The Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders honored 93 seniors at their graduation ceremony this afternoon at the Frank Erwin Center.

In the sixth graduation ceremony for the school, students were celebrated for earning a school record of $13 million in scholarships.

Superintendent Paul Cruz said 100 percent of the graduates had been accepted to a four-year college, and 70 percent will be the first in their families to attend college. 

Salutatorian Madeline Schell, who will attend the University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering, addressed her classmates. 

"I'm excited to see all the ways we will continue to grow," she said. "You don't just wonder about something, you seek to understand it."

As an only child, she said, her classmates had become like a part of her family. 

"It has been a privilege at attend Ann Richards with you," she said. "It has taught me to think with my mind and my heart."

Valedictorian Willow Dalehite, who will attend Princeton University to study evolutionary biology, said she thought about what unites her and her classmates.

"We've already begun the work, and we've done our best," she said. "We will all go to college. We will all graduate colege."

She said they had taught her, among other things, how to not take herself—or AP Biology—too seriously.

"You've taught me what it means to have privilege, to stand up for what is right without getting in the way of those who do not have it."

Dalehite encouraged the Class of 2018 to keep working hard, making mistakes and moving forward.

"Once we put our minds to something, not even Ann Richards herself could stop us—nor would she want to."

Congratulations to the Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders Class of 2018! We’re #AISDProud of our #AISDGrads!