This past Friday night, the lights shined brightly at Bobby Morrow Stadium as just over 5,500 members of the San Benito community proudly celebrated the educational milestone of 697 young men and women – 612 San Benito High School and 85 Gateway to Graduation Academy graduates.
“It is my great honor to join you as we celebrate this great accomplishment,” said Rudy Ramirez, Principal of San Benito High School, as he welcomed everyone to the event.
From remote learning for nearly 2 years during a global pandemic and the many challenges of a severe winter freeze this past February, the Class of 2021 most definitely overcame plenty of obstacles. The learning continued.
“It is with great pride that I introduce the top 10 Honor Graduates of the Class of 2021,” continued Ramirez as he introduced the young men and women that had shown great determination and dedication and were now graduating at the very top of their class.
• Liam Matthew Gore, Valedictorian;
• Naydelin Nahomi Garza Jimenez, Salutatorian;
• Isaak Alejandro Delgado, Third Honor Student;
• Perla Karina Montes, Fourth Honor Student;
• Ana Christina Diaz, Fifth Honor Student;
• Aaliyah Rachelle Attebery, Sixth Honor Student;
• Celia Alejandra Salazar Torres, Seventh Honor Student;
• Kimberly Jazmin Yanez, Eighth Honor Student;
• Denae Liza Muñoz, Ninth Honor Student; and
• Rebecca Amparo Guzman, Tenth Honor Student.
Ramiro M. Moreno, President of the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees, challenged the graduates. “I challenge each one of you to continue making your community proud and believe in yourself as much as we believe in each one of you,” he said.
“Each one of you was born to stand out, fulfill goals, and become a contributing member of our society,” Moreno added.
Class of 2021 Valedictorian Liam Matthew Gore shared a special message with his classmates. “What lies before us is potential. It is now up to us to transform that potential into actions,” he said.
“No matter what path you decide to take after today, you have proven that you all can do great things even in the face of adversity,” Gore added.
During the ceremony, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Nate Carman announced that of the 697 graduates, only six had earned the twelve-year Perfect Attendance Award.
Each the recipient of a $1,000 check, honorees included Ilse Veronica Bautista Martinez, Cidney Isabella Castillo, Christopher Cervantes, Doel Saenz Silva, Jr., Natali Mae Tejeda, and Manuela Elisa Villarreal.
“It is always admirable to witness students who go without missing a single day from first grade through twelfth grade,” said Carman.
An additional and significant cause for celebration on Friday evening was the announcement that the San Benito High School Class of 2021 had earned a total of 3,190 Dual Enrollment college credits hours, saving the graduates and their families an estimated $2,505,532.
