In 2013, the School Board established the Outstanding Dual Language Student Award. This award recognizes two graduating seniors that went through the Dual Language Program and have excelled academically and linguistically. Each year, two students are selected, one student who originally qualified for the Dual Language Magnet Program in English and one who qualified in Spanish. This is the sixth year that this accolade has been awarded and the recipients for 2018 are Emily Forrest and Noemi Mendoza-Duran.

Both of these students were recognized and awarded a plaque at the May school board meeting. Additionally, Communities Cinco de Mayo recognizes these student’s academic and linguistic achievements and have awarded them a $1,500.00 scholarship each. Finally, Burley Primary, Slack Elementary and Lufkin Middle School have all dedicated a Wall of Honor at each campus that holds framed photos of the recipients of this prestigious award.

Miss Emily Forrest plans to attend Sam Houston State University and will major in Biomedical Science and minor in Anthropology.

Miss Noemi Mendoza-Duran plans to attend UT Tyler and will have a double major of Fashion Industry and Spanish.