A Texas high school senior lost her status as valedictorian just weeks before graduation due to a miscalculation of her GPA.
Maya Veliz had been named valedictorian in March by Blue Ridge High School after taking a number of honors and AP classes, including some transferred credits.
“To hear those words not even 30 days before graduation was gut-wrenching,” Veliz said.
The school later rescinded the title after determining her GPA actually ranked third in the class when recalculating credits transferred from her previous school under the district’s transfer policy.
Veliz and her family were devastated as becoming valedictorian had been a goal of hers since freshman year.
The school district acknowledged miscalculations were made originally in finalizing GPAs and class rank, and have since been corrected to comply with board policies, though the mistake has negatively impacted Veliz’s future plans.
“Blue Ridge ISD has investigated this private student matter and communicated with the parents. The district reviews academic achievement, grade calculations, and class rank during this time period each year in accordance with applicable state law and board policies EIC and EIC Local,” a district spokesperson said.
“Miscalculations were originally made when finalizing GPA and Class Rank; then corrected to ensure compliance with both of those board policies. All students affected have been notified. And in addition, plans have been initiated to ensure that a mistake like this does not take place in the future,”
“This affects my future,” Veliz said. “And I do not wish that upon anyone else.”
