Sun Devils Mark 57th Commencement Ceremony
APPLE VALLEY, Calif. (High Desert News Online) – Nearly 530 Apple Valley High School seniors crossed the stage Thursday night during the school’s 57th commencement ceremony at Newton T. Bass Stadium, marking another milestone for one of the High Desert’s longest-standing academic traditions. Despite windy conditions, families, educators, and community members filled the stadium hours before the ceremony began to celebrate the graduating Class of 2026.
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Apple Valley High School’s graduating class continued a decades-long tradition of academic achievement and community pride as nearly 530 Sun Devil seniors received diplomas before a packed crowd at Newton T. Bass Stadium on May 28.
Visitors began arriving nearly two hours before graduates entered the stadium, reflecting strong community support for one of the High Desert’s largest annual education events.
Apple Valley Unified School District Superintendent Trenae Nelson, district administrators, and members of the Board of Trustees attended the commencement ceremony, reinforcing the district’s continued emphasis on academic success, student leadership, and college and career readiness.
Student speakers representing academic excellence and student leadership addressed the graduating class, including Honors Graduate Isaac Hermosillo, ASB Line President Efi Avila, and ASB Senior Class President Jolene Caballero.
The Class of 2026 also produced a distinguished group of Summa Cum Laude graduates, students achieving a 4.3 GPA or higher. Those recognized included Jackeline Estrada Acosta, Nathan Areco, William Aschenbrenner, Jolene Caballero, Jorge Reyes Chavez, Ella Chow, Sophia Ciancio, Chloe Cortina, Brandon Duran, Gavin Ebmeyer, McKenzie Esquivel, Taylor Fore, Samuel Gallardo, Macie Gibson, Seren Hale, Samantha Haskell, Isaac Hermosillo, Joseph Hernandez, Monica Jaime, Niella Kelly, Mikhael Mallouhi, Suriya Mao, Omar Moreno, Malaxai Murphy, Boris Aragon Najarro, Sophia Padilla, Trisha Patel, Jameson Perrine, Evan Struebing, Saanvi Subherwal, Aaron Vargas, Savannah Westendorf, David Wilhite, and Cy Ziske.
Founded in 1969, Apple Valley High School has served generations of High Desert families and remains one of the region’s flagship public high schools. Over its history, the campus has built a reputation for strong athletics, academic programs, student leadership development, and deep community involvement. Graduation ceremonies at Apple Valley High traditionally draw large crowds, underscoring the community’s longstanding investment in public education and student achievement.
The 57th graduating class now joins thousands of Apple Valley High alumni who have gone on to military service, skilled trades, higher education, public service, and private industry throughout California and beyond.
