Meet Wylie High School’s 2025 Valedictorian Justice McGuiness and Salutatorian Tehzeeb Grewal. The two share a passion for learning, and in achieving individual accomplishments, have built a sweet friendship of mutual respect and support.
Was it a goal of yours to be THE top of your class?
JM: I have always taken school seriously since my first day of kindergarten, but I wasn’t always aware of what high school had in store for me. When I first heard about the idea of being valedictorian in eighth grade, my desire came from a place of obsession and a need for perfection. As I’ve grown, however, I have kept my love for learning while redefining what is most important to me: my relationships with those around me. So while it has long been a goal of mine to become Valedictorian, I can confidently say that I have grown as a person and found things I care about even more.
TG: Although it has always been a goal of mine to do the best of my capabilities at school, I was not vying for the top ten until my sophomore year of high school.
As you look forward, what will you do to make your college experience different than high school?
JM: While I plan on being more careful with who I am friends with in college and will do my best to not let my anxiety get the best of me, I can’t say that I would do things all that differently from high school. Throughout my four years, there have been many highs and lows, and I have learned so many things about who I am. I had a great time overall and met many different people who each taught me something that I will carry for the rest of my life. Although times may have been tough, many more were spectacular. There is no way to predict what life has in store for you, so I will continue taking it one day at a time.
TG: I came into high school quite shy and reserved, which is something I regret heavily. Although I did branch out a little near the end of my four years, I hope to enter my college years with more confidence and to venture outside of my comfort zone in order to experience life to the fullest.
What advice do you have for parents about supporting their student in academics and extracurricular activities?
JM: Be there for your kids but let them navigate high school themselves. We all need our family, especially in times of crisis, but we can’t grow if we don’t learn how to meet adversity head on and make mistakes. Your kids will not be perfect, and they will need a shoulder to cry on or someone to celebrate with. However, adulthood is learning how to deal with things independently, and it’s the best way for us to grow as people.
TG: Promote balance, not perfection. My parents helped me a great deal to focus on my growth and effort, not just the outcomes. This also allowed me to manage my time effectively and to prioritize my interests.
What is something most people don’t know about you?
JM: When I was in middle school, I got my black belt from Premier Martial Arts. My parents got me involved as a way to be active and make friends, and I was unsure about it at first; however, I grew to love the sport. It taught me discipline and the value of not quitting until you see something through if you find it to be worth it. I believe that my experience in martial arts largely contributed to my work ethic in school and allowed me to become the valedictorian of the Class of 2025.
TG: I think a lot of people already know this about me, but I love art! I grew up taking summer classes at the Grace Museum, and I used to craft, paint, sketch, and sculpt quite a bit in my free time. Although I haven’t been able to take any classes at Wylie, it’s still a hobby I try to maintain!
Please list your organizations and activities you spent time in during high school
JM: I have tried many things while in high school in an attempt to discover where I fit in. I did powerlifting my freshman year and did Varsity choir for my first two years. I have done UIL academics all four years of high school, and I have competed in many different events from mathematics to spelling. I was inducted into the National Honor Society at the end of my sophomore year, and I served as secretary junior year and president my senior year. I was a part of The Paw Print newspaper staff my junior year, and I was a teacher aide my senior year for Mrs. Kirby.
TG: I am honored to have served in PALs, Student Council, NHS, MEDLIFE, HOSA, Culture Club, JV Tennis, UIL academics, the Paw Print, and the Wylie High Crime Stoppers!
What high school activity, class or teacher most impacted who you are today?
JM: Junior year was a dark time for me, and I felt my chance for Valedictorian slipping away. I had a hard time dealing with imperfection, especially in the face of the hardest classes I had taken yet. As I was starting to feel like I couldn’t do it anymore, Mrs. Kirby, my AP English 3, college transition teacher, and UIL spelling coach, helped pick me back up and encouraged me to persevere. She helped me discover that striving for perfection is a dangerous game and that it is unfair to put so much pressure on myself. She helped me redefine my self-worth, making me realize that I am no less valuable because of a number on a paper. I wouldn’t have been able to be here if it wasn’t for her, so I am forever grateful to have Mrs. Kirby in my life.
TG: The teacher that has impacted me the most has truly been Mrs. Kirby! I was incredibly fortunate to have her as my UIL spelling coach as well as my AP English Lang teacher. Under her guidance, I learned to become confident in myself and my voice (especially with writing), and her unwavering kindness and support has always blessed me in more ways than I can describe!
What is your most cherished memory in high school?
JM: One of my favorite memories was during football season my senior year when our team played against Lubbock Monterey. After being down a lot of points, we made a comeback. However, Monterey set up to kick a field goal with a few seconds left that would win them the game. The entire stadium went silent, and every second felt like an eternity as we waited in suspense for the final result. The play began, and I prepared for the worst when suddenly the ball went too wide to the right and missed. The crowd went wild when we realized we had won, and then us students stormed the field to celebrate with the players.
TG: It’s hard to sum up all the moments throughout high school that I hold dear to my heart, but I will say each one had a common theme of connection. Whether that was giggling at lunch about an inside joke that has lasted for years, listening to insightful class discussions, or prattling on about topics from A to Z, I am overwhelmed with joy for the people I get to share these memories with
Share a time where you overcame a challenge and the lessons learned from it.
JM: My junior year, I became very depressed and could barely get out of bed. I had surrounded myself around people who preyed on my insecurities, so every mistake I made felt like I was proving to them that I’m not good enough. Even making it to school began to feel like an insurmountable task, so I knew something had to change. I let go of the people I had considered friends for so long, and I found teachers and classmates that wished only the best for me. These people helped me deal with my imperfections and taught me to embrace my faults as they only make me stronger in the long run.
TG: Many have said this before my time, but learning how to approach a difficult class, like AP Physics, through a lens of constructive feedback and not under a constant sense of defeat was one of the greatest lessons I learned my junior year.
What advice would you give to underclassmen about making the most of high school?
JM: Find what makes you happy. It is different for everyone, so experience as much as you can to find where you fit in. Your time in high school is short, so say yes to going to the football game with your friends. Say yes to joining a club. Say yes to whatever you can because you never know if it’s for you if you don’t try.
TG: Breathe! Slow down! Enjoy each moment like you have nothing to lose. Do as Sylvia Plath so eloquently had said, “Love life day by day, color by color, touch by touch.”
Who or what inspires you?
JM: I grew up like an only child despite having an older brother because he lived in San Angelo, and for the early years of my childhood, we were not very close. However, as we both matured, it changed things, and we have realized that we need each other more than we are willing to admit. We make each other better people, and his dedication to improving the body and my dedication to improving the mind go hand in hand. Within the last couple of years, we have started to hangout more, especially since I got my license. He has introduced me to some of his friends, and they have collectively changed me for the better. I hope to find my niche like him one day, and I hope to meet such a supportive group of people that push me to be the best version of myself. I may have grown up as an only child, but I now know what it means to have a brother.
TG: My brilliant parents, who moved halfway across the world for my brother and I to live a better life, are my inspiration. My dad’s bravery, commitment, and drive has never failed to motivate me to do my very best. My mom’s perseverance, faith, and strength has made me the person I am today. They have both taught me the importance of resilience and being true to who I am, and I hope to make them just as proud of me as I am of them!
What accomplishment are you most proud about?
JM: One of my most prized accomplishments is making it to state my senior year in UIL spelling. Although it is a cool achievement on its own, what I am most proud of is building a strong bond with my teammates. Tessa Jones, a junior and member of our team, is a very strong academic student who has gone through periods of self-doubt like me, so it has been therapeutic to find somebody who understands how hard it can be to deal with it. Tehzeeb Grewal and Ava Ramos are ranked second and third in our class respectively, so I let my internal competition with them create friction and keep me from becoming better friends with them sooner. Although our past has been spotty, I wholeheartedly believe that they are some of the best friends I have ever made, and they push me to be the very best I can be.
TG: I am most proud of competing in Biomedical Debate for HOSA with my team during my junior year because it was something I never imagined I would or could ever do in my lifetime. See, although I knew public speaking was not my strong suit, I still wanted to broaden my horizons, which I am grateful for doing so as I have gained the courage to conduct and to engage in this kind of discourse!
Who would you like to thank for helping you reach this achievement?
JM: I would not be here without my mom (Samantha McGuiness) and dad (Chris McGuiness). My mom has been my number one fan since the day I was born, and she has taught me how to love with all my heart. Her lessons have made me realize that family and friends will always be my top priority. While my mom has helped make me who I am, I wouldn’t have made it in this world without my dad. He has taught me how to become a well-rounded human being, from knowing when to handle situations on my own to knowing when to be there for others. He has ingrained a strong work ethic into who I am for as long as I can remember, and he is the biggest reason I am able to be valedictorian.
TG: I would like to thank all the staff and teachers for devoting your time to making Wylie a wonderful environment conducive for growth and learning. I would also like to thank all my friends and family for constantly supporting me and my endeavors. Lastly, I want to say thank you once more to my parents and brother for being there for me from the beginning.