Lubbock Independent School District (Lubbock ISD) celebrated the graduation of 1,594 students this week. Collectively, the Class of 2026 from the district's five high schools earned more than $38 million in scholarships.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to watch these students grow into the wonderful, incredible individuals they are today,” said Dr. Kathy Rollo, Lubbock ISD Superintendent. “They are living proof of the importance of our work, and there is no greater joy than seeing each of them walk across these stages. To our graduates: as you step into your future, I hope you do so with unwavering enthusiasm for all your future holds, a commitment to continuing to learn and grow, and the knowledge that, for all of us Lubbock ISD, you are our greatest achievement.”
Talkington School for Young Women Leaders
The first ceremony was held on Wednesday (May 20) at Buddy Holly Hall, celebrating the students from Lubbock ISD’s Talkington School for Young Women Leaders. Talkington’s 35 graduates were all accepted into four-year colleges and collectively earned more than $10.8 million in scholarships. With a GPA of 4.8484, Catherine Leann Lituania, was named valedictorian and will attend Tufts University. Keagan Mia Valderaz earned the title of salutatorian with a GPA of 4.8214 and will attend the University of Texas.
Monterey High School
On Friday (May 22), Monterey High School celebrated the district’s largest graduating Class of 2026 at Texas Tech University’s United Supermarkets Arena, with 471 graduates who will attend more than 100 colleges and universities across the nation. Charlotte Grace Allen, who will attend Texas Tech University, was named the valedictorian with a GPA of 4.9333. Hattie Ruth Houy, who earned the title of salutatorian with a GPA of 4.9193, will also attend Texas Tech University.
Estacado High School
Saturday’s (May 23) ceremonies at the arena included the district’s remaining three high schools, beginning with Estacado High School. Of Estacado’s 198 graduates, 63 were Estacado Early College High School students who earned a total 1,049 college hours from Texas Tech University. Sydney Mikayla Urrutia earned the spot of valedictorian with a GPA of 4.887 and will attend Texas Tech University. Marcos Jaidan Cuevas was named the salutatorian with a GPA of 4.8833 and will attend Marymount Manhattan College.
Lubbock High School
More than half of Lubbock High School’s 462 graduates earned the honor graduate distinction by maintaining a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above. Vedant M. Patel, with a GPA of 4.9428, was named valedictorian and will attend the University of California, Berkeley. William August McClendon, with a GPA of 4.9393, earned the title of salutatorian and will attend the University of Texas.
Coronado High School
Coronado High School, which recently celebrated its 60th year, concluded the day with 428 graduates, which included two valedictorians and two salutatorians. Henley Nicholas Christodolou and Owen Quinn Edwards were named valedictorians with GPAs of 4.9032. Christodolou will attend the University of Texas and Edwards will attend Texas Tech University. Houston Reid Birdsinger and Lauren Grace Follis were named salutatorians with GPAs of 4.875, with Birdsinger attending Texas Tech University and Follis attending the University of Colorado Boulder.
About Lubbock ISD
Lubbock Independent School District is the largest K-12 public education provider in the surrounding area, educating more than 23,000 students. Its mission is to nurture, develop and inspire every child, every day. Guiding that mission are three leadership pillars – Develop Leaders, Love People and Value Data – which aim to empower staff to their full potential, embrace our community and cultivate student success at every level. With a wide range of academic and career programming, the district has innovated itself to provide growth opportunities for students and staff alike.