2024 - 2025 Student Awards
Jovialee Rodriguez
Blanton Elementary
Advanced math
6th grade advanced math
Dino Nuggies - Butler Elementary
Butler Elementary
Destination Imagination
Academic Achievement
DIno Nuggies (6th Grade) qualified for Destination Imagination Globals in Kansas City.
- Graham Allen
- Parker Leeth
- Kate Jonson
- Titus Jordan
- Bianca Knight
- Zoe Kuntschik
- Wyatt Powell
Nicolas Banda
Butler Elementary
Academic Achievement
Perfect score on 5th grade math STAAR
John Kruger
Butler Elementary
Academic Achievement
Perfect score on 6th grade math STAAR
D.I.vocados
Corey Academy
Destination Imagination
All State Visual or Performing Arts
Going on to Global Finals for Destination Imagination for 2nd year in a row after winning 1st place and the Davinci award at state this year!
Annabelle E., Sophia K., Eliana T.,
Elle W., Eden S., Penny N.
Annabelle E., Sophia K., Eliana T.,
Elle W., Eden S., Penny N.
Audrey Nguyen
Farrell Elementary
Spelling Bee
Academic Achievement
Audrey's hard work and passion for language earned her the title of Area 8 District Spelling Bee Champion. She had the honor of advancing to the regional level of competition.
Nasya Utama
Larson Elementary
Larson Spelling Bee Champion and was honored as the District 1st Runner-Up
Academic Achievement
It is with great pride that we recognize Nasya as a shining example of excellence and leadership at Larson Elementary and within Arlington ISD. Nasya consistently demonstrates outstanding academic achievement and serves as an active member of the Larson Orchestra program. This year, Nasya earned the title of Larson Spelling Bee Champion and was honored as the District 1st Runner-Up, showcasing her dedication, focus, and perseverance.
Beyond her academic and extracurricular success, Nasya exemplifies the true spirit of service. She works alongside the campus social worker to support The New Day Program, an initiative that provides weekly meal bags to students experiencing food insecurity. As a student leader, Nasya plays a key role in ensuring that more than 50 students receive these essential resources every Friday.
Nasya Utama is not only excelling in the classroom but is also making a meaningful impact on her school community. Her leadership, compassion, and commitment to excellence set her apart as a role model for her peers. Larson Elementary and Arlington ISD are honored to celebrate Nasya, who continues to inspire and make a difference each day. She is truly on a path to greatness.
Beyond her academic and extracurricular success, Nasya exemplifies the true spirit of service. She works alongside the campus social worker to support The New Day Program, an initiative that provides weekly meal bags to students experiencing food insecurity. As a student leader, Nasya plays a key role in ensuring that more than 50 students receive these essential resources every Friday.
Nasya Utama is not only excelling in the classroom but is also making a meaningful impact on her school community. Her leadership, compassion, and commitment to excellence set her apart as a role model for her peers. Larson Elementary and Arlington ISD are honored to celebrate Nasya, who continues to inspire and make a difference each day. She is truly on a path to greatness.
Cynthia Le
Moore Elementary
Spelling Bee
Academic Achievement
Cynthia's hard work and passion for language earned her the title of Area 7 District Spelling Bee Champion. She had the honor of advancing to the regional level of competition.
Buddy Bokony - 3rd grade
Wimbish Academy
National Math Stars and AISD Advanced Academics
Academic Achievement
Walker George - 2nd grade
Wimbish Academy
National Math Stars and AISD Advanced Academics
Academic Achievement
Marcel Hilliard - 3rd grade
Wimbish Academy
National Math Stars and AISD Advanced Academics
Academic Achievement
Kelsey Erlandsen
Gunn Junior High
Academic Achievement
Bobby Bragan Essay Contest Winner
The Divas and The Dude and Duck, Duck, DI
Gunn Junior High
Two amazing teams from Gunn Junior High FADL—The Divas and The Dude and Duck, Duck, DI—competed at the University of Texas at Arlington and showcased their incredible talents at the Destination Imagination Texas State Finals. The Divas and The Dude took on the Technical Challenge and earned an impressive 6th place finish. The team, made up of 8th graders Adalyn A., Emmalyn T., Evelyn F., Nolan M., and Sam W., worked tirelessly to achieve this accomplishment. Duck, Duck, DI excelled in the Scientific Challenge, claiming 2nd place and earning a prestigious Renaissance Award for their innovative efforts. This stellar team includes 8th graders Natalie D., Rose G., and Tara J.
We are thrilled to announce that both teams have advanced to the Global Finals in Kansas City, MO, happening May 22-25, 2025. Their hard work, creativity, and dedication throughout the school year have truly paid off.
We are thrilled to announce that both teams have advanced to the Global Finals in Kansas City, MO, happening May 22-25, 2025. Their hard work, creativity, and dedication throughout the school year have truly paid off.
Yonis Mohamed
Ousley Junior High
Academic Achievement
Yonis won the Bobby Bragan Essay Contest. He will be honored at the Awards Ceremony in May and won a $2500 scholarship.
Natalia Knight
Shackelford Junior High
Drama Club President, Choir, Show Choir, Advanced Theater, Student Council President, Volleyball, Basketball, Track, Swim, Soccer, National Junior Honor's Society, Hope Squad, Blue Curtain at Lamar
Academic Achievement, UIL State Medalists
Won best performer UIL in theater for AISD 2025, All Region Choir, All Star Cast for Theater 2024, Stony Award Theater Arlington, Volleyball city champs, Soccer district champs, Student council president, drama club president, Shackelford 7th grade Principal's Award, National Junior Honor Society, read eulogy at funeral for beloved history teacher at Shackelford Junior High, 2nd Place Impromptu 2024 Theater, 3rd for Impromptu and Oral Reading Theater UIL 2025, Theater roles: Regina in Mean Girls Jr., Juine B. Jones in Junie B. Jones, Jasmine in Alladin, Beth Radley in the best Christmas Pagent Ever, Lavender in Matilda. A honor roll all of 2024 and 2025 at Shackelford. Will do P-Tech at Lamar in 2026.
John Nguyen
Arlington Collegiate High School
Gates Scholar
Evelyn Rosales
Arlington Collegiate High School
Gates Scholar
Abner Mejia-Lopez
Sam Houston High School
Gates Scholar
Roby Antwine
Arlington High School
All State Visual or Performing Arts
UIL State Theatrical Design
Kaleb Ladd
Arlington High School
Choir
All State Visual or Performing Arts
Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) All-State Mixed Choir - Tenor 1
Valerie Ortega
Arlington High School
Visual Art
All State Visual or Performing Arts
Valerie received the prestigious Gold Seal at State VASE for her piece Burgimia
Mikayla Cathcart
Arlington High School
Academic All State Athlete
TGCA Vollyeball Academic All-State
Ava Visage
Arlington HIgh School
Academic All State Athlete
TGCA Vollyeball Academic All-State
Keira Cloud
Arlington High School/CVPA
CVPA Visual Art
All State Visual or Performing Arts
Keira has received the Gold Seal award at the Texas Art Education Association Visual Scholastic Event for the 3rd year. This is the highest award an artist can receive from the state organization. She really should be recognized as CVPA and Arlington High. She received 2 Gold Seals from art class at AHS and her 3rd award this year while being a student at the CVPA.
Leah Mokiao
Martin High School
Fine Arts- Visual Arts
Academic Achievement, All State Visual or Performing Arts
- Regional & State winner for outstanding Artwork every year
- Published artwork in Celebrating Art a national publication
- Gold Seal Recipient at the Texas Art Education Assoc. (Gold seal means this student is in the top 2% of the young artists in the state of Texas) It is the highest honor a high school student can receive.
- Student is academically strong in all subjects raking her at the top of her class.
- Student is an amative member of the National Art Honor Society and National Honor Society
Martin's Competitive Archery Team
Martin High School
Competitive Archery
National Scholarship Award
NASP Western National Champions (Back to Back) Team Members: Sonia Alcala, Nadia Bui, Emmalee Dreadin, Nhi Hoang, Allison Martin, Lily Mihills, Trinity Miller, Vesper Nguyen, Amariah Smith, Jennifer Tran, Chau Trinh, Danika Villanueva, Juan Alvarez, Jeremiah Biamont, Keegan Boutwell, Taylor Derrickson, Troy Dinh, Case Eastman, Christopher Foster, Ryan Galbraith, Lilith Galloway, Caiden Hamilton, Vincent Pham, Eason Wang
Abigail Erlandsen
Martin High School
Martin HS Choir
All State Visual or Performing Arts
TMEA All-State Choir Member 2025
Anthony Gunnip
Martin High School
Martin HS Choir
All State Visual or Performing Arts
TMEA All-State Choir Member 2025
Alana Grace Medlin
Martin High School
Martin HS Choir
All State Visual or Performing Arts
TMEA All-State Choir Member 2025
George Roland-Magaji
Martin High School
Martin HS Choir
All State Visual or Performing Arts
TMEA All-State Choir Member 2025
Joseph Gan
Martin High School
Orchestra
All State Visual or Performing Arts
TMEA All State Sinfonietta Orchestra Concertmaster
Jack Kelley
Martin High School
Band
All State Visual or Performing Arts
TMEA All State Percussion Ensemble
Rain Ho
Martin High School
Academic Decathlon
Academic Achievement
Academic Decathlon, State medal, silver, Essay event
Sonya Miner
Martin High School
Academic Decathlon
Academic Achievement
Academic Decathlon, State medal, bronze, Interview
Katelyn Quenichet
Martin High School
Academic Decathlon
Academic Achievement
Academic Decathlon, State competition, silver medal, Essay event
Jaylin Sayers
Martin High School
Academic Decathlon
Academic Achievement
Academic Decathlon, State competition, gold medal, Interview event
Isaak Arevalo
Martin High School
Wrestling State Champion
Grayson Carpenter
Martin High School
Wrestling State Champion
Nic Zamora
Martin High School
Wrestling State Champion
Caitlyn Cavitt
Martin High School
Long Jump State Champion
2024 - 2025 Staff Awards
Heather Kukuk
Arlington College and Career (ACCHS)
2025 Educator of the Year award
ATPE's Charles Pickett Educator of the Year Award 2025
Damaris Gloria
Blanton Elementary
Instructional Coach
Ms. Gloria goes above and beyond to ensure that our teachers and students have what they need to be successful. From year 24 to 25, she was selected by her peers as the teacher of the year because of all of her contributions to our school. She takes care of everything, from logistics to everything media-related. Ms. Gloria is also the Leader in Me light house coordinator and has been involving students in leadership roles. She also models for teachers on best practices and works with small groups of students based on their academic needs. Ms. Gloria prepares the eagle minute to share with the parents and staff. She has been part of our district's convocation committee for many years. https://threerocks.my.canva.site/the-eagle-minute-week-ofjanuary-13
Mrs. Markeita Kirkwood
Blanton Elementary
Leader in me, Department Lead ELAR, PBIS
Teacher was nominated for TOY, Teacher is more than willing to help anybody out, Department Lead, Attends and supports all after school activities, on many committees including but not limited to Leader in Me
Key Kindergarten Team
Key Elementary
Melka Davis, Paige Garcia, Brooke Drillette and Lauren Little have served the Key Community with positivity, passion, and resilience. This team is proactive and relentless in doing whatever it takes for students.
Susan Kingen
Martin High School
She is retiring after 43 years with AISD.
She taught Biology at Martin and was a counselor at both Carter Junior High and Martin High School.
She taught Biology at Martin and was a counselor at both Carter Junior High and Martin High School.
Sharon Miller
Martin High School
Fine Arts - Visual Art
AWARE Award of Excellence Teacher, Kiwanis Club Teacher of the Year, Masonic Lodge Teacher of the Year
- Consistently produces National, State and Regional Artworks
- Established the first Parent Booster Club for Visual Art in the District
- Earned over 25,000.00 for the Art Strand in Grants (Education Foundation, Texas Health, Student Impact)
- Established the first student gallery at Martin High School
- Renovating a previously unused courtyard on campus for an outdoor learning space.
- Creates artist who's artworks are published on a State and Natl. level.
- Raised the awareness of Visual Arts and Academic collaboration on campus
- Sponsor of the first National Art Honor Society at Martin High School
- Collaborates with academics for student success
- Visual Arts / National Art Honor Society students and earned 2,048,500.00 in grants & scholarships this year
Elizabeth Osbourne
Martin High School
TAEA Winner
Kesha Buckner
Sherrod Elementary
6th Grade Math
2023-2024 Teacher of the Year; inspires and motivates 6th graders to learn more than they believe is possible and to achieve the desired results leading our school to an improved rating.
AWARE Teachers of the Year
- Amalia Davis
- Carlos Matos
- Suzanne Hernandez
- Denise Torres
- Kristi Bell
Trey Hyman
Ousley Junior High
AVID
Kiwanis Club Teacher of the Year
Mr. Hyman's AVID program T-shirt design was selected as the winning design for the 2025 AVID T-Shirt Contest. He has also been named the 2024–2025 Ousley Junior High Teacher of the Year and was selected as the Kiwanis Club Teacher of the Year.
Kiwanis Woodrow Counts Teachers of the Year
- Will Floyd
- Jennifer Short
- Trey Hyman
Caroline François-Sears, MSW
Larson Elementary
AISD-Student Outreach Services-FIT
Ms. François-Sears has made an extraordinary and lasting contribution to the students and families of Larson Elementary and the greater Arlington ISD community through her tireless work, innovative programming, and compassionate leadership.
As of the 2023–2024 school year, Larson Elementary School in Arlington ISD has an enrollment of approximately 437 students across grades Pre-K through 6. Currently, 142 students are coded as Family In Transition (FIT) — representing approximately 32.5% of the total student population. This significant percentage underscores the critical need for the services and support systems that Ms. François-Sears has so skillfully led and sustained through the SOS program.
I want to sincerely thank her for the remarkable leadership and dedication she has provided to ensure the success of SOS at Larson. Under her guidance, the following impactful initiatives have been accomplished:
Ms. François-Sears exemplifies Arlington ISD’s mission to serve all learners by removing barriers to education and empowering students and families through advocacy, access, and care. She has consistently gone above and beyond her role to make a profound difference on a campus with one of the district’s highest percentages of students identified as FIT.
As of the 2023–2024 school year, Larson Elementary School in Arlington ISD has an enrollment of approximately 437 students across grades Pre-K through 6. Currently, 142 students are coded as Family In Transition (FIT) — representing approximately 32.5% of the total student population. This significant percentage underscores the critical need for the services and support systems that Ms. François-Sears has so skillfully led and sustained through the SOS program.
I want to sincerely thank her for the remarkable leadership and dedication she has provided to ensure the success of SOS at Larson. Under her guidance, the following impactful initiatives have been accomplished:
- Larson Leadership Lunch Bunch Groups: Small group sessions held weekly or bi-weekly during lunch, focusing on essential social-emotional learning topics such as teamwork, hygiene, self-awareness, confidence, making friends, kind communication, and responsibility.
- Soles 4 Souls Partnership: Coordinated the donation and distribution of 2,000 pairs of shoes (1,000 in the Fall and 1,000 in the Spring), along with 1,050 pairs of socks, providing 58 students with new school shoes—ensuring students arrive at school prepared and with dignity.
- Cade’s Care Closet: Established a resource for Larson families in need of hygiene and household items, promoting stability and well-being.
- Safe Coping Spaces: Created supportive environments for students to engage in coping strategies and receive emotional support, directly aligning with Arlington ISD’s whole-child approach and SEL initiatives.
- Winter Coat and Jacket Drive: Ensured that students and families had access to warm clothing during colder months, supporting both attendance and health.
- Academic Engagement Collaboration: Partnered with Family Engagement Liaisons (FEL) to host Reading Fluency Academic Night and Math Madness, fostering academic success and strong family-school connections.
Ms. François-Sears exemplifies Arlington ISD’s mission to serve all learners by removing barriers to education and empowering students and families through advocacy, access, and care. She has consistently gone above and beyond her role to make a profound difference on a campus with one of the district’s highest percentages of students identified as FIT.
Maria Mercado
District Office
World Languages Department
She has written and published four bilingual autobiographical picture books about her life as a student from Puerto Rico.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Maria-Oneilly-Mercado/author/B0DPLZ781K
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Maria-Oneilly-Mercado/author/B0DPLZ781K