Saltillo High School Seniors racked up more than $210,000 in scholarships, announced during the 2025-2026 Awards Ceremony at the school Monday night. Junior high and high school students were also recognized for their academic achievements.
Tobin Potter was recognized as Saltillo High School Class of 2026 valedictorian, and Shelbi Ricketson as the salutatorian.
Genesis Rios was recognized as the 8th Grade Class valedictorian and Lexi Roberts as the eighth grade salutatorian.
Tobin Potter has also been awarded a $2,000 Saltillo FFA Scholarship, a $1,000 Mount Vernon/Saltillo Young Farmers Scholarship, a $1,000 Farmers Electric Cooperative Scholarship, a $1,500 First Baptist Scholarship, a $1,000 Northeast Texas Livestock Association Scholarship and a $500 Mount Vernon Rodeo Association award. Additionally, Tobin Potter also was awarded a $4,000 Waymon Newsome Scholarship by Barker’s wife and her sister and benefitted from a $1,500 Rotary Club Scholarship, presented by Tyler Davidson. Natalie White and Abbey Roper presented Tobin Potter with a $10000 Ceely Stout Memorial Scholarship on behalf of Gabe and Lacy Stout, parents of Ceely, who passed away in 2018.
Tobin Potter and Kallie Potter each received a $1,000 Cole Barker Memorial Scholarship from Sue Barker, Cole’s mom, and a $1,500 First Baptist Scholarship. Kallie Potter also received a $9,000 Oklahoma State University Scholarship and a $1,000 City National Bank Scholarship.
Tobin Potter and Angel Interiano each received a $500 Mount Vernon Firefighters Association award, announced by Principal Jarret Wilson.
Interiano also received a $400 Mount Vernon/ Saltillo Young Farmers award, a $1,000 FFA Scholarship and a $500 Mount Vernon Rodeo Association award.
Teacher Johnna West announced Kallie Potter, Crissey Campos, Shelbi Ricketson, Lani Dean, Tobin Potter recipients of $250 the Reta Eubanks Memorial awards.
Shelbi Ricketson too was awarded a $20,000 Presidential Scholarship, $8,000 Blue and Gold Freshman Scholarship and a $1,170 Legacy Endowment to attend East Texas A&M University. She also received a Tommy Starrett Memorial Scholarship The Finnis & Onree ttlesey and Garland & Sweet Bamblin fund Scholarships in the amount of $3,500 went to Dakoda Womack, Crissey Campos and Tobin Potter.
Teacher Jennifer Ricketson announced Jamie Alvarez, Angel Interiano, Boone Johnson, Crissey Campos, Lani Dean, Jaylee Miller, Shawn Dennis, Kallie Potter, Tobin Potter, Jasmine Olvera, Shelbi Ricketson, Kayden Van Rijn, Rylie Wartenbee, Amberly White and Dakota Womack as recipients of $500 Saltillo ISD Booster Club/PTO Scholarships.
Saltillo FCCLA Scholarships in the amount of $300 each were awarded to Tobin Potter, Jaime Alvarez Lani Dean, Amberly White, Dakoda Womack, Crissey Campos, Kallie Potter, Jasmine Olvera and Shelbi Ricketson.
Max Caniday presented Amberly White with a $1,000 Masonic Lodge #691 Scholarship; White too received a $750 CNB Family award.
Jasmine Olvera also received a $500 Mount Vernon Rodeo Association award.
Crissey Campos was also awarded a $1,000 Women’s Guild Scholarship and a $10,000 East TExas A&M University Scholarship.
Lani Dean received a $2,500 Mount Vernon/ Saltillo Young Farmers Chapel Michael Teague scholarship.
Shawn Dennis will benefit from a $500 Saltillo FFA Scholarship.
Jaylee Miller has received a $1,000 Farmers Electric Cooperative Scholarship.
Bryce Mobley was awarded a $25,000 Presidential Merit Scholarship.
Dylan Teel has received a $500 Saltillo FFA Scholarship and a $500 Mount Vernon Rodeo Association award.
Kayden Van Rijn received a $500 Saltillo FFA Scholarship, a $500 Mount Vernon/Saltillo Young Farmers Scholarship and a $500 Mount Vernon Rodeo Association award.
Dakoda Womack benefits from a $36,000 Honors Scholarship and a $1,500 Christian Leadership Scholarship to attend East Texas Baptist University. He also received a $1,000 Mount Vernon/Saltillo Young Farmers award an a $500 Saltillo FFA Scholarship.
Sponsor Jennifer Ricketson recognized the offers of the Saltillo Chapter of National Beta Club members, noting that 36 of the club’s 45 members competed at state, with seven scoring high enough to advance to the national Beta competition slated June 16-20 in Nashville.
Sponsor Johnna West recognized Family, Community and Career Leaders of America officers and members. She noted that the local chapter earned 41 medals at state, including three very prestigious awards — one for having the most members in a medium sized chapter, most community service hours by a chapter (around 5,000 for the year) and most items donated to the state project to help homeless individuals at a shelter by donating items for infants.
FCCLA members Katie Olvera, Addi Pipkin, Kenzi Pipkin, Brea Metcalf, Sharon Interiano, Ava Underwood, Kinley McCoy, Kallie Potter, Jaelynn Miller, Valery Castro and Kaidence Johnson each competed at the State Fair of Texas; several scored high enough in their categories to have their recipes appear in a cookbook.
Of the 34 high school students competing in district academic UIL competition, 15 qualified to compete at the regional contest – Tobin Potter, Diego Gonzalez, Colton Ricketson, Jasmine Olvera, Kallie Potter, Dakoda Womack, Bryce Mobley, Shawn Dennis, Eden Godwin, Jamie Alvarez, Crissey Campos, Evan Godwin, Kenzi Pipkin and Angel Interiano.
Medals were also presented to sixth, seventh and eighth graders whose contributions helped the Saltillo JH team sweep their level of competition last Friday.
Saltillo Junior High and High School students who made the A and AB Honor Rolls received certificates for their accomplishment.
Junior High students received classroom awards for highest average and most improved in their classes.