Cheerleader speaks out after being stripped of valedictorian title over ‘miscalculation’
Gerrard Kaonga
Featured Image Credit: KHOU 11 /WFAA
A cheerleader's world has been turned upside down after a 'miscalculation' by her school which could 'affect her future'.
Maya Veliz planned to leave Blue Ridge High School, Texas, on quite the high - hoping to be named the valedictorian.
"It had been, like, the one goal I set myself for the beginning of my freshman year, was, I can do this," she told WFAA.
As well as being announced as valedictorian, she had also been awarded a scholarship to the University of Texas, too.
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Ahead of her graduation ceremony, family members from outside the country had also bought plane tickets to come see and celebrate with her on what should have been a momentous occasion.
However, one 'miscalculation' regarding her grades from her school has stripped her of her valedictorian title and could 'affect her future', according to the student.
Only weeks before the graduation, she was told by the school principal, Trent Hamilton, that there had been an error with her GPA and transfer credits and instead of being valedictorian, she was actually third in her class.
Maya had transferred schools as a junior and some of the classes offered at her former institute weren’t offered at Blue Ridge High - meaning that her prior credits didn't count in the school's transfer policy.
Maya’s father, Jorge Veliz, said: "I would understand if this was a policy that’s been in effect for a year or two that they weren’t familiar with.
“This is something I wouldn’t want any kid to deal with or any parent.”
Jorge also claimed that he'd checked with school administrators last year to see if his daughter needed any summer classes to maintain her rank.
The cheerleader admitted that she is uncertain of her future now and how crushing it could be to lose her scholarship - which sees any student who graduates top of their class receive a tuition fee waiver during their freshman year.
“To hear those words not even 30 days before graduation was gut-wrenching,” Maya said. “I now don’t have that stability.
“This affects my future. And I do not wish that upon anyone else.”
A school district spokesperson told WFAA: “Miscalculations were originally made when finalizing GPA and Class Rank; then corrected to ensure compliance with both of those board policies.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."
Maya has said she and her family have no plans to attend the graduation ceremony.