Twenty Nacogdoches High School students were recognized Thursday during the Nacogdoches ISD Education Foundation Scholars Banquet presented by Spirit Outfitters and held at the Malcolm Rector Center for Advanced Careers & Innovation.
It was the second scholars' banquet held by the Foundation following its creation in 2022.
The students honored represent the top 20 graduates in the Class of 2024.
Students that qualify for the scholars' banquet select the teacher who’s been most influential in their academic careers. During Thursday’s event, a video featured each student describing how that teacher had impacted their lives followed by the teacher providing a response.
The banquet and ceremony was catered by NHS culinary art students.
“This has quickly become one of my favorite events of the school year,” said Foundation Executive Director Erin Windham. “Everyone, myself included, has a teacher who had a lasting impact on their life.
“And just to see and hear from these amazing, young students is uplifting. There may be things that are not right in the world, but this always provides me with hope for the future.”
Students recognized (alphabetically) on Thursday and their most influential teacher (name in parenthesis):
Adrian Belista (Jacob Weems), Kathryn Boyett (Amy Chism), Nayeli Carrillo (Becky Martin), Viviana Chavarria (Lindy Arbuckle), Kennedi Cowser (Lisa Fuller) and Rogelio Garcia (Elyse Meyer).
Also, Grace Hao (Cullen Holmes), McKay Hintze (Chris Rainey), Benjamin Knepp (James Mason), Samantha McQuage (Rosalind Deckard), Bigvai Morales (Amanda Abbott) and Margaret Schaefer (Arianna Lister).
Also, Carley Scroggins (Kristin Thomas), Audrey Smith (Andi Howell), Sterling Smith (Rebecca Jaramillo), Jesus Trejo (Gary Smith), Emma Welsh (Jill Hines), Polina Willardson (Carrie Scroggins) and Cole Windham (Penny Long).
Additional Photos can be found on the Education Foundation Facebook
