Recognizing excellence in education
PROGRESS TIMES
Section B
Sharyland High School graduates to receive diplomas June 4
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haryland High School is proud to announce that the 2015 graduation ceremony will be held June 4 at 10 a.m. at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo. The Rattler Band will perform “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates enter the arena. After the procession, third-ranking student Samantha Young will give the invocation. Honor graduates Adolfo Lopez and Yugyeong Lee will invite the audience to stand for the “The National Anthem.” They will also lead the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and the Pledge to the Texas Flag. Carolyn Mendiola, SHS principal and mistress of ceremony, will welcome the
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Carolyn Mendiola SHS Principal
graduates, their friends and family, honored guests, faculty and staff. Salutatorian Gabriel Arantes Gomide will give the
See SHS CEREMONY 3B
James D. Heath PHS Principal
emony, will welcome the graduates, their friends and family, honored guests, faculty and staff. Aimee Marie Rara will
See PHS CEREMONY 11B
Mission HS graduation set for McAllen Convention Center
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he Mission High School graduating Class of 2015 will get their diplomas on June 6, at the McAllen Convention Center. The commencement ceremony will officially begin at 3 p.m. The seniors will enter with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” The presentation of colors will be led by Aminta Michelle Flores. Dan Ying Huang will lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem will be sung by Carolina Gonzalez. Violeta Lizette Rivera will provide an invocation, followed by the official welcome by Jesus Rene Cuellar Jr. Carolina Briones will introducespecial guests in attendance. The salutatory address
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ission CISD Graduates: I could not be more proud of the 2015 Mission CISD graduating class. You exemplify the positive core traits that are the foundation of our great community. These character traits, along with the world class K-12 schooling experience you received in Mission CISD, will definitely carry you to great heights in your next chapter of your academ-
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By Dr. Filomena Leo or almost twelve years, others have been guiding you as you made choices. We salute you because you chose to stay in school to insure that you would be ready for this next step in life. Now, the time has come for you to make the choices, on your own, that are the wisest for you. This will happen as you move forward Dr. Filomena Leo SISD Interim Superintendent
Dr. Ricardo Lopez MCISD Superintendent
See LOPEZ 17B
Sharyland top three examples of well rounded students
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ducation is more than reading, writing, math or standardized scores. Although high school students today are faced with ample challenges within their classroom walls, the education they get outside is just as beneficial. For Sharyland High School’s top three students, their education involved volunteerism and extra-curricular involvement which helped set them on the path they plan to pursue while making high school an enjoyable and positive experience. Valedictorian Christopher Koenig will be attending
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Stanford University to study mechanical engineering – a field he believes offers the greatest potential to change
the world and help people across the globe. “Participating in volunteer clubs such as Leo Club
and National Honor Society has taught me essential les-
Valedictorian Christopher Koenig
Salutatorian Gabriel Gomide
Third Ranking Samantha Young
See SHS TOP 3 3B
Pioneer’s top students ready for next step in education
ioneer High School’s first crop of seniors will receive their diplomas soon, and the top three students are already planning for life after graduation. Valedictorian Michael Adam Ramirez Jr., son of Michael and Clarissa Ramirez, plans to major in music at the University of North Texas at Denton. He hopes to work as a composer for either musical theater productions or concert band. Ramirez participated in One Act Play, Masterminds, show choir, band and was a member of the National Honor Society and student council. He is a National
Hispanic Scholar, Advanced Placement Scholar and is an “A” honor roll student. Salutatorian Aimee Marie
Rara plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and major in biology. She hopes to enter medical school and
become a physician in pediatrics. The daughter of Fidel
Valedictorian Michael Ramirez
Salutatorian Aimee Rara
Third Ranking Benjamin Ho-Shing
See PHS TOP 3 11B
Veterans Memorial’s top three have big dreams for future
L Edilberto Flores MHS Principal
will be given by Jasmin Vega, followed by the valedictory address by Luis Angel Gonzalez. Ricardo López, superin-
See MHS CEREMONY 17B
Veterans Memorial HS ceremony to be held on June 6
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he Veterans Memorial High School graduating Class of 2015 will get their diplomas on June 6, at the McAllen Convention Center. The commencement ceremony will officially begin at 9 a.m. The seniors will enter with the traditional “Pomp and Circumstance.” The presentation of colors will be done by the VMHS JROTC. Michelle Savannah Salinas will lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem will be sung by Darius Vicente Rothelridge Davis. Micaela Corina Cantu will provide an invocation, followed by the official welcome by Judith Maria Haro. VMHS Principal Angelina V. Garcia will introduce special guests in attendance.
Leo: Take charge of your life MCISD setting new records
See LEO 3B
Pioneer’s first graduates to walk the stage
ioneer High School is proud to announce that the 2015 graduation ceremony will be held Friday, June 5 at 2 p.m. at the State Farm Arena. The Pioneer Diamondback band will perform “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates enter the arena. After the procession, third-ranking student Benjamin Ho-Shing will give the invocation. Honor graduate Brianna Gonzalez will invite the audience to stand for the “The National Anthem.” Honor student Angelica Silva will also lead the attendees in the Pledge of Allegiance and Brianna Landovazo will lead the Pledge to the Texas Flag. James Heath, Pioneer principal and Master of Cer-
May 29, 2015
ee Jacob Sanchez is the 2015 Veterans Memorial High School valedictorian. He is the son of Jose and Leticia Sanchez. Sanchez plans on attending Texas A&M in College Station where he plans to study biochemistry. He would ultimately like to pursue studies to become a pediatrician. Senior year activities for Sanchez have included UIL, robotics, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and swimming. Sanchez said he will miss friends and family, as well as an easier schedule when he starts college this fall. How-
ever, he said he is looking forward to starting something new. His advice for next year’s seniors is to not
take things too seriously. Henry Davis III is this year’s salutatorian at Veterans Memorial High School.
He plans to attend Notre Dame University this fall
Valedictorian Lee Sanchez
Salutatorian Henry Davis III
Third Ranking Judith Haro
See VMHS TOP 3 24B
MHS graduates ready for University of Texas, Texas A&M
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op students at Mission High School all agree the key to staying ahead is working hard
and staying focused, even through the summer months. Luis Angel Gonzalez is the Mission High School
Class of 2015 valedictorian. He is the son of Cesar and Hilda Gonzalez. Gonzalez plans to attend
Texas A&M-College Station this fall. He plans on major-
Valedictorian Luis Gonzalez
Salutatorian Jasmin Vega
Third Ranking Violeta Rivera
Third Ranking Natalie Stubbs
See MHS TOP 3 17B
Angelina V. Garcia VMHS Principal
There will be three addresses during the program. The first will be by Ricardo López, superintendent of schools. The salutatory ad-
See VMHS CEREMONY 24B