From classroom innovation to community celebrations and public safety efforts, the Amarillo area continues to showcase achievements and initiatives that bring people together. Here’s a look at some of the latest local developments making headlines.
Bonham Middle School Robotics Team Wins First State Championship
Students at Bonham Middle School are celebrating a historic milestone after earning their first-ever state championship in robotics. The team secured the GEAR (Get Excited About Robotics) title at Texas Tech, advancing through two qualifying rounds and outperforming more than 30 teams from across the state. Amarillo ISD reports that four additional Bonham teams also qualified for state competition, marking another first and highlighting the school’s growing strength in STEM education.
Cinco de Mayo Fajita Festival Set for Hodgetown
The Amarillo Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will host its 2026 Cinco de Mayo Fajita Festival on Friday at Hodgetown Stadium. The event will feature an all-you-can-eat fajita experience alongside a cooking competition where teams prepare their best recipes using provided ingredients. Running from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the festival will also include live music and family-friendly activities, with proceeds supporting the chamber’s scholarship and internship programs.
River Road High Hosts Mock Crash to Promote Safe Driving
River Road High School students participated in a powerful mock car crash demonstration as part of the Shattered Dreams program, aimed at raising awareness about impaired driving. The simulation involved emergency responders and law enforcement recreating rescue efforts and sobriety tests following a staged दुर्घटना. Organized with support from TxDOT, the event comes ahead of prom and graduation season, when risks tend to increase, with organizers hoping the message will encourage safer decisions among teens.
Panhandle Volunteer Fire Department Gains New Brush Truck
A rural volunteer fire department in the Texas Panhandle is enhancing its wildfire response capabilities with a newly funded brush truck. The investment follows the devastating 2024 wildfires, which exposed challenges faced by rural crews, including long distances and limited resources. With support from State Representative Ken King and the Texas A&M Forest Service, the Crutch Ranch VFD says the new truck will improve response times, especially after losing its only engine during last year’s Smokehouse Creek Fire.
Amarillo ISD Announces Teacher of the Year Finalists
Amarillo ISD has named its 2026 Elementary and Secondary Teachers of the Year finalists. Elementary finalists include Robynn Britten (Puckett), Emily Stowers (Western Plateau), and Melinda Flanagan (Wills Elementary). Secondary finalists are Bonnie Williams (Crockett Middle School), Candice West-Mathewson (Houston Middle School), and Deepa Sobha (Palo Duro High School). Winners will be announced Friday morning at the Lamar Lively Teacher of the Year Breakfast and will advance to represent the district in Region 16 competition.
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