Katy ISD Announces Class of 2021 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

May 11, 2021

By Natalie Cook Clark

As the 2020-2021 academic year quickly comes to an end, Katy ISD announces the valedictorians and salutatorians from their eight high schools with graduating classes. The fastest growing independent school district in Texas gears up for their in-person graduation ceremonies.

Graduation Ceremonies Begin May 20

Katy ISD’s spring commencement season kicks off at Legacy Stadium on May 20th with in-person, full capacity ceremonies.

With the highest GPA this year being an impressive 4.9079, these talented students lead the class of 2021 onward to chase their adventures and dreams. Some to pursue career paths that take them to universities, trade schools, internships across the nation and around the world.

Katy ISD will honor the accomplishments of each valedictorian and salutatorian at their graduation ceremony in front of their family and peers.

“I am so proud of all of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians of Katy ISD,” says newly re-elected Katy ISD Board of Trustee Dawn Champagne. “They have each worked so hard to accomplish this enormous milestone. The sky is the limit for all their future dreams and goals.”

“I want to add that I’m proud of all of our graduates,” says Champagne. “This is the first step to all the future successes in their lives and their success is essential to all of our futures. Good luck to all Katy ISD high school graduates!”

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Cinco Ranch High School

Natalie Wang – Valedictorian

• College/University: University of Texas at Austin

• Major: Biology/PreMed

• GPA: 4.8281

Zara Shipchandler – Salutatorian

• College/University: University of Texas at Austin

• Major: Computer Science

• GPA: 4.8

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Katy High School

Layne Smith – Valedictorian

• College/University: University of Texas at Austin

• Major: Biology with an emphasis on Epidemiology

• GPA: 4.8148

Chelsea Crow – Salutatorian

• College/University: Chelsea will be pursuing volunteer opportunities abroad after graduating and will teach Spanish literacy for a year.

• Major: N/A

• GPA: 4.8

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Mayde Creek High School

Min Ko Ko – Valedictorian

• College/University: Yale University

• Major: Political Science

• GPA: 4.8143

Mohammad Zaidi – Salutatorian

• College/University: Columbia University

• Major: Sociology

• GPA: 4.8

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Morton Ranch High School

Jennie Le – Valedictorian

• College/University: Rice University

• Major: Exercise Science

• GPA: 4.7037

Walter Pham – Salutatorian (photo unavailable)

• College/University: University of Texas

• Major: Biology

• GPA: 4.7

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Paetow High School

John Pershing Abney – Valedictorian

• College/University: Brown University

• Major: Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering

• GPA: 4.7778

Camila Silva – Salutatorian

• College/University: University of Chicago

• Major: Astrophysics & Astronomy

• GPA: 4.75

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Seven Lakes High School

Sameer Gupta – Valedictorian

• College/University: University of Texas at Austin

• Major: Computer Science (Turing Honors Program)

• GPA: 4.9079

Surya Chokkar – Salutatorian

• College/University: University of Texas at Austin

• Major: Computer Science and Business Honors Program

• GPA: 4.9079

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Taylor High School

Ecaterina Sturzu – Valedictorian

• College/University: University of Texas at Austin

• Major: Computer Science

• GPA: 4.8406

Jeongwook Yun – Salutatorian

• College/University: University of Texas at Austin

• Major: Biomedical Engineering

• GPA: 4.8302

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Tompkins High School

Sahil Adhawade – Valedictorian

• College/University: Stanford University

• Major: Computer Science with a Concentration in Bio-Computation

• GPA: 4.9048

Pranav Narayanan – Salutatorian

• College/University: Rice University

• Major: Biosciences

• GPA: 4.85333

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Commencement Schedule:

All ceremonies will be held Legacy Stadium.

• Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 8 p.m. - Taylor High School

• Friday, May 21, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Mayde Creek High School

• Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Cinco Ranch High School

• Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Morton Ranch High School

• Monday, May 24, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Seven Lakes High School

• Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Tompkins High School

• Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Paetow High School

• Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Katy High School

For more information regarding graduation ceremonies, visit the the graduation section of Katy ISD website. Katy ISD will lift their mask requirement starting June 1, so masks will continue to be required by all at the ceremonies.

Katy ISD's latest addition, Jordan High School, which opened this past fall, will not graduate it's first senior class until May of 2023. Since the 2021 Bond Package passed in this month's general election, the District was approved for it's proposed news schools. One will be another high school bringing the District to an even ten.

On behalf of the Katy Magazine staff, CONGRATULATIONS to all the 2020-2021 Katy ISD graduates!

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