ACS— Under the lights of Warrior Stadium on a chilly night in mid-February, the Thompson High School Soccer Program paused to honor the "team behind the team" during its annual Teacher Appreciation Night. This tradition, which had been discontinued in 2018, was revived three years ago by Men’s Soccer Associate Head Coach Cesar Rivas to recognize the vital link between academic mentorship and athletic success.
The selection process was left entirely to the players, who each chose one educator who significantly impacted their academic journey or personal growth. Honorees ranged from veteran high school instructors to teachers from various feeder schools, reflecting the deep-rooted influence of ACS educators. By welcoming these mentors onto the pitch, the program offered a public "thank you" for the lessons that extend far beyond the classroom.
"Teachers teach discipline, perseverance, accountability, and resilience—the same qualities our student-athletes rely on during training, gamedays, and in life," said Coach Rivas.
He noted that the night serves as a powerful reminder to educators that their hard work is seen.
"The late nights of grading, the extra encouragement before an exam or the ACT, and the consistent structure and support—it matters. It carries into locker rooms, onto the pitch, and into the character of every student-athlete at Thompson."
Through this collaborative event, the soccer program successfully highlighted that the "Warrior Spirit" is nurtured just as much by dedicated teachers as it is by coaches on the field.
Honored Educators
The following educators were recognized by Thompson Soccer student-athletes for their dedication and inspiration:
* Adam Sport
* Alonzo Barrett
* Amber Yates
* Amy Allison
* Amy Wilson
* Ana Sibrian
* Andrew Patterson
* Angela Glover
* Anna Catherine Smith
* Anthony Huntley
* Arielis Markham
* Ashley Bell
* Ashley Gremillion
* Ashley Riner
* Audra Faust
* Avery Horton
* Bethany Smart
* Brandi Smith
* Brendan Gould
* Brianna Peterson
* Brittany Sport
* Cesar Rivas
* Charles Ragland
* Charli Hamlin
* Cheryl O'Brien
* Chris Davalos
* Chris Walker
* Christian Jones
* Cole Pruitt
* Corey Hyman
* Daniel Pruitt
* Delesia Lowery
* Edward Love
* Elizabeth Sevilla
* Emily Cahill
* Emily Davis
* Ethan Hensley
* Graham Bennett
* Grant Urbanski
* Greg Ragland
* Greg Vinson
* Gregory Robertson
* Hannah Green
* Hannah Rue
* Helen Dotson
* Holly Porter
* Isabella Conrad
* Isabella Dunning
* Jackie Harp
* Jacob Smith
* Jaime Burnett
* Jake Morris
* Jake Parker
* James Barnes
* Jamiah Robbins
* Janna Schach
* Jenny Swinea
* Joe Alaimo
* Josh Elliott
* Justin Peavy
* Karla Byrd
* Katelynn Hagerla
* Katherine Mann
* Kecia McAlpine
* Kendra Lawley
* Kevin Todd
* Kimber Lee Campbell
* Kimberly Sawyer
* Kirby Walker
* Kirstin Hall
* Larry Todd
* Lauren Hyche
* Leslie Gant
* Leslie Lazarre
* Mac Lee
* Marsy Moreno
* Mary Agee
* Mathew Furuto
* Matthew Dollar
* McKenzie Wayman
* Michael Chambless
* Michael Wilbanks
* Michelle Abernathy
* Michelle Griswold
* Michelle McGraw
* Mo Edwards
* Molly Stemple
* Nathan Button
* Nerissa Deramus
* Nicholas Woodley
* Patricia Tauber
* Paul Furman
* Rebecca Dotson
* Ryan Sanders
* Samuel Boshell
* Shana Webb
* Shelli Abernathy
* Sherrie McNaught
* Terri Wright
* Tracy Hays
* Turner Till
* Victoria Roskam
* Zane Arnold
See a gallery of photos and videos from 2026 Thompson Soccer Teacher Appreciation Night.