MAY – The May High School graduation ceremony for the Class of 2025 will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, May 16 at the May ISD Gymnasium.

Holli Brown, daughter of Weldon and Dianne Brown, is the valedictorian while Ashley Nnamani, daughter of Michael Nnamani and Jessica Nieto, is the salutatorian.

“It means a lot to me,” Brown said of the valedictorian accolade. “I was a little surprised because there were two or three of us that have always been pretty close, but I worked really hard towards this. It’s something that I’ve always wanted and it feels really good.”

Nnamani said of being named salutatorian, “While I was growing up I was told academics was the most important thing and never let anything else get in the way of that, so just working hard all four years and staying on top of my work and seeing it pay off means a lot to me.”

Brown is headed to Tarleton State University to major in Bio-Medical Sciences after graduation, and then go to PT school to become a physical therapist.

“I went to physical therapy a while back and I really liked my physical therapy assistant,” Brown said. “It showed me I could help others not just physically but also have a good impact on their life.”

The next step on Nnamani’s journey is Angelo State University, where she has plans to become a Forensic Psychologist.

“I’ve always been the curious child, I’ve wanted to know why certain things happen based off personal experiences,” Nnamani said. “I want to be able to figure that out for myself.”

Regarding the difference in attending May and a university, Brown said, “I think it’s going to be a little weird because it’s so small here and the Tarleton campus is growing really fast. It’ll be different but I think it’ll be a good change.”

Nnamani added, “It’s going to be a big adjustment because Angelo is about two hours away from here. I went to May my whole life, lived in a small town and I’ve never been in a bigger class, so it’s definitely going to be an adjustment. I also think it’s a good thing to spread my wings and get out in the world and see it for myself and become more independent.”

Regarding their fondest memories of attending May, both honor graduates cited their classmates.

“My favorite memories are growing up with my class,” Brown said. “My class is really cool and we all get along and it’s been nice to just grow up together.”

Nnamani added, “Mainly just my classmates. We’re a pretty close knit class, we’re all friends, we all get along, none of us are ever mad at each other, we all have a good time and laugh every day.”

As far as favorite teachers while at May, Brown said, “Ms. Atkinson and Ms. Phillips were my elementary teachers. They were always really sweet and made me find my love for learning.”

Nnamani chimed in, “My second grade teacher Ms. Alcorn, she’s my favorite elementary school teacher, she’s fantastic and so sweet. In sixth grade, Ms. Atkinson taught me English and that was just a great year, that was my favorite year. In high school, my English teacher Ms. Landes was one of my favorites. She’s known me since I was a baby actually, and she’s been like a second mom to me and I really appreciate her in my life.”

Looking down the road 10 years, Brown said, “I hope to be a physical therapist by then and hope to have a good steady job and maybe a family.”

For Nnamani, “Hopefully I have a comfortable life and home with a husband and kids and not have to worry about financial needs with the job I’m going to try and pursue. Hopefully I’m working in either a prison or clinic, somewhere I’m comfortable, where that I can really bring out my interests in the job.”