Maya Veliz, a high school cheerleader at Blue Ridge High School in Texas, was stripped of her title as valedictorian due to a miscalculation of her grades. She had already written an acceptance speech for the graduation ceremony, which was scheduled for May 23, but decided not to attend after losing the title. The speech expressed Maya’s honor in receiving the prestigious title and her perseverance through failure, which ultimately led to success.
The miscalculation of Maya’s GPA ranking occurred because some of the credits she earned at her previous school in Frisco were not weighed under the district’s transfer policy when she transferred as a junior to Blue Ridge High School. As a result, Maya’s rank in the class dropped from valedictorian to third. Her family is concerned that she may lose a scholarship at the University of Texas, where she plans to attend college. Valedictorians from accredited Texas high schools are guaranteed a tuition waiver for their freshman year of college, according to the Texas Education Agency.
Jorge Veliz, Maya’s father, revealed that the school had informed them about the error in the GPA calculation and transfer credits. He also mentioned that they had received support from former students who had faced similar situations. The case has raised questions about why and how Maya lost the valedictorian title, especially when administrators had assured her that she was on track to receive the honor as long as she passed her classes. The family is seeking clarification and resolution from the school district regarding the situation.
The Blue Ridge ISD spokesperson acknowledged the miscalculations and stated that corrective measures had been taken to ensure compliance with board policies regarding GPA and class rank. The school expressed regret over the incident and mentioned that steps were being taken to prevent such errors in the future. Maya, a talented student who excelled in academics and cheerleading, was recognized by the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program for her achievements. However, the school’s actions regarding her valedictorian title have raised concerns about transparency and fairness in the academic ranking process.
Maya’s story has garnered attention and support from the community, with former students and others reaching out to express solidarity with her. The Veliz family hopes to find a resolution to the situation and ensure that Maya’s academic accomplishments are duly recognized and appreciated. They are concerned not only about the loss of the valedictorian title but also about the potential impact on Maya’s future academic and career prospects. The University of Texas has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Maya’s scholarship, leaving uncertainty about her college plans and financial support.
