A third of this year’s Dallas ISD valedictorians and salutatorians are scholar-athletes. Honored for outstanding academic achievement, these students also excelled in golf, football, track, baseball and other sports. Many will attend college on athletic and academic scholarships.
Director of Athletics Gil Garza congratulated these academic and athletic stars. Garza said the accomplishments of this year’s scholar-athletes is evidence that the district’s athletic program is growing in the right direction.
“We are very excited to announce that 34 percent of the valedictorians and salutatorians from our 22 comprehensive high schools participated in athletics this school year,” he said. “This fact speaks to the dedication and commitment our athletes have on and off the court.”
“Our coaches constantly stress the importance of a college education and have high expectations for our athletes,” Garza added. “Because our coaches are also teachers, they understand the importance of a well-rounded education to a student’s future. I am excited the teamwork we have worked hard to establish with our faculties is paying off. I want to express my congratulations to our scholars and their families.”
Below is a list of the scholar-athletes named valedictorians and salutatorians:
| Scholar-Athlete | Class Rank | Sport | High School |
| Branlon Allen | Salutatorian | Football | James Madison High School |
| Micah Bergman | Salutatorian | Baseball | W.T. White High School |
| Dewayne Bonner | Salutatorian | Golf | Lincoln High School |
| Frank Byers | Valedictorian | Basketball | South Oak Cliff High School |
| D’Andre Cortez | Valedictorian | Football | H. Grady Spruce High School |
| Marquis Gates | Valedictorian | Football | James Madison High School |
| Demichael Glover | Salutatorian | Baseball | Franklin Roosevelt High School |
| Orlando King | Salutatorian | Track | South Oak Cliff High School |
| Carl Richardson III | Salutatorian | Track | H. Grady Spruce High School |
| Alondra Romo | Valedictorian | Golf | Wilmer-Hutchins High School |
| Daniel Stehling | Valedictorian | Track/Cross Country | W.T. White High School |
| Jonas Veazey | Salutatorian | Swimming | Bryan Adams High School |
| Deante Vickers | Valedictorian | Football | Pinkston High School |
| Raviola Wenno | Valedictorian | Swimming | North Dallas High School |
| Tafari Witter | Valedictorian | Basketball | Lincoln High School |
