As students walk across the stage after accepting their award or certification, they feel a sense of pride for their recognition for their hard work. On May 7, 2026, students accepted awards from their teachers during the annual Academic Awards Assembly.
“I got the certification for being in Child Development, [which] is a CPR certified class,” sophomore Magdalena Torres said. “It felt like I was being noticed for my accomplishments”.
The hard work and dedication of students proved fruitful when they received their award.
“Hard work pays off one way or another,” senior Destiny Solomon said. “I got [my awards] because I guess I’m just top of my class, [and] I worked really hard.”
Assistant principal Dr. Jacquelyn Smith and assistant principal Jo Dee Lot opened the ceremony in the Sullivan Performing Arts Center.
“There was a great deal of planning involved to prepare for an event where we celebrated 400+ students,” Smith said. “I then spent time ensuring everyone was in alphabetical order, seating arrangements were made, [and] many emails were sent to staff members that were involved in helping to ensure the process ran smoothly.”
At this assembly, students received either a CPR certification, Industry Based Certification, the Heart of the Tiger or the top award in their class.
“[The Heart of the Tiger award] means [a] teacher picked you because you show the most effort, the most stamina [and] that you try the hardest,” Lott said. “I appreciate seeing students that we normally don’t see that excel in their class, even if it’s not your students that are in [the] top tier academically.”
At Texas High, many foreign exchange students integrate themselves into the culture of the American high school experience.
“Honoring the foreign exchange students came up in a conversation during a meeting with Mr. Renner, the foreign exchange students and me,” Smith said. “I felt it was important to honor these students because they truly have immersed themselves in our culture, and each one has actively sought out activities to participate in, whether it was Tiger Strong Field Day or the student section at football games.”
In an effort to present the foreign exchange students with a type of graduation ceremony, the students “graduated” with a short cap and gown walk across the stage.
“It was actually a dream because in my country, France, we don’t have this type of ceremony, [so] this was a part of my American experience and I’m really glad they could do it for me,” junior Loane Le Cossec said. “[I felt appreciated] when everyone was smiling and every teacher was so excited for us.”
