Boosters honor 19 valedictorians at dinner

On the morning of May 19, students were called to the principal’s office at Mariposa County High School.

Many of them didn’t know why and some were worried. “Are we in trouble?” Wondered one student.

These 19 students received the news from Principal Celeste Azevedo that they were the Valedictorians of the Mariposa County High School Class of 2026.

The students earned the title of Valedictorian by taking the most rigorous course work that MCHS offered throughout their high school years.

Their course load included four years of math, four years of science and three being lab sciences, three years of the same foreign language, four years of English including CCAP college dual credit coursework and all Honors and AP classes available to them.

They have earned a “B” or higher in all classes and maintained a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher.

During the MCHS Valedictorian Dinner at Frederick’s of Savourys, Azevedo welcomed the Valedictorians and their guests and mentors.

Laura Lyn Hays served as the Master of Ceremonies, Alina Wichman, MCHS Valedictorian from the class of 2011 and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo alum was the featured guest speaker.

Each valedictorian and their mentors spoke at the event. The dinner, sponsored by MCHS ABC, honors the students and rewards them for their outstanding achievement.

The 19 MCHS Valedictorians each spoke during the Valedictorian dinner.

Aiden Beutel-DePrano

“After I graduate I plan on going to a four year university. I am going to UC Santa Cruz to major in environmental service. I’ve always loved nature and the environments around me and taking environmental science last school year really reinforced that love and encouraged me to continue and further my education on the environment. Some ways that MCHS has helped prepare me for my future was being able to take that environmental science class and multiple other rigorous courses that will help prepare me for college and the difficult courses that I will be taking throughout college. I am so grateful to have gotten the chance to grow up in this environment surrounded by so much nature and beauty that has inspired me and my love of nature and the environment.” Beutel-DePrano named Reese Evans as his mentor.

Demi Camorlinga

“I will be attending a four year university. This fall I will be attending UC Merced to major in Environmental Science. Living in Mariposa has deepened my passion for nature, and conserving it. I hope to one day work in National Parks, and am excited to widen my knowledge in college. This summer I will also be going on a two week backpacking trip in Yosemite, through the Armstrong Scholars program. I am grateful for the amazing opportunities that are offered here that have helped shape what I want to do in the future.” Camorlinga’s mentor is Irma Camorlinga.

Kailani Carrier

“I’ll be attending Saint John’s College in Santa Fe, NM. There, I’ll be studying with a great books program, learning through the first thinkers of our time such as Aristotle, Plato, and Socrates. It’s recognized by most educational authorities as a triple major of literature, philosophy and the natural sciences!.As excited as I am to move forward, I will also miss Mariposa, where I found amazing people who taught me many things that will continue to shape my life. I hope to see where everyone’s path takes them! I’m not sure where I’m going quite yet, but I look forward to exploring the world and what it can offer me.” Carrier named Amanda Moczgegumba as her mentor.

Kelsea Coder

“This fall, I will attend Swarthmore College and double-major in art and natural science, either physics or environmental studies. I’m interested in the intersection of STEM and the humanities and hope to explore this further in university. I’m excited to explore Pennsylvania and soak in the liberal arts college environment, studying different subjects and engaging in informative discussions. After university, I plan to go to graduate school and get my master’s in art and potentially become a professor. Coder’s mentor is Madeline Coder.

Xavier Dacanay

“After graduation, I will be attending a four-year university. This fall I will be going to UCLA, pursuing a degree in Music Industry. I have always been interested in music as a whole, whether it’s through performing, teaching drum students, creating original music, or organizing music events. I’ve been able to be a part of my band JNX, with my brother and my dad, for 11 years now, and I’ve been able to perform over 100 shows creating countless memories. I can’t wait to create many more memories at UCLA.” Dacanay named Jonah Dacanay as his mentor.

Clementine DiMorente

“I will be attending UC Santa Cruz in the fall to study fine art, focusing specifically on the major in studio art. I have always been interested in the arts, whether it be visual arts or music. I watched my heavily artistic family fulfill what they do with great passion and I knew that this is what I wanted to pursue. Throughout high school, I have been able to further these interests by taking classes such as art, music production and by being involved in MCHS’s drama program. I am grateful to have been cast as Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” this year and I plan to continue participating in theatre throughout college. Because of the supportive community that I’ve found in Mariposa and our closeness to Yosemite, I have gained much artistic inspiration, as I am driven to paint the places I see and branch out by writing new songs with my peers. I am excited to expand my abilities in this next chapter and cannot wait to see what comes next.” DiMorente named Ani Drozen as her mentor.

Darragh Duffy

“This fall I will be attending a four-year university to study mechanical engineering. I have always loved the concept of engineering and learning how all our systems work. I specifically shove mechanical engineering because of my passion for cars and the excitement working on them brings me. My time in Mariposa has taught me a lot about who I am, my cherishment of nature living near Yosemite as well as life in a small town. Though I might miss Mariposa and its views, I am excited to move forward and look toward the future.” Duffy named John Duffy as her mentor.

Marley Gediman

“I will be attending a four year university in Southern California. I am currently committed to Cal State San Marcos but I am still waiting on some waitlist decisions to come out. It has been a privilege to have grown up in such a beautiful place. Mariposa has taught me how much I value community and how much who you surround yourself with matters. I am so grateful for all my experiences here and for everyone who has supported and helped me get to this point in my life. I am excited to see what my future holds.” Gediman’s mentor is Bob Jaekle.

Astrid Golden

“After graduation, I plan to attend a four-year university to major in psychology. This fall I will be going to the University of California, Santa Barbara. I aim to pursue my dream of helping children in the psychological field. I have always wanted to work with children, whether through teaching, nursing or now counseling. Mariposa County High School has helped prepare me for this journey by supporting me academically and emotionally. Growing up in such a tight-knit community has taught me the importance of human connections and how interactions can impact others. This compassion will lead me through my journey in earning a four-year degree in psychology with a focus on child development.” Golden named Brooke Dobson as her mentor.

Mia Hansen

“After graduation I will attend Cuesta College before transferring to a four-year university to pursue a degree in Agricultural Business. My passion for agriculture began through 4-H and FFA, where I learned the values of hard work, responsibility and dedication. Through numerous FFA classes and ten years of showing sheep, I have gained valuable experiences that strengthened my love for the agricultural industry and inspired me to build a future in this field. I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family, mentors, and friends and I am excited to begin this next chapter and explore the opportunities ahead.” Hansen named Emily Koen as her mentor.

Sage Hawley

“I am excited to continue my education at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where I will major in political science. I hope to further that degree in the future and become a lawyer. My time at Mariposa County High School has helped prepare me for this next chapter in many ways, especially through my involvement in FFA. Participating in FFA speaking contests strengthened my confidence, communication skills and ability to speak in front of others, all of which will benefit me as I pursue a future in political science.”

Hawley’s mentor is Maggie Swanson.

Celina Heard

“I will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study Experience and Event Management. During High School I was actively involved in athletics, FFA and always embraced the Grizzly Spirit. I was the quarterback for the First Flag Football team at MCHS for three years, as well as played basketball for four years. These experiences have shaped me as a person and have influenced me to want to become a high school PE teacher and coach back at MCHS.” Heard named Kerry Whitfield as her mentor.

Wilde Ketron

“I plan to attend UC Santa Barbara this coming fall. I am currently committed to economics, though I requested a change to engineering, which I hope to be accepted into. Either way, I am excited to pursue success in beautiful Santa Barbara. Mariposa County High School has done more for me than I can explain. Through four years of basketball and three years of football, I have grown into the person I am today at this school. The amazing culture and people here have set me on a path that I couldn’t be more thankful for. The character and values that I have gotten from going to school in Mariposa are indispensable and I don’t believe there are many places that can offer the same.” Ketron’s mentor is Trace DeSandres.

Tania Giselle Marquez

“I will be attending a four-year University. I’ve always had a passion for science and serving which is why I’m planning on majoring in biomedical sciences and forming an initiative on postoperative cognitive impairment with anesthesia. Within my undergraduate years I will be working in case management as a community health worker to gain experience in patient care and serve distinctive patients. Mariposa County High School’s medical classes have sparked my interest into going further with medicine and most of all my desire for serving underserved communities like mine.” Marquez named Dana Tafoya as her mentor.

Tamzen McCollom

“I will be going to Hope College in Holland Michigan for Environmental Science or Biology. I have been a part of MCHS women’s soccer for all four years, and have been a member of the French Club for three. Throughout my three years at Mariposa County High School, I have enjoyed being French Club’s president and vice president, as well as watching the soccer team change and grow throughout the years. Living in Mariposa has allowed me to be surrounded by nature at every turn, which has played a part in my decision to pursue a career in science. I hope to work to protect nature and the environment in the future, either as a climate research scientist or a conservation biologist. I am thankful for the opportunities that MCHS has afforded me, and I am excited to continue into the next chapter of my life in college, as well as explore a new part of the United States.” McCollom’s mentor is Jennifer McCollom.

Paige Peters

“I will be attending the University of Utah to study Biology with a focus towards the medical field. After finishing my undergraduate degree I will most likely be going to graduate school to become either a doctor or a nurse. Mariposa County High School has prepared me for college because of the many dual enrollment classes they offer. These classes have given me an idea of what my future college professors will expect of me. I am very excited to begin the next chapter of my life in a new place.” Peters named Chris Allen as her mentor.

Emily Ramsey

“After Graduation, I will be attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to study Animal Science. I plan to focus on large species and explore areas of management, nutrition and reproduction. My goal in my future career is to preserve tradition while still striving to make a positive change toward more profitable, ethical and sustainable habits in the agriculture industry. In high school, the Mariposa FFA competitive teams and market lamb projects have most prepared me for my future in the animal industry by giving me industry, public speaking and leadership skills. I owe the majority of my success to the people at Yosemite Dance Company. I have grown not only my skill in the sport but also a community and family that has supported me through all of my different endeavours. I am excited for the next chapter in my life and am grateful for all of my supporters over the years.” Ramsey’s mentor is Jessica Hansard.

Hailey Watson

“In the fall I am going to be attending a four-year university. As of right now I am committed to the University of Utah but I am planning on studying abroad in Ireland. I am going to be studying biology for my undergraduate and then planning on going into vet school. I have been passionate about caring for animals and through high school I have shown market lambs and meat rabbits at the local fair for the past seven years, four being with Mariposa FFA. These experiences have enhanced my knowledge and love for caring for animals and I am excited to be able to pursue this career, and start my future.” Watson named Buz Arnold as her mentor.

Isabel Whited

“This upcoming fall I will be attending Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo majoring in Animal Science and will be pursuing the pre-veterinary track. Since I was little I have always wanted to have a future revolving around animals, I have always enjoyed spending my time specifically with horses and small animals. While in high school I continued to dive deeper into animals by going to the Veterinary Science team, Animal Science class, and developed a lamb SAE project for the past five years. Being a student at MCHS I have been able to have many opportunities through FFA and dual enrollment courses. I am grateful for my high school experience, growing up with a supportive community, driven friends and the opportunities I have found to pursue my future career.” Whited’s mentor is Michelle Wise.

MCHS ABC Boosters gives thanks to those who helped make this event happen including Frederick’s of Savourys for the continued partnership for the Valedictorian dinner, Caroline McGrath for donating the cake and Sierra Sisters Designs for the programs.

MCHS Academic Boosters Club, Inc. (ABC) is a 501(c)3 organization with the mission of supplementing and enriching academic experiences and providing educational tools for Mariposa County High School students.

For more information or to make a donations to MCHS ABC go to: Instagram:@mchs_ abc, Facebook: www.facebook.com/MCHSABC or email: abcmchs@gmail.com