Imanol Matos Colón, Sachse High School’s Class of 2026 valedictorian, and Michelle Chung, salutatorian, will both attend the University of Texas at Dallas this fall, but neither plans to forget the experiences and relationships formed during high school. 

“The highlight of my time in high school was the opportunity to meet people whom I now consider my best friends,” Imanol said. “We have grown together and supported one another throughout these four years.”

The valedictorian and salutatorian earned weighted GPAs of 5.057 and 4.838, respectively, during their high school careers. Both students named AP Physics among their favorite classes and said their teacher Alex Brown cultivated kindness and enthusiasm in his classroom. 

“The memories I’ve made in his physics classroom will last me a lifetime, and it is all because of Mr. Brown and the amazing teacher that he is,” Imanol said. 

The valedictorian also said math teacher Moeen Damrah went “above and beyond” as a mentor both inside and outside the classroom. 

While balancing classwork, both students remained active in extracurricular activities. Michelle participated in Key Club, Academic UIL and Academic Decathlon. Imanol was involved in AVID Club and Spanish National Honor Society while also serving as an Early College Ambassador. 

Through AVID, Imanol said he enjoyed seeing students come together to collect donations for the Sachse Animal Shelter and hopes to continue seeking leadership and service opportunities in college. 

Both students also participated in National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and Beta Club. Michelle has decided to focus on activities more closely related to her planned major, mechanical engineering. 

“However, if I find a college-level equivalent to Academic UIL and Academic Decathlon, I would definitely like to participate in them because I find it thrilling to compete in academic competitions,” Michelle said. 

The salutatorian said she chose mechanical engineering based on her interests in mathematics and physics. She also said mechanical engineering “is a versatile field that could lead to other opportunities within the scope of engineering.”

“I’m excited to engage in research opportunities and do hands-on activities regarding engineering, which is something that you don’t really get to do in a high school setting,” she said. 

Imanol plans to major in neuroscience with the goal of becoming a psychiatrist and helping others improve their mental health and overall wellbeing. 

Ahead of graduation ceremonies Wednesday, May 20, at the Curtis Culwell Center, both students said they felt honored to have the opportunity to speak, though public speaking still made them nervous.

Despite their fears, both had advice for younger students. Michelle encouraged students to savor the little moments happening in the present.

“While it’s important to be concerned about your future, it’s also equally important to enjoy your present,” she said. 

She also encouraged students to view mistakes as a natural part of life and not as indicators of future success. 

“If you work hard and stay determined, you will eventually see the results of your efforts and accomplish more than you ever imagined possible,” Imanol said. 

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