Education-Henderson County Now

Barrios Is Serious About His Future

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

As the third of five children, Jacob Barrios knows what it’s like to be “at the center of everything that happens.” But for many years, not too many people outside of his family knew him well.

“It wasn’t until the beginning of my junior year that I could really talk to people,” he said. “I got tired of being quiet and sitting in the back of class. I wanted to get to know more people.” So Barrios made a concentrated effort to stretch himself out of his comfort zone.

Today the Athens High School senior is president of the National Honor Society, was selected as student of the month in December, and gets along well with his classmates.

Currently ranked fifth in his class, Barrios will be attending Houston’s Rice University in the fall. In other words, he’s not sitting quietly at the back of the classroom anymore. Continue reading “Barrios Is Serious About His Future”

AMS 8th-Grade UIL Team

Several eighth-grade students at Athens Middle School competed in UIL. Those who placed in events are seated along the front row. They are (from left) Rebecca Granillo and Baylee DeShazo (third-place calculator team); Matthew Collins (fourth place in individual chess and member of third-place chess team); Maria Garcia, Francisco Garcia, Mady Kitchens and Jonathan Snowden (third-place chess team members); Lucy Nolan (first place maps, graphs and charts, and fifth place editorial writing); Lily Mahmoud (first place impromptu speaking); Chandler Earley (first place modern oratory, and fourth place listening skills); Will Honea (fifth place modern oratory); Jackson Kilgore (third place oral reading); Taegan Allen (all-star cast in one-act play); and Madeline Clay (honorable mention all-star cast in one-act play). Students not pictured who placed are Ruby Rodriguez (third place calculator team and sixth place calculator); Philip Zelanick (third place chess team); and Triston Fischer (one-act play all-star crew). Other students who participated in UIL (not listed in order of appearance) are: Divion Sims, Hunter Taylor, Jade Parker, Haley Herriage, Haiden Walker, Allison Martinez, Brenda Aguilar, Giselle Castaneda, Laura Cedillo, Bethanie Webb, Courtni Skiles, Sierra Graves, Samantha Salazar, Kaitlyn Costlow, Devon Lusk, Sydney Roberson, Andrew Rochin, Samantha Ramos, Haley Davis, Bryan Feagin, Elizabeth Harkins, Eli Feinsod, and Cooper Rolison. Also pictured (second row, far right) is AMS Principal Winston McCowan. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

AHS Senior Delights Staff With Roses

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Special Education Counselor Stacey Risko was walking through the Athens High School Annex Friday morning when a well-dressed young man approached her. He wanted her to have this, he said, and handed her a long-stemmed rose. The scene was repeated over and over at the annex and main campus as Jose Rodriguez offered stunned female staff members and teachers the touching act of kindness.

“The idea came to me last night after I got off work,” said Rodriguez, a senior. “I wanted to show appreciation to teachers and make someone’s day.” Continue reading “AHS Senior Delights Staff With Roses”

South Athens Elementary UIL Team

Students at South Athens Elementary School who competed in UIL academic competition are (first row, from left) Agustin Rodriguez, Bryan Fillip, Emily Pruitt (2nd place storytelling), Alan Hernandez, Anna Meyer, Rylea Robertson, Ethan Kobelia, Zaniah Gray (6th place storytelling), (second row, from left) Morgan Wilson (sixth place spelling), Joshua Bass (4th place spelling), April Dong, Katie Erick (6th place music) and Gabe Hammonds. UIL team alternates (back row from left) were Shaylea Pyle, Kimberly Herriage, Colt Rogers, Braiden Dowell, Jorien Ray, Marilyn Murillo, Yasairi Medina, Reagan Farley and Alexis Woods. Not pictured is Keylani Garcia, who placed fourth in ready writing. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

Safari Waters Ladies Helping AISD

A generous group of ladies who live at Safari Waters Ranch donated $156 to the Hornet Backpack Program. Safari Waters is a gated community located about nine miles southeast of Athens. The donation-funded Hornet Backpack Program provides supplemental meals and snacks to children enrolled in Athens ISD whose primary source of food is the school cafeteria. Pictured, from left, are Safari Waters resident Maureen “Mo” Watkins, AISD Parent Liaison Yadira Chairez, Safari Waters residents Sue Potter and Mel Robinson, and AISD Student Services Director Dr. Diana Vaughn. To donate to the Hornet Backpack Program, please contact Chairez at 903-677-6913 or email [email protected]. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)