Irving ISD is proud to announce the Valedictorians and Salutatorians for the Class of 2025. These students represent the highest level of academic achievement and leadership on their campuses. Get to know this year’s top scholars and their plans for the future below.
Irving High School
Anders Chavez, Valedictorian
College: Washington University
Major: Public Health
What does earning the title of Valedictorian mean to you?: It’s unreal. Four years ago, I would make small jokes at the possibility of me ever becoming Valedictorian. It seemed like another crazy fever dream of mine that would remain just that, a dream. However, a part of me could not let that be, so I became fixated on chasing after that goal. I poured myself into my work, striving to make sure my grades were the best they could possibly be. Which is why earning the title of Valedictorian is not just a testament to myself, but to all those who have supported me in my journey. My parents have persevered through countless challenges to give me every opportunity – they are the foundation of everything I’ve achieved. My siblings have been my constant cheerleaders, encouraging me through every high and low. And my friends have always been there to offer a helping hand, a listening ear and a well-timed laugh when I needed it most. Their belief in me never wavered, and their support and adoration has allowed me to get to where I am. This title belongs to them just as much as it does to me.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?: Looking back at my freshman-year self, I can vividly remember being scared of the changes that life would inevitably bring as I grew up and matured. The uncertainty of the future, the pressure to figure out who I was and the fear of stepping outside of my comfort zone all felt overwhelming. I was afraid of losing the familiarity of what I knew, and anxious about the unknown path ahead. But over time, I’ve learned that change is not something to fear – it’s something to embrace. Each new experience, no matter how intimidating it seemed at first, taught me something valuable and helped shape me into the person I am today. The challenges I once dreaded turned out to be opportunities for growth, and the discomfort I felt helped me build resilience and confidence. That’s why, if I could go back and speak to my younger self, I would tell them not to fear the changes that life will throw our way. Change is a natural and necessary part of life. It’s how we learn, grow and discover who we truly are. Instead of resisting it, I would urge myself to welcome change with open arms, trusting that every twist and turn has a purpose and will lead to something meaningful.
Jada Arredono, Salutatorian
College: Washington and Lee University
Major: Economics with a Minor in Law, Justice and Society
What does earning the title of Salutatorian mean to you?: It’s surreal to think that twelve years of my life can be wrapped up in twelve letters. One for every year I woke up and tried again. One for every step I took toward something bigger than myself. To some, ‘Salutatorian’ is just a title. But to me, it means my mom can finally breathe a little easier. It means her sacrifices – the late nights, quiet sacrifices and strength she poured into me weren’t in vain. These twelve letters don’t belong to me. Ultimately, they’re hers. The title alone means she raised someone who is resilient, thoughtful, driven and full of love. Being named Salutatorian isn’t the peak – it’s the first word in a story I’m writing for her. A promise that this is only the beginning.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?: If I could give advice to my freshman-year self, I’d do it through a song. A song I tucked into a time capsule four years ago and still play almost every day – Vienna by Billy Joel. I didn’t fully understand it then, but I think I do now. That song was my soul whispering, “Slow down.” It was a reminder not to race through moments meant to be lived. It’s okay to laugh a little louder, fail a little more and take myself a little less seriously. I’d tell that version of me, “You don’t have to have it all figured out and in control. Life isn’t a sprint – it’s a symphony meant to be heard. Let it unfold. Savor it. And above all, don’t be in such a hurry. You’re already becoming everything you’re meant to be.”
MacArthur High School
Mahriz Zain, Valedictorian
College: Duke University
Major: Economics and Data Science
What does earning the title of Valedictorian mean to you?: The title of Valedictorian shows the dedication and commitment I took during my high school journey to build the foundation of my future.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?: Pursue for passion and you’ll be the greatest.
Chandani Reitmeyer, Salutatorian
College: The University of Texas
Major: Mechanical Engineering
What does earning the title of Salutatorian mean to you? Earning this title means that all of my hard work, sacrifices and late nights were worth it. This accomplishment gives me the encouragement that I need to enter the next phase of my life.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?: I would tell my freshman-year self not to be afraid to step out of her comfort zone. Every uncomfortable obstacle I encountered shaped me into who I am now, and proved to me that I am capable of whatever I set my mind to. So, take the uncomfortable steps – they pay off in the end.
Nimitz High School
Leon Daniel, Valedictorian
College: The University of Texas
Major: Computer Science
What does earning the title of Valedictorian mean to you?: It’s the accumulation and recognition of the effort and time I’ve put into my academics.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?: Try to be more active in various events through different outlets like volunteering and clubs.
Yunuen Benitez Rodriguez, Salutatorian
College: The University of Texas
Major: Political Science
What does earning the title of Salutatorian mean to you? To me, earning the title of Salutatorian means that all the hard work I did paid off in the end. However, it was not only my hard work, but also the hard work of my parents who helped shape me into who I am today. With the support of my parents, I have been able to accomplish a lot of things, and earning this title means that everything paid off.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?: One piece of advice that I would give my freshman-year self would be that some people stay, while others leave. People come and go all the time. All you can do is keep enjoying every moment of life and fully living in it.
Singley Academy
Emily John, Valedictorian
College: The University of Texas
Major: Neuroscience
What does earning the title of Valedictorian mean to you?: To me, being Valedictorian is more than a title – it’s the reflection of a journey that began not with the goal of recognition, but with a quiet love for learning. Initially, I wasn’t chasing a rank – I was simply drawn to the spark of curiosity, the satisfaction of understanding something new and the way knowledge made the world feel bigger and more connected. Over time, that love grew into a purpose – to help others find the same joy in learning that I did. Whether it was tutoring friends, answering late-night questions or sharing that one explanation that finally made a concept click – those moments became my motivation. Valedictorian wasn’t something I thought was truly within reach. It felt like a distant title reserved for someone else. But when I realized what it could represent, I saw it as the greatest opportunity I could fight for – not as a symbol of excellence, but as proof of how far passion and perseverance could carry me. I set my heart on it, and reaching it feels like a blessing – not just because of the work it took, but because it now reminds me that learning should be driven by love and shared with others. This moment fuels me to keep going, to pursue my academic path with deeper purpose and to never stop helping others discover the wonder of learning for themselves.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?: Looking back, I’d tell my freshman self to relax. You don’t have to have it all figured out. College and high school are not just about grades or picking the “right” path – they’re about discovering what matters to you, step by step. Stop obsessing over who you’re “supposed” to become. The future isn’t a fixed destination – it’s okay to change your mind, take detours and feel lost. Protect your mental health like your life depends on it, because honestly, it does. Put yourself first, not in a selfish way, but in a healthy way. Stop sacrificing sleep, sanity and joy just for some imaginary standard. The world won’t reward you for running yourself into the ground. Listen to your body when it’s exhausted and your mind when it’s overwhelmed. Change isn’t failure – it’s growth. The person you are now won’t be the person you become in four years, and that’s a good thing. Forget the idea that you have to stay in a specific place. Explore the new routes that you saw only as a hobby. Find the new people that embolden you and leave the friendships that shrink you. The bravest thing you can do is admit when something isn’t working and choose yourself. Try things that scare you, meet people who challenge you and remember not to hyperfocus on the “perfect plan”. Focus on learning about you, and it’ll all work out.
Roselyn Torres, Salutatorian
College: Texas Christian University
Major: Biology, Pre-med
What does earning the title of Salutatorian mean to you? Earning the title of Salutatorian means more than just academic achievement – it marks the beginning of my journey. It represents my ability to overcome challenges, the strength to stay determined and my dedication for learning. This accomplishment is not mine alone – it belongs to everyone who believed in me and helped me push forward during difficult times. It also reflects the hopes and sacrifices of my family, whose love and support have been my foundation. I am deeply grateful to my family, friends and teachers for encouraging me to aim higher and for standing by me. Being named Salutatorian is a reminder of how far I have come and a motivation to keep striving for greatness. It is a symbol of perseverance, strength and belief that the best is yet to come.
What advice would you give to your freshman self?: If I could give advice to my freshman-year self, it would be to not be afraid to believe in yourself! There will be moments when you may feel overwhelmed or doubt your abilities, but remember you are strong. Stop overthinking. It is okay to not have everything figured out. You do not need to have a perfect plan – you just need to keep moving forward. Trust your instincts and do not let fear of failure hold you back. Embrace mistakes as opportunities for growth. High school is not just about academics – it’s also about making memories with your friends, so enjoy the little moments. Balance is essential, and it will help you to grow both in and out of the classroom. Trust yourself, you are capable of doing more than you think but most importantly, do not forget to enjoy your high school journey. Seek out new experiences, become involved and make the most of every moment!
We are excited to celebrate our graduates at this year’s ceremonies at Joy and Ralph Ellis Stadium. To view the full graduation schedule, visit IrvingISD.net/Graduation.
Congratulations, graduates. We are proud of your success and wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors.
