Congratulations to the Boswell, Chisholm Trail, and Saginaw High School Valedictorians and Salutatorians for the EMS ISD Commencement Class of 2022! We are #EMSproud of you and your commitment to academic success.
The BHS, CTHS, and SHS campus graduations will take place at Dickies Arena on Saturday, May 28. The BHS ceremony begins at 10 am, the SHS ceremony begins at 1:30 pm, and the CTHS ceremony begins at 5 pm. The event also will be live streamed for those who are unable to attend in person.
Boswell High School
Valedictorian | Christine Ward
Christine Ward has attended EMS ISD schools since her freshman year at Boswell High School. She is a member of National Honor Society and participated in the Creative Writing Club during her freshman and sophomore years. During her educational career, she earned several accolades including winning an award for debate during her junior year. One of her favorite memories includes senior prom.
Ward names Mr. Casey Gause, Advanced Psychology and Advanced English Capstone teacher, as her favorite educator in EMS ISD.
“He's one of the teachers I've had the longest (since sophomore year) and he has been crucial to my growth as a person,” Ward said, adding that she has learned that effort and dedication can lead to big results.
“When doing projects, I always put in 100 percent effort. I always ask teachers for clarification in my work and I’m always willing to lead when necessary,” she said. “Becoming valedictorian taught me that academic effort comes in many different forms and just because one is not traditionally academic, it doesn't mean that they don't have the will to succeed.”
Ward will attend The University of Texas at Austin in the fall to major in English 1 with the goal of becoming a novelist. Congratulations to Ward on becoming Boswell’s 2022 Valedictorian.
Boswell High School
Salutatorian | Kyra Williams
Kyra Williams has attended EMS ISD schools since third grade, beginning with Lake Pointe Elementary, Wayside Middle School, and finally Boswell High School. Throughout her school career, she has been active in school organizations including National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, Youth and Government, Junior Youth and Government, Philosophy Club, Chemistry Club, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, American Legion Auxiliary Bluebonnet Girls State, UIL Number Sense in middle school and high school, UIL Science in middle school, and Destination Imagination in elementary school.
Williams earned a qualification at the state Visual Arts Scholastic Event (VASE) and received an Excellence Rating of 4 on all eight pieces of art entered. Williams made State Solo and Ensemble Band and All Region Band. The senior also received the Pioneer Excellence award for Art 1 and Advanced Physics 1. The senior adds that a favorite memory at EMS ISD is receiving the trophy for getting perfect attendance for all three years of middle school at the end of 8th grade.
“It was something I had been trying to get since learning it was an award at the end of 6th grade,” she said. “Finally being able to receive that trophy I had wanted for three years was an amazing feeling.”
Williams says that while she has many favorite teachers who have helped her over the years, the one who stands out the most is Casey Gause.
"Mr. Gause is an incredible teacher who is super intelligent, witty, and makes everyday learning or working on research projects more bearable by being so helpful and confident in my ability to succeed,” she said. “I am very glad to have had him as a teacher for two years and to have been able to depend on him as a mentor.”
After graduation, Williams plans to attend Brandeis University to pursue a degree in chemistry. Congratulations to Williams on becoming Boswell’s 2022 Salutatorian.
“It is the accumulation of four years of hard work, hard classes, and everything that comes along with those,” Williams said about being named Salutatorian. “This educational journey has shown me that if I do put in the effort, I will be recognized for it, even if I am not while in the midst of it. All my effort will be noticed, even if it takes years.”
Chisholm Trail High School
Valedictorian | Kayli Jones
Kayli Jones has attended EMS ISD schools since the second grade, including Eagle Mountain Elementary School, Parkview Elementary School, Creekview Middle School, and finally Chisholm Trail High School. During her time in EMS ISD, the senior has participated in gymnastics, track, the CTHS Band, National Honor Society, National Junior Honor Society, National Art Honor Society, Health Occupations Students of America, Student Council, Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, Academic UIL, Gold Standard Honors Society, Parkview Elementary Honor Choir, and the spelling bee.
“Becoming Valedictorian is something I have dreamed about since middle school, but I had no idea it would actually become a reality,” Jones said. “Striving for this honor has taught me to always give my best effort and to never give up, lessons I will carry with me in the future.”
Jones has received many accolades during her attendance in EMS ISD, including being named an AP Scholar with Honors and receiving an AP Capstone Diploma. She was named a Questbridge National College Match Finalist, Number Sense Regional Qualifier, District Gymnastics All-Around Champion 2022, District Bars Champion 2022, Gymnastics State Qualifier, National Gymnastics Team Qualifier, CTHS Most Valuable Gymnast, CTHS Most Dedicated Gymnast, and Area Spelling Bee Champion 2017. She earned the Ranger of Distinction Math Award 2019-2020, Ranger of Distinction Math and Science Award 2020-2021, the Principal’s Award 2018, and the President’s Award 2018.
Jones says her favorite memory at EMS ISD happened when she won the All-Around title at the district gymnastics championship this year, and she calls CTHS Gymnastics Coach Jeff Garmon the teacher with the greatest impact on her.
“He has been my gymnastics coach for all of middle and high school and has been an inspiration to me,” she said. “I have learned so many life lessons during my time in gymnastics and Coach Garmon has always supported and encouraged me in anything I tried, both in and out of the gym.”
Jones will attend Texas A&M University in the fall to study Molecular Biology. Congratulations to Jones for becoming Chisholm Trail’s 2022 Valedictorian.
Chisholm Trail High School
Salutatorian | Paige Thompson
Paige Thompson has attended EMS ISD schools since she was in the sixth grade, including Ed Willkie Middle School, and Chisholm Trail High School. Thompson stayed active during her time in EMS ISD, serving as a four-year member of the CTHS Softball team and a three-year member of the CTHS Theatre program, including membership in Thespian Troupe 6971. She also took part in National Honor Society and Student Council, including serving as a class officer. Her accolades include being named an AP Scholar with Honors, receiving the Advanced Macroeconomics and Advanced Biology Ranger Award of Excellence, and being a multi-year academic all-district student athlete.
One of her favorite memories at EMS ISD was the camaraderie she experienced with her teammates during the softball tournament in Marshall this year. She adds that her favorite teacher is CTHS Softball Coach Gemma Gibson Lappa because of her dedication to ensuring success in her players.
“She makes a real difference in our lives and truly cares for our futures,” Thompson said. “She is not only an amazing coach, but a great mentor who teaches us valuable lessons every day.”
Thompson said earning the distinction of Salutatorian means a great deal to her and reminds her of the lessons she has learned throughout her educational journey.
“First and foremost, I have learned to work at my best ability, regardless of external barriers,” she said. “I have also learned to stand up for myself throughout challenging situations. Moreover, the journey I have taken and the lessons I have acquired will carry on with me as I enter a new chapter of my life. Although college will be challenging, I feel better equipped having these lessons.”
The senior will attend the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida, to study psychology on the pre-medical track. Congratulations to Thompson for becoming Chisholm Trail’s 2022 Salutatorian.
Saginaw High School
Valedictorian | Hoang Ho
Hoang Ho has attended EMS ISD schools since kindergarten, including Chisholm Ridge Elementary School, Highland Middle School, and Saginaw High School. As a Saginaw Rough Rider, Ho has been involved in the SHS Band, indoor drumline, National Honor Society as an officer, Health Occupations Students of America, and the Gold Standard Honors Society. Accolades include earning the AP Scholar Award, AP Scholar with Distinction Award, the Musicianship Award for SHS Choir, the Senior Award for the PTO scholarship, and the Senior Award for Advanced Calculus.
Ho says his favorite teacher is his AP Biology teacher, Keila Mena.
“Mrs. Mena taught biology in such a unique and intriguing way that made difficult concepts easier to understand,” Ho said. “Considering that I plan to major in biochemistry, I am so grateful to have had her as a teacher because she deepened my interest in biology and STEM, and she made me appreciate all the processes that give our planet life.”
In addition to biology, Ho also enjoys theatre and says his favorite memory at EMS ISD is acting in the SHS fall 2021 musical, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
“Despite having no previous theatre experience, I managed to get one of the lead roles. The process not only helped me make loads of amazing new friends but also helped me battle my fear of the stage and expand my comfort zone,” Ho said. “The memories I made with my friends and the path to success will always have a place in my heart and mind whenever I look back at my high school experience in the future.
"Being the valedictorian of SHS has been a tremendous honor that I will never forget,” he added. “Over six revolutions around the sun of hard work, smart work, determination, courage, self-discipline, persistence, perseverance, curiosity, resourcefulness, and effort paid off.”
The senior will attend the University of Texas at Arlington to major in biochemistry with a plan to attend dental school. Congratulations to Ho on becoming Saginaw’s 2022 Valedictorian.
Saginaw High School
Salutatorian | Madeline McNulty
Madeline McNulty has attended EMS ISD schools since sixth grade, including Prairie Vista Middle School and Saginaw High School. She has been involved in the Spirit of Saginaw Marching Band, National Honor Society, Saginaw Indoor Drumline, and the Saginaw Class of 2022 Class Officer Team. Accolades at SHS include receiving the University of Texas at Arlington Presidential Honors Scholarship, the Texas Woman’s University Honors College Scholarship, the AP Scholar Award and designation of AP Scholar with Distinction.
“Being the salutatorian is a really big honor for me because it showed me that I can achieve anything I set my mind to,” McNulty said. “It taught me a lot about time management and planning through balancing multiple AP classes and extracurriculars while still achieving the goals I set for myself.”
McNulty says her favorite memory in EMS ISD is being part of indoor drumline throughout high school and her favorite teacher is SHS Percussion Director Jenn Giba.
“She works incredibly hard to grow the percussion program and I am inspired by her drive and dedication,” McNulty said. “I made a lot of memories and friends, and putting our show together was a lot of fun.”
After graduation, McNulty plans to attend the University of Texas at Arlington to study nursing. Congratulations to McNulty on becoming Saginaw’s 2022 Salutatorian.
