The photo shoots are part of the annual Best Preps program, which will celebrate seven years in Tyler in 2025. Since its inception, the program has recognized outstanding high school student-athletes based not only on their athletic performance but also their GPA and their volunteerism and community involvement. (Jennifer Scott/Tyler Morning Telegraph)

From Staff Reports

Professional photo shoots built excitement this week for what has become a premier program to honor student-athletes in East Texas.

The Tyler Morning Telegraph, owned by local company M. Roberts Media, held the second-annual Best Preps Tyler Photo Shoot on Tuesday at First Presbyterian Church. Dozens of student-athletes gathered to have their photos taken, learn more about the Best Preps awards program, enjoy a meal, play games and mingle with peers.

The photo shoot is part of the annual Best Preps program, which will celebrate seven years in Tyler in 2025. Since its inception, the program has recognized outstanding high school student-athletes based not only on their athletic performance but also their GPA and their volunteerism and community involvement.

M. Roberts Media began taking nominations for fall sports earlier this fall. Participating coaches and athletic directors nominated one student from each sport. Along with getting their photos taken by a professional staff photographer, student-athletes and their families were also invited to enjoy food from Jucys Taco and play games while mingling with other area students and families.

The photos will be used in the second annual Best Preps souvenir magazine set to publish in April when the 2025 awards programs will be held. The magazine highlights winners and nominees. Parents or businesses interested in advertising opportunities can contact Sales Manager Donna Valentine at dvalentine@mrobertsmedia.com or 409-499-2229.

These photo shoots were made possible thanks to a number of community supporters, including Mobberly Baptist Church in Longview and First Presbyterian Church in Tyler which graciously offered their spaces as venues, respectively, for the shoots. Sponsors include Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Tyler, Christus Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute, East Texas Professional Credit Union, Jucys Taco and more.

The awards program recognizes the top student-athletes in 26 varsity sports from participating schools.

The nominations will be submitted to an independent selection committee that will vote on the overall winner for each varsity sport. Additionally, the selection committee will choose an overall male and female Athlete of the Year from the individual sport nominees. The Athlete of the Year recipients will each receive a $500 scholarship from the Tyler Morning Telegraph. The selection committee will also choose several specialty awards based on the submitted nominations from the coaches.

While the fall nominee deadline has passed, spring nominations are still being accepted until March.

Winners will be announced at the 2025 banquet. Hundreds of people attend the banquet each year.

The seventh annual Best Preps Tyler is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at Green Acres Crosswalk Center, 1607 Troup Hwy. in Tyler.

For more information, contact bestpreps@mrobertsmedia.com and visit https://tylerbestpreps.com.