STEM Academy drove top Shoemaker grads to succeed

BY toDD martin SPECIAL TO THE HERALD

The top two graduates of the Shoemaker High School Class of 2023 took advantage of the STEM Academy that Killeen ISD coordinates with partner Central Texas College.

The valedictorian is Yazmin Ortiz Colon and the salutatorian is Melanie Wilkinson.

Colon attended Haynes Elementary, Palo Alto Middle School and Smith Middle School when it opened, before advancing to Shoemaker High School and the STEM Academy.

She said during her freshman year she was aware that she was ranked fourth in her class and that she steadily climbed to the No. 1 spot.

“I didn’t have a really big reaction,” she said. “Mainly, I was just tired from taking finals.”

The past four years has been a dizzying routine of studying and researching. The valedictorian said that when she didn’t understand something, she combed through websites to learn what she needed.

She will attend Texas A&M University with plans to earn a biology degree en route to a career in toxicology or forensics.

“I think I will remember how helpful everyone was at Shoemaker and CTC,” she said.

When she addresses her class, Colon said she will urge her classmates to celebrate their academic achievements.

“Any progress you make academically, you should be proud of it,” she said.

“It feels amazing,” said Wilkinson of ending high school in the secondranked spot of her class.

“It’s good to know all the hard work paid off and I get to show it off in a way by encouraging others.”

She attended Maxdale Elementary School and Live Oak Ridge Middle School. In high school, Wilkinson has played tennis and volleyball and split her time the past two years between high school and the STEM Academy at CTC.

“It was a good experience,” she said. “I’m glad I got to be in it. It helped solidify my career interest in the health field and prepare for life after high school.”

Wilkinson said she studied a lot and made it a point to get together with peers to help push her along. “We made connections and helped each other stay on top of it all.”

She plans to complete the CTC nursing program and continue to Texas

A&M University to earn a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“I think it’s cool to understand the body we all live in,” the Shoemaker salutatorian said. “It intrigued me, especially childbirth. It’s cool to understand all of that.”

Considering her speech to her classmates, she said, “Learning in whatever way is important. It helps you understand the world around you and helps you to stay positive and open to ideas.”

Shoemaker High School graduation is set for Friday, May 26 at 2 p.m. at the Bell County Expo Center.