Argyle ISD honors more than 150 students, staff and coaches at spring recognition night

Argyle ISD held a spring recognition night on May 13, 2026, bringing together the district board, leadership, staff, families and more than 150 honorees to celebrate achievements across academics, arts and athletics. Superintendent Dr. Courtney Carpenter said the event ‘‘shines a bright light on how our Argyle ISD students are soaring’’ as students, teachers and coaches were recognized throughout the evening.

The program opened with board President Sam Slayton confirming a quorum and leading the pledges before a sequence of short presentations and medal ceremonies. Rick Herron, the district’s chief communications officer, outlined the evening’s format and noted the event was livestreamed and archived on the Argyle ISD YouTube channel.

Among the district highlights, Argyle Middle School’s yearbook staff earned national recognition: April Dominguez, AMS yearbook advisor, announced the program received the Jostens National Yearbook Program of Excellence — the first such honor in the middle school’s and the district’s history. Dominguez said the team met three rigorous national standards, including inclusive coverage, best-seller status and meeting all deadlines, and noted that 54% of the AMS student body was featured at least three times in the book.

Academics were prominently featured. Argyle High School principal Shannon Knowles read the top 10 graduates for the class of 2026, naming Leah Cha as valedictorian, and AHS UIL academic coordinator Desiree Goode reported that more than 40 students advanced to regional competition and 28 advanced to state-level academic contests. Goode also highlighted five first-place teams that advanced and multiple individual qualifiers across events.

Arts and career-technical successes included strong showings at Visual Arts Scholastic Events (VASE), where AHS submitted 42 artworks and 38 received the highest rating; two advanced to state. Students also earned placements at the DECA international conference and HOSA state competitions, and Argyle’s first-year SkillsUSA competitors recorded district wins and state placings in culinary and law-enforcement events.

Athletics recognitions spanned multiple sports. Coach Chance Westmoreland celebrated the Lady Eagles’ seventh state championship and first at the 5A level. Cody Vanderford reported the boys golf teams qualified for regionals and that the black team placed first at regionals and finished sixth at state. Adam Myhawk named six tennis players who advanced to regionals and state, and coaches recognized state and regional qualifiers in track, soccer and powerlifting. Powerlifting coach Freddy Ortega listed nine boys and three girls who qualified for regionals and noted several state qualifiers; Ortega also acknowledged the unexpected death of David Munz earlier in the season and said Munz’s contributions remain integral to the program.

The board and district also honored staff: Dr. Heather Quast presented CREST awards to outstanding counselors, and Dr. Carpenter named campus Teachers of the Year and Soaring Star staff winners nominated by students, parents and peers. Dr. Carpenter closed the evening by thanking the communications and event teams and reminding seniors that graduation is scheduled ‘‘next Thursday evening under the lights at the new Argyle ISD Stadium.’'

No formal board actions or votes were recorded during the recognition program; President Sam Slayton adjourned the special meeting at 7:14 p.m.

Sources: Remarks and presentations at the May 13, 2026 Argyle ISD spring school board recognition night as livestreamed and archived by Argyle ISD.