Category: Education

Cross Roads Debate Team Wins 2A Team State Championship in Congressional Debate

Debate (1)Press release

Last week Cross Roads High School students traveled to Austin to participate in the UIL State Congressional Debate Championships held Jan. 13-14. The students earned a right to compete in the tournament by sweeping the UIL 2A ESC Region 7 Congressional Debate competition on Nov. 10.

Over 350 students began the Congressional Debate competition in their UIL district competitions in 2A across the State of Texas. Only 24 students advanced to State competition. Only 18 students advanced to the Final Congressional Session.

The students, junior Luke Carnes, sophomore Alex Dickson and junior Rachael Cooper, competed in the State Congressional Debate two preliminary sessions on Tuesday on the University of Texas at Austin campus. As a result of their preliminary finish, all three students advanced to the two Final Congressional Debate Sessions held at the State Capitol Building on Wednesday. Continue reading “Cross Roads Debate Team Wins 2A Team State Championship in Congressional Debate”

Four AHS students earn all-state honors

Athens High School had four students earn all-state honors during the Jan. 10 UIL area competition. From left: In choir, Jacob Moore made first-chair bass, and Logan Dooley made second-chair bass. In band, Russell Ingram was first-chair trumpet and Kolemann Dooley was first-chair euphonium. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)
Athens High School had four students earn all-state honors during the Jan. 10 UIL area competition. From left: In choir, Jacob Moore made first-chair bass, and Logan Dooley made second-chair bass. In band, Russell Ingram was first-chair trumpet and Kolemann Dooley was first-chair euphonium. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

By Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Athens High School is a musical powerhouse. Submitted as evidence: During the Jan. 10 UIL Area Competition, four students earned all-state honors.

In band, sophomore Kolemann Dooley was named first-chair euphonium, and sophomore Russell Ingram was named first-chair trumpet. In choir, freshman Jacob Moore was selected as first-chair bass, and sophomore Logan Dooley as second-chair bass. (Kolemann and Logan are not related.) In addition, sophomore Felicity Walter was named second-alternate alto.

“In band and choir, there are several rounds of competition,” explained Band Director Rusty Lay. “We compete with 1A through 4A schools throughout our region, which spans much of East Texas. The first few chairs advance to the area round, which we had on Saturday.” Continue reading “Four AHS students earn all-state honors”

Athens Middle School Students of the Month

unnamed (3)Athens Middle School’s Students of the Month are (from left) sixth graders Raelin Evans and Cody Davis, seventh-graders Eliza Spurling and Zechariah Wood, and eighth-graders Thomas Williams and Rachel Grey. Eighth-grader Yuiva Leon (far right) is the Rotary Student of the Month. (Toni Garrard Clay/AISD)

To Our AISD School Board Members: Thank you

BoardMembersGroupBy Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

There are many people who are vital to the success of Athens ISD: teachers, of course, as well as campus and districtwide leadership, support staff and parent volunteers. Each January, we make a particular point of showing appreciation for seven community members who volunteer to shoulder considerable responsibility as advocates for our children and our schools. They are the members of the Athens ISD Board of Trustees, elected and entrusted to make the best possible decisions on behalf of our young people.

Board President Robert Risko, Vice President Steve McElhany, Secretary Bob Spears, and board members David Freeman, Ginger Kirk, Eric Smith and Alicea Elliott serve as crucial links between the community and the classroom. They are responsible for an annual budget of over $27 million, approximately 3,300 students, some 460 employees and five campuses. And they do it all for no return other than the knowledge that their work is important. Continue reading “To Our AISD School Board Members: Thank you”

AHS Senior Has High Expectations of Herself

WendiPachecoBy Toni Garrard Clay/AISD Communications Specialist

Wendi Pacheco is comfortable bearing responsibility. The 18-year-old Athens High School senior is set to graduate through the Early College High School Pinnacle program in May with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree.

“I wanted a challenge,” she said of her decision to take both high school and college classes. “I also wanted to be a good role model to my brother. … I want him to not be satisfied with what most people are satisfied with.” Her brother, Jonathan, is in seventh grade.

Pacheco plays the trumpet in band and was recently named an AHS Student of the Month. The diminutive, seemingly soft spoken senior has a passion that might surprise those who don’t know her: powerlifting. Recruited by a friend her freshman year, Pacheco has qualified for the regional meet three years in a row and is working toward the goal of making it to state competition this year. To qualify for regionals in February, Pacheco must be ranked in the top 10 of the region, then lift a total of at least 645 pounds in regionals to qualify for state. Totals are taken by combining the weights lifted in three events: squat, bench press and deadlift. Continue reading “AHS Senior Has High Expectations of Herself”