[2] For his extended service to the district, Hanks was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws from New Mexico State University in nearby Las Cruces, New Mexico in 1965 and was named superintendent emeritus by Ysleta.

The school initially enrolled seventh, eighth and ninth graders comprising the classes that would graduate in 1982, 1983 and 1984.

As those four classes "moved up" each year, the student body thus remained virtually intact until Hanks reached standard high school set of grades 9-12 for the 1981–82 school year.

The Exeter is an annual magazine that is filled with student-submitted content including poems, short stories, and drawings, all based around the year's chosen theme.

Hanks' yearbook is entitled The Shield and the theme of the book is chosen by the student staff at the beginning of each year.