Copperas Cove High School is celebrating the academic excellence of its top-performing students in the Class of 2025. On Tuesday, seniors will be recognized for their outstanding achievements as they prepare to embark on the next chapter of their lives.

These students hold the highest cumulative grade point averages among their peers, earning them a place in the prestigious Top 10. Superintendent Dr. Brent Hawkins expressed pride in their dedication and hard work.

“We are incredibly proud of these students for the work and dedication they’ve put into their academic careers and earning the distinction of being a Top 10 graduate,” Hawkins said. “Each of these students has proven themselves to be the best of the best, and we can’t wait to see all of the wonderful things they accomplish in the future.”

Valedictorian Brenda Thomas has demonstrated unwavering dedication over the years. “It’s super exciting,” she said. “I’ve worked really hard for the past four years. Even my teachers in middle school were like, ‘You’re super smart, you’ve got this. Just keep up your grades,’ and I think it’s super special to see all of my hard work come to this.” Thomas plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin to study nursing.

Salutatorian Nathaniel Roberts expressed gratitude for his achievement. “I wasn’t planning to get [Salutatorian], but I’m really excited to have it,” he said. “It’s a symbol—I can look at it later on and say, ‘This shows how much I put into my education in high school.’” Roberts is headed to the University of North Texas for a degree in graphic design.

The rest of the Top 10 includes:

• #3 Janiya Bacon – Heading to the University of Texas at San Antonio to study health administration.
• #4 Ethan Olson – Enrolling at Texas A&M University in College Station to pursue engineering.
• #5 Tina-Marie Akindayomi – Joining the University of Texas at Dallas in a Pre-Med program.
• #6 Ailene Rodarte – Attending the University of Texas-Permian Basin to play soccer and study biology on a Pre-Med track.
• #7 Nayyab Khan – Entering the University of Texas at Austin to study aerospace engineering.
• #8 Lainey Estores – Preparing for a career in pharmacy at the University of Texas at Austin.
• #9 Amaya Griffin – Attending the University of North Texas for hospitality management with plans for culinary school.
• #10 Kristene Mejia – Heading to Tarleton State University to double-major in nursing and graphic design.

Copperas Cove High School will honor these accomplished students and the entire Class of 2025 at Senior Achievement Night, scheduled for Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Lea Ledger Auditorium. The excitement will culminate in the school’s graduation ceremony on May 23 at 7:30 p.m. at Cadence Bank Center in Belton.