Spring Hill ISD proudly recognizes two students whose commitment to excellence has earned them the highest honors of their graduating class. Bryce Socoteanu is the Spring Hill Class of 2025 Valedictorian, and Keaton Croom is the Spring Hill Class of 2025 Salutatorian.
Bryce Socoteanu, son of Matei and Celena Socoteanu, will be attending Baylor University in the fall to study Biomedical Engineering. He was a four-year member of the Blue Brigade Band and served on the band's student leadership team as a marching captain. Throughout high school, Bryce was a member of Student Council and National Honor Society, where he served as Sergeant at Arms. He competed for four years of high school on the UIL Math/Science team and advanced to the state in UIL level each year. Bryce served on the Texas Bank and Trust Student Board of Directors and the Gregg County Historical Museum of Longview Student Board. He was recognized as a National Merit Commended Scholar. Bryce is an active member of HighRidge Church where he volunteers in the children's ministry and plays keys in the youth worship band. He is also a part-time employee at Chick-fil-A in Longview. In his free time, Bryce enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing the trumpet and keyboard, playing pickleball, and traveling.
Keaton Elizabeth Croom, daughter of Matthew and Kristin Croom, has been involved in multiple student organizations at Spring Hill High School. Keaton supported the Panthers as a four-year member of the Spring Hill Varsity Cheer Team, competing at the UIL State Spirit Competition all four years. She was a four-year member of the Blue Brigade, where they were awarded Silver Medals at the Texas State Military Marching Band Contest in 2023 and 2024. She served two years on the Student Leadership Team and as a Clarinet Section Leader her senior year. This year, Keaton is the President of the Spring Hill High School Student Council and previously served as Vice President her junior year. Keaton is proud to have been elected as the Class President for the Class of 2025 all four years of high school. Keaton also serves in the National Honor Society, the Z-Club, and as Vice President of the Techbridge Connections club. She enjoyed being a member of the Yearbook and Newspaper Staff her freshman year. She also competed in multiple UIL Academic Events including Copy Editing, Extemporaneous Speaking and Accounting. Keaton represented Spring Hill High School for the Gregg County Historical Museum Student Board, Spring Hill State Bank Student Board, and the Texas Bank and Trust Student Board of Directors. Keaton was honored to be chosen by her classmates as a member of both the Homecoming Court and as a Miss Spring Hill nominee, as well as being selected as the Miss Spring Hill Contestant in the Miss Gregg County Pageant in 2023. Outside of school, Keaton has been a dance student for 15 years, and a member of the East Texas Dance Company "TNT" Competitive Dance Team for 10 years, where she also works as a Junior Teaching Assistant. After graduation, Keaton will attend the University of Texas at Austin where she has been accepted to the Biology Scholars Program in the College of Natural Sciences. She plans to pursue a Pre-Medical Certificate and a minor in Business, with the goal of attending medical school and becoming a pediatrician.
Congratulations, Bryce and Keaton!