KATY MAGAZINE NEWS
May 11, 2021
By Natalie Cook Clark
As the 2020-2021 academic year quickly comes to an end, Katy ISD announces the valedictorians and salutatorians from their eight high schools with graduating classes. The fastest growing independent school district in Texas gears up for their in-person graduation ceremonies.
Graduation Ceremonies Begin May 20
Katy ISD’s spring commencement season kicks off at Legacy Stadium on May 20th with in-person, full capacity ceremonies.
With the highest GPA this year being an impressive 4.9079, these talented students lead the class of 2021 onward to chase their adventures and dreams. Some to pursue career paths that take them to universities, trade schools, internships across the nation and around the world.
Katy ISD will honor the accomplishments of each valedictorian and salutatorian at their graduation ceremony in front of their family and peers.
“I am so proud of all of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians of Katy ISD,” says newly re-elected Katy ISD Board of Trustee Dawn Champagne. “They have each worked so hard to accomplish this enormous milestone. The sky is the limit for all their future dreams and goals.”
“I want to add that I’m proud of all of our graduates,” says Champagne. “This is the first step to all the future successes in their lives and their success is essential to all of our futures. Good luck to all Katy ISD high school graduates!”
Cinco Ranch High School
Natalie Wang – Valedictorian
College/University: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Biology/PreMed
GPA: 4.8281
Zara Shipchandler – Salutatorian
College/University: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Computer Science
GPA: 4.8
Katy High School
Layne Smith – Valedictorian
College/University: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Biology with an emphasis on Epidemiology
GPA: 4.8148
Chelsea Crow – Salutatorian
College/University: Chelsea will be pursuing volunteer opportunities abroad after graduating and will teach Spanish literacy for a year.
Major: N/A
GPA: 4.8
Mayde Creek High School
Min Ko Ko – Valedictorian
College/University: Yale University
Major: Political Science
GPA: 4.8143
Mohammad Zaidi – Salutatorian
College/University: Columbia University
Major: Sociology
GPA: 4.8
Morton Ranch High School
Jennie Le – Valedictorian
College/University: Rice University
Major: Exercise Science
GPA: 4.7037
Walter Pham – Salutatorian (photo unavailable)
College/University: University of Texas
Major: Biology
GPA: 4.7
Paetow High School
John Pershing Abney – Valedictorian
College/University: Brown University
Major: Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering
GPA: 4.7778
Camila Silva – Salutatorian
College/University: University of Chicago
Major: Astrophysics & Astronomy
GPA: 4.75
Seven Lakes High School
Sameer Gupta – Valedictorian
College/University: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Computer Science (Turing Honors Program)
GPA: 4.9079
Surya Chokkar – Salutatorian
College/University: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Computer Science and Business Honors Program
GPA: 4.9079
Taylor High School
Ecaterina Sturzu – Valedictorian
College/University: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Computer Science
GPA: 4.8406
Jeongwook Yun – Salutatorian
College/University: University of Texas at Austin
Major: Biomedical Engineering
GPA: 4.8302
Tompkins High School
Sahil Adhawade – Valedictorian
College/University: Stanford University
Major: Computer Science with a Concentration in Bio-Computation
GPA: 4.9048
Pranav Narayanan – Salutatorian
College/University: Rice University
Major: Biosciences
GPA: 4.85333
Commencement Schedule:
All ceremonies will be held Legacy Stadium.
Thursday, May 20, 2021 at 8 p.m. - Taylor High School
Friday, May 21, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Mayde Creek High School
Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Cinco Ranch High School
Sunday, May 23, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Morton Ranch High School
Monday, May 24, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Seven Lakes High School
Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Tompkins High School
Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Paetow High School
Thursday, May 27, 2021 at 8 p.m.- Katy High School
For more information regarding graduation ceremonies, visit the the graduation section of Katy ISD website. Katy ISD will lift their mask requirement starting June 1, so masks will continue to be required by all at the ceremonies.
Katy ISD's latest addition, Jordan High School, which opened this past fall, will not graduate it's first senior class until May of 2023. Since the 2021 Bond Package passed in this month's general election, the District was approved for it's proposed news schools. One will be another high school bringing the District to an even ten.
On behalf of the Katy Magazine staff, CONGRATULATIONS to all the 2020-2021 Katy ISD graduates!