The Gainesville ISD Education Foundation honored the GHS Class of 2023 Top 10% at the Shining Stars Gala. Each Distinguished Scholar selected one teacher from their years at GISD to honor as their Distinguished Educator at this special event.

The students each prepared a letter of gratitude addressed to their selected teacher, which was included in the program and read by the student at the gala. In return, each educator prepared a short video showing their appreciation to the student.

Students and Educators who were honored were:
Andrew Hoberer/Loren Freeman, Tatum Rains/LJ Searcy, Nolan Gardner/Chris Bevers, Melaina Denison/Janet Johnson, Paola Rico/Susan Fuller, Benson Tran/Kelly Stogner, Jazlynna Bergeron/Natalie Dollar, Hayley Colwell/Joanna Ceja, Noe Martinez/Dre Pringle, Natalie Montoya/Danny Franco, Adriana Galano/Morgan Sims, Leonardo Elias/Nicole Rich, Pablo Moreno/Carlos Camarena, Cooper Emerson/Kyle Searcy, Mason Bean/Sharlene Bryan, Jayelynn Graham/Tracy Vineyard, Javier Fraire/Francisco Bermudez, Arlen Alvarez/Claudia Brito, Alexa Green/Lauren Denison, Zyla Alonso Fernandez/Keli Royal.

In addition to providing the meal for all attendees, the Foundation gifted each scholar a $100 amazon gift card as a reward for their outstanding academic achievements. In the Fall, the Foundation also awards Innovative Teaching Grants to teachers through an application process. To date, more than $456,000 has been awarded to enhance the education of the students at GISD.

The Education Foundation board of directors work through the year to generate funds and distribute resources to GISD to enrich, maintain, and expand programs needed to meet the district’s stated mission in excellence. The foundation shares the district’s vision of enhancing education at GISD. The Education Foundation relies on community and business donations to allow for the continued support to GISD. For more information on the Education Foundation grants or to make a donation, please visit www.gainesvilleisd.org/foundation.