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trainers. The EyeGuide is a device which measures the tracking 
of an athlete’s pupils. In just 45 seconds, it can alert trainers to a 
potential neurological impairment. 

All AISD student athletes, except those in swimming and 

cross country in which concussions are rare, underwent baseline 
testing with the EyeGuide at the start of the school year. The 
baseline is compared with a new reading anytime a concussion 
is a concern.

“I went to a neurosurgeon with the EyeGuide,” says Jena. “He 

said the eyes never lie. When you hear from a neurosurgeon that 
this is a great tool, it brings you a certain amount of comfort that 
we’re doing the right thing.”

Once a concussion is diagnosed by a physician, AISD follows 

University Interscholastic League (UIL) concussion protocol.  
Students are rehabbed through the injury, for as much time as 
it takes. The EyeGuide test is often repeated to monitor progress. 
Student athletes can’t return to practice until both a physician 
and parents agree.

A Game Changer

For parents making tough decisions, AISD’s next-level care for 

student athletes is a game changer.  Justin maintains there’s never 
been a safer time to play football, or any sport, particularly in 
AISD. The progress shows in the District’s participation numbers. 
“The number of athletes is skyrocketing. Football… everything 
has gone up,” says Justin. “Not every school district has athletic 
trainers at practice, the capabilities of baseline testing or team 
doctors so you can align your treatment with rehab. Everything 
we have done has created a safer environment, I believe.” 

“There’s not a lot of fanfare for student athletic trainers. They 

don’t get to run through the tunnel, but they do a lot of hard work,” 
says Tascosa High School Head Athletic Trainer Brian Mullins, 
who oversees the school’s student athletic trainer program. 

This year, Brian’s program at Tascosa is 40 students strong, but 

there are dozens of student athletic trainers at each of AISD’s four 
high schools. 

Students enter the program as freshmen. “The fi rst year or two 

are very intense with the knowledge base they’re learning,” says 
Brian. “We’re trying to get them where they’re able to perform at 
a certain level when they travel with the team. We have to know 
they can tape an ankle, perform CPR if they need to, or administer 
fi rst aid.”

For students interested in sports medicine or the medical 

fi eld, the student athletic trainer program is a head start both in 
knowledge and experience, and it puts them on a competitive 
track to earning a college scholarship. “We fi ght for scholarships 
for our trainers. I’ve had several in the last few years who’ve gone 
on to be athletic trainers in college,” says Brian. “Our kids are very 
well-rounded when they leave the program.” 

To become an athletic trainer, students must complete an 

application process, as well as meet certain grade requirements 
and submit teacher recommendations. For more information on 
AISD’s student athletic trainer program, students can talk to their 
high school counselor.

Student Athletic Trainers

Anthony Harwell
Samuel Laney
Dawson Miller
Rajiv Saralaya

Dzmitry Savitski
Meera Shaw
Kaden Spellmann
Kincannon Wilson

Amarillo High

National Merit Commended Scholars:

Thomas Bales 
Thomas Chen
William Chen
Gabrielle Douthitt

Thomas Diaz
Jesse Putman

Tascosa High

William Boyce

Amarillo High School

Luke McKay

Amarillo High School

Sahithi Tirumala

Amarillo High School

Amarillo ISD Congratulates our

National Merit Finalists!