Staff report
Two of San Marcos Academy’s most coveted student awards were presented during the 108th annual Commencement May 15.
William Henry “Hank” Shirley of Kyle was named winner of the President’s Cup, which is the highest student award given at the Academy.
The son of BeLinda Shirley-Howell of Kyle and Matthew Shirley of Madison, Alabama, Hank has attended SMA for six years.
He served as president of the Senior Class and was named valedictorian of the class as well. He was also president of the National Honor Society, past president of the National Junior Honor Society, active member of the Student Council, captain of the football team, and a student ambassador. Hank participated in numerous school musicals, plays and talent shows throughout his time at SMA.
Off campus, Hank was a team leader for the 2016 Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) Conference and a delegate to the 2015 RYLA Conference. He was a delegate to the 2015 Texas Boys State, attended the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar, and was recognized in April by the Capital Area Optimist Club as its Teenager of the Year. This fall, Hank will attend Texas A&M University in College Station, where he was awarded the Terry Foundation Scholarship.
Also honored at the Academy Commencement was Brendan Christensen of Kyle, who received the McNiel Cup. Criteria for this award include a desire to learn, reflected through academic achievement; the study of and knowledge about the Bible; a demonstration of Christian living in daily life; and being a recognized leader on campus.
Brendan is the son of Sherry and Jason Christensen and has been a student at the Academy for six years. He was involved in SMA athletics, lettering in football and baseball for all four years of high school and receiving the Bob Jennings Athletic Director Award. In addition, Brendan served as Vice President of the senior class, was a student ambassador and member of the National Honor Society, received the Capital Area Optimist Clubs Youth Award for Science and was named salutatorian of the Class of 2016. In the fall, Brendan will attend Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, to study mechanical engineering.