2026 May issue of InMaricopa Magazine

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT

CLASS OF 2026

PARKER ENRIQUEZ College attending: Northern Arizona University Scholarships: Pinal Promise Major: Hotel and restaurant management Five-year goal: To land my first job, complete my bachelor’s degree and decide whether I want to pursue a master’s degree. Extracurricular activities: FBLA,

BRIANA FLORES College attending: Central Arizona College Major: Nursing Five-year goal: To graduate from nursing school. Years a Maricopan: 12 Favorite high school memory: Making new friends and having the opportunity to attend Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology during high school.

SIENA GARLICK College attending: Northern Arizona University Scholarships: Lumberjack Scholarship Major: Psychology Five-year goal: To earn my bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in business. Extracurricular activities: Choir, pottery, poetry Hometown: Casa Grande Years a Maricopan: 10 Favorite high school memory: My first final exam day at MVA and the relief and excitement I felt when I found out I got all A’s in my classes.

MALAYZAH KENNEDY College attending: Avalon Cosmetology

VALERIA GONZALEZ RAMIREZ College attending: Central Arizona College Scholarships: Pinal Promise Major: Nursing Five-year goal: I hope to have completed my nursing program and be working as a nurse, helping others and continuing to grow in my career. Extracurricular activities: Arizona Biliteracy Seal; valedictorian, Class of 2026 at MVA Hometown: Zapotlanejo, Jalisco, Mexico Neighborhood: Homestead

EGAN WALLER College attending: Central Arizona College, hopes to transfer to Northern Arizona University

School, Central Arizona College Scholarships: Pinal Promise Major: Esthetician certification

Major: Biology, with interests in genetics, cellular research and developmental biology Five-year goal: To build my résumé and create stability for myself. Hometown: Gadsden, Ala. Neighborhood: Bellevue, Ariz. Years a Maricopan: 4 Favorite high school memory: I did not make many standout memories after transitioning to MVA, but I remember my freshman year at MHS fondly, especially Coach K’s biology class. I nearly flunked that year, but he made me realize how much I love the subject, and it became a driving factor in my future studies at MVA.

Five-year goal: To have a steady, well- paying job, buy my own car with money I earned myself, get my esthetician license and move out on my own. Extracurricular activities: CAVIT nail technology, cheerleading coach Hometown: Gallup, N.M. Neighborhood: Williams Acres Years a Maricopan: 8 Favorite high school memory: Meeting my best friend in art class. I did not expect our friendship, but I’m so glad it happened because now I have the best and funniest best friend ever.

Math Olympiad; plans to join FBWA and NAU’s math club Years a Maricopan: 15

Favorite high school memory: Going to a state math competition and all the time I got to spend with friends.

InMaricopa.com | May 2026

May 2026 | InMaricopa.com