Texas is losing one out of every five students before their graduation day according to an attrition study by the Intercultural Development Research Association. Black and Hispanic students are twice as likely in comparison to white students to drop out of high school before completing the 12th grade. Despite these statistics, Texas has among the highest graduation rates for black and brown minorities. Various obstacles stand in their way but none have been as large as that which crippled students this past year. The global pandemic had students face equipment issues, connectivity problems, physical and mental health tribulations, learning difficulties and more. No matter what the class of 2021 kept pushing themselves to work in any situation, push themselves harder than ever, and achieve in mist of what surrounded them. The Class of 2021 is resilient and today we honor their won't quit spirit to rise to the top. Congratulations to the 2021 minority valedictorians of the Houston ISD!

*Sara Cruz

Austin High School

College Choice

Texas A&M University

Major

Forensics and Investigative Sciences. Minor in Music

*Yarselyn Flores-Guaycochea

Challenge Early College HS

College Choice

University of Chicago

Major

Economics/Business Economics. Minor in Data Science

Ana Barahona

Chavez High School

College Choice

Texas A&M University

Major

Electrical Engineering

*Johnny Cortez

East Early College HS

College Choice

Duke University

Major

Electrical Engineering or Computer Science

*Alexa Piedra

Energized for STEM Academy HS

College Choice

University of Texas at Austin

Major

Psychology

*Benjamin Barnes

Energy Institute High School

College Choice

University of Virginia

Major

Physics

*Hilario Fraire

Furr High School

College Choice

University of Texas at Austin

Major

Computer Science

*Paige Roberson

Houston Academy International

College Choice

Vanderbilt University

Major

Molecular and Cellular Biology

Julian Tanguma

Houston MSTC

College Choice

University of Texas at Austin, Franklin & Marshall or Carleton College

Major

Architecture or Computer Science. Minor in Mathematics

*Auria Al-Amin Vick

Jones Futures Academy

College Choice

North Carolina A&T

Major

Nursing

*Alejandra Rodriguez

Kashmere High School

College Choice

Wellesley College

Major

Aeronautical Engineering or Astrophysics

Krystal Jones

Law and Justice High School

College Choice

University of Chicago

Major

Computer Science

Acsa Hernandez

Long Academy

College Choice

University of Houston

Major

Nursing

*Emely Reyes

Long Academy

College Choice

Bowdoin College

Major

Psychology

*Aleyza Leyva

Madison High School

College Choice

Sam Houston State University

Major

Nursing

Cesar Villalta Reyna

Mickey Leland College Prep

College Choice

Northwestern or Rice University

Major

Computer Science. Minor in Mathematics

*Itzel Campuzano

Middle College at HCC Fraga

College Choice

University of Houston

Major

Undecided

*Guadalupe Cruz

Middle College at HCC Gulfton

College Choice

Houston Community College

Major

Undecided

Paris Alvarado

Milby High School

College Choice

Undecided

Major

Political Science/Pre-Law

*Morgan Coleman

Mount Carmel

College Choice

University of Texas at Austin

Major

Business/Finance

*Brenda Robledo

North Forest High School

College Choice

Undecided

Major

Environmental Science

*Ehulises Rodriguez

North Houston Early College HS

College Choice

Northwestern University

Major

Biomedical Engineering

*Juan Cardozo

Northside High School

College Choice

Trinity University

Major

Neuroscience

*Fernanda Villalobos

Northside High School

College Choice

Houston Community College

Major

Fashion Design

*Marlin Santos

Sharpstown High School

College Choice

University of Texas at Austin

Major

Business

*Devin Guevara

Sharpstown International

College Choice

Stanford University

Major

International Relations and/or Public Policy

*Malik Williams

South Early College HS

College Choice

Columbia University

Major

Print Journalism

*SaMya Dolison

Sterling High School

College Choice

University of Houston

Major

Biology. Minor in Psychology

*Guadalupe Villa

Waltrip High School

College Choice

University of Houston-Downtown

Major

English/Psychology

Michelle Ejimofor

Westbury High School

College Choice

Dartmouth

Major

Psychology, International Relations, Spanish

*Diana Balderas

Wheatley High School

College Choice

University of Houston

Major

Business

*Elhadji Toure

Wisdom High School

College Choice

Carleton College

Major

Computer Science/Pre-Med

MarKia Hollins

Yates High School

College Choice

Texas Southern University

Major

Criminal Justice