Local valedictorians & salutatorians 2020: McLennan County's top graduates
The Tribune-Herald presents the top high school graduates in McLennan County this year.
Not all schools provided information or photographs. To ask questions, email ken.sury@wacotrib.com.
Valedictorian • Bryce Tonkin • Bishop Louis Reicher
Parents: Derek and Julie Tonkin
Plans: Attend Southern Methodist University and study at the Cox School of Business as part of the Pre-Law Scholars Program track.
Achievements: National Honor Society; National German Honor Society; student council president (4 years); Smoaky’s Academic All-Stars (2019-20); football; powerlifting; track.
Salutatorian • Ryleigh Berry • Bishop Louis Reicher
Parents: Todd and Lisa Berry
Plans: Attend Baylor University on the pre-physician assistant track in the pre-health department.
Achievements: National Honor Society; National Spanish Honor Society; cheerleader (4 years); student council officer (4 years); campus ministry team.
Valedictorian • Jadyn Pavlas • Bruceville-Eddy High
Parents: Jake and Branda Pavlas
Plans: Attend Texas Tech University to major in biology, minor in Spanish to become a certified nurse anesthetist.
Achievements: Texas Tech Presidential Merit Scholarship; Academic All-State basketball; Beta Club creative writing state champion; varsity athlete (4 years); student council vice president.
Salutatorian • Ian Moore • Bruceville-Eddy High
Parents: Brent and Melanie Moore
Plans: Attend University of Texas at Austin to pursue a degree in electrical engineering.
Achievements: Student council president; football team captain; all-district football; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; UIL One-Act Play Best Actor award (3 times).
Valedictorian • Ariane Helms • Harmony School of Innovation
Parents: Donald Helms and Katilou Curry
Plans: Attend Baylor University and major in zoology.
Achievements: National Honor Society member.
Salutatorian • Saleem Hashmi • Harmony School of Innovation
Parent: Azizah Yahaya
Plans: Attend University of Texas at Austin and major in business.
Achievements: National Honor Society member.
Valedictorian • Clare Pruss • Live Oak Classical
Parents: Alexander and Amy Pruss
Plans: Study classics and mathematics at Baylor’s Honors College University Scholars program.
Achievements: National Merit Finalist; gold medal on National Latin Exam (9th, 10th and 12th grades); Baylor President’s Gold Scholarship; platinum medal on National French Exam (11th grade); Classical Learning Test Scholarship.
Note: Live Oak Classical School recognizes only the valedictorian.
Valedictorian • Katlynn Hope Wright • Parkview Christian
Parents: Tom and Margie Wright
Plans: Attend Arlington Baptist University on a volleyball scholarship and major in business.
Achievements: Parkview Christian Academy female athlete of the year (2019-20); All-State volleyball first team; MCC Scholarship recipient; 756 community service hours.
Salutatorian • Timothy Karl Skains • Parkview Christian
Parent: Timothy Skains
Plans: Attend University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and major in kinesiology.
Achievements: Texas Christian Athletic Fellowship Division II, District 1 defensive player of the year (2019-20); Parkview Christian Academy male athlete of the year (2018-19); All-State first team football defensive back.
Valedictorian • Hallie King • West
Parents: Mike and J.J. King
Plans: Attend U.S. Military Academy at West Point and major in mathematical science. Wants to become military intelligence officer in the Army.
Achievements: All-State volleyball (2018, 2019); District 17-3A Hitter of the Year (2019); Super Centex Volleyball first team (2019); Waco Rotary Club Youth Citizenship Award finalist; Smoaky’s Academic All-Stars.
Salutatorian • Allison Holloman • West
Parents: Jeffrey and Rebecca Holloman
Plans: Attend Baylor University and major in accounting.
Achievements: Baylor Provost Gold Scholarship; National Honor Society officer; Algebra I Academic Award; Algebra II Academic Award; Spanish III Academic Award.
Valedictorian • Tisa Gandhi • Connally
Parents: Umeshkumar and Sejal Gandhi
Plans: Attend University of Texas at Austin and major in Honors Health and Society program. Wants to help impoverished third-world countries through mission trips.
Achievements: Waco Rotary Club Youth Citizenship Award winner; HOSA-Future Health Professionals member; color guard; Upward Bound; advanced to state in extemporaneous speaking in SkillsUSA ; state UIL One-Act Play.
Salutatorian • Destiny Wilkerson • Connally
Parent: Angela Wilkerson
Plans: Attend University of Texas at Austin and major in human development and family science on a pre-med route.
Achievements: National Honor Society vice president; Spanish Club vice president; original member of HOSA-Future Health Professionals chapter; cheerleader (six years); athletic trainer.
Valedictorian • Jonah Williams • Eagle Christian
Parents: Dana and Diane Williams
Plans: Attend Texas A&M University and major in electrical engineering.
Achievements: Academic All-State football; Super Centex Six-Man Football first team; mentor in PALs (Peer Assistance Leadership); Boy Scout; National Honor Society officer; active at First Presbyterian Church.
Salutatorian • Elijah Ratliff • Eagle Christian
Parents: Craig and Tangela Ratliff
Plans: Attend either Baylor University or Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to pursue degree in psychology.
Achievements: National Honor Society; instrumental ensemble; TEA state Performance Acknowledgement recipient.
Valedictorian • Casey Towner • Lorena
Parent: Sheila Towner
Plans: Attend Texas A&M University and major in biology, go into speech pathology graduate program.
Achievements: Top ACT score; UIL Scholar Award; President’s Outstanding Academic Excellence Award; McLennan Scholarship; President’s Gold Scholarship at Baylor University.
Salutatorian • Zane Grimm • Lorena
Parents: Rusty and Jennifer Grimm
Plans: Attend Angelo State University and study to become a physical therapist.
Achievements: Rotary Youth Leadership Award (2018); volunteer camp counselor (2019-20); FFA president (2018-19); All-District 8-4A football first team safety; Academic All-State football first team.
Valedictorian • Emily Rowe • Mart
Parent: Katherine Rowe
Plans: Attend Sam Houston State University.
Achievements: Top 10 percent McLennan Community College Tuition Scholarship; National Honor Society.
Salutatorian • Kenyson Lewis • Mart
Parent: Misty Lewis
Plans: Attend University of Texas at Arlington and major in nursing.
Achievements: Braeden Freeman Memorial Scholarship; Top 10 percent MCC Tuition Scholarship; National Honor Society; class officer (four years); Academic All-State volleyball award.
Valedictorian • Alicia Maldonado • McGregor
Parent: Janie Maldonado
Plans: Attend McLennan Community College and Tarleton State University and major in English and education.
Achievements: National Honor Society; UIL journalism (four years); band (four years, State Solo & Ensemble junior and senior years); Howlin’ Dog Jazz Band pianist; PALs (Peer Assistance Leadership).
Salutatorian • Jorge Camacho-Perez • McGregor
Parents: Jorge Camacho and Guillermina Camacho
Plans: Attend Texas State University and major in computer information systems.
Achievements: Band (four years: State Solo & Ensemble sophomore and junior years, All-Region Symphonic Band all four years); member of Howlin’ Dog Jazz Band; UIL computer science team.
Valedictorian • Joseph Cadriel • Methodist Children's Home
Parents: Rene Cadriel and Stacy McKoin
Plans: Attend Texas State Technical College in Waco to study welding.
Achievements: Bulldog Pride member; Most Improved award in football; homecoming king; Greater Waco Advanced Manufacturing Academy (welding program, OSHA 10 certification).
Salutatorian • Alyssa Backeberg • Methodist Children's Home
Parents: Derrick and Christie Backeberg
Plans: Attend McLennan Community College and then transfer to Tarleton State University at MCC to study social work.
Achievements: Miriam Hawes Academic Excellence Scholarship; FFA (received agricultural mechanics certificate and medal).
Valedictorian • Alexzandria Turley • Moody
Parents: James and Terri Turley
Plans: Attend Texas State University and become a professor of dance.
Achievements: Graduated with associate’s degree (4.0 GPA) from McLennan Community College; placed in finals of national dance competition; National Honor Society president; student council vice president; Texas State University Achievement Scholarship.
Salutatorian • Isabella Wolff • Moody
Parents: Kim and Tatiana Wolff
Plans: Attend McLennan Community College to complete associate’s degree, then join the Air Force.
Achievements: Varsity tennis; art competition winner; honorable mention One-Act Play award; perfect attendance.
Valedictorian • Hannah Chudej • Robinson
Parents: Greg and Shelly Chudej
Plans: Attend Baylor University and major in communication sciences and disorders on the speech pathology track.
Achievements: Baylor Provost Gold Scholarship; Baylor Bear Scholarship; Robinson High School Rotary Club nominee; Robinson Youth Basketball Club Scholarship; McLennan Scholar.
Salutatorian • Mariana Pinilla • Robinson
Parents: Walter and Adriana Morgan
Plans: Attend Texas A&M University and major in biochemistry to work toward becoming an orthodontist.
Achievements: National Honor Society president (2019-20); top 10 percent all four years; Seabee Memorial Scholarship; Chick-fil-A Remarkable Futures Scholarship; Waco Masonic Lodge Scholarship.
Emily Allred • Salutatorian • Axtell
Parents: Nolan and Priscella Allred
Plans: Attend Tarleton State University to study animal science.
Achievements: National Honor Society; Longhorn Legacy Academic Award (junior, senior years); Axtell FFA Booster Scholarship; James Underwood Memorial Scholarship; Raymond and Rosie Knapek Scholarship; Texas FFA Scholarship.
Adrian Amaro • Valedictorian • Bosqueville
Parents: Jose and Jessica Amaro
Plans: Attend University of Texas at Austin and major in astrophysics and aerospace engineering.
Achievements: National Hispanic Scholar; band; FFA; tennis; academic UIL; National Honor Society; Bosqueville Excellence in Education Foundation Scholarship.
Brenda Garcia • Salutatorian • Bosqueville
Parents: Arturo and Luz Maria Garcia
Plans: Attend University of Texas at Arlington and pursue degree as a pediatric registered nurse.
Achievements: National Honor Society; basketball; tennis; cross country; track; FFA; academic UIL; PALs (Peer Assistance Leadership).
Davis Golden • Valedictorian • China Spring
Parents: Jeff and Julie Golden
Plans: Attend Texas A&M University and major in nuclear engineering.
Achievements: Academic All-State Elite Team (basketball); Emily Stephens Memorial Scholarship; Nobel Laureate Scholarship; Math Department Award.
Madison Mayfield • Salutatorian • China Spring
Parents: Jordan and Eden Mayfield
Plans: Attend Iowa State University and major in English/creative writing and vocal performance.
Achievements: Texas Music Educators Association All-State Small School Mixed Choir (soprano, 2019, 2020); International Thespian Society Troupe #6235 president; Iowa State Adventurer Award; International Thespian Society Scholarship; Trey Barnett Memorial Scholarship.
Anne Williams • Valedictorian • Crawford
Parents: Roger and Lori Williams
Plans: Attend Texas A&M University and major in architectural engineering.
Achievements: Two-time Class 2A volleyball state champion (2017, 2019); UIL volleyball state tournament MVP (2019); Super Centex Volleyball Player of the Year (2019) and SC all-decade team; UIL state medalist in editorial writing; Beta Club; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; PALs (Peer Assistance Leadership).
Ana Maddox • Salutatorian • Crawford
Parents: Jodi and Amy Maddox
Plans: Attend Baylor University and major in geriatric nursing.
Achievements: Two-time Class 2A volleyball state champion (2017, 2019); Texas Sports Writers Association All-State first team middle hitter; Volleyball All-State Tournament Team (2019); Super Centex basketball first team (2019, 2020); all-Region II basketball team.
Madeline Kiss • Valedictorian • La Vega
Parents: Zoltan and Helen Kiss
Plans: Attend Texas Tech University at the University Center at McLennan Community College and major in biology; wants to pursue medical school and become an obstetrician/gynecologist.
Achievements: Earned 62 college hours in high school and has associate’s degree from MCC; National Honor Society; band (4 years); volunteered through AVID program; numerous academic awards.
Norelys Hernandez • Salutatorian • La Vega
Parents: Martin Hernandez and Maria Ochoa
Plans: Attend Texas Tech University and major in biology.
Achievements: Earned 62 college hours in high school and has associate’s degree from McLennan Community College; National Honor Society; Student Council; band (4 years); volunteered through AVID program; numerous academic awards; assists with religious education classes at church.
Haven Booker • Valedictorian • Rapoport Meyer
Parents: David and Kim Booker
Plans: Attend Baylor University and major in communication sciences and disorders.
Achievements: Earned associate’s degree from McLennan Community College; Provost Gold Academic Scholarship from Baylor; KWTX Classroom Champion; basketball; volleyball; yearbook editor.
Maddison Ives • Salutatorian • Rapoport Meyer
Parents: David Ives and Jamie Steele
Plans: Attend Baylor University and major in mechanical engineering.
Achievements: Earned associate’s degree from McLennan Community College; Dean’s Gold Scholarship from Baylor.
Rachel Saage • Valedictorian • Riesel
Parents: Ben and Audrey Saage
Plans: Attend Baylor University and major in communication sciences and disorders; wants to work with kids as a speech pathologist.
Achievements: Provost Gold Scholarship from Baylor; McLennan County Go Texan Scholarship; Knapek Scholarship; Rotary Youth Citizenship Award nominee; Ralph Barksdale Jr. Educators Credit Union Memorial Scholarship.
Megan Howard • Salutatorian • Riesel
Parents: Shane and Tonya Howard
Plans: Attend McLennan Community College and then Tarleton State University to receive a bachelor’s degree in psychology; wants to become a therapist or counselor.
Achievements: Student Council president; National Honor Society; junior editor of yearbook; FFA.
Daiaudrea London-Ridge • Valedictorian • University
Parent: LaMonica Haynes
Plans: Attend University of Texas at Austin and major in accounting.
Achievements: Earned associate’s degree from McLennan Community College; National Honor Society; Upward Bound; Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership, Education and Development Program; Bill and Melinda Gates Scholarship.
Ivette Padron • Salutatorian • University
Parents: Miguel and Matilda Padron
Plans: Attend University of North Texas and double-major in communications and sociology.
Achievements: Earned associate’s degree from McLennan Community College; National Honor Society president; Texas Association of Future Educators; Future Business Leaders of America; Terry Scholar.