Get to Know: Tomball Memorial High School’s 2024 Valedictorian & Salutatorian
Tomball Memorial High School’s Valedictorian Gene Chang and Salutatorian Priyanka Sugumar will lead the way during TMHS’ graduation ceremony. Let's get to know the two seniors.
Tomball Memorial High School will graduate its senior class on Friday, May 24 at 12 PM inside Reed Arena at Texas A&M University. For more information, one can visit the 2024 TISD Graduation webpage.
Gene Chang, Tomball Memorial High School Valedictorian
What has been the best part about attending Tomball Memorial High School?
“For me personally, the best part about attending TMHS was meeting new people and gaining friendships through activities that the school does. Not only did I have more time to spend with my closest friends, but I also met many new friends through various activities. From hanging out with friends virtually during online freshman year through playing Minecraft to starting a rec soccer team with my friends this spring, meeting people was my favorite part of the TMHS experience. The Thanksgiving lunch meals were pretty good too.”
What are your plans after you graduate from Tomball Memorial High School?
“I will be attending Georgia Tech in Atlanta to study Computer Science. After that, I'm still thinking about it.”
What will you miss the most about Tomball Memorial High School?
“Probably the Tomball community. I have lived here my whole life, so a lot of the friends I currently have I met all the way back at Willow Creek Elementary. Although I'm excited to meet new people when I go off to college, I will miss the friends I made and the community I grew up in.”
What have you learned from your high school experience that you will take with you?
“I think the most important lesson for me was that good sleep goes a long way. I used to stay up late quite often (playing Fortnite and Valorant), but eventually, I tried to start going to bed earlier and get at least seven hours of sleep a day, and it definitely improved my mental and physical health. I also learned to push myself outside of my comfort zone, whether doing a slightly challenging assignment or talking to new people, as I think I progress the most when I push myself the hardest.”
Who would you like to thank?
“First, I want to thank God and my parents for being with me all the way through high school (and my life). I also want to thank a few of my closest friends who made my high school experience special: Lishore, Adam, Andrew, Cade, Logan, Josh, Mylan, Esteban, Laolu, and Justin - thanks for being there for me and the fun memories. I also would like to thank organizations that have improved my high school experience, such as the orchestra, the UIL math team, and Gene's Goons (especially the supporters that come out even though we lose every game). Lastly, I want to thank a few teachers who really made my high school experience amazing: Mr. Jagdeo, Mrs. Stackhouse, Mr. Monroe, Mr. Terell, Mrs. Higley, Mrs. Bulaclac, Mrs. Stout, Mrs. Kilcoyne, and Mrs. Vargas.”
Priyanka Sugumar, Tomball Memorial High School Salutatorian
What has been the best part about attending Tomball Memorial High School?
“The best part about attending Tomball Memorial High School is definitely the fun events the students get to experience. Especially being a senior this year, things like senior sunrise and senior picnic were the most fun and I’m really looking forward to future things like senior (skip day) and prom. I’m so glad to go to a school district that can make fun activities like this possible for us.”
What are your plans after you graduate from Tomball Memorial High School?
“My plan is to attend the University of Texas at Austin to pursue a bachelor's in biomedical engineering. I would like to work in the research and development field and help design prosthetic devices. When settled, eventually I would like to give back to the community through nonprofit work and fulfill my childhood goals of helping animals.”
What will you miss the most about Tomball Memorial High School?
“I will miss the people most from high school. I will definitely miss my closest friends a lot, but I will also miss people I wave friendly hello’s to in the hallway or those who make me laugh in class. I will miss being surrounded by such diverse people, yet also in a close-knit community.”
What have you learned from your high school experience that you will take with you?
“Some of the most important things I learned from my high school experience is the importance of the environment, to fake it till you make it because everyone is also at the same level, to invest in people, to be bold in asking for what you want, and to never attach your identity to anything. Most importantly, I learned to have balance and devote time into experiences that build your character.”
Who would you like to thank?
“Although it was rough at times, I would like to thank my parents for giving me an abundance of freedom throughout my high school career so that I could find my own way through and do the things that I was passionate about. It was the foundation they gave me which let me keep a level head. I would also like to thank the teachers who stayed after class to talk with me, who gave me extra support when needed, and inspired me to keep trying things when they got tough. Moreover, I want to thank my friends I have made over the years and the people who welcomed me with open arms. I am bits and pieces of each one of them and I have learned much more from my friends than anyone else.”
Source: Tomball ISD
