MISSION, TEXAS (May 23, 2024) - Mission Collegiate High School announces its Top 3 Students for the Class of 2024. This year Ricardo Ochoa III has been named valedictorian, Sebastian Elijah Ruizsoriano is the salutatorian, and Samantha Olivia Yanez is the third-ranking student. Congratulations to these students and the Class of 2024 for all their educational accomplishments.
Ricardo Ochoa III
Mission Collegiate High School has named Ricardo Ochoa III as their Class of 2024 valedictorian. He is the son of Ricardo Ochoa Jr. & Vanessa Yvette Ochoa. He plans to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where he will pursue a degree in aerospace engineering. His ultimate dream job is to become a SpaceX Propulsion Engineer.
This summer, Ochoa plans to obtain his driver's license and spend time with his family before he is off to college. Although he is going to miss his family, he looks forward to getting involved with his undergraduate research opportunities available at MIT.
While in high school Ochoa stayed busy with his studies as well as extracurricular activities such as; UIL mathematics, UIL calculator applications, UIL number sense, UIL science, FIRST Tech Challenge, FIRST Robotics Challenge, National Honor Society, senior class organization, and Mu Alpha Theta.
Ochoa leaves a few words of encouragement for next year’s seniors.
“Start working on your college applications today and look into financial aid opportunities like the QuestBridge Scholarship and the Gates Scholarship,” said Ochoa. “Try to end off your senior year on a high note by going far in your extracurriculars, getting amazing grades, and making memories with your friends and family!”
Sebastian Elijah Ruizsoriano
This year’s Mission Collegiate High School salutatorian is Sebastian Elijah Ruizsoriano, he is the son of Emilio Ruizsoriano and Tina Ruizsoriano. He will attend The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where he will pursue a bachelor's in chemistry. His ultimate dream job is to become a doctor.
As soon as this school year is over, Ruizsoriano plans to work as a medical assistant with his newly acquired NRCMA (Nationally Registered Certified Medical Assistant) certification.
Although he is going to miss seeing his friends, Ruizsoriano is looking forward to academic freedom, specifically being able to choose from a vast list of electives.
He has been involved in academic organizations while in high school such as; wrestling, speech, debate, student government, and student recruitment.
Ruizsoriano leaves the Mission Collegiate High School seniors with a few words of advice, “Don’t worry about things that aren’t in your control.”
Samantha Olivia Yanez
The 2024 Mission Collegiate High School's third-ranking student is Samantha Olivia Yanez, and she is the daughter of Enedelia and Juan Yanez. She plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a degree in music education.
Her heart is set on becoming a band director at Mission CISD.
“I want to teach the future generations of Mission residents music and inspire them,” said Yanez.
Yanez is looking forward to painting and hanging out with her friends this summer before she is off to college.
She has kept a busy schedule throughout high school with her educational goals and participating in extra-curricular activities such as; band, jazz band, National Honor Society, and Destination Imagination.
She leaves the Class of 2024 with a few words, “Enjoy your passion and don’t be too hard on yourself,” said Yanez. “Think of failure as an opportunity to learn since it is the key to your goals."
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