ATEMS

Abilene ISD’s three high schools–Abilene High, ATEMS, and Cooper–announced their top graduates during ceremonies Wednesday morning. These students are aspiring to be doctors, lawyers, pilots, FBI agents, military officers, teachers, actors, musicians, and more.

Abilene High School
Valedictorian: Zoe Vann, Baylor University, biology
Salutatorian: Anna Grace Ferguson, University of Texas, English

Zoe Vann and Anna Grace Ferguson earned top honors for the 137th graduating class at Abilene High. Both knew they were destined for a top-five finish, but kept their GPAs secret for the big announcement during Wednesday’s ceremony. Zoe’s twin brother, Zach Vann, ranked fourth in the class. The siblings are headed to Baylor University with plans to pursue medical careers like their father, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Elliott Vann. 

“This is what we’ve both wanted to do since we were kids,” Zach said. “Biology is the standard track for taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) to get into medical school. The good thing is that while we might not have the same classes at Baylor, we’ll have the same work and be able to study together and compare notes.”

Zach has always considered neurosurgery a first option, but is open to other areas of medicine. Zoe noted that obstetrics, gynecology, and dermatology are her top choices.

ATEMS (Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science)
Valedictorian: Sophia Hudson, Rice University, neuroscience
Salutatorian: Dylon Gentry, Brigham Young University, mechanical engineering

Nine students earned top 10 percent honors at ATEMS, out of an 89-member class. Valedictorian Sophia Hudson and salutatorian Dylon Gentry earned top honors for the academy’s 12th graduating class. 

Among the top graduates is Kayla Elder, ranked no. 7. She plans to study criminal justice and Russian at Angelo State University. Her goal is  to become an Air Force pilot or an FBI agent. She chose Angelo State because of its unique FBI internship program and ROTC opportunities. She initially aspired to be a spy plane pilot before considering becoming a cargo plane pilot or pursuing a career in the FBI to track down criminals.

“As I was looking into these options, I found Angelo State, and thought that the criminal justice program would be great,” Elder said. “Then I learned Angelo had an FBI internship program. I knew that’s where I needed to go to school. And I also thought I could learn Russian, and that’s everything I’ve ever wanted to do. Angelo State aligns with my career goals, and I look forward to seeing where this takes me.”

Cooper High School
Valedictorian: Claire Smothermon, Abilene Christian University, psychology
Salutatorian: Lillian Weaver, University of Texas-San Antonio, art history and criticism

Cooper High School recognized its Top 25 graduates of the school’s 64th graduating class Wednesday, with Claire Smothermon and Lillian Weaver earning top honors. 

Lauryn Willis, ranked No. 22, has enjoyed a lifelong love of science and will study it at High Point University in North Carolina this fall. Willis chose the school for its strong science focus and will major in neuroscience to pursue a career in research rather than medicine.

“High Point is a school geared toward students who want to study science,” said Willis, who finished at Cooper in December and will graduate next month. “Majoring in neuroscience can lead to many careers, but I’d like to become a researcher because I enjoy learning and studying different science disciplines.”

College Destinations
Texas Tech University is this year’s preferred destination among the 59 students announced Wednesday, with nine students pledging to become Red Raiders, including seven from Cooper. ACU follows with six students, while Baylor has five. Texas A&M, Angelo State, Hardin-Simmons, and Texas are next, each with four, and North Texas, Rice, UT-San Antonio, and Texas State have two.

Other university destinations among those 59 students are Oregon State, Lipscomb (Tenn.), Millikin (Ill.), California-Irvine, The University of the People (Calif.), Oklahoma, Belmont (Tenn.), and High Point (N.C.).

Graduation Ceremonies
Cooper High School: Friday, May 23 at 8 p.m. (gates open at 7 p.m.)
ATEMS: Saturday, May 24 at 8 a.m. (gates open at 7 a.m.)
Abilene High School: Saturday, May 24 at 10 a.m.  (gates open after ATEMS ceremony)

ABILENE HIGH SCHOOL TOP 25
Student, college destination, major
1. Zoe Kathryn Vann, Baylor University, biology
2. Anna Grace Ferguson, University of Texas, English
3. Nolan David Sullivan, Abilene Christian University, English and chemistry
4. Zach Elliott Vann, Baylor University, biology
5. Lianna Elise Pfrimmer, Texas Tech University, education
6. Julia Faith Chambers, Hardin-Simmons University, biochemistry
7. Cora Leigh Hack, Texas A&M University, kinesiology-motor behavior
8. Cynthia Grace Darby, Baylor University, biology
9. Skylar Keyes Young, University of Texas, art history
10. Brenna Kate Barbarick, Abilene Christian University, English
11. Kaitlyn Elizabeth Johnson, Oregon State University, marine biology
12. Daniel Asher Shelburne, Lipscomb University, business and Bible
13. Mattie Ruth Spaulding, University of Texas, choral music education
14. Gabriella Elizabeth Trujillo, Texas State University, chemistry
15. Stephen Riley Griffith, Texas Tech University, biology
16. Bethany Taylor Findley, Texas A&M University, business
17. Carrie Beth Mercer, Millikin University, musical theatre
18. Reese Kathryn Cope, Abilene Christian University, interior design
19. Jacie Nicole Shipley, Texas A&M University-Galveston, marine biology
20. Mason Alexandra Murray, Baylor University, environmental law
21. Mason Reed Tidmore, Baylor University, business management
22. Garrison Steele Scoggin, Hardin-Simmons University, kinesiology
23. Angela Isabella Mowery, Texas State University, business administration
24. Allison Claire Dunn, Hardin-Simmons University, biology
25. Caitlyn Grace Bowman, Abilene Christian University, accounting

ATEMS TOP 10 PERCENT
Student, college destination, major
1. Sophia Hudson, Rice University, neuroscience
2. Dylon Gentry, Brigham Young University, mechanical engineering
3. Max Parker, Abilene Christian University, electrical engineering
4. Avery Simer, Abilene Christian University, electrical engineering
5. Judah Jackson, Rice University or Abilene Christian University, physics
6. Ava Pandey, University of Texas, biomedical engineering
7. Kayla Elder, Angelo State University, criminal justice and Russian
8. Henry Ferguson, Texas A&M University, history
9. Abby Shumate, Hardin-Simmons University, kinesiology

COOPER HIGH SCHOOL TOP 25
Student, college destination, major
1. Claire Smotherman, Abilene Christian University, psychology
2. Lillian Weaver, University of Texas-San Antonio, art history and criticism
3. Jayvee Bautista, Angelo State University, civil engineering
4. Hailey Young, University of North Texas, elementary education
5. Matthew Henson, Texas Tech University, mechanical engineering
6. Samantha Joyce, University of Texas-Tyler, nursing
7. Jayden Palacios, Texas A&M University, mechanical engineering
8. DeAngelo Johnson, Texas Tech University, computer science
9. Alexander Hall, University of California-Irvine, acting
10. Trae Westin Foster, Texas Tech University, animal science
11. Madeline Rolon, undecided university and major
12. Davian Sansom, Texas Tech University, criminology
13. Amyah Walzer, University of North Texas, public relations
14. Abigail Cathryn Nichols, Angelo State University, fine arts
15. Micah Gonzalez, Texas Tech University, political science and law
16. Derek Crespo, Angelo State University, business management
17. Kevin Reyes, Texas Tech University, forensic anthropology
18. Jay Earl Verdida, McMurry University, accounting
19. Queen Zateia Beltran, flight school
20. Victoria Moreno, University of Texas-San Antonio, biochemistry
21. JJ Caleb Brink, University of the People, acting
22. Lauryn Willis, High Point University, neuroscience
23. Dylan Josselet, Texas Tech University, mechanical engineering
24. Alexis Edmonds, University of Oklahoma, nursing
25. Kyler Wheeler, Belmont University, music business