Texarkana Independent School District held a ceremony on Friday to honor three distinguished alumni for the 2026 class of honorees, a celebration that underscores the district’s commitment to showcasing role models for current students and the broader community, according to the Texarkana Gazette.
Dr. Loretta Rhodes‑Sanders, a 1965 graduate of Dunbar High School, was recognized for more than 50 years of public‑education experience. She began her career as a special‑education teacher with Texarkana ISD before spending 24 years with Fort Worth ISD. Rhodes‑Sanders earned a Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Texas Wesleyan University, is a member of the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, received the 2022 Fort Worth ISD Service Award and was selected as a Top Educator in 2023.
Melva Hildreth Flowers, class of 1970 at Texas High School, was honored for over 40 years of service in education, public service, and community leadership. She serves as an adjunct instructor and student‑retention adviser at Texarkana College, and holds presidencies of both Texarkana Resources for the Disabled and the Village Communities of Texarkana Board of Commissioners. In 2025, Flowers was named the Texas & Southwest Regional NAHRO Commissioner of the Year, and she has also received the Living Legend Award from Jarvis Christian University.
Jim Pendergast, a 1981 graduate of Texas High School, was celebrated for more than 40 years of aerospace engineering and human spaceflight experience with the U.S. Air Force and NASA Johnson Space Center. A Texas A&M University graduate, Pendergast contributed to space‑shuttle missions, the International Space Station, and the Orion, Artemis and Gateway programs. The news release notes that he has led development of critical spacecraft systems and hardware, served in mission‑operations and safety‑leadership roles, and earned the NASA Distinguished Award.
Interim Superintendent Sherri Penix said, “These honorees exemplify the values Texarkana ISD seeks to instill in every student: a commitment to lifelong learning, dedication to public service and the drive to make meaningful contributions to society.”
The district indicated that it will continue to recognize outstanding alumni each year, reinforcing pathways for current students to pursue education, community involvement, and careers that benefit the nation.
Sources: texarkanagazette.com
