News

The Houston Christian High School Chorale was honored with a distinguished invitation to perform at the George & Barbara Bush Foundation 2026 Presidential Salute, held at The Post Oak Hotel.

 

The annual Presidential Salute celebrates the enduring values and legacy of President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush while supporting the mission of the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum and related initiatives. The evening featured emcee Anthony Yanez of KPRC2, inspiring remarks from Foundation CEO Alice Gonzalez Yates, and a moderated conversation between President Bush’s grandson Sam Bush LeBlond and legendary former Duke University men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.

 

Opening the evening on a patriotic note, the Houston Christian Choir delivered a moving musical tribute titled “Three Patriotic Treasures,” a medley featuring A New Colossus, My Country ’Tis of Thee, and America, the Beautiful. Their performance set a reverent and celebratory tone as the program led into Presidents’ Day weekend.

 

The event highlighted the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to supporting the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, scholarships, professors of the practice, student programming at The Bush School of Government & Public Service, and the Barbara Bush Fund for Family Literacy.

 

For Houston Christian students, the invitation represented more than a performance opportunity—it was a moment to participate in a historic evening honoring leadership, service, and character. Their voices served as a reminder that the next generation continues to carry forward the values celebrated that night.

Fifteen Houston Christian students participated this past Saturday in the Junior Classical League (JCL) Area Convention at St. Thomas Episcopal School, joining more than 250 students from across the region for a full day of academic, artistic, and athletic competition.

Despite busy schedules and competing commitments, Houston Christian’s JCL members demonstrated exceptional preparation and perseverance, earning a total of 33 individual awards and placing 5th Overall in the Small School Division.

Students competed in rigorous academic contests focused on Roman and Greek history, mythology, grammar, vocabulary, and Latin language skills. Award recipients in academic competitions included Tully Florey '26, Lila Habenicht '27, Andrew Knobbe'26, Charlie Chauvin '28, Sam (Michael) Cessac '28, Lauren Dickerson'26, Declan Cody '28, Christian Richards '29, Merritt Olson '28, Harper Dean '29, Charlotte Young '28, Anne Marrs '28, and Jackson Yi '27, with multiple students earning top-five finishes across categories.

Several students also earned distinction in the Pentathlon, a comprehensive academic competition. Pentathlon honors were awarded to Lauren Dickerson and Charlotte Young (Magna Cum Laude), along with Charlie Chauvin, Tully Florey, Lila Habenicht, Andrew Knobbe, Anne Marrs, and Jackson Yi (Cum Laude).

Houston Christian students also showcased their creativity in artistic and performance categories. Awards were earned by Andrew Knobbe (Traditional Photography), Tully Florey (Poetry), Declan Cody (Computer Enhanced Photography), Merritt Olson (Poster), Lila Habenicht (Illustrated Quotes), Lauren Dickerson (Mosaics), Diana Berry '29 (Watercolor or Pastels), Harper Dean (Vocal Solo), Sofia Ianculovici '28 (Miscellaneous Art), Sam (Michael) Cessac (Poetry), and Jackson Yi (Cartoons).

Athletically, Tully Florey and Christian Richards '29 earned 2nd Place in Volleyball, competing alongside students from Clear Creek High School.

Student artwork and awards will be displayed outside the Latin classroom in the coming days, and the community is encouraged to stop by to view the display and congratulate these students on their accomplishments.

Houston Christian is proud of the dedication, discipline, and excellence demonstrated by its Junior Classical League members. Their success at the Area Convention reflects a strong commitment to academics, creativity, and community, values at the heart of classical education.

Houston Christian High School is proud to announce that Dr. Bobby Linhart, Fine Arts Director, has been selected as the 2026 Arts Educator of the Year by Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) Leading Ladies. Dr. Linhart will be honored at the Leading Ladies Luncheon on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Tony’s on Richmond Avenue.

This prestigious recognition honors an educator in the Greater Houston area who exemplifies extraordinary commitment to arts education. Since 2019, the Arts Educator of the Year award has celebrated educators whose influence extends far beyond the classroom, shaping students and strengthening the broader arts community.

Dr. Linhart was nominated by Shelly Mulanax, Terry Hibbert, and Adam Kral, whose submissions highlighted his lasting impact on students both personally and professionally. One nominator shared that Dr. Linhart “is the reason I still participate in theatrical productions as an adult,” while another praised his ability to prepare students for success in university and professional settings. Parents also emphasized his encouragement, kindness, and ability to draw students out of their comfort zones.

The Leading Ladies Luncheon brings together philanthropists and advocates dedicated to supporting musical theatre and arts-based programming for individuals of all abilities. The 2026 event will also honor Helen Shaffer as the Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Education and is chaired by June Deadrick.

Dr. Linhart joins a distinguished group of past honorees recognized for their contributions to arts education across Houston. His selection reflects not only his excellence as an educator, but also his deep investment in students, storytelling, and the transformative power of the arts.

Houston Christian High School congratulates Dr. Linhart on this well-earned honor and celebrates the profound legacy he continues to build through his leadership, creativity, and unwavering dedication to students.

Houston Christian High School Fine Arts is proud to announce that four student musicians have earned placement in the Texas Private School Music Educators Association (TPSMEA) All-State Ensembles, the highest honor for private school musicians in the state of Texas.

Selected for the TPSMEA All-State Choir are Finley Sullivan (10), Adelyn Goerig (10), and Anna Senseman (12). Carissa Kuo (10) earned selection to the TPSMEA All-State Orchestra, a significant achievement recognizing exceptional musicianship and dedication.

The students participated in an intensive three-day preparation and rehearsal experience in Richardson, Texas, working under the direction of distinguished conductors from across the state. Their work culminated in professional-level concert performances at the Eisemann Center, showcasing the excellence and discipline required of All-State musicians.

Earning a place in a TPSMEA All-State Ensemble represents the highest level of recognition in Texas private school music. Houston Christian celebrates these students for their hard work, perseverance, and commitment to their craft, and applauds the Fine Arts faculty for their continued investment in developing musical excellence.

Last Friday, Houston Christian High School’s DSP 10 and 11 scholars spent the day at Rice University, engaging in an immersive academic experience focused on collegiate-level research.

As part of their literature review process, students explored advanced research databases commonly used in higher education. With guided support and hands-on access to scholarly sources, students gathered high-quality research that strengthened their analysis and deepened their understanding of their chosen topics.

The visit provided valuable insight into the expectations and practices of university-level scholarship, allowing students to refine critical thinking skills and engage more thoughtfully with complex material. Experiences like this reflect Houston Christian’s commitment to academic rigor and preparing students for the demands of college and beyond.

The Rice University library visit marked an important step in the DSP program’s emphasis on authentic research, curiosity-driven learning, and the pursuit of academic excellence.

Houston Christian High School has been named to the 2024–25 AP® School Honor Roll, a national recognition from the College Board that highlights schools committed to expanding access to Advanced Placement coursework while supporting students on the path to college success.

This distinction reflects the strong academic performance of the Class of 2025, as well as a schoolwide commitment to cultivating a college-going culture. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools that successfully encourage student participation in AP courses and exams while helping students achieve meaningful outcomes.

Research consistently shows that students who take AP courses and exams are more likely to attend college and graduate on time. Those who earn college credit through AP are able to accelerate their academic journey, while all AP students benefit from early exposure to college-level rigor, critical thinking, and academic confidence.

Earning a place on the AP School Honor Roll is the result of a collective effort across campus. From dedicated teachers and counselors to supportive administrators, families, and motivated students, the recognition underscores Houston Christian’s shared commitment to academic excellence and preparation beyond high school.

The College Board will publicly recognize schools on the 2025 AP School Honor Roll on January 30, highlighting institutions across the United States and Canada that meet or exceed the program’s benchmarks for AP participation and performance.

Houston Christian High School celebrates this achievement as a meaningful milestone for the Class of 2025 and a testament to the strength of its academic programs. Congratulations to all students, faculty, and families who helped make this recognition possible.

Houston Christian High School is proud to celebrate the achievements of orchestra students Thomas Chang'28 (violin) and Nicholas Chang'28 (cello), who were selected to perform with the TPSMEA Region South Honors Orchestra, an ensemble representing the top private school musicians across the Houston area.

Selection for the honors orchestra is highly competitive and recognizes students for their musical skill, preparation, and commitment to excellence. Thomas and Nicholas represented Houston Christian with distinction, performing in the Region South Honors Orchestra concert held on January 11th.

Their accomplishment highlights both individual dedication and the strength of Houston Christian’s orchestra program, which continues to cultivate disciplined musicianship and a love for the arts. The Houston Christian community congratulates Thomas and Nicholas on this well-deserved recognition and applauds their continued pursuit of musical excellence.