Westwood ISD

Westwood ISD Westwood Independent School District is a public school district based in Palestine, Texas (USA). Th

10/07/2026

* Mark Rutledge- WHS Class of 1980🐐
* Here is HIStory🥳
* Played on the Westwood varsity basketball team, contributing his talent and dedication to the Panthers.
* His presence on the court helped strengthen the team, while his commitment to the game reflected the pride of representing Westwood.
* His basketball journey took him from Westwood to professional basketball in Dublin, Ireland, an achievement that serves as an inspiring example for future Panthers.
* His legacy connects athletic achievement with success in education, business, and community service—showing Westwood athletes the possibilities beyond high school basketball.
* Earned a Mechanical Engineering degree from Prairie View A&M University in 1985
* Returned to Texas and taught:
* Precalculus
* Algebra
* At David W. Carter High School
* Began an 18-year career with TDIndustries
* Advanced to the position of Senior Project Manager
* Co-founded Momentum Mechanical in 2006
* Serves as President of Momentum Mechanical
* Leads projects involving mechanical and plumbing systems for:
* Schools
* Medical facilities
* Office buildings
* Other facilities across Texas and surrounding states
* Became President of Momentum IT Solutions in 2023
* Named Construction Financial Management Association’s 2020 CEO of the Year
* Has served on the Kennedale ISD Board of Trustees
* Has served on the CoServ Board of Directors
* Has served on additional boards supporting:
* Education
* The construction industry
* Believes effective leadership begins with listening, service, and helping others succeed

Congratulations Mark Rutledge and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor, Class of 2026. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/07/2026

Joe Huddleston- WHS Class of 1982🐐
Here is HIStory🥳

* Football was his favorite sport
* 3-year starting quarterback
* Moved up to varsity as a sophomore and became the starting QB
* Earned All-District honors
* Favorite memory: becoming the varsity starting quarterback as a sophomore
* Senior season ended after breaking his hand
* Pursued technical school after high school
* Proud of the legacy he left at Westwood
* His legacy continues through his two granddaughters, who excel in volleyball and basketball
* Works as a conductor for Union Pacific Railroad, celebrating 24 years of service in November 2026.
* Helps coordinate train operations, communicate with crew members, and support the safe and efficient movement of freight.
* His role requires attention to detail, teamwork, and adherence to railroad operating procedures.
* Nearly a quarter-century of service reflects his dedication, dependability, and commitment to his profession.
*
Congratulations Joe Huddleston and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor, Class of 2026. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/07/2026

Hernandez “Hunkie” Cooper-WHS– Class of 1987🐐
Here is HIStory🥳
* Served as Junior Class President
* Served as Senior Class President
* Football
* Quarterback
* All-District
* All-Region
* All-State
* Basketball
* Point guard
* Averaged 29 points per game
* Favorite memory: defeating Crockett on the road to win the district championship
* Baseball
* Center field
* Pitcher
* Catcher
* Middle infielder
* Track
* Competed in the mile
* Competed in the 300-meter hurdles
* Named 1987 East Texas Athlete of the Year
* Earned the honor over other standout athletes, including Pat Mahomes Sr. of Lindale
* Remembered as a versatile four-sport athlete and student leader at Westwood
* Former professional football player
* Played wide receiver and linebacker
* Starred for the Arizona Rattlers
* Competed in the Arena Football League (AFL)
* Continued his football career after his standout years at Westwood
* Currently serves as Director of Football Player Development
* Works with the UNLV Rebels football program
* Has continued his legacy through football leadership, mentorship, and player development.

Congratulations Hunkie Cooper and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor, Class of 2026. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/06/2026

Keith Crawford- WHS Class of 1989🐐
Here is HIStory🥳
* Football
* Senior Year: 66 receptions, 1,489 receiving yards, and 19 touchdowns
* Honorable Mention – on Defensive and Offense
* Outstanding Defensive Player
* 1st Team Defense
* Basketball
* Inside Player of the Year
* Honorable Mention All-District
* 3rd Team All-Area
* Track & Field
* 2nd Place Long Jump – District
* 2nd Place Long Jump – Regional
* 1989 UIL CLASS 3A STATE Long Jump
* Winning jump: 22’ 6¼”
*
* Baseball
* 1st Team Outfielder
* Mr. Hustle #12

Howard Payne University WR (1989–1992)
*Hall of Fame Inductee
* Set 10 conference & school records
* 202 career receptions
* 3,845 career receiving yards
* 42 career touchdowns
* 3× All-Conference
* 2× NAIA All-American
* Played 6 NFL seasons
* Played for the Giants, Packers, Rams & Chiefs
* Packers Special Teams Captain
* Also played in the XFL with the Memphis Maniax
Congratulations Keith Crawford and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor, Class of 2026. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/06/2026

* Jeffery Wilson Sr.– WHS Class of 1983🐐
* Here is HIStory🥳
* Outstanding three-sport athlete
* Excelled in football, basketball, and track & field
* Earned First Team All-District honors in football
* Received a full athletic scholarship to UT Arlington
* Earned Second Team All-District honors in basketball
* Helped lead Westwood basketball to a 22–7 season
* Helped the team advance to the Bi-District playoffs
* Competed in multiple regional track meets
* Regional Champion in the 400-meter dash
* Qualified for the State Track Meet
* Finished 3rd in the state in the 400-meter dash
* Set a school record of 48.5 seconds in the 400 meters
* Continued his love of sports through coaching and mentoring
* Proud father, coach, servant, and community leader
* Built a lasting legacy of faith, family, sports, and community

Congratulations Jeffery Wilson Sr. and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor, Class of 2026. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/06/2026

Gralyn Crawford Sr.- WHS Class of 1983🐐

Here is HIStory🥳
* Proud three-sport athlete at Westwood High School
* Competed in football, basketball, and track
* Athletics taught discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and dedication
* Football
* All-District – Junior Year
* First Team All-District – Senior Year
* First Team All-East Texas – Senior Year
* Basketball
* All-District – Sophomore & Junior Years
* All-East Texas – Sophomore & Junior Years
* First Team All-District – Senior Year
* First Team All-East Texas – Senior Year
* First Team All-State – Senior Year
* Track
* Regional qualifier – Junior & Senior Years
* Competed in the 800-meter and 1,600-meter runs
* Earned a basketball scholarship to Dallas Baptist University
* Continued playing basketball at the collegiate level
* Began working for TDCJ in 1989
* Served 13 years with TDCJ
* Spent approximately 20 years coaching youth football and basketball
* Mentored young athletes and encouraged them to work hard and never give up
* Transitioned into the oil field industry
* Has worked in the oil field for 26 years
* Built a career centered on hard work, family, and pride in his work
* Married his wife in 1990
* Proud father of four children
* Family remains one of his greatest blessings
* Grateful for a life filled with faith, family, athletics, service, coaching, and community.
* Thankful for the life God has blessed him with.
Congratulations Gralyn Crawford Sr. and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor, Class of 2026. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/06/2026

Steve Cubstead- WHS Class of 1976🐐

Here is HIStory🥳
* Grew from 6’1” to 6’5” as a freshman and eventually reached 6’9”
* Almost gave up basketball to focus only on football
* Coach Terry Richter encouraged him to stay with basketball
* Earned a spot in the starting five
* Named All-District in basketball
* Helped Westwood become the first basketball team in school history to make the playoffs
* Advanced to the Regional Tournament
* Excelled in football as a stand-up nose guard
* Named All-District and Defensive Player of the Year
* Played on a defense later praised by a former state championship coach as one of the best he had ever seen
* Credits coaches Rodney Hess, Terry Richter, Jacky Cherry, Ronny Steadman, Clyce Marshall, and Danny Westmoreland
* Credits his father as his biggest fan who never missed a game
* Continued playing basketball in college
* Remained connected to Westwood as a parent and Friday-night game announcer
* Believes Westwood athletics is about family, teammates, coaches, and Panther pride
* Hopes future athletes see the Hall of Honor and become inspired to earn their place there someday.

Congratulations, Steve Cubstead and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor, Class of 2026. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/06/2026

Bonita Brown - WHS– Class of 1983
Here is HERstory🥳
* Track & Field standout
* 3-Time State Champion – 100-Meter Dash
* Ran an impressive 11.4-second 100 meters
* State Champion – Long Jump
* All-American
* Junior Olympian
* International competitor in Korea
* One of Westwood’s most accomplished track athletes

Bonita Brown did not simply run the track—she left a legacy on it.🐐

Congratulations, Bonita Brown Jackson and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor, Class of 2026. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/06/2026

Renay Daughtery Thomas – WHS Class of 1984🐐
Here is HERstory🥳
* Track & Field
* Regional qualifier in the high jump
* Member of the State Championship 800-meter relay team
* Relay team finished 1st place at the State Track Meet
* Winning time: 1:42

* Volleyball
* District Champion
* Area Champion
* Dominant front-row player
* Named to the All-State Team
* Basketball
* All-District
* All-East Texas
* All-Area
* All-Regional
* All-State
* Odessa Junior College | 1985–1986
* Played junior college basketball
* Won a National Championship
* Team finished with an undefeated record 36-0
* Named to the All-Tournament Team
* Named an All-American
* University of Missouri | 1986–1987
* Continued her collegiate basketball career
* Named All-Conference
* Competed in the Big Eight Conference
* Southwestern Oklahoma State University | 1989–1990
* Won her second National Championship
* Named to the All-Tournament Team

Congratulations, Renay Daughtery -Thomas and family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor!WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

10/06/2026

Donna Lynn Wilson Banks — WHS Class of 1984🐐
Here is HERstory🥳
* Multi-sport athlete at Westwood High School
* Competed as Donna Wilson in:
* Basketball
* Track
* Volleyball
* Also participated in Drill Team
* 1984 Class 3A First-Team All-State — Basketball
* Participated in the All-State Basketball Tournament
* Member of Westwood’s 1984 Texas Class 3A State Champion 800-Meter Relay Team
* State championship relay time: 1:42.7
* Continued her basketball career at Odessa College
* Earned Second-Team All-WJCAC honors in 1986
* Helped Odessa College finish a perfect 36–0 season
* Member of the 1986 NJCAA National Championship Team
* Scored 10 points in the national championship game
* Later played basketball at the University of Arkansas
* Served as a two-time team captain
* Led the Razorbacks in assists in consecutive seasons
* Set a then-school record with 186 assists during the 1988–89 season
* Holds Arkansas records for:
* 18 assists in a single game
* 5.7 assists per game for her career
* An outstanding athlete whose accomplishments represent the proud tradition of Westwood Athletics.

Congratulations Donna Wilson Banks and Family on your induction into the Westwood Athletic Hall of Honor! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU🧡

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Palestine, TX
75801;75803

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+19037291776

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