The Class of 2024 produced 39 valedictorians, and The Accolade interviewed each to reflect on their high school journeys and thoughts. This is a full version of the Q&A, of which the preview is included in our May magazine issue. Any remaining full-version Q&A will be posted in alphabetical order throughout the week in the Feature section.

Question 1: Which university have you committed to?
Answer: I committed to New Mexico State University.

Question 2: What will you major in?
A: Chemical Engineering.

Question 3: Which teacher helped you the most throughout your high school career?
A: I think I would say Mr. [Andrew] Colomac because he’s been my chemistry teacher for two years, and in that class, I really decided that was a subject I liked and wanted to continue in college.

Question 4: What does it mean to you that you are named valedictorian?
A: I think it means a lot, and it shows how much I worked because I worked really hard towards my goals. So I’m just proud of myself for sticking on to it.

Question 5: What advice do you give underclassmen about maintaining their grades?
A: I think just focusing on time management, and I played sports all four years. So that kind of gave me a reason to try to work hard. So if you get to try to find a reason as to why you’re doing something, that’s great.

Question 6: What was the hardest class you took in high school and why?
A: The hardest class I did was AP [Advanced Placement] Physics 1, and it was hard because it was just different from any other science classes I took.

Question 7: What was your favorite class in high school and why?
A: My favorite class was AP Psychology, and I thought it was interesting because it was cool to learn about the brain and why we do everything that we do.

Question 8: What will you miss the most about Sunny Hills?
A: I think I’ll miss my friends the most and the soccer team because I had a lot of great memories.

Question 9: What are you most excited about for your new journey in college?
A: Something I am excited about is I’m going to be moving out of state, and I’m also going to be playing on the soccer team at my school. So that will be fun.

Question 10: Who was your biggest supporter throughout high school, and why?
A: Probably my parents because they were always willing to help him when I was stuck. They always pushed me to invest and keep my grades up.

Question 11: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
A: Hopefully, in 10 years, I want to live back home in Southern California. I’ll hopefully have a job in the industry with my engineering.

Question 12: Who is your favorite teacher and why?
A: I think my favorite teacher was Mr. [Greg] Abbott because his class was so much fun, and he really tried to connect with all the students.

Question 13: What is your proudest accomplishment in high school?
A: I think my proudest accomplishment was being a valedictorian because I know that I had to work really hard.

Question 14: What do you look forward to the most this summer?
A: This summer, I’m actually going to college early for summer school. So I’m excited to just meet new people and start the events.

Question 15: What are you looking forward to the most about college?
A: I’m looking forward to starting with a new major and just meeting a whole bunch of people living in a new state.