The valedictorian of Nimitz High School is Alan Ta. Ta was an active member of Academic Decathlon, National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and the Human Rights Society. After graduation, Ta will go on to Texas A&M University, where he intends to study interdisciplinary engineering. Learn more about Ta below!

Q: What advice would you give yourself as a freshman?

A: I would tell my freshman self to not give up on anything he wants to do, so as not to have any regrets but also to manage his time well and not to stress about the future. 

What teacher(s) has made the biggest impact on you?

My most impactful teacher was my AP Statistics teacher and Academic Decathlon Coach Mr. Jackson. He has been like a second father to me and has been there for me throughout all high school. It is thanks to him that I have developed into who I am today. 

What is your favorite book?

My favorite book is Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. It’s a classic, but it reels in the audience and tells a thrilling tale about the limits of science that can be applied even today.  

Who is your hero?

My hero is my mother. As an immigrant, she and her family faced many hardships to reach the US. However, she persevered through it all, learned English and even went to university. She is my role model because she doesn’t give up and cares deeply for her family and values. 

 

Meet the Nimitz High School salutatorian, Ryan Truong. Not only is Truong a top student, but also an active member of the orchestra, Academic Decathlon, Mu Alpha Theta and the Nimitz Green Team. In the fall Truong will attend the University of Texas, where he will study mathematics. Read on to learn more about this leading senior!

 

Q: What advice would you give your freshman self?

A: I would tell my freshman self that maintaining a seven- to eight-hour sleep schedule significantly improves your overall mood and that you would appreciate it dearly as the years get harder and more stressful.

What is your favorite high school memory?

One of my favorite moments was in the 2019 Academic Decathlon Texas State Competition. After months of speech editing and practice, I gave my best performance during the speech competition. In the award ceremony, I never expected to get third place in Speech. I still look back to that day with much positivity because I gained confidence in an area that I often avoided.

What teacher(s) have made the greatest impact on you?

Mrs. Gallemore and Mr. Jackson. Mrs. Gallemore helped nurture my interest in mathematics and problem-solving. Mr. Jackson helped me grow confidence in myself in not only Decathlon but in life in general, and I will always thank him for that. 

Who is your hero?

I always find peace and inspiration in the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. His musical works are always delightful to listen to and encouraging to keep moving on in life with all your efforts no matter what.