Edison High boasted record-breaking 115 valedictorians, or more than 1 of every 5 graduate

The Edison High School Class of 2022 sat proudly in the middle of the Save Mart Center Monday afternoon (June 6) ready for its commencement ceremony with an astounding, record-breaking 115 valedictorians.

That means out of the 558 graduating seniors, one in five of the graduating class graduated with top honors.

“Blood, sweat, tears, hours of procrastination on tick tock, and sleeping with their cameras off have paved the way to this moment,” said valedictorian speaker Braylen Gonzales, who graduated as cum laude valedictorian.

“Today, we stand here at one of the most happiest moments in our lifetimes. asking ourselves what’s next? There’s no map, no grade 13. Our lives have already begun,” Gonzales said. “The COVID-19 pandemic will go down in history as one of the most notable events in the world and we the class of 2022 are living through history.”

While in some form the pandemic had caused so much loss for each of them, Gonzáles said “we gained something valuable. Through this hardship we learn that anything is possible and with these limitless possibilities, pursuing our dreams and aspirations is effortless.”

For example, summa cum laude valedictorians Alina Alonzo will attend Fresno State where she will be majoring in political science while Leslie Arredondo will go to the Campuswide Honors Collegium Program at UC Irvine and Julio Castillo will attend UC Berkeley, majoring in economic and minoring in philosophy.

All three graduated with a 4.32 GPA, the highest grade point average possible.

Arredondo plans to major in biological science in the hopes of one day becoming a geneticist specializing in forensic genealogy.

Arredondo’s favorite high school memory was advocating to the Fresno Unified School District and Central Unified School District superintendents for a new policy changes.

Once he is done with college, Castillo plans to be a financial advisor or anything pertaining to the finance world.

“We, the Class of 2022, can aspire to be anything. And with this knowledge we look forward to the brighter future the world has to offer,” Gonzales said. “Tomorrow, each one of us will start our individual lives creating diversity and an identity to show the world who Edison High Class of 2022 is.”

And among those starting their brighter future is Eduardo García, also summa cum laude valedictorian, who will be attending the Smithcamp Family Honor College at Fresno State where he will be majoring in biology. García hopes to attend medical school to become an orthopedic surgeon.

Thanks to Edison’s Biomed Pathway, García had the opportunity to explore his medical interest during his four years in high school.

“The real world can be challenging at times. But what these challenges come bearing gifts of rewards of growth and prosperity,” said Gonzales, adding that Edison and their families prepared them “for these future hurdles. Today together, we stand as one tiger with many stripes. Now, I don’t know about you guys, but after the ceremony, I’m definitely feeling 22. Thank you.”

Edison High School

June 6, 2022

Save Mart Center / Fresno

Latino enrollment: 70.1 %

Latino Summa Cum Laude valedictorians: Alina Alonzo, Leslie Arredondo, Julio Castillo, Eduardo Garcia, Lily Garcia, Natalya Gonzáles, Kimberly González, Daniel Leal, Vanessa López, Alexsandra Martínez Tinoco, Andrea Navarro Macias Ochoa, Brianna Sotelo, Naylene Velasquez, Karla Zalapa.

Highlight: This year Edison High School graduating Class 2022 had an impressive 115 valedictorians, with 35 of them summa cum laude valedictorians – 4.32 GPA – recognized on stage.

Quote: “Let me be clear, with independence comes responsibility. …. Your decisions moving forward will impact the quality of life for years to come,” José Luis Muñoz, principal of Edison High School.

Esta historia fue publicada originalmente el 6 de junio de 2022, 7:50 p. m..

María G. Ortiz-Briones

The Fresno Bee

559-441-6782

María G. Ortiz-Briones is a reporter and photographer for McClatchy’s Vida en el Valle publication and the Fresno Bee. She covers issues that impact the Latino community in the Central Valley. She is a regular contributor to La Abeja, The Bee’s free weekly newsletter on Latino issues. | María G. Ortiz-Briones es reportera y fotógrafa de la publicación Vida en el Valle de McClatchy y el Fresno Bee. Ella cubre temas que impactan a la comunidad latina en el Valle Central. Es colaboradora habitual de La Abeja, el boletín semanal gratuito de The Bee sobre temas latinos. Apoye mi trabajo con una subscripción digital