Athens ISD

✨ 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

🏈 Friday night lights are about to be on at Bruce Field! #HornetNation

🐝🏈 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! 🙌

🛝 These kindergarteners at Bel Air Elementary enjoyed recess Tuesday morning when there was still a touch of morning coolness in the air. #HornetNation

🚨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

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

🐕❤️ 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.

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!

❗️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.

🏈 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

🐟 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

Practicing for tonight; just a few hours away!! #ClassOf2025

🎓 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.)

🙌 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

👏 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!

🎶⭐️ Eight Athens High School band students compete in the UIL Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Austin this weekend, where they delivered outstanding performances on one of the toughest stages in the state! The percussion ensemble of Edgar DeLuna, German Gonzalez-Gutierrez, Ty Hadnot, Josh Moreno and Caleb Zuniga earned a first division and received gold medals to commemorate their achievement, while the flute trio of Thaily Ordonez Ramos, Geraldine Nieto and Kelly Burras earned a second division rating. State-level competition is judged by a significantly higher standard, making their success even more impressive. These students worked on their music for months after qualifying in February, showing remarkable dedication during one of the busiest times of the school year. We are so proud of their commitment! Pictured (l–r) are Kelly Burras, Josh Moreno, Caleb Zuniga, Geraldine Nieto, Edgar DeLuna, Thaily Ordonez Ramos, Ty Hadnot and German Gonzalez-Gutierrez.

Sara Garcia (left) and Briana Rodriguez wrapped up their senior ceiling tile just in time, and it was worth the wait! The two began the project in January in Ms. Kling’s art class and spent countless hours recreating “The Sea at Satta” by Japanese artist Utagawa Hiroshige. Their impressive take on the famous woodblock print adds a heads-up wave of creativity to the room. #HornetNation #AHSfineArts

They came. They grilled. They conquered. 🔥 Athens Middle School’s barbecue team brought the heat to the National High School BBQ Association’s Texas State Championship, taking home Grand Champion honors for chili, Reserve Grand Champion for chicken and ribs, and 3rd place overall in the entire state! Judges' comments included “tasty and tender” and even said of their chili, “Well done! I want more.” (Honestly, same.) Eighth-graders Brody Ard and Robert Dingler, and sixth-grader Parker Dingler earned a spot at the national competition in Kansas City June 3–6, where they’ll be with 13 other students representing AHS BBQ teams. 🐝 Bring on the BBQ, Kansas City! #HornetNation