Class of ‘23: Meet SAISD’s Valedictorians & Salutatorians

Central HS and Lake View HS - Valedictorians & Salutatorians

Photos courtesy of The Photo Studio

Class of ‘23: Meet SAISD’s Valedictorians & Salutatorians

SAISD continues our celebration of the Class of 2023 countdown to cap and gown. Meet the valedictorians and salutatorians of SAISD’s Class of 2023!

Central High School

Valedictorian: Franchesca “Chesca” Untalan
GPA: 107.7833
Parents: Dr. Raymond & Frances Untalan
Attending: University of Texas at Austin, dual degree in Computer Science and Business Honors

Activities & Involvement:

  • Member of Chamber Orchestra for all 4 years, serving as a president & formerly co-concert master & section leader
  • Member of the Computer Science UIL team
  • President & Co-Founder of Software House, the first computer science club at Central HS
  • President of the National Honor Society chapter at Central HS

Recognitions/Achievements/Scholarships: 

  • David Phillips Music and Service Award
  • Most Outstanding Musician Award 
  • UIL Scholar
  • AP Scholar with Distinction
  • National Merit Commended Student
  • Four-time Texas Music Scholar
  • National Honor Society Semifinalist Scholarship Recipient
  • San Angelo Area Foundation Amy McLaughlin Memorial Scholarship Recipient
  • Pine Cove Consulting Technology Student of the Year Scholarship Recipient

What do you plan to do after graduating college: “I envision myself pursuing a career combining business and technology, probably something involving management or strategy.”
Parting thoughts: “My advice for students — work hard for what you want but have fun!” Chesca said. “You only get one life, so live it well.” 

Salutatorian: Rheanna Dancel-Javier
GPA:
107.4464
Parents: Rhea Dancel & Francis Dancel
Attending: University of Texas at Austin, degree in Chemical Engineering

Activities & Involvement:

  • 3-year member of Key Club, 2022-2023 President
  • Vice President of the National Honor Society chapter at Central HS
  • Student Council, freshman & sophomore year

Recognitions/Achievements/Scholarships:

  • Academic Honor Roll
  • NMSI Award
  • Kiwanis-Kouvelis Scholarship
  • Rising Star Awards Recipient

What do you plan to do after graduating college: “I plan to pursue a career in green energy to advance the safety and production of chemicals needed for fuel and other services.”
Parting thoughts: “The best lesson I have learned during my time at Central is to always keep a kind heart,” Rheanna said. “My greatest memories here come from the kindness I receive from my closest peers and my teachers that care so much.”

High academic standards aren’t the only trait this year’s CHS valedictorian and salutatorian share – they are both of Filipino descent. “As Filipinos, our culture takes great pride in their children, and San Angelo’s close-knit Filipino community has sincerely supported us throughout our high school careers,” the young women said in a joint statement. “It is a tremendous honor for us to academically represent our community by being the first Filipino valedictorian and salutatorian pair at Central in its 65 years of existence. We hope that by earning these titles, we can inspire other kids to do their best in whatever they set their minds to.”

Lake View High School

Valedictorian: Mischa Watts
GPA:
105.2241
Parents: Wyatt Watts & Jessica Brown
Attending: Texas Tech University, degree in engineering

Activities & Involvement:

  • Cross country
  • Cheer 
  • Theatre
  • Lake View Ambassadors
  • National Honor Society

Recognitions/Achievements/Scholarships:

  • D.A.R. Excellence in History Award
  • UIL Scholar
  • Lake View Maiden Award
  • 110% Effort Award in cross country
  • 110% Effort Award in track
  • Hollands Award in track
  • Bug Express SAISD Scholar Athlete of the Week
  • STEM2D Ethicon Scholarship recipient

What do you plan to do after graduating college: “I plan to travel as much as I can while pursuing a career that interests me.”
Parting thoughts: “It is such an honor to be named valedictorian after the past four years of school. All the hard work I’ve put in has been recognized and celebrated, which made me feel extremely proud of myself for never giving up. It also came as a huge relief that I am now eligible for scholarships that can keep my family from having to worry about four full years of college tuition.” 

Salutatorian: Giovani Pablo
GPA:
105.1754
Mother: Beneranda Ramos
Attending: Texas Tech University, degree in Computer Science

Activities & Involvement:

  • Football
  • Powerlifting
  • Track and Field
  • Cross Country 
  • UIL Academics

Recognitions/Achievements/Scholarships:

  • Regional qualifier for powerlifting
  • Regional qualifier for track and field
  • Regional qualifier for UIL Academics in Computer Science
  • Academic Honor Roll

What do you plan to do after graduating college: “My plans after graduation are to travel the world, find a stable tech job and provide for my mother.
Parting thoughts: “Words cannot describe the joy and excitement I am feeling for being named a salutatorian. The recognition I am receiving goes directly to my mother, my biggest inspiration. This recognition proves that I was successful in the eyes of my family and friends.”

Join SAISD, CHS and LVHS in congratulating our valedictorians and salutatorians, and wishing them success as they continue pursuit of their hopes and dreams next fall at University of Texas and Texas Tech University. Follow the San Angelo ISD Facebook, Twitter and website, www.saisd.org, to see more ways we celebrate our Class of 2023 future-ready graduates, and to stay up-to-date on SAISD.

Community members are encouraged to share how you celebrate your graduates all week long as part of our countdown to cap and gown in advance of the Class of 2023 graduation ceremonies with the hashtag #SAISDGrads23 and #FutureReadyatSAISD. We look forward to celebrating our SAISD Class of 2023 graduates and their achievements for this important milestone and stepping off point toward further fulfillment of their hopes and dreams.