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Three Mountain View students received top honors during the school’s winter graduation, earning recognition for citizenship, perseverance and academic excellence.

Teachers selected Ayush Tyagi for the Citizenship Award, which recognizes a student who contributes to a positive school community.

Tyagi completed a Global Citizenship project about India and its severe water problems while enrolled in Lora Bates’ English Language Development class. Bates said he earned A’s every quarter, maintained nearly perfect attendance and regularly helped others.

This year, Tyagi also began writing for the Mountain View Mirror, the school’s online newspaper, while helping support his family. Bates described him as a model Mountain View Timberwolf who is ready to succeed in college.

Julia Sheridan received the Personal Achievement Award, presented to a student who makes academic and personal progress while managing adult responsibilities or other challenges.

Sheridan was ill and unable to attend the ceremony, but special education teacher Molly Flatley expressed hope that she was watching online. Flatley praised Sheridan for refusing to be limited by an arbitrary timeline and for facing daily obstacles with quiet, steady courage.

Milton Mateo earned the Faculty Excellence Award, which honors the student who achieved the greatest academic and personal success despite significant barriers.

College and career specialist Jenelle Lee said Mateo impressed teachers with his optimism, resilience and community involvement. He maintained a 3.5 GPA while working nearly 40 hours a week throughout high school.

Mateo also earned strong grades, passed his Standards of Learning tests on his first attempt and participated in school activities. Faculty members recognized him as a thoughtful classmate and friend whose dedication remained clear as he learned English and balanced work with school.

He plans to study business administration at Northern Virginia Community College.