Members of the Athens High School class of 2016 celebrate Friday night after singing the fight song and concluding their ceremony. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
Category: Education
Athens ISD Top Teachers
Robert Becker, a math teacher at Athens High School, and Juan Moreno, a fifth-grade reading teacher at Bel Air Elementary, were named the Secondary and Elementary Teachers of the Year, respectively, for Athens ISD. The honors were announced Thursday during the end-of-year service awards for district employees. “We are so fortunate to have both of these men with us,” said Assistant Superintendent Dr. Janie Sims. “Mr. Becker is masterful at reaching all students wherever they are, and Mr. Moreno has such a heart for our kids and is willing to do whatever is best for them.” (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
AISD’s Campus Teachers of the Year
Each campus in Athens ISD selected a teacher of the year. They are (from left) Robert Becker, Athens High School; Bronte Hirsch, Athens Middle School; Juan Moreno, Bel Air Elementary; Audrey Thurston, Central Athens Elementary; and Elaine Nelson, South Athens Elementary. Mr. Becker and Mr. Moreno went on to be named the Secondary and Elementary Teachers of the Year. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
Bywaters, Hardin shine as AHS val, sal
Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist
Athens High School’s valedictorian and salutatorian for the 2016 graduating class are Jonathan Bywaters and Allison Hardin. Bywaters earned a 4.0 grade point average and Hardin a 3.97. While GPA is critical in determining class rank, both also made their marks outside of the academic arena.
Bywaters was a standout member of the AHS “Pride of the Hornets” Band, where he played the alto saxophone, qualifying for state solo and ensemble competition every year of high school. He was also a veritable superstar on the math team, advancing to regionals all four years in number sense, calculator and general mathematics; and went to regionals in tennis twice. He also earned the Athens Public Education Foundation’s Superintendent Scholar Award all four years.
Hardin dominated in swim in the 100 and 200 freestyle, advancing to state as a junior in the 100, and missing a repeat state appearance this year by the merest fraction of a second. She also participated in track, cross country and triathlons, placing seventh her freshman year and eighth her sophomore year at the Texas State Triathlon championships in Houston. Her junior year, Hardin attended by invitation the Congress of Future Medical Leaders.
Bring on 1st grade!
Bel Air kindergartners Armani Garcia (left) and Rylan Thomas graduated into the first grade Wednesday morning, complete with diplomas and the best smiles ever. Kinder graduation ceremonies were also held at Central Athens and South Athens elementaries. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)