Cheerleader stripped of valedictorian title after ‘miscalculation’ planned to honor teachers in speech
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: WFAA
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.
She planned to graduate The Blue Ridge High School in Texas at the top of her class and had worked towards it all year.
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And towards the end of the year, she was announced as valedictorian and had also been awarded a scholarship to the University of Texas.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
“If I seem too passionate, it’s because I care. And If I come on strong, it’s because I feel strongly.
“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When previously asked about the situation, a school district spokesperson told WFAA: “Miscalculations were originally made when finalizing GPA and Class Rank; then corrected to ensure compliance with both of those board policies.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."