SAN ANGELO, TX – San Angelo ISD celebrated the countdown to graduation for the Class of 2023 by introducing the valedictorians and salutatorians of SAISD’s Class of 2023 to the public.
CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL
- Valedictorian: Franchesca “Chesca” Untalan
- GPA: 107.7833
- Parents: Dr. Raymond & Frances Untalan
- Attending: University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a dual degree in Computer Science and Business Honors
Activities & Involvement:
- Member of Chamber Orchestra for all four years, serving as president & formerly co-concert master & section leader
- Member of the Computer Science UIL team
- President & Co-Founder of Software House, the first computer science club at Central HS
- President of the National Honor Society chapter at Central HS
Recognitions/Achievements/Scholarships:
- David Phillips Music and Service Award
- Most Outstanding Musician Award
- UIL Scholar
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- National Merit Commended Student
- Four-time Texas Music Scholar
- National Honor Society Semifinalist Scholarship Recipient
- San Angelo Area Foundation Amy McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship Recipient
- Pine Cove Consulting Technology Student of the Year Scholarship Recipient
What do you plan to do after graduating college? “I envision myself pursuing a career combining business and technology, probably something involving management or strategy.”
Parting thoughts? “My advice for students — work hard for what you want but have fun!” Chesca said. “You only get one life, so live it well.”
- Salutatorian: Rheanna Dancel-Javier
- GPA: 107.4464
- Parents: Rhea Dancel & Francis Dancel
- Attending: University of Texas at Austin, majoring in Chemical Engineering
Activities & Involvement:
- Three-year member of Key Club, serving as President in 2022-2023
- Vice President of the National Honor Society chapter at Central HS
- Student Council, freshman & sophomore year
Recognitions/Achievements/Scholarships:
- Academic Honor Roll
- NMSI Award
- Kiwanis-Kouvelis Scholarship
- Rising Star Awards Recipient
What do you plan to do after graduating college? “I plan to pursue a career in green energy to advance the safety and production of chemicals needed for fuel and other services.”
Parting thoughts? “The best lesson I have learned during my time at Central is to always keep a kind heart,” Rheanna said. “My greatest memories here come from the kindness I receive from my closest peers and my caring teachers.”
High academic standards aren’t the only trait this year’s CHS valedictorian and salutatorian share – they are both of Filipino descent.
“As Filipinos, our culture takes great pride in their children, and San Angelo’s close-knit Filipino community has sincerely supported us throughout our high school careers,” the young women said in a joint statement. “It is a tremendous honor for us to academically represent our community by being the first Filipino valedictorian and salutatorian pair at Central in its 65 years of existence. We hope that by earning these titles, we can inspire other kids to do their best in whatever they set their minds to.”
LAKE VIEW HIGH SCHOOL
Valedictorian: Mischa Watts
GPA: 105.2241
Parents: Wyatt Watts & Jessica Brown
Attending: Texas Tech University, pursuing a degree in engineering
Activities & Involvement:
- Cross country
- Cheer
- Theatre
- Lake View Ambassadors
- National Honor Society
Recognitions/Achievements/Scholarships:
- D.A.R. Excellence in History Award
- UIL Scholar
- Lake View Maiden Award
- 110% Effort Award in cross country
- 110% Effort Award in track
- Hollands Award in track
- Bug Express SAISD Scholar Athlete of the Week
- STEM2D Ethicon Scholarship recipient
What do you plan to do after graduating college: “I plan to travel as much as I can while pursuing a career that interests me.”
Parting thoughts: “It is such an honor to be named valedictorian after the past four years of school. All the hard work I’ve put in has been recognized and celebrated, which made me feel extremely proud of myself for never giving up. It also came as a huge relief that I am now eligible for scholarships that can keep my family from having to worry about four full years of college tuition.”
Salutatorian: Giovani Pablo GPA: 105.1754 Mother: Beneranda Ramos Attending: Texas Tech University, majoring in Computer Science
Activities & Involvement:
- Football
- Powerlifting
- Track and Field
- Cross Country
- UIL Academics
Recognitions/Achievements/Scholarships:
- Regional qualifier for powerlifting
- Regional qualifier for track and field
- Regional qualifier for UIL Academics in Computer Science
- Academic Honor Roll
What do you plan to do after graduating college: “My plans after graduation are to travel the world, find a stable tech job, and provide for my mother.”
Parting thoughts: “Words cannot describe the joy and excitement I am feeling for being named salutatorian. The recognition I am receiving goes directly to my mother, my biggest inspiration. This recognition proves that I was successful in the eyes of my family and friends.”
Join SAISD, CHS, and LVHS in congratulating our valedictorians and salutatorians and wishing them success as they continue their pursuit of their hopes and dreams next fall at the University of Texas and Texas Tech University. Follow the San Angelo ISD Facebook, Twitter, and website, www.saisd.org, to see more ways we celebrate our Class of 2023 future-ready graduates and stay up-to-date on SAISD.
Community members are encouraged to share how they celebrate their graduates all week long as part of our countdown to cap and gown in advance of the Class of 2023 graduation ceremonies, using the hashtags #SAISDGrads23 and #FutureReadyatSAISD. We look forward to celebrating our SAISD Class of 2023 graduates and their achievements for this important milestone and stepping-off point toward the further fulfillment of their hopes and dreams.
Subscribe to the LIVE! Daily
Required
Post a comment to this article here: