Facts about the graduating class
- became 17th class to participate in the Austin Community College Dual Credit Program with 116 seniors who earned three or more credit hours through this program.
- earned 1,422 college credit hours, which equates to a cost of attendance savings in their post-secondary education of nearly $1.3 million dollars at a Texas public institution.
- 276 students graduated as Texas Scholars
- 22 recognized as International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidates, wearing by a white stole; 13 1B Course Candidates wearing silver cords
- took 565 AP exams
- 284 seniors completed 1,551 AP exams
- awarded more than $4.3 million in scholarships for their academic achievements
Valedictorian
Elizabeth Chaison is an oboist and percussionist in the Leander High School band, competitor in various UIL academic events, president of the LHS French National Honor Society, National Merit Finalist, and an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate. Outside of school, Elizabeth has served as a fellow, senior fellow, and student facilitator in the Stanford Center for Deliberative Democracy and Rustic Pathways Foundation Climate Leaders Fellowship and volunteers with the American Red Cross Office of General Counsel. Elizabeth will graduate with a 5 .814 GPA and will attend Georgetown University this fall to study Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a concentration in Energy & Environment within the Walsh School of Foreign Service
I firmly believe that we all hold within ourselves an impressionistic whirlwind of colors, a reservoir of effort that, combined with the conscious decision to take action, can allow us to together paint a world that tells the story of each of our dreams. Humans are fundamentally incomplete beings, and we each have the duty to disregard the sickeningly seductive satisfaction of complacency, adding our own unique hues to the scene we collaboratively create around us.
This energy that we each hold is not ours, even if it is as unique to us as our fingerprints or the tone of our voices; it belongs to those we invest it in. Therefore, we cannot decide if it is good enough or if we’re putting it in the right places or if we would be better off just giving up because someone else is doing something better. The only thing we can do is make sure we keep giving what only we can produce to the world around us because if we didn’t, the world would lack something that could give meaning to someone you’ve never even met, something that could be the last ounce of energy needed to turn on a light bulb. We don’t get to see the great plan for the universe or who will live, who will die, or who will tell our story. The only thing we get to see is the world around us and our unique efforts, and
Salutatorian
Darek Zhang competes in UIL Computer Science, and won a silver medal at state with his team. He was an officer of Mu Alpha Theta, and an International Baccalaureate Course student. Alongside his academics, he has played ice hockey for over seven years with the Austin Metro Hockey Association, at The Crossover. Darek will graduate with a 5.718 GPA and will attend the University of Texas at Austin this fall to study Computer Science.
But right now is not a time for us to feel apologetic for our past, and apart from luck, we should focus on the things we can control. I’m here to tell you to focus on the core of things, and to be unwaveringly proud of what you accomplish. The reason I say this? Ice hockey.
It was the one sport I did fall in love with, to the horror of my parents’ financial account. See, the thing you need to know about hockey is that there are so many excuses for you to hide behind, and just so much variance. One day the refs are out to get you, and the next day your skate blade had a chip in it since you didn’t have time to sharpen it before the game, and that’s the reason you slid out. Or maybe that was because the rink was too cold, and you couldn’t get a grip on the ice. You know that would also explain why your passing was feeling off. Historically ice hockey has been the sport with the highest upset rate, and the low number of goals make hockey games some of the most unexpected matches in the world.
Senior Class Secretary Zoe Effenberger
So before wee leave – really leave – I hope we give ourselves one more moment. Stay in the parking lot longer than you meant to. Tell your family what they actually mean to you. Cry in your Mom’s arms because she’s not ready to see you grow up. Our friends know you’ll miss them, even if it comes out awkward and emotional and not quite right.
