The highest-ranking Ellison High School Class of 2026 graduates spent their entire schooling in Killeen ISD, excelled in fine arts and advanced classes and finished at the top of the class.
Valedictorian Callie Walker and Salutatorian Garland Keith “Trip” Potvin, III took different paths to their elite ranking.
If the four years of high school was a race, Walker was the pacesetter, leading the way from start to finish while Potvin gradually moved up from fifth position as a freshman to fourth, third and ending at No. 2.
Valedictorian Callie Walker
“It feels a little unreal,” Walker said of coming to the end of her senior year at the top. “I almost can’t believe it. I’m super excited to be here and at the same time it’s kind of scary. This is going to help me in all that I do.”
Halfway through her freshman year, when she discovered her No. 1 ranking, she was determined to stay at that position and that’s what she did.
Walker attended Cedar Valley Elementary School and Patterson Middle School before moving on to Ellison, where she excelled in choir and on the Emeralds dance team, while taking Advanced Placement and dual credit courses.
She was an Emeralds officer three years, lieutenant as a sophomore, co-captain as a junior and colonel her senior year, leading the high-achieving team in national-level competitions and as a soloist. She also achieved the highest levels in choir, earning All-State Choir honors twice.
Performing at such a consistently high level, Walker said, is largely about knowing yourself and being confident enough to seek assistance when needed to balance a busy, rigorous schedule.
“You need to know yourself and the work load you can handle,” she said. “You have to talk to people and be comfortable to get the help you need.”
She is headed to the University of Texas at San Antonio, likely to study music education and performance. She has already auditioned for the UTSA pom squad.
“These four years have definitely shaped me through the activities I’ve been in and people I’ve met and experiences I’ve had…It’s helped me grow to become a better person and leader, a better teammate and friend.”
Salutatorian Garland "Trip" Potvin
Potvin attended Clifton Park Elementary School and Patterson Middle School before moving on to Ellison, where he excelled in band four years, moving up from trombone section leadership to drum major this year. He also took a full load of AP classes.
“It’s very rewarding,” he said. “I’m very proud of myself. While she has maintained (the top ranking), I’ve had to make my way up,” he said. “The years I’ve worked hasn’t been for nothing.”
Potvin praised his teachers, his family and his friends for supporting him through his busy schedule.
“Every teacher I’ve had has always pushed me to do my best. Ellison has shaped me a lot…All the classes at Ellison, especially the AP classes will help me a lot in college,” he said.
“I am very thankful for my family. They have been very supportive especially juggling everything I do with all the classwork and the band with the late nights…always showing up to events, all my friends, too.”
Potvin is headed to Texas A&M University to study wildlife and fisheries management and nuclear engineering with hopes of becoming a Texas game warden.
Ellison High School graduation is 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 at the Cadence Bank Center.
Photos of all KISD valedictorians and salutatorians: https://www.killeenisd.org/photos