The top students in Tioga’s Class of 2025 have been duking it out since freshman year.
Valedictorian Raylee Wilson and Salutatorian Lizbeth Fraire De Leon both spoke about the race to the top they’ve shared and the lessons it taught them.
“I’ve always worked really hard towards my grades so I could get into a good college,” Wilson said. “It’s kind of been back and forth between me and our salutatorian since freshman year, so it’s something I’ve been shooting for throughout high school.”
Wilson snagged the spot from De Leon, who started on top.
“Freshman year I was first,” De Leon said. “Raylee and I are both really hard-working people and having someone that pushes you to be better is great.”
Both mirrored the other as it came to what they would miss as they conclude their high school careers.
“I’ll definitely miss my people,” De Leon said. “I’ve been their class president for four years and have always been someone they can come talk to, so leaving them behind is going to be hard.”
Wilson spoke similarly. “I will miss the people,” Wilson said. “I grew up in this area, … so I’ve known a lot of these people my whole life. I’ll miss the people I grew up with and everyone knowing me.”
Continuing the trend, both again aligned on what most excited them about their upcoming experiences in college.
“I’m looking forward to more opportunities,” Wilson said. “There are a lot more people to find who are just like you.”
De Leon agreed.
“I’ve been here for 14 years, so I’ve never really gotten a chance to meet new people,” De Leon said. “I’m excited to branch out and meet all the diverse people at UTD and excited to make connections again.”
While both young people are staying in Texas for their higher education, the choice of university is where they differ.
“I’m going to Texas Tech,” Wilson said. “I want to go into prephysical therapy, and they are one of the few schools that have a designated pre-PT program built in with their majors.”
She explained her inspiration came from a recent experience last year after she broke her arm.
“Being around it for months, I realized what I really wanted to do was work with athletes,” Wilson said. “I always knew I wanted to go into the medical field but didn’t know exactly where.”
De Leon, on the other hand, is headed to the University of Texas at Dallas.
“I want to go somewhere that, if I put my efforts into it, will be worth it,” De Leon said. “I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer, and that’s the first step. Going to a really good school looks good when going to law school. It starts there and goes forward.”
She explained her choice stems from wanting to do right by people in the way she feels she’ll be able to do it best.
“I’m still undecided on what type of law, but ever since I was little, I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer,” De Leon said. “That’s never changed. It’s just helping people in ways I know I can. It’s about being able to speak up for people who can’t speak up for themselves, like with immigration laws. I can speak up for them.”
Wilson spoke for both with regard to the biggest lesson their time at Tioga has taught them.
“Hard work is a big thing,” Wilson said. “I’ve worked hard for my spot—Liz and I both have—so high school taught me the value of hard work, and that’s something I’ll take with me to college.”
