Hopkins County Valedictorians 2023
Sulphur Springs ISD
Alexis McCoy– Valedictorian, has a 4.47 GPA and plans to attend the University of Alabama, where she hopes to concentrate in biological research and business administration.
Alexis’s awards and honors include academic all-state volleyball, National Honor Society (secretary), UIL state academics medalist, Hopkins County High School Leadership, key club, and National Merit Scholars.
Alexis extends her thanks to her parents JD and Jennifer McCoy, and her teachers, especially Ms. Millsap, Ms. Herman and Mr. Grafton.
“I’m probably going to be what they call a life-long learner,” McCoy said. “It has made them [parents and teachers] so proud, and it makes me so proud.”
Lausen Ost- Salutatorian, has a GPA of 4.46 and will attend Texas A&M University at College Station, where he hopes to study civil engineering, specifically transportation. Lausen’s honors and activities include varsity choir, UIL journalism, UIL current events, National Honor Society (president), National Technical Honor Society, 2023 TMEA All-State mixed choir, and 2022 UIL Latino History Essay state champion.
Lausen extends his sincere gratitude to his parents Dr. Loren and Christine Ost, as well as his teachers and God.
“My parents always taught me to put my hardest work into it. To come to the end, it’s nice for me to know I’ve reached my potential,” Ost said.
Saltillo ISD
Jacob Sexton is Saltillo ISD’s valedictorian. Jacob has a GPA of 3.84. He is the son of Melissa and Robert Sexton. He participated in Beta and FCCLA for four years, as well as Hopkins County Leadership, varsity baseball, varsity basketball, and varsity cross country. He was a member of the 2022 Cross Country State Champions, and has been admitted to Texas A&M Commerce’s Honors College. He plans to attend Commerce to receive a bachelor’s of nursing science, and then hopes to pursue medical school.
Ethan White is Saltillo ISD’s salutatorian. Ethan has a GPA of 3.81 and is the son of Shannon and Robert White. He participated in Beta and FCCLA for four years and was FCCLA president. He played two years of varsity basketball and was in yearbook club and one-act play. He was a three-time UIL literary criticism regional qualifier, one-time UIL current events state-qualifier, two-time UIL social studies regional qualifier, and three-time FCCLA gold medalist. In the future, he plans to become a multimillionaire by investing in stocks, rental properties, and food trucks.
Kenzi Pipkin is Saltillo ISD’s 8th grade valedictorian. She is the daughter of Angie and Patrick Pipkin. She has participated in science UIL, math UIL, reading and writing UIL and UIL editorial writing as well as basketball.
Kevin Moreno is Saltillo ISD’s 8th grade co-salutatorian. He is the son of Ramiro Moreno and Francisca Trejo. He has been a part of chess, maps and graphs, number sense, and honor roll as well as basketball and soccer.
Mason Stillwagoner is Saltillo ISD’s 8th grade co-salutatorian. He is the son of Crystal and Russel Stillwagoner. He was a part of art UIL, music UIL, public speaking UIL, number sense UIL, calculator UIL, as well as baseball, basketball, and FFA.
Miller Grove ISD
Mary Carter is the 8th grade Valedictorian of the 2023 Miller Grove Class. She is the daughter of Michelle and David Carter and a sister to Austin Carter and Vincent Ruether. Her grandparents are Connie and Delton Carter, and the late Vana Langdon and Roger Langdon. While in junior high she participated in Robotics, FFA, basketball, volleyball, cross country, and UIL. She has been the recipient of the VEX Robotics State Banner (2750c), was a VEX Robotics World Qualifier (2750c), and has maintained straight A’s. Her hobbies and interests include volleyball, robotics, and baking.
Colleen Alberts is the 8th grade Salutatorian of the 2023 Miller Grove Class. She is the daughter of Maggie and Bill Alberts and a sister to Merry, Katie, and Janie Alberts. While in junior high, she participated in Robotics, FFA, 7th grade Basketball, and UIL. She has been the recipient of the Robotics State Banner Design Award, Robotics State Judges Award, and Participation in Robotics Worlds. Her hobbies and interests include volleyball, art, reading, writing, gardening, flowers, and puppets. She is also an active member of her church youth group.
Kavan Smith has been named the Valedictorian of the 2023 Miller Grove Senior Class. He is the son of Marcella and James Hayden and a brother to Gabe Hayden. While in high school, he participated in track, cross country, baseball, basketball, UIL-Persuasive Speaking and Lincoln Douglas Debate and National Honor Society where he served as president. He was recognized as student of the month by Chad’s Media, a three time state champion and a national champion in cross country, basketball regional qualifier, UIL LD Debate regional finalist two years in a row, and this year also a state qualifier. He has served in the Hopkins County Leadership Program and the Alliance Bank Junior Advisory Board. During his spare time, he likes to hang out with his friends, game, make money, and any and all Dos Gringos Landscaping activities. This month, Kavan graduated with his associates degree from Paris Junior College. After high school, he plans to attend Texas A&M University in College Station to pursue a masters degree in computer science engineering. He would like to own an engineering company one day and spend the rest of his life on vacation.
Riley Hasten has been named the Salutatorian of the 2023 Miller Grove Senior Class. He is the son of Rolanda and Mike Hasten and a brother to Cage and Asher Hasten. His grandparents are Bob and Darlene Flecker and Carol and Deanna Hasten. While in high school, he participated in track, cross country, baseball, basketball, and FFA where he served as the secretary for one year. He has received two state cross country titles and one national championship. For the past two years, he has also been a state qualifier for horse judging, and this year he received awards at SanAngelo and Fort Worth Stock Shows for his ag mechanics projects. When he is not working, he likes to ride colts, rope, and hang out with friends. After graduation, he plans to attend Sul Ross University to major in ranch management and begin his own yearling operation.
Sulphur Bluff ISD
Kaitlyn Brock, is this year’s Valedictorian. She plans to attend Texas A&M University-Commerce as a part of their Honors College. She is graduating with a cumulative GPA of 4.833.
Brandt Forester, is this year’s Salutatorian. He plans to attend Centenary College in Shreveport, LA. He is graduating with a cumulative GPA of 4.746.
Cumby ISD
Como-Pickton ISD
North Hopkins ISD
This story will continue to have additions as local districts submit their valedictorians.
