AGHS’s Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) program celebrated its graduating senior class on Wednesday, May 20 during a formal ceremony held on campus. The event, which began at 6:00 p.m., recognized the academic achievements, resilience, and college-bound dedication of the cohort.
The ceremony brought together students, families, faculty and administrators to acknowledge the completion of the multi-year college preparatory program. AVID, a nationwide initiative designed to close the achievement gap by preparing students for college readiness and success (AVID Mission Statement ), requires participants to maintain rigorous coursework, develop advanced study skills, and actively navigate the college application process.
The evening commenced with opening remarks from AVID Coordinator Morgan Conrad, who commended the graduates for their resilience, work ethic, and determination to succeed. Conrad highlighted the unique challenges and triumphs experienced by this specific group of students throughout their high school careers, emphasizing the familial bond formed within the program.
“The AVID graduation ceremony is the culminating step in a four to six year journey for our AVID seniors. They have remained determined to value education and seek out higher education post high school– a step that for many of our students’ parents could only be a dream. They are going to change their, and their families’, lives forever. I am incredibly proud of their success and look forward to what they all accomplish,” Conrad said.
Following Conrad’s address, AVID Counselor Yusdivia Mosqueda took the stage to speak on the academic milestones achieved by the graduating class. Mosqueda, who has worked closely with the students to navigate college applications, financial aid forms, and scholarship deadlines, noted the diverse array of institutions the graduates will attend in the fall.
“It is always gratifying to get to know students for four years, where I get to watch them grow through success and through challenges. Such cohorts create a special bond developed by being in the same AVID class for four years and in engaging in multiple activities together. I have seen them support one another through hard times and celebrate each other through their achievements,” Mosqueda said.
A special highlight of the evening was the presentation of the AVID certificates and cords, which seniors will wear during the schoolwide AGHS commencement ceremony. One by one, students were called to the stage, as their intended college for the fall was shown on a monitor in the room.
Several student speakers from the senior class also shared reflections on their time in the program, expressing gratitude for the peer support and mentorship provided by the AVID faculty.
“Because of [my parents], I’ve learned that la oportunidad no es algo que se regala, pero algo por lo que se trabaja duro*. Everything they’ve done pushes me to show them that their sacrifices weren’t for nothing. Their hard work was a stepping stone to give me and my brothers a better life,” Jason Montoy Pinzon (‘26) said.
The ceremony concluded with a reception for families and staff, allowing attendees to to take photographs and celebrate their milestone. With their high school careers drawing to a close, the AGHS AVID Class of 2026 now looks ahead to post-secondary education, carrying with them the foundational skills and academic discipline fostered by the program.
* “Opportunity isn’t something that’s given away, but something you work hard for”
AVID CLASS OF 2026
Alcantar, Lupita CSU San Jose
Amburgey, Maddux Allan Hancock College
Banda, Yamileth CSU Channel Islands
Boadway, Kenley CSU Fullerton
Catalan, Rachel Cal Poly SLO
Cichowlaz, Josaphiena UC Merced
Coddington, Callie UC Irvine
Collins, Ashlyn CSU Fresno
Correia, Nevaeh Santa Barbara City College
Cortez, Sophia Mayville State University
Cruz-Gutierrez, Paulina UC Berkeley
Davis, Madison UC Santa Barbara
Ferreira, Sophia UC Berkeley
Garcia Hernandez, Gael Cuesta College
Gomez, Sofia Cuesta College
Guey-Mock, Jenelle Cal Poly SLO
Gutierrez Ornelas, Alexis CSU Fullerton
Gutierrez, Ramiro CSU Fresno
Ibarra Alvarez, Rosazucena UC Berkeley
Martinez Juarez, Michelle CSU Monterey Bay
Karp, Marley Cuesta College
Lica Galindo, Dulce Allan Hancock College
Lopez, Samuel Cal Poly SLO
Morgan Machado California Aeronautical Univ.
Malquisto, Angela UC Davis
Mancilla, Maria CSU Fresno
Martinez, Lauren CSU San Francisco
Mendoza, Mia CSU Fullerton
Meza Rojas, Leonardo CSU Fullerton
Miller, Lillian Cal Poly SLO
Montoy Pinzon, Jason CSU San Jose
Moreno, Andrew CSU San Jose
Murguia, Valerie CSU Fullerton
Navarro Cisneros, Jocelyn CSU Monterey Bay
Palacios-Beas, Emiliano Cal Poly SLO
Palacios-Beas, Emmanuel CSU Fullerton
Palomar, Sam CSU Fullerton
Palomar, Selmah Cuesta College
Pelypec, Paul UC Santa Cruz
Powers, Ashleigh CSU Fullerton
Ramirez, Dennisse Allan Hancock College
Rivera, Bridget Cal Poly SLO
Rodriguez Garcia, Fatima CSU Long Beach
Romero, Isabella Santa Clara University
Sandoval Luis, Britney Cal Poly SLO
Santiago, Manuel UC Santa Cruz
Sigala, Dominique Arizona State University
Soto Pimentel, Grecia CSU San Jose
Sowell, Sophia Allan Hancock College
Statham, Rylee Cuesta College
Torres, Ashton Cuesta College
Valenzuela, Joseph military
West, Lyric CSU San Jose
Wycoff, Ashlyn UC Irvine
Zarate, Brianna Cuesta College
