Waxahachie ISD holds first award ceremony, honors students across dual-language, CTE, fine arts and athletics

At an evening meeting of the Waxahachie Independent School District Board of Trustees, the district held its first award ceremony and recognized students from dual-language, career and technical education (CTE), fine arts, UIL academics and athletics programs.

The event highlighted both individual and team achievements across the district and included a life-saving recognition for a teacher. Weilman principal Kate Authier introduced a student who credited music teacher Lauren Allen with saving his life after Allen performed the Heimlich maneuver when he choked. "We are incredibly proud," Authier said of Allen and the student’s recovery.

The ceremony also recognized the first cohort of eighth-graders from Howard Junior High to complete the district’s dual-language program. Linda Solis, the district bilingual/ESL director, said those students will carry three to four high-school credits in Spanish as they transition from junior high. Solis introduced coordinators Claudia Gutierrez and Desiree Zarate and read the list of names called for recognition.

Blake Harrison, director of career and technical education, reported robust CTE and FFA participation this spring, including 172 FFA entries in the Ellis County Livestock Show and Rodeo. Harrison named division and event champions across livestock, ag mechanics, welding, breeding rabbits, goats and swine, and listed students who received Lone Star degrees, state competition placements and other honors.

Fine-arts director Gary Bernard said the district’s band and choir programs earned a combined nine sweepstakes awards and that theater advanced to the area round of the UIL one-act play competition. Bernard also read multiple student awards from regional and state art events.

Administrators noted additional achievements: a Waxahachie High School TSA student earned a top statewide award for a tractor restoration project; film and media students placed at state and national festivals; a WHS esports Mario Kart 8 team won the Vanta League Central Division; and UIL academic teams and individual competitors qualified for higher-level contests. Brian Rogers, executive director of athletics, presented district and regional qualifiers and champions across boys and girls sports, including track and field, golf, tennis and softball.

The board opened a public forum portion but had no public-comment sign-ups. Trustee Kriegel moved to adjourn the meeting; Trustee McCutcheon seconded. The board voted 7-0 to adjourn, and the meeting closed after the ceremony.

The ceremony served as a districtwide recognition of spring-semester accomplishments across academic, career, arts and athletic programs. The board convened at 6:00 p.m. and concluded with the adjournment vote recorded as "motion carries 7-0."