Learn which members of Dallas ISD’s Class of 2017 have risen to the top of the academic rankings at its 36 high schools with our list of valedictorians (ranked No. 1) and salutatorians (ranked No. 2). Commencement ceremonies began May 25 and continue until Monday, June 5. Find the schedule here.
The valedictorians and salutatorians are listed below, in order of their school’s commencements.
Hillcrest High School
Valedictorian: Devany Morales. Morales plans to attend Baylor University and major in neuroscience.
Salutatorian: Delaney Shiu. Shiu plans to attend Baylor University and major in pre-med.
School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Valedictorian: Beckham Myers. Myers plans to attend Harvard University and major in math, but is excited to explore different options to see where other interests may lead him.
Salutatorian: Catherine Patillo. Patillo plans to attend the University of Texas and major in Latin American studies.
James Madison High School
Valedictorian: Luther Tolliver. Tolliver plans to attend Saint Edward’s University and major in computer science.
Salutatorian: Nakia Wells. Wells plans to attend The University of North Texas and major in psychology and integrative studies.
W.T. White High School
Valedictorian: Brady Allen. Allen plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in engineering.
Salutatorian: Elizabeth Cardona. Cardona plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in bio-medical.
Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Early College High School at El Centro College
Valedictorian: Natividad Medina-Gonzalez. Medina-Gonzalez plans to attend the University of North Texas and double major in anthropology. On May 11, she graduated with an associate of science degree from El Centro College and earned 71 college credits.
Salutatorian: Bianca Mata. Mata plans to attend the University of Dallas and major in engineering. She also graduated with an associate of science degree from El Centro College on May 11, and earned 80 college credits.
David W. Carter High School
Valedictorian: Deanna Harper. Harper plans to attend Texas Christian University and double major in psychology and criminal justice. She is a recipient of the TCU Community Scholars Award that provides a $250,000 scholarship toward her college education.
Salutatorian: Patricia Smith. Smith plans to attend Texas Christian University and double major in psychology and child development. She is also a recipient of the TCU Community Scholars Award that provides a $250,000 scholarship toward her college education.
Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Valedictorian: Aleah Davis. Davis plans to attend Vanderbilt University and to major in computer engineering. She is a recipient of the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship that is a full-tuition scholarship.
Salutatorian: Gerardo Guzman. Guzman plans to attend Columbia University and major in political science. He is a QuestBridge Scholarship recipient, which covers all tuition expenses.
School of Business and Management at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Valedictorian: Raj Patel. Patel plans to attend the University of Texas and to major in business. He shares, his achievement stems from cousins who helped him develop a competitive spirit, which led to some of his success.
Salutatorian: Diana Gutierrez. Gutierrez plans to attend St. Mary’s University and major in accounting.
Rosie M. Collins Sorrells School of Education and Social Services at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Valedictorian: Elsie Kindall. Kindall plans to attend Colgate University and major in peace and conflict studies..
Salutatorian: Isabel Vega. Vega plans to attend University of Southern California and major in linguistics.
School of Health Professions at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Valedictorian: Marco Flores. Flores plans to attend the University of Texas and major in medical laboratory sciences.
Salutatorian: Jonathan Hernandez. Hernandez plans to attend Stanford University and major in human biology.
Franklin D. Roosevelt High School
Valedictorian: Zaira Aguilar. Aguilar plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington to major in nursing. Aguilar and her sister are back-to-back valedictorians for Roosevelt High School.
Salutatorian: Aracely Moreno. Moreno plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington and major in nursing.
Woodrow Wilson High School
Valedictorian: Brian Arnold. Arnold plans to attend the University of Washington in the fall.
Salutatorian: Gabriela Munoz. Munoz was accepted and plans to attend Harvard University.
Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy at B.F. Darrell
Valedictorian: Taylon Owens. Owens plans to attend Prairie View A&M University and major in chemical engineering.
Salutatorian: Noble Obriki. Obriki plans to attend the University of Texas and major in finance.
Irma Lerma Rangel Young Women’s Leadership School
Valedictorian: Z’Kijah Fleming. Fleming plans to attend Howard University and major in either business or journalism. Fleming received a number of recognitions including being awarded the Tom Joyner Foundation Full Ride Scholarship.
Salutatorian: Crystal Vargas. Vargas plans to attend the University of Southern California and major in health science. Among the various awards she received, Vargas was awarded the Norman Topping Scholarship at the University of Southern California.
Thomas Jefferson High School
Valedictorian: Eliud Esquivel. Esquivel plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas and major in neuroscience/biology.
Salutatorian: Elliot Valencia Tobias. Tobias plans to attend the University of Chicago and major in applied mathematics.
Justin F. Kimball High School
Valedictorian: Lesley Ramirez. Ramirez plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in public health.
Salutatorian: Reyna Ramirez. Reyna Ramirez plans to attend the University of Texas and double major in history and psychology.
H. Grady Spruce High School
Valedictorian: Kimberly Renoj. Renoj plans to attend Texas A&M University and major in business administration.
Salutatorian: Elsy Morales. Morales first plans to attend El Centro College before enrolling in the University of North Texas. She will major in economics.
Seagoville High School
Valedictorian: Ana De Jesus Salazar. De Jesus Salazar plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas and major in mechanical engineering. This year, her rigorous course load, discipline and commitment to studies helped propel her to the school’s top spot.
Salutatorian: Michael Hernandez. Hernandez plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in aerospace engineering.
School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center
Valedictorian: Grant Hawkins. Hawkins plans to attend the Auburn University and major in aerospace engineering. His acceptance into Auburn will continue a rich family tradition, as his entire family has graduated from the university. He proudly looks forward to carrying on this legacy.
Salutatorian: Alejandra Nava-Garcia. Nava-Garcia plans to attend Harvard University and major in biomedical engineering.
Sunset High School
Valedictorian: Sophia Macias. Macias plans to attend the University of Texas and major in physics. She also hopes to enter graduate school and study bio research. She will be the first in her family to attend college.
Salutatorian: Karina Banda. Banda plans to attend the University of North Texas and major in environmental science. Ultimately, she plans on becoming an environmental scientist and to work for the EPA.
Emmett J. Conrad High School
Valedictorian: Eleni T-Giorgs. T-Giorgs plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in pre-med as she wants to become physician. Born in Ethiopia, she was inspired to study medicine following a medical challenge as she did not learn how to walk until she came to the United States.
Salutatorian: Bae Shae. Shae plans to attend either the University of Texas or Texas A & M University. Ultimately, she plans to major in architecture. Shae immigrated with her family from Thailand to the United States where she one day hopes to build safe housing for families.
South Oak Cliff High School
Valedictorian: Estreya Rivera. Espinoza plans to attend University of Texas and is undecided on a major.
Salutatorian: Alexya Soto. Soto plans to attend Paul Quinn College and major in business/accounting
W.W. Samuell High School
Valedictorian: Isaac Espinoza. Espinoza plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington and major in biology.
Salutatorian: Rosalinda Bravo. Bravo plans to attend Texas Women’s University and major in business management.
W.H. Adamson High School
Valedictorian: Aracely Lomeli-Rodriguez. Lomeli-Rodriguez plans to attend Texas Woman’s University and major in nursing. She says, “Being the valedictorian shows the hard-working and determined child my parents have produced.”
Salutatorian: Maria Escalera. Escalera plans to attend Texas Woman’s University and major in nursing.
Lincoln High School
Valedictorian: Evelyn Morales. Morales plans to attend Texas Christian University and major in biology. Through higher education, her goal is to become a physician.
Salutatorian: Idahosa Robinson. Robinson will attend Texas Christian University and major in business.
Bryan Adams High School
Valedictorian: Susset Tamayo. Tamayo plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania and major in theatre.
Salutatorian: Nancy Barajas-Ramirez. Barajas-Ramirez plans to attend Albion College and major in political science and business.
L.G. Pinkston High School
Valedictorian: Julio Nunez. Nunez plans to attend University of Texas at Arlington and major in business.
Salutatorian: Adrian Lugo. Lugo plans to attend University of North Texas and major in finance.
Moises E. Molina High School
Valedictorian: Noah Solorzano. Solorzano plans to attend Texas Woman’s University and major in computer science. He decided early in his academic career he wanted to be at the top of the class. He has worked hard to consistently achieve that success.
Salutatorian: Alexa Sanchez. Sanchez plans to attend the University of Rochester and major in history.
Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College at Mountain View
Valedictorian: Paola Covarrubias. Covarrubias plans to attend the University of Virginia and major in pre-med/biology. Her plan is to become a doctor.
Salutatorian: Abraham Rangel. Rangel plans to attend the University of North Texas and major in construction engineering technology.
North Dallas High School
Valedictorian: Lesley Arias. Arias plans to attend Southern Methodist University and major in business administration. At the age of 16, she started her own business and has continued to be successful despite the loss of a close family member.
Salutatorian: Willie Parks. Parks plans to attend Texas Woman’s University and major in education, as he desires to become a math teacher.
Wilmer-Hutchins High School
Valedictorian: Carlos Romo. Romo plans to attend Texas A & M University. She plans to major in architecture.
Salutatorian: Myasia Gatt. Gatt plans to attend Prairie View A & M University and major in biology.
Kathlyn Joy Gilliam Collegiate Academy
Valedictorian: Nancy Sifuentes. Sifuentes plans to attend either the University of North Texas at Dallas or University of Texas. She plans to major in accounting or computer engineering
Salutatorian: Franco Flores. Flores plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington and major in mechanical engineering.
John Leslie Patton Jr. Academic Center
Final rankings have not been determined at this time.
Skyline High School
Valedictorian: Cristian Enriquez De paz. Enriquez De paz plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in mechanical engineering.
Salutatorian: Johanna Frias. Reyes plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in veterinarian medicine.
A. Maceo Smith New Tech High School
Valedictorian: Imelda Martinez. Martinez plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in visualization.
Salutatorian: Ivan Reyes. Reyes plans to attend Texas A & M University and major in psychology.
Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts
Valedictorian: Elisabeth Wangermann. Wangermann plans to attend Yale University and major in music theory. She also plans to continue to be part of the good relationships and communities that develop around the arts.
Salutatorian: Alexia Poscente. Poscente plans to attend the University of Pennsylvania: Wharton School of Business and major in business. She says her “future plans are to learn everything about everything and to eventually change the world.”
