Two young women have landed the top academic spots at Compass Academy Charter School.
Madison “Lou Lou” Molinar is the valedictorian and Kyra Ayres is the salutatorian. Both are going to Texas Tech University, Molinar to go into premed and Ayres to study biology and become a physician assistant.
Graduation is at 7 p.m. Friday in the Comstock Fine Arts and Athletic Complex on campus.
Ayres said they have both been diligent about their grades over the years and competition was fierce for the top academic positions.
“We’ve always tried to work hard and we’ve always really cared about what we’ve gotten on everything,” Ayres said.
Molinar said her mom has been a big factor in her high school success.
“She does not take anything less than the best I can do,” she added.
Ayres said she was mostly self-motivated to achieve in high school. Her mom cared about her grades, but she never demanded perfection.
They are both in volleyball, Symphony Guild, Crystal Ball and National Honor Society. Ayres also is in track. They have both attended Crossroads Fellowship. Molinar coaches a Little Spikers team.
Ayres has been at Compass since first grade and Molinar since seventh.
“I think it’s really great because it’s like a family. Everyone pushes you to do better and the teachers are really … passionate about their teaching,” Ayres said.
Molinar agreed.
“I feel like no matter what you do, you always have someone at your side rooting for you and … They care about you doing better as a person, but also academically,” Molinar added.
She said she’s going into medicine because she really likes taking care of people.
“My way of showing love is acts of kindness, so I feel like if I’m able to go into the medical field, there’s a bunch of different ways I can go and so I’ll never get bored. But I’ll also always be helping out,” Molinar said.
Ayres said she also likes caring for people, but has also always had an interest in dermatology.
“When I become a PA, I want to go into that field,” she added.
For younger students who want to reach the top 10 or the top 2, Ayres said they should keep a positive outlook and work hard.
“I would say just to believe in yourself, but also make sure that while you’re getting a good grade and things, you’re taking care of yourself and making sure that you’re happy because if you’re not happy then you’re not going to succeed the way you’d like to,” Molinar said.
Superintendent Jason Inman said Molinar and Ayres are highly competitive and excellent students.
“They’re very involved. They’re always positive, both of them are usually smiling,” Inman said.
