A high school senior has been left heartbroken after her valedictorian title was taken from her following a bizarre "miscalculation".
Maya Veliz, a senior at Blue Ridge High School in northeast Texas, was announced as the institution's top student in March.
But her happiness was short-lived as Trent Hamilton, the school principal, revoked her title mere weeks from graduation.
He informed the bright student that there was a "miscalculation" with her GPA and transfer credits, which meant she placed third in her class instead of valedictorian.
According to The New York Post, the student, who was part of the cheerleading squad, was recognized by the College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program for her remarkable achievements at school.
She was also allegedly informed by administrators that she was on course to becoming a valedictorian as long as she didn’t fail a class.
"She was handed her transcript where it said she was number one along with her GPA,” her father, Jorge Veliz, told PEOPLE.
As Veliz progressed toward her goal, she penned a speech for graduation and even invited her family members outside of the US to witness the special moment.
However, the plans were shattered when Hamilton called Jorge and his wife. “He's like, ‘Well, there was a miscalculation on Maya's GPA, which now [means] she will no longer be number one. She'll be number three,’" the student's father recalled.
The devastated student opened up about how she felt when she got the news, telling WFAA: "To hear those words, not even 30 days before graduation was gut-wrenching."
PEOPLE reported that the student, who was taking dual credits and AP honors throughout high school, had transferred from a school in 2022 as a junior and some of the classes offered at her former academy weren’t offered at Blue Ridge High.
Due to this, her father and his wife made sure to stay in contact with her new school counselor and make sure her credits and grades were in order.
"[The counselor] had told us, 'Oh, don't worry. Maya's on the good road. The only way that I can foresee Maya not being valedictorian is if Maya fails her course completely','" Jorge said, adding that his daughter "hasn't failed anything".
"We even asked if it was necessary for her to take any extra courses, and [the counselor] told her, 'No, everything is good,'" Jorge said.
When asked about the miscalculation and the school's policy, the district told WFAA: "Blue Ridge ISD has investigated this private student matter and communicated with the parents."
"The district reviews academic achievement, grade calculations, and class rank during this time period each year in accordance with applicable state law and board policies EIC and EIC Local,
"Miscalculations were originally made when finalizing GPA and Class Rank; then corrected to ensure compliance with both of those board policies. All students affected have been notified," the district continued.
They added that "plans have been initiated to ensure that a mistake like this does not take place in the future. Any further specific student information cannot be discussed pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act".
Veliz planned on attending the University of Texas. But because of the mishap, she may now lose out on the scholarship.
Students who graduate at the top of their class from accredited Texas high schools receive a tuition waiver for their freshman year of college, according to the Texas Education Agency.
“I now don’t have that stability,” she said, while her father added: “This is something I wouldn’t want any kid to deal with or any parent."
The broken-hearted student revealed that she is not planning on attending the graduation ceremonies.
“This affects my future. And I do not wish that upon anyone else,” she shared.
