🏅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. 🐝
about 17 hours ago, Toni Clay
photo of Liam in a suit with a gold medal around his neck and a lace in the background
🥎 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
1 day ago, Toni Clay
The lady Hornets hold a sign that says by district champs
The Lady Hornets are shown celebrating on the field

👏 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!

11 days ago, Toni Clay
Six students pose playfully in front of a colorful mural, smiling and celebrating as one student holds up a plaque overhead. Two students stand back-to-back with their arms crossed, while others strike fun poses, including one student being held up and another riding piggyback.
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
11 days ago, Toni Clay
Alt text: Two cartoon-style Hornet mascots wash a dark sedan and a black classic car, with soap suds and a red bucket in front of a soft sunset background. Large script text across the top reads, “Car Wash!”
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
13 days ago, Toni Clay
Promotional graphic for a free College Recruiting Seminar. Large white text at the top reads, “Your Future Starts Here” and “College Recruiting Seminar.” The background is black and gray with a maroon honeycomb pattern. A photo of guest speaker Todd Kelly appears on the right with a gray label that says “Guest Speaker Todd Kelly.” White text in the center invites student-athletes and their families to attend a free seminar about the next steps toward a future in sports. A gray box on the left lists topics including the recruiting process, scholarships, college visits, academic and NCAA eligibility, social media, communicating with college coaches, the parent’s role, and building an athletic resume. A maroon shape at the bottom right gives the event details: April 28th, 7:00 p.m., Large Lecture Hall.
🎉 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).
16 days ago, Toni Clay
Alt text: Group photo of Athens ISD TIA designated teachers in a district meeting room. Ten educators are seated in the front row holding certificates, with 11 more standing behind them. All are wearing matching mauve Athens ISD T-shirts, and three pink screens in the background display a congratulatory message for TIA designated teachers.
🐭 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
17 days ago, Toni Clay
Promotional graphic for “Ratatouille on Bruce Field!” showing a football field with bleachers and a large image of Remy from *Ratatouille* standing near midfield. A few small figures are scattered in the background on the field. The title appears in large maroon letters across the top.
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
19 days ago, Toni Clay
Four people stand together indoors at a community event in a banquet hall. Three young individuals in casual polo shirts and shorts pose beside the Athens Police Chief, who is wearing a dark police uniform and smiling with his hands clasped. One of the youths has an arm around the chief’s shoulder. Tables and other attendees are visible in the softly lit background.
🌱 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
20 days ago, Toni Clay
A group of Athens High School students and their advisor pose together outdoors at the East Texas Arboretum’s Dream Garden, smiling and standing on a gravel path with greenery and garden structures in the background after helping with a spring cleanup.
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.
26 days ago, Toni Clay
a man in a suit jacket speaks to several professionally dressed people seated around tables inside a library
🙌 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.
27 days ago, Toni Clay
A large group of high school students sit together in rows of maroon auditorium seats, smiling at the camera for a team photo, with several students wearing Athens ISD lanyards and one student in the front row wearing a maroon letterman jacket with an “A.”
💪 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 🐝
27 days ago, Toni Clay
Two Athens High School powerlifters stand in front of a red THSPA Abilene backdrop, wearing black “Athens Powerlifting State Qualifiers” shirts and competition gear after competing at the state meet.
❤️ 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
30 days ago, Toni Clay
Two adult men stand side by side on a football field at night, holding a gold football-shaped trophy together. They are wearing black athletic jackets with an “A” logo, and stadium bleachers and goalposts are visible in the background.

🏅 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

about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Four Athens High School theatre students stand side by side against a dark wall, each wearing a medal and smiling at the camera. From left to right: a student in a black button-up shirt holding a gold medal, a student in a dark outfit with a bronze medal, a student in a black shirt and decorative vest holding a medal, and a student in an off-the-shoulder black dress wearing a gold medal.

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

about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Girls soccer players in white jersies celebrating and holding up a soccer-ball shaped trophy with stadium seats in the background.
🎭 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! 🙌
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
A large group of high school students—cast and crew of a one-act play—pose together on a stage. The front row sits along the edge of the stage, mostly wearing coordinated beige, period-style costumes, while the back row stands behind them in a mix of costumes and casual clothing. A student in the center wears a more elaborate outfit with a coat and hat, suggesting a lead role. The stage backdrop features blue curtains and set pieces, indicating a theatrical production setting. The group smiles and faces the camera, suggesting a celebratory cast photo after or before a performance.
⚽ 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 🐝
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Split graphic showing Athens Lady Hornets and Hornets soccer teams celebrating with a trophy, promoting Area Championship games on March 24. The Lady Hornets play Spring Hill at 6pm at Tyler Rose Stadium, and the Hornets play Palestine at 7:30pm at Lindale Eagles Stadium.
👑 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
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Photograph of Kennedy Ard wearing a formal gown, holding red flowers, wearing a black cowboy hat. Her says reads in part: Runner-Up
Photo of four young ladies, all dressed formally, wearing cowboy hats and sashes.
🏋️‍♀️ 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! 🐝
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Two teenaged boys and one teenaged girl stand in a weighlifting room wearing Athens State Qualifier shirts with image of barbell visible on one. They all smile. Words on photo read: State Qualifiers
❤️ 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
about 1 month ago, Toni Clay
Photo of a young man in a suit next to a young lady in a white dress. They both have meds around their neck. They’re standing in front of a background that says UIL