College Park HS Honor Graduates Recognized at Annual Breakfast

Apr 20
4 min read

Updated: 14 hours ago

College Park High School honored its Class of 2026 seniors ranked in the top 15% at a special breakfast ceremony held at the Conroe ISD Jett Center.

SHENANDOAH, Texas — Monday, April 20, 2026, 8:39 a.m.

College Park High School honored its Class of 2026 honor graduates Monday, April 20, during the annual Honor Graduate Breakfast at the Conroe ISD Jett Center at Woodforest Bank Stadium in Shenandoah, Texas.

The event recognized seniors ranked in the top 15% of the graduating class, with families, school leaders and guests gathering for a catered breakfast and ceremony focused on academic achievement. Students were introduced by their counselors, shared their future plans, received certificates of achievement and took photos with College Park High School Principal Robert McFarlane.

The ceremony included opening remarks by McFarlane, a presentation of the flags by the College Park High School United States Marine Corps Junior ROTC, and pledges led by valedictorian Iris Shen.

McFarlane said the breakfast is “our event to celebrate our top graduates from College Park High School,” adding that the students have “spent the last four years taking advanced classes, challenging themselves” and have “established the true character of a Cavalier.”

“This is a time where my real job is to be an academic leader, making sure I’m preparing all these young people for their next step after high school,” McFarlane said. He said seeing the students’ success gives him “so much pride,” “so much enjoyment” and “optimism for the future.”

The Academy of Science and Technology is Conroe ISD's science- and technology-focused magnet program. Academy students are part of the College Park campus, which allows them to take part in the broader school experience, including athletics, fine arts, cheerleading, theater, band, choir, UIL, robotics and other student activities.

Deborah Creel, headmaster of the Academy of Science and Technology, said the honor breakfast is “a way that we get to celebrate all of the students and their families in the top 15%.” She said the event has been “an ongoing tradition” for all 20 graduating classes at College Park.

“It’s really a chance to highlight the importance of academics on our campus, the importance of doing well and committing,” Creel said.

Creel said the students being recognized are not limited to classroom achievement.

“It’s always fun to see these kiddos who have done really well in class, but they’re also incredible athletes,” Creel said. “We have state soccer winners here. We have varsity cheerleaders here. We have kids that have done UIL and robotics at literally the highest level possible.”

Creel said many Academy of Science and Technology students were among the honorees, though she did not provide an exact number.

“I would say the vast majority of our academy students are here,” Creel said. “They make up a good percentage of the top 15%.”

McFarlane said the involvement of high-achieving students across campus activities matters because it helps prepare them for life beyond high school.

“They’re not all just one thing, academic, academic, academic,” McFarlane said. “They’re well rounded. They’re well prepared to interact in the world with everyone.”

McFarlane said experiences in “theater and athletics and band and choir” help students develop time management, academic balance and other skills connected to adulthood. He also said it is important that Academy of Science and Technology students are part of the full College Park experience.

Graduating seniors were recognized in three academic distinction levels: Summa Cum Laude for the top 0–5%, Magna Cum Laude for the top 5–10%, and Cum Laude for the top 10–15%. These academic honors will also be recognized at graduation, where students will wear stoles showing their distinction.

McFarlane also noted the role of Lone Star College as a community partner. He said Lone Star College partners with the school on dual credit work and provides options through its Honors College, college-transfer pathways and career programs.

“Lone Star College has been a great partner with us,” McFarlane said. “They partner with us on all of our dual credit work.”

As the ceremony recognized students nearing the end of high school, McFarlane said he thinks about what is ahead for them.

“These students have worked really hard,” McFarlane said. “It’s wonderful to see their smiles, shake their hands and think, hey, they’re 18 years old, and their whole life is still in front of them.”

Creel said the class stands out for more than academic performance.

“What I see is kindness,” Creel said. “Not only are they involved in more than one thing, they’re academic, but they’re also something else. They’re artistic, they’re writers, but they’re very kind.”

Creel said the Class of 2026 was especially welcoming when she became headmaster of the academy three years ago.

“I would say as a whole they’re just a group of very kind, very thoughtful and very funny kids,” Creel said.

McFarlane described the class in similar terms, saying the students are “kind and gentle and thoughtful and gracious.” He also called them “a fun loving group” and said their daily interactions are meaningful to him as a school leader.

As students left the Jett Center, they received personalized graduation yard signs displaying their academic honors, giving families a way to recognize their senior’s achievement at home and in the community.