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MARICOPA VIRTUAL ACADEMY
GRADUATION CLASS OF 2026
Presented by
Class of 2026 • MVA
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CONGRATS, CLASS OF 2026 Your next chapter starts anywhere.
CLASS OF 2026
Your roots stay here.
Administration
Marcus Mitchell, Principal
Chuck Cloud, TOSA
Marjorie Weaver, Administrative Assistant
Melissa Alvarado, Registrar
Angelique Urrea Rodriguez, Attendance
Mission By providing a rigorous, relevant, cutting-edge,
technology-based education the Maricopa Virtual Academy prepares students for college, careers, and to be life-long learners by engaging one student at a time.
Governing Board
Patti Coutré, President
Carolyn Lopez, Vice President
Ben Owen, Member
Shawnté Rothschild, Member
Lisa Garcia, Member
Superintendent
Dr. Tracey Lopeman
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Congratulations Class of From all of us at Electrical District No. 3, we are proud to celebrate your hard work and achievements. As you step into your next chapter, remember you have the power to create something amazing. The future is yours to light up. 2026
Congratulations, Class of 2026!
You did not arrive at this moment by chance, but through effort, persistence, and resolve. You showed up, did the work, and pushed through the days that asked more of you than you thought you had. You are ready. Whether you were a state champion or the quiet kid with a dream and a plan, you found your way. Take the next step, again and again, and one day you will look back and realize you have gone further than you ever imagined.
CLASS OF 2026
Because you are prepared, take your time. Build new friendships and hold on to the ones who have brought you this far. Seek joy and fulfillment. Apply what you have learned, and allow yourself to grow through the experiences and celebrate the journey. I am so proud of you. Truly. And I cannot wait to see where you go next. Onward!
Dr. Tracey Lopeman Superintendent, Maricopa Unified School District
COMMENCEMENT MONDAY MAY 18 2 PM LOCATION: Maricopa High School Performing Arts Center 8TH GRADE COMMENCEMENT
Processional .....................................2026 Graduating Class ...............................................................& Faculty ...............................................................“Pomp & Circumstance” Opening Remarks ............................Mrs. Sharma Pledge of Allegiance ......................Evans Pigeon National Anthem .............................“Star Spangled Banner” Welcome .............................................Ms. Delgado Introduction of Student Speaker .............................Ms. Delgado TOSA Address ...................................Mr. Cloud Introduction of 2026 Promotees ..............................Ms. Delgado Presentation of Certificates .......MUSD Governing Board ...............................................................& Administration Recessional ......................................2026 Promoting Class
At ED3, we’re proud to support local grads through scholarships and give back to the community that powers us.
520-424-9021 www.ed3online.org
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8TH GRADE GRADUATES
Congratulations Class of
CLASS OF 2026
COMMENCEMENT MONDAY MAY 18 2 PM LOCATION: Maricopa High School Performing Arts Center
8TH GRADE TEACHERS
Congratulations Graduates Aiden Alacoski Jackson Armstrong Alize Barrera Evan Beeson Elijah Boddy Aeron Campbell Abel Canez Lilyanne Cantu Michael Castillo Lonye’ Dismuke Jacob Doucette AlaniRae Ermitano Marcellus Frost Joshua Gagner Linda Gagner Jeydaniss Garcia Sainz Hailey Gillson Tristan Godinez Leia Hayduk Harley Hunter Alyce Hopkins T’niyah Leon Analia Lopez Caballero Jayden Miedema Xadrian Miguel Autumn Moll Eric Olivo Kithzia Olvera Rodriguez
Ms. Brittany Austin ESS teacher
Dr. Jenifer L. Duffin English teacher
Today marks more than just the end of middle school…it’s the beginning of discovering who you are and who you want to become. You’ve grown, learned, and overcome challenges, and now you’re ready for what’s next. Don’t be afraid to try new things, make mistakes, and keep going. High school is your chance to build confidence, chase your interests, and shape your future…one step at a time. “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” - HENRY DAVID THOREAU
As you move into the final stage of your public education, please remember these few things: High school requires more independence - do not procrastinate on assignments; If you struggle, ask for help early rather than waiting until grades drop; Be smart about your online presence, as social media can create unnecessary drama; and Take responsibility for your own schedule and schoolwork, rather than relying on parents. As Robert Frost wrote in The Road Not Taken, “I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference”, which means accept responsibility for shaping your own future through your personal choices.
Ms. Maria Delgado Math teacher
Mrs. Lisha Vila Social Studies teacher
To our 8th graders — this is your moment. You’ve grown, overcame challenges, and proven ready for the next level. High school is waiting for you. It’s a fresh start filled with opportunities. Take chances, get involved, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Turn your high school years unforgettable…make memories that bring a smile every time they cross your mind.
Eighth graders, as you begin this new chapter, remember the words of Dennis Gabor: “We cannot predict the future, but we can invent it.” High school is your opportunity to take calculated risks and learn from both your successes and your mistakes. The choices you make over the next four years will help shape your future dreams and goals. Congratulations on your accomplishment, and best of luck on your high school journey!
Melanie Ortiz Nazaria Pena Jaxzen Peterson
Evans Pigon Andrew Platt Lola Jade Robinson Adrian Ruiz Shaniya Sands Marwentz Thelemaque Benjamin Vance Leah Vonderheide Norissiyah Yarberry Xavier Yates
Mrs. Shalini Sharma Science teacher
Congratulations on successfully completing 8th grade! It has been wonderful to see your growth, effort, and achievements throughout the year. As you move on to the next grade, continue to stay motivated, curious, and confident in your abilities. Take on new challenges with a positive mindset and keep striving to do your best. Wishing you all success and happiness in the year ahead!
19060 N. John Wayne Parkway (520) 534-0700 www.ehc24.com
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GRADUATING SENIORS
SENIOR COMMENCEMENT
CLASS OF 2026
COMMENCEMENT MONDAY MAY 18 6 PM LOCATION: Maricopa High School Performing Arts Center
Noah Abel
Beyancka Adkins
Abel Aguilla
David Allen
Anthony Arechiga
Eris Armstrong
Isaac Arvizu
Arianna Backer
Processional ...........................................................................2026 Graduating Class & Faculty “Pomp & Circumstance” National Anthem . .................................................................. “Star Spangled Banner” Welcome ...................................................................................Dr. Jenifer Duffin Introduction of Valedictorian ...........................................Dr. Jenifer Duffin Salutatorian Address ..........................................................Siena Garlick Valedictorian Address .........................................................Valeria Gonzalez Ramirez Superintendent Address ....................................................Dr. Tracey Lopeman Principal Address .................................................................Principal Marcus Mitchell Introduction of 2026 Graduates ......................................Mrs. Lisha Vila Presentation of Diplomas ..................................................MUSD Governing Board & Administration Proclamation of Graduates ...............................................Principal Marcus Mitchell Turning of the Tassel ...........................................................Principal Marcus Mitchell Recessional ............................................................................Please remain seated
Noah Barragan
Rydia Beatty
Jeremiah Bennett
Lacey Borgstrom Lyndsey Borgstrom
Tyrin Boyd
Brandon Brewer
Lucia Brewer
Illeana Castro
Izabella Chavez
Genevieve Clark
Noah Clements
Destiny Collins
Akira Cuberly
Dellynsia Davis
Derrescio Davis
Jaylen Gray
Javion Dixon
Damien Dunn
Parker Enriquez
Rosemarie Espinosa
Briana Flores
Siena Garlick
Valeria Gonzalez Ramirez
Geffory Haley
Regina Haro
Brylee Horner
Malayzah Kennedy Elizabeth Kirumira Traeson Levandowski
Weston Machovsky
Dayanara Jaquez Flores
Camron Mack
Rachel Mancillas
Colin Maze
Antonio McGuire
Tyara Moore
Alexia Olivas
Richard Ortiz
Kaiden Phelan
Savannah Reel
Layla Saul
Dakota Schnoor
Colson Schrader
Devan Scott
Alexxus Sefo-Taumua
Kayden Sim
Kao Smith
Graduates not pictured Travis Johnson
Siena Garlick
Rosemary Espanoza
Valeria Gonzalez Ramirez
Akira Cuberly
Beyancka Adkins
Shaylyn Streeter
Taylor Streeter
Marlene Tejeda Corona Jeremiah Tisdale
Brooke Turner
Egan Waller
MVA • Class of 2026
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SENIOR TEACHERS
CLASS OF 2026
Ms. Maria Delgado Math teacher
Seniors — this is the beginning of the rest of your life. Your hard work and dedication have led you to this moment. Embrace every opportunity that comes your way, even the ones that challenge you. Remember that in the end, we only regret chances we didn’t take. Trust in the strength and resilience you’ve built along the journey. You are more ready for the world than you think.
Ms. Brittany Austin ESS teacher
As you step into the next chapter, remember that your thoughts shape your reality. Define clearly what you want, believe in it deeply, and pursue it with persistence. Success isn’t accidental; it’s the result of purpose, discipline, and unwavering faith in yourself. The limits you face will often be the ones you accept, so choose boldly and think beyond them. “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” - NAPOLEON HILL
Mrs. Shalini Sharma Science teacher
Today marks the end of one journey and the beginning of another. Watching you grow, learn, and achieve over the years has been truly inspiring. This moment marks not just the end of your hard work but a chance for new possibilities. You have gained knowledge, developed skills, and had important experiences that will guide you in the future. As you move on, take with you the values, knowledge, and memories you created here. Believe in yourself and have the courage to chase your dreams. You will always be remembered with pride. Congratulations on your achievements, and I wish you a future full of success and happiness!
Dr. Jenifer L. Duffin English teacher
This is it, you have completed one of the most important events in your life, graduating from high school. Thinking about the last thirteen years and where it has taken you is only the beginning of the next several decades of where you will go. Some of my favorite quotes come from J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Gandalf states, “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” So make your decisions wisely. Samwise Gamgee says, “It’s the job that’s never started that takes longest to finish.” So go for it, you never know where it will take you. And lastly, Gildor Inglorion says, “The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot forever fence it out.” Enjoy your world; this is your time to shine and see what is out there.
Your Journey Starts NOW!
Mrs. Lisha Vila Social Studies teacher
Congratulations, seniors, on your monumental accomplishment. As you begin your new journey into adulthood, remember the words of Theodore Roosevelt: “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” You are your biggest champion, so always bet on yourself. Even when life gets tough, continue striving toward your goals, create the future you want for yourself, and always keep dreaming big. Congratulations again, and best wishes on this exciting new journey ahead!
FIND YOUR PATH AT CENTRALAZ.EDU
MVA • Class of 2026
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VALEDICTORIAN VALERIA GONZALEZ RAMIREZ
CLASS OF 2026
again no matter how hard it gets. It is believing in yourself even when no one else does. But to get here today, no one did it alone. Every step and every achievement was possible because of the people who walked beside us and guided us. So before I finish, I want to take a moment to thank those who made this day possible. Thank you to all our families here today and those supporting us from far away. Thank you for the sacrifices you make every day, for the sleepless nights, the advice, the love, and the patience you give us. Thank you for believing in us even when we doubted ourselves. Thank you for every push you gave us, these diplomas are not only ours; they reflect all the love and support you gave us. You gave us wings to fly. Thank you to our teachers, for teaching us even when we made it difficult, for teaching us to think, to dream, and to believe we can achieve great things. Thank you for your guidance and for never giving up on us. Thank you to our friends and classmates, for making the good moments better, for making the hard moments easier, and for walking with us through this stage of our lives. Thank you to each one of us for having the resilience and courage to complete this chapter of our lives. A special thank you to the people in my life: thank you, Mom and Dad, for always being there for me, for giving everything so I could follow my dreams; I could never have done this without you. Thank you, sister, for always making me feel loved and supported. Thank you, little brother, even though we fight like cats and dogs, I know I will always have someone who is proud of me. Thank you, grandparents, for teaching me how to love. Thank you to my friends for always making me feel accepted. To my best friend Dani, even with the long distance, you are always with me. And thank you to all my teachers for your patience, love, and for giving me the tools for my future, for always giving me words of encouragement. Each of you has a place in my heart. The first day felt endless, and now this moment came too fast. Today is not an ending, it is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Classmates, never forget where you come from, never forget what you have overcome, and never forget who you are. Never let fear decide for you. Never stop dreaming, and never stop believing that you are capable. Congratulations, Class of 2026. We did it. This is only the beginning.
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W e all started high school with fear, dreams, and many doubts, but despite everything, here we are. Here we are after long years of effort, years of dedication, stress, and mistakes, but also years of learning, new beginnings, friendships, and new experiences. Today we are not only celebrating that we finished high school; today we celebrate that we did not give up. We celebrate that we faced our fears, that we are here closing one chapter of our lives and opening a new one. Good afternoon, principal, teachers, families, and most of all, my fellow graduates. Today we are not only here to celebrate an academic achievement, we are here to recognize everything we overcame to get here. Each of us has a different story and a different journey, but all of them share something in common: the effort and dedication we gave along the way. Today, all our stories meet in one ending, an ending that will lead us to new beginnings. My grandmother once told me that life sometimes puts us in situations we don’t want, don’t look for, and don’t expect. It gives us challenges that seem unfair, too hard to face, and moments when we feel like we can’t go on, moments when we just want to stop and give up. But even then, we keep moving forward, proving to ourselves what we are capable of. We show resilience and bravery that we didn’t even know we had. It may sound cliché, but I remember my first day of high school like it was yesterday. I remember how scared I was; personally, it felt impossible. I had just moved to a completely new country one month before, with a new language, new customs, and a lot of emotions all around me. I remember getting to my aunt and uncle’s house and thinking this wasn’t for me, that maybe it was too big for me, something I wasn’t ready for. But then I called my parents, and they told me, “Just try. Nothing is too big for you if you give your best effort. We know you can do this and more.” So I decided not to give up. I decided to give my best, to trust that I could adapt to this new beginning, and three years later, here I am, the valedictorian of the Class of 2026. If someone had told me this three years ago, I would have laughed and never believed it. I proved to myself that no matter how big the challenge is, we can always overcome it with dedication and hard work. That no
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matter how many times we fall, we can learn from our mistakes and become stronger. I know all of us here have fallen before, we’ve failed a test, doubted ourselves, and wanted to give up. But by looking at all of us here today, I know that we are strong enough to reach our goals. Life keeps going and never stops. In the blink of an eye, we go from being kids to standing at the door of adulthood. Today, I want to encourage you to never give up, follow your hearts, chase your dreams, and do what makes you happy. Try new things, make mistakes, try again, take a breath, but get back up every time. Learn from every mistake, become your best version, and never give up. Not all of us will take the same path. Some will go to college, others will work, start businesses, or still be searching for what makes them happy, and that is okay, because there is not only one way to be successful. One of my greatest inspirations said it clearly: “If you are happy doing what you’re doing, then nobody can tell you you’re not successful.” Success is finding what makes you proud of who you are and at peace with yourself. Success is getting up every day and trying
during your time with us. We are so proud of all you’ve accomplished and can’t wait to see where your journey takes you next. Wishing you continued success in all that lies ahead!
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Congratulations Class of 2026!
SALUTATORIAN SIENA GARLICK
CLASS OF 2026
H ello, and welcome, students, families, friends, faculty, and staff. My name is Siena Garlick, the Salutatorian of the Class of 2026. It is truly an honor to be standing here today in front of you all, and it still feels a bit unreal to think that my journey throughout high school has finally come to an end. Though I am incredibly grateful to be here speaking to you all, I know that I wouldn’t have been able to make it here without the help and support from both my family and teachers. For that, I thank my parents for their unending support, my teachers for their flexibility and willingness to help in any way that they could, and my peers for their incredibly welcoming and friendly demeanor. As I’m standing here, looking out at everyone who has attended — either to receive their diploma or to show their support — it seems almost unbelievable that my time at Maricopa Virtual Academy has come to an end. Throughout my time studying here, I was constantly surprised by how welcoming and attentive both the staff and the students were. As an online student, I’m sure that my educational journey was different from that of many of those present. My first year attending, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. In my experience before coming to Maricopa Virtual Academy, virtual schooling was a challenge, mostly due to communication difficulties between students and staff. It was always a struggle to contact teachers for questions or clarification, and it felt like there was an insurmountable wall between student and teacher. When I enrolled here, I expected much the same. However, thankfully, I was delightfully surprised by just how dedicated the teachers were to their students. It felt like I was truly able to connect with my teachers, and I was never ignored or left unheard. I was actually able to get to know my teachers as people, rather than just the staff who graded my assignments. Although there were certainly difficulties and misunderstandings as I navigated this new environment, my teachers were the ones constantly supporting me and making sure that I was able to know what to do and where to go. I’m absolutely confident in saying that I would not be here today without their support. In addition to thanking my teachers, I would also like to thank my family for their unending support. My journey through my teenage years as I navigated through new challenges and difficulties has certainly not been
easy, and I doubt I would be able to stand here before you all today without the help and support that my family has lent me. Now, as I stand here ready to graduate, it feels unbelievable to think that my time here is over. I know I’m going to miss the friends I made here, and I’m sure that many of my classmates feel the same. However, though my journey throughout high school is over, I know that my journey throughout life is just beginning. There are so many choices for our future, so many paths that we can forge as we set out on our journey into the world. It’s incredible, knowing how much is ahead of us. In this world, you can truly be anything you want; all that you need is the drive and determination to pursue what you seek. The uncertainty of what follows after graduation may be daunting, but I do not doubt that every one of my peers will be able to reach their highest potential and find their true calling if they put the time and effort into pursuing it. With an endless world of possibilities before us, I, for one, cannot wait to begin forging my own path and discover what new experiences life has to offer.
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Patti Coutré PRESIDENT
Congratulations Maricopa High School, Desert Sunrise High School and Maricopa Virtual Academy Class of 2026! The Governing Board proudly congratulates the Class of 2026. There is a quiet confidence that comes with growing up in Maricopa, and it shows in how you carried yourselves in classrooms, in competition, and in the everyday moments where your character stood out. Whether on a stage, a field, or simply in how you treated each other, you reflected the very best of this community. Wherever your path leads next: college, the military, the workforce, or something you build on your own, you are ready for it. You have developed the skills, confidence, and grit to take that next step. As you move forward, know that you embody the strength and values of Maricopa. We are proud of who you are and confident in where you are headed. Congratulations, Class of 2026.
Carolyn Lopez VICE PRESIDENT
Lisa Garcia MEMBER
Ben Owens MEMBER
With pride,
Maricopa Unified School District Governing Board
Shawnté Rothschild MEMBER
(520) 568-5100 www.musd20.org
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