HERITAGE ACADEMY
SENIOR SPOTLIGHTS
CLASS OF 2026
KEENAN HIGGINS College attending: Grand Canyon University Major: Legal studies
TALYSSA HOFFMAN College attending: Brigham Young University-Idaho Scholarships: Academic and Returning Missionary scholarships Major: Biomedical sciences, pre- occupational therapy Five-year goal: To go on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for a year and a half, earn my bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences and be accepted into a graduate program for occupational therapy. Extracurricular activities: Drama productions, art events, orchestra concerts, NJHS, NHS, state cornhole team Hometown: Maricopa Neighborhood: Desert Cedars Years a Maricopan: 18 Favorite high school memory: Senior sunrise. I got to enjoy the beautiful sunrise with my best friends as we started our senior year together.
REGAN LESLIE College attending: Northern Arizona University Honors College Scholarships: Lumberjack merit scholarship Major: Biomedical sciences, with human disabilities minor Five-year goal: I hope to be studying in a graduate research program or a doctoral physical therapy program, working further toward my dream of helping people with disabilities regain their freedom and independence through medicine or mobility therapy advancements. Extracurricular activities: Swing dance, symphonic band (flute and piccolo), Scholar Council senior class president, National Honor Society, volunteering Hometown: Maricopa Neighborhood: The Lakes at Rancho El Dorado Years a Maricopan: 17 Favorite high school memory: After performing Pomp and Circumstance at last year’s graduation, my friend and I sat outside waiting for our other friends, laughing and having a good time before going to Culver’s to celebrate finishing our last graduation performance and our last year before becoming seniors.
Five-year goal: To receive my bachelor’s in legal studies, pass the bar and become an attorney to help people. Extracurricular activities: Basketball, assistant coach
Hometown: Maricopa Years a Maricopan: 18
GAVIN CARR College attending: Arizona State University Scholarships: Arizona State University’s New American University President’s Scholarship Major: Biochemistry, medicinal chemistry Five-year goal: I plan to be in my third year of pharmacy school and almost a doctor of pharmacy, ready to develop cures for diseases. Extracurricular activities: Gaming; graphic, abstract and textile arts; STEM projects; baking; swimming; riding my bike Hometown: Maricopa Neighborhood: The Villages at Rancho El Dorado Years a Maricopan: 17 Favorite high school memory: The day I received the news that I made valedictorian, because it meant all my hard work and dedication had paid off.
NASHTON FORD College attending: Southern Virginia University Major: Business Five-year goal: I hope to be married with a master’s degree in business. It is possible I will go to the NFL draft, but I plan on being an accountant. Extracurricular activities: Football, trap and skeet Neighborhood: Glennwilde Years a Maricopan: 15 Favorite high school memory: Senior homecoming. It was me and a few of my friends in the center of it all. No crazy venue or DJ or anything, but I made it the best I could. It was like everything else in life: You get out what you put into it.
TAYLOR GIRARD College attending: Arizona State University Scholarships: ASU Presidential Scholarship Major: Biomedical sciences Five-year goal: I hope to be in an accelerated medical school program. My goal is to become a dermatologist before age 30. Extracurricular activities: Student Council president, National Honor Society president,
Favorite high school memory: Winning my first junior high game as an assistant coach and having great conversations with Coach Hill and Coach Demone, who inspired me to coach.
International Thespian Society vice president, Heritage Dance, theater
Hometown: Maricopa Neighborhood: Tortosa Years a Maricopan: 18
Favorite high school memory: Meeting so many beautiful people. I found amazing friends and acquaintances who supported me throughout these four years. Though it is a privilege to befriend such great people, they make leaving high school so hard.
InMaricopa.com | June 2026
June 2026 | InMaricopa.com
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