Top students recognized at banquet
By Sandy Morris
Academic excellence was honored at the Albany Independent School District’s annual Academic Banquet for junior high and high school students on Monday, May 10 in the main gym at Albany High School.
The Feed Store, Albany Academic Booster Club, and Albany ISD co-sponsored the banquet again this year.
AISD superintendent Jonathan Scott welcomed the honorees and guests, and then Feed Store board president Clint Chapman 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 nine students who lettered in UIL academics this year – Jackson Chapman, Carli Edgar, Paige Picquet, William Webb, Susie Cormack, Sarah Cotter, Ty Everitt, Leddie Leech, and Ella Webb.
Lions Roar staff members were introduced by journalism teacher Donnie Lucas, who also announced ILPC award recipients and Tops in Texas winners.
Outstanding FFA students and team banners were announced by agricultural science teacher Chris Beard.
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 Glen Hill presented the class honors.
The Senior Scholar Awards to the valedictorian and salutatorian, as well as the top SAT/ACT scores were announced by secondary counselor Jenny Scott.
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 for the second highest, and $250 for the third highest.
Albany Academic Booster Club member Glen Webb closed the banquet with the benediction.
Monday night’s honorees included the following:
Top Students
Valedictorian – Hannah Trail
Salutatorian – Sidney Bartee
Highest SAT Scores
1. Hannah Trail, 2. Morgan Garcia, 3. Sidney Bartee
Highest ACT Scores
1. Hannah Trail, 2. Elia Hebel, 3. Tana Thompson
Senior Honor Graduates
Sidney Bartee, Jackson Chapman, Morgan Garcia, Elia Hebel, Alli Hill, Paige Picquet, Tana Thompson, and Hannah Trail
Senior Honors
Sidney Bartee, Blanton Belcher, Landree Connally, Addie Beth Denton, Morgan Garcia, Elia Hebel, Alli Hill, Brodey Jones, Brady Karl, Amber Leverton, Paige Picquet, Hannah Snyder, Tana Thompson, Hannah Trail, William Webb, and Ryder Wilkins
Junior Honors
Isabel Alvarez, Ana Balliew, Susie Cormack, Sarah Cotter, Ty Everitt, Taren Farmer, Clara Holson, Luke Ivy, Allison Lemond, Ryan Mark, Brooks Neece, and Sara Smith.
Sophomore Honors
Chloe’ Anderson, Cole Chapman, Haily Cox, Chloe Daugherty, Mayson Garcia, Presley Green, Leddie Leech, Andrew Leverton, Damian Little, Brylee Moore, Gracie Price, Ashley Richards, Keatin Russell, Gineveve Soders, and Ella Webb
Freshman Honors
Braylyn Abbate, Brooklyn Abbate, Jaden Bean, Jaci Chapman, Tyler Chapman, Cambree Clegg, Maci Hatchett, Houston Heatly, Bryson Herring, Adam Hill, Cort Peterson, Cole Read, Kiana Roberson, Sidney Russell, Ashley Sanchez, Robyn Trail, and Lanxton Viertel
Eighth Grade Honors
John Birkla, Jonathan Coody, Ann Davis, Avery Everitt, Andre Gjerpe, Ethan Green, Abigale Hale, Will LeMay, David Mugoya, Natalin New, and Jace Tinkle
Seventh Grade Honors
Kaisley Bartee, Caroline Chapman, Braylee Clark, Caysn Hargett, Lane Helle, Mimi Ivy, Serenity McBee, Allison McDaniel, Woods Peterson, Landon Picquet, and Ryan Turner.
