Valley Announces 2025 Valedictorian And Salutatorian

February 7, 2025 at 8:06 p.m.
Pictured (L to R) are Mercedes Herrera, 2025 valedictorian at Tippecanoe Valley High School; and Mackalie Costello, salutatorian. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union
Pictured (L to R) are Mercedes Herrera, 2025 valedictorian at Tippecanoe Valley High School; and Mackalie Costello, salutatorian. Photo by Jackie Gorski, Times-Union

By JACKIE GORSKI Lifestyles Editor

AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley High School announced its valedictorian for the 2024-25 school year is Mercedes Herrera, and salutatorian is Mackaylie Costello.
Mercedes is the daughter of Ignacio Herrera and Mercedes Rios De Herrera, of Akron.
Outside the classroom, Mercedes has been actively involved in Youth Council, a faith-based organization that has helped develop her leadership and a commitment to serving others. She has also participated in Spanish Club and competed on the Mock Trial team as a junior.
After graduation, Mercedes plans to attend Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame. She is still working on figuring out what to study.
Ignacio said finding out his daughter was valedictorian felt great. Ignacio and wife Mercedes found out the news a few days prior, and Ignacio said it was hard to keep it a secret. Ignacio said his daughter has always been a straight-A student from the beginning and they hoped she would continue on that journey.
Mother Mercedes said she and Ignacio were very happy and very thankful for a good school and all her daughter’s teachers and all of her efforts in school.
Mackaylie is the daughter of Ryan and Addie Costello, Mentone.
Mackaylie has been involved in volleyball and softball for all four years, as well as student council, student council leadership, National Honor Society and Sunshine Society. She has also devoted her time to various community service projects.
After high school, Mackaylie plans to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne. She is still figuring out what to study.
Ryan said he and Addie are very proud of Mackaylie. She’s a smart and determined kid and has fun with a nice set of friends. He said it’s enjoyable to be her parent.
Mackaylie was awarded top student in middle school and her sister, Malaynie, was valedictorian four years ago.
Mercedes and Mackaylie both said it was cool to be named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. They said when they looked at their grades, they could see their rank, so they weren’t necessarily surprised by the news.
“We are incredibly proud of Mercedes and Mackaylie for their hard work and dedication throughout their years at Tippecanoe Valley,” said Brandon Kresca, principal of Tippecanoe Valley High School in a news release from Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. “Their perseverance, leadership, and commitment to excellence serve as an inspiration to their peers and the entire Valley community.”

AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley High School announced its valedictorian for the 2024-25 school year is Mercedes Herrera, and salutatorian is Mackaylie Costello.
Mercedes is the daughter of Ignacio Herrera and Mercedes Rios De Herrera, of Akron.
Outside the classroom, Mercedes has been actively involved in Youth Council, a faith-based organization that has helped develop her leadership and a commitment to serving others. She has also participated in Spanish Club and competed on the Mock Trial team as a junior.
After graduation, Mercedes plans to attend Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame. She is still working on figuring out what to study.
Ignacio said finding out his daughter was valedictorian felt great. Ignacio and wife Mercedes found out the news a few days prior, and Ignacio said it was hard to keep it a secret. Ignacio said his daughter has always been a straight-A student from the beginning and they hoped she would continue on that journey.
Mother Mercedes said she and Ignacio were very happy and very thankful for a good school and all her daughter’s teachers and all of her efforts in school.
Mackaylie is the daughter of Ryan and Addie Costello, Mentone.
Mackaylie has been involved in volleyball and softball for all four years, as well as student council, student council leadership, National Honor Society and Sunshine Society. She has also devoted her time to various community service projects.
After high school, Mackaylie plans to attend Purdue University Fort Wayne. She is still figuring out what to study.
Ryan said he and Addie are very proud of Mackaylie. She’s a smart and determined kid and has fun with a nice set of friends. He said it’s enjoyable to be her parent.
Mackaylie was awarded top student in middle school and her sister, Malaynie, was valedictorian four years ago.
Mercedes and Mackaylie both said it was cool to be named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively. They said when they looked at their grades, they could see their rank, so they weren’t necessarily surprised by the news.
“We are incredibly proud of Mercedes and Mackaylie for their hard work and dedication throughout their years at Tippecanoe Valley,” said Brandon Kresca, principal of Tippecanoe Valley High School in a news release from Tippecanoe Valley School Corporation. “Their perseverance, leadership, and commitment to excellence serve as an inspiration to their peers and the entire Valley community.”

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Valley Announces 2025 Valedictorian And Salutatorian
AKRON – Tippecanoe Valley High School announced its valedictorian for the 2024-25 school year is Mercedes Herrera, and salutatorian is Mackaylie Costello. Mercedes is the daughter of Ignacio Herrera and Mercedes Rios De Herrera, of Akron.