![The 2023-2024 Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League (TCSAAL) Texas Cup for the Middle School Premier Schools division is displayed on a table alongside other received awards during the Rising Scholars Academy campus trophy presentation ceremony]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1727103799/stisdnet/ii2ejok8yahtg4urx4xv/RSA23-24TCSAALTrophyCupCrop.jpg","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1727103799/stisdnet/ii2ejok8yahtg4urx4xv/RSA23-24TCSAALTrophyCupCrop.jpg","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1727103799/stisdnet/ii2ejok8yahtg4urx4xv/RSA23-24TCSAALTrophyCupCrop.jpg","width":589}])
The athletic program at South Texas Independent School District (STISD) Rising Scholars Academy (Rising Scholars) in San Benito was recently named the 2023-2024 Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League (TCSAAL) Texas Cup winner for the Middle School Premier Schools division based upon its performance last athletic season.
According to TCSAAL, the Texas Cup is presented each year to the top performing Varsity and Middle School Premier Schools across all activities offered. Schools earn points based on their performance in athletics, arts and academic competitions throughout the school year, with TCSAAL awarding point allocations to each campus based on their performance in the majority of the activities offered in the 6-8 Grade Premier and Varsity contest groupings.
Rising Scholars Academy students participate in the following competitive sports through TCSAAL:
- Flag Football
- Girls Volleyball
- Boys Basketball
- Girls Basketball
- Boys & Girls Cross Country
- Boys Soccer
- Girls Soccer
- Boys Golf
- Girls Golf
- Boys Tennis
- Girls Tennis
Priscilla Calderon, STISD athletic coordinator, and Rico Benavidez, RSA coach, accepted the trophy on behalf of the school while attending the TCSAAL coaches conference last month. Benavidez shared what this achievement means to the STISD Rising Scholars Academy community, saying, “This type of recognition would not be possible without our student athletes and coaches giving their all day in and day out. It is exciting to see what we’ve achieved as a campus and as a district in just a short time, and we look forward to continuing to make a name for STISD across the state. Congratulations, Rising Scholars Academy athletics!”
To celebrate as a school community, Rising Scholars Academy hosted a trophy presentation ceremony after school on Wednesday, Sept. 18. The campus invited its athletes, coaches and families to attend to celebrate this award.
STISD’s other middle school, STISD Preparatory Academy in Edinburg, who received the 2022-2023 Texas Cup, came in second in the running for the 2023-2024 school year.
South Texas ISD is a state- and nationally-recognized public school district offering tuition-free college- and career-preparation to students from Cameron, Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. The all-magnet district is comprised of seven secondary campuses within the Rio Grande Valley, including four high schools serving grades 9-12 – South Texas ISD Health Professions (Health Professions) in Mercedes, South Texas ISD Medical Professions (Medical Professions) in Olmito, South Texas ISD Science Academy (Science Academy) in Mercedes, and South Texas ISD World Scholars (World Scholars) in Edinburg – two middle schools serving grades 6 through 8, South Texas ISD Preparatory Academy (Preparatory Academy) in Edinburg and South Texas ISD Rising Scholars Academy (Rising Scholars Academy) in San Benito, and one stand-alone virtual school serving students in grades 6-12, South Texas ISD Virtual Academy (Virtual Academy). For additional information, call 1-800-21STUDY or visit www.stisd.net.