. 11. We’re committed to keeping the community informed about the exciting improvements to be made across the district. It's a great time to be alive and a Hornet! #HornetNation
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Athens ISD staff and administrators meet with representatives from Claycomb Associates Architects in the Staff Development Room at the AISD Administration building. Participants sit around tables with building plans, notebooks, and drinks, facing two large display screens showing architectural renderings of a modern school interior. A flip chart stands between the screens, and the room has “ATHENS ISD” lettering on the wall.
Athens ISD staff and administrators share a lighthearted moment with representatives from Claycomb Associates Architects during a planning and design meeting in the Staff Development Room at the AISD Administration building. Five participants sit around a table with architectural drawings, notebooks, and drinks, smiling and laughing together. The background shows additional tables, chairs, and a whiteboard.
Athens ISD Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims speaks while gesturing with her hands during a planning and design meeting with staff, administrators, and representatives from Claycomb Associates Architects in the Staff Development Room at the AISD Administration building. Others listen attentively as large aerial maps and site plans are spread across the table, along with rolled-up drawings, markers, and a utility knife. In the background, additional chairs, tables, and a whiteboard are visible.
🐕❤️ A couple of Doodles stopped by Athens High School this morning to say hi. The mystery pups strolled into the building like they had first-period English, soaked but social and very well-behaved! We hope they’re home and dry by now, but we sure enjoyed their brief campus cameo.
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Two wet Doodle dogs lie outside the glass entrance doors of Athens High School on a rainy day. One is black with tan markings, resting on the concrete with its head down; the other is brown, sitting upright on a mat that says “ATHENS.” Both dogs look calm and appear to be sheltering from the rain.
Along with fresh clothes and new backpacks, umbrellas were everywhere this morning as the return to class coincided with a storm front moving through the area. No one let it dampen their spirits, though!
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
A young girl with braids and red shirt smiling for camera
A young girl and boy, probably siblings, stand in front of a campus holding an umbrella while it's raining.
Two young boys with a man presumably their father huddle together in an office
Three young girls with bows in their hair smile at camera.
❗️Important news❗️Beginning the first day of school, Monday, Aug. 4, Athens ISD students will be required to follow a new state law that prohibits the use of cell phones and other personal communication devices during the school day at all campuses. This is not a local school board policy, but rather a Texas state law passed by the legislature and required of all public schools. 👀 Under this law, students may not use personal cell phones, smartwatches, earbuds, tablets, laptops, or other similar devices at any campus. (District-provided laptops and tablets are not personal devices.) Athens High School has been operating under similar conditions for the past few years through the use of Yondr phone pouches, which, though not perfect, has helped promote greater focus and fewer distractions in the classroom. This experience gives us a strong foundation. 👉 In order to comply with the new law throughout the entire district, all personal devices belonging to students must be powered off (not in silent mode) and stored in a backpack or locked vehicle for the entire school day. Devices may not be carried on the student, including in a pocket. 🐝 We ask our wonderfully supportive parents and guardians to help students adjust to this change. It’s all part of our shared goal of creating the best learning environment possible for every Hornet.
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
A mobile phone with a red ban mark across it and the words "new state law"
🏈 Hornet football season is almost here, and we can't wait to see the stands packed! Current reserved seat holders may renew their seats in person at the AHS fieldhouse (480 Royal Street) beginning Monday, Aug. 4. Fieldhouse hours are Monday-Thursday, 8am-4pm. Ticket renewals include the option to add additional available seats in section C. Tickets are $45 per seat and cover all five home games. Public ticket sales open on Aug. 18. If you’re not planning to renew, please contact our office to release your seats. Questions? Call 903-677-6992 or email dbundy@athensisd.net. #HornetNation
about 2 months ago, Toni Clay
🐟 Athens High School's Fish Camp (AKA freshman orientation) is Thursday, July 31 at 6:30pm. We'll kick things off with a pep rally, then pick up schedules & your class of 2029 shirts, check out available clubs, and tour the building to find your classes. We can't wait to meet you! #HornetNation
about 2 months ago, Toni Clay
Maroon fish with white words in it that read: Fish Camp 2025!

Wow! It's almost time for students to return (Aug. 4). 🤯 You'll find important information on registration, meet-the-teacher, fish camps, the calendar & more by following this link 👉 https://www.athensisd.net/article/2246261

about 2 months ago, Toni Clay
Yellow background with text that says Important Information for new & returning students
Practicing for tonight; just a few hours away!! #ClassOf2025
3 months ago, Elise Mullinix
members of the class of 2025, dress casually, are shown in rows of seats in the gymnasium in preparation for tonight’s commencement
🎓 Graduation will commence at 6:30pm Friday, May 30, in the competition gym at 708 E. College Street with the doors opening at 5:30. Entrance is only available at the College Street doors. 🚗 Parking is available in the lot in front of the main entrance off College Street, as well as the home side lot on the northeast corner of Bruce Field. Another option is to park on the south (visitors) side of Bruce Field. 👀 The ceremony will be broadcast live on the AISD Facebook page: bit.ly/AHSgradLive 🚫🎈🎒 As in years past, balloons, noisemakers, flowers & any kind of signs are prohibited. No handbags or backpacks will be allowed. Exceptions: diaper bags with infants & toddlers, & a bag with medical necessities. (Unattended bags create a security threat. Therefore, bags may not be left at the doors. Guests with bags or backpacks will be asked to return them to their vehicles, to be locked in the trunk or, if that's not an option, otherwise placed out of sight.) ----- 🎓 La graduación comenzará a las 6:30 pm el Viernes 30 de Mayo en el gimnasio de competencia en 708 E. College Street con las puertas abiertas a las 5:30. La entrada solo está disponible en las puertas de College Street. 🚗 El estacionamiento está disponible en el parqueadero frente a la entrada principal de College Street, así como en el parqueadero lateral de en la esquina noreste de Bruce Field. Otra opción es estacionar en el lado sur (lado de visitantes) de Bruce Field. 👀 La ceremonia será transmitida en vivo en la página de Facebook de AISD: bit.ly/AHSgradLive 🚫🎈🎒 Como en años anteriores, los globos, las matracas, las flores y cualquier tipo de letreros están prohibidos. No se permitirán bolsos ni mochilas. Excepciones: pañaleras con bebés y niños pequeños, y una bolsa con necesidades médicas. (Las bolsas desatendidas crean una amenaza a la seguridad. Por lo tanto, las bolsas no se pueden dejar en las puertas. Se pedirá a los invitados que lleven bolsas o mochilas a sus vehículos, que las guarden en la cajuela o, si no es posible, que las pongan fuera de la vista.)
4 months ago, Toni Clay
Maroon background graphic with white and gray text that reads: “AHS 2025 Commencement Info. Read the post for information on the May 30 commencement ceremony. Please note: For security reasons, no bags allowed, other than diaper bags or medical bags.” The bottom right corner includes a crowd of raised hands and graduation caps flying in the air.
🙌 Class of 2025 members Isaac Hoch and Cooper Rich just wrapped up one of the most decorated debate careers in school history. Want to know how many medals they’ve won (spoiler: a lot), what career paths debate helped shape, or how many hours a week they trained to succeed? Read their story here 👉 https://athensisd.substack.com/p/hoch-and-rich-close-out-historic #HornetNation #AISDDebate #StateChamps
4 months ago, Toni Clay
Athens High School seniors Isaac Hoch (left) and Cooper Rich (right) wearing gold UIL state champion medals and dress shirts, smiling and holding their 2025 4A CX Debate state championship plaque.
👏 Big shoutout to rising seniors Tristan Hunt and Geraldine Nieto on being selected as drum majors for the AHS Pride of the Hornets Band in the 2025-2026 school year! 🐝 This will be their first time leading the band, and they’re kicking things off with training this June at the Panola College Military Drum Major Camp. We’re excited to see these two step into leadership and help guide the band into another amazing year. Go Hornets!
4 months ago, Toni Clay
Two Athens High School students, Tristan Hunt and Geraldine Nieto, stand confidently on the football field in front of the Bruce Field scoreboard. Both are dressed in maroon polo shirts and black pants, holding drum major batons with a maroon and white twist. The sky is blue with scattered clouds behind them.