Plenty of students and faculty were present at the meeting to represent Bryant Public Schools during the proclamation.
The City of Bryant is celebrating Bryant Public Schools following a year of local academic, athletic, and community achievements. At the Tuesday, May 26, 2026, City Council meeting, Mayor Chris Treat formally recognized the school district for its “Year of Excellence” due to several accomplishments in academics, athletics, fine arts, STEM, leadership, and community service. Read the list below, along with the new water tower design.
The City of Bryant is celebrating its partnership with Bryant Public Schools following a remarkable year of local academic, athletic, and community achievements. At the Tuesday, May 26, 2026, City Council meeting, Mayor Chris Treat formally recognized the school district for an extraordinary 2025–2026 “Year of Excellence” due to several accomplishments spanning academics, athletics, fine arts, STEM, leadership, and community service.
“Bryant Public Schools are one of our community’s greatest strengths,” said Mayor Treat. “This district continues to set the standard through excellence in the classroom, on the field, in the arts, and through service to others. We’re proud to celebrate these accomplishments and continue investment in strong partnerships with our schools.”
The formal proclamation highlights the school district’s status as a cornerstone of the Bryant community and its position as Saline County’s largest employer, with over 1,200 employees.
Read the full proclamation below:
PROCLAMATION TO THE CITIZENS OF BRYANT, ARKANSAS
WHEREAS, the Bryant School District continues to serve as a cornerstone of the Bryant community through its commitment to academic excellence, student achievement, leadership development, inclusion, service, and innovation; and
WHEREAS, Bryant Public Schools was recognized as a 2025-2026 Capturing Kids’ Hearts National Showcase District for the third consecutive year, earned designation as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School District, maintained a district-wide “B” rating, celebrated Salem Elementary’s 50th anniversary, and saw schools receive national and state honors, including:
● Bryant High School being named to the 2025 AP School Honor Roll (Silver);
● Robert L. Davis Elementary School receiving “Beating the Odds” recognition for high English Language Arts growth; and
● Springhill Elementary earning placement on the Leader in Me Lighthouse Academic Honor Roll as one of only eight schools in the nation; and
WHEREAS, Bryant student-athletes and teams demonstrated championship-level excellence throughout the 2025-2026 school year, including:
● 2025 7A Football State Champions, securing back-to-back state championships and the program’s seventh title in eight years;
● Back-to-back Boys Basketball State Championships (2025 & 2026);
● 2025 5A-6A Coed Varsity Cheer State Champions;
● Back-to-back League of Legends eSports State Champions (2024 & 2025);
● 2026 Unified Bowling State Champions;
● Multiple individual and relay 6A Track & Field State Championships, including the Boys 4×100 Relay, Boys 4×200 Relay, Boys 100 Meter Dash, Boys 400 Meter Dash, 4×400 Boys Relay, 4×200 Boys Relay, and 4×200 Girls Relay.
● Conference championships earned by Bryant boys and girls soccer, boys track, freshman football, freshman girls basketball, and undefeated Quiz Bowl teams;
● State runner-up and notable finishes in unified basketball, wrestling, girls track, and relay competition; and
WHEREAS, Bryant students continued to excel academically and personally, including:
● 737 graduates in the Class of 2026
● Recognition of a National Merit Commanded Student and a National Chemistry Olympiad Finalist;
● The Class of 2026 producing 60 early graduates and earning more than $31.5 million in scholarships;
● 34 athletic scholarship signings;
● 52 students earning the Seal of Biliteracy, including recognitions in Spanish and Japanese;
● FBLA students earning national qualifications, top ten finishes, and state leadership positions;
● Bryant High School being named a National Beta Club School of Distinction; and
● Students earning honors in essay writing, public speaking, and academic presentation competitions; and
WHEREAS, Bryant Fine Arts, media, and performance programs continued to earn recognition across Arkansas and the nation, including:
● The Legacy Band earning third place at the Arkansas State Marching Contest;
● The Bryant High School Wind Symphony earning ASBOA Sweepstakes honors with superior ratings in marching and concert performance;
● A record-setting 29 All-State Choir placements and 14 All-State Band students;
● State and national honors in indoor percussion, winter guard, theatre, visual arts, and ThesFest competitions;
● Students featured in the America250 State Capitol Ornament Project and Thea Creative Collective;
● The Bryant High School yearbook, The Hornet, being named a National Scholastic Press Association Pacemaker Finalist and Top 50 publication in the nation;
● Kaylee Anderson being named the 2026 Arkansas Student Journalist of the Year;
● Bryant journalism and media students earning numerous national and state honors in broadcast, sports media, on-air talent, newspaper, website, and yearbook production, including recognition from the Student Television Network, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Arkansas Scholastic Press Association, JEA, and Jostens; and
WHEREAS, Bryant students continue to lead in STEM, career readiness, and innovation through achievements, including:
● The district’s first-ever eSports scholarship signings;
● JROTC students becoming the first in district history to earn Air Force Flight Academy scholarships and pilot licenses;
● Robotics teams qualifying for the VEX World Championships while earning multiple design and innovation awards;
● Students earning numerous medals and national qualifications through SkillsUSA Arkansas State Championships and the Saline County Career Technical Campus; and
● Archery teams from Bryant High, Bryant Middle, and Bethel Middle earning state and national qualifications; and
WHEREAS, Bryant educators, staff, coaches, and leaders continued to receive recognition for outstanding service and leadership, including honors such as:
● ArSCA Southwest Secondary Counselor of the Year;
● A Top Five Finalist for Arkansas Teacher of the Year;
● The Safe School Leadership Award;
● Bryant Chamber Person of the Year;
● The Spirit of Bryant Award;
● Milestone coaching achievements including 300 basketball career wins and 100 baseball career wins;
● State leadership and educational advancement recognitions; and
WHEREAS, Bryant students and schools demonstrated a continued commitment to service, leadership, and community impact through efforts including:
● Collection of 4,381 jars of peanut butter during the Salt Bowl Peanut Butter Drive;
● Raising more than $23,000 for “The Nest” student pantry during Senior Week;
● Continued expansion of Unified Sports opportunities;
● Recognition of Miss Arkansas Teen Amelia Lisowe;
● Recognition of the Class of 2026 Valedictorian David Salinas and Salutatorian Silas Sandh; and
WHEREAS, Bryant Public Schools remains the largest employer in Saline County with over 1,200 employees, contributes significantly to the local economy, attracts families to the community through educational excellence, supports local partnerships and events, and continues to enhance the overall quality of life in the City of Bryant;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of Bryant hereby recognize and commend the Bryant School District, its School Board, administrators, teachers, staff, students, coaches, parents, and community partners for an extraordinary 2025-2026 year ofachievement, excellence, and service to the Bryant community.
—Mayor Chris Treat
A prominent example of this ongoing city-school collaboration took center stage at the meeting with the conclusion of the City’s Water Tower Design Contest. The competition invited Bryant High School graphic design students to use their skills to help shape one of the municipality’s most visible landmarks.
After months of submissions and careful review, the City Council officially selected Bryant High School student Keegan Pevytoe as the winning designer. Pevytoe is a student in Mrs. Lindsay Fell’s graphic design class. According to city officials, Keegan’s design heavily reflects hometown pride, utilizing classic Bryant blue, hornet-inspired elements, a honeycomb pattern, and the prominent phrase, “Home of the Hornets.”
“We’ve loved seeing our students bring creativity and hometown pride to a project that will become part of Bryant’s skyline,” Treat said. “This partnership gave students a chance to leave a lasting mark on our community.”
The city and school district will keep the collaborative momentum going into the summer. In June, Mayor Treat and City Communications Manager Jordan Reynolds are scheduled to participate in the school district’s second-annual Bryant Leadership Summit. The summit serves as an interactive platform where local students can engage directly with city leaders in meaningful conversations about leadership, civic engagement, and active community involvement.
City officials closed the presentation by extending their official appreciation to Bryant Public Schools’ School Board, administrators, educators, families, and students for their daily dedication to making the City of Bryant a stronger place to live.
Browse MySaline’s list of all the events in Saline County, at… www.mysaline.com/events.
