The Record Newspapers - Hometown News For Orange County, Texas

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce announced the Students of the Month for May at their monthly networking coffee held at Bridge City Automotive located at 125 East Vick in Bridge City. John Ellis was chosen as the Bridge City Student of the Month and Rachael Hunnicutt was chosen as the Orangefield Student of the Month.

Ellis is ranked 5th in his class of 188 students with a 4.65 GPA on a weighted 4.0 scale and is the son of Ronald and Cheryl Ellis.

Ellis has been a member of the National Honor Society, Academic Team, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Chamber Ensembles, UIL Academics and One-Act Play, Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout of BSA Troop 7, produces short films and other multimedia work, and technical work (audio, video, etc.) at First Baptist Church in Bridge City.

He has received numerous awards for All-State, All-Region, and All-Area Band competitions, Best Technical Crew in UIL One-Act Play, First Place District Team, Regional Team and State Participant UIL Literary Criticism, Fifth Place District UIL Ready Writing, Eagle Scout of the Boy Scouts of America with Bronze, Gold and Silver Palms, and First Place Declamation in Miriam Lutcher Stark Reading Contest.

His Community Service includes the Eagle Scout Service Project for the Bridge City High School along with other numerous Eagle Scout Projects for family and friends as well as Vacation Bible School and other ongoing projects with First Baptist Church of Bridge City.

Teachers stated, “John Ellis is a student whom Bridge City ISD can be proud. He is a very well rounded, highly responsible, exceptional student; a young man who is not only bright intellectually, but also possesses many leadership skills. He truly has an incredible work ethic, as well as commendable character. He has matured into a fine young man with excellent character qualities such as honesty, patience and generosity towards others. John is supremely talented and dedicated to every project he takes on. The most outstanding characteristic John possesses is his ability to make the other students around him better.”

Ellis plans to attend Lamar University to obtain a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems/sciences and a master’s degree in business administration. He plans to use these degrees in networking, multimedia and/or communication.

Hunnicutt is ranked 7th out of her class of 121 students with a 3.95 GPA on the OHS scale and is the daughter of Cheryl Craig. She has been President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Vice president of the Texas Association of Future Educators, President of the Family Career & Community Leaders of America, National Honor Society and a Student Athletic Trainer. Hunnicutt has received UIL accounting 2nd place district, 1st place team Milk Quality Products CDE, 4th place individual and a regional qualifier, and is Word and Excel certified.

Her community service includes being a volunteer for Children’s Church music leader, volunteer for the Life Skills Prom, and volunteer at Vacation Bible School.

Bridge City Chamber Ambassador Elizabeth Tyson, Rachael Hunnicutt, Cheryl Craig, Superintendent Stephen Patterson, Counselor Gayle Parkhurst

Teachers commented that, “Rachael is a beautiful young lady who is full of energy, ideas and intelligence. Having known Rachael for 4 years, not only as a student in class but also as a member of TAFE where she has helped to make the club a success; she will be greatly missed after graduation. Congratulations Rachael - you are well-deserving of this honor.”

Hunnicutt plans to attend Sam Houston State University in the Honors College and major in athletic training. Eventually she hopes to work as a college football or baseball athletic trainer.

Both Ellis and Hunnicutt received a plaque, sponsored by David Self Ford honoring them for their accomplishments along with gift certificates from The Classy Peacock, Walmart, Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City, Sabine Federal Credit Union, Central Office Supply, David Self Ford, Geaux Mail, Complete Staffing, Five Point Credit Union, and Computer Jox.

Pictured above: Bridge City Chamber Ambassador Elizabeth Tyson, Rachael Hunnicutt, Cheryl Craig, Superintendent Stephen Patterson, Counselor Gayle Parkhurst.