Class of 2019

5 years ago

Congratulations to The Class of 2019! 

Shelby Abrams

CTE Award for Agriculture, Environmental Science and Technology; CTE Award for Teacher Academy; MS FFA/4-H Sale of Champions Scholarship; 4-H Northeast District Vice President Scholarship

$2,300 in Scholarships

Audrey Aguilar


$11,000 in Scholarships

Rayuna Armstrong


Brionna Atkinson


Brittany Below

Amry Scholarship; CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Dean Blansett

Ashley Gunnels Extra Effort Award; CTE Award for Business/Marketing

Jamie Brassfield

$2,000 in Scholarships

Suzanne Brassfield


Anthony Brinker

William Anderson Contagious Smile Scholarship

Aquana Brownlee

Janet Murray Minority Scholarship; New Century Club Scholarship; Mississippi State University Softball Scholarship; Semper Fidelis Marine Scholarship

Charles Buchanan


Kierra Buchanan

CTE Award for Health Sciences

Charity Buggs

CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Braylen Kennedy Burdine

Memorial Funeral Home Scholarship; One Body by AJ Most Improved Student Scholarship; The LaShawna Fant Conquerer Award; ICC Dean Scholarship

Zach Callahan

1st Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; $18,900 in Scholarships

Jamaal Calvert


Tsilvian Caulder

Visual Art Award; CTE Award for Engineering

Anastasia Chaney

CTE Award for Teacher Academy

Ben Clark

1st Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; STAR Student; CTE Award for Engineering

Savannah Clark

1st Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

Zylar Collier

CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Mackenzie Criddle

Charles "Round Man" Nabors Memorial Scholarship; CTE Award for Agriculture, Environmental Science and Technology; Anchor Club Scholarship; Colvard Future Leader Scholarship; Dero & Adelaide RAmsey Annual Scholarship; Freshman Academic Excellence Scholarship

$6,250 in Scholarships

Ni'Quazia Davidson

CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Nykeuna Davidson

1st Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Shecania Davidson


Tylon Davis


Kevin Diaz

William Anderson Contagious Smile Scholarship; 1st Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; Richard J. Phelps Scholarship for Outstanding Student Athletes Football Scholarship Phillips Academy - Andover, Massachusetts

Sheyla Rodriguez-Diaz


Jasmine Fielder

Katelyn Flake

2nd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

Blaize Gann

New Century Club Scholarship; Wayne Griffin Memorial Scholarship; Highest Average in English, Math and History; 3rd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; MHSAA Lindy Callahan Scholar Athlete Nominee for the Class of 2019

$131,800 in Scholarships

Valerie Gathings


Justin Gill

Army Scholarship

Shemar Glaspie


Tanner Gregory


Dakota Griffin


Haley Grimes


Daisy Guevara

CTE Award for Health Sciences

Yesica Gutierrez


Martha Keionna Hammond

CTE Award for Health Sciences

Ke'Asia Harries

$800 in Scholarships

Shelby Hatfield

2nd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

Halle Hollingsworth

American Legion Medal; American Citizaenship Award, Hall of Fame; Elise Mobley Memorial Scholarship; 2nd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

Henry Hudson


Chimique Ivy

1st Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

$6,620 in Scholarships

Daija Ivy

Heroines of Jericho Court 123 Scholarship; McIntosh Lodge #80 Scholarship; 3rd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; MHSAA Lindy Callahan Scholar Athlete Nominee for the Class of 2019; CTE Award for Agriculture, Environmental Science and Technology

$7,500 in Scholarships

Brittnee Jaggers

CTE Award for Health Sciences

Ka'Mia Jenkins


Annaka Langley

CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Ziai Li

Visual Art Award

John Russell Linley

CTE Award for Engineering

Blake Long

CTE Award for Engineering

Jalen May

Coach Allen Bravery Scholarship; Football Scholarship to Northwest Community College

$500 in Scholarships

Kiara May


Jamia McCoy


Ophelia McGregory

CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Cameron McIntosh


Darien McIntosh

Lamar McAllister Topper Pride Award

Georgia McMullen

Cody Gravat Memorial Scholarship; 1st Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; Softball Scholarship to ICC

Jordyn Belle Moore


Lanasia Moore

Mississippi University for Women Franklin Award

$19,100 in Scholarships

Jacob Morgan


JaMorris Morgan

American Citizen Awards

Peyton Murphree

CTE Award for Construction/Electrical

Kaylee Murray


Shakayah Nash

2nd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

$14,750 in Scholarships

Dontavis Naugles


Nala Neely


Karissa Orr

Northwest Community College ACT Leadership Scholarship; Children of Palace Scholarship

Marissa Orr

Children of Palace Scholarship

$2,400 in Scholarships

Steven Peel

CTE Award for Engineering

Hunter Pennington

CTE Award for Engineering

Brylee Poteete


Michale Raines

CTE Award for Construction/Electrical

Chandler Rea


Brandon Rimmer


Selena Rios-Villanueva


Deriunta Robertson

CTE Award for Culinary Arts

James Scott

3rd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

Joshua Scott

3rd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

Amari Shephard


Micah Simmons

Pepsi Scholarship; Charles "Round Man" Nabors Memorial Scholarship; Pilot Club Gertrude Woods Scholarship

$1,500 in Scholarships

Allyson Smith


Amber Smith

Dylan Smith

CTE Award for Agriculture, Environmental Science and Technology

Taj Smith


Kyler Spencer

American Legion Medal; Hall of Fame; Chickasaw Journal Citizenship Award; Carole Jean Stovall Memorial Scholarship; Masonic Lodge Scholarship; 2nd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; Semper Fidelis Marine Scholarship

$3,850 in Scholarships

Kailey Stevens

$59,000 in Scholarships

Suvarea Jefferson

CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Mark Varela

CTE Award for Business/Marketing

Maria Vazquez


Joanna Vazquez

Southern Motion Scholarship; 3rd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award

$11,450 in Scholarships

Shadaisha Walker


Myah Westmoreland

Devon Wofford


Javontae Wofford

CTE Award for Culinary Arts

Jeremiah Wright


Krystal Wright

CTE Award for Health Sciences

Cheyenne Yeager


Danetta Young


Briunna Devould


Morgan Ellis


Anthony Gonzalez

Exchange Club Student of the Year; Pepsi Scholarship; Semper Fidelis Marine Scholarship; Simpson Vickery Scholarship; 2nd Year BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Award; Southern Motion Scholarship; Highest Average in Science


Daniel Rutledge

CTE Award for Construction/Electrical

Shisan Smith

Lyderious Tumblin

CTE Award for Construction/Electrical



               

          

Congratulations to our Underclassmen Award Winners!

Superintendent Honor Roll for the Year:

9th Grade: Sarah Brassfield, Precious Cooper, Alexis Ellison, Oliver Franklin, Katie Hill, Jessica Torres and Khenyia Williams; 10th Grade: Zalexus Actkinson, Cali Barnett, Allison Blansett, Michael Ann Chandler, Jaden Johns, Paige Kilgore, Jaiden Linley, Jacob McHann, Justin Morgan, Keyae Morgan, Kaitlynn Murphree, Gracie Tate, Morgan Young; 11th Grade: Abby Kate Boyer, Jermaya Davenport, Haley Makamson, Emily Pettit, Jasmine Rogers

Principal's Honor Roll for the Year

9th Grade: Ramaiya Armstrong, Addison Bell, Heather Blakely, Autumn Britt, Trinity Buggs, Maclain Cook, Saraya Crawford, JD Criddle, Hayden Crump, Logan Dempsey, Payten Dotson, Abbie Ely, Courtney Fant, Justin Flatt, Olivia Funderburk, Alexis Gill, Teylysa Guido, Alyssa Haire, Diamond Hall, Penelope Harrell, Kirklyn Johnson, Jasmine Key, Amber Kilgore, Maddie King, Jaxon Laster, Mya Longino, Hayden Mann, Keonte McIntosh, Matthew Mixon, Makinzi Moore, Amy Murillo, Haylie Pettit, Holly Pettit, Malik Price, Kaliyah Prophette, Yasmin Ruth, Bailey Shaw, Malana Shettles, Marissa Smith, Graciela Soto-Juarez, William Vance, Whitney Walters, Kalena Williams, Will Wright; 10th Grade: Earook Al-Omari, Nick Barfield, Abbigale Blansett, Makenzie Brooks, MaKayla Crowley, Cade Ellison, Emma Garner, Tyler Hatfield, Annabelle Hood, Anna Morgan Jenkins, Anna Claire Kirby, Jonathan Kyle, Selena Longino, Madelyn McGee, Lindzee Jo Mixon, Lauren Moore, Auzie Myatt, Cota Pena, Jose Ramirez, Amber Ruth, HayleeWalters, Alex Washington, Tiffany Wooten; 11th Grade: Bethany Allen, Emma Brassfield, Keshon Bynum, Kamryn Cooper, Montrell Fulton, Edna Guevara, JD Hallmark, Alex Ivy, Arzarius Ivy, Janyola Jones, Jon Reed Lancaster, Makiya McCoy, Calvin McMillian, Conner Moore, Walter Moss, Kayleigh Pettit, Nathan Shoemaker, Bo Springer, Monterrian Swing, Pearson Taylor

BancorpSouth 2nd Year Awards

Abby Kate Boyer, Jermaya Davenport, Haley Makamson, Emily Pettit, Jasmine Rogers

BancorpSouth 1st Year Awards

Morgan Young, Gracie Tate, Kaitlynn Murphree, Keyae Morgan, Zalexus Actkinson, Cali Barnett, Allison Blansett, Michael Ann Chandler, Jaden Johns, Paige Kilgore, Jaiden Linley, Jacob McHann, Justin Morgan

30 Plus ACT's

Abby Kate Boyer (31), Connor Moore (31), Maddie King (30) and Alexis Ellison (30)

Citizenship Awards

9th Grade: Alexis Ellison and Oliver Franklin; 10th Grade: Zalexus Actkinson and Jaden Johns; 11th Grade: Jasmine Rogers, Kiley Smith and Keshon Bynum

English Highest Average

English 1 - Saraya Crawford (not pictured: Bailey Shaw); Acc. English 1 - Sarah Brassfield, Alexis Ellison, Jessica Torres; English 2 - Paige Kilgore; Acc. English 2 - Jaden Johns; English 3 - Jasmine Rogers; D.C. Comp 1 - Emily Pettit

Foreign Language Highest Average

French 1 - Jonathan Kyle; French 2 - Emily Pettit; Spanish 1 - Alexis Ellison; Spanish 2 - Abby Kate Boyer

History Highest Average

AP World History - Oliver Franklin; American Leadership - Cota Pena; American Democracy - Jaden Johns; U.S. History - J.D. Hallmark; D. C. US History 1 - Emily Pettit; D.C. US History 2 - Jasmine Rogers; (Not pictured: World History - Farook Al-Omari)

Math Highest Average

Foundations of Algebra - Matthew Mixon; Algebra 1 - Jose Ramirez; Geometry - Alex Washington; Acc. Geometry - Sarah Brassfield; Algebra 2 - Jaden Johns; Algebra 3 - Jasmine Rogers

Science Highest Averages

Foundations of Biology - Autumn Britt; Biology 1 - Sarah Brassfield; Anatomy and Physiology - Cali Barnett; Physical Science - Jaden Johns, Physics - Abby Kate Boyer

Woodmen Life History Award Winners

J.D. Hallmark, Emily Pettit, and Jasmine Rogers


Clark/Malone: 

HHS 2019 STAR Student/Teacher


Ben Clark, the 2019 Houston 


High School STAR Student, 


along with his STAR Teacher, 


Mr. Eric Malone, were recently 


honored at the Mississippi 


Economic Council (MEC) STAR 


Celebration in Jackson, Miss.


            Clark, who scored a 30 on his ACT, was one of more than 300 students recognized for STAR Honors across the state. The Mississippi Economic Council and its M.B. Swayze Foundation sponsors the Student-Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) Program in an effort to encourage scholastic achievement among high school students and to recognize the teaching profession.

            The STAR Student selects the STAR teacher. Clark chose Malone, Director of Bands at Houston School District, who is in his third year of teaching. This is Malone’s first year to be chosen as STAR Teacher.

“I chose Mr. Malone because I've never seen a more hard-working teacher who makes his class fun and teaches so extremely well,” said Clark. “Mr. Malone will help anyone with anything at any time. He always makes band enjoyable and is committed to making us better.”

Malone led the Topper Pride Band to receive all superior ratings at competition earlier this year, which has not been done at Houston since 2008.

“Mr. Malone has helped me achieve my goals countless times. He is an awesome teacher, and I'm sad I can't take him with me to college band,” Clark said.

Clark, who is the son of Palina Lancaster and Billy Clark, is a member of the Topper Pride Band, Anchor Club and Student Council. He plans to attend Mississippi State University upon graduation and major in computer science and physics.

“Ben is one of the most intelligent, hard-working, and self-disciplined people, not students, that I have ever met,” said Malone.  “He joined band his junior year of high school and had no idea how to read music or anything related to it. In less than a year's time, he became one of the best band students that I have ever had.”

Malone also noted that Clark is a quick learner and logical, applying what he has learned before to new situations.

“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity that I have had to teach him and am very proud of everything that I have seen him accomplish in the short two years that I have known him,” Malone said. “My only regret is that I did not have him in my class sooner.”

Malone, who first earned an Associate’s Degree at Itawamba Community College, has both a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Math as well as a Master’s Degree in Music from the University of Mississippi.

Complete eligibility guidelines for STAR Student can be found on the MEC website. Requirements include an overall ACT composite score of at least 25 and an overall average of 93 or above in selected subjects in the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and first-semester twelfth grades.


Senior award winners

Valedictorian - Cortney Earnest; Salutatorian - Ajay Patel

Star Student/Star Teacher – Ajay Patel and Cathy Spencer

Hall of Fame – Mackenzie Huffman and Ajay Patel



Voice of Democracy Award and Teacher of the Year Award – Cody Voyles and Cathy Spencer (given by VFW)


American Legion Medal – Peyton Brassfield and Mackenzie Huffman with Retired Army Veteran Jason Brassfield

American Citizenship Award – Mackenzie Huffman and Peyton Brassfield



Honor Students – Jered Bean, T'kecia Beaty, Edgar Bedolla, Gabi Bedolla, Nayeli Bedolla, Peyton Brassfield, Queen Buchanan, Tab Byrne, Kylan Carter, Calee Cockell, Kanazsha Cooper, Victoria Cousin, Scarlett Doss, Cortney Earnest, Cara Jill Eldridge, Alyssa Gillespie, Ariona Gordillo, Labrashia Griffin, Kelsie Hall, Jordan Ashley Harmon, Mackenzie Huffman, Jaleah Jones, Kilionna Jones, Abbie Mitchell, Ajay Patel, Courtney Ruth, Morissa Shettles, Saquilla Townsend

Jered Bean – Cody Gravat Memorial Scholarship
Edgar Bedolla – Pepsi Scholarship
Gabi Bedolla – Coach Allen Bravery Scholarship, Lucky Day Scholarship (Ole Miss), Exchange Club Student of the Year, Carole Jean Stovall Memorial Scholarship, Dream Riders Biking for Children Scholarship
Nayeli Bedolla – One Body by AJ Most Improved Student Scholarship
Peyton Brassfield – Elise Mobley Memorial Scholarship, Todd Hardin Memorial Leadership Scholarship
Queen Buchanan – North Mississippi Mayors Association Scholarship, MSU Promise Award, MSU Academic Scholarship, Anchor Club Scholarship, Chickasaw Journal Citizenship Award, FANTastic Achiever Scholarship, Simpson-Vickery Scholarship, MSU Alumni Scholarship
Tab Byrne – Spring Hill College Scholarship
Jaleel Brownlee – Army Scholarship
Kylan Carter – Baseball Scholarship to ICC
Xander Caulder – Visual Arts Award
Que Chandler – Janet Murray Minority Scholarship
Ty Cook – Women’s First Scholarship
Kanazsha Cooper – Lucky Day Scholarship (Ole Miss), Heroines of Jericho Court 123 Scholarship, The LaShawna FAnt Conqueror Award, McIntosh Lodge #80 Scholarship
Ariona Gordillo – Mississippi Foreign Language Association Student Scholarship, Pilot Club Gertrude Woods Scholarship 
Luke Hancock – Baseball Scholarship to MSU, Chickasaw County Farm Bureau Scholarship, Todd Hardin Memorial Leadership Scholarship
Jordan Ashley Harmon – Cheerleading Scholarship to ICC
Mackenzie Huffman – 4H Scholarship
Jaleah Jones – Memorial Funeral Home Scholarship
Hannah Keith – Lamar McAllister Topper Pride Award, Pepsi Scholarship, New Century Club Scholarship
Antonesia Knox – Army Scholarship
Ajay Patel - Highest Average all 4 Core Subjects, 
Colton Peel – Baseball Scholarship to NWCC
Urriah Shephard – Football Scholarship to NWCC
Saquilla Townsend – Ashley Gunnels Extra Effort Award
Zykeil Virges – Football Scholarship to MDCC

BancorpSouth Awards (4.) – Year 1 winners - Edgar Bedolla, Tab Byrne, Calee Cockell; Year 3 winners – Gabi Bedolla, Kanazsha Cooper, Cortney Earnest, Mackenzie Huffman, Abbie Mitchell, Ajay Patel

Northeast Community College Scholarships: Lakyn Adams, Jered Bean, T’kecia Beaty, Edgar Bedolla, Nayeli Bedolla, Queen Buchanan, Summer Carner, Victoria Cousins, Marquashia Echoles, Colton Foster, Ariona Gordillo, Samuel Hatchett, Jaleah Jones, Kilionna Jones, Hannah Keith, Abbie Mitchell, Courtney Ruth, Brandon Samuell, Jaylin Smith, Saquilla Townsend, Elijah Young

Itawamba Community College Scholarships: Lakyn Adams, Jered Bean, Edgar Bedolla, Gabi Bedolla, Nayeli Bedolla, Peyton Brassfield, Summer Brassfield, Tab Byrne (band), Summer Carner, Kylan Carter, Calee Cockell, Victoria Cousin, Jackson Crump, Cortney Earnest, Gracey Erickson, Ariona Gordillo, Labrashia Griffin, Kelsie Hall, Jordan Ashley Harmon, Samuel Hatchett, Chance Hill, Mackenzie Huffman, Kiliona Jones, Antonesia Knox, Keyona McGregory, Abbie Mitchell, Courtney Ruth, Payton Smith, Saquilla Townsend, Eric Walters, Elijah Young

MSU: Queen Buchanan, Mackenzie Huffman, Ajay Patel, Morrisa Shettles



Underclassmen Award winners

BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Awards: Sophomore 1st Year Award - (Front Row) Kamryn Cooper, Jasmine Rogers, Emily Pettit; (Back Row) Connor Moore, Abby Kate Boyer, Emma Brassfield, Jermaya Davenport, Haley Makamson, Bo Springer

BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Awards: Junior 1st Year Award - (Front Row) Karissa Orr, Shakaya Nash, Nala Neely, Halle Hollingsworth; (Back Row) Anthony Gonzalez, Katelyn Flake, Kennedy Burdine, Shelby Hatfield, Jordyn Moore, Kyler Spencer

BancorpSouth Academic Achievement Awards: Junior 2nd Year Award - James Scott, Josh Scott, Blaize Gann, Daija Ivy (Not Pictured: Joanna Vasquez)

Math Awards: Cali Barnett - Geometry; Alex Washington and Shelby Hatfield - Algebra 1; Jasmine Rogers - Algebra 2; Blaize Gann - Algebra 3

History Awards: Josh Scott - US History and Woodmen Life History Award; Blaize Gann - Dual Credit US History 1; Belen Deloera - AP World History; Kyler Spencer - Dual Credit US History 2; Jaden Johns - World History

Science Awards: Jordyn Moore - Chemistry; Jaden Johns - Biology; Keyae Morgan - Physical Science

English Awards: Josh Scott - English 2; Anthony Gonzalez - Dual English Comp 1 & 2; Anna Claire Kirby - English 1; Abby Kate Boyer - Accelerated English 2; Jaden Johns - Accelerated English 1; Tramon Robinson - English 2

Citizenship Award: Freshmen - Emma Garner and Jaden Johns; Juniors - Katelyn Flake and Kyler Spencer; Sophomores J.D. Hallmark and Jasmine Rogersthe printing and typesetting industry.

Topper Turn Around Award - Jamie Brassfield



 Honor Students enjoy lunch with superintendent

High school students with all A's for the year enjoyed lunch with Tony Cook, HSD Superintendent, and PTO President, Jeff Flatt. The meal was provided by Parkway Baptist Church's Brotherhood. 


HHS Beauty Review

HHS Beauties and Winner: Zalaxus Actkinson, Jaylen Coleman, Addy Claire Crump, Miss Hilltopper 2018- Jordan Ashley Harmon, Georgia McMullen, Abby Herringa and Annabelle Hood

Patel/Spencer Named HHS Star Student/Teacher



Ajay Patel, a senior, 

was named the 

2018 Star Student 

at Houston High School. Patel has an ACT score 

of 31. He selected 

Mrs. Cathy Spencer 

as Star Teacher. 

"Ajay is one of the hardest working students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching. He is extremely intelligent, responsible and dependable. I can always count on him to have his assignments completed by the due dates. He is a very kind, friendly and respectful young man who is well-liked by his peers and teachers. He has always been willing to help with any task asked of him and always with a cheerful attitude. He is not only the epitome of a student, but also of a genuine young man who is a great asset to our school and community. I am deeply honored to have been chosen as STAR teacher by Ajay. My life has definitely been enriched by having such an outstanding young man in my classroom," Spencer said.

"I chose Mrs. Spencer as Star Teacher for several reasons. Of all the staff at Houston High School, she has had the most influence on my life. I had four courses from her in the past two years, including her personal leadership course, which has prepared me emotionally for college. She also directed the senior play and encouraged me to try out for a part. I am very shy, but due to her encouragement, I stepped out of my comfort zone. I had one of the lead roles, and had I not participated, I would have missed out on an experience I will never forget. Not to mention, I became a role model to the elementary students who watched our play," Patel said.

Patel is a member of the Cross Country Team, Student Council, Anchor Club, Beta Club and the Solar Car Team. He plans to attend Mississippi State University upon graduation. Patel is the son of Kunthavai and Shailesh Patel.

Spencer has 25.5 years of teaching experience. She currently teaches U.S. Government, Accelerated Government, Economics, Advanced Geography, Personal Leadership, Dual History I and Dual History II. She was also named Star Teacher in 2000, 2003 and 2004.




HHS Freshmen Place in Creative Writing Contest

(From L-R) Maddyson Fant (3rd Place-$25 Wal-Mart gift card donated by Wal-Mart); Damien Townsend (1st Place-$100 cash from Chickasaw Heritage Museum); and Allie Grace Dobbs (2nd Place-$50 Wal-Mart gift card donated by Wal-Mart) won prizes for their writing in Ms. Alisha Spencer's Creative Writing class at Houston High School. The class partnered with the Chickasaw Heritage Museum to incorporate different items found throughout the museum in their writing. Their writing was judged by local authors: Audrey Virges, Lori Harrington and Jan Dyson.

HHS Junior Scores 30 on ACT



Ben Clark, a junior at Houston High School, recently scored 30 on the ACT. Ben is a member of the Topper Pride Band, Solar Car team, Engineering and Robotics Team and Anchor Club. He hopes to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in New York to study physics and computer science. He is the son of Billy Clark and Palina Lancaster.


HHS Anchor Club participates in "pick Me Ups"

Inspirational author, William Arthur Ward, once said, “Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” Thanks to the HHS Anchor Club’s participation in the Pilot Club International signature project, “Pick Me Ups” (PMU), the staff at Houston High School has had several opportunities to “unwrap those presents.”

PMU is a way for Pilots and Anchors to serve those in their communities who are caregivers. PMUs at HHS started as a week of pampering the employees with encouraging notes and little happies, such as a candy bar and a drink. At the end of the week, the HHS Anchor Club sponsored a breakfast for their teachers to reveal who their “Secret Anchor” was. The response was so wonderful the Anchors wanted to continue “Secret Anchor,” so when the year began the Anchors chose names and started leaving weekly messages. 


At Christmas they sponsored a breakfast for the faculty and staff and revealed their “secret.” At the beginning of the spring semester, Anchors chose new teachers and/or staff to deliver “Pick Me Ups” to, and so “Secret Anchor” started again.

 


“Doing Secret Anchor not only makes the caregivers smile and know someone really does care about their work, but it also makes the Anchors feel good and hopefully understand how important encouragement really is,” said Anchor Club President Mackenzie Huffman.

         

Anchor Sponsor Miriam Garner stated, “These students are some of the busiest students in the building, but teaching them to take time to appreciate the care their teachers give to them is important. It is a life skill that will carry on to their careers.”  


Anchor Club President Elect Micah Simmons stated that she fully intends to keep this project going and even try to make it bigger and better next year.




Congratulations to Jamia McCoy, winner of the National School Breakfast Week $24 Wal-Mart gift card.


Jamia was eligible for the drawing, because she ate breakfast every day this week in the cafeteria at HHS!


Local authors visit HHS 

Local authors, Audrey Virges, Lori Harrington and Jan Dyson, visited Houston High School’s creative writing classes, taught by English teacher, Alisha Spencer. Their purpose was to provide an introduction to the next unit on writing a narrative piece. The authors suggested that students dig deep, use their imagination and be creative for the upcoming project. Ms. Spencer’s class will be working in collaboration with the Chickasaw Heritage Museum, which they visited recently. The students were on the lookout for 12 items from the museum, which they will then research and incorporate into their writing pieces. The aforementioned authors will then judge these stories, and the top three stories will receive prizes.

Audrey Virges: Author of: "Living Reality: A Book of Inspirational Poems"; Author and illustrator of "A Day in Kindergarten"

Lori Harrington: Author of the novel, "The Point"; Her second novel, "Michael's Heart", will be published soon.

Jan Dyson: Author of "Turning Clay into History: The Story of W.D. Suggs Pottery," an informational book about her grandfather's pottery.



HHS Choir performs 

"One Voice"

The HHS Choir, HHS Sextet, and Houston Community Choir performs "One Voice" for the public Thursday, March 1, 2018.


HHS School choir performs

Let There Be Peace on Earth and Let It Begin With Me

Songs included: "Silent Night, Holy Night" by HHS Girls' Sextet, "Santa, Bring My Baby Back to Me" by 7th period class, "Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child" featuring soloists LaShadrach Patrick and T'Kecia Beaty, "The Christmas Song," and "Mary, Did You Know" featuring violinist Laura Claire Moore.


             

HHS Junior Anthony Gonzalez selected for mississippi lions All-State band


Anthony Gonzalez, Topper Pride drum major, auditioned and made the Mississippi Lions All-State Band. He is one of only 128 high school musicians for the entire state of Mississippi to make this prestigious group and also one of only eight musicians in this group that play his instrument, the tuba, in the entire state. This group is not only recognized, but also get together and perform for a national contest against the other states during the summer. Not only that, but Mississippi has won 13 of the last 15 years. The contest will be held in Las Vegas. Mr. Eric Malone, band director, said, "I can speak personally on the HUNDREDS of hours he has spent practicing and preparing for this great honor. His dedication and self-discipline deserve to be recognized."


MSU President visits 

hhs Juniors and seniors


Dr. Mark Keenum, Mississippi State University president,  

stopped by Houston High School to speak to students about the changing times due to the advancement of technology, how these changes will affect the future and how MSU is preparing students for the changing workforce. 


Top: Dr. Keenum, surrounded by HHS juniors/seniors, poses with HHS Principal Jason Cook after speaking.

Left: Dr. Keenum, with senior Peyton Brassfield and junior Blaize Gann, visited with students afterwards, inquiring about their future educational plans.


HHS/PACE Awards Ceremony

Students earn incentives for high and improved state test scores in Algebra 1, Biology 1, English 2 and U.S. History.

Incentives were funded by PACE (Partners in Achieving Community Excellence).

PERFECT SCORE AND/OR MULTIPLE AWARD WINNERS

Front Row: Joanna Vasquez (High Advanced English 2 & Advanced Biology), Emily Pettit (High Advanced Algebra 1 & Advanced Biology), Jasmine Rogers (Advanced Algebra 1 & Advanced Biology, and Abby Kate Boyer (High Advanced Algebra 1, Advanced Biology); Middle Row: Christopher Washington (Perfect Score Algebra 1), HSD Superintendent Tony Cook and Connor Moore (Perfect Score Algebra 1 & Advanced Biology); Back Row-PACE Board Members Tom Byrne, Bobby Mooneyham, Hassell Franklin and Frank Alford


PERFECT SCORES – Algebra 1

A.K. Davis (teacher), Connor Moore and Christopher Washington

ALGEBRA 1 ADVANCED AND HIGH ADVANCED WINNERS

Abby Kate Boyer, Haley Makamson, Emily Pettit, A.K. Davis (teacher), Jasmine Rogers, Kamryn Cooper, Connor Moore and Christopher Washington

BIOLOGY 1 ADVANCED AND HIGH ADVANCED WINNERS

Front Row: Jasmine Rogers, Emily Pettit, Joanna Vasquez and Nala Neely; Back Row: Abby Kate Boyer, Aquana Brownlee, Kelsie Hall, Summer McCarver (teacher), Carolyn Matthews (teacher), Tanner Gregory, Connor Moore and Christopher Washington

ENGLISH 2 ADVANCED AND HIGH ADVANCED WINNERS

Front Row: Chimique Ivy, Shelby Hatfield, Joanna Vasquez, Tkecia Beaty, Kennedy Burdine and Savannah Clark; Back Row: Ben Clark, Josh Scott, Steven Peel, JuiLondia Mosley (teacher), Mackenzie Criddle, Kyler Spencer, Katelyn Flake and Anthony Gonzalez

US HISTORY ADVANCED AND HIGH ADVANCED WINNERS

Front Row: Summer Carner, Queen Buchanan, Hanna Keith, Morissa Shettles and Abbie Mitchell;

Middle Row: Chance Hill, Kanazsha Cooper, Leisa Ellison (teacher), Cathy Spencer (teacher), Cortney Earnest, Arionna Gordillo, Cortney Ruth and Ajay Patel; Back Row: Jayden Reynolds, Karan Devould, Cody Voyles, Will Moore, Edgar Bedolla, Peyton Brassfield, Mackenzie Huffman and Tab Byrne


Students won a variety of incentives:

1) Students who showed growth and/or passed the state test earned a movie. 

2 Students who scored proficient or advanced earned a movie and pizza in the park. 

3) Students earned $50 for each test with an advanced level score.

4) Students earned $100 for each test with a high advanced level score.

5) Students earned $200 for each test with a perfect scale score. 



Houston Hilltoppers will host 3rd round playoffs

Friday, November 17, 2017, HHS will host Yazoo County in the 3rd round of high school football playoffs. This is the Hilltoppers 3rd time to make to the 3rd round, but our 1st time to have the opportunity to host the game. Join us Friday night...admission is $8 and only State passes are accepted. 


HHS Anchor and Student Council Host the Annual Veteran's Day Program

Each year the Anchor Club and Student Council host the Veteran's Day program which includes a reception hosted by the Pilot Club of Houston prior to the program. This year's speaker was US Congressman Trent Kelly. He is a Veteran of Dessert Storm and Iraq. He spoke of the Greatest Generation, WWII Veterans, and how we need to be more like them and never forget their sacrifice and service! Afterwards he spent time talking with students and veteran guests. 


HHS Baseball team supports Kylan Carter as he signs to play baseball with Itawamba Community College

HHS Baseball team supports Luke Hancock as he signs to play baseball with MS State University

Click Athletics/Baseball for more updates and pictures


QUENToN MAY NAMED WENDY'S GIANT OF THE WEEK

Houston Hilltopper, Quenton May was named "Giant of the Week" for his outstanding performance on the field during the Houston vs Nettleton game! Quenton received $300 in Wendy's gift cards, and the Houston Touchdown club received a check for $250! Quenton's name is on the marquee in Pontotoc! 

Quenton receiving Wendy's gift cards...he just made some new friends!

Pontotoc Wendy's Marquee representing #topperpride

Wendy's presents Houston Touchdown Club with a check for $250 in honor of Quenton May being the "Wendy's Giant of the Week"

We are all excited for Quenton, for the Houston Hilltoppers, and for the Touchdown Club! Thanks Wendy's!


district 4-3A All region awards announced

Many of the Houston Hilltoppers have been given District Awards. For a list of those receiving awards check-out the Athletics/Football page



Hancock Named Wendy's Heisman Winner



Congratulations to Luke Hancock, HHS senior, as a Wendy’s High School Heisman winner. Luke is the catcher for the Houston High School baseball team, where he was All-State in 10th and 11th grades, All-Division in 8th – 11th grades, 1st Team All-State 10th grade, and 4A All-State 1st Team in 10th and 11th grades. He has a 3.5 GPA. Luke plans to attend Mississippi State University and play baseball for the MSU Bulldogs. Luke is the son of Mark Hancock and Nikki Hall.


Patel Scores 31 on ACT


Congratulations to Ajay Patel, a senior at Houston High School, who recently scored a 31 on his ACT. Ajay is a member of the Cross Country Team, Student Council, Anchor Club, Beta Club and the Solar Car Team. He plans to attend either The University of Mississippi or Mississippi State University upon graduation. Ajay is the son of Kunthavai and Shailesh Patel.


Huffman Scores 30 on ACT


Congratulations to Houston High School Junior Mackenzie Huffman, who scored 30 on her recent ACT test. Huffman is a member of the Topper Pride Band, Anchor Club, and FFA Chapter. Huffman plans to attend Mississippi State University and major in accounting or criminology. She is the daughter of Brand and Amanda Huffman.