We're proud to recognize Mrs. Wimberley, a kindergarten teacher at South Athens Elementary, as the AISD Elementary Teacher of the Year and Mr. Hill, an eighth-grade math teacher and archery coach at Athens Middle School, as the AISD Secondary Teacher of the Year. We're so grateful for the incredible impact they have on our students' lives.

🎓 One of the reasons AISD is the Educational Heart of East Texas: This Friday, 53 (!!) members of the class of '26 will walk across the stage at Trinity Valley Community College’s commencement ceremony to receive their associate degrees. That's more than 1 in 4 seniors. Forty-nine of those students are part of our PINNACLE Early College High School program, while four earned their degrees through dual credit. Together, they make up 29 percent of the AHS senior class. For comparison, the statewide average for students graduating high school with an associate degree is about 3 percent. We are incredibly proud of our students and thankful for our partnership with TVCC and the Ginger Murchison Foundation. #HornetNation
👏 Congratulations to (from left) Kaylee Buford, Jessica Andrews and Chloe Coker! They were among several area seniors to be awarded scholarships to the colleges of their choice by the Athens Kiwanis Club on Tuesday. Kaylee, Jessica and Chloe stood out for not only their academic success, but their commitment to good works in the community. We're so proud of the way they represent #HornetNation.

👉 Where did the time go?! Our summer sports camps are right around the corner, parents. Mark your calendars.

🎣 Tyson Rich and and his father, boat captain Jon Rich, had a great showing at the Texas High School Bass Association Regional Tournament, finishing ninth out of 220 boats. (Wow!) That finish punches Tyson’s ticket to the State Tournament May 30 & 31 at Lake Texoma. Way to go, Tyson! Congratulations and good luck at State!

🎉 Seven Athens High School athletes are headed to the next level, and we loved getting to celebrate them today with their families, coaches and friends. Congratulations to Charles Livingston and Rhys Groom, who will both be playing football at East Texas Baptist University; Jayvian Taylor, who will be playing football at Nelson University; Ava Pugh, who will be playing softball at Austin College; Alizjah Davis, who will be competing in track at Jacksonville College; Marely Martinez, who will be playing soccer at Tyler Junior College; and Camila Martinez, who will be playing soccer at Cedar Valley College. We are proud of each of you and excited to see what comes next! #HornetNation 🐝
Attention local subcontractors: Athens ISD’s 2025 Bond Program is moving forward, and Jackson Construction is building a bidders list for interested subcontractors. To be added, please email your company information to [bids@jacksonconstruction.com](mailto:bids@jacksonconstruction.com) and include your company name, primary contact information and scope of work. For questions about the bidders list, contact Bryan Parma, VP of pre-construction at Jackson Construction, at 903-469-9272. Bid documents for the Early Childhood Center and High School Additions & Renovations will be released May 25 and posted in plan rooms, the local paper, and at jacksonconstruction.com/bidding-projects/

🙌 A big Hornet congratulations to our newest Distinguished Alumni & Athletic Hall of Fame inductees! Approximately 135 people attended the induction banquet at Athens Country Club Thursday night, making it the largest such event the district has held to date. Pictured (from left) are Dan Dwelle, honored for his longtime leadership in community journalism and banking; Tommy Frizzell, honored for his standout Athens football career and accomplishments at Louisiana State University; Seth Murphy, honored for excellence in golf as both a competitor and instructor; Quinton Johnson, honored for his achievements in theater, film, music and production; and Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims. Earlier that day, Quinton also took the time to meet with students at AHS and AMS to share his experience in the performing arts. Once a Hornet, always a Hornet!

🥎 The Lady Hornets take on Sulphur Springs in the Area round! It's a best-of-three series at Edgewood High School. Game 1 is Wednesday, April 29, at 6pm; game 2 is Thursday, April 30, at 6pm; and game 3, if needed, will be Friday, May 1, at 6pm. Tickets are $5 for adults & $3 for students. Let’s cheer on our Lady Hornets in person as they continue their playoff run! #HornetNation

⚾️ The Hornets are headed to the Bi-District Championship! Athens takes on Spring Hill in a best-of-three series at Mike Carter Field in Tyler. Game 1 is this Thursday, April 30, 7pm, with Athens as the visitor. Game 2 is Friday, May 1, 7pm, with Athens as the home team. Game 3, if needed, will be Saturday, May 2, 1pm at Canton High Field. Tickets are available online only. Adults are $7 & children are $4. All passes will be accepted. Let’s support our guys! Tickets: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/tx/parkway-tyler/organization/192970/tyler-independent-sc/tickets

🏅Hooray! Liam Tinsley is the UIL 4A Region 2 Champion in Informative Speaking. After a long day of competition in one of the toughest regions in the state, the Athens High School junior earned the top honor and advances to the state competition at the University of Texas on May 18 & 19. Congratulations, Liam! We're proud of you. 🐝

🥎 BI-DISTRICT CHAMPS! The Lady Hornets brought the energy tonight in front of a packed house, shutting out Henderson with a 3-0 win to advance to the next round of playoffs. Information on round two to come. 👏 #HornetNation


👏 Big applause for ACT, Troupe 4490! 🎭 These student leaders went above and beyond this year, giving their time and energy to the Texas Thespians Honor Troupe Leadership Academy and showing what dedication really looks like. Their effort earned them a Gold Honor Troupe recognition, and we could not be more proud. Pictured (from left) are Camden Garner, Ryleigh Sloan, River Lang, Adyson Petty, Tristen Husband and Dylan Thornton. Congratulations to this amazing group of students!
Help the Class of 2026 raise funds for their Last Blast event by getting your vehicle washed! They'll be waiting for you this Saturday, April 18, from 9am-3pm at 1114 E. Tyler Street in Athens (First State Bank Tyler Street Branch). You'll have a sparkling ride AND help our students raise money for their senior activities. #HornetNation

Attention student athletes & families! Join us Tuesday, April 28, at 7pm in the large lecture hall for a free college recruiting seminar with guest speaker Todd Kelly. It's a great chance to learn more about the recruiting process, scholarships, eligibility, how to connect with college coaches and more. We hope to see you there! #HornetNation
🎉 Several AISD teachers were thrilled Friday to learn they are new designees in the district’s Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) program. In its second year at AISD, the locally developed plan recognizes high-performing reading/language arts and math teachers (in qualifying grade levels) based on classroom excellence and student growth. TIA is a state initiative that provides substantial financial incentives to qualifying educators. Pictured seated are new designees, as well as three who moved up a designation level. They are (from left) Jordan Carnes of Athens Middle School (moved from Exemplary level to Master level), Chantelle Allen of Central Athens Elementary (moved from Recognized level to Exemplary level), Angie Davis of South Athens Elementary (moved from Recognized level to Exemplary level), Spencer Hill of AMS (Exemplary level), Chera Gandy of CAE (Exemplary level), Christi Barnes of CAE (Master level), Heather Williams of CAE (Exemplary level), Sarah Willy of AMS (Recognized level), Sandy Howard of Bel Air Elementary (Recognized level) and Karla Rodriguez of BAE (Recognized level). Those standing are educators who earned their TIA designation prior to this school year. They are (from left) Amanda Huffer of Athens High School (Exemplary level), Polly Williams of CAE (Recognized level), Timothy VanOrden of AMS (Exemplary level), Edward Medvecky of AHS (Master level), Kelly Cohen of AMS (Exemplary level), Kaitlin Buchholtz of AHS (Exemplary level), Sherri Cole of AMS (Recognized level), Gary Barnes of AHS (Recognized level), Courtney York of BAE (Exemplary level) and Melanie Brown of CAE (Master level).

🐭 Get ready for a fun night on Bruce Field for our students. There will be a district-wide showing of the move "Ratatouille" on Friday, April 17. Gates open at 6pm, with games and craft tables on hand until the movie starts at 7:15. Admission is free, snacks will be available for purchase, and free popcorn will be provided by Weinstein Law. High school students may attend on their own, but all other students must have a parent or guardian present. Bring something to be comfortable for the movie (blankets, pillows, beach chairs), your own covered drink, and come enjoy the movie with us. If it rains, we'll move into the gym by the horseshoe parking lot. Don't miss it! #HornetNation

Athens High School seniors (from left) Yahir Garcia-Castaneda, Miguel Landaverde and Carolyn Randall stand with Athens Police Chief Chad Allen at Tuesday’s weekly Kiwanis Club meeting. The students shared a bit about their experience as members of the high school bowling team. Chief Allen spoke to Kiwanians about one of his passion projects: The Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) for Special Olympics. The fundraiser run will take place Wednesday, April 22, starting at 10am. It will start and finish at TVCC. Community members are encouraged to stand in front of Kiwanis Park area on South Prairieville Street and cheer on participants. Some Special Olympic athletes will be present as well. The event is part of a statewide effort to raise awareness and funding for Special Olympics Texas. All donations go directly to support athletes through training, coaching, equipment, facilities and transportation. To donate, visit
https://www.classy.org/give/692802/#!/donation/checkout
https://www.classy.org/give/692802/#!/donation/checkout
🌱 A big shoutout to our AHS Key Club students for spending time at the East Texas Arboretum Dream Garden helping with spring cleanup. They helped get the garden ready for the influx of spring visitors. We love seeing our students serve the community and show what leadership looks like beyond the classroom. Thank you to advisor Gisselle Penny and these amazing students for representing AHS so well: Zaria Thomas, Jasmine Good, Valentina Campa, Geraldine Nieto, Annastasia Cummings, Laura Munoz, Yarely Pinedo, Katy Silva, Yareisi Segura, Starlette Johnson and Josue Govea. 👏 #HornetNation

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.

