By: Carol
From the moment students enter these halls as freshmen to their final steps across the graduation stage, they engage in a rigorous competition for academic rankings. For some, this is a pursuit of their dreams, while for others, it is a pure competitive drive. A valedictorian is an individual who not only excels academically but also embodies the highest standards of their school and will carry this drive throughout their lives. The Pleasanton High School Class of 2023-2024 Valedictorian is Ian Rodriguez, a distinguished student-athlete who has maintained his position at the top of his class for four consecutive years. Ian will be attending Rice University, pursuing a dual major with a BS in Biosciences, concentrated in biochemistry, and a BA in Political Science. He plans to prepare for medical school while also gaining a deeper understanding of the American political system, as he envisions a future career in public office.
Ian’s accolades in his academics are more than impressive, as being valedictorian is obviously no easy feat. When asked what his motivating factor to being valedictorian was he simply responded “ Going into my freshman year I actually didn’t think I was going to be valedictorian. I was just trying to compete against myself and tried to keep improving my grades. But after I discovered my rank, I think my main motivation was to get into a T20 school…” On his journey of success he acknowledges the impact of teachers such as Ms. Williams, Ms.Lasater and Ms. Bast, “each one of them pushed me to always improve and they really helped me in my high school journey”.
Though Ian is most often recognized for his distinction as valedictorian, he has many achievements separate from his ranking. Over his four years here at PHS Ian has taken part in clubs such as HOSA and NHS, he was a cross country and track athlete and he went to state four times in UIL academics (two in current events and two in CX debate). After considering the time and effort invested, Ian found it worthwhile.“High school was an amazing experience, through each up and down, I feel that there was a lot to learn and each year brought something new. There’s plenty that I’m going to miss, but I also am glad to finish high school and move onto the next chapter of life.”
Ian leaves PHS students with these words “It’s easy to get caught u in work and it’s also easy to get stuck in distractions. Make sure that there’s a good balance between working and having fun, and make sure to avoid drama. Other than that, for the most part, it should be smooth sailing.” Ian’s journey has been successful so far, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds for him. Congratulations Ian, and your PHS family wishes you only the best!