As submitted are the awards and achievements of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians of Orange County’s public schools.
WO-S farewell speaker Briana Schwartz
Parents: Sheila Schwartz
Awards / Honors: Valedictorian; Class representative; 1st place in poetry and 2nd place in prose through the Gator Tales Literary / Art Contest at the LSCO; Dell Scholarship Recipient; Regent’s Scholarship to Texas A&M Recipients; Prominent Pearls Scholarship Award
Clubs / Organizations: National Honor Society, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Youth Leadership Southeast Texas, Early College High School
Community Service / Work Experience: Through my membership of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society of two-year colleges and the National Honor Society, I do many different types of community service. In my free time, I work with my uncle on apartment and vehicle conversions. I also tutor other students.
Future Plans: I will be attending Texas A&M College Station with a major in Biomedical Sciences this fall. After my bachelor’s degree, I will study medicine, complete my specialist training and other required training, and become a sports medicine specialist. I would also like to get certifications in EMT and other lower medical fields.
Favorite quote: “Choose a job you love and you don’t have to work a day in your life” – Confucius
Role Model: My mother has always been my role model because she pushed me to succeed, taught me to study and told me to follow my passions. She has endured so much, too, and still gets her way, no matter how difficult things get. I hope to be as strong as you as I grow.
Vidor High School farewell speaker Adam Harris
Adam Harris says goodbye to Vidor High School Class 2021. He is the son of Daniel and Patrice Harris. Adam leaves VHS on a fully funded scholarship to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah ($ 80,000) and a top ten percent price of $ 250 from Vidor ISD. He is a recommended student in the National Merit Program for the 2019 PSAT for placement in the top 3% of 1.5 million students. Adam has been a member of the Mighty Pirate Marching Band for years and has played the trombone for years and has been in the wind ensemble for three years. He is a four-year graduate of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Early Seminary. Adam will be studying computer science at BYU-Provo starting this fall and will later serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Adam enjoys and loves learning about a variety of different things. He is an avid reader and one of his favorite books is The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. He taught himself to play the piano and loves to play in his spare time. He also enjoys composing music. He discovered a love of computer programming early in his life and has taught himself several computer languages. He’s also very artistic and he’s super creative in everything he does. He’s a great writer and has kept a diary every day for years. He has done over 100 hours of community service over the years during the devastating hurricanes and floods. It was through these opportunities that he discovered his love for service and plans to continue looking for ways to serve throughout his life.
Orangefield farewell speaker Jezlyn Matlock
Parents are Leroy and Zena Matlock
Awards and Honors: Various Major “O” Awards: Honors for English II, Health Education and Human Services
Highest Honors Award – Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Year
Miriam Lutcher Stark Reading Competition: 1st place April 2018
Clubs and organizations: National Honor Society, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America Member 2018-present, Meet in the Middle Member 2018-present, Sophomore Class President 2018-2019, Be the One Student Leaders 2017-present, Fellowship of Christian Athletes 2017-2018, Freshman Class Treasurer 2017-2018, Interact Club Member 2017-2018, Lady Bobcat Athletics 2017-2018
Community service / work experience: Youth Music Ministry 2016-present, Puppet Shows for Local Children 2014-present, Hurricane Harvey Clean-Up September 2017-December 2017
Jezlyn plans to attend Texas A&M University for a career as a medical assistant.
Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School Farewell speaker Bella Rogers
Farewell speaker Bella Rogers is the daughter of Mark and Carolyn Rogers. Her involvement in school organizations includes 3 years in the Quiz Bowl, one year in the Book Club, and two years in the National Honor Society.
Their UIL athletic and academic teams include tennis – two years, literary criticism – 3 years, and current events – 1 year. Bella’s college plans include studying anthropology at the University of Houston.
Photos courtesy of BCISD
Bridge City High School Farewell and Salutation Hall
Bridge City High School has announced its Class of Honorary Graduates in 2021. Waverlee Cooper is the farewell and Graciela Lyons is the greeting.
Little Cypress-Mauriceville High School Salutatorian Seonghak Kim
Salutatorian Seonghak Kim is the son of Younghyun Kim and Sungjai Jeong. Seonghak’s involvement in school organizations includes two years in the band, two years in the UIL Academic Team, two years in the National Honor Society, two years in the Interact Club, three years in the Key Club and one year each on the Student Council, the Grizzly Crew and Quiz Bowl Team. The UIL academic teams Seonghak has attended are Number Sense, Calculator, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Cross Examination Debate. Kim was on the All A Honor Roll throughout his high school career. In 2018 he was named Outstanding Musician in Band, a Star Student and in both 2019 and 2020 in the All Region Band. He received an AP Scholar Award in 2020 and was ranked fourth at the Texas Math and Science Coaches Association (TMSCA) High School State Meeting that year. This summer, Seonghak plans to apply to colleges in Korea where he will major in business administration.
Orangefield Salutator Tyler Washington
Parents: Patrick and Tahia Washington
Awards and Honors: Various major “O” awards: Chemistry and Algebra II, Highest Honors Award – Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Year, BC-OF Rotary Club Award, Mr. OHS and Salutatorian
Associations and organizations: National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Breakfast Club
Community Service / Work Experience: Volunteers in the church, setting up the Church Spring Festival, helping with cleaning up Harvey
Future Plans: Tyler plans to attend Texas A&M for pre-dental care next fall and eventually wants to become a dentist.
Vidor High School Salutatorian Tanner Weir
VHS class of 2021 Salutatorian is Tanner Weir, son of Kristie Baxter and Ryan Weir. Tanner has received the Southeast Texas Legends Scholarship from Lamar University, which provides $ 80,000 in fully paid tuition, supplies, and housing. He has also received a Vidor ISD Top Ten Percent Scholarship of $ 250, a DuGood Federal Credit Union Scholarship of $ 1,000, the Hilcorp Future Leaders of America Scholarship of $ 10,000, and the $ 250 Daughters of the American Revolution award. Tanner’s educational future is also supported by an MCT Credit Union grant of $ 2,000, a National Honor Society grant of $ 500, and the Charles R. Smith Memorial Grant from the Vidor Schools Foundation of $ 500 – dollars supported. He also goes on to receive a $ 1000 5-point Credit Union Award for higher education as well as the Orange County Aggie Moms $ 1000 Award and a $ 500 Vidor Chamber of Commerce Scholarship. He was also awarded a $ 250 scholarship to study at the Vidor High School library. He was on the All A Honor Roll and received numerous academic awards during his tenure at Vidor High School. Tanner is president of the National Honor Society, where he has been a member for two years, and secretary to the student council. He has also been a member of the VHS Interact Club and History Club for four years, as well as an active member of the First Baptist Church in Orangefield. Tanner is a member of the VHS wind ensemble and marching band, currently working as Kapellmeister. He recently received the Semper Fi Award in Band. He has received awards for solos and ensembles in the band, as well as several honors and merits, including Pre-AP Calculus, Pre-AP World Geography, and Pre-AP Geometry. He is also graduating from Vidor High School and Lamar State College Orange with an associate’s degree. Tanner will attend Lamar University with a double degree in Business Finance and Management Information Systems. Tanner enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and trying new things.
WO-S Salutator Timothy Luna
Timothy Luna is the son of Neftali and Michelle Luna from Orange, Tx. He has been attending West Orange-Stark since kindergarten. Timothy enjoys debating, researching interesting topics, and occasionally watching Twitch streams. His future plans are a major in accounting
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