Tristan McCarthy’s dream is coming true.

The 2026 Oakdale High School graduate was not only named his class Valedictorian, but was also selected as the Class of 2026 Leo Volz scholarship recipient. The award totals $100,000 to be used toward tuition and books at the college of his choosing.

“It means everything to me,” Tristan said of being awarded the scholarship. “That money means so much to my family.”

According to the graduate, the middle child of three, with both parents with careers as educators, he initially planned to go to Modesto Junior College.

“We’re middle class, so I wouldn’t get the grants or have enough money to go,” he said of initially attending a four-year college, but knew the Volz scholarship could change that for him. “So I felt this was my best option to get to go to college. It also validates all the things that I’ve done up to this point.”

In elementary school, Tristan struggled with a speech disability and would work each night at home with his father, who works as a Special Education teacher.

First learning of the Volz scholarship his freshman year during his sister’s scholarship night, he became intrigued and questioned what it would take to be a recipient.

Both encouraged and motivated, Tristan began taking Advanced Placement classes when he arrived at Oakdale High School.

“I got better over time,” he said of joining the AP circle a little later than his friends. “I started the accelerated course in high school instead of junior high. When I sat down in the room I thought everyone in this room is better than me, but I’m going to catch up. I’m going to work hard. I have the ability to work harder than anyone else in the room and that’s what I did.”

And though it was difficult at first, that also changed over time.

“It was hard, but then it got fun,” he shared. “I like learning. I like history. I like being in a little bit of competitive environment, but also being in a large friend group of people who support each other.”

Tristan also said he wanted to be in a learning environment of people who cared about school and not just being there because they have to.

“Then it became I want to do the best that I can do, no matter what. That became my mission,” he said.

At the time, he was ranked at 183rd in the class. Junior year he learned he was eighth in the class, noting that made him feel he had potential and he could reach his goal.

After the lengthy selection process, as well as the interview, Tristan would learn his effort and dedication would indeed pay off.

He now plans to attend University of California, Irvine in the fall. An opportunity he describes as a dream come true.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “I really wanted to be somewhere where it’s sunny and warm. I love UC Irvine.”

He plans to major in Political Science, then attend law school with the goal of becoming a judge for Constitutional Law.

“I like the fact of giving a person a voice. When they go into a courtroom, they have their own story to tell, but they don’t have the voice to be able to do that,” he said of becoming a judge. “I feel like sometimes the justice system kind of mucks up a person’s voice and their right, but a judge is there to make sure everyone gets their voice heard, no matter what.”

Looking ahead, the Volz winner is excited to attend UC Irvine with many of his friends. Describing the scholarship as life changing, he was fully prepared for two years at MJC. A plan which he noted “wasn’t horrible,” but knowing he wouldn’t be as happy.

Upon completing his interview for the Volz selection process, Tristan shared he began second guessing about how well he did. Realizing he couldn’t do anything about it, he instead gave himself a post interview pep talk.

“The sun is still shining; I will still go to JC. I will be fine,” he said of his post interview thoughts.

Except he won.

Of the many things Tristan credits for his success, he acknowledges his parents Kim and Sean McCarthy, sharing that while they are both educators, he was never pressured to get good grades but was always encouraged to do his best.

“They want you to do the best that you can do and I think that base is what every kid needs,” he said of his parents. “That’s why I’m right here, because of my base.”

He also said the four-year scholarship is something that will help him breathe a little easier.

“I’m doing this for my family, because they’ve given me so much and I didn’t want to be a burden,” Tristan said.