Donna, Texas — Donna High School has earned 1st place at the 2026 Region One Battle of the Books High School Division Competition, marking a historic milestone for Donna ISD and showcasing the district’s continued commitment to academic excellence and college and career readiness.
Competing against 18 other districts, the Donna High School team rose to the top in one of the region’s most rigorous academic competitions. This is the first time Donna ISD has secured a regional championship in the high school division of Battle of the Books.
Battle of the Books is a district and regional reading competition for students in grades 1 through 12. Designed to foster a love of literature and strengthen academic skills, the competition challenges teams to read from a curated book list and compete in quiz-style matches. Students demonstrate in-depth knowledge of plot, characters, themes, and settings while sharpening critical thinking, collaboration, and recall skills.
Representing Donna High School were:
- Zacarias Ramirez, former Region One Battle of the Books Middle School Division Champion
- Alina De Leon
- Leila Munoz
- Paola Sanchez
The team was led by librarian Teri Kilby, whose leadership and support helped guide this dynamic group of self-driven, goal-oriented students to victory.
Beyond earning the Region One 1st place trophy, these students represent the future of Donna ISD. Their aspirations include careers in writing, medicine, dentistry, and psychological research — a reflection of the district’s focus on preparing students for success beyond graduation.
This achievement highlights the strength of Donna ISD’s academic programs and reinforces the district’s mission to build lifelong learners equipped with the knowledge and skills needed for college, career, and military readiness.
For more information about Donna ISD programs and student achievements, visit www.donnaisd.net.