Students recognized at banquet
Academic excellence was honored at the Albany Independent School District’s annual Academic Banquet for junior high and high school students on Monday, April 29, in the main gym at Albany High School.
The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD co-sponsored the banquet this year.
New AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott welcomed the honorees and guests and then led the invocation.
Special recognition was given to University Interscholastic League academic sponsors and the academic teams, and UIL director Rick Davis presented a number of UIL academic honors, including four students who lettered in UIL academics this year – Christopher Rivera, Gregori Mikeska, Sidney Bartee, and Tana Thompson.
Outstanding FFA students and team banners were announced by agricultural science teacher Chris Beard.
Lions Roar staff members were introduced by journalism teacher Donnie Lucas.
Jenny Scott, play director, acknowledged one-act play honorees.
Students who have maintained an average grade of 90 or above in core classes for the entire school year were introduced, along with those who achieved academic honors.
Secondary campus principal Edward Morales presented the class honors and the senior honors.
The Senior Scholar Awards to the valedictorian and salutatorian and the top SAT/ACT scores were announced by secondary counselor Dee Dee Waggoner.
Students with those top scores were presented with cash awards by the Academic Booster Club, including $1,000 for each of the highest scores, $500 each for the second highest, and $250 for the third highest.
Madison Wilkins, Feed Store board senior class representative, closed the banquet with the benediction.
Due to the annual awards banquet taking place earlier than in past years, results of the state UIL academic contest and the ILPC newspaper contest, which will occur this weekend, could not be included.
Monday night’s honorees included the following:
Top Students
Valedictorian - Caroline Masters
Salutatorian - Jillian Guinn
Highest SAT Scores
1. Caroline Masters, 2. Jillian Guinn and Kade Everitt (tie), 3. Cutter Edgar
Highest ACT Scores
1. Caroline Masters, 2. Haley Stewart and Cutter Cowart (tie), 3. Jillian Guinn
Senior Honors
Catherine Brooks, Cutter Edgar, Jillian Guinn, Caroline Masters, Meagan Phillips, Christopher Rivera, Zak Shirley, Haley Stewart, and Madison Wilkins
Junior Honors
Addison Asher, Max Balliew, Tyler Beard, Kydie Edwards, Seth Hale, Alayna Koemel, Gracie LeMay, Aubrey Moon, Jaleigh Morales, Taylor Scott, Alyssa Zuniga, and Ivie Zuniga
Sophomore Honors
Sidney Bartee, Blanton Belcher, Jackson Chapman, Landree Connally, Torie Fuentes, Morgan Garcia, Elia Hebel, Alli Hill, Traci Isbell, Amber Leverton, Cydney Nelson, Hannah Snyder, Tana Thompson, and Hannah Trail
Freshman Honors
Aspen Box, Susie Cormack, Sarah Cotter, Ty Everitt, Clara Holson, Luke Ivy, Allison Lemond, Ryan Mark, and Brooks Neece
Eighth Grade Honors
Chloe Broadus, Cole Chapman, Haily Cox, Presley Green, Leddie Leech, Andrew Leverton, Jerad Little, Brylee Bo Moore, Gracie Price, Ashley Richards, Keatin Russell, and Ella Webb
Seventh Grade Honors
Braylyn Abbate, Brooklyn Abbate, Jade Bean, Tyler Chapman, Cambree Clegg, Maci Hatchett, Robin Lucas, Cort Peterson, Cole Read, Kiana Roberson, Sidney Russell, Robyn Trail, and Lute Wheeler.
