The faculty and staff of Tekoa Academy convened this week at Kingdom Dominion Church to celebrate 20 years of academic excellence.

Attendees were greeted Wednesday with a spirited speech by Mayor Thurman Bartie, and guest speakers included Relounda Roberson, Delilah Francis and James Wigfall from Space Center Houston.

CEO Dr. Paula Richardson recognized employees with more than a decade of service.

Tekoa Academy of Accelerated Studies opened Aug. 16, 1999, with kindergarten through sixth grade students. Now, Tekoa Academy serves students from pre- kindergarten to 12th grade with campuses in Port Arthur and Orange.

Special to The News