DHS Class of 2023 Academic Signing Day

DeSoto High School Class 2023 Participates in Academic Signing Day
Posted on 05/30/2023
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DeSoto ISD and DeSoto High School are excited to celebrate its class of 2023 seniors who participated in the DHS Academic Signing Day event at the Chris Dyer Gym in May. 


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 full-ride scholarships to attend the program of their choice.


The gym was decorated with higher education institutions’ paraphernalia inclusive of that of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and even 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. I know that college is another journey that I am going to take and it is the early college and AP (advanced placement) classes that I have taken and passed that have placed me in this position to have a full-ride scholarship.” 


The mission of DeSoto ISD is to ensure that all students, without exception, can achieve their highest levels. Post-secondary readiness, which encompasses college, career, and military readiness, is a primary, measured goal of the district’s school board and leaders to ensure that students are successful upon graduation.


DHS Class of 2023 senior Tamia Walzer is headed to the U.S. Navy. With a big smile and two thumbs up, she spoke about the experience and preparation she received in DeSoto ISD.


“I feel that I accomplished a lot and 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 my law career.” 


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 as she leaves DeSoto preparing to become 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 in DeSoto ISD that celebrate the academic success of our DHS seniors and their post-secondary plans. Decision Day is the larger event where all graduating seniors will be able to 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!”


Let’s celebrate the students who participated in Academic Signing Day


  • Anay Landeros Southern Methodist University
  • Alexa Botello   Southern Methodist University 
  • Ashley Day Texas Christian University 
  • Betty Pierce U.S. Navy
  • Caleb Owens Prairie View A&M University 
  • Jeremiah Lucero Tuskegee University
  • Patrick Williams Jr. Florida A&M University
  • Serenity Jackson Louisiana State University
  • Skyler Ferguson Texas A&M University 
  • Tamia Walzer U.S. Navy



Photo Album for Academic Signing Day