GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas – Finishing first never crossed Stanley Philip’s mind.
“Favorite subject? I have two,” Philip said. “It’s english and science.”
Despite math being his least favorite class, he still maintains an A in it, as well.
On Saturday, Philip will graduate as the valedictorian from Grand Prairie’s Dubiski Career High School. It is certainly an accomplishment for any student. But in Philip’s family, it is not unprecedented.
“I graduated in 2012 from South Grand Prairie High School and I think I had a 4.754 (GPA),” said Stacy Philip, 22, Stanley’s older sister.
“I think my GPA was a 4.45,” added Steven, 21, Stanley’s older brother, who graduated in 2015 from Dubiksi.
Both of Stanley’s siblings graduated as valedictorians in Grand Prairie, as well.
“My parents told me, don’t ever settle for anything less than the best. That kind of pushed me. Then my sister got it, and I was like ‘That’s so crazy.’ Then my brother got it and I was like ‘That’s even crazier,’” Stanley explained.
Steven even called out Stanley in his 2015 commencement address three years ago.
“To my little brother Stanley,” Steven said. “There are now two valedictorians in the family now little bro. It’s time for you to step your game up. No pressure.”
“And me, sitting in the audience was thinking like ‘Oh no,’” said Stanley.
He transferred into Dubiski his sophomore year as the 17th in his class. “I feel like internally I was self-motivated. Externally I had my parents motivating me. My siblings were telling me that I could do it,” he recalled.
This year, when he discovered he was valedictorian, Stanley called his parents to tell them first.
“The first time I called them, and I told them whenever I found out, my mom was just crying on the phone. She was just so happy and so excited,” Stanley said.
All three children credit their success to their parents' sacrifice.
“My parents came from India. They came with nothing. They kind of still don’t know the language. They have broken English. But to be able to raise three valedictorians, I think, it shows how much dedication and prayer and hard work – how far that can get you in life,” Stanley said.
“They always instilled the value of education. They always said no matter what, anyone can take your money, they can take the clothes on your back, but the one thing they can’t take is your education,” he continued.
Stanley said despite studies, he still kept a social life.
“Some people think you can’t juggle academics and social life,” he explained. “But I believe if you have a timetable, you can do anything. I have time for social media, I have time for church, I have time for sports, and I also have time for school.”
His only secret was avoiding procrastination with homework. “Now I want to pursue a career in the dental field,” Stanley added.
He got accepted to the University of Texas at San Antonio where he plans to major in biology.