First-Day Smiles: Back to School Across East Texas

From the first bus ride to the last first day of high school, students across the region have been kicking off the 2025–2026 school year — and the excitement is showing.

Take a scroll through our community gallery below to see the smiling faces, stylish outfits, and proud families kicking off another year of learning.

Want to be featured? It’s not too late — send your student’s photo, name, grade/program, and school to bd@easttexasbanner.com and we’ll keep adding to the gallery!

Maia Garcia - Senior - Jasper High School

Lexie Nickens - 7th Grade - Kirbyville Jr. High

Elizabeth Woods Woodville Head Start

Destini & Micah Woodard Kirbyville High School

Derral Skinner 1st grade & Carl Skinner - Pre-K - Woodville Elementary

Bee - 8th grade

Aybree Darden - Kindergarten - Kirbyville Elementary

Adalaide Starks - 3rd grade

Abby Bierhalter - 6th grade - Kirbyville

Hanna George and Kayden Hutto

Hanna George

Addison Gentry

Arya Gentry

Myles Perkins 5th grade & Penelope Perkins 3rd grade - Parnell Elementary

Ezekiel "Zek" Mattox - Junior - Kirbyville High School