Gwinnett County Public Schools celebrates 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorians

     Gwinnett County Public Schools (GCPS) recently hosted the second annual Valedictorian & Salutatorian Breakfast Celebration, recognizing the academic excellence of the district’s top graduates in the Class of 2026. Held in partnership with Stratix and the Lawrenceville-Duluth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.®, the event honored the hard work, dedication, and achievements of these students.

     Dr. Ricardo Quinn, principal of Chesney Elementary School and a member of the Lawrenceville-Duluth Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.®, opened the event by expressing gratitude for district partnerships and support. Lyndon Earley of Purpose Finders delivered an inspiring keynote address on standing in the power of positive affirmations and defeating imposter syndrome. He also encouraged students to get involved in leadership and the collegiate experience.

     “Love the person who is you when you are joyful, happy, and triumphant, and rising to the challenge,” Earley told students. “Know that the power of purpose resides in you, that the reason you have been empowered to excel is so you can empower yourself and empower others to excel to make the world and school you attend, and the school you will attend, a better place by the time you leave than it was before you got there.”

     The highlight of the morning was the recognition of each school’s Valedictorian and Salutatorian, who were called to the stage to receive awards. Dr. Quinn shared students’ motivational quotes with those in attendance as students were introduced. Principals, community partners, district leaders, and Gwinnett County Board of Education Chair and District V Representative, Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan, came together with students’ families to celebrate each student’s accomplishments.

     Interim GCPS Superintendent Dr. Al Taylor also addressed the graduates, encouraging them to step up as thoughtful leaders. He commended their focus, perseverance, and integrity.

     “Wherever your next chapter takes you, remember that success is not measured only by how far you go, but is measured by how many others rise because you were there,” Dr. Taylor added. “Build things that last, strengthen the communities that you join, improve systems that need improving, but most important, leave every place better than you found it.”

     Congratulations to the GCPS Class of 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorians—your journey is just beginning! Please find a list of all Class of 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorians below. Please use this link to view photos from the event. Stay tuned for more Class of 2026 celebrations this spring. 
 

Archer High School

Valedictorian: Joshua M. Heaton

Salutatorian: Rebecca M. Karmelin

 

Berkmar High School

Valedictorian: Nghia H. Pham

Salutatorian: Josue A. Sotelo-Gonzalez

 

Brookwood High School

Valedictorian: Richard Lin

Salutatorian: Hyo One Kaye

 

Central Gwinnett High School

Valedictorian: Xenia E. Sorto

Salutatorian: Mohammed M. Al Hameed

 

Collins Hill High School

Valedictorian: Andrew Tep

Salutatorian: Kale S. Maxwell

 

Dacula High School

Valedictorian: Eliyab D. Bisrat

Salutatorian: Sophia A. Gendlin

 

Discovery High School

Valedictorian: Rebecca A. Amdetsion

Salutatorian: Sophia G. Wieberg

 

Duluth High School

Valedictorian: Oluwanifemi C. Adu

Salutatorian: Kseniya A. Ivanova

 

Grayson High School

Valedictorian: Jenna Mai

Salutatorian: Thuy-Vy N. Phan

 

Gwinnett Online Campus

Valedictorian: Tanika Saravanan

Salutatorian: Jalal Karimov

 

Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology

Valedictorian: Yohan Kim 

Salutatorian: Lucas A. Niemi

 

Lanier High School

Valedictorian: William J. Simms

Salutatorian: Oanh Bao Nguyen

 

McClure Health Science High School

Valedictorian: Yasmin Munoz

Salutatorian: Atri Roy

 

Meadowcreek High School

Valedictorian: Jennifer M. Le

Salutatorian: Anna Nguyen

 

Mill Creek High School

Valedictorian: Garrett G. Sidhom

Salutatorian: Minchan Lee

 

Mountain View High School

Valedictorian: Michael J. George

Salutatorian: Emma Jane S. Foster

 

Norcross High School

Valedictorian: Joanne Lu

Salutatorian: Eva A. Ballerstedt

 

North Gwinnett High School

Valedictorian: Josh M. Chandran

Salutatorian: Kimberly P. Hutchinson

 

Parkview High School

Valedictorian: Damian S. Moss

Salutatorian: Isabelle S. Tinker

 

Paul Duke STEM High School

Valedictorian: Jack B. Dowling

Salutatorian: Myra S. Wu

 

Peachtree Ridge High School

Valedictorian: Chloe T. Nguyen

Salutatorian: Oluwademilayo T. Akinmade

 

Seckinger High School

Valedictorian: Isabelle Breazu

Salutatorian: Dongjae Nam

 

Shiloh High School

Valedictorian: Kaelyn B. Nguyen

Salutatorian: Marguerite L. Walker

 

South Gwinnett High School

Valedictorian: Blessing I. Onyeanula

Salutatorian: Ralph D. Sylvestre