• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Cheerleader stripped of valedictorian title after ‘miscalculation’ planned to honor teachers in speech

Home> News

Updated 09:21 26 Apr 2024 GMT+1Published 09:01 26 Apr 2024 GMT+1

Cheerleader stripped of valedictorian title after ‘miscalculation’ planned to honor teachers in speech

She has said the 'miscalculation' could 'affect her future'.

Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard Kaonga

Maya Veliz was preparing for her graduation before learning that she wasn’t in fact the top student due to an error.

Coming to the end of your school year is normally a great moment for most students for a bunch of different reasons.

But for Veliz, it is likely always going to be a sad memory.

Advert

She planned to graduate The Blue Ridge High School in Texas at the top of her class and had worked towards it all year.

And towards the end of the year, she was announced as valedictorian and had also been awarded a scholarship to the University of Texas.

Maya Veliz was left heartbroken after finding out.(WFAA)
Maya Veliz was left heartbroken after finding out.(WFAA)

However, she was told by the school principal, Trent Hamilton, that there had been an 'miscalculation' regarding her grades - instead making her third in the class, which lost her the title of valedictorian.

Advert

Because the classes she had taken in her previous school before transferring to Blue Ridge weren't offered at the school, it didn't count in the transfer policy.

“To hear those words not even 30 days before graduation was gut-wrenching,” Maya previously told WFAA. “I now don’t have that stability.

“This affects my future. And I do not wish that upon anyone else.”

Neither Maya nor her family are planning to attend her graduation.

Advert

And her family revealed to The New York Post that her speech had praised the school and its teachers for helping her achieve her goals.

“I stand here before you tonight, Honored as the valedictorian for the class of 2024,” the draft of Maya’s speech begins.

“Through my experiences at BRHS and what I have learned these past two years is that failure has made me who I am today and to have found success and persevere regardless of the outcome.

Advert

“I strive for inclusion and success in everything I do, regardless what anyone says my limitations may be.”

“I owe this (recognition) all of it, to my teachers, to my friends, and most importantly to my family, no one achieves anything alone.

Maya had praised the school and her teachers in a draft of her graduation speech. (WFAA)
Maya had praised the school and her teachers in a draft of her graduation speech. (WFAA)

“If I seem too passionate, it’s because I care. And If I come on strong, it’s because I feel strongly.

Advert

“So yes, secretly we are terrified of what’s near, but let us embark on a new journey together and see where it takes us.”

When previously asked about the situation, a school district spokesperson told WFAA: “Miscalculations were originally made when finalizing GPA and Class Rank; then corrected to ensure compliance with both of those board policies.

"All students affected have been notified. And in addition, plans have been initiated to ensure that a mistake like this does not take place in the future.

"Any further specific student information cannot be discussed pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act."

Featured Image Credit: WFAA

Topics: School, News, US News

Gerrard Kaonga
Gerrard Kaonga

Gerrard is a Journalist at UNILAD and has dived headfirst into covering everything from breaking global stories to trending entertainment news. He has a bachelors in English Literature from Brunel University and has written across a number of different national and international publications. Most notably the Financial Times, Daily Express, Evening Standard and Newsweek.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

9 hours ago
10 hours ago
11 hours ago
  • 9 hours ago

    Scientists explain why 'mankeeping' is the reason women are 'quiet-quitting' relationships

    It's all to do with a 'male friendship recession' where women are apparently picking up the slack...

    News
  • 10 hours ago

    Where to watch 28 Days Later and 28 Weeks Later as 28 Years Later is released

    The third instalment of the franchise hits theatres in America on June 20

    Film & TV
  • 10 hours ago

    Scientists issue disturbing warning with exactly how much time we have left to limit climate change

    Scientists have described it as 'crunch time' to reach a previously set target

    News
  • 11 hours ago

    Influencer found dead before husband took his own life allegedly shared disturbing Facebook post hours earlier

    Zaria Khadejah Carr allegedly made a plea before her death hours later in Georgia

    News
  • Husband of teacher accused of performing 45 'sexual acts' with student stands by her as she faces new accusations in court
  • School forced to shut down after wild student prank 'went too far' sparking police investigation
  • Running star disqualified and stripped of state title after 'unsportsmanlike' act following win
  • Cheerleader speaks out after being stripped of valedictorian title over ‘miscalculation’