Graduation begins Wednesday for Denton ISD students. Every student who achieved a 5.0 grade-point average will be recognized as a valedictorian. Each eligible student with the next highest GPA is recognized as a salutatorian.
In order to be eligible, a student must have been enrolled in the same high school for the entirety of their senior year and have completed the advanced or distinguished achievement program and be graduating after eight consecutive semesters of enrollment. Eligibility requires academic student leaders carry six classes each semester.
Exceptions are available to students who aren’t seniors but who commit to graduating by the end of the year by the 10th day of school. Some exceptions are also available for students who haven’t carried six classes each semester.
The following is a list of valedictorians and salutatorians, where they plan to go after graduation, and what they will focus on or study.
Braswell High School
Total class size: 622
Haylei Alexis Brueggemann, valedictorian — Texas State University, biochemistry
Afolake Ramat Dairo, valedictorian — Johns Hopkins University, molecular and cellular biology
Hailey Madison Hyde, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, mechanical engineering
William Ty Mason, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, biology
Reagan Wynn Netherland, valedictorian — University of Arkansas, broadcast journalism
Rapunzel Grace Ratliff, salutatorian — Texas Woman’s University, graphic design
David Michael Withaeger, salutatorian — Texas A&M University, aerospace engineering
Denton High School
Total class size: 440
Hannah Youkyung Lee, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, biology
Alizeh Azra Mubarak, valedictorian — Southern Methodist University, pre-law
Declan Emory Ayre, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, physics and mathematics
Ammar Mandviwalla, valedictorian — Johns Hopkins University, Maryland, neuroscience
Sabella Gray Smith, valedictorian — Tulane University, Louisiana, neuroscience
Dylan Robert Lamb, valedictorian — University of North Texas, mathematics
Tegvir Khela, valedictorian — University of Pennsylvania, theoretical physics and economics at the Wharton School of Business
Maya Daohang Huber, valedictorian — University of North Texas, biomedical engineering and music performance (cello)
Kenta Fukuchi, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, computer science
Erika Anneliese Safranek, valedictorian — U.S. Air Force Academy, operations research
Brianna Abigail Campuzano, valedictorian — University of North Texas, English
Corina Rose Pavelek, valedictorian — Georgia Institute of Technology, environmental engineering
Sergio Martinez-Gauna, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, computer science
Caleb Joseph Harold, valedictorian — University of North Texas, music performance
Pratiksha Yadav, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, biomedical engineering with a focus on biotechnology startups
Olivia Marie Panella, valedictorian — Texas A&M University, College Station, education
Caroline Elizabeth Sharp Landdeck, salutatorian — Trinity University, undecided
Guyer High School
Total class size: 569
Antonella Sofia Echeverria, valedictorian — Johns Hopkins University, pre-medicine
Luke Reid Foreman, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, business
Mandalyn Cheah Lee Greene, valedictorian — Baylor University, biochemistry
Raul James Ortega, valedictorian — Texas A&M University, biomedical sciences
Brandon Stuart Rosengren, valedictorian — Brigham Young University, business and marketing
Matthew Aaron Spivey, valedictorian — University of Pennsylvania, business at the Wharton School of Business
Carys Gianna Bell Stephenson, valedictorian — Texas A&M University, chemical engineering
Sydney Alexis Wall, valedictorian — University of Chicago, molecular engineering
Suhas Ponnala, salutatorian — Texas A&M University, biomedical engineering
William Preston Weiper, salutatorian — Ohio State University, electrical engineering
LaGrone Academy
Total class size: 121
Isaac David Meza, valedictorian — Boston University, computer science
Andrew McBeth Larsen, salutatorian, 17 — taking a gap year
Ryan High School
Total class size: 443
Janiah Grace Allen-Taylor, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, government and criminology
Luis Eduardo Barbosa Robles, valedictorian — University of North Texas, statistics
McKenzie Anne Keeling, valedictorian — U.S. Air Force Academy, aeronautical engineering
Elva Chen, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, business management
Kara Grace Sprabary, valedictorian — Texas Tech University, nutrition and pre-medicine
Kelsey Taylor Head, valedictorian — University of Texas at Austin, nursing
Zoe Kathryn Lenice Lindsey, valedictorian — University of North Texas, biochemistry
Carlos Manuel Febres Costa, salutatorian — University of Texas Dallas, mathematics
Katie Hoang Le, salutatorian — University of North Texas, biochemistry
Casey Adam Peeters, salutatorian — Texas A&M University, engineering
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