The annual banquet MISD hosts for the Top 60 ranked students in the entire district took place on April 28.

“It’s nice to see that people work hard and get recognized,” senior Tracy Kwan said.

Eleven students from here took their favorite teacher as their date to the banquet.

“I chose Ms. (Melissa) Danforth because her positivity really influenced (me) and she’s a fantastic educator,” Kwan said.

Senior Dominique Reilly chose her flute teacher, who is not a district employee, because she has been helping her for four years.

“She’s been probably one of the most influential adults that I’ve ever met,” she said.

World History teacher Kimberly Helfenbein said she has a lot of admiration for the top students.

“They frame my view of the future, which is a wonderful picture,” she said.

Last year Helfenbein was chosen by the Valedictorian Blake Rainey and has been picked a total of six times.

“It is very special because I also get a chance to tell the student how proud of them I am and (show) the respect I have for their dedication and hard work,” she said.

Those who attended have maintained good grades and managed to keep their GPAs high.

“It’s kind of normal to me to just go a little farther than what’s expected,” Reilly said.

Kwan said the work the students have put in for the past few years has paid off with the banquet.

“It was an honor,” Kwan said. “And I was really happy to get to showcase my favorite teacher.”