District News

Waco High School has officially announced its top two graduating students for the Class of 2026. This year’s honors celebrate two remarkable young women whose journeys reflect academic brilliance, robust civic leadership, and an enduring commitment to community growth. Valedictorian Eisley Lawson and Salutatorian Daniella Mercado have set a profound example of excellence, paving their respective paths to some of the nation's most prestigious higher education institutions.

Valedictorian Eisley Lawson: A Passion for Justice and Learning

Securing the highest academic rank in the graduating class, Eisley Lawson has been named the 2026 Waco High School Valedictorian. Eisley achieved an extraordinary final grade point average (GPA) of 113.6595, a testament to her rigorous academic dedication. Eisley shares that she possesses a deep love for learning and has thoroughly enjoyed her school years. For her, the valedictorian distinction serves as tangible evidence of the relentless hard work she invested throughout her high school tenure.

Following graduation, Eisley will move to Middletown, Connecticut, to attend Wesleyan University. Guided by her interest in policy and public service, she plans to double major in Government and Spanish. Eisley’s long-term career goal is to protect and shape civil liberties, through practicing constitutional law and serving in elected office.

Eisley's presence at Waco High School extended far beyond her exceptional report cards. She was active in many extracurricular programs, including theatre, the International Thespian Society, Teen Leadership Waco, the National Honor Society, and with her local congregation, Hope Fellowship. Yet, when looking back at her high school career, she notes that her proudest accomplishment was founding a local chapter of Students Demand Action. Through this gun safety advocacy organization, she spearheaded local awareness and actively lobbied lawmakers at the Texas State Capitol.
 

Eisley attributes much of her resilience and drive to her mom, Kelly Lawson, whom she names as her single biggest inspiration during high school. When asked what advice she would pass down to underclassmen navigating their school years, Eisley emphasized the human element of education:

"Find your people. Invest in relationships with your peers, teachers, and administrators. You will need the support of others throughout your schooling and the rest of your life."
 

Salutatorian Daniella Mercado: Leaving a Lasting Community Legacy

Earning the distinction of 2026 Waco High School Salutatorian is Daniella Mercado. Her exceptional classroom performance is highlighted by an outstanding final GPA of 112.7609, underscoring years of hard work and academic consistency. For Daniella, this milestone carries a deep, emotional significance that reaches well beyond a high class ranking. As a first-generation Hispanic student in Waco, becoming salutatorian represents years of collective sacrifice, resilience, and perseverance from both herself and her family. 

"This honor belongs to my mom, my sister, and everyone who supported me through difficult moments," Daniella expressed, describing her success as living proof that a student's background does not dictate or limit their future.

Daniella’s stellar academic and extracurricular profile has opened the doors to the Ivy League; she is set to attend Harvard University this fall. She intends to study economics and government on a pre-law track, with long-term aspirations of forging a career in law and public policy. Her ultimate objective is to utilize her education to champion underrepresented communities and enact tangible, meaningful systemic change through dedicated leadership and public service.

During her four years at Waco High School, Daniella maintained a packed schedule of leadership and community involvement. She served as the Senior Class President, a Marching Band Drum Major, and the Founder and President of the Recycling Club. Her extensive resume also includes serving as President of Upward Bound, Treasurer for the Interact Club, a varsity cheerleader, a legal intern at a local law firm, and an active participant in Student Council, competitive debate, Spanish Club, National Honor Society (NHS), soccer, and powerlifting. Committed to lifting others as she climbed, she also engaged with LEAD, the Waco Hanan Foundation, and volunteered as an English and Spanish tutor.
 

Daniella is proudest of the enduring local footprint she leaves behind. By founding the Recycling Club, which she grew from scratch to an organization of over 40 active students, and guiding her peers as class president, she poured her entire heart into making an impact at Waco High School.

Watching her sister navigate the challenges of being the oldest sibling and a first-generation student taught Daniella how to push through hardship with poise and grit. Drawing from that well of inspirational resilience, Daniella delivers a poignant, powerful message to the students of Waco High School and the broader Waco community regarding institutional perceptions:
 

"Too often, schools like ours are underestimated because we are a Title I school in a lower-income area, but people do not see the resilience, talent, and determination that exists inside our classrooms every day. Do not let stereotypes or people's opinions about where you come from limit what you believe you can achieve. Be proud of where you come from, because Waco High is filled with students capable of accomplishing far more than the world expects from them."

A Bright Future for the Waco Community

The parallel journeys of Eisley Lawson and Daniella Mercado illuminate the power of public education, community support, and personal resolve. As one departs for Wesleyan University and the other for Harvard University, they carry with them the pride of a community that they have spent years building, organizing, and improving. As the Waco High motto says, Lion Pride Runs Deep and each of these exceptional top scholars exemplify that.