Atwater Education Center Celebrates Class Valedictorians

(From left, Atwater Education Center valedictorians Wendy Perez-Luis from Merced Scholars Charter School and Xitlali Muniz from Atwater Valley Community School)

The Atwater Education Center celebrated 89 students from Atwater Valley Community School, Merced Scholars Charter School and Come Back Charter School as part of their graduating class of 2024. This year’s ceremony highlighted the accomplishments of valedictorians Wendy Perez-Luis from Merced Scholars Charter School and Xitlali Muniz from Atwater Valley Community School.

Perez-Luis completed all A-G requirements, the Career Technical Education (CTE) Marketing Pathway and earned both the Seal of Biliteracy and the Golden State Seal. 

Muniz, who graduated a year early, also completed her A-G requirements, the CTE Marketing Pathway and earned both the Seal of Biliteracy and the Golden State Seal, in addition to completing two college courses at Merced College. 

Both students distinguished themselves for not only their academic achievements but also their personal growth.
Atwater Education Center Principal Crystal Sousa attributes their success to the hybrid learning environment at Atwater Education Center. “The combination of challenging yet relevant educational opportunities within a safe and positive learning environment empowered Wendy and Xitlali to learn leadership and resiliency skills,” Sousa said. Sousa also emphasized the center’s social emotional approach, which integrates social-emotional learning into the curriculum and offers personal instruction tailored to each student’s needs. 

Valedictorians are selected based on GPA, A-G completion, college courses, engagement in CTE pathways and performance on the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP). 
Both valedictorians plan to transfer to CSU Stanislaus, where Perez-Luis will pursue a career in nursing and Muniz will pursue a career in education. 

Additional achievements for the graduating class include students who have committed to UC Merced, CSU Stanislaus, CSU Sacramento, CSU Monterey and CSU Fresno, with students who also committed to UC Berkeley.

The Atwater Education Center comprises Merced Scholars Charter School, Atwater Valley Community School and Come Back Charter School, with 39 graduates from Atwater Valley Community School, 31 from Merced Scholars Charter School and 19 from Come Back Charter School.