On Monday, February 3, TWHS Senior Alex Hant was awarded a $2,500 scholarship from the American Furniture Warehouse and KPRC2 News station, recognizing her dedication to academic excellence and community involvement.
The scholarship, awarded to only 20 seniors in the East Texas Region, was created to support students who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to their educational goals. Each school nominates a sole representative, and, after the counseling staff chose Hant, she submitted a short supplemental explaining why she deserved the scholarship, securing her position as our school’s nominee.
Hant’s remarkable accomplishments and dedication made her a standout choice for this recognition. At TWHS, she has been a vital member of the Debate Team, serving as a competitor and as a leader in various roles, including Debate Captain for the past three years, as well as Social Director, Vice President, and President throughout her time in the program. Additionally, she qualified to Speech and Debate nationals twice and TFA state three times in her event, Lincoln Douglas. Hant is also president of TWHS National Honor Society, a HOSA and DECA state qualifier, and an active member of the school’s UIL Academic team.
Even after the school day ends, Hant’s dedication to her community continues. As an instructor at Mathnasium of The Woodlands, she tutors students from Pre-K through 12th grade, helping them develop confidence and mastery in mathematics. Few can match her passion for giving back; as the president of Women in Debate, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, she works to make high school debate more inclusive and accessible for gender minority and low-income students through scholarships and mentorship programs. Her leadership extends into the legal field as well–for the past three summers, she has served as a legal and judicial intern in Montgomery County, gaining hands-on experience in the justice system. Additionally, she was one of only two girls selected to represent Texas in Washington, D.C., at American Legion Auxiliary Girls’ Nation, an honor that speaks to her exceptional leadership and advocacy.
But what Hant is most proud of isn’t her academics or extracurriculars, it’s her perseverance. Hant comes from a low income background, achieving much of her resume without having a stable homelife. “It was a lot to juggle,” she explains, “I wouldn’t have been able to do any of it without the support of my friends and staff at [The Woodlands High School].”
And Hant’s work has not gone unnoticed, her teachers take immense pride in her achievements. Hant’s former AP Psychology teacher, Courtney Leone, explained when asked about her experiences with Hant, “She’s amazing. What has she not won? One of the most extraordinary individuals I have ever met.”
As she continues to prepare for college, Alex Hant hopes her story can inspire other students from disadvantaged backgrounds to work hard and take advantage of the resources available to them as a TWHS student.
The dedication, intelligence, and confidence that Hant exemplifies is hard to capture in writing, but she is proving each day that passion and hard work really do pay off. This fall, she is set to continue her education at Dartmouth, where she will double major in Government and Journalism with a minor in Public Policy. It is with great respect that we highlight Alex Hant for the example she has been to students at TWHS and The Woodlands community.
