Press Releases

U.S. Representative Nathaniel Moran (TX-01) announced the 2026 recipients of the third annual Texas First Congressional Service Award. The award exemplifies the spirit of community, leadership, and dedication to service that defines the students of East Texas. 

“It is an incredible honor to recognize the next generation of East Texas leaders through the Texas First Congressional Award,” said Rep. Moran. “Each of these students embodies the values that make our communities strong—hard work, integrity, and a heart for service. I applaud each of them for going above and beyond to serve their schools, communities, and our great state of Texas.”

The Texas First Congressional Service Award is not a scholarship, but rather a service award to recognize deserving students in the First Congressional District of Texas. Nominees should be one male and one female from each school, preferably at the junior or senior level. 

For more information or to make nominations, please email MoranStudentServices@mail.house.gov. 

Recipients of the 2026 Texas First Congressional Service Award:

Bishop Gorman High School

Samuel Vogler — 11th Grade

Molly McCabe — 11th Grade

Brook Hill High School

Danger Troy — 11th Grade

Jirah Park — 11th Grade

Carlisle High School

Yesenia Alvarez —12th Grade

Cole West — 12th Grade

Chapel Hill High School

Sebastian Sepulveda — 12th Grade

Christian Heritage Classical School

Michael Cherry — 12th Grade

Coleigh Buckland — 12th Grade

DeKalb High School

Diego Andres — 12th Grade

Amari Shaw — 12th Grade

Gladewater High School

Samantha Brown — 12th Grade

John Dru Watson — 12th Grade

Hallsville High School

Payton Rice — 12th Grade

Rianna de Paula Jund — 12th Grade

Laneville High School

Hallie Williams — 11th Grade

Longview High School

Kennedi Simmons — 12th Grade

Marshall High School

Rennick Taylor — 12th Grade

Teresa Lopez — 12th Grade

McLeod High School

Patrick Dickerson — 12th Grade

Molly Terry — 12th Grade

Mount Enterprise High School

Brody Black — 12th Grade

Kaydense Sprayberry — 12th Grade

Mount Vernon High School

Caden Johnson — 12th Grade

Lorena Castillo — 12th Grade

New Boston High School

Hope Hudson — 12th Grade

Corbyn Smithson — 12th Grade

Panola Early College High School

David Cawthon — 12th Grade

Pine Tree High School

Celeste Baker — 12th Grade

Dylan Medrano — 12th Grade

Texas High School

Yaneira Mendoza — 12th Grade

Iyanna Foreman — 12th Grade

Trinity School of Texas

Emilio Mendez — 12th Grade

Brianna Medina — 12th Grade

Tyler High School

Tristen Taylor — 12th Grade

Francesca Austin — 12th Grade

Tyler Early College High School

Irving Degollado — 12th Grade

Molly Johnson — 12th Grade

Tyler Legacy High School

Sydney Cook — 12th Grade

Jordan Harris — 12th Grade

West Rusk High School

Kylee Blackmon — 11th Grade

Mason Gibbs — 11th Grade

Whitehouse High School

Valen Preusse — 11th Grade

Emma Simpson — 11th Grade

 

Not Pictured:

Center High School

Priw Say — 12th Grade

Nathan Newton — 12th Grade

Chapel Hill High School

Shiloh Smith — 12th Grade

Lindale High School

Kylon Kincaid — 12th Grade

Mollee-Kate DeWolfe — 12th Grade

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