
🎓 We see you, Class of 2025! Only 60 days until graduation. Finish strong! #HornetNation


🤔 We've been asked, "How is it possible for the district to not have to increase the tax rate in order to finance payments on a $121.5 million bond if it passes?" Answer: The taxable value within the school district has increased in such a way as to make this possible — due to many large tracts being divided into multiple smaller tracts, the sale of the smaller tracts, the construction of new residences, the construction of commercial properties, and the market appreciation of existing property. 👉 You'll find several more Q&A's, a list of earmarked projects, and much more by visiting athensisdbond.com. Check it out!


📚 Student Council Book Drive – Donate Your Gently Used Children's Books! 📚
Athens High School's Student Council is hosting a Book Drive for the month of April, and we need your help! We're collecting gently used children's books to donate to the library, helping young readers discover the joy of books.
If you have any slightly used children's books at home, please consider donating! Students can bring books to their English teacher throughout April.
Thank you for supporting literacy and making a difference in our community!
#AthensBookDrive #DonateBooks #ReadersMakeLeaders


👏 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
