Morgan Mathis, Tejas Athni named valedictorians

Tejas Athni and Morgan Mathis have been named co-valedictorians for Stratford’s Class of 2018.

The co-salutatorians are Nischal Bandi and Shawn Shivdat.

The announcements were made at a Monday morning assembly on April 2, when 39 seniors were recognized as honor graduates.

The qualifications of an honor graduate is a 3.75 GPA or higher. Students who transfer can be honor graduates, but only the grades earned at Stratford are considered for honor graduate.

Valedictorians and salutatorians are required to be at Stratford for three years of high school. The valedictorian has the highest GPA is his or her class and the salutatorian has the second highest GPA in his or her class.

Upper School Principal Mrs. Margaret Brogdon said the last time Stratford had more than one valedictorian or salutatorian was about five years ago, when there were two salutatorians. In the late 1990s, there were two valedictorians and one salutatorian. This is the first time Stratford has had two valedictorians and salutatorians.

Tejas said it was a “total shock” when his name was announced.

“At the end of my junior year, I thought I was tied for class rank No. 3,” he said. “Becoming valedictorian was extremely unexpected, yet rewarding for the past four years of work.”

Tejas and Morgan both have a 4.37 GPA.

“I was really excited when I heard the news,” said Morgan. “During junior year, they told me to walk the flag out at graduation, and I did not expect that.”

“I tried to be the best student I could be. I dedicated a lot of weekends to school work.”

Stratford’s graduation is Friday, May 25 at the Macon City Auditorium. All four valedictorians and salutatorians will give speeches.