Twelve years (13 if you include Kindergarten) of school makes the hassle definitely worth the tassel. High school seniors across our city don the ceremonial cap and gown for one of the most important walks of their life, the walk to receive their diploma. With bright smiles and wide eyes, they accept their diploma in their right hand and turn their tassel with their left hand.

Now whether their next steps take them to college, trade school, or the workforce they have made a vital mark on their educational path by earning their high school diploma. It is an achievement to be most proud of and for most high school students, it is the peak accomplishment of their young life. Thus by far, reaching that juncture at any phase is noteworthy. If you are #1 or #801 in your class, Houston Style Magazine salutes you on a job well done.

Houston Style Magazine celebrates and pays special homage to the students who are graduating with the highest honors in their class, Houston ISD’s African American and Hispanic Valedictorians of 2019. Congratulations Class of 2019!

Melissa Hernandez

Austin High School

While at Austin High School, Melissa was an Honor Roll student with perfect attendance. Her favorite subjects were Algebra 2 and Pre-Calculus. She was highly involved participating in Varsity Girls Soccer, President of National Honor Society, English Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Science Club, DREAM, Spanish Club, Hispanic Youth Leadership Program, and the University of Houston Academic Achievers. Upon graduation, she plans to attend Bryn Mawr College to major in Sociology.

Sara Sanchez Alarcon

East Early College High School

While in high school, Sara participated in the debate club, SOAR (robotics) club, and the Literary Magazine staff. English and writing were her favorite classes because it gave her a chance to show off her skills and to truly show work that represents her beliefs and rigor. Sara plans to attend Williams College using her Hispanic Bar Association of Houston scholarship. She plans to double major in English and Chemistry

Vanesa Gonzalez Torres

Eastwood Academy

While at Eastwood Academy, Vanesa loved math, science, and history. Her academic success afforded her several honors including AP Scholar, Honor Roll, and VASE Regional Medal AP Drawing Division. She was involved in the National Honors Society, EMERGE, and Student Council. Vanesa will attend Tufts University on a full scholarship to major in Civil Engineering.

Nestor Delgado Andrade

ESTEM Central

Nestor was a scholar in high school with a passion for Pre-Calculus, AP Calculus, and English. He earned numerous awards in the Regional TAME competitions. He participated in The Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) Varsity Soccer Math Olympiad. He is super proud to be the first in his family to attend college. He will go to Loyola University - Maryland or the University of Houston to major in Mechanical Engineering.

Albalene Rodriguez

ESTEM West

Christiana Okafor

High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice

Christiana is a go getter. In high school she was involved in countless organizations while maintaining a high GPA. Her favorite subjects were Political Science l and ll, Biology, Tax and Revenue, AP Statistics, and AP Environmental Science. The 2018 Disney Dreamers Academy participant has racked up several awards including the Phi Beta Kappa Alumni scholarship. She will take her talents to Bowdoin College to double major in Public Health and Political Science, or Biomedical Sciences and Africana Studies.

Patrice Stubblefield

Houston Academy for International Studies

Patrice is a scholar. That is evident by the numerous awards she received in high school including the Foreign Exchange Student Distinction, National Math and Science Initiative, Community Service Award, Outstanding Performance in Geometry, Outstanding Performance in Chinese, and National Honor Society. Along with those awards Patrice was a number of scholarship offers that surely will help her at the University of Texas at Dallas. She plans to major in Speech Pathology and Audiology.

Yoana Pineda

Houston MSTC

In high school, Yoana Pineda excelled in math and science. When she wasn’t hitting the books, she participated in Mariachi Bicentenario, National Honor Society, EMERGE, Hispanic Achievement Club, UT Outreach, and Sam Block Market-Food Bank. Her hobbies include playing soccer and playing Mariachi. The first generation college student plans to attend the University of Houston majoring in health.

Monique Jones

Jones Futures Academy

Monique Jones racked up several awards in high school including the Honor Roll, perfect attendance, Falcon of the Year, Dean’s List, and Principal’s Choice Award. She participated in Student Council, National Honor Society, Gamma Phi Alpha, Junior Achievement and Debate. Since her favorite subjects were English and History it is no surprise that her hobbies are reading, listening to music, and writing. She plans to use her Terry scholarship at Sam Houston State University where she will major in political science and/or pre-law.

Yodi Pineda

Kashmere High School

While at Kashmere High School Yodi was involved in activities that included the JROTC, National Honor Society, and Debate Ram 100. Her activities kept her busy but she still kept her grades up. Her favorite subjects were English U.S. Government Environmental Science and Physics JROTC. When she wasn’t at school Yodi spent her time reading, doing art projects, singing, spending time outdoors, traveling, and volunteering. Yodi plans to attend Franklin & Marshall College on a William H. Gray Scholarship.

Karla Alejandra Montero Rivero

Liberty High School

While at Liberty High School, Karla was a fan of STEM subjects with her favorites being Chemistry and Math. She excelled in speaking competitions winning Second Place in Extemp, 4th and 5th Place in Poetry, and 4th place in Veterans of American Revolution Speech. The UIL, Debate, and National Honor's Society student enjoys practicing Volleyball, Dancing, Signing, Fitness Workouts, and Arts and Crafts. Karla plans to attend Miami Dade College to major in Biology.

Rosine Mpozenzi

Long Academy

While at Long Academy Rosine left her marked. She was the President of National Honor Society, GetSchooled Ambassador, Founder of JLA Dance Team, Board Scholars and member of the Math Club and Emerge. The Honor Roll student had perfect attendance. Her favorite subjects were British Literature and Biology. Rosine plans to attend Colby College to major in Psychology with a concentration in neuroscience. She will have plenty of help with college expenses as she has received several scholarships.

Ebonee Ellison

Madison High School

Ebonee’s reports cards were filled with A’s. The Honor Roll student loved math and science while in high school. When she was not hitting the books, she was involved in Student Council, National Honor Society, Varsity Boys Basketball Manager, Varsity Cheer (Freshman year), Art Club, Class Officer, NASA H.U.N.C.H., Young Owls Leadership Program (YOLP), church choir, and TSU Trio. After graduation, Ebonee plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to major in business (accounting) with a University Leadership Network scholarship.

Gustavo Flores

Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy

Gustavo Flores was a scholar in high school earning the top Chemistry score at the UIL District Invitational and AP Scholar with Distinction. She was the Captain of the UIL Science Team and participated in Genesys Works, FLO Fellows, National Honor Society and NHHS. His favorite subjects were Calculus AB, AP Macroeconomics. He plans to use his Posse Foundation Full-tuition Leadership Scholarship at Carleton College to major in Physics and minor in Mathematics.

Melissa Hernandez

Middle College High School at Felix Fraga

Positivity has helped Melissa get where she is today. The Honor Roll student had perfect attendance in high school and favored the subjects of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Pre-Calc, and US History. Outside the classroom, she participated on Student Council and had hobbies of listening to music, going to church, helping to prepare and cook in the kitchen. Melissa plans to attend the University of Houston to major in Biology.

JaDisha Ryans

Middle College High School at HCC Gulfton

JaDisha has had an interesting high school experience participating in NJROTC Program at Ross Shaw Sterling Aviation High School and a majorette at C.O.R.E Academy. Her activity schedule was crazy but she maintained her academics Honor Roll and having perfect attendance. He favorite subjects were History, Computer Programming, Language Arts and Chemistry. JaDisha plans to attend Texas Southern University to major in General Studies or Psychology.

Jamel Jolivet

North Forest High School

Perfect Attendance, Highest GPA, Character Award, Bulldog Baseball MVP, Most Improved Wrestler, First Team Academic, and All-State Wrestler are just some of the reasons that make Jamel Jolivet a great student. While in high school the math lover participated in the National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, Chess Club, Baseball Team, Football Team, Wrestling Team, Student Government, and Debate Club. Jamel plans to attend Rust College or the University of Houston to major in Chemistry or Business.

Aushanae Haller

North Houston Early College High School

Although English and U.S. History were Aushanae’s favorite subjects in high school she excelled in all of them. She was actively involved in the National Honor Society, Science National Honor Society, Advanced Choir, Student Council, LEAD Council, ZIA Sisterhood, Together with Tech, and EMERGE. The Dean’s List and Student of the Month scholar has received scholarships from Texas A&M Regents and the Texas A&M Opportunity Award. Aushanae plans to attend Smith College to major in Clinical Psychology or Africana Studies.

Angie Pineda

Sharpstown High School

Angie is a straight A's Honor Roll student with perfect attendance. Her favorite subjects in high school were math and English. She balance her academics with activities like Girls Varsity Soccer, All-District 2A-5A Second Team, Soccer, Key Club, National Honor Society, Running Club, Student Ambassadors, and Student Council. She has received several scholarships including Texas A&M Century Scholar Award, Federal Pell Grant, Texas A&M Regents Scholarship, and others. Angie plans to attend Texas A&M-College Station to major in Economics.

Juan Venancio

Sharpstown International School

Remember Juan Venancio, he may be your next Congressman. The honor student’s favorite subjects in high school were US Government & Politics, Comparative Government & Politics and Macroeconomics. He participated in the National Honor Society, Model United Nations, the Woods Project, EMERGE, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, UIL Social Studies, Coca-Cola Summer Internship – Rebuilding Together Houston, and Memorial Hermann Hospital Summer Teen Intern.

He has received several scholarships that he plans to use at Harvard University to major in Government and minor in Economics.

Zulima Ike

South Early College High School

Zulima was an outstanding high school. Her awards are proof of that. They included Gifted and Talented student certification; Honor roll; and Most outstanding student award from freshman-junior year award; AP computer science principles; Chemistry, Biology, and Physics; Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Geometry; English 2; Geography, American history, and Economics awards. Her favorite subjects in school were Spanish, Art, and AP computer science principles. Her scholarships will help her at the University of Texas Austin where she plans to major in Electrical Engineering.

Heather Coleman

Sterling Aviation High School

Heather Coleman was active in and outside the classroom. The subjects that she favored in school were English, Biology, and Anatomy and Physiology. She was an honor roll student that earned several awards. Heather was the Captain of the drill team, Student Body President, Student Ambassador, and member of National Honor Society and National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She plans to use her Overunder Scholarship at the University of Houston to major in Kinesiology (Exercise Science) and minor in Sports Medicine.

Marissa Ortiz

Waltrip High School

Marissa Oritz was a member of the band, color guard, and National Honor Society while at Waltrip High School. Her favorite subjects were Biology and English. She was named Most Outstanding Color Guard and Most Dependable Color Guard. She has received the University of Houston Academic Excellence Scholarship and was an Optimist Scholarship Finalist. Her future plans include attending the University of Houston to majoring Exercise Science.

Zakheya Johnson

Washington High School

Zakheya Johnson was an active member of the National Honor Society, the Booker T. Washington Leadership Academy, Booker T. Washington Student Council, and EMERGE. She also played volleyball for three years and softball for one. She took an extra interest in science and will major in Biochemistry in college. Zakheya likes the arts and performing community service. She will use her TLBC Scholarship at Texas A&M University.

Stephanie Quiroz

Westbury High School

Stephanie Quiroz was honor student and member of the National Honor Society in high school. She was also in the Westbury Fire Club. She had perfect attendance and favor math. Stephanie regularly volunteers at her old elementary and hanging out with family friends. In the fall she will attend Texas A&M University to major in Biomedical Science.

Josue Alvarado

Yates High School

Josue Alvarado had perfect attendance in school. Because he was always in class he became an honor student earning all A’ s and one B. He held membership in the National Honor Society and Emerge. His favorite subjects in high school were Math & Science. She received the Dean’s Scholarship. He wants to attend Gustavus Adolphus College to major in Biochemistry. His hobbies are listening to music, spending time with friends, playing video games.

Casey Calixto

Young Women's College Preparatory Academy

Casey Calixto was a busy girl in school belonging to such organizations as Rho Kappa, NSBE, Speech and Debate, Dream with Rice University, EMERGE, Geoforce, Nexus Summer Programs, and iEducate. The student athlete’s best subject was Physics. She earned such awards as History Fair 1st place Regional Winner and AP Capstone Diploma and was an AP Scholar. She hopes to attend the University of Virginia in the fall to major in Mechanical Engineering/ Aerospace Engineering on a Posse Scholarship.

Kennedi Taylor Wesley

KIPP Sunnyside

Kennedi Wesley is one extremely active teen. The KIPP Sunnyside valedictorian NSHSS and captain of the cheerleading team at school and secretary of her Top Teens of America chapter outside of school. Outside of the classroom Kennedi is a wiz in the kitchen and loves to practice her cheerleading skills. The magna cum laude student of the week has received the EW Portis, GHBC, Willie Lee Glass, Amplify Scholar scholarships. She is going to need those funds when she attends Duke University in the fall to major in international comparative studies and Spanish.