Valedictorian – Jose Elijio Sanchez
Jose Elijio Sanchez was born on December 26, 2001 and is the son of Cynthia Sanchez and Jorge Sanchez. Throughout his school career, Sanchez has been extremely grateful and blessed with all of the various opportunities given to him and with the help of his family, teachers, and friends, he was able to achieve the honor of graduating Valedictorian of the class of 2020 from La Joya High School.
Sanchez is proud to have been involved in the activities and clubs he was part of, including the National Honor Society, and University Interscholastic League. Without those organizations, Sanchez believes he wouldn’t have been able to become the mature and accomplished person he is today.
Sanchez also believes that one of the most important factors to his overall success was his teachers. He noted that his teachers were an important source for his motivation which allowed him to accomplish his goals and aspirations as his school years progressed.
No matter what the challenge was, he always tries to excel no matter the disruptiveness of the challenge. With the end of an important chapter of his life, Sanchez plans on continuing his story by attending the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley majoring in mathematics.
Sanchez is proud to continue his education, as he wants to be able to do what he loves the most in the future. No matter where he ends up, Sanchez will always be appreciative of everything La Joya ISD has provided and will forever be a Coyote.
Salutatorian – Claire Danielle Lee
The salutatorian of La Joya High School’s Class of 2020 is Claire Danielle Lee. She is the eighteen year old daughter of Chris and Amy Lee, and a sister to two “horse crazy” siblings, Charles and Charylet Lee.
Lee is quite involved within many organizations both in and out of high school and has definitely enjoyed great success. During her time at La Joya High School, she has been involved in both athletic and academic organizations, such as cross country, track and field, National Honor Society and Student Council.
Additionally, the salutatorian has also had the opportunity to be in leadership roles on local, state, and national organizations such as the National 2nd Vice President for the American Quarter Horse Youth Association (AQHYA). Outside of school, another passion of Lee’s is agriculture, specifically, showing horses in barrel racing and pole bending, where she is ranked fourth in the youth world standings.
When she is not showing her horses, she is often seen giving back to her community through outreach and service, which has inspired her to find a career in public service. Future plans for Lee include attending Texas A&M University to study biomedical science, with hopes of pursuing a career in human medicine or veterinary medicine.
Claire Lee would like to thank all who have supported her throughout her journey, namely her family, coach, counselor and teammates.
Third-Ranking Student – Jasmin Alexandra Platas
Jasmin Alexandra Platas has been truly grateful for the immense love and support she received throughout her high school experience. She has gone through obstacles that many would not imagine, and she has handled them in a thousand different ways, on a thousand different days, but with grace.
Because of her positivity and endurance, she was able to have the distinct pleasure of being ranked third of the Class of 2020 from La Joya High School. There is no doubt that Platas will continue to shine bright in the eyes of those who look at her, but, most importantly, be the light that everyone needs.
Additionally, because she was deeply loved by three amazing teachers, she was able to receive the strength she needed; because she loved them so deeply, she was able to receive the courage she was looking for. These teachers are: Ms. Jennifer Gonzalez, Mr. Julian Garza, and Mr. James Muzquiz.
As she closes this chapter and enters a new one, Platas plans to major in psychology at Texas A&M University-Kingsville to help people that struggle with a mental illness. She believes that everyone deserves happiness and nothing should keep that away from anyone.
Platas is extremely proud and thankful for the most memorable years that La Joya ISD has provided for her, and while this may seem like the end, it is just the beginning.
