Class of 2026 Graduates
By John Earp
Last Friday evening in the Jal High School Auditorium before an audience of at least two hundred, each graduate of the JHS Class of 2026 walked across the stage and received their diplomas. Following the processional, Aaron Faulkner, Youth Pastor for the Jal Church of God, gave the invocation. Buddy Little, Principal of Jal High School, welcomed everyone to the ceremony, and had the graduates honor their parents. Valedictorian Camila Baeza, gave the Honors Address, sweetly getting choked up more than once during her speech. Coach Bubba Ross had been asked by the class to give the Graduation Address, during which he reminisced about his own high school graduation, encouraging the graduates to cherish their experiences, especially with family and friends. Principal Little then gave the Presentation of the Class, with Superintendent Brian Snider giving the Acceptance of the Candidates. The Presentation of Diplomas was given by the Board of Education, with President Jim Gooss calling the names while the candidates received their diplomas from the superintendent. Board Members present included Mr. Jim Gooss, Mrs. Jaime Earp, Mr. Randy Chavez, Mr. Rene Cervantes, and Mrs. Amy Crawford. The Benediction was given by Aaron Faulkner.
The Class of 2026 Student Council was made up of President Janice Ramirez, Vice President David Gaytan, Secretary Camila Baeza, and Treasurer Johnna Butts. Graduating with Highest Honors were: Camila Baeza, Marina Hernandez, Ebany Aguilar, Yocelin Avila, Cadi Richard, Jaden Mendoza, Mirando Olivo, Ace Moreno, Oliver Rocha, Sadi Richard, and Janice Ramirez. Graduating with High Honors were Ayden Parker, Johnna Butts, Mariana Rios Palacio, Amyrra Stone, Johnathan Lance, Jessica Rodriguez, Jenicka Amaro, Savannah-Sheree Moore, Daniel Ornelas-Rocha, Davian Navarette, David Gaytan, Xekius Ramos, Zadyn Lujan, Hector Barrera, and Dilan Loera Bustillos. Ushers were Yahaira Amaro, Eyan Faulkner, Renata Rangel, Angel Contreras, Ruby Gallegos, and Yaneli Sauceda.
National Honor Society Senior Officers were President Sadi Richard, Vice President Camila Baeza, Secretary Cadi Richard, and Treasurer Yocelin Avila. National Honor Society Senior Class Members were: Ebany Aguilar, David Gaytan, Ayden Parker, Oliver Rocha, Yocelin Avila, Jaden Mendoza, Janice Ramirez, Jessica Rodriguez, Camila Baeza, Ace Moreno, Cadi Richard, Johnna Butts, Miranda Olivo, and Sadi Richard.
The rest of the JHS Class of ’26 included: Daniel Andres Gamez Estebane, Steven Santos Lopez Cervantez, Zadyn Xavier Lujan, Absan Emmanuel Maldonado, Maria Guadalupe Martinez Chaparro, Patience Lucyanna Moreno, Chassidy London Nichole Munoz, Edwin Santiago Munoz, Francisco Ramos, Nayeli Abigail Rivera, and Abraham Vazquez.