Any student knows that achieving academic excellence is no easy feat. It requires unwavering dedication and a tenacious desire for knowledge. At the end of each school year, high schools across the country take the time to designate and commend the two students who have not only scored an impressive report card year after year but displayed a devotion to the betterment of their minds. Although times are uncertain, seniors Dylan Doerner and Sydney Wible certainly deserve recognition for their hard work.

Dylan Doerner is the Valedictorian of the class of 2020, meaning he ranks first out of 53 students. Doerner certainly lives up to his title; if you ask any senior who the “whiz kid” is within their grade, they’d most likely point you to him. He has served as president of MCA’s math club, Mu Alpha Theta for the past year and is a National Merit Commended Scholar. Doerner also has put his brain to the test at TAPPS for a few years and has placed in the last two TAPPS Word Power competitions. Next year, Doerner plans to attend the University of Texas at Austin and study Chemistry. Now here are a few words of wisdom for the underclassmen, Dylan recommends you “Prioritize sleep over scoring a few extra points on a test. It’s the best way to stay motivated.”

Sydney Wible is the Salutatorian of the class of 2020, meaning she ranks second out of 53 students. Wible has some of the loftiest goals out of anyone in the class of 2020 and she without a doubt has the hard work to back it up. One of the first things you’ll notice about Wible is how well-spoken she is. She served as captain of the debate team during her junior year and went on to win the TAPPS debate state championship. Wible also enjoys pageantry: she currently represents Miss McKinney Teen and was the Fourth Runner Up at the Miss Texas pageant at last year’s competition. To top it all off, Wible is the co-captain of the MCA cheer squad and recently served as a senior leader on the freshman Costa Rica trip. Wible plans to study neuroscience and is currently choosing between the 11 universities she was accepted to, her top choices being the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the University of California at San Diego. Now a few words of advice, Wible stated, “Every time you get the chance, please hug your friends and thank your teachers for the impact they have had on your life. I know high school may seem permanent, but you never truly know when your last moments together may be. Hold on to both the ordinary and special moments, and trust that God will take you to the finish line.”

Each and every senior has a gifted mind one way or another and will go on to do great things. Here’s to a new normal, a bright future, Dylan and Sydney, and the class of 2020.