Before kindergarten, you couldn’t wait to go to school. Finally reaching the enrolling age, your parents set you on your educational start. Mastering your numbers, colors, and ABCs, you advanced through the grade levels to reach the ultimate goal, high school graduation. And now you are here, graduation. You sacrificed and pushed hard to get to this point and don’t stop now that you have made it. As you draft the next chapter of your life, set new goals to achieve to live your dreams. High school graduation is your first step, not your last, to success. Congratulations and continue to dream big Class of 2018!

Meet the Class of 2018 Valedictorians from Houston ISD and one history making valedictorian from Spring ISD!

Luis Alonso Diaz Longoria

Austin High School

He is the King of AP Physics. Luis Alonso Diaz Longoria was quite the student in high school favoring the subjects of science, math, and history. The Act Honor Roll student enjoys playing soccer, designing computers, and working with phones. Scholarships from East End Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Rotary Club of Harrisburg Foundation, Ronald A. Hammond will come in handy at the University of Miami where he plans to major in computer engineering.

Deiondra Shorts

Barbara Jordan High School

Delondra Shorts is University of Texas at Austin bound where she will study communications. Before graduating high school, Delondra was an honor roll student with perfect attendance. Her favorite subjects were business, marketing, literature, U.S. government, and pre-calculus. The former class president and senior class vice president is an avid volunteer at the Houston Food Bank. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, listening to music, fishing, and exercising. She is proud to be part of the last graduating class at the historic Barbara Jordan High School for Careers.

Gilberto Guadiana

Chavez High School

Gilberto Guadiana showed his smarts inside and outside the classroom. The Dean’s List student relishes in playing chess, investing, meditating, reading, and running. His favorite subjects were math, calculus bc, and English. He racked up a lot of awards and honors including National AP Scholar, National Hispanic Scholar, AP Capstone Diploma, and 1st place Texas State Chess Team. Gilberto has committed himself to Northwestern University to major in mechanical engineering.

Elescia Martinez

East Early College High School

In the future, Elescia Martinez will want to listen to your thoughts as a psychiatrist. Her plans at the Brandeis University include concentrating on the field of psychology. Her interests focus on listening to music, writing short stories, and watching dramas. English, history, and algebra were her favorite subjects. Her scholarships are plenty. She received funds from Brandeis University Friends and Alumni Scholarship, UH Academic Excellence, UT President's Texas Advance Award, and UT Raise Me.

Angie Estrada

Eastwood Academy

Angie Estrada will stay locally to further her education at Rice University. Since calculus, art, and computer science were her favorite high school subjects, it’s no surprise that she will major in engineering and/or computer science in college. The AP scholar’s interests are diverse in drawing, costume designing, crafting, reading, and playing the piano and video games. She has received awards and honors not limited to honor roll, National Hispanic Recognition Program, Blue Ribbon Award, Vase Regional Medal AP Division, and Debate Junior CX Champion.

Zanataja Hines

ESTEM Central

Zanataja Hines has not made up her mind on which Texas college she will attend. However, she has narrowed it down to three - Prairie View A&M University, Lamar University, and Baylor University. The talented and determined student is the first in her family to graduate high school and will major in communications or nursing in college. Her favorite subject in school is math and she loves to dance and volunteer. Her other activities include theater, volleyball, and TAME.

Yuri Aguilar

ESTEM West

Our children will be in safe hands when Yuri Aguilar enters the education field. The soon to be University of Miami or TUFTS Early Childhood Education major has a love for the subjects of English and biology. Her hobbies are photography, reading, and baking. High school activities kept her busy. She participated in SECME/TAME, Name That Nook, Spelling Bee, National History Day, EMERGE, Chiktech, MJROTC, Math Olympiad, and Junior Achievement. She received an award for outstanding public affairs.

Joshua Rochez

ESTEM West

Joshua Rochez is a guy that likes numbers. He will major in economics and minor in accounting at Franklin or Marshall College. He hit the books hard in high school to become an honor roll student with interests in economics, government, and biology. His hobbies include dance, collecting coins, and trying new foods. In high school, Joshua was involved in TAME, SECME, Junior Achievement, Math Olympiad, EMERGE, Name That Book, National History, Student Council, and Spelling Bee.

Madie Welch

Furr High School

Madie Welch will stay close to home upon graduating from high school at Sam Houston State University. Science will most definitely be on her mind as a biology major and psychology minor. The avid athlete loves sports and enjoys playing volleyball and running as well as baking. Her interests helped her earn second place in District 200-meter dash in 2016 and be named Most Valuable Runner in 2017. Her high school activities were varsity volleyball, varsity track, PT in ROTC, Student Council, National Honor Society, and Futures Academy.

Fatima Menendez

Heights High School

Fatima Menendez is an English, history, and film buff. This future filmmaker will study at Brown University. Her awards include Rice CERCL Essay Honorable Mention, honor roll, and being Apple Certified Final Cut X. She fancies writing, reading, video editing, movie watching, and photography. She is very grateful for everyone who has supported her on this journey, and is very excited for the future! She partook in NHS, writing center tutor, Eco Club, video editing for Heights H.S. News Network while in high school.

Daniela Garcia

Jane Long Academy

Daniela Garcia is proud to graduate, as she is the first in her family to do so. She is bound to St. Olaf College to major in biology and/or psychology. Her grades coupled with perfect attendance allowed this honor roll student to receive the St. Olaf Faculty and Phi Beta Kappa Scholarships. She likes to read books, hang out with friends, and watch anime and movies. When not concentrating on her favorite subjects of science and English, Daniela enjoyed the Name That Book Club, Treasurer of National Honor Society, Secretary of Student Council, Math Club, and Red Cross while in high school.

Maria Martinez

Jones Futures Academy

Maria Martinez will have some financial assistance at Texas A&M University with the help of scholarships - Century Scholar Award, Texas Aggie Grant, Texas Grant-Initial. The math, science, and art lover will major in allied health to become a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her interests are photography and arts & crafts. In high school, she spent her time with NHS, Jr. Achievement, and Spanish Club.

Virnesia Haywood

Kashmere High School

Virnesia Haywood will focus on biotechnology and linguistics at Brandeis University. She is thankful for scholarships received from Comcast and Myra Kraft. As the Most Dedicated Cadet, she participated on the Armed Drill Team, Student Council, Senior Class Officer, EMERGE, and Health Ambassadors. Her hobbies centered on traveling, reading, and science fiction. Her favorite subjects in high school were math and science.

Maria Nerio Escamilla

Liberty High School

The University of Houston will welcome Maria Nerio Escamilla as a cougar this fall majoring in nursing. She likes to read, draw, and do yoga. The Kappa Phi Beta scholarship recipient lists chemistry and social studies as her favorite subjects. Maria earned second place for debate, first place for art, and the U.S. Citizenship Award. Debate and computer science ranked high on her list of high school activities.

Jackselly Najera

Madison High School

Jackselly Najera will leave Houston to make Austin her home for the next four years as an incoming freshman at the University of Texas. The first generation scholar will major in neuroscience. Among her favorite subjects are accounting 1, algebra 2, psychology, sociology, and choral music. She has received the National Society of High School Scholars, Hispanic Honor Society, National Technical Honor Society, academic honor roll awards along with the UT Austin University Leadership Network and HLSR Metropolitan scholarships. Her hobbies include listening to music, reading books, and choreography.

Felipe Cantu

Middle College High School at Felix Fraga

It is clear that Felipe Cantu’s interests are internationally related, as he wants to pursue a major in global studies at the University of Texas at Austin this fall. In high school, Felipe served as the Vice President of Student Council and favored the subjects of literature, U.S. history, and U.S. government. His awards include Principal's Award, Encouraging Others Award, and Academic Achievement Award. Photography and reading are his top two hobbies.

Francisco Munoz

Milby High School

Francisco Munoz was active in NHS, Peace Club, SNHS, FHS, and marching band in high school. He loved being in his pre-cal, environmental science, and chemistry classes. When not in class, Francisco played basketball and conducted science experiments. He has committed himself to the University of Houston this fall to major in environmental science and/or chemical engineering.

Jeyci Torres

Mount Carmel Academy

It is a toss up where Jeyci Torres will attend college this fall. Her short list of schools includes Colgate University and Kalamazoo College. Her scholarship list is long. She has been awarded the Kalamazoo College Lux Esto, Van Dalson, Lawrence University Light! More Light, Lamar U Academic, and Living Learnings Community Scholarships. The honor roll student was also an outstanding student in creative writing and algebra 2 as well as a member of the National Honor Society. Her favorite subjects and hobbies intertwine since she has interests in math, writing, reading, poetry, photography, and watching films.

Kyla Carey-Cato

North Forest High School

Sketching, listening to music, and reading are ways that Kyla Carey-Cato chooses to relax when not studying. The math and science lover was involved in high school activities with the National Honor Society and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She will take her talents to the University of Houston to major in biology.

Judith Martinez

Northside High School

The incoming freshman class of Dartmouth College will include Judith Martinez. Calculus, psychology, art history, Spanish literature, and biology were the classes she liked the most in school. Her good grades in them helped her to win the Oberlin College Accredited, Pioneer Research Scholar, Recognized AP Scholar, UST Research Summer Camp Award, and a Letterman jacket. She aspires to become a neuroscientist to bridge the gap between science and religion. She cherishes her faith by attending Bible classes and leading a church youth group.

Jose Perez

Sam Houston MSTC

Jose Perez’s family will be cheering for him loudly when he graduates, as he is a first-generation graduate. He is still trying to figure out his future career but he does know he will do that at the University of Texas at Austin. He likes video games and that played with his involvement with the Robotics and Engineering Club. He also was a member of the National Honor Society, EMERGE, Rubix Cube Club, and Student Council. The AP Scholar was Jack Kent Cooke and POSSE Semi-Finalists, College Prep Scholar, 3rd Place Engineering State Skills winner, and Questbridge Award recipient. His favorite subjects were biology, history, and calculus.

Adriana Pena

Scarborough High School

Adriana Pena won’t have far to go when she goes to college as a freshman at the University of St. Thomas. The business major has been named a St. Thomas Basilican Distinguished Scholar. As an honor roll student she still found time to participate in the National Honor Society, cheerleading, EMERGE, The Woods Project, Student Council, varsity volleyball, and varsity tennis. Her favorite subjects were government, history, and psychology. She also enjoys scrapbooking and walking her dog.

Genesis Santos

Sharpstown High School

Genesis Santos is headed to Dallas this fall to attend the University of Texas. Armed with a Terry Foundation Scholarship, she will major in healthcare studies. In high school, Genesis was involved in volleyball, basketball, softball team, EMERGE, Key Club, and National Honor Society. She lists science as her favorite subject and volleyball, listening to music, and reading as her hobbies.

Brittney Scott

South Early College High School

Brittney Scott is thanking her family and friends who have supported her throughout her journey. She has already earned an associate degree in science and will have a Bachelor of Nursing degree from the University of Texas at Austin soon. Scholarships from UT University Leadership Network, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Metropolitan, and Highest Ranking Graduate Award will help defray the costs of college. Brittney loves school and never missed a day of it. The honor roll student was also named Most Outstanding Student in biology, English, algebra, geometry, Spanish, AP world history, and chemistry. She received the Leadership of the Year, HCC Dual Credit Honors, and National Society of Collegiate Scholar Awards. She enjoys shopping, traveling, volleyball, reading, watching movies, going to concerts, and playing the violin and piano.

Jennifer Guzman

Sterling Aviation High School

Jennifer Guzman is still on the fence as to whether she will attend Sam Houston State University or Southern University to continue her education. Her strong interest in music led her to participate in concert, marching band, and be named the jazz band student ambassador. She has won the Division 1 Solo at State and 1st Solo Airplane Flight Certificate for her musical talents. Of course, she enjoys playing instruments as well as video games. She has received the Sam Houston State University Music, Preliminary Winner of HLSR, and Allen T. Memorial Scholarships.

Juan Garcia

Waltrip High School

Hook ‘em is what Juan Garcia is saying as a future University of Texas at Austin student. The AP Scholar with Distinction honoree has received the HLSR Scholarship. Since math and science are his favorite subjects, he will major in biology in college. He is a varsity soccer player and member of the National Honor Society.

Mari Davison

Worthing High School

Mari Davison will be walking the Tiger Walk at Texas Southern University after crossing the high school graduation stage. She will miss her high school teachers who made learning chemistry, geometry, English, hospitality & tourism a joy for her. She was able to balance her involvement in volleyball, softball, track and field events, DECA, Junior Honors Society and maintain honor roll status all four years of high school. The future clinical psychologist loves to watch movies, play volleyball, read science fiction, and musical theater. She is thankful for her mother and grandmother for their love and support.

Jesus Lopez

Yates High School

The coogs will welcome Jesus Lopez to the University of Houston to study computer science this fall. In high school, he loved science. The clever guy has received the Power Up Go Challenge Scholarship. His hobbies are drawing, gaming, and spending time with his dog.

Leah Lewis

Young Women's College Preparatory Academy

Leah Lewis would not be where she is today without the support of her parents and grandmother. Their belief in her allowed her to excel in school to become a Merit Scholar. Now her sights are set on Hampton University to be a chemical engineer. The former captain of the YWCPA cheer team, senior class secretary, and member of NHS and IPAA/PESA Petroleum Academy fancied English and biology in high school. Her hobbies are dancing with the Cross Church Praise Dance Team, volunteering with March of Dimes, and participating in the GeoForce Academy.

Royce Rashawn Hooks

Andy Dekaney High School

Royce Rashawn Hooks made history this year as the first Black valedictorian at Dekaney High School in Spring ISD. Royce also attended Carl Wunsche High School in Spring ISD for a bit. He is well liked by his peers and was voted Medical Tower Student of the Year, Most Outstanding Science Student, Most Dependable, Most Likely to Succeed, Most Outstanding Medical Technician, and Most Outstanding Black Student. A highly involved student, Royce was the president of the Black Student Union and parliamentarian of the National Honor Society. The future medical doctor will major in biology at Xavier University. He is very active in youth ministry at the Fifth Ward Church of Christ and in his community.