Students in area school districts are preparing to walk across the stage next week. Each school has named their valedictorian and salutatorian.
The valedictorian is the student with the highest grade point average in the class, and delivers the valedictory, farewell speech, at graduation. The salutatorian is the second highest ranked student in the class. He or she delivers the salutatory, an address of welcome, at graduation.
Taylor High School
Jett Vanbroklin was named valedictorian. He is the son of Curtis and Heidi Vanbrocklin.
He plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study computer science and engineering. He hopes to someday design computer system robotics.
Vanbrocklin’s best memory at Taylor High School is painting his senior parking lotspot at the beginning of the school year.
The salutatorian is Casey Weison. She is the daughter of Jim and Amy Weison.
She plans to attend Texas A&M University and hopes to be accepted into the nursing school and specialize in pediatrics. With her nursing degree, she has aspirations to become a pediatric nurse.
Weison’s best memory is painting her parking lot spot with her mom and friends.
Legacy Early College High School
The valedictorian for Legacy Early College High School is Evan Michael Francis Polasek.
Polasek is the son of Bobby and Patricia Polasek. He plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and pursue a career in film, hopefully as a director one day.
Aside from his parents, Polasek says that his friends from both Legacy and previous schools have had a great influence on him in life. They’ve kept him in check when he needed it the most and have always been supportive of him and his efforts.
His best high school memory is playing volleyball after school every Friday with his friends in a nearby park.
In school, Polasek is most proud of his video announcements that he created every week during his junior year. He was happy to bring information and entertainment to his classmates at Legacy.
The salutatorian, Eva White, is the daughter of William and Amanda White.
She also plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin, however, she will pursue a career in foreign affairs.
Aside from her parents, White is most influenced by her older brother.
Her favorite memory of high school was going to service learning with her friends at the Williamson County Animal Shelter this school year. They were able to play with cats for hours, and said, “it was awesome.”
The accomplishment that she is most proud of is setting herself up for the career and life that she wants by performing well academically and getting into her desired college and major.
Thrall High School
Kerrigan Hooker was named valedictorian at Thrall High School.
She is the daughter of Tommy and Stacy Hooker.
She plans to attend Texas A&M University this fall, where she will major in business honors, business administration and pre-law.
Hooker has received numerous accolades and awards throughout her time in Thrall schools and will be going to college receiving several scholarships, as well as the Highest Ranking High School Graduate Exemption, which will cover her full tuition for her freshman year.
The salutatorian is Mikayla Martin.
She is the daughter of Michael and Leanne Martin.
Martin plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin this fall and major in political science. Martin has received many accolades and awards throughout her time in Thrall schools and is one of very few students who received the Terry Foundation scholarship, which is a full ride for each of her four years of college.
Granger High School
At Granger High School, 95.727% average earned Gabriella Elisa Ramirez the valedictorian honor.
She is the daughter of Roman and Monica Ramirez.
She is part of the National Honor Society, Student Council and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Ramirez is also a four-year letterman in cross country, volleyball and softball. She was a three-year letterman in basketball, track and cheerleading.
Ramirez plans to attend the University of Texas at San Antonio in the fall, where she will study biochemistry.
A 95.375% average named Alexandra D’Lynne Harwell salutatorian.
Harwell is the daughter of Mark and Cynthia Harwell.
She is a member of the National Honor Society, FCCLA and The Locker. She also competed in One Act Play and was a member of the yearbook.
Harwell is a four-year letterman in volleyball and softball and is a one-year letterman in cheerleading where she served as the school mascot.
Harwell plans to attend York University in the fall, where she will participate in volleyball and theater, and will study kinesiology.
