Ariana Lowery and Loriz Panlaqui got a sneak peek Monday of the new gym at Manteca High.

They saw the spacious new state-of-the-arts facility coupled with an Olympic-sized pool and room for some spruced up landscaping to go along with the new ‘Manteca” sign.

It’s a place that will soon be available for future classes to enjoy.

Lowery and Panlaqui will be gone by then, having graduated and taking that next step towards chasing their dreams.

Last month, they were announced as the top academic students for the MHS Class of 2022. Lowery earned the honor of valedictorian while Panlaqui will share the spotlight as salutatorian.

Both had GPAs in the 4.4s.

“We gave them enough time to prepare (for graduation speeches, etc.) so that they won’t be too stressed out as that day approaches,” Principal Frank Gonzales said.

MHS graduation will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at familiar Guss Schmiedt Field.

Lowery and Panlaqui were both thrilled with the news of the return to a traditional commencement ceremony, for the first time in two years.

Ariana Lowery is the daughter of Nicole and Michael Lowery. She played softball for the Buffaloes during her four years, and also took part in volleyball and basketball during her first two years.

The highlight for her took place this past year.

“We finally beat East Union in softball,” said Lowery, who will be attending UC Irvine to study Criminology.

Her future plans include working as a criminal profiler.

Loriz Panlaqui is the daughter of Edel and Noemi Panlaqui. She attended elementary school in the Bay Area before moving over to MHS at the beginning of her freshman year.

Her plans include going to Modesto Junior College to study Chemistry. After that, she’s looking at going to UC Davis.

During her years at MHS, Panlaqui was involved in College Prep, National Honor Society and California Scholastic Federation.