High school seniors now know who will speak for them at graduation ceremonies this week.
East Williamson County valedictorians and salutatorians have been named. Area high schools include Taylor, Legacy Early College, Thrall and Granger.
The top twos recently elaborated on themselves, future plans … and superpowers.
TAYLOR HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
Name: Trey Boles
Parent’s names: Jarrell and Renee Boles
Activities: Class officer, NHS officer, Superintendent Advisory Council, Tennis, Silver Cord, active parishioner at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church
College: The University of Texas at Austin
Why: It’s my dream school. I’m a lifelong Longhorn. If you ask anyone to describe me, the first thing they’ll say is that I’m a Longhorn.
Major: Actuarial Science
Dream job: CEO of a financial firm
Superpower: I’m a problem solver – school, life, work. I want to solve all of the world’s problems.
Life philosophy: “Never meet a stranger.” … That was a phrase my grandpa, Bubby McMakin, lived by. Always talk to people, get to know them and be their friend. Never allow anyone to be a stranger.
SALUTATORIAN
Name: Lindsay O’Dell
Parent’s names: Liz and Donny O’Dell
Activities: Softball, Volleyball, Silver Cord, Superintendent Advisory Council, class officer, youth leader at First Baptist Church Taylor
College: Loyola Marymount University
Why: I will play softball for the university. It is a wellrounded school that will challenge me athletically and academically.
Major: Accounting
Dream job: Defense attorney
Superpower: Empath
Life philosophy: “Smile, and the whole world smiles with you. Frown, and you frown alone.
LEGACY EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
Name: Savannah Coy
Parent’s names: Sabrina & Gabriel Coy
Activities: Movie Club, freshman year; Chess Club and Orientation, sophomore year; National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Kappa Delta, junior and senior years
Biggest achievement: My biggest achievement in school was staying at the top of my class through all four years of high school, and being named the valedictorian my senior year.
College: Texas A&M University
Why: Because A&M is known for being one of the best schools in the state of Texas to obtain a business degree from; and upon my tour of the school, it emitted a home-like, positive academic and social environment. It is also relatively close to home.
Major: Business administration
Dream Job: Financial analyst
Superpower: If I were to choose an attribute for a “superpower” that I have, it would likely be needing barely any sleep, yet still being able to perform well. However, I do not like designating any aspect as a “superpower,” for myself or anyone else at Legacy. Doing so seems to diminish the struggle and commitment that we have put towards our success, making it seem almost effortless, when this could not be further from the truth. It is only through dedication and hard work that we are where we are today.
Life philosophy: “Life is an amalgamation of choices, and every choice bears consequences, whether they are positive or negative. Thus, life is what you make of it. You have power over your present and your future.”
SALUTATORIAN
Name: Ryan Abbott
Parent’s names: Graciela Yanez and Randy Abbott
Activities: Student Council Class of 2022 Representative (2018- 2022), LECH National Honor Society Member (2020-2022), LECH’s National Honor Society Officer 2021-2022 Chapter – Treasurer, Chess Club member (2018-2019).
Biggest achievement: I am proud of all I have achieved at Legacy Early College High School. However, I feel that my greatest accomplishment has been graduating as salutatorian of the Legacy Class of 2022, It was an accomplishment that I worked very hard to achieve.
College: Texas A&M University-Commerce
Why: I chose Texas A&M-Commerce because of the great history program that they offer as well as the university is in a small hometown feel, much like that of Taylor. Additionally, I was accepted into the Texas A&M-Commerce Honors College, which definitely was a big factor in my decision to commit to the university.
Major: History within an emphasis in seventh through 12th grade teaching with a minor in environmental science.
Dream Job: College history professor
Superpower: I don’t think that I have an ability that would qualify as a superpower. However, if I had to choose one thing, I would probably choose my good memory as being my superpower.
Life philosophy: “Ability will enable a man to get to the top, but character will keep him from falling.”
GRANGER HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
Name: Hunter Prinz
Parent’s names: Jody Prinz and Amanda Ablanedo
Activities: FCCLA national president, UIL, Student Council, The Locker, class vice president, National Honor Society chapter president, One Act Play, National Art Society, FFA, 4-H, Cross Country, Track, Football, Basketball
Biggest achievement: Mayoral recognition proclamation for my community service efforts
College: Stanford University
Why: I always set high goals for myself, and this was a college I viewed as a challenge to get accepted to, so Iwent for it. Ultimately, I love that Stanford is a research-based college, and the community is awesome. Plus, it’s one of the top five schools in the nation.
Major: Public policy
Dream job: Government official
Superpower: My superpower would probably be to help people. I love community service and have been able to help people from across the nation, so I would say it’s my superpower.
Life philosophy: “I am intelligent, because I know nothing,” — Socrates. … I live by this quote because I accept that I will always be ignorant in some areas, but It encourages me to continue learning and approving on myself through my life.
SALUTATORIAN
Name: Johnny Ryder
Parent’s names: Tracy Terry, Seth Terry and Brad Ryder
Activities: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Track, One Act Play, UIL academics, National Honor Society, The Locker
Biggest achievement: Salutatorian and allstate football
College: Texas A&M University
Why: Great campus and spirit, and I got a full ride
Major: Kinesiology and sports science
Dream job: Physical Therapist
Superpower: People person
Life philosophy: “Be happy”
THRALL HIGH SCHOOL
VALEDICTORIAN
Name: Cady Barcak
Parent’s names: Rodney and Michell Barcak
Activities: National Honor Society, Cross Country, Track, Tennis, Cheerleading, Yearbook editor, FCA, Student Council, Speech, Debate
Biggest achievement: Qualifying for state in cross examination debate
College: Pennsylvania State University
Why: I chose Penn State because of the alumni network. It will expose me to the school spirit, pride, and because of how small and prestigious their communications school is.
Major: Communications – AD/PR, Journalism
Dream job: Editor of Vogue Magazine
Superpower: My work ethic
Life philosophy: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
SALUTATORIAN
Name: Emily Miksch Parent’s names: Terry
Parent’s names: Terry and Cindy Miksch
Activities: Cheerleading, Golf, Student Council, FCCLA, National Honor Society
Biggest achievement: Earning the title of salutatorian
College: Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
Why: Offered opportunities and have family who recommended it to me
Major: Undecided
Dream job: Something that is fulfilling for myself and others
Superpower: Resilience
Life philosophy: “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness of people.”
GRADUATION SCHEDULE
Legacy Early College High School held their graduation ceremony Friday, May 20, at the Taylor ISD Event Center. All remaining area high schools, as well as Coupland School’s eldest class (eighth grade), will be graduating this week starting Thursday. Pending weather, which interrupted and complicated graduations last year, here is this week’s schedule.
COUPLAND
When: Thursday, May 26, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Coupland School, 620 S. Commerce Street, Coupland
Livestream: https://www.couplandisd.org.
HUTTO
When: Thursday, May 26, 8 p.m.
Where: Hutto Memorial Stadium, 573 Chris Kelley Blvd., Hutto
Livestream: http://www.hipponation.org
TAYLOR
When: Friday, May 27, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Taylor Stadium, 231 Wesley Miller Lane, Taylor
— Behind the high school on FM 973 off the U.S. 79 loop southwest of Taylor
Livestream: http://www.facebook.com/gotaylortx (Taylor Press Facebook page)
THRALL
When: Friday, May 27, 8 p.m.
Where: Tiger Stadium, 201 S. Bounds St., Thrall
Livestream: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxyD_4AjA9AUgNoeSRIsPg
GRANGER
When: Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m.
Where: Taylor ISD Event Center, 3101 N. Main St., Taylor
