Longview ISD Administrators and Board of Trustees recognized student achievement in academics as well as the arts May 9th during the 43rd annual LHS Awards of Excellence Banquet at Pinecrest Country Club.
Each presentation of medals was accompanied by a creative arts performance by Longview High School students.
Receiving medals in the Academics category was the Class of 2019's Top 2 percent graduates (in alphabetical order): Amanda Dominguez, Allison Howe, Ejehi Ihionkhan, Nitin Rangu, Morgan Roberts, Kathryn Roper, Payton Schaap, Magdalen Shen, Alyssa Shobert, Samantha Taylor, and Amanda Ward.
Nikola Jeremic and Maritza Gonzalez were honored in the Art category by instructors Jeff Hull and Meleah Hall, with samples of their work displayed throughout the venue.
Ghaytra Ford and Miles Meader received medals in Band from Director of Instrumental Music Tommy Moore, with Ghaytra performing a twirling routine while Miles performed a Clarinet Concerto by Carl Nielsen.
LISD Orchestra Director Joanie Russell also presented a medal Payton Schaap, who then performed 'The Swan' by Charles Camille Saint-Saëns.
Angela Dominguez, Autumn Gauthier, D'Keriyan Alexander, and Timmie Ingram Jr. were honored in the Choir category by instructor Kenton Walker, and Alyssa Shobert, Kasey Whitenack, Sophie Bunn recognized for their publishing work in the Communications category by Yearbook/Journalism adviser Sasha Cantu.
Ainsley Polk, D'Keriyan Alexander, Kasey Whitenack, Nicholas Smith, and Noah Williams rounded out the evening's honors by receiving medals in Theatre from instructor Pam Mercer McWilliams, lending their talents to a performance of 'Beauty and the Beast.'
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.”
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.'