Top Accolades of the 2024-2025 School Year from Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy

As the school year comes to a close, we want to recognize our CTE students for a job well done as they have competed and championed important events and milestones this year at the Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy. 

Did you know that approximately 3,300 students attend the GBCCA? There are 11 career clusters, multiple programs of study and 48 different professional certifications available to our students.

More than 620 seniors received a graduation cord and more than 350 high school seniors earned professional certifications. A few examples of the certifications achieved by our students include Adobe Certified Professionals, Registered Dental Assistant, Emergency Medical Technician, and CyberSecurity certifications.

In addition to professional certifications, many students are also state, national and even international winners of CTE competitions in everything from law, robotics, FFA, culinary arts, architecture, fashion, marketing, merchandising, business, EMT, sports nutrition, teaching and the BBQ team!

Below are the outstanding accomplishments our students achieved this school year.

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Business Professionals of America Represent Rockwall at Nationals

 

Twenty students in Business Professionals of America competed among nearly 7,000 students across the country in the 2025 National Leadership Conference in May in Orlando. Led by advisors Naposhi Amos, Jeff Burkham, Marcia Eddy and Misty Rayson, many BPA students placed at nationals. Congratulations to the following students:

INDIVIDUAL EVENT RESULTS

• Preston P., 5th out of 11 in Prelims: Graphic Design Promotion
• Erin R., National Qualifier: Advanced Desktop Publishing
• Alexa K., National Qualifier: Advanced Desktop Publishing
• Alexandria Y., National Qualifier: Fundamentals of Desktop Publishing 

TEAM EVENT RESULTS

• Network Design Team, 7th Place: Micah S., Roman P., Nico P., Birt F.
• Visual Design Team, 4th Place: Esther C., Micah C., Arya D., Madison P.

VIRTUAL EVENT RESULTS

• Multimedia and Promotion Team, 1st Place and Best of Show: Jake G., Kara G., Adam L.
• Software Engineering Team, 5th Place: Austin C., Birt F., Landon R., Micah S.
• 2D Animation Team, 6th Place: Brady A., Nathalie P., Austin W.

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  Fashion Design Students Advance to FCCLA Nationals

Five fashion design students will compete in the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, this July. This marks the second consecutive year the fashion design program will send at least five students to compete at the national level. Led by advisor Renee’ Aube’, the following students are national qualifiers: 

• Maggie W., Junior, Rockwall-Heath High School – 1st Place, Fashion Design, Level 3 (First-time national qualifier)
• Sophia B., Sophomore, Rockwall High School – 2nd Place, Fashion Construction, Level 2 (Returning national qualifier; 2nd place nationally in 2024)
• Kenedy C., Freshman, Rockwall High School – 1st Place, Fashion Design, Level 2
• Ruby G., Sophomore, Rockwall High School – 2nd Place, Fashion Design, Level 2 (Returning national qualifier)
• Raleigh M., Sophomore, Rockwall High School – 3rd Place, Fashion Design, Level 2 (Returning national qualifier; 1st place nationally in 2024)
• Abby S., Sophomore, Rockwall High School – 3rd Place, Fashion Construction, Level 2

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DECA Students State Finalists, International Qualifier

Led by their advisors, Dori Brown, Alisha Bridges, and April Deats a total of 21 DECA students competed against more than 6,000 students at DECA State Career Development Conference (CDC). Three seniors were State Finalist and one advanced as International Qualifiers competing at the DECA International Competition (ICDC) in Orlando, Florida. Congratulations to the following students:

• State Finalist and International Alternate: Grace S. - Food Marketing Series
• State Finalists and International Alternates: Katelyn B. and Isabelle K. - Marketing Management Team Decision Making
• State Finalist and International Qualifier: Carter B. - Business Services Marketing Series

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Technology Student Association Students Place at State Competition

Led by Kim Card and Renee' Aube', eleven Architecture students and three Fashion Design Students competed in the Technology Student Association (TSA) State Competition in April.

Congratulations to the following students:

Amelia B., Kimberly C., Belinda G., Abril P., and Monica M. earned 5th place at the state competition and qualified for nationals.

High School Residential Models

• Ian M., 1st place
• Colton C., 2nd place

High School Single Family Residential Models

• Johnny W. and Mikyla O., 1st place
• Tristen L., 6th place

High School Presentation Drawing

• Justin C., 6th place

Fashion Design and Technology

• Meagan M., Peyton H., and Sarah R. all placed in the top 15

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Esports Place First In State Championship

The Esports team, GENE Rocket League, placed first at the Esports State Championship. This is the first state championship for our Esports team at the Dr. Gene Burton College and Career Academy. Congratulations to advisor, Alex Vrana and Rocket League Team members Jadon M., Hunter H., and Haden H.

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BBQ Pitmasters Bring the Heat at State Championship

The 205 Pitmasters BBQ team, led by their coaches Sean Hill and Chandler Romero, competed at the High School BBQ, Inc. State Championships on April 26 in Granite Shoals. A total of 109 teams from across the state competed in five categories: dessert, beans, chicken, ribs and brisket. The 205 Pitmasters “smoked” the competition and brought an overall 3rd place state finish back to Rockwall. The following Pitmasters are being recognized for placing in the Top 10 in State:

Team Ash - Top 10 in State

• Trent G. - #1 Rib Cook in the State of Texas and a State Champion
• Barrett M. - 7th place Chicken
• Beau P. - Brisket
• Mason C. - Dessert
• Cayson P. – Beans

Team C. - 3rd in State

• Austin H. - 2nd place Ribs
• Graham C. - 4th place Dessert
• Emma V. - 12th place Brisket
• Liam H. - Chicken
• Kylene Y. – Beans

Team Smoke

• Cailey R. - 3rd place Brisket
• Faith H. - 10th place Dessert

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Culinary Arts Student Wins State Cupcake Title, Earns Culinary Scholarship

FCCLA Culinary is led by Chef Instructors Chris Rivera and Celeste Hernandez. Congratulations to Kennedy J,. who earned first place and is the state champion in the cupcake presentation event. Kennedy also earned a scholarship to attend the Escoffier School for Culinary Arts.

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Law and Order Students Earn Top Awards at State

Congratulations to the Law and Order students from the Dr. Gene Burton College & Career Academy (GBCCA) who competed in the Texas Public Service Teacher Association State Competition. Out of 500 competitors, 40 GBCCA students qualified to participate. Several of them placed in the top three in various events, showcasing their outstanding skills and dedication. Congratulations to the following students and team advisors:

• Opening Statements: 1st Place - Keaton S.; 2nd Place - Kaylen P.
• Closing Statements: 3rd Place - Lillie M.
• Female Law Agility: 1st Place - Aalyah S.; 2nd Place - Mikayla S.
• Booking Procedure: 3rd Place - Zoey S.
• Crime Scene Search: 2nd Place Team: Isis H., Natalie D., Clarissa A.
• 3rd Place Team: Bella B., Mabry M., Andrea E.

Team advisors: Don Williams, James DuPuch, Dan Nelson, Karyn Nyholm, Keith Allen, and Marcia Hasenyager

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EMT Students Earn Top Honors at HOSA State, Advance to Internationals

EMT students delivered an outstanding performance at the HOSA State Leadership Conference, earning first and third place among more than 20 top teams from across Texas. 

The impressive finish qualifies both teams for the HOSA International Leadership Conference this June in Nashville, Tennessee, where they will proudly represent Rockwall ISD and the state of Texas on the national stage. We’re incredibly proud of these future lifesavers and their commitment to service and teamwork.

Congratulations to HOSA Advisor TJ Starling and national qualifiers Daniel R., Coleman B., Isabelle C., and Ruby E.