The 11th annual Academic Excellence Awards Ceremony was held at the Bonham High School Gymnasium on Thursday, November 19th, 2009.  The Bonham Education Foundation sponsored the event and recognized 148 Bonham High School students from the sophomore, junior and senior classes who completed the preceding school year with a 4.0 GPA. Students doing so for their first year of eligibility received a stadium blanket.  Students meeting this standard for either a second or third year received patches to place on their blankets.

The Foundation’s President, Sophia Dyson, introduced the ceremony’s guest speaker, Randy McBroom, a 1969 Bonham High School graduate and current Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University-Commerce.  Dr. McBroom also serves as President of the Bonham ISD Board of Trustees.  Dr. McBroom discussed his educational background and encouraged all of the students in the audience to believe in themselves and not listen to those who questioned their ability to succeed.

The Bonham Education Foundation was formed in 1999 with the purpose of assisting the Bonham Independent School District in preparing students for life and careers by promoting academics and encouraging and recognizing students for educational achievements. 

In addition to sponsoring the Academic Excellence Awards Ceremony, the Foundation also sponsors the Texas Scholars Program; awards scholarships to graduating seniors; and awards Academic Enrichment Grants to assist in funding classroom initiatives that enhance the educational experiences of Bonham ISD students at all grade levels. 

Steve Mohundro, Treasurer of the Foundation, announced that the Foundation recently awarded a total of $4,000 in Academic Enrichment Grants.