Get to Know: Tomball Star Academy’s 2025 Valedictorian & Salutatorian

TOMBALL –  Tomball Star Academy’s Valedictorian Giselle McLean and Salutatorian Elizaveta Khudorozhkova will lead the way during TSA’s graduation ceremony. Let's get to know the two seniors.

Tomball Star Academy will graduate its senior class on Thursday, May 22 at 7 PM inside The MET Church. For more information, one can visit the 2025 TISD Graduation webpage.

GISELLE MCLEAN | Tomball Star Academy | Valedictorian

What has been the best part about attending Tomball Star Academy?
“For me, the best part about attending Tomball Star Academy has been the close community. You get to know almost everyone around you and they get to know you as well. Some of my friends are people that I knew before high school, but I didn't get to know them really well until we were at Tomball Star, and others are people that I would have never met if I didn't go to school here. Overall, the smaller community promotes closer connections, and I find that to be great.”

What are your plans after you graduate from Tomball Star Academy?
“My plans after graduating from Tomball Star Academy are to go to the University of Texas at Austin. There I plan to get a Bachelor's degree in Biology, and hopefully get a certificate in Forensic Science as well. From there I want to find a job as a forensic scientist, and hopefully move to somewhere up north.”

What will you miss the most about Tomball Star Academy?
“I think what I will miss the most about Tomball Star Academy are the teachers. Since freshman year, they have all been extremely helpful and willing to get to know each and every student. It is evident that they want all of their students to succeed, and not just in school, but also in life. I can tell that I'll always remember them, even far off into the future.”

What have you learned from your high school experience that you will take with you?
“Of the things that high school has taught me, the one that I will carry with me the most is how to balance my work and my fun. The constant workload can seem overbearing, but I believe that high school has taught me how to space out my work enough so that I can also take the time to relax and do things that I enjoy. Especially for university, I think this particular skill will be one that I find useful.”

Who would you like to thank?
“First, I would like to thank my parents. They have been constantly supportive of my goals and allowed me to express myself throughout my time in high school. I would also like to thank my sister, who has been a great role model for me and she will continue to be in the future. Lastly, I want to thank my friends, who have made my days both in and out of school amazing.”

ELIZAVETA KHUDOROZHKOVA | Tomball Star Academy | Salutatorian

What has been the best part about attending Tomball Star Academy?
“The best part of attending Tomball Star Academy was the opportunity to get a high level of education within the means of a tight-knit community and a supportive environment.”

What are your plans after you graduate from Tomball Star Academy?
“After graduation, I will engage in the wondrous phenomena of sleeping and not waking up until 12 PM until I enter UT Austin to major in Computer Science and minor in Business.”

What will you miss the most about Tomball Star Academy?
“I will definitely miss my friends and the wonderful teachers who made my experience at TSA more fun and exciting.”

What have you learned from your high school experience that you will take with you?
“During my time at TSA, I learned that the mitochondria is the cell’s powerhouse that produces ATP. I also learned how to overcome adversity and not be embarrassed asking for help when I needed it.”

Who would you like to thank?
“I would like to thank my mommy, my dad, and my sissy Mariia for always being there for me - through the ugly cries over AP Physics and celebrating my accomplishments. I am also incredibly grateful to my friends for making my high school days so much brighter. Last but not least, I would like to thank my teachers and administrators: Mr. Gencer, Mrs. Henson, Mr. Nelson, Mrs. Peake, Mr. Fenton, and Mrs. Perrotte for being absolutely awesome and working so hard to keep TSA going.”

ABOUT TOMBALL ISD
Tomball ISD educates students to become responsible, productive citizens by providing innovative, individually rigorous, and personally valuable educational experiences. Founded in 1908, Tomball ISD now encompasses 83 square miles in northwest Harris County and southwest Montgomery County, and is located approximately 30 miles from downtown Houston. The district currently educates over 23,000 students across 24 campuses.