Longview ISD Administrators and Board of Trustees recognized student achievement in academics as well as the arts on Friday night May 13, during the 44th annual LHS Awards of Excellence Banquet at the Mickey Melton Performing Arts Center. This marks the 46th year that students have been honored for their dedication.
Each presentation of medals was accompanied by a creative arts performance by Longview High School students.
Chloe Hamilton, Juan Martinez, Harrison Taylor, and Brianna Estrada were honored in the Art category by instructors Jeff Hull and Edward Rothfus, with samples of their work on display throughout the venue.
Joel Rincon was awarded in Band from Director Rhonda Daniel, also performing “The Green Hill” by Bert Appermont with a baritone.
Sony Betancourt and Jessica Stowers were honored in the Choir category by instructor Melody McMullen, with Sony performing “Romance” by Claude Debussy, and Jessica performing “Spirate, Pur Spirate” by Stefano Donaudy.
Miranda Gonzalez, Arya Germanwala, Abigail Fletcher, Sofia Massare, and Clancy Davis were recognized for their publishing work in the Communications category by Yearbook/Journalism adviser Sasha Cantu.
Angie Mendoza and Rylee Hunter received awards for the Dance category by Debbie McGowan, with Angie and Rylee performing a dance duet.
Matthew Guck was honored in the Orchestra category by Jacob Bridges, and performed a violin rendition of “Navarra” by Pablo de Sarasate with Renee Ward.
Abigail Fletcher was honored a second time, this time in the Theatre category by Pam Mercer-McWilliams.
April Butler was awarded for LoboFILM by Josh Graves.
Established in 1976, the event honors the most outstanding senior students in the arts and academics. At that first banquet, then-superintendent Dr. Henry Wheeler said the purpose is to “pay tribute to our best, our most talented, and to impress upon them that they each have a story to tell.”
Current LISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox praised the students, staff, and families in attendance “for giving so generously of your time, your energy, and your talent.”
“Those of us in the administration can just stand back and say ‘wow’ when we see what these young people are able to accomplish,” he said. “It’s very personally rewarding for me to play just a small part in helping all of our students pursue and achieve such excellence.”
