DHS Class of 2023 Academic Signing Day

Before a crowd of families, friends, and peers, DeSoto High School Class of 2023 seniors not only celebrated and declared their postsecondary learning intentions, but also announced their receipt of fullride scholarships to attend the program of their choice.

The gym was decorated with higher education paraphernalia including Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the U.S. military to mark the locations across the country chosen by this year’s senior class.

DHS Class of 2023 senior Serenity Jackson was enthusiastic about her opportunity to participate in this year’s DHS Academic Signing Day.

“It feels amazing to be here today, and I am so excited to start my journey at LSU,” said Jackson, who is a dancer, an academic scholar, and a student in the DHS Early College program. “All of this has definitely prepared me to go to LSU.

Academic Signing Day Seniors

Anay Landeros

Alexa Botello

Ashley Day

Betty Pierce

Owens

Jeremiah Lucero

Patrick Williams Jr.

Serenity Jackson

Skyler Ferguson

The mission of DeSoto ISD is to ensure that all students, without exception, can achieve their highest levels. Postsecondary readiness, which encompasses college, career, and military readiness,

Christian University about the experience and preparation she received in DeSoto ISD.

“I feel that I accomplished a lot. It was some small sacrifices, but you have to think big,” said Walzer, who is interested in becoming a lawyer. “I chose the Navy because it will best help me prepare for

She also spoke to the constant exposure DeSoto High School provided to help her learn about various postsecondary opportunities and feels this helped her to truly pave the way to her future.

“They helped to reach out to recruiters and connect me with people that I could talk to help me figure out what I wanted to do. DeSoto also helped me to grow and understand the changes ahead for me.”

DHS senior Caleb Owens is one of the Top 10 students in the DHS class of 2023 and a member of the state championship-winning DeSoto Eagles football team. He will soon be learning on “The Hill,” at Prairie View A&M University.

“I’m so glad that PV offered me this scholarship. It is a huge blessing and lifted a large burden off of my shoulders,” said Owens, who also spoke to lessons and skills gained while in DeSoto ISD.

“Being a student-athlete at DeSoto High School, I want to hone my time management and prioritization skills so that I can take them with me to college and know when to socialize and when to get some studying. DeSoto also helped to learn to be autonomous along the way. I am ready to Fly High at PV!“

Like other students, DHS Salutatorian Anay Landeros sat with her family, proud of the journey that she has taken and the future that is before her as she leaves DeSoto preparing to attend Southern Methodist University.

“I am a first-generation college student, so to be able to share this experience with my family means so much to me,” said Anay Landeros.

The DHS Academic Signing Day is one of the events that celebrate the academic success of our seniors and their post-secondary plans. Decision Day is the larger event, where all graduating seniors publicly share their acceptance to a college, university, the military, or the workforce.

Director of Advanced Academics Robin Johnson Ford helps plan for this annual celebration and encourages others to see the great opportunities firsthand as a district student or family.

“If you want to excel and soar, you better come on to DeSoto ISD. We have green wings and gold wings, either way, you are going to fly because being in DeSoto ISD is EVERYTHING!”