MAY – The May High School Class of 2022 will graduate at 7 p.m. Friday, May 27 at the new May ISD gymnasium. Serving as valedictorian is Brian Kunkel while salutatorian honors were bestowed upon Alissa Allen.

Kunkel, the son of Michael and Leslie Kunkel, will be attending Tarleton State University. Allen, the daughter and Danny and Kim Allen, will continue her academic career Angelo State University.

Of learning the news he earned valedictorian honors, Kunkel said, “I’ve been working toward valedictorian, I wanted to be valedictorian, I just wasn’t sure I was going to get it.”

Allen said of receiving the word she was class salutatorian, “I’ve just always tried to work hard in school throughout the years. I’ve always tried to do the best I can in all my work and it paid off as salutatorian.”

Kunkel’s plans at Tarleton include earning a degree in Business Management with an emphasis on Marketing.

“I want to go into business and learn how business works so I can go into that field as either an entrepreneur or go to work at a bank or something to that effect,” Kunkel said.

At Angelo State, Allen intends to majoring in the Geo-Science program.

“I’ve always been interested in that sort of thing, earth science,” Allen said. “It’s fun to learn about, I like being out in nature. We get to on several field trips to different geological sites and I’m just excited to be in that program.”

Kunkel took part in football, basketball, track, baseball, cross country, band, film, beta club, FCA, and academic UIL.

“I enjoyed the activities, but ultimately I’m going to miss the camaraderie I got out of football most,” Kunkel said. “Being a state finalist two years in a row in football and getting all-state this year as a senior despite getting an injury. It makes me wish I had another year to go back and make something of it, but you have to move on to the next stage of life.”

Allen’s activities included band, basketball, one-act play, FFA, FCA, and beta club.

Reflecting on her time in high school, Allen said with a laugh, “Right now I’m not going to miss it because I can’t wait to graduate. But I will miss the fun times and good memories of things that happened in the past.”

Both Kunkel and Allen considered Nicole Mitchell, who teaches Physics, as a tremendous resource and source of support, particular this year.

“She allowed us to work on scholarships and other things in her class,” Kunkel said.

Kunkel also stated that, “going all the way back to elementary school, Miss (Camille) Alcorn has always been my favorite teacher.”

Looking 10 years down the road, Kunkel said, “The dream is go back to a church camp and work as counselor.”

As for Allen, she said of her long-term goals, “Hopefully by then I’ll be in career that I love doing and have a family of my own I guess.”