The Exchange Club of Killeen honored 16 highly active Killeen ISD high school seniors as Youth of the Semester to compete for a chance to represent the community in a regional scholarship contest.
During an annual luncheon Monday, club leaders recognized the high-achieving students and gave each a chance to address an audience of school leaders, parents and other supporters by sharing their “words of wisdom.”
This year’s honorees include the following nominated from eight KISD high schools:
Chaparral High School - Armie Melton and Anthony Johnson; Early College High School - Tyson Salaiz and Tatiana Womack; Ellison High School - Tatiana White and Hunter Emblen; Harker Heights High School - Israel Valdes-Munoz and Hannah Shin;
Career Center - Aaliyah Harris and Eliel Santiago; Killeen High School - Lane Widacki and Precious Tauiliili; Pathways Academic Campus - Cherry Adams and John Rodriguez; Shoemaker High School - Cesar Medina and Yanimarie Nieves
Exchange Club President Dawn Richardson introduced each student and read one of their responses among four application questions before each student gave their thoughts. The event took place during the club’s monthly gathering at Yank Sing Restaurant in Killeen.
Another 16 students chosen last semester make up the pool to compete for two $1,000 scholarships to be named near the end of the school year.
In answering questions and providing response, students spoke of the importance of extending kindness and compassion to others, expressed gratitude to parents, teachers and other supporters and spoke of the importance of self-expression and working to improve the world.
“I feel recognized and appreciated,” said Early College High School senior Tatiana Womack. “It’s exciting and nerve racking to move on, but I think I’m ready to pursue my passions.”
“It feels good,” said John Rodriguez of Pathways Academic Campus, who said he worked hard in his classes and grew in discipline, leading to the award and a decision he made to join the US Marine Corp.
Killeen ISD photo albums: https://www.killeenisd.org/photos