A high school student from Texas faced disappointment as an error in her grades cost her the coveted position of valedictorian at Blue Ridge High School.

Maya Veliz had set her sights on graduating at the top of her class, a goal she had diligently pursued since her freshman year. However, just weeks before her graduation ceremony, her aspirations were shattered due to a “miscalculation” with her GPA.

Expressing her dismay to WFAA, Veliz lamented, “It had been, like, the one goal I set myself for the beginning of my freshman year, was, I can do this.”

Throughout her academic journey, Veliz excelled not only in her studies but also as a member of the college’s cheerleading squad. Her achievements earned her recognition from the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program.

Assurances from administrators throughout the year led Veliz and her family to believe she was on track to claim the valedictorian title, pending successful completion of her courses. However, a conversation with principal Trent Hamilton shattered those hopes when he revealed the grading error.

The discrepancy stemmed from Veliz’s dual credits and AP honors courses, compounded by transfer credits from her previous school. Some courses from her former school were not accounted for in Blue Ridge’s transfer policy, leading to the GPA misinterpretation.

Her father, Jorge Veliz, expressed frustration, stating, “I would understand if this was a policy that’s been in effect for a year or two that they weren’t familiar with.” He emphasized the distress this situation caused for both students and parents.

The implications extended beyond graduation, potentially jeopardizing Veliz’s scholarship at the University of Texas. The top graduate of her class typically receives a tuition fee waiver for their freshman year, providing financial stability. However, this unforeseen setback left Veliz uncertain about her future.

Despite efforts to rectify the situation, including discussions with school officials and attempts to secure credit transfers, Veliz and her family opted not to attend the graduation ceremony.

A spokesperson for the school district acknowledged the error, stating, “Miscalculations were originally made when finalizing GPA and Class Rank; then corrected to ensure compliance with both of those board policies.” Plans were underway to prevent similar mistakes in the future, prioritizing student privacy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.