From the Progress Times - Campus Chronicle

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Top three students at local schools

Mission High School top three graduates ready for the next challenge

The 2008 valedictorian, Victoria Rojas says her senior year has been amazing and filled with many great memo­ries. After a busy summer she plans on attending Texas A&M-College Station to major in History. She says she sees her­self becoming a college profes­sor some day. Her summer plans include a trip to New York with the drama club, a church mission service project, vacation bible school, a discov­ery camp and a job. Rojas says she is looking forward to meet­ing new people and becoming a part of the strong traditions at A&M. However, she says she will miss everyone back home. Her advice to the incoming senior class is to not procrasti­nate. She warns senioritis can cause problems if it gets too bad.

Senioritis is also something the salutatorian warns next year’s seniors about. Joanna Gonzalez encourages the class of 2009 to make sure they have some fun and to make great memories. She said she plans spending part of her summer resting after helping coach the volleyball team and participat­ing in Red Raider Camp. Gon­zalez plans to attend Texas Tech this fall. She plans to major in interior design with minors in business management and edu­cation. She said her senior year went way too quickly. As she thinks about what college will be like, she does not think it will be too hard, but that it will challenge her time management skills.

Joshua Womack is the Mis­sion High School third ranking student. After a restful summer, Womack plans to attend the University of Texas-Pan Ameri­can. He plans to major in mechanical engineering and to then put that into use designing cameras and lenses. He said he has a feeling college will be a challenge while not being too hard to deal with. Womack says his senior year has been hectic, but enjoyable. He warns next year’s seniors that they should not wait until the last minute on anything during their senior year.

 

Top Three ready to make their mark on the medical profession

Each of Veterans Memorial High School’s top three gradu­ates are currently setting their sights on going into Pre-Med in college. The 2008 valedictorian, Kolby Warren plans to do so at New York University. Prior to that, she said she plans on spending part of her summer with her family on vacation. She also plans to spend her summer working out as she prepares to play on the NYU volleyball team. Warren says she knows she will miss her VMHS friends and teachers once she leaves. She said her senior year has been fun but also stressful. Her advice to the class of 2009 is to start on scholarships and other college stuff as early as possible and not to stress out too much.

Andrea Austin is this year’s VMHS salutatorian. Her final college destination is still up in the air; however she has been accepted to UT-Austin. She said she is also on the waiting list at Harvard. She plans to study physics and pursue Pre-Med. After what she characterizes as a hectic and chaotic senior year at VMHS, she plans to spend the summer with family in New Jersey and orientation sessions at college. Once she has left, Austin says she knows she will miss the people of VMHS, but not the schooling; as well as all her friends and family. Her advice to next year’s seniors is to study hard and to hang in there.

This year’s third ranking stu­dent at VMHS is Rosalinda Flo­res. She has her eyes set on Baylor where she also plans to pursue Pre-Med. Flores said she sees herself spending much of the summer working at her cur­rent job. Like most graduates, she says she is going to miss her friends and teachers when she leaves. Her advice to the incoming senior class is to act quickly on things and to focus on applying for scholarships.

 

Top three share a love for learning

Principal Diamantina B. Chapa is proud to announce the top three graduates of the Sharyland High School Class of 2008. The valedictorian is Jonathan Havener, the son of Dr. Steve and Janine Havener. The salutatorian is Christopher Bodner, the son of Tom and Sue Bodner. The third ranked gradu­ate is Justin Prukop, son of Ted and Fran Prukop.

Next fall Jonathan Havener will attend Texas A&M Univer­sity at College Station, where he will major in biology and par­ticipate in the Honors Program. He plans to earn a degree in dentistry with a specialization in orthodontics.

During the past four years, Jonathan has not only been an exceptional student, but has also been involved in swimming, FFA, and Destination Imagina­tion. This year he was a regional swim finalist in the 100 breast­stroke, the individual medley, and the medley relay. His live­stock judging team recently placed second at the area com­petition, and last year, his lamb placed first in its division. He has held many leadership posi­tions in LEO Club (president and secretary), NHS (treasurer), FCA, and Master Minds while also committing much time to tutoring high school and ele­mentary students and mentoring/assisting with the children’s program at his church.

Salutatorian Christopher Bodner, the son of Tom and Sue Bodner, will attend Duke Uni­versity and major in biology. He hopes to later attend medical school and become a surgeon or family physician.

Chris has been a leader at Sharyland in many areas; he is the current Student Council president and served as presi­dent of his freshman and sophomore classes. He has been an important leader in Shary­land basketball for four years. For the past two years, he has led the team as varsity captain and has been named MVP, as well as being on the All-District and All-Valley First Teams. Recently he was honored by being selected as a TABC Aca­demic All-State player. Chris has earned many Outstanding Student awards and has partici­pated in several organizations like NHS, LEO Club, Master Minds, Environmental Club, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The third-ranked senior, Justin Prukop will continue his education at the University of Texas at Austin, where he plans to major in electrical engineer­ing and minor in music the­ory/composition.

Throughout high school, Justin has devoted much time to the SHS band program and has excelled as a percussionist. He consistently earned division one ratings on all his percussion solos and has been the percus­sion section leader for two years. Justin is a leader in the band hall and in the classroom as well. He has also been named Outstanding Student in five classes and continues to demon­strate his commitment to excel­lence in many areas. He has been voice in Student Council, serving as a class representative for four years, and has partici­pated in many service projects sponsored by campus groups; he’s volunteered for the Envi­ronmental Club’s trash pick-up days, LEO Club’s Sight Nights, and the FCCLA’s walk-a-thon fundraiser for the Shriner Chil­dren’s Burn Hospital.

These three young men are to be commended for everything they have accomplished in the last four years. They have a very bright future as do all who set high goals and strive to achieve them. Their personal goals and dreams are different, but they share a love of family, commu­nity, and learning. All of us at Sharyland are very proud of you. Good luck to you and all your fellow graduates in the Sharyland High School Class of 2008.

 

La Joya High School's top three seniors have high hopes for the future

La Joya ISD’s top three ranking seniors all show similar qualities that have helped them rank top in their class. Roel Cantu, III is not only this year’s valedictorian, but also has out­standing mathematical abilities. For four years in a row, he has been honored as a UIL State Winner in Number Sense and Calculator competitions, a dis­tinction that sets him apart from other high school students in the Rio Grande Valley.

"I have always been good at math so I want to spend my life doing something I enjoy," says Roel.

Although he makes his suc­cess appear easy, Roel says that there are several people who have helped him along the way including UIL coaches and school counselors.

"UIL has made me go beyond what is expected from high school students; my coaches played a big role in this and my counselors have helped me by giving me good advice and support," he says.

Roel is also a member of the National Honor Society where he served as treasurer for three years; president of Mu Alpha Theta; member of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispana; and a vital member of the UIL for 10 years. He plans to attend Texas A&M University, College Station to major in Mechanical Engineer­ing and minor in Mathematics.

He is the son of Roel and San Juanita Isabel Cantu.

Michelle Hinojosa, second ranking student, attributes her success in school to her family. "Watching my sisters go through their high school and college experience has helped me succeed and stay focused on exactly what I want," she says. Michelle’s outstanding aca­demic record is also compli­mented by her involvement in the National Honor Society where she served as vice-presi­dent for three years; vice-president of Mu Alpha Data; Peer Mediation for two years; UIL for two year; FCA for two years; Student Council and Reading Clubs for two years; and Head Student Ath­letic Trainer for four years.

Her greatest passion, how­ever, is working with the FFA and 4-H Club organizations. Michelle comments, "I plan to attend Texas A&M University at College Station and major in Agriculture Business with a minor in General Studies. I have always been interested in learning how to manage a ranch."

Michelle is the daughter of Isidro Juan Hinojosa and Ismelda Solis, of whom she is so thankful for their continuous support and helping her make last minute purchases for items needed for school projects. "They always take the time to help me out." Her best advice to the upcoming Senior Class is to, "stay focused and not slack off because at the end of school they will realize that it is going to pay off; take your years of school seriously, especially your senior year."

Leonel Ramirez, third ranking student, kept very busy dedi­cating much of his time to stu­dent organizations, some of which include: the National Honor Society for three years, serving as parliamentarian, Junior Class and Senior Class president positions, four year member of HOSA, HYLO, Stu­dent Council vice-president for three years, varsity member for swimming and diving, Peer-Mediator, treasurer for Mu Alpha Theta, and UIL Math, Science, Spelling and Debate team member.

"My godparents, Zoila and Rene Ramirez, have inspired me to become a well-rounded stu­dent who does not settle for mediocre achievements, but an individual that needs to be challenged in order to savor the fruit of victory. Their never-ending anointment of love has been a catalyst for my endeav­ors and the source of my victo­ries," says Ramirez.

His advice to other students on how to be successful is for them to establish challenging goals to better prepare them for what is to come in the future. Even if one fails to succeed, this failure will teach the person to work twice as hard the next time he or she attempts a task.

Ramirez will be attending Baylor University at Waco, Texas this upcoming Fall of 2008 to major in Biology. His ultimate goal is to become a family doctor.

Leonel, who is the son of Leobardo and Leticia Ramirez, values the role his parents have on his life and comments, "God has blessed me with the greatest parents on earth and with their constant love and support, I have been able to overcome obstacles in order to achieve success."