Houston Independent School District hosted its annual Scholars Recognition Ceremony at the Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel Tuesday, April 12, to recognize the top students from 2023’s graduating class.
Continue readingCategory Archives: Vals and Sals
Lamar HS twins graduate as valedictorian and salutatorian
Lamar High School twins Alex and Lauren Koong are graduating with grade point averages separated by only a thousandth of a point.
Alex is the class of 2022 valedictorian and Lauren is the salutatorian.
Continue readingScholars Recognition Ceremony honors Class of 2021 valedictorians, salutatorians
The Houston Independent School District celebrated the top students from each high school’s graduating class at a Scholars Recognition Ceremony on Tuesday evening at Delmar Stadium.
Dozens of attending valedictorians and salutatorians were presented with medallions by their parents in recognition of their outstanding academic achievements, including a history-making nine valedictorians from Bellaire High School.
Continue readingBellaire HS makes history with nine valedictorians
There have been seniors who have tied for valedictorian at many HISD high schools over the years, but never before have there been nine valedictorians who all achieved a grade point average of 5.0.
Bellaire High School is where this extraordinary achievement happened. The nine valedictorians are Alkiviades Boukas, Daniel Chen, Evie Tseng-Ying Kao, Angela Ling, Miles Mackenzie, Wenson Tsiah-Hao Tang, Christopher Zhou, and twin sisters Annie and Shirley Zhu.
Continue readingTwin sister, brother become valedictorian and salutatorian at Worthing HS
Although Worthing High School salutatorian Kerdy Jn Baptiste is three minutes older than his twin, in the end it was his sister, Kerdian Mia Jn Baptiste, who earned the title of valedictorian. But there is nothing but love and appreciation for each other’s accomplishments.
According to Worthing High School Principal Khalilah Campbell, the Baptiste twins were in a tight race for valedictorian.
“I thought he was going to catch her,” Campbell said, “but in the end, Kerdian won, (and) her twin brother, Kerdy, is our salutatorian.”
Continue readingHeights HS valedictorian accepted to 10 top universities
The list of prestigious universities that want to enroll Heights High School valedictorian Emily Ramirez is impressive—Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Brown, Dartmouth, Duke, Stanford, Wellesley, Pomona, and Rice.
Emily has decided on Harvard, however, partly because her sister is finishing her sophomore year there now. Since attending Harvard Elementary School, it has been a dream of hers to attend Harvard University.
The numerous acceptances have taken the sting out of her disappointment regarding an abbreviated senior year and graduation ceremony that is up in the air.
Continue readingScarborough valedictorian looking forward to in-person classes at Notre Dame
Benjamin Brown has adjusted to his new online classroom routine but says he would prefer to go back to in-person classes to utilize his “full potential.”
Benjamin wakes up 30 minutes prior to his first virtual class, has breakfast, and logs into the portal where the class will take place. Afterward, he immediately gets started on the work for his dual credit and high school classes.
“One of the two of the main challenges I am experiencing with virtual schooling is waking up on time,” he said. “The second is definitely an increase in the amount of work from my dual credit classes.”
Continue readingWestbury valedictorian grateful for friends, family, teachers’ help
Maria Rosas Rosas always looks on the bright side. Despite her disappointment at not seeing her friends and family at graduation, she is feeling proud.
“Being a virtual valedictorian doesn’t feel that different from being a valedictorian walking the halls at Westbury,” Maria said. “Apart from the uncertainty surrounding graduation, I am proud of myself and my accomplishments. I know my friends, teachers, and family are also proud of me. That is all I really need.
“Like everyone else, I can’t help but feel disappointed by the way the school year is ending. We have been working so hard the past four years and expected to see ourselves walking across the stage, receiving our diplomas, and sharing some tears. Now that is gone. Although it’s depressing, I believe it will make our next meeting more memorable..”
Continue readingWaltrip HS valedictorian ready for future in finance
For Yash Shahi, being Waltrip High School’s Class of 2020 virtual valedictorian feels just as good as if school were in session.
“Nothing has changed – it still feels great,” he said. “I am so happy that I was announced valedictorian before school closed.”
Despite the physical distance, Yash has found innovative ways to help his fellow students with the transition to virtual learning.
Continue readingMilby HS valedictorian looks forward to next chapter
Mariela Banda was looking forward to celebrating the end of her high school years in person with her classmates at Milby High School.
“Being a virtual valedictorian is unfortunate since we will not be able to fully close this chapter of our lives before we continue with the next one,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking not to be able to share the joy of graduation with my class. Instead, we have to worry about the future. Being a virtual valedictorian is both challenging and stressful, but I feel certain my class will continue to move forward.”
Mariela is still reaching out to motivate members of her senior class.
Continue reading