BANGS – The Bangs High School Class of 2026 graduation ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, May 22 at Dragon Memorial Stadium.

Valerie Razo, daughter of Alfredo and Yveth Razo, is this year’s valedictorian, while Benjamin Perez, son of Juan and Carrie Perez, is the salutatorian.

“To me, I’m representing our class,” Razo said of the valedictorian honor. “We worked really hard and earned the titles, but that doesn’t mean the rest our of class wasn’t working equally as hard. When we have so many smart kids in our grade, it just shows the competitiveness and determination that was in our class. We’ve been first and second throughout all of school, so to me it was more about who was going to be first and who was going to be second.”

Of being named salutatorian, Perez said, “For me specifically, I feel like I had a determination and stubbornness to get to this spot. It feels so great because it feels like all the work I put into it finally paid off. But I was surprised, I’m not going to lie.”

Razo’s next stop will be Texas A&M University with intentions to major in Accounting and Finance.

“I chose A&M because of all the traditions and the network they have. It seems like such a great college experience,” Razo said. “I chose Accounting and Finance because I’m talented in that area and also passionate in that area, and that’s where I feel like I can contribute the best.”

Perez is headed for the University of Texas, and has set his sights on a degree in Data Science.

“I wasn’t really sure at the beginning, but I toured the UT campus and it felt like it was speaking to me,” Perez said. “I could see myself going there, and I love Austin, I’ve been there several times. I chose Data Science because I just like numbers, specifically in that field, statistics and things like that.”

Both Razo and Perez were involved in a number of extracurriculars during their time at Bangs High School.

“I tried out many things and found out I wasn’t good at a lot like softball, volleyball and debate,” Razo said with a laugh. “Those were not my things. But I really thrived in powerlifting, cheerleading, track, and UIL accounting.”

Perez said, “I did a lot, too, and stuck with most of them. I did marching band, and public speaking and debate, I was really good at that. I did cross country for four years, tennis for four years, and was part of NHS (National Honor Society).”

Regarding favorite teachers at Bangs, Razo said, “Ms. (Regina) Saucedo, Ms. (Carissa) Troyer, Ms. (Jaime) Moore, Ms. (Stephanie) Garrett, Ms. (Misty) Houston, Ms. (Tia) Willborn, and Ms. (Dawn) Phelps, they were always so sweet and helpful. There’s others that aren’t here anymore, but they all played a big part in my education and pushing me.”

Perez chimed in, “I had Ms. Saucedo my freshman year and she just made the class really fun, and Ms. (Pamela) Nicks, I had her both my freshman and senior years. She’s very kind and very sweet, but also very honest and down to earth. You can talk to her about anything.”

As for what they will miss most about Bangs, Razo said, “The hang outs with friends. When I go to college, I’m not really going to see any of those people, probably just two or three at most, so I’ll miss seeing everyone.”

Perez echoed a similar sentiment, stating, “I’m going to miss my friends and the small town feel that Bangs does have because going to Austin is a drastic change.”

Looking down the road 10-15 years, Razo said, “I know I want my degrees, I want to have a family and be a mom. Hopefully at that point a stay at home mom for that time, and building my life together with my family, having fun, serving God and being part of my community.”

Perez said of his long-range goals, “I’d like to have a family at that point. I want to be working. After Data Science I want to try to become an actuary and be successful in that career working for a company at that point. I also want to have a house, the basics that every adult strives for.”

The top two Bangs graduates also extended a final thank you to those who helped them achieve their successes in life thus far.

“I want to thank my parents,” Razo said. “My dad’s in the military and at many points in my life my dad was stationed across the United States and we were here because my parents wanted me to have a stable four years of high school instead of moving. I’m really thankful for my parents for their sacrifices and giving me the opportunities that they did.”

Perez added, “I want to thank my parents as well, they’ve done so much for me, especially my dad working hard to be able to provide for our family. My mom, too, because I feel like she does so much and works her tail off and there’s so many times she goes unnoticed, and there’s times I told her thank you for everything that you do. Of course there’s my older sister, Jordan Perez.. I look at her as a role model. I’ve always looked up to her since I can remember. And my grandma (Priscilla Perez) has always been an outlet I could talk to about anything.”