Mission High School announces the class of 2025 top 3 students

MISSION, TEXAS – Mission High School announces its Top 3 Students for the Class of 2025. This year Triston Escalera has been named Valedictorian, Sarah Abigail Castillo-Ramirez is the Salutatorian, and Ezequiel Mendoza is the third-ranking student. Congratulations to these students and the Class of 2025 for all their educational accomplishments.

Triston Escalera

Mission High School has named Triston Escalera as their Class of 2025 Valedictorian. He is the son of Monica and David Escalera. This fall, Escalera will attend the University of Texas at Austin, where he plans to pursue a degree in Sociology or Government. His ultimate career goal is to become a lawyer.

Over the summer, Escalera plans to attend orientation at UT Austin, travel, and prepare for the transition to living on his own. One of the experiences he is most looking forward to in college is the dorm life—meeting new people and embracing a fresh, independent chapter in his life.

During his time at Mission High School, Escalera was actively involved in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including band, UIL, Business Professionals of America (BPA), TSPSA, SkillsUSA, and chess. His involvement reflects his dedication not only to academic excellence but also to building leadership and teamwork skills.

In a message to next year’s seniors, Escalera shares powerful words of encouragement:

“It is my firm belief that each of us must accept the responsibility of bettering our school, our communities, and ourselves. However, change cannot occur without sustained effort and an unprecedented level of commitment. That is why, as we step forward from this place, we must restructure our daily lives to accommodate our goals—to reach for something greater, to dig deeply into your well of motivation, to re-evaluate your convictions, and to imagine a bold new future without losing sight of where you stand today.”

Sarah Abigail Castillo-Ramirez

Mission High School has announced Sarah Abigail Castillo-Ramirez as the Class of 2025 salutatorian. She is the daughter of Juan and Yadira Castillo. Castillo-Ramirez will be attending the University of Notre Dame, where she will pursue a degree in Political Science. Her long-term goal is to become a United States Attorney.

This summer, Castillo-Ramirez plans to work with the Boys and Girls Club of McAllen while also spending quality time with friends and family before heading off to college. She’s especially looking forward to exploring the Notre Dame campus and becoming involved in community service projects, something she is deeply passionate about.

Throughout her high school years, Castillo-Ramirez has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to service. She currently serves as the Vice President for both Business Professionals of America (BPA) and DECA. In addition, she is an active member of the Mission High School Eagle Band, Mission Encore Theater, Law Enforcement Club, UTRGV Talent Search, and the UT Youth Engagement Center.

Her academic excellence and leadership have been recognized through several honors, including being named an AP Scholar with Honors, HSF Scholar, and a Finalist for Local Youth of the Year.

To next year’s seniors, Castillo-Ramirez offers this meaningful advice:

“Don’t be afraid to try new things. Stepping out of your comfort zone can open doors to several different opportunities. The biggest risks often have the best rewards.”

Ezequiel Mendoza

Mission High School proudly recognizes Ezequiel Mendoza as the third-ranking student in the Class of 2025. He is the son of Ana Mendoza and Exequiel Mendoza. This fall, Mendoza will attend the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), where he will pursue a bachelor’s degree in computer science. His ultimate career goal is to become a software developer.

Mendoza plans to spend his summer immersed in learning, reviewing programming languages, working on computer science projects, and preparing for the academic challenges ahead. Toward the end of summer, he also looks forward to taking a vacation to Mexico with his family.

When it comes to college, Mendoza is most excited about the opportunity to meet different types of people and expand his horizons through new experiences and perspectives.

During high school, Mendoza was involved in several extracurricular activities that reflect both his academic interests and creative side. He participated in chess, played guitar, and was active in academic UIL competitions.

He has also been recognized with scholarships and awards in honor of his academic dedication and achievements.

To next year’s seniors, Mendoza offers heartfelt advice:

“Your final year will be the most stressful and important, but remember, there are people around who will support you all the way through. You have to have faith in yourself to push through your senior year.”

Congratulations to the Top 3 graduates of Mission High School’s Class of 2025! We celebrate your achievements and wish you all the best as you begin this exciting new chapter. Your Eagle family is proud of you!