For the class of 2006, there was a close race in who would be valedictorian. In the end, Stephanie Alyson Shaw edged out Sonia Alaniz as the Class of 2006’s valedictorian.

Stephanie thought it would be cool to graduate as valedictorian her freshmen year. “Then I got a B in English and was ranked 13th so I thought maybe not, but that was okay,” said Shaw, “And then slowly I increased in rank and this year I thought it was more possible because I was ranked number 2.”

Shaw took AP classes, was in GATE, had journalism as an extra class, participated in Mock Trial, was president of Skills USA, and was in the drama club. “I don’t know if I worked hard enough at least maybe not in school stuff, but I’m involved in a lot of things. So I don’t know if I’m the smartest person in class, I really doubt that I am, but I think I am sort of deserving, I have the grades and I do all the extra- curricular stuff. I think I did pretty well.”

Shaw feels a sense of accomplishment. “I wish my GPA would have been higher because although I’m valedictorian, I think I could have done better. It was all because I was a little bit lazy. After being valedictorian, I think if I could have tried harder then it would have meant more, but I’m still happy.”

Shaw’s plans after Alisal are to go to UC Berkeley and be a theater major with a minor in political science. Stephanie feels she’ll do all right in college. “I’ve learned how to study, which was a bit of a problem for me. I study a little bit now, a lot more than I did my freshman and sophomore year. I’m looking forward to the pressure because sometimes high school is boring.”

Shaw’s most challenging part of high school were her AP classes her junior year of US history and English. Shaw said, “The transition from GATE to AP was challenging because in GATE classes you only do the same thing everyone else does, only a little quicker. It helped but it was a lot different.”

Mr. Mendez believes Stephanie can accomplish anything. “She’s talented and gifted and the sky is the limit for her,” said Mendez. “I’m really glad I got to know her this year and I look forward to hearing her success stories in college.”

The class of 2006 salutatorian is Sonia Alaniz. She said, “I didn’t really have it (salutatorian) as my goal. I just wanted to get good grades. It feels good to be acknowledged for your grades because it gives you encouragement for you to keep doing better.”

Alaniz’s favorite subjects are math, government, and her R.O.P. Floristry. Her least favorite subject is English. She is in AVID, takes AP classes, is in the Multi Cultural Club and the Cultural Awareness Club. Alaniz feels that she will do fine in college. “ As long as I keep up putting the hours in like I do now I think I’ll do fine,” said Alaniz, “ It’ll be harder because the expectations are a lot higher then here at high school and plus I’ll be living away from home and I will become a minority in the community.”

She had to overcome some obstacles during her time in high school. “I had to leave my house for personal issues, so now I’ve been living with my sister for the past two years. That was harsh because I was younger and you’re not really supposed to experiencing that at that age.” Still, Alaniz kept her personal emotions aside and continued to maintain her work and school. “It was kind of hard to balance the two of them and not mix them with each other.”

Alaniz’s sister feels proud of Sonia’s accomplishments. “Sometimes she feels like it’s hers. She’s always there for me.” Her other branch of support comes from her friends and her AVID “family”. “We always try to help each other out because we’re always there for each other. We fight, we play, we laugh, and sometimes we cry at the end of the year and it’s cool to have another support outside your family.”

The goals Alaniz has in mind for her future are to major in math and become an engineer. Alaniz said, “I’m still not sure which college I’m going to because I still have a couple of applications I have to turn in out of state and their deadlines are different than the UC’s.” One thing she’ll definitely miss is just walking down the halls. “I will miss my teachers and my friends because most like I won’t see them again.”

“She’s going to reach her goal, there’s no doubt in my mind,” said Mr. Mata. He describes Sonia as dedicated, motivated, bright, and inquisitive. She likes to know how things work and why things work that way. “I recently discovered I had an impact in her life, which is a surprise for me because she’s the type of student who can impact her own life.” Mata feels she’s going to have her ups and downs in college, but that her ups are going to keep her standing up. “I know she has a strong foundation right now, and for a student like her to go down it’s almost impossible.

Alaniz’s words of advice, “Just don’t get distracted by anything going outside or around you and be able to distinguish your personal emotions, your friends, and all that from your school work. Don’t mix them up and try to keep things distracted.”