Newsroom

September 2025

For immediate release by Anna High School

COMMENDED STUDENTS IN THE 2026 NATIONAL MERIT® SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

The Interim Principal, Theodore Mackey III, of Anna High School annouced today that Sheldon Rose has been named a Commended Student in the the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.  A Letter of Commendation from the school and National Merit Scholarsip Corporation (NMSC®), which conducts the program, will be presented by the interim principal to this scholastically talented senior.

About 34,000 Commended Students throughout the nation are being recognized for their exceptional academic promise. Although they will not continue in the 2026 competition for National Merit Scholarship awards, Commended Students placed among the top 50,000 students who entered the 2026 competition by taking the 2024 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®).

"Those being named Commended Students have demonstrated outstanding potential for academic success," commented a spokesperson for NMSC. "These students represent a valuable national resource, recognizing their accomplishments, as well as the key role their schools play in their academic development, is vital to the advancement of educational excellence in our nation.  We hope that this recognition will help broaden their educational opportunities and encourage them as they continue their pursuit of academic success."

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National Beta Club Sponsor of the Year

We are proud to celebrate Stephanie Bristol, who was recognized as the National Beta Club Sponsor of the Year at the 2025 National Beta Convention in Orlando, Florida.

Mrs. Bristol has led the Anna High School Beta Club since 2014 and has served as the Texas Senior State Sponsor and Sponsor-Elect since 2021. Her impact on students and sponsors across the state has been both meaningful and lasting.

In presenting the award, the National Office shared:   
“It has been said that the center of your heart is the center of the universe, and if we radiate positive vibrations for the well-being of humanity, nothing can dim the light that shines within us. This individual is a shining example of this in all that she does and everyone she meets.”
 

Anna High School Beta Club Participates in Texas Regional Leadership Summit

National Beta members from Anna High School are celebrating their recent participation in the Texas Regional Leadership Summit. They were announced as qualifiers of the following challenges: Collaboration Connection, Lead Outside the Box, and Project Proposal.  Additionally, Karen Martinez-Delgado was one of three students selected to be a Leadership Representative and AHS Beta was recognized as an Outstanding Leadership School. 

National Beta Leadership Summits bring together students from multiple states for 1-2 day events. During that time, students work with interactive speakers who engage members through introspective exercises and team-building activities. Clubs can also participate in team-based leadership challenges which test their communication, critical thinking, creativity, presentation, and collaboration skills. Their victories at this level provide the opportunity to compete at the national level. The National Convention will be held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, FL during Summer 2025.   

A huge congratulations to the following members for their advancement to Nationals this summer:  

• Collaboration Connection: Madi Morland, Mallory Blair, Ellie Heatherly, Anisha Babu, Juliet Shea, and Spencer Katke 
• Lead Outside the Box: Ed Cano, Kaycie Lamb, Lauren Malone, Abby Allen, and Celestina Barrientez  
• Project Proposal: Emery Fairman, Payton Stutts, Valeria Cano, and Ricky Rangel

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With more than 500,000 active members and 8,750 clubs nationally and internationally, National Beta has become the nation’s largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization. National Beta promotes the ideals of academic achievement, character, service, and leadership among elementary and secondary school students. National Junior Beta includes grades 4-8 and National Senior Beta includes grades 9-12. Visit betaclub.org for more information. 

The National FFA announced the finalists for their national award programs!

Anna FFA is proud to announce that our members have been recognized for 2 of those awards!

Presley Merritt was selected as 1 of 4 national finalists for the National Small Animal Production and Care Proficiency for her breeding rabbit business, Back a Bit Rabbitry!

The Anna FFA received the 3 Star rating for our National Chapter Award! This is the highest rating available to an FFA Chapter nationally.

Anna High School Receives National Recognition from Project Lead The Way for Commitment to Empowering Students
Named a distinguished school for STEM curriculum and career readiness

Anna High School has been recognized as a 2023-24 Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Distinguished School. It is one of just a few hundred high schools across the U.S. to receive this honor for providing broad access to transformative learning experiences for students through PLTW [Computer Science, Biomedical Science, Engineering].  PLTW is a national nonprofit organization that serves millions of PreK-12 students and teachers in over 12,200 schools across the U.S, aiming to make every student in every grade STEM successful.

The PLTW Distinguished School recognition honors schools committed to increasing student access, engagement, and achievement in their PLTW programs. To be eligible for the designation, Anna High School had to meet multiple criteria in the 2022-23 school year such as the number of PLTW courses available to students, percent of students enrolled in PLTW, percentage of students taking more than one PLTW course, and efforts to ensure equitable access to PLTW courses.

“We are honored to recognize Anna High School for their commitment to providing students with exceptional educational experiences while ensuring equitable access to PLTW programs,” said Dr. David Dimmett, PLTW President and CEO. "We congratulate them on this achievement and celebrate their dedication to empowering students with the knowledge and skills to succeed, not only in STEM subjects, but also preparing them for future careers and life outside of the classroom."

PLTW high school programs prepare today’s students for the careers of tomorrow, by not only incorporating STEM skills into their learning but building students’ collaboration, teamwork and communication skills so they can be ready for whatever path they take.

For more information about PLTW’s Distinguished Program Recognition, visit pltw.org/our-programs/program-recognition.