By CYRIL REINICKE

Mission Bay High School has announced Trevor Branch as valedictorian and Spencer Morton as salutatorian for the Class of 2025.

“We follow tradition in awarding these individuals. Valedictorian is the academic title conferred upon the highest ranking student among those graduating and is based on the highest grade point average (GPA),” said Dr. Eric Brown, Mission Bay principal.

“Salutatorian is the academic title conferred upon the second-highest GPA in the class. Trevor and Spencer are IB diploma students, athletes, and campus-wide role models representing Mission Bay High’s Class of 2025.”

Branch is PB through and through. He hails from Pacific Beach Elementary and then onto PB Middle. “I chose Mission Bay High School because I wanted to stay with the friends I have had since elementary school. I also wanted to earn an IB diploma.”

Branch’s course load is substantial as an IB diploma candidate. Advanced placement physics and computer science, IB English, IB history, IB math, and the theory of knowledge are his classes this spring semester.

“College plans include a degree in either electrical or mechanical engineering and then using the degree to work in the business side of engineering,” Branch said. “UCLA is my top choice for electrical engineering. I’m still waiting on decisions from Berkeley, USC, Michigan, UPenn, and Duke.”

Morton attended Explorer Elementary (part of the High Tech High charter school system) and then, from 2016 to 2019, relocated with his family to Spain.

“My family and I ended up in Barcelona because my parents have always wanted to live abroad, and a career opportunity arose that allowed us to do so,” Morton said. “It was an incredible experience that allowed me to become fluent in Spanish and Catalan, and make many lifelong friends from another culture.”

Returning to the United States to finish middle school, Morton chose Mission Bay for the IB diploma program. His classes include IB English, IB engineering, IB Spanish, and IB history, all four at the higher level, AP physics, IB psychology, and AVID/theory of knowledge.

Morton’s college plans include a major in economics and later going into finance and investment banking or consulting. Morton has already been accepted to Pomona College and UCLA and is awaiting responses from other colleges.

In my interviews with high school students, I always inquire about motivation. What or who motivates them to do well? Branch and Morton both had clear recollections about their motivation. “I first understood motivation in middle school when grades became more structured,” Branch said. “I was determined to earn all A’s, and that drive soon extended beyond academics to sports and personal growth.

By ninth grade, I remained committed to my studies while also striving to improve in water polo. Over time, external motivation like grades shifted to internal motivation, pushing me to challenge myself for personal growth. I realized valedictorian was possible at the end of eighth grade when my brother earned the title. It wasn’t a specific goal at first, just a natural result of taking the most challenging courses to push myself. The title became a by-product of my dedication rather than my main focus.”

“I think motivation began to make sense for me around middle school,” Morton said. “At first, external factors like grades and approval from teachers and my parents played a big role. As I got older, I started realizing how good it felt to achieve things for myself, whether it was mastering a subject or improving my skills.

“That shift, from doing things for recognition to doing them for personal growth, felt natural over time. It became less about others’ expectations and more about challenging myself and finding fulfillment in my progress. I, of course, have always aimed for valedictorian and to be first, but I’m equally happy to be our school’s salutatorian.”

What happens in the next few weeks before MBHS graduation on May 29?

Each student has final IB exams and requirements. The 4,000 IB extended essay needs final polishing and submission. Morton and Branch also each have to submit evidence and documentation of their successful IB service project. Then there is navigating the decision about college acceptance. Also, both students have to write, polish, and rehearse their graduation speech.