Meet Connor Mize Dilgren

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By Joan Frances –

Clements High School (CHS) in Fort Bend Independent School District places high expectations on teachers and students in an effort to achieve a standard of excellence in academics and extracurricular activities. Seniors graduate with scholarship offers and are ready to take the next step in their future. One graduated senior at the top of his class who is a recognized leader, athlete and active in his community is Connor Dilgren.

Out of 609 seniors, Connor ranked in the top 6.5 percent at number 40. He served as student activity chairman of the National Honor Society. As a freshman, sophomore and junior, he was treasurer of the Latin Club, and his senior year, he was president. As a sophomore and junior, Connor received the Cum Laude Award at the Junior Classical League Latin Competition and first place in Latin Reading Comprehension as a junior. He was president of the Junior Parliamentary Procedure Competition Team as a freshmen, and the team won third place in their District Competition. Connor was also given the Academic Excellence Award every year of his high school career.

“Being a leader is fulfilling, because I know that I am contributing positively in other people’s lives,” said Connor. “I try to be a leader by example everywhere I go. I realize that my actions have an impact on how other people behave, so I always try to be the best role model I can be.”

Connor has been an active member of the basketball team all four years of high school, and he assisted his coach at Planet Hoops Basketball School. “I found working with Coach Calvin Murphy Jr. and his team to be a very inspirational and fulfilling experience. When I look at the kids in the program, I realize that my actions and behaviors can have an impact on them. By setting an example, I pass down some intangibles to the younger players. When they see me being respectful to the coaches, they are also respectful.”

As a junior and senior, Connor was awarded the CHS Basketball Highest GPA award. He was also a member of the Cross Country and Track teams. He earned the Academic All-District Award in Cross Country as a junior, and his team that year achieved first place at the Varsity District Championship for Cross Country.

One value Connor lives by is optimism. “I always try to be an optimist. I get extremely busy sometimes trying to balance school and sports and my social life, which can easily become stressful. Being an optimist helps me to maintain a clear mind and work more efficiently.” Connor is an Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America and is an elected Order of the Arrow member. He also participates in fundraising and mission trips.

Connor said of his high school experience, “I will always smile when I think about the Cuties Competition. It’s basically a comedic talent show that features 32 senior guys, and the audience gets to vote to choose the 12 winners who each get a month on a calendar. I was fortunate enough to be one of the 12 winners. I had tons of fun practicing the dances with my friends and messing up horribly and hilariously onstage.”

This fall, Connor will attend the University of Texas at Austin and will major in Mechanical Engineering in the Honors Engineering program. Congratulations on your ambition and success Connor, and good luck as you accomplish your goals in life.