Buffalo News

September 27, 2026

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Congratulations to FHS junior, Analesia Spurling! It is our pleasure to announce that Analesia was selected for Texas Aerospace Scholars (TAS) Launch Pad 2026-2027!

Texas Aerospace Scholars (TAS) is an immersive STEM learning opportunity for Texas students, designed to inspire the next generation of explorers through direct engagement with NASA’s missions and STEM career pathways.

The TAS Junior Experience is a year-long commitment for high school juniors which starts in the fall with Launch Pad, an online course in which they will explore four mission-inspired modules that cover topics from Earth science, space exploration, and technology.

We are so proud of Analesia and can't wait to see where this opportunity takes her!

From Teresa Smith Johnson, Clinical Coordinator at Central Texas College:

I am incredibly proud of our Florence High School EMT student cohort, made possible through the partnership between Florence High School and the Central Texas College EMS Program.

This cohort is especially exciting because, for the first time at Central Texas College, we have an all-female high school EMT cohort. These young women are stepping forward and challenging themselves to begin their journey into emergency medical services while they are still in high school.

What they are accomplishing takes tremendous dedication. They are balancing the responsibilities of high school while completing an intense, college-level EMT program through Central Texas College. That requires discipline, sacrifice, time management, and determination.

I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to pour into these young ladies, encourage them, and empower them to become the very best healthcare practitioners they can be. I want them to learn more than the skills required to become an EMT. I want them to recognize their own strength, develop confidence in their abilities, learn to lead with compassion, and understand the responsibility that comes with caring for someone on what may be the worst day of their life.

I am proud of each and every one of these young ladies, and I am looking forward to watching them take the next big step as they enter their clinical semester and begin putting their knowledge and skills into practice.

This is what partnerships in education can accomplish—Florence High School and Central Texas College working together to create opportunities, develop future healthcare professionals, and invest in the next generation of EMS.

Ladies, keep working hard, keep supporting one another, and keep pushing forward. You are making history, and your EMS journey is just beginning!

Click here to check out the video of the EMT class visit to CTC!

Click here to view pictures of the EMT Class visit to CTC!

Your Buffs and Lady Buffs traveled last Wednesday morning to compete at the Steve Goleman Memorial Meet, and they represented Florence with maximum effort from start to finish.

LADY BUFFS — TEAM CHAMPIONS!

Our Lady Buffs started the day with a huge 1st-place team finish, winning the meet by just 5 points with a total of 63.

Sophia Koch — 7th

Sara Koch — 12th

Alondra Martinez — 13th

Adaliz Benitez — 16th

Natalie Carbajal — 17th

Paris Johnson — 22nd

Nerissa Hill — 25th

BUFFS — 1ST PLACE!

The boys kept the momentum rolling with a stunning 1st-place finish, scoring an incredible 20 points.

Mauricio Gonzalez — 2nd

Primitivo Martinez — 3rd

Parker Jamison-Goff — 4th

Alex Garcia — 8th

Axel Martinez — 10th

Max Pearson — 11th

Yoel Ybarra — 17th

The Buffs put all five scoring runners in the top 10, showing incredible depth and teamwork.

Our JV Buffs finished 3rd as a team, led by Ivan Pineda with a 9th-place finish.

Our JV Lady Buffs were led by:

Sophia Martinez — 26th

Sherlyn Manzano — 27th

What a day for Florence XC. Two team victories, incredible individual performances, and a whole lot of Buffalo Pride!

Also on Friday evening, senior Aaley Ramirez was celebrated for reaching 800 assists! We are so proud of her and this incredible milestone. We’re proud of every girl in our volleyball program, too. Keep working hard, Lady Buffs!

Congratulation to the Florence Band for placing second in Class 2A at the Capital City Marching Contest.

The Florence Drumline and Frontline ensemble won the outstanding percussion caption award in Class 2A, and the Color guard section also won the outstanding Color guard caption in Class 2A.

Congratulations to the Band members for earning high honors on their first marching contest of the season. The band will compete again this coming Saturday at Vista Ridge High School.

Congratulations Kynslee Cody!!

Kynslee placed 2nd with her Southdown and earned a State Fair of Texas brand!!

See You at the Pole was observed this past Wednesday at Florence High School. SYATP is an annual community event sponsored by the FCA organization at FHS. All around the globe on this day, students gathered at their flagpoles to pray for their school, friends, families and communities. Thank you to First Baptist Church-Florence and Andice Baptist Church for helping make this event a success each year!

#syatp

Seniors were sent home with a flyer (linked below) last week. Proofs will be sent home and you will then be able to order pictures online through the Lifetouch website.

Centex Recognition was on campus this past Wednesday, 9/23 to distribute packets and visit with the seniors. You can place your order in person this Wednesday, 9/30, during both lunches or place your order online at www.ctrecognition.com!

Centex Recognition was on campus this past Wednesday, 9/23 to distribute packets and visit with the juniors. You can place your order in person this Wednesday, 9/30, during both lunches or place your order online at www.ctrecognition.com!

UIL Eligibility Reminder – Grades Matter!

The first UIL eligibility grade check is here. Students who are failing a class lost eligibility on September 25. UIL rules require students who receive a grade below 70 at the eligibility grade check to become ineligible for extracurricular competition following the required seven-calendar-day grace period.

There is an exception for certain advanced courses approved by the Florence ISD Board of Trustees. Students enrolled in an approved advanced course may remain eligible with a grade of 60 or higher. This includes qualifying AP, honors, and dual credit courses in English language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, economics, and languages other than English. The complete advanced course list is attached below.

Important: The advanced-course exception applies only to extracurricular eligibility. A student must still earn a 70 or higher to pass the course and receive credit.

Students who become academically ineligible may continue to practice or rehearse but may not participate in competitions. UIL provides opportunities for students to regain eligibility following the required evaluation period if they are passing their classes.

On October 15th all Juniors will take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). This is a good opportunity for Juniors! The link below will give more information about the test. After testing Juniors can build a study plan for the spring SAT School Day.

On October 15th Seniors have the opportunity to participate in the SAT School Day. Any senior who took Algebra I in the 8th grade and has not made a college ready score on the SAT Math is required to take the SAT and will be automatically signed up. Any other seniors were required to sign up by the September 18th deadline.

See below for practice information, what to bring on test day, and more!

What to Bring

There are only a few things you really need to bring on test day, and a lot of things you'll be better off leaving at home. Be sure to bring:

• Your fully charged Chromebook. You must have the Bluebook app installed and exam setup complete before test day.
• If you’re approved to use a screen reader or other assistive technology due to a disability, make sure that the technology is configured for Bluebook before test day. If you’re testing with a Chromebook and want to customize your settings, you’ll need to do so every time you open Bluebook.
• A pencil or pen.
• Scratch paper will be provided—do not bring your own.

Other study materials:

Students have access to a Guided SAT and ACT Course through TexQuest as well as practice test PSAT. Here's how to access:

Classlink

TexQuest (they will be prompted to enter the district name and a password - the password is 3duc*t3)

In the resources choose Learning Express Library

Prepare for College

When prompted to sign in, select Sign in with Google or Register if they are a new user.

Don't Overlook the SAT

A strong SAT score can increase a student's eligibility for merit-based scholarships.

For families, the message is simple: Don't think of the SAT only as an entrance exam. Think of it as one potential tool for reducing the cost of college. Here are a couple of examples:

TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

Tarleton's President's Guaranteed Scholarship Program provides renewable scholarships to entering freshmen who graduate in the top 50% of their high school class.

For students who are not attending a Distinguished High School Partner, the current guaranteed awards include:

• 1300+ SAT: $4,000 per year for students in the top 10%; $2,000 for students in the top 25%; $500 for students in the top 50%.

• 1100+ SAT: $3,000 per year for students in the top 10%; $1,500 for students in the top 25%; $500 for students in the top 50%.

• Submitted SAT score: $2,000 for the top 10%; $1,000 for the top 25%; $500 for the top 50%.

These awards can be renewed for up to four years when students maintain satisfactory academic progress.

Important Tarleton dates:

• December 1, 2026: Early consideration for the next academic year

• February 15, 2027: Scholarship Priority Deadline

• Tarleton's general scholarship application can match students with 600+ scholarships.

• The application opens August 1 each year.

Tarleton states that students should apply early because many scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

UT SAN ANTONIO

UT San Antonio's Distinguished Presidential Scholarship is a merit-based award for qualifying incoming freshmen. The scholarship can be worth up to $24,000 over four years, provided renewal requirements are met and funding is available.

UT San Antonio also offers other significant scholarship opportunities:

• Top Scholar Program: A four-year enhanced scholarship and academic experience that can cover tuition, fees, housing and meals. Students who are in the top 5% and have a 1440 SAT or 32 ACT are encouraged to apply.

• Terry Scholarship: A competitive scholarship for students demonstrating leadership potential and financial need.

• General Scholarship Application: One application can put students in consideration for numerous scholarships administered through UT San Antonio.

Important UT San Antonio dates:

• December 1, 2026: Top Scholar and Terry Scholarship deadline

• January 15, 2027: Distinguished Presidential Scholarship deadline

• January 15, 2027: General Scholarship Application deadline

• January 15, 2027: FAFSA priority deadline for UT San Antonio

WHAT SHOULD FAMILIES DO?

1. Take the SAT seriously.
A stronger score may provide access to scholarship opportunities that aren't available based on GPA and class rank alone.

2. Take the SAT more than once if appropriate.
Students who can improve their score may increase their scholarship opportunities.

3. Apply early.
Don't wait until the final deadline. Some scholarships have early consideration dates, and some funds are limited.

4. Complete the scholarship application—not just the college application.
Being admitted to a university does not automatically mean a student has applied for every scholarship available.

5. Watch the deadlines.
A student can have the grades and SAT score to qualify and still miss out by failing to submit the scholarship application on time.

THE BOTTOM LINE

For a student attending a Texas public university, improving an SAT score can potentially translate into thousands of dollars in scholarship assistance.

The SAT is more than a test. For some students, it can be a financial tool.

Scholarship amounts, eligibility requirements and deadlines can change. Students and families should verify current requirements directly with each university.

We want to remind students and families of a few FHS dress code expectations. Our goal is to keep students in class and focused on learning, so please help us by checking clothing before students arrive at school.

A few of the dress code issues we are seeing most frequently include:

• Crop tops or other shirts that expose the midriff. Students should remain fully covered at the midriff during normal movement. A good rule of thumb is that a student should be able to reach above their head without exposing their midriff.
• Off-the-shoulder, strapless, halter, tube, backless, or similar tops are not permitted unless worn over a T-shirt with sleeves. Shoulder straps must be at least one inch wide.
• Leggings, jeggings, or similar tight-fitting bottoms should be worn with a shirt or top that is long enough to provide appropriate coverage all the way around.
• Clothing should not expose undergarments, cleavage, or other areas prohibited by the district dress code.

If a student's clothing does not meet dress code, we will first provide the student an opportunity to correct the issue at school and return to class. If it cannot be corrected, a parent or designee may need to bring an appropriate change of clothing. Our priority is to correct concerns quickly and minimize lost instructional time.

Please help us by reviewing these expectations with your student. We appreciate everyone's help keeping FHS focused on learning and maintaining a positive school environment.

H-E-B opened nominations through Sept. 30 for its 2027 Excellence in Education Awards, with more than $1 million available to Texas educators, schools, districts, school boards and early-childhood facilities.

Please consider nominating a great educator at FHS.

https://heblovesteachers.com/nominate/

Football season is upon us, and we are ready to fill the student section with BIG energy, LOUD voices, and Buffalo pride! Check out our upcoming Student Spirit Themes and start planning those game-day outfits! Parents - you can join in on the fun too!

We want to see FHS students showing up, dressing out, cheering loud, and supporting our Buffaloes every Friday night! The student section sets the tone, so let’s make this season one to remember! One Town. One Herd. Together We Charge!

#FHSBuffaloes #BuffaloPride #StudentSection #FridayNightLights #FHSSpirit #TogetherWeCharge

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

With the addition of the 2026 class, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation will have provided more than 7,200 Coke Scholars nationwide with over $90 million in scholarships as it celebrates 40 years of impact since its founding in 1986. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.

The 2027 application is available here for high school students graduating in the 2026-2027 academic year through 5 pm Eastern on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.

Who Can Apply: Open to students in grades 9-12!

Deadline: October 31, 2026

Click here for more information!

9/30 - Class Ring Orders and Senior Graduation Orders during lunch

10/2 - Senior Picture Day

10/5 - Student Device Check for all SAT/PSAT Testers 2nd Period (Bring your charged Chromebook)

10/7 - Ag @ State Fair

10/8 - Early Out and End of the 9 Weeks

10/9 - No School

10/12 - No School

10/15 - PSAT & SAT School Day

10/20 - 9th - 11th Picture Day

10/23 - Pep Rally

10/26 - PD Day/Student Holiday

10/27 - FISD Trunk or Treat

10/30 - IPR 2.1 Ends (Gain Only)

9/29 - VB v Llano @ Home - 5:00/6:00 pm F/JV/V

10/1 - CC @ Pro-Fit Meet/Belton - 8:30 am JV/V

10/1 - FB OPEN JV

10/2 - VB @ Blanco - 5:30/6:30 V/JV/F

10/2 - FB OPEN V