The Allen ISD Board of Trustees recently recognized students, staff, and community partners at their board meeting held on October 27, 2025.
Special thanks to members of the Reed Elementary School Pride Council for leading the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Allen ISD 18+ Transition Program Honors First Responders
The Board recognized students from the Allen ISD 18+ Transition Program for creating handmade buttons to celebrate local heroes in honor of National First Responders Day. The students, who develop independence and job skills through real-world experiences, were commissioned to design these custom pieces for City of Allen first responders.
The Board welcomed Transition teachers and student ambassadors to share more about the program and joined Allen Police Chief Steve Dye and Allen Fire Chief Jonathan Boyd in honoring this meaningful student-led initiative.
Teachers: Lisa Trees, Adam Wright
Guests: Chief Steve Dye, Chief Jonathan Boyd
2026 National Merit Semifinalists
The Board recognized 26 Allen High School seniors who were named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students represent the top academic achievers nationwide and were previously celebrated at a special breakfast at Allen High School.
Advanced Academics Coordinator: José Salas
Jake Bailey
Aarnav Bansal
Ashley Chen
Mark Church
Andrew Dai
Aaditya Ghosh
Ektoras Huang
Allison Hughes
Kingston Huynh
Sebin James
Zohaib Khan
Manu Kutagula
Advaiya Lad
Adrian Lin
Joel Mathew
Vedant Mohapatra
Ramiz Nackvi
Kavela Putcha
Uzair Rahman
Aaryan Salunke
Saanavi Shah
Saketh Sripada
Alex Wang
Andrew Wang
Sahasra Yellepeddi
Chunyue Zheng
Fine Arts Directors Receive National Mark of Excellence Awards
The Board recognized Allen ISD Fine Arts directors for earning national recognition through The Foundation for Music Education’s Mark of Excellence and Citation of Excellence awards. These honors celebrate exceptional performance by high school and middle school ensembles across the country.
Mark of Excellence – National Winners (Varsity Division):
AHS Varsity Treble Choir – Trenton Davis
EMS Select Treble Choir – Stephanie Petru
AHS Chamber Orchestra – David DeVoto
EMS Symphony Orchestra – Joanna DeVoto, Matt McGann, Rachel Boone
EMS Chamber Orchestra – Joanna DeVoto, Rachel Boone, Annabel Choi
CMS Chamber Orchestra – Amanda Su
Mark of Excellence – Commended Winners (Varsity Division):
AHS Varsity Men’s Choir – Trenton Davis
EMS Select Tenor-Bass Choir – Stephanie Petru
AHS Symphony Orchestra – David DeVoto, Philip Obado, Matt Cross
CMS Symphony Orchestra – Amanda Su, Clint Schaefer
Citation of Excellence – National Winners (JV Division):
EMS Sinfonia I – Rachel Boone, Joanna DeVoto
LFC Wind Ensemble – Joshua Blankenship
Citation of Excellence – Commended Winners (JV Division):
LFC Symphony Orchestra – Charles Robinson, Joshua Blankenship, Robin Ice
Allen Band Booster Association Donates $45,000 Toward Tournament of Roses Parade Trip
The Board recognized the Allen Band Booster Association for their generous $45,000 donation to support the Allen Escadrille’s upcoming trip to Pasadena, California, where they will perform in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade. This gift will help cover travel costs for the band and color guard as they represent Allen ISD on a national stage.
Band directors and booster members joined the Board of Trustees to present the donation and celebrate this exciting achievement for the “Largest Band in the Land.”
