Houston Christian High School

Honoring excellence in competition, leadership, and the classroom 🏅Congratulations to this year’s athletic award recipients from the Class of 2026:
- Janie Neighbors Scholar-Athlete Award — Gracie Cervantes and Rebekah Gerard, both attending The University of Texas at Austin
- Mickey Riggs Scholar-Athlete Award — John Cotton, The University of Texas at Austin, and Alex Bartholomew, Texas A&M University
- Female Student-Athlete of the Year — Connally Kuykendall, The University of Oklahoma
- Male Student-Athlete of the Year — Sam CdeBaca, Baylor University

The Janie Neighbors and Mickey Riggs Scholar-Athlete Awards recognize graduating seniors who participated in two or more sports during their senior year while achieving the highest GPA among multi-sport athletes. Named after two beloved leaders in Houston Christian athletics, these awards celebrate students who embody excellence, leadership, character, and commitment both on the field and in the classroom.
We are proud of these student-athletes and the legacy they leave behind at Houston Christian!

Two Mustangs. Two unique journeys. One exciting future. 🎓🤍 Buzz Magazine recently featured seniors Owen Hawthorne and Miller Martin in its Senior Spotlight, highlighting the people, experiences, and memories that shaped their time at Houston Christian. This fall, Owen will attend Boston University to study Biomedical Engineering, while Miller will attend Baylor University to study Pro-Sales and Finance.

Reflecting on his high school journey, Owen shared the impact of Mrs. LaFlamme’s 9th-grade research class: “When I first met her, I was quiet and closed off. She helped me come out of my shell and develop into who I am today. I’ve grown into someone who’s much more confident, vulnerable, and seizes leadership opportunities, and that’s something that’s stuck with me beyond just her class.”

For Miller, one of his favorite Houston Christian memories was helping lead the Mustangs to an SPC Basketball State Championship.

From influential teachers and personal growth to championship victories and lifelong friendships, both students reflected on the moments that helped define their high school experience. We loved seeing Owen and Miller share their stories and represent the Class of 2026 so well!

Celebrating the academic leaders of the Class of 2026 🎓 Congratulations to our Valedictorian, Rebekah Gerard, who will attend The University of Texas at Austin, and our Salutatorian, Andrew Knobbe, who will attend New York University.
Through years of hard work, curiosity, perseverance, and leadership, these students have distinguished themselves both inside and outside the classroom. We are incredibly proud of all they have accomplished and can’t wait to see the impact they will make in the future.

Honoring faithful service at Houston Christian! Erin Cestero was honored with the Excellence in Teaching Award for the incredible way she serves, challenges, and encourages students each day with compassion, wisdom, and grace.
Brian Minson received the Recognition of Exemplary Staff Service Award for his outstanding leadership, innovation, and steadfast support of the Houston Christian community.
We are so grateful for the lasting impact both Erin and Brian make through their faithful service and commitment to excellence.

Celebrating a year of hard work and achievement 👏 Last week, we recognized our students at 9-11 Awards, honoring excellence across academics, athletics, and fine arts. It was a joy to celebrate the dedication and growth of our students throughout the school year.
We are proud of these Mustangs and all they have accomplished both inside and outside the classroom!

One last stop before the stage! At Senior Awards, we celebrated the Class of 2026 for their outstanding achievements across academics, athletics, fine arts, leadership, and service. Throughout their time at Houston Christian, these students have modeled excellence through hard work, perseverance, character, and the impact they’ve made on our community. We are so proud of all they have accomplished, and even more excited for all that lies ahead!

The fellowship fun is just getting started ✨ From pickleball and roller skating to dance lessons and shopping nights, these first fellowship parties brought our Houston Christian community together in such meaningful ways. Thank you to our incredible hosts, sponsors, and families for creating spaces filled with connection, laughter, and school spirit. We are so grateful for a community that continues to show up, support one another, and invest in Houston Christian students and programs every step of the way!