TISD 2026 Top Ten
David Linn Mayo
David Linn Mayo has been named the Valedictorian for the 2026 graduating class of Texas High School. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Mayo.
David is a National Merit Commended Scholar and the recipient of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals All-State Academic Excellence Award Scholarship. He was selected to the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society.
David received Academic Awards in AP Calculus AB, AP Physics, AP English IV: Literature and Composition, AP Precalculus, Pre-AP Algebra II, Pre-AP English II, Pre-AP World Geography, Pre-AP English I, Pre-AP Geometry, and Pre-AP Chemistry. He received the Heart of the Tiger Award in Engineering Design and Presentation and AP English III: Language and Composition.
David was a member of the Calculus Club and the Science Club. He was also involved in Leadership and Student Council, where he served as Parliamentarian. David was a four-year member of TigerVision. He was the Pickleball Club Vice President and one of its founders.
David played Varsity Golf for four years.
He is a member of his family band, the Mayos.
David was offered scholarships from Southern Methodist University, the University of Mary Hardin–Baylor, Hendrix College, Schreiner University, the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the University of the Incarnate Word, Baylor University, McMurry University, Lubbock Christian University, the University of Dallas, the University of Tulsa, Anderson University, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Central Missouri.
David accepted the Southern Methodist University Distinguished Scholar and BBA Cox Scholar scholarships. He will attend Southern Methodist University’s Cox Business School Honors Program to major in Business.
Sanders Thomas Wiggins
Sanders Thomas Wiggins has been named Salutatorian of the 2026 graduating class of Texas High School. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Joshua Wiggins.
Sanders is an AP Scholar with Honors, a Superintendent’s PSAT Scholar, and a member of the Texas High ACT Hall of Fame. He was selected to Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, the National Honor Society, the Student Television Network Honor Society, and the National Society of High School Scholars.
He received Academic Awards in AP Government, AP Biology II, AP English III: Language and Composition, AP Environmental Science, U.S. History DC, and TigerVision DC. Sanders was also awarded the Heart of a Tiger Award in English I Pre-AP and AP Calculus.
Sanders was a member of the Calculus Club. As a member of Student Council and Leadership, he served as class president during his freshman, sophomore, and junior years. As a senior, Sanders served as student body president. He was also president of TigerVision, where he won the Content Creator of the Year Award. Sanders attended the Student Television Network National Conference as a delegate.
He also served as a delegate at the Hugh O’Brien Leadership Conference, the Shoots Summit Film Conference, and the Texas A&M Leadership Initiative Conference. Sanders was the youth representative on the TISD Distinguished Alumni Committee, an Imagine 2026 Tour Bus Leader, a Leader in Me Ambassador, an Experience THS Tour Guide, and a student liaison to the Leadership Texas Association of School Boards. He was a Texas Association of Student Councils Conference speaker, and he helped organize Texas High School’s Tiger Camp, Leadership Day, and the Community Bonfire. He created the THS Cap and Gown Closet for underserved students and directed the student portion of the TISD Convocation.
He played Varsity Football, where he was selected as an Honorable Mention All-District Tight End, a Player of the Week, and a 4.5-star nationally ranked long snapper.
Sanders was a recipient of numerous awards, including the 2026 Wilbur Award in the Youth category, the Kiwanis Youth Leadership and Community Involvement Award, the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals Teens Serving Teens Award, the Leadership Award of Excellence, and the Chicken Express Community Hero Award. He was a NASSP Grant recipient and a Texas Association of Student Councils Top 10 Video and Top 10 Projects Award recipient.
Sanders is an “As You Go” nonprofit organization co-founder and a member of First Baptist Church–Texarkana, where he participates in small-group Bible study.
He received scholarships from the University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University–College Station, Texas Christian University, the University of Mississippi, Louisiana State University, and the University of Arkansas. Sanders also received the Kiwanis Leadership Scholarship, the Volunteers in Public Schools Scholarship, the Farmer’s Bank Hometown Rivalry Scholarship, and the Christ Nations Church Scholarship. He also received scholarships for the Chicken Express Local Hero Award and the TASSP Teens Serving Teens Award.
Sanders accepted the McCombs Scholar Canfield Business Honors President’s Scholarship from the University of Texas at Austin, where he will major in Business Finance with a minor in Entrepreneurship.
Samuel Robert Cross
Samuel Robert Cross, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Cross, graduated third.
He is a National Merit Commended Scholar, an AP Scholar with Distinction, and a Superintendent’s PSAT Scholar.
Samuel is a member of the Texas High ACT Hall of Fame. He was selected to the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, where he served as president.
Samuel was the recipient of the Award of Excellence in Social Studies. He received Academic Awards in Engineering Design and Presentation, AP Precalculus, AP Chemistry II, Introduction to Python DC, Digital Forensics DC, AP U.S. History, Web Design DC, AP Calculus BC, and Math for Business DC. Samuel received the Heart of a Tiger Award for AP Calculus AB and Engineering Design Problem Solving.
Samuel was a member of the Calculus Club, the Science Club, and Student Council.
As a member of the Varsity Football Team, he was selected to the Academic All-District First Team and the Walmart and Texas High School Coaching Association Academic All-State Elite Team. Samuel was also on the Varsity Track Team, where he was selected to the Academic All-State Second Team.
Samuel is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. He received the 50-Miler Award, the NOVA Award, the National Outdoor Achievement Award, the Ten Eagle Scout Palms Award, and the 50th Anniversary Environmental Protection Agency Award.
He received the Billy Moses Memorial and Watty Myer scholarships.
Samuel will attend the University of Texas at Austin to major in Chemical Engineering.
Lilian Grace LeFors
Lilian Grace LeFors, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David LeFors, graduated fourth.
She is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a Superintendent’s PSAT Scholar. Lilian was selected to the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, and the International Thespian Society.
She received the Academic Excellence Award in Science and the Heart of a Tiger Awards in AP Calculus BC, AP Calculus AB, and AP English III. Lilian also received her Medical Assistant Certification.
Lilian was a member of the Science Club, where she served as vice president, and the Calculus Club, where she served as secretary of tutoring, as well as Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders. As a member of the Tiger Theatre Company, she received the UIL Best Technician Award for three years. She also won the Rising Star Award and Best Technician in a Play.
She was a member of the Varsity Girls Swim Team and was the district champion in the 100-meter breaststroke for four years. Lilian was a member of the All-Star District Water Polo Team. She also completed a research project aimed at increasing elementary school involvement in sports.
Lilian is a swim instructor and a member of her church youth group. She was also a CHRISTUS St. Michael junior volunteer.
She was offered scholarships from Ouachita Baptist University, Colorado State University, the University of Colorado Boulder, Abilene Christian University, Arizona State University, the University of Texas at Arlington, and Texas Tech University.
Lilian accepted the Ouachita Baptist University scholarship, where she will major in Integrative Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery.
Lillie Claire Orgeron
Lillie Claire Orgeron, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Derek Orgeron, graduated fifth.
She is a Superintendent’s PSAT Scholar and a Summa Cum Laude graduate. Lillie also won the AP Environmental Science Academic Award and the Heart of the Tiger Award for Precalculus and Calculus.
Lillie was selected to the National Honor Society, the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, and the Quill and Scroll Journalism Honor Society.
She was a member of the Yearbook and Photography staffs, the Calculus Club, the Science Club, the Key Club, the Rosebuds Junior Garden Club, and Student Council.
Lillie played tennis during her freshman and sophomore years.
She is a member of the Fusion Youth Group at First Baptist Church–Texarkana.
Lillie received a scholarship from ATPI.
Lillie accepted a scholarship to Texas Tech University, where she will major in Electrical Engineering.
Jackson Dye Adams
Jackson Dye Adams, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jason Adams, graduated sixth.
He is a National Merit Commended Scholar, a Superintendent’s PSAT Scholar, and an AP Scholar with Honors and Distinction. Jackson was also selected to the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society.
Jackson was Student Body Treasurer, Science Club vice president, Calculus Club secretary, and a founding member of the Pickleball Club, where he served as treasurer. He was also involved in Leadership and served as a tutor in Calculus and Chemistry. Jackson served as co-captain of the Varsity Cheer Escorts.
He was captain of the Varsity Boys Swim Team, where he was a district, regional, and state qualifier in numerous events, including the 200 Medley and Freestyle relays. Jackson played Varsity Water Polo and served as assistant coach for the Club Swim Team.
Jackson is a member of the Fusion Youth Group at First Baptist Church–Texarkana.
He was offered scholarships from Southern Methodist University, Texas Christian University, and Louisiana State University.
Jackson will attend the University of Texas at Austin in the Canfield Business Honors Program, where he will major in Finance.
Meredith Suzanne McPhaul
Meredith Suzanne McPhaul, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jim McPhaul, graduated seventh.
She is a Superintendent’s PSAT Scholar. Meredith was selected to the National Honor Society, where she served as president, and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, where she served as vice president. She was also selected as a member of the Quill and Scroll Journalism Honor Society.
Meredith received the Academic Excellence Award for English. She also received Academic Awards for Principles of Health Science and Biology II DC and was named to the Dean’s List at Texarkana College.
Meredith was Senior Class President, Managing and Copy Editor for the Yearbook, a member of Key Club, and Today’s Youth, Tomorrow’s Leaders. She was also a member of the Stronger Connections Grant Committee and the Super Tigers Advisory Committee.
She was senior captain of the Texas High Steppers, where she won the Highest GPA Award for three years, the Best Veteran Award, and the Most Outstanding Sophomore Award. She also won a second-place overall award for her duet.
Meredith is a member of the All Stars Dance Center, where she won a 15-Year Award. She is a member of the Fusion Youth Group at First Baptist Church–Texarkana and is also a church preschool volunteer. She is also a program assistant at Spur On Equine Therapy.
Meredith received scholarships from the Moody College of Communications Honors Program at the University of Texas at Austin and Fearfully & Wonderfully Made. She also received the Connie Penny Yearbook Scholarship and the Johnny Green Sports Writer Scholarship.
Meredith accepted a scholarship to the University of Texas at Austin, where she will attend the Moody College of Communications Honors Program, majoring in Communications and Leadership.
Hayden Lynn Henry
Hayden Lynn Henry, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eric Henry, graduated eighth.
Hayden was selected to the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society, and the Quill and Scroll Journalism Honor Society.
Hayden received the Award of Excellence in Publications. She was Editor-in-Chief of the Yearbook and is also an Adobe Certified Professional in Photoshop.
Hayden was a member of the Science Club, Key Club, and Student Council, where she served as Community Service Outreach Director. She was also on the Stronger Connections Grant Committee.
She was a member of the Varsity Tennis Team, where she won the Fighting Tiger Award and the Highest Senior GPA Award.
Hayden is a member of First Methodist Church of Texarkana.
Hayden was offered a scholarship from Texas A&M University–Texarkana. She also received the Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society Scholarship.
Hayden will attend the University of Texas at Austin to major in Communications and Leadership.
Ethan Andrew Jones
Ethan Andrew Jones, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Jones, graduated ninth.
Ethan was selected to the National Honor Society. He was also a member of Leadership and served as Senior Class Vice President.
Ethan was a member of the Varsity Boys Basketball Team and was selected for First Team Academic All-State Honors. He was also a member of the Varsity Track and Field Team and the Bass Fishing Team.
Ethan received the Hubbard McDuffie Scholarship.
He will attend Texas A&M University–College Station to major in Biology.
Aidyn Cooper Morris
Aidyn Cooper Morris, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Morris, graduated tenth.
Aidyn was selected to the National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta Mathematics Honor Society.
He received the Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Academic Awards in Calculus AB, Calculus BC, and Business Statistics.
Aidyn served as Senior Class Treasurer and president of the Calculus Club. He was also one of the founding members of the Pickleball Club and a member of the Science Club.
He was a member of the Varsity Baseball Team.
Aidyn is a member of Hardy Memorial Methodist Church.
He received the Diamond Youth Baseball National Scholarship.
Aidyn will attend Texas A&M University–College Station to major in Engineering.
