MCHS Class of 2026 Valedictorians: 19 Students Recognized for Academic Excellence

In a memorable ceremony held at Frederick’s of Savourys, the Mariposa County High School (MCHS) Academic Boosters Club honored 19 students as Valedictorians for the Class of 2026. The students were initially summoned to the principal’s office last May, unaware of the reason, and were surprised to learn they had achieved the highest academic distinction.

The valedictorians earned their status by completing the most rigorous course load available at MCHS, including four years of mathematics and science (with three lab sciences), three years of a single foreign language, four years of English with college dual-credit coursework, and all available Honors and Advanced Placement classes. They maintained a grade of B or higher in every course and achieved a weighted GPA of 4.0.

Principal Celeste Azevedo welcomed the honorees and their guests. Laura Lyn Hays served as Master of Ceremonies, and Alina Wichman, a 2011 MCHS valedictorian and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduate, delivered the keynote address.

Each valedictorian and their mentor shared personal reflections.

The 19 valedictorians are: Aiden Beutel-DePrano, Demi Camorlinga, Kailani Carrier, Kelsea Coder, Xavier Dacanay, Clementine DiMorente, Darragh Duffy, Marley Gediman, Astrid Golden, Mia Hansen, Sage Hawley, Celina Heard, Wilde Ketron, Tania Giselle Marquez, Tamzen McCollum, Paige Peters, Emily Ramsey, Hailey Watson, and Isabel Whited.

Many students will attend top California universities. Aiden Beutel-DePrano and Clementine DiMorente are heading to UC Santa Cruz.

Demi Camorlinga will attend UC Merced. Xavier Dacanay chose UCLA, while Astrid Golden and Wilde Ketron will go to UC Santa Barbara.

Kailani Carrier will study at Saint John’s College in New Mexico, Kelsea Coder at Swarthmore College, and Darragh Duffy will pursue mechanical engineering at a four-year university. Several students, including Sage Hawley, Celina Heard, Emily Ramsey, and Isabel Whited, will attend Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Mia Hansen will start at Cuesta College, and Tamzen McCollum will head to Hope College in Michigan. Paige Peters and Hailey Watson are committed to the University of Utah.

The valedictorians expressed gratitude for the supportive Mariposa community and the opportunities provided by MCHS, including FFA, athletics, and dual-enrollment courses, which prepared them for college and future careers. The dinner was sponsored by the MCHS Academic Boosters Club, with cake donated by Caroline McGrath and programs by Sierra Sisters Designs.

The MCHS ABC is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to enriching academic experiences for students.