The top two Wylie East students, Amanda Lu, valedictorian, and Wyatt Kelley, salutatorian, , look ahead to their next chapter as they prepare for graduation at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at CUTx Event Center in Allen. Allison LaBrot/The Wylie News

Achievements from the past four years are motivating new aspirations in Amanda Lu, Wylie East’s valedictorian, and Wyatt Kelley, salutatorian. The top two students are focused on their future college majors while reflecting on the people and activities that shaped their decisions. 

Amanda plans to major in biochemistry at The University of Texas at Dallas. She said she is also interested in neuroscience and hopes to become a researcher and teacher. 

“I want to do something that will always make me learn something new,” Amanda said. 

During a tour of her future university, she experienced a Zebrafish lab that made her excited about her time as a student doing lab work. 

Wyatt will attend Wichita State University with plans to major in mechanical engineering. 

“Having the opportunity to learn and study only the things I want to learn and study is what excites me the most about college,” he said. 

Wyatt’s favorite high school classes were related to math, science and engineering. In one of these classes, Victor Munguia, his advanced algebra teacher, created solutions to keep Wyatt focused and helped him discover his love for math. Other influential teachers during Wyatt’s high school career were Steven Parker, his freshman English teacher, and Matthew Highfill , his AP U.S. history teacher. 

Breegan Gholson taught one of Amanda’s favorite classes, student leadership, and inspired her by encouraging curiosity in students. 

“Over the four years I knew her, she gave me a lot of the advice that has shaped the mindset I have today,” Amanda said. 

AP 2-D Art and Design with Jennifer Thompson and humanities with Amy May were also memorable classes for Amanda. 

The valedictorian’s weighted GPA is 5.92, and the salutatorian’s is 5.78. Both students maintained schedules that included activities in addition to academics. 

“I’ve been on the varsity tennis team all four years of my high school career, and I’m a regional qualifier three years in a row now,” Wyatt said. He plans to continue playing outside of his college’s team. Both he and Amanda were a part of the National Honor Society. 

Additionally, Amanda participated in student council and National Art Honor Society along and became a certified nursing assistant. In the Animanga Club, she furthered a long-time interest in anime and manga through related activities with other students. She also found a passion for teaching while helping with Raider Navigator, a program where upperclassmen guide freshmen through Wylie East’s routines and requirements. 

Throughout her time at Wylie East, Amanda said she saw every moment as significant.

“I think any moment that I spent with the people I cared about and the activities I cared for was my highlight,” the student said. 

Wyatt’s highlight came near the end of high school when he received the Birmingham Scholarship awarded to the top ten ranking students from Wylie East and Wylie High. 

The Wylie East Class of 2026 will graduate at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 23, at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen. 

Both students want future Raiders to enjoy high school while also keeping the future in mind. Wyatt said students should make a plan for after high school and begin preparing for it by joining extracurricular activities aligned with their interests. Amanda advised younger students to take advantage of opportunities and use their early high school years wisely. She also encouraged them to check their emails and complete Common App essays early. 

“We have so much going on every day; if you are bored, you have definitely not explored enough,” she said. 

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