Garza, Neighbours named Valedictorian, Salutatorian

Pittsburg High School has now announced the Valedictorian and Salutatorian for the class of 2021. Omar Garza Jr. has earned the Valedictorian title, and Grace Victoria Neighbours has earned the place of Salutatorian.

Garza is the son of Erika Garza and Omar Garza. He graduates with a grade point average of 4.9078 and has earned academic achievements such as A honor roll, bandsman of the week, 1st division in State Solo & Ensemble, and an Associate’s Degree from NTCC.

Garza has also seen great success in athletics, earning second-team All-District in soccer, Distinct 4A

All-Academic Team Player of The Year for 2021, TASCO Academic All-State Player for 2021, THSCA’s First Team Academic All-State for 2021, and was a cross country Regional qualifier, as well as a member of the soccer District Champions team in 2017-18 and a member of the cross country District Champions team.

Garza has been the Student Council Class Vice President for six consecutive years and has been a member of the symphonic band since 2015. He volunteers at God’s Closet, is a member of Spirit Corps and Phi Theta Kappa, and is President of the National Honor Society at Pittsburg High School.

He has also earned the following scholarships: A&M Camp County Club Scholarship, A&M Opportunity Award Scholarship, A&M Lechner Scholarship, Coca Cola Band Scholarship, and the Work 4 College Scholarship for 2020-2021.

After graduation, Garza plans to major in Biochemistry at A&M University. Neighbours is the daughter of Amanda and Brad

Neighbours is the daughter of Amanda and Brad Penny and Jason Neighbours. She graduates with a GPA of 4.8 and has earned 46 dual credit hours. She has been a member of both JV and Varsity cheer, FFA, DECA, Interact, Student Council, and the National Honor Society.

Neighbours has $20,750 in scholarships, including the ETBU Presidential Award, the Christian Leadership Scholarship, the SHIELD Scholarship, the Eastern Star Scholarship, the Region 8 Scholarship, and the Alvarez Poultry Scholarship.

Following Graduation, Neighbours plans to attend ETBU to pursue a degree in Chemistry with the goal of becoming a forensic scientist.