The Texas cheerleader stripped of her valedictorian title over a “miscalculation” got a private graduation ceremony from her family, who shared pics of the happy occasion with The Post and as they all remain positive about her future.
In March, Maya Veliz was officially announced as north Texas’ Blue Ridge High School valedictorian. However, she was quickly stripped of the title after the school said it had made an error involving transfer credits from another school, dropping her grade point average to make her third in her class.
Given the situation, Veliz’s family decided to throw her a private graduation ceremony Thursday, separate from the school’s celebration, where she delivered the speech she had planned as valedictorian.
Maya Veliz delivers her graduation speech during a private ceremony. Courtesy Veliz family
Maya Veliz celebrates her high school graduation in a private ceremony with friends and family. Courtesy Veliz family“It was great. She gave her speech,” her father, Jorge Veliz, told The Post.
“An anonymous viewer of our local news [which also featured Maya’s story] paid for her first year at University of Texas.”
In her planned speech, which the family previously shared with The Post, Maya shared how “honored” she was to be named valedictorian.
“Failure has made me who I am today and to have found success and persevere regardless of the outcome,” the speech read.
“I stand here before you tonight, honored as the valedictorian for the Class of 2024,” the draft of Maya’s speech began.
Maya Veliz celebrates her high school graduation in a private ceremony with friends and family. Courtesy Veliz family
Maya Veliz celebrates her high school graduation in a private ceremony with friends and family. Courtesy Veliz family
WFAAVeliz’s family had received a phone call from the school’s principal, Trent Hamilton, in April about the miscalculation with the GPA and transfer credits.
Maya transferred from a school in Frisco, Texas, in 2022 when she was a junior. However, some of the classes offered at the school in Frisco weren’t at Blue Ridge High School and not weighed under the transfer policy.
“She feels sad, she feels left out. They’ve always had her be part of any kind of event at school. They had her give a speech during last year’s graduation,” Jorge told The Post at the time.
The school district did admit to the miscalculations but said it investigated the issue as a “private student matter” which was then “communicated with the parents,” and it wouldn’t change its position.
“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 Blue Ridge ISD spokesperson said to WFAA.
BRHS principal Trent Hamilton with then-senior Maya Veliz. Blue Ridge ISD
Blue Ridge High School’s logo. WFAA
Blue Ridge High School student Maya Veliz. WFAA
Blue Ridge High School student Maya Veliz. WFAA“Miscalculations were originally made when finalizing GPA and Class Rank; then corrected to ensure compliance with both of those board policies.”
Veliz was a member of the school’s cheerleading team. She was also recognized by the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program for her academic achievements.
The school said it plans to take measures to prevent such an error in the future.
“Any further specific student information cannot be discussed pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act,” the school said.
