Even in the off-season, Spring ISD student-athletes are making noise-not just on the field, but in the classroom. Across the district, from early morning practices to late-night study sessions, students are showing that athletic dedication and academic excellence go hand in hand, proving that drive, discipline, and determination power success in every aspect of their journey. 

This year, all three comprehensive high schools—Dekaney, Spring, and Westfield High School—named student-athletes as valedictorians, salutatorians, and academic award recipients. Their achievements are a clear reflection of how athletic participation nurtures time management, accountability, resilience, and goal-setting—essential skills for lifelong learning.

“Sports have helped me grow in so many ways,” said Kyle Dillon, class of 2025 valedictorian at Dekaney High School, and captain of both the football and baseball teams. “I’ve learned to lead, to stay focused, and to balance responsibilities.” 

Dillon, who earned more than $850,000 in scholarships, will be attending Howard University in the fall.

Similarly, Madison Whiteside, Dekaney’s salutatorian and captain of the track and field team, credits athletics for shaping her high school experience. 

“I’ve made lifelong friendships through track,” she said. “When times get tough, I lean on both my academics and my team.” 

Whiteside will attend Prairie View A&M University with $117,500 in scholarship awards.

These personal stories are backed by research. In a study by the University of Texas at Austin, student-athletes across Texas consistently outperformed non-athletes on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), with pass rates ranging from 77% to 93%, compared to 28% to 67% for non-athletes (UT Austin, 2023). These outcomes suggest that the structure, motivation, and habits developed through sports also build academic excellence. These findings support what is already evident in Spring ISD: athletics cultivates strong habits that carry over into academics.

At Spring High School, both top graduates were also athletic leaders. Avery Wesley, valedictorian and basketball team captain, earned more than $246,000 in scholarships and will attend Texas State University. Elizabeth Upton, a multisport athlete and salutatorian, helped lead the girls cross country team to regional competition and earned $144,000 in scholarships to attend Southwestern University.

Athletics doesn’t just build stronger bodies—it builds stronger students. During Spring ISD’s 2025 Student-Athlete Academic Awards ceremony in May, 26 athletes were honored for maintaining straight A’s while competing at high levels in their respective sports. These students exemplify what it means to be well-rounded, high-achieving scholars.

Spring ISD Athletics Director Derrell Oliver said the link between athletics and academic performance is no coincidence.

 “Balancing long hours of training with strong academic performance takes a special kind of commitment,” Oliver said. “Our athletes rise to that challenge every day because they’re not just competing—they’re preparing for life.”

That preparation was clear at the state level. Tanook Hines, Dekaney senior and standout sprinter, made school history by earning a gold medal in the 400-meter dash at the UIL State Track & Field Championships. Hines will attend the University of Southern California on a full athletic scholarship.

Westfield High School class of 2025 graduate Nehemiah Allen also embodied this blend of athletic and academic excellence. A top-performing student and standout defensive lineman, Allen helped lead his team to an undefeated district championship and is headed to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

“Football taught me the value of hard work,” Allen said. “That mindset carried into my academics. If I’m going to commit to something, I give it everything—on and off the field.”

The intersection of athletic and academic leadership was also exemplified by Floyd Guidry, class president and varsity football player at Spring High School, who is heading to Texas Christian University on a full scholarship.

These stories are prime examples of the great dedication and work that student-athletes across the district have in order to succeed on and off the field. 

For many students, participation in athletics plays a vital role in shaping the mindset and habits that lead to academic achievement. Whether holding a bat, a ball, or a pencil, Spring ISD students are demonstrating that excellence in sports and academics go hand in hand. The district remains committed to supporting their growth and celebrating every step of their journey toward future success.