The students sitting at the top of the Class of 2025 in Montgomery ISD are ready to pursue passions, explore independence, and take what they’ve learned from their time in MISD. We sat down with them to hear about their plans and provide a chance for reflection, appreciation and a little encouragement, too. These students are more than just book smart- they are bound for greatness and have hearts that seek to serve passionately.
Addison Hedges, Montgomery HS Valedictorian–
Overcoming adversity outside of school, making no excuses and thankful for the mother who has led the way by example, Addison is headed to Texas A&M next year. She plans to pursue a degree in History and Psychology, with plans to go to law school.
Addison is a MISD Legacy Senior and has sat at the Valedictorian spot since class ranks came out after freshman year. Though she says she only ever set off to do her best, her parents always challenged her to do well.
“When I was 11, my dad said I was going to be Valedictorian one day,” she said. “I didn’t even know what that meant back then, but I know he believed that I could!”
At the age of 15, Addison’s dad passed away suddenly, with her brother away at college and her mom an English teacher at Montgomery HS. Though she was also accepted to Yale and Rice, she’s excited to follow in her dad’s footsteps as an Aggie, and the opportunity to stay close to home, sharing that she just couldn’t imagine going too far away from her mom.
“Going to A&M is the most financially responsible decision, but I’m also thankful that I get to stay close to my mom,” Addison said. “I wanted to test my limits and apply to an Ivy, and I can say I got into Yale, but College Station is definitely the right next step.”
The dream to be a lawyer is one of both interest and passion, as Addison plans to pursue a law degree in order to serve as a defense attorney for domestic violence victims. Having worked in a family law office over the summer, she was very impacted by the women that came in needing help, and believes she can best serve her community in being a voice for those victims.
When she reflects on the work it took to remain in the Valedictorian spot, Addison shared that she has no regrets and is proud of what she has accomplished.
“I think course-wise, it’s hard because you want to take the highest weighted classes that you can to keep your position,” Addison said. “I gave up band after sophomore year to pursue this, but I have also been free to be involved in the things I’m passionate about, including Academic Decathlon, competing in UIL and many clubs.”
Addison holds many leadership positions at Montgomery HS, including being the President of MuAlpha Theta, Vice-President of MHS Interact, Vice-President of ACADEC, Historian of LEO Club and Senior Officer in Spanish Honor Society.
When asked about the teacher that made the most impact on her time in MISD, Addison didn’t hesitate to talk about Mr. Justin Williams, her ACADEC coach of two years, who now teaches at Lake Creek HS.
“He’s just the biggest cheerleader and encourager and was a person I could always turn to when I needed to vent,” Addison said. “He was an important male presence in my life when my dad died. I could tell him anything and he always gave such great advice from the heart. He was steady, every day, and his presence in our program is still felt today.”
Addison and her mom Leigh Ann are members of First Baptist Montgomery and Addison shared how her mom has always been the most inspiring person in her life. Though she always knew she was amazing, she credits her mom’s strength over the last few years for the reason she feels ready for the road ahead.
“I’m a strong Christian and I don’t think I have anything I would’ve changed about high school,” Addison said. “But I do think I’d tell my junior-high self that I’m stronger than I thought I was. Thanks to my mom, I’ve learned how to be independent and resourceful, dealing with the hard things and continuing to press forward.”
Brett Harrington, Lake Creek HS Valedictorian–
When asked how someone can become Valedictorian, Brett Harrington simply stated that you have to be able to memorize things efficiently. He credits his ability to break down information and memorize well as the reason he was able to earn this title, one that he has held since rankings came out freshman year. Simply spoken and passionate about music, this year’s leading Lion is most excited about a future that will allow him to pursue his passions.
Brett is going against the grain, with a family full of Aggies, and plans to attend The University of Texas to major in Music Composition. Having been in band since junior high, he says that the passion grew after freshman year, when he started to independently develop his skill and truly fell in love with music.
Brett is a member of the Big Blue LCHS Marching Band, competes in concert band and is a member of the LCHS jazz band. With that much time spent in the band hall with an instrument in his hands, it’s no surprise that the teacher he was most thankful for was LCHS Assistant Band Director, Matthew Boozer. Boozer also performed the heimlich on Brett when he was choking at band practice last summer, so he has more than just musical moments for which to be thankful.
“Mr. Boozer has been my band director since 6th grade and he’s a huge reason why I want to pursue music,” Brett said. “He’s super talented and it’s inspiring to watch him teach, as he makes us feel very connected to the music. He quite literally saved my life last year, and overall he’s just been an incredible part of my high school journey. I’m really going to miss him.”
Brett is also a member of the Lake Creek ACADEC team who has been incredibly successful during his high school years, winning state this year in Interview and helping to lead his team to a 2nd place state finish in Super Quiz. In addition to Academic Decathlon, Brett has also competed in UIL academics in high school. When asked if he had any regrets, the only one was that he would’ve spent more time competing academically.
“I think I would have started my Academic Decathlon journey a year sooner instead of taking engineering,” Brett said. “Nothing against the class, but engineering wasn’t for me and though I’m glad I could find that out in high school, I would’ve preferred more time competing with ACADEC.”
Brett recognizes that the decision to pursue a career in music may be a harder path to travel, but he’s so thankful for the support of his parents, crediting their support and encouragement, as he recognizes that not all parents would react the way his have to his plans.
“They have provided and given me the opportunity to explore my interests,” Brett said. “They’ve always seen me as smart and commented on how I can do anything I want to, but they’ve never pushed me to be a doctor or lawyer, concerned with my financial future. Instead, they are fully supportive of my desire to pursue music.”
Brett’s dream is to be a composer and make a living selling his own music, but he is also considering double majoring in (maybe) math, while exploring the option of becoming a professor of composition or music theory. His love and passion for music is something he wants to use in order to inspire and encourage others, and believes that music should be carried on by those who are passionate about it.
“I believe that music is a very powerful thing that should be shared,” Brett said. “If I could have the opportunity to teach the next generation of musicians in the way that I’ve been taught, I mean, that’s what I’m most excited about when it comes to college. I’ll get to truly focus on what I want to study, and can dedicate my time to working on my craft.”
Joseph Rizzo, Montgomery HS Salutatorian–
Joey Rizzo is still waiting for a few more answers before he finalizes his college plans, but he knows that God has a plan and that high school was so much more than he ever thought it would be. Starting off in athletics as a football player, Joey never imagined that his time in high school would be about anything other than sports and classes. Reflecting now, he’s very thankful for the opportunities high school provided that he didn’t even know existed.
“I never knew that there were so many opportunities available in high school- all the service opportunities and honor societies,” Joey said. “I always thought I’d be an athlete in varsity sports, but going to state in UIL for Social Studies, going with a team and being a part of all that, is what I am most proud of.”
Starting off in the 8th ranked spot, Joey’s goal became working as hard as he could academically to earn a higher class rank. He says he had a lot of classes with Addison (MHS Valedictorian) and though he knew he couldn’t catch her, he would drop playing football after sophomore year and pursue Salutatorian.
Joey is on the waitlist at Harvard and it may be as late as June until he finds out about that acceptance. His current plan is to attend the University of Texas to pursue a BioChemistry degree with plans to go to medical school. When he shared his reasons for pursuing a medical degree, it’s clear that he wants to select a specialty that will allow him to connect with his patients.
“I either want to be an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon or an Orthopedic Surgeon,” Joey said. “I’ve been to a lot of ENTs and had a lot of tubes, and with my athletic background and interest in sports, I know I could connect with helping athletes heal from injuries. I’d be able to relate to what they need and that matters to me.”
Service also matters to Joey. His family moved to Texas when he was in elementary school, when his dad gave up being an attorney to work for a non-profit. Traveling to Haiti with his family over two months in 2018 and 2019, Joey shared how that experience had a huge impact on his perception of life, setting a standard that material success is not the goal of life.
“That trip and the things I witnessed there have made me want to pursue a career where I can do and give more to organizations that bless others,” Joey said. “The people there have literally nothing, but they have so much joy. And living in America, there are people here who have so much, they have everything, but they have no joy. Those trips changed my life.”
Joey is involved in high school clubs, mostly those that focus around service opportunities. He is the president of National Honor Society and serves in both Spanish and Science Honor Societies, thankful for the skills they’ve provided in planning events and organizing things for his school. When he reflects on high school, he doesn’t have regrets about the path he chose, but says he may have given himself a little more grace.
“If I could do it again, I definitely would not have put so much pressure on myself and I would have had a little more peace about where I stood,” Joey said. “I mean the pressure I put on myself internally, it paid off, but I may look back and think I could’ve been nicer to myself.”
Like many graduating seniors, Joey was quick to mention how thankful he is for his parents and the way they encouraged him through the ups and downs of life.
“I was often pretty dramatic, especially with my parents,” Joey said. “But my mom, she was always the one to ground me emotionally. They were both so encouraging and always kept me firm and steady, never pushing too hard beyond the support that I needed.”
When asked about a teacher that made an impact, Joey shared about the power of words and the way a teacher in 5th grade spoke truth into his life, with words he is able to confidently say were true and still useful today. He credits Ms. Knowlton for giving him the tough love he needed, teaching him it’s better to take action and be wrong, than to do nothing out of fear.
“I remember when she said that I didn’t need to like her then, but when I was in junior high and high school, I’d remember the work she made me do,” Joey said. “And she was so right. She taught me to think for myself and be bold enough to be wrong. That it’s ok to be wrong. She helped me learn the importance of taking action, the importance of making a decision and not hesitating because I was afraid of being wrong. It was an important lesson and instilled so much confidence in me.”
Alyssa Walters, Lake Creek HS Salutatorian-
Waiting until May 1 to share her college decision, this Legacy Senior Salutatorian reflects on her time in high school as a time that you can find your passions and explore clubs and organizations that help you discover who you are and who you want to be.
Alyssa is planning to pursue a degree in Engineering, Civil or Architectural, and once scholarship offers are finalized, will decide between the University of Texas, Colorado University Boulder and Colorado School of Mines.
As the Vice President of National Honor Society, an officer in Art Club and a member of LEO Club, Student Council, and MuAlpha Theta, Alyssa has spent a lot of time serving with her peers and involved in community service projects through high school. She played softball her first two years and was a lover of the game, but decided to focus on school and pursuing academic scholarships when she realized she wasn’t going to play softball in college.
When talking about her family, Alyssa was both funny and emotional about the support of her parents, sharing how incredibly blessed she is to have three: her mom, dad and step-dad.
“My parents are just amazing!” Alyssa said. “They’re all hard workers that have set a great example for me. My dad travels internationally for his work, and my mom is so successful in her career, but then also so supportive of me. And then my step-dad- most people would never realize that he isn’t my real dad- he’s so supportive and loving and present.”
Alyssa’s step-dad is one of the MISD police officers assigned to Lake Creek HS, so it wouldn’t be a complete interview if we didn’t discuss how it was having a parent on her campus every day, serving in that role.
“Seeing him is the best part of my day,” Alyssa said. “The most important part of my day is that he heats my hot pocket up for lunch. Every single day he heats it for me and brings it to me in the cafeteria. I feel really safe knowing that he’s here to protect everyone and (laughing) I think people have always known not to mess with me.”
When talking about her academic career at Lake Creek, Alyssa’s only regret is wishing that she could’ve started Computer Science classes earlier and stayed in Robotics longer. Having started in the engineering pathway, she quickly realized that course pathway wasn’t going to serve what she wanted to accomplish, so she switched to Computer Science and had to take “a GPA hit” with that decision. Other than that, she said that the freedom provided in high school allowed her to find her passions.
Thanking a teacher brought a few more tears to her eyes, as Alyssa called Ms. Lee, a “cutie patootie” and thanked her not only for the two years of math instruction, but the inspiration she provided as a strong woman.
“She’s seriously the most genuinely sweet person,” Alyssa said. “When my step-dad had to have emergency surgery, she brought us soup and checked on us. As I’ve gotten to know her more and know what she’s faced as a person, I just can’t believe she’s as positive and happy as she is. It’s truly inspiring. She’s so wholesome and I just love her so much!”
Even without a set plan for her college location, Alyssa is still dreaming about what the college experience will offer her. She is excited about the chance to take classes she truly wants to study and the opportunity to be independent in that work, studying, living and working, with a hope for a future that is full of purpose.
“I would love to do international work in engineering,” Alyssa said. “I want to help countries that have less infrastructure and development than America has. I think that would be valuable work that I’m more passionate about. It’s exciting to think about what I can do!”
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