After twelve years, 108 months, 3,240 days, are the estimated number of days students attend school before reaching the pinnacle of their educational career, high school graduation. That pivotal time has come for the class of 2017. It’s time for them to turn their tassel and take the brave steps into the next chapter of their lives. Annually, Houston Style Magazine recognizes the Houston ISD’s African American and Hispanic valedictorians to salute them on their accomplishments. Congrats Class of 2017!

Santos Flores

Austin High School

Upon graduation from high school, Santos Flores will attend Carleton College on a POSSE Scholarship. He is undecided on a major. In high school, Flores’ favorite subject was physics. The honor roll student was a member of the National Honor Society and Christian Catholic Club. He loves playing tennis and video games.

Yemile Bazaldua

Chavez High School

Upon graduation from high school, Yemile Bazaldua will attend Harvard University on a Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship. She will major in biomedical engineering. In high school, Bazaldua’s favorite subjects were calculus and biology. She received several honors including Dean's List, Honor Roll, AP Scholar, AP Scholar with Distinction, Honorable Mention FOR Rice CERCL Essay Contest.

Edna Olvera

East Early College High School

Upon graduation from high school, Edna Olvera will attend Swarthmore College. She obtained several scholarships including the Swarthmore College Scholarship, UT Presidential Scholarship, Texas Tech Presidential Scholarship, and Texas A&M Regents Scholar. She will major in engineering or prelaw/political science and minor in creative writing or anthropology/psychology. In high school, Olvera’s favorite subject was writing college essays, research papers, short stories. She received several honors and also enjoys robotics.

Jed Benedict Eloja

Eastwood Academy

Upon graduation from high school, Jed Benedict Eloja will attend the University of Texas at Austin. He will major in computer science. In high school, Eloja’s favorite subjects were Computer science, statistics, and calculus. He was named an AP Scholar with distinction. He was a member of the Debate Club, CyberPatriots, and National Honor Society. His hobbies include reading, Tetris, and TypeRacer.

Edwin Juarez

Heights High School

Upon graduation from high school, Edwin Juarez will attend Washington University or Claremont McKenna College on Phi Beta Kappa scholarship. He will major in mathematics/economics and minor in psychology. In high school, Juarez’s favorite subjects were math and psychology. The first generation college student participated in Academic Decathlon, EMERGE, UIL Math Club, SAT tutor while in high school.

Uriel Iglesias

Houston MSTC

Upon graduation from high school, Uriel Iglesias will attend The University of Texas at Austin on a UT Longhorn Pre-College Academy Scholarship. He will major in Bilingual General Education. In high school, Iglesias’s favorite subjects were statistics, algebra, and art. The honor roll student is a former Homecoming Prince and Homecoming King. He was named Best Designer of the Robotics team and won Rube Goldberg Competition First Place.

Marquez Irving

Jones Futures Academy

Upon graduation from high school, Marquez Irving will attend Sam Houston State. He will major in business and minor in electricity. In high school, Irving’s favorite subject was English. He already has 30 college credits and was a member of the National Soccer Club. His hobbies are collecting music and playing basketball.

Gerardo Carreon

Jordan High School

Upon graduation from high school, Gerardo Carreon will attend Texas A&M University. He will major in chemical engineering and minor in kinesiology. He received several scholarships including Texas Legislative Black Caucus, UT Presidential Scholarship, and UH Academic Excellence. In high school, Carreon’s favorite subjects were math, reading and writing. The honor roll student participated in the JROTC, Music Club. He also had perfect attendance.

Bryaunna Givens

Kashmere High School

Upon graduation from high school, Bryaunna Givens will attend Prairie View A&M University on the Lillian V. Chester Scholarship. She will major in biology. In high school, Givens’ favorite subjects were Pre-cal and environmental science. She was an honor roll student with perfect attendance in high school. She enjoys cooking and reading.

Christian Ramos

Liberty High School

Upon graduation from high school, Christian Ramos will attend the University of Houston. She received the Texas A&M Regent's Scholarship. She will major in math and natural science. In high school, Ramos’ favorite subjects were math, biology, physics, and economics. Awards she received were Honor Roll, Perfect Attendance, and UIL Computer Applications. She enjoys researching natural science and playing the guitar.

Enrique Arancibia

Madison High School

Upon graduation from high school, Enrique Arancibia will attend Wake Forest University. He received the UT Longhorn Scholarship. He will major in civil engineering. In high school, Arancibia’s favorite subjects were algebra 2, music, and history. The former Student Body President likes music and drawing. The honor roll student also had perfect attendance. His activities include EMERGE Fellowship, Geoforce Texas, and Student Council.

Johanna Peralta Lopez

Middle College High School at HCC Gulfton

Upon graduation from high school, Johanna Peralta Lopez will attend Sam Houston State University. She will major in criminal justice and minor in history. In high school, Lopez’s favorite subject was history. The honor roll student loves playing basketball and reading. Her activities included softball, choir, debate, student leadership, and student council. Her awards include perfect attendance, honor roll, and most credits earned.

Abraham Alvarado

Milby High School

Upon graduation from high school, Abraham Alvarado will attend Tufts University on a full scholarship. He will major in mechanical engineering and mathematics. In high school, Alvarado’s favorite subjects were math and science. The honor roll student had perfect attendance and was a Tapia Math-Science Scholar. Her activities included Name that Book, Peace Club, Mu Alpha Theta, National Honor Society, English Honor Society, and Spanish Honor Society.

Chiedu Nwaobi

Mount Carmel Academy

Upon graduation from high school, Chiedu Nwaobi will attend Texas A&M University. He will major in aerospace/aeronautical engineering. In high school, Nwaobi’s favorite subjects were pre-calculus and AP macroeconomic. The honor roll student had perfect attendance and named Outstanding Student in AP history. His hobbies are playing the guitar, reading and skateboarding. He is the VP of the National Honor Society and a member of the Newman Club.

Deonna London

North Forest High School

Upon graduation from high school, Deonna London will attend Prairie View A&M University on a Merit Scholarship. She will major in engineering. In high school, London’s favorite subjects were English literature, algebra II, and government. She was very involved in school participating on the basketball, track, volleyball and cross country teams. She was the treasurer of the National Honor Society and Class President. She received numerous awards.

Sandra Garza

North Houston Early College High School

Upon graduation from high school, Sandra Garza will attend the University of Houston. She received an Academic Excellence Scholarship and the Edmonds Educational Scholarship. She will major in computer science. In high school, Garza’s favorite subjects were computer science, English, and math. Her awards include National Hispanic Scholar and Distinguished Diploma. The honor roll student’s activities included LEAD Council, Student Council, National Honor Society, and Recruitment Engineering Club.

Maria Rodriguez

Northside High School

Upon graduation from high school, Maria Rodriguez will attend Brown University as a Questbridge Scholar. She will major in pre-med/biology. In high school, Rodriguez’s favorite subjects were science and math. Her awards include honor roll and Biology Student of the Year. Her activities include Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Debate, Environmental Club, Tennis, HISD Student Congress, DECA, EMERGE, and National Honor Society.

Emily Flores

Scarborough High School

Upon graduation from high school, Emily Flores will attend the University of Texas at Austin. She will major in computer science. In high school, Flores’s favorite subjects were science and math. Her awards include honor roll and Outstanding Student. Her activities include Marching band, Student Council, National Honor Society, College Forward, and My Brother's Keeper.

Jasmine Cervantes

Sharpstown High School

Upon graduation from high school, Jasmine Cervantes will attend college but is uncertain on which university. She will major in education, ASL, and political science. She received the following scholarships - DePauw Presidential Scholar, DePauw University Merit Award, Clark University Jonas Clark Scholarship. In high school, Cervantes’ favorite subjects were history and English. Her awards include honor roll, Perfect Attendance, UIL Best Technician, UIL Honorable Mention, UIL All Star Cast, Microsoft Specialist.

Dominique Garcia

South Early College High School

Upon graduation from high school, Dominique Garcia will attend the University of Houston. He is undecided on his major. The Outstanding Senior likes to play basketball. His favorite subject is math. His activities include volunteering and tutoring elementary students.

Paul Irvin

Victory Prep North

Upon graduation from high school, Paul Irvin will attend Texas Southern University. He will major in English. In high school, Irvin’s favorite subject was U.S. History. The National Honor Society member likes to play basketball.

John Dockery

Victory Prep South

Upon graduation from high school, John Dockery will attend the University of Houston Moore’s School of Music. He received two scholarships - Highest Ranking Graduate Exemption, U of H Academic Excellence Scholarship. He will major in music with elective studies in music business. In high school, Dockery’s favorite subjects were business, mathematics, and world history. His hobbies include music, entrepreneurship, and reading, basketball.

Cedric Jones

Worthing High School

Upon graduation from high school, Cedric Jones will attend Texas State University. He received a scholarship sponsored by KPRC-Ch 2. He will major in mechanical engineering and civil engineering. In high school, Jones’ favorite subjects were Algebra, biology, and chemistry. His hobbies include writing poetry, listening to music and reading. The A/B honor roll student was active playing football and running track. He was a Student Board of Directors/Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Be Legendary Intern.

Kenyell Banks

Yates High School

Upon graduation from high school, Kenyell Banks will attend Texas State University. She will major in mechanical engineering. She received several scholarships including TLBC Scholarship, Phi Beta Kappa Scholarship, Texas Southern General Scholarship, and Houston Area Association of Dancers Scholarship. In high school, Banks’ favorite subjects were math and reading. Her activities included Lionettes Dance Team, National Honor Society, Lady Lions Softball, and Student Television Network.

Sofia Alfaro

Young Women's College Preparatory Academy

Upon graduation from high school, Sofia Alfaro will attend Georgetown University. She will major in environmental science and minor in psychology. She received several scholarships including 1789 Scholarship from Georgetown U, GU Scholarship, Community Scholar GU Scholarship. In high school, Alfaro’s favorite subjects were English and environmental science. Her activities included EMERGE, Public Forum Debate, Do-It-Yourself Club, Choreographer, Expressions Dance Company, IPAA/ PESA, DREAM at Rice University.