Cristian Ramirez Morales, Courtesy photo.
SANTA MARIA — Two young men heading for careers in math and science were personally honored as the Santa Maria High School Valedictorian and Salutatorian Wednesday afternoon.
Valedictorian Cristian Ramirez Morales (GPA 4.42) and Salutatorian Isaac Ochoa (GPA 4.34) received home visits and their respective honorary certificates from Principal Steve Campbell.
Morales will attend UCLA and major in mathematics. Salutatorian Ochoa also will attend UCLA and major in aerospace engineering.
The excitement quickly overcame the social distancing and masks.
“It was great to get out and personally give Cristian (Valedictorian) and Isaac (Salutatorian) the recognition for four years of great work at Santa Maria High School,’’ Campbell said. “Hats off to senior counselors, Donna Trombetta and Ceci Grimaldo, for the idea of making house calls, and for letting me come along for the fun. It was great.”
The Valedictorian and Salutatorian are the two highest academic achievers in a high school and the awards are based on a formula calculating GPAs, number of A.P. and other honor courses taken, and the grades received in those classes throughout a student’s four years in high school.
Isaac Ochoa. Courtesy photo.