Elgin Distinguished Alumni to Be Recognized at June's Purple & White Jubilee

The Purple & White Jubilee, an all-class reunion honoring Elgin Independent School District graduates since 2010, returns Saturday, June 27, 2026. An awards ceremony recognizing the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Awards and the EISD Distinguished Service Award will begin at 2 p.m. at the Elgin High School Auditorium on County Line Road, followed by an all-class reunion from 3-5 p.m. at the SPJST Hall on Highway 95.

A special distinguished alumni award will be conferred on the late Ricky Rodriguez (Elgin High School Class of 1974). The Ricky Rodriguez Legacy of Excellence Award has been created to honor graduates who embody qualities of leadership, service and commitment to making a difference in the community. The youth mentorship at his business, as well as involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the elderly community and people in need demonstrated by Rodriguez represent the heart and spirit of Elgin.

Receiving a distinguished alumni award for business and professional achievement is Adam Muery (EHS Class of 1994). George Wesley Smith Jr. (Washington High School Class of 1963) is the recipient of the award for community service. Ashton Howell (EHS Class of 2007) will receive the award for her work in education. Malford Milligan (EHS Class of 1978) will receive the award in social services and the arts. The EISD Distinguished Service Award will be presented to long-time EISD educator Cheryl Thomas.

The classes of the 1940s will be recognized at the ceremony, along with the late Homer Johnson (EHS Class of 1950), the individual responsible for the creation of the composite class photographs hanging in the halls of the Administration Building.

All members of the Elgin community, whether they are EISD graduates or not, are encouraged to attend the ceremony to honor alumni and the reunion to enjoy music, entertainment and an opportunity to visit with friends and neighbors.

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Elgin ISD High School Alumni Request Nominations for Distinguished Alumni Awards

Since 2010, Elgin Independent School District has honored distinguished alumni whose excellence, civic leadership, and service reflect the heart of our community. Now we invite you to nominate an Elgin High School or Washington High School graduate who embodies these values—whether through bold leadership or quiet, steadfast dedication—and has made a lasting impact in Elgin and beyond. Honorees will be announced at an all-class reunion, known as the Purple & White Jubilee on June 27, 2026 at 2 p.m.

NOMINATION REQUEST
 

Celebrate Excellence: Nominate an Outstanding Elgin ISD Graduate

Elgin has always been a small town with big ambitions. It is a place defined by high standards, caring hearts, and a shared belief in the power of education and community. Being a good neighbor has always been at the core of what it means to be from Elgin, and that spirit continues to inspire generations of students, families, and leaders.

Since 2010, our community has proudly honored distinguished alumni of the Elgin Independent School District—individuals whose lives reflect the very best of who we are. These remarkable men and women have excelled in their careers, demonstrated exceptional civic involvement, and dedicated themselves to the service of others. Their achievements have made a lasting impact not only in Elgin, but also across the region, nation, and beyond.

Now, it’s your turn to help celebrate the next group of outstanding alumni. We invite you to nominate an Elgin High School or Washington High School graduate who embodies excellence and a commitment to making a difference in whatever role they have served. Whether their influence is seen in bold leadership or in quiet, steadfast service and work, each nominee should represent the heart and spirt of Elgin.

Nominations are open through March 1, 2026. 

Selections will be made by a committee composed of Elgin ISD board of trustees president Byron Mitchell and trustees Pete Bega and Teneisha Wilson; a former award recipient Kim Fromme; members of past selection committees Debbie Cartwright and Judy Matetzsch-Campbell; and community volunteers Jens Anderson, Sabrina Montemayor, and Greg Meyer. The award recipients will be notified prior to the ceremony scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 2 p.m. 

Who do you know whose life and work make Elgin ISD proud? Help us tell their story and honor the legacy of excellence that continues to define our community. 

Information about the Purple & White Jubilee and Distinguished Alumni Awards

In 2010, the first all-class reunion for graduates of Elgin High School and High School was held. Called the Purple & White Jubilee and planned as a five-year event, the next reunion was celebrated in 2015. Because of the pandemic, the 2020 Jubilee was cancelled. 

Three alumni were honored in 2010: Marilyn Guenther Bettis (1956), Dorothy Doolittle (1965), and John Westbrook (1965). A distinguished service award was bestowed on Karin Barker (1959). 

Honored in 2015 were T. Berry (1966), Kim Fromme (1973), Harry Krenek (1959), and Dwight Lind (1953). Don Hudson received the distinguished service award. No awards were made in 2020. 

In 2025, an all-class reunion was held during Elgin’s Western Days celebration in June at the SPJST Lodge. Distinguished alumni and service awards were not made at that time. Instead, it was determined that the awards would be made during another reunion on June 27, 2026 at 2 p.m. The five-year schedule for the jubilee and distinguished alumni awards will resume in 2030.
 

Qualifications for Nominees

Distinguished alumni awards will be given to individuals who (1) are at least 30 years of age and graduates of Elgin High School or Washington High School and (2) have made or are making outstanding contributions to society in their professional or personal endeavors. While there are many endeavors and individuals who are deserving of recognition, awards will be made based on selected categories. Nominees who are nominated but not selected in 2026 will considered at the next Purple & White Jubilee in 2030.

A distinguished service award will also be made. The recipient need not be a graduate of Elgin schools but must have worked for the Elgin Independent School District in any capacity for at least 20 years.

Supporting documents must accompany your nomination. Please send supporting documents (resumes, news articles, and/or other background information) by e-mail on or before Sunday, March 1, 2026 to elgintxalumni@gmail.com  or by mail to PO Box 311, Elgin, TX 78621 on or before Monday, March 2, 2026.

Nomination Categories

Business and Professional: farming, ranching, agribusiness, retail, wholesale, banking, sales, manufacturing, computer design, law, medicine, veterinary science, accounting, and other for-profit enterprises;

Community Service: military, charitable activities, ministry, elected and appointed political positions, postal service and government work, and other non-profit enterprises; 

Education: public and private elementary, secondary, and higher education teaching, administration, research, and athletics; and 

Social Services and Arts:   mental and emotional health counseling and research, wellness activities, music, drama, art, and entertainment.

These categories are intended to be broad. The careers or activities mentioned under each category are examples and are not intended to limit nominations. If a person’s qualifications fit within a category, please feel free to nominate him or her.

Nominations are encouraged in each category. You may nominate in just one category or fewer than four. Please use the nomination form to submit your nominations, including a brief description for each about why the nominee deserves the award. Additionally, attach a resume or any relevant background information about the nominee. Make sure that all forms are fully completed, as incomplete submissions will not be accepted. The committee will do its best to verify the information provided about the nominee and may reach out for further details, if necessary.

Nomination Deadline and Delivery

Nominations will be accepted through March 1, 2026 by email, or by regular postal service mail by March 2, 2026. The nomination form and required information must be delivered to the Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee no later than the end of day on Sunday, March 1, by email (elgintxalumni@gmail.com), or on or before Monday, March 2, by regular mail (PO Box 311, Elgin, TX 78621).

 

Click Here For the Online Nomination Form