Academic honors awarded at 2025 banquet
By Melinda L. Lucas
A crowd of almost 350 students, parents and staff attended the annual Academic Banquet on Monday to honor academic excellence of students in a variety of activities including Academic UIL events, journalism, band, FFA, one-act play and FCCLA.
Students scoring well on the ACT and SAT college entrance exams, along with those maintaining an average of 90 or above in all classes for the year, were also recognized.
Sponsored by The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD, the event recapped the academic and co-curricular successes of the school year.
The Academic Boosters gave a total of $11,350 in awards during the night.
The group was welcomed by principal Ezra Chambers before moving to the buffet line for the meal prepared by Joe Allen’s Barbecue of Abilene.
High school UIL coordinator Rick Davis recognized participants in academic events and handed out medals for the UIL District Meet, as well as 10 students who competed at the UIL Regional Meet in April and one who is advancing to the UIL State Meet next week in Austin.
Davis also awarded certificates to two students who lettered in UIL Academics this year, earning points by placing at various events. Students added to list this year were Charli Trail and Kylee Bennett.
Staff members of the Lions Roar, the school newspaper, were introduced, and awards received at the ILPC convention in Austin in April were handed out. The paper won its 20th consecutive Star Award, with a silver this year.
A number of FCCLA awards were given out by sponsor Jennifer Marshall, including recognition of students who advanced to the regional, state, and national conferences. Two FCCLA teams will be attending the national convention in Orlando in June.
Ag teacher Chris Beard recognized members of both Career Development teams and Leadership Development teams, handing out certificates to those who placed in the numerous district, area, and state events. The Star Lone Star Award was given to Kenzie Neve and the Star Greenhand Award was given to Tara Cauble.
Beard announced that the chapter received the Golden Horizon Award for community participation and the National Chapter Award.
The high school band was recognized by director Jessica Watkins, who announced that the band received a Division I rating in Sightreading this year.
She handed out a medal to Rowdy New from UIL solo and ensemble competition, and also awarded him the John Philip Sousa Award.
Top ACT scores were recorded by: 1st place – John Birkla, 2nd place – Avery Everitt and Landon Kreitler.
ACT Merit Scholars for this year are John Birkla, Avery Everitt, and Landon Kreitler.
Top SAT scores were announced as follows: 1st place – Jonathan Coody, 2nd place – John Birkla and Holden Sanchez, 3rd place – Avery Everitt.
SAT Merit Scholars were Jonathan Coody, John Birkla, Holden Sanchez, Avery Everitt, Landon Kreitler, Jayce Tinkle, Will LeMay, Chyanne Jaco, and Ben Barwon.
The top three scores for both the ACT and the SAT were awarded $1,000 for first, $750 for second and $500 for third place. Students reaching Merit Scholar status were given $50 to $500 each based on scores.
The funding for the awards was provided by the Albany Academic Booster Club.
The top 25 percent honor students, along with the salutatorian and valedictorian of the Class of 2025, were recognized as well.
Students who have maintained a 90 or above average in core classes were announced, including:
Top Students
Valedictorian – Avery Everitt
Salutatorian – Holden Sanchez
Senior Honor Graduates
Benjamin Barwon, Macie Breeden, John Birkla, Jonathan Coody, Ann Davis, Avery Everitt, Ethan Green, Will LeMay, Gabby Lopez, Holden Sanchez, Kenzie Neve.
Senior Honors
Landon Balliew, Carisa Barrera, Ben Barwon, Madailein Beard, John Birkla, Macie Breeden, Chip Chambers, Jonathan Coody, Ann Davis, Avery Everitt, Melanie Figueroa, Coy Flowers, Ethan Green, Abi Hale, Will Lemay, Gabby Lopez, Grace Mackenzie, Kenzie Neve, Ty Richards, Holden Sanchez, Lainey Vaughn.
Junior Honors
Breylon Billington, Cache Clark, Cade Fairchild, Caysn Hargett, Huffman Heatly, Tristan Howe, Mimi Ivy, Hope McBee, Alli McDaniel, Aaden Mendez, Madi Parrott, Woods Peterson, Landon Picquet, Cain Sanchez, Jaxson Street, Ryan Turner, Hollis Yeates
Sophomore Honors
Logan Balliew, Kylee Bennett, Hattie Jo Braly, Wesley Gleitz, Zayne Lefevre, Rowdy New, Dylan Paxton, Braeten Street, Adrian Wren
Freshman Honors
Tara Cauble, Jordan Knight, Bennett Neece, Karlea Sanchez, Charli Trail
Eighth Grade Honors
Trevor Bellah, Blake Britting, Keeley Britting, Landon Edwards, Hattie Fikes, Avery Gleitz, Hailey Gleitz, Bailey Holson, Harlee Mark, Kynlee Milligan, Jathan Perez, Kenzee Roysdon, Sawyer Shoaf
Seventh Grade Honors
Artie Bell, Mason Cradduck, Willa Early, Daniela Flores, Kimberly Howe, Carly Kreitler, Paxton Pipes, Pres-ley Rosales, Parker Rose, Liz Salazar, Luke Smith, Karter Thompson, McCoy Vaughn, Gibson Ware, Burkley Yeates
