Katie Kim and Michael Magana are the top academic students at Manteca High.
In doing so, they were recently announced as valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, for the Class of 2023.
Both had 4.4 GPAs, separated by mere percentage points.
Valedictorian Kim and salutatorian Magana are looking forward to the commencement ceremonies at Guss Schmiedt Field at 7 p.m., Friday, May 24. The same goes for Principal Megan Peterson, who, for the first time as the school’s top administrator – she had the interim title removed not too long ago – will have the honor of addressing those in attendance at the special event.
Katie Kim is the daughter of Lydia and Kyle Kim. She made the early decision in December to attend the University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League research school in Philadelphia.
Her plans include majoring in Political Science and possible a minor in either Sociology or English.
Kim was involved in National Honor Society, Academic Decathlon, and College Prep during her four years at MHS. She also served as an officer in each of those organizations.
She was also in California Scholastic Federation for the past three years including a stint as an officer.
Katie Kim played tennis for the Buffaloes during years at MHS, being twice named captain during that span.
In fact, she became the most accomplished tennis player in school history with her back-to-back single titles in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II Individual Tournament in her junior and senior years.
Michael Magana was involved in CSF and NHS at Manteca High. He’s the son of Cristina Rodriguez and Larry Silva.
His plan for now is to attend Delta College to study Computer Science. That’s subject to change as Magana is on the UC San Diego waiting list.
Some of his best moments at MHS has been in theater. Magana is a member of the Thespian Club for the past two years.
He’ll be in this week’s production of The Crucible at Mulvihill Theatre, playing the male lead role of John Proctor.
Magana, in addition, performed in other school plays such as Sherlock Holmes, The Book Women, and The Imaginary Invalid.
