Despite the rain and stormy weather that forced delays, postponements and relocations during this year’s Spring ISD graduation ceremonies, thousands of parents and family members gathered to celebrate over 2,000 graduates of the district’s six high schools – Spring Early College Academy, Carl Wunsche Sr. High School, Momentum High School, Dekaney High School, Spring High School, and Westfield High School.
During her remarks at each ceremony, Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa recalled that members of the Class of 2024 had started high school at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic – in the fall of 2020 – when many students remained at home, attending classes virtually and studying online. She offered praise for all the fortitude, adaptability and hard work it had taken graduates to be successful in spite of the challenges.
“This graduation isn’t about marking the end of this chapter, it’s about embracing the limitless possibilities of the next,” Hinojosa said. “This moment is a testament to not only your own resilience and dedication, but the resilience and dedication of the people around you – people like your friends, family, parents, teachers, and mentors. In fact, your journey to this point has been incredibly unique, and it is entirely yours.”
Spring ISD Board of Trustees President Justine Durant also offered greetings, on behalf of the board, saying how much she and her fellow trustees had enjoyed witnessing the growth and impressive achievements of this year’s graduating class over the course of their high school and K-12 careers. She also encouraged them to keep moving forward, to keep learning, and to keep growing, no matter the obstacles.
“I encourage you to embrace every challenge as an opportunity for growth, every setback as a chance to learn, and every failure as a stepping stone to success,” Durant said. “Keep your eyes firmly fixed on your goals, and let nothing deter you from pursuing your dreams. You’ve already started that journey by getting here today, so keep on pushing ahead!”
Representatives from the office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee also attended select ceremonies to present special certificates to valedictorians and salutatorians, and to congratulate members of the Class of 2024 on behalf of the congresswoman.
Spring Early College Academy
It was a fine morning to kick things off on Thursday, May 30 at the district’s Planet Ford Stadium, when this year’s Spring Early College Academy graduates became the first from the district to cross the stage and move their graduation cap tassels in honor of the occasion.
Principal Kristine Guidry thanked parents and families, and applauded graduates for making the most of every challenge and every opportunity as they learned important lessons about life, relationships, growing up, and themselves.
“You have become leaders and learners, leaving a foundation for those that come after you,” Guidry said. “You have served your community and continue to build a legacy by teaching those that will carry on what you have started. I am proud to have had a front seat to watch your senior story unfold, and I cannot wait to see what the sequel brings.”
Salutatorian Kenny Le told his fellow graduates – 42 of whom had earned an associate degree from Lone Star College in addition to their high school diploma – that their time together had been “nothing short of transformative” as the seniors navigated challenges, celebrated their triumphs together, and forged friendships that would last a lifetime.
While saying he would miss all his high school peers, Le – who is headed in the fall to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst – said that the milestone also offered graduates an opportunity to embrace change and explore new facets of themselves.
“One of the most important lessons I’ve learned during my time here is the art of embracing change,” Le said. “Change can be scary – it can push us out of our comfort zones and challenge our preconceived notions, but it’s also the catalyst for growth and innovation.”
Valedictorian Sofia Ortiz, one of several EMERGE Fellows among this year’s top graduates, will be attending Brown University on a full ride, pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering. During her speech, Ortiz emphasized another theme important to many of the graduates – family and the importance of their family’s support of them and their education.
Carl Wunsche Sr. High School
The Wunsche graduation ceremony – originally scheduled for Thursday evening, May 30, was the first of the Spring ISD graduations to be affected by the inclement weather that ultimately saw all of the ceremonies other than Spring Early College Academy rescheduled and moved indoors – most to the M.O. Campbell Center on Aldine Bender Road. After being rained out midway through, Wunsche graduates and their families regrouped at the Campbell Center on Sunday afternoon, June 2.
“In the face of challenges, remember that adversity is not the end but a catalyst for growth,” said Wunsche Principal Dr. Alfred James during his remarks. “Embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. Your determination and perseverance will carry you through the toughest of times.”
During his address, Wunsche Salutatorian Anderson Ramirez spoke of his parents sending him to El Salvador over the summers to connect with his family’s heritage, and how those trips helped determine his sense both of who he was and of what he hope to accomplish and achieve through his education – including helping found and run the Wunsche Coding Initiative, which has gone on to take top state and national awards.
Ramirez will attend Cornell University on a full-ride scholarship, majoring in Information Science with an Information Ethics, Law, and Policy concentration.
“My academic achievements have been made possible thanks to the influential people in my life,” Ramirez said, going on to name several teachers who had supported him, before singling out his family.
Valedictorian Kathryn Mey shared a brief allegory about fruit tree saplings, explaining that different types of trees will grow best and thrive in different environments and under different circumstances, and she encouraged her fellow graduates to find communities and environments that would inspire and support them in their own thriving.
“Find your optimal environment, surround yourself with people and a community you love,” Mey said. “Collaboration and teamwork allow us to progress and go further through our roots and branches. As you develop the fundamentals to gain a core for yourself, you enter a room filled with fruit, or opportunities to overtake.”
Mey will be attending the University of Texas at Austin and majoring in biomedical engineering through the school’s integrated bachelor’s/master’s program, with an aim to ultimately enter medical school to earn her M.D./Ph.D. and become an orthopedic surgeon.
Momentum High School
After being delayed due to rain on Friday morning, May 31, the Momentum High School ceremony was held the following afternoon in the Star Theatre at Dekaney High School, where graduates and their families filled the auditorium to overflowing in a joyful celebration of graduation for the students who – in many cases – faced unique challenges in earning their diploma.
“Graduates, yesterday’s weather was not what anyone wanted or expected,” said Momentum Principal Stacy Smith during her opening remarks. “But as Roger Crawford said, ‘Being challenged in life is inevitable, being defeated is optional.’ Today’s ceremony is our opportunity to give you the celebration that you deserve to commemorate your accomplishments.”
Having overcome multiple challenges and having the resilience to finish strong made the moment especially poignant, Smith said.
Momentum graduate Nelly Gallardo offered a heartfelt welcoming message, invoking the powerful support of teachers, administrators and family members, as well the lasting influence and inspiration of loved ones lost.
“As I reflect on those who have passed, I am reminded of the preciousness of life,” Gallardo said. “Their absence serves as a reminder to cherish each moment, to embrace the present with gratitude, and to honor their memory by living our lives with purpose and kindness.”
Another Class of 2024 Momentum High School graduate, Diamond Scott, offered a poetic farewell speech that touched on the many trials and triumphs that she and her fellow graduates had experienced in making it to the graduation stage.
We came so far, look how much we accomplished.
Let’s gon’ head fight till the end.
I can’t say it be easy, but the end result show all the meaning.
All that, no time to redeem, now it’s time for y’all to receive
What y’all been fighting for.
And yes, life will be a hard test.
Now let’s raise, show them how we are the best of the best.
We are ready for all the hard test life got in store.
Now it’s our time to shine!
Dekaney High School
The rescheduled Dekaney High School graduation was held on Sunday afternoon, June 2, at the M.O. Campbell Center, where Dekaney Principal Alonzo Reynolds III reminded graduates of the obstacles they had overcome beginning high school during the pandemic.
“Congratulations, Class of 2024. Your future is filled with infinite possibilities because you remained focused and you invested in the greatest asset you have, and that’s you!” Reynolds said. “You now have every tool you need to achieve each goal you set. As each new challenge arises, you are equipped to face and overcome it.”
Salutatorian Paola Perez, who is headed to the University of Texas at Austin to major in biology, highlighted the diversity of her senior class and how students had supported each other in achieving their goals.
“As I look upon the Class of 2024, I am struck by the diversity and individuality that define us,” Perez said. “Despite our differences, we have all persevered. We have endured late-night study sessions, challenging days, lengthy lectures, labs, and exams. Over the past 13 years, we have pushed ourselves to reach this level. Today is a day for celebration, a testament to the power of perseverance and positivity.”
Class of 2024 Valedictorian Diego Chapela-Perez is a Texas All-State musician and a multi ensemble soloist who will attend Michigan State University in the fall, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in music performance, with aspirations to become a professor of saxophone in the future.
During his speech, Chapela-Perez talked about how the graduates had developed from elementary to middle and high school, and how each period of growth held lessons for a life well-lived – from enjoying the moment, to learning to tackle and manage complex emotions, to discovering the purpose and passion that could drive graduates forward and support them in their life and work.
“I think sometimes we understate how prepared we are, and I’m speaking specifically to the Class of 2024 when I say this,” Chapela-Perez said. While feeling uncertain about the future is normal, he encouraged his fellow graduates to stay excited for the possibilities, take courage, and apply all that they had learned.
Class President Christian Nwosu closed out the ceremony with reflections on his time at Dekaney, and shared words of wisdom from Dekaney Head Football Coach Anthony Williams, whose guidance, coaching and mentorship helped Nwosu earn a scholarship to attend and play football for Harvard University in the fall.
“As we take these steps into our future, Coach Anthony Williams would say, ‘Play for the man next to you,’” Nwosu told the graduates. “I have so many memories of my own, and I know you do too, so cherish them. We will move on to a new school, meet new friends, but nothing will compare to Dekaney High School and the people who gifted us.”
Spring High School
Spring High School kicked off the three Sunday, June 2 graduations at the M.O. Campbell Center, with Principal Dr. Jalen Hemphill congratulating the graduates on the storms they had weathered and all the ways they had risen to the occasion as Spring High School Lions.
“Your journey has tested you in ways few have experienced, yet you have proven your resilience and strength time and time again,” Hemphill said. “You’ve shown the world that the Spring High School Class of 2024 is made of adaptable, resilient individuals.”
Spring High School Valedictorian Daniel DeLoza admitted that he’d frequently felt driven to succeed as a student, always wanting to be the best he could be. However, he also thanked his classmates for helping him see the power of friendship and the joys it can bring.
“I’ve always viewed school as a challenge to be embraced and a game to be won,” said DeLoza, who will attend Rice University in the fall and plans to major in Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences with the goal of becoming a geologist.
“Standing here today as valedictorian and heading to my dream school, I can say that my approach has paid off,” he continued. “But more importantly, these experiences have taught me the value of perseverance and adaptability. While our time at Spring High School has presented its challenges, it has also brought us together as a community. We’ve faced obstacles, but we’ve also shared moments of joy, laughter, and growth.”
Salutatorian Freda Arthur spoke about learning to be comfortable with being uncomfortable, and about how her fears about the future as a new high school freshman had eventually opened up into curiosity about the future and belief in her and her classmates’ ability to take on the world.
“To be honest, I was scared to grow up, and I still am a bit,” said Arthur, who is headed to University of Houston in the fall and considering a degree in Management Information Technology.
“I feared responsibility and changes in others, the world, and myself,” she continued. “There’s a mentality that life gets worse as you age, but there’s so much to look forward to that we haven’t experienced yet. Even the smallest things can bring joy and pride. High school has changed us all, adding another stepping stone to molding us into our unique selves.”
Westfield High School
Westfield High School graduates and their families gathered at the M.O. Campbell Center Saturday evening, June 1 to celebrate what Senior Class President Ne’Vaeh Pratt called “a day we have worked for!”
Principal Laura Hunter commended the graduates on all they had accomplished, and on all the obstacles they had surmounted, including the pandemic.
“Many of you, I first met walking the halls of Wells Middle School,” Hunter said. “It has been a privilege to watch you grow, learn and mature. I am honored that I played a small role in your journey and immensely proud of the young men and women you have become.”
In her remarks, Pratt encouraged the graduates to hold even their own expectations lightly, always aware that life might be preparing them for something even better for them than what they might imagine.
“Not everything you plan is meant for you, some things are not meant to be and that is because you have a greater purpose,” Pratt said. “Hard times may feel like they are too big to overcome or work around, so don’t. Go through it. It helps you to appreciate the success more. And last, remember, everyone you meet is going through something you know nothing about. Be kind, always.”
Salutatorian Tina Tran thanked her parents, who had immigrated to the U.S., and she marveled at all that had brought the graduates finally to their big day.
“It’s hard to fathom the idea that after this upcoming summer, everything will be different from what we are used to,” said Tran, explaining how the pandemic and virtual classes had distorted her sense of the passage of time.
“Sophomore year, I felt like I was a freshman. Junior year, I felt like I was a sophomore. Senior year, I felt very broke,” Tran said. “Nevertheless, we have all made it.”
At the Westfield ceremony, Spring ISD Trustee Winford Adams Jr. addressed the graduates on behalf of the board, but also spoke as the proud parent of three Spring ISD students, including one who would shortly cross the stage as a distinguished Westfield graduate.
“As a board member and a parent, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every teacher, coach, counselor, paraprofessional, hall monitor, bus driver, mentor and support person who looked out for you these last years and poured knowledge and wisdom into you,” Adams said.
Like a number of the graduates of the Class of 2024, Valedictorian Crystal Vazquez used a portion of her speech to address her parents directly and thank them in their own native language.
“This evening is not only to commemorate all my achievements,” Vazquez said in Spanish, then English, “but also the sacrifices and dreams of all the families who have fought and worked tirelessly to reach this moment. This achievement is yours too!”