Daniela Ruvalcaba and Addison Maytubby have distinguished themselves as the top students of Athens High School’s Class of 2024, earning the prestigious titles of valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. The AHS commencement ceremony will be held at the school’s competition gym at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 31.
Ruvalcaba, an AISD student since attending pre-K at Bel Air Elementary, graduates with a grade point average of 108.657. Maytubby graduates with a grade point average of 108.259. Both ladies earned their associate’s degrees from Trinity Valley Community College on May 10, Ruvalcaba as a dual credit student and Maytubby as a member of the PINNACLE Early College High School program.
“I’d encourage incoming freshmen, if they aren’t in PINNACLE, to do dual credit,” said Ruvalcaba. “It really makes a difference.”
For her part, Maytubby recommended that young students find a healthy approach to academics, work, and extracurriculars. “I would say don’t slack off, but don’t try to do too much at once, either,” she said. “Don’t put so much pressure on yourself.”
“That’s a big one,” agreed Ruvalcaba.
Ruvalcaba’s academic achievements are matched by her involvement in various extracurricular activities. She participated in varsity cross country during her sophomore year and played active roles in the Key Club and the National Honor Society, serving as treasurer her junior year and vice president her senior year.
In addition to her academic and extracurricular pursuits, Ruvalcaba has made significant contributions to her community. She engaged in numerous service projects at the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society and took part in community trash pickups. Her leadership qualities were recognized when she was voted September Student of the Month, selected for AHS Leaders of Tomorrow, and chosen as a junior usher by the senior class of 2023.
Ruvalcaba plans to continue her education at either the University of Texas at Austin or the University of Texas at Tyler, majoring in accounting with a minor in education or mathematics. She credits her parents, Raul and Rosalina Ruvalcaba, who have always supported her, as well as her siblings, caring teachers, and friends for their love and support.
Maytubby's high school journey is marked by extensive involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership roles. She served as president of the National Honor Society chapter during her senior year and was a student council representative. Her contributions extended to both the AHS and PINNACLE student councils, and she was a member of the UIL math team, advancing to the regional level twice.
Maytubby was class president her sophomore year, and she was active in athletics, participating in cross country, track and basketball, as well as band. Her accolades include being named Student of the Month, DAR Good Citizen, and selection for AHS Leaders of Tomorrow. Additionally, she attended the RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Award) camp as a junior and served as a senior staffer her senior year. Maytubby has volunteered at local churches, the Food Pantry in Athens, and the animal shelter.
In recognition of her academic and extracurricular accomplishments, Maytubby, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, received honors from the College Board for the National Indigenous Recognition Program and the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program. She is an active member of Dogwood Church and has successfully run her own small business on Etsy and at local markets for the past four years.
Maytubby will be attending Texas Christian University in the fall, majoring in entrepreneurship and innovation, with plans to attend law school in the future. She would like to thank her parents, family, teachers and friends for all of their love and support.
🎓👉 Graduation will commence at 6:30pm Friday, May 31, 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 31 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.)
Attention all seniors and their loved ones! 🎓✨ Join us tonight at 6:30 at Life Fellowship Church (8881 CR 3918, Athens — off Hwy 175W) for Baccalaureate. This cherished tradition offers a message of congratulations and hope for our graduating class. We can't wait to see you there! #HornetNation
🏈🏈 Exciting news! Today, two of our outstanding athletes, Kendrick Marshall (left) and La'Zavion Lee, signed to play football with Texas College in Tyler. We couldn't be prouder of their achievements! 🎉 Pictured alongside them is Coach Randy Butler, the athletic director at Texas College. Way to go, guys! #HornetNation 🐝
🌟 We love to see our students receive funds to help continue their education at the collegiate level! Two Athens organizations — Kiwanis Club and Rotary Club — have generously awarded scholarships to Athens High School seniors. Kiwanis recipients are Gage Friedrich and Alexandria Akin. They are pictured with AHS Principal Jason Iglehart and Kiwanis President Amanda DeShazo. Rotary recipients are Peyton Smith, Gage Friedrich and Daniela Ruvalcaba. They're also pictured with Principal Iglehart. 🎓📚 #HornetNation
🎉🥉 Amazing news, #HornetNation! 🥉🎉 Athens High School freshman McCager Smith won the bronze medal in boys 4A discus throw at today's State Track Meet in Austin. 🏅 He didn't just win; he completely smashed his previous personal best record of 167 feet, 10 inches by launching an incredible 180 feet, 3 inches! 🤯 Let's give a huge round of applause and #HornetNation pride to McCager for his outstanding achievement! 🙌🐝 #HornetNation
🌟🎭 Attention, Hornet Nation! 🎭🌟 The Athens High School Choir program is gearing up for their most ambitious Spring Concert yet! 🎶 Enjoy a spectacular musical theater showcase filled with costumes, set changes and plenty of drama. They're calling on all of you to join them and be part of the magic! 🌟 Mark your calendars for:
📅 AHS CHOIRS BROADWAY SHOWCASE
🗓️ Tuesday, May 14
⏰ 6pm-7pm
📍 Athens High School Large Lecture Hall
🅿️ (park at the front of AHS and follow signs inside the front door)
🎟️ FREE ADMISSION
Prepare to be swept away as they bring you music from Legally Blonde the Musical, Jersey Boys, Sweeney Todd, Phantom of the Opera, and Wicked! 🎵
Spread the word, bring your family and friends, and let's make this an evening to remember! See you there! 🎉 #HornetNation
📣 Get ready, #HornetNation! 🥎 Our Lady Hornets are heading into softball playoff action this Thursday against Canton! 🎟️ Grab your tickets online only using the link below, and let's rally together to back our team! 👏 #Playoffs2024 #SchoolSpirit https://my.hometownticketing.com/agency/5b6f33c6-17c6-4afe-81c8-c9f9e79657aa
🎉 Hornet Nation celebrates ANOTHER triumph! 🏆 Junior Isaac Hoch grabbed yet one more victory at this weekend's UIL 4A Region 2 competition at Texas A&M Commerce, clinching the regional championship in Informative Speaking! 🥇 We're beyond proud as Isaac — who is one half of AHS's state champion CX debate team — advances to the UIL State Speech Meet, May 13-15 at the University of Texas at Austin. 🙌 But wait, there's more reason to cheer! Junior Cooper Rich and freshman Liam Tinsley were chosen to join the prestigious UIL State Tournament Honor Crew! 👏 These exceptional Hornets will lend their skills to help run the state tournament. We're thrilled for Cooper and Liam and can't wait to see them shine! #HornetNation
🎉🏀 Calling all #HornetNation fans! 📣 This Thursday marks the beginning of an epic showdown as our Lady Hornets go head-to-head against the Lady Hawks for the Bi-District Championship! 🏆🔥 Let's pack the stands, bring the energy and show our support loud and proud! 🙌 #HornetPride #GameOn
🎉 We celebrated our varsity softball seniors Tuesday night! 🥎 Huge congratulations to each of you for your dedication and hard work! 🌟 Now, let's keep that Hornet spirit soaring as our Lady Hornets gear up to beat Brownsboro and clinch third place in district. Catch the action in Lindale this Friday, April 19, at 4pm. Tickets ($4 adults/$3 students) are available online only at https://www.lhseagles.org/lisd-online-ticket-portal 🎟️ #HornetNation 🐝
🌟🔥 Athens High School is on fire with talent as our students clinch spots to compete individually at the UIL Conference 4A Academic Regional Meet on April 27 at Texas A&M Commerce. Let's cheer for these outstanding individuals (l-r): Gaden Riquelme in number sense, Isaac Hoch in informative speaking, Jasmine Good in ready writing, and Addison Maytubby in calculator AND general math. 🎉 Go, Hornets! 🐝 #HornetNation #UILRegionals
🎉 The Athens High School calculator team is ready to take on the challenge at the UIL Conference 4A Academic Regional Meet on April 27 at Texas A&M Commerce. Let's show our support for (l-r) Natalie Rogers, Logan Castaneda, Gaden Riquelme, Donna Carpenter and Addison Maytubby! ✨ #HornetNation
🌟🏃♂️ More fantastic news from the UIL 4A Area Track Meet in Lindale! 🎉 Our 4x400m relay team grabbed a 4th place finish, securing their spot at Regionals with a season-best time of 3:27! 🥳✨ Congratulations to (l-r) AJ White, Gage Friedrich, Lazavion Lee and Brett Horn for their incredible performance! 🏅👏 Next stop: Regional Meet at the University of North Texas in Denton on April 19. #HornetNation
🏆🔥 Yet another victory for the Hornets! 🎉 Phenomenal freshman McCager Smith soared to first place in the discus event at the UIL 4A Area Track Meet, boasting an impressive distance of 157.11 feet! 🥇 McCager is set to compete at the Regional Meet at the University of North Texas in Denton on April 19. That's two gold medals hanging around the necks of Athens High School freshmen in Lindale today! 🌟👟 Athens' track & field program is blazing a trail! #HornetNation
🎉🏃♀️ Incredible news! 🌟 Freshman superstar Donna Carpenter blazed through the competition this morning to clinch victory in the 3200-meter run at the UIL 4A Area Track Meet, clocking in a *personal best* time of 12:06.55! 🥇💨 Now it's on to the Regional Meet on April 19 at the University of North Texas in Denton. First place as a freshman? Just imagine the next three years! 🌟🏆 #HornetNation
🏆 Exciting news from the AHS UIL Academic team! Last week, our Hornets showcased their talents at the district competition. Speech events took place on April 4 at Cumberland Academy in Tyler, followed by academic testing events on April 5 at TVCC. Despite tough competition, we're thrilled to announce that several of our Hornets have secured spots in the regional competition on April 27 at Texas A&M Commerce. Among those advancing are Gaden Riquelme in Number Sense, Addison Maytubby in Calculator and General Math, Isaac Hoch in Informative Speaking, and Jasmine Good in Ready Writing. Additionally, Regan Head, Liam Tinsley, and Cooper Rich stand as alternates, demonstrating the depth of talent within the AHS UIL Academic team. Pictured is the speech team at the April 4 competition. They are (from left) Isaac Hoch, Miles Barnes, Kraven Parker, Cooper Rich, Liam Tinsley, Regan Head, Sebastian Campa, Theo Hall, River Lang and Marlie Adair. We're proud of everyone who competed! #HornetNation
🌟🐴 Congratulations to Athens High School sophomore Charlie Leonard and her Arabian Quarter Horse mix, Miss Kitty, for clinching third place this morning at the Henderson County Livestock Show in the "halter gelding 5 & older" category! 🥉Charlie is competing in several other events today and proudly leads the pack as the first of many AISD students showcasing #HornetNation's talent this week at the livestock show. 🤠🐮 #HCLS
🎉🌟 At the recent FCCLA (Family Career and Community Leaders of America) Regional Conference, several Athens High School students received awards after taking Family and Consumer Sciences Assessments, which are subject-oriented objective tests. The awardees are (top row, from left) Davin Perry, Miles Barnes, Zachary Carrizales, Adileny Hernandez, (bottom row, from left) Karleigh Due, Cloey Peters, Kennedy Ard and Pyper Palmer. Terrific job, Hornets! 🐝💫 #HornetNation
🌟👏🏼 Several members of the Athens High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) chapter are advancing to state following the Region III FCCLA Conference in Waco. They are (top row, from left) Karleigh Due, Marcos Velasquez, Dustin Matlock (one of 15 FCCLA state officers in Texas), and (bottom row, from left) Bianca Santoyo, Anahis Torres, Kennedy Ard, Mikaela Egan, Timmy Marshall and Zachary Carrizales. The state conference will be held this April in Dallas. Way to go, Hornets! 🐝 #HornetNation #FCCLA
