Cibola High School News

Yuma Union High School District schools received a grant worth $14,000 from the Albertsons Companies Foundation to distribute evenly amongst all seven YUHSD schools. 

YUHSD superintendents were invited to apply for the grant by Albertsons Foundation officials in an effort to give back to the community after recently remodeling their Avenue B location in Yuma.

“We truly value this partnership with Albertson's and appreciate their investment in our students and our community,” YUHSD Associate Superintendent Lilian Campa said. “We're proud of the opportunities our schools provide every day, and support like this helps us continue that important work. We thank Albertson's for believing in our students and standing alongside YUHSD.”

Each campus received $2,000 in unrestricted funds, allowing schools to determine how the funds will best meet their needs. Campuses are intending to use them for everything from classroom supplies and instructional materials to professional development. 

YUHSD leaders were invited to a ribbon cutting event on July 8 to be recognized along with the newly remodeled store, and accept the $2,000 checks for each school from the Albertsons Companies Foundation. 

Yuma Union High School District, in partnership with Onvida Health, will be hosting a no-cost sports physical event on July 31, 2026 at Somerton High School.

The event is open to all YUHSD student-athletes. Parents/guardians must be in attendance. Doors open at 3:15 p.m. and exams will conclude at 7 p.m.

Exams will be conducted by Onvida Sports Medicine Fellowship Program Director Dr. Ryan Zerr and other medical residents.

A physical is required to participate in Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) competition. All physical examinations completed at the event will cover the student-athlete for the 2026-27 school year.

Families my access the physical forms prior to the event by visiting: https://www.yumaunion.org/district1/athletics/clearance-documents

Yuma Union High School District digital photography students from Kofa High School, San Luis High School, and Cibola High School will have their artwork displayed in a gallery at the Yuma Art Center this summer.

The gallery, “3-way exposure: Kofa + San Luis + Cibola,” is a partnership between YUHSD and the Art Center to feature the work of advanced photography students enrolled in level three photography classes.

“The Yuma Art Center is glad to collaborate with Kofa, San Luis, and Cibola High schools to highlight the incredible talent of our young local artists,” City of Yuma Gallery and Public Art Coordinator Kristyn K. Trujillo said. “Alongside events like our annual Children’s Festival in April, this exhibition gives students an additional moment to share their art in a professional gallery setting. It’s a chance to recognize their talent and support Yuma’s next generation of artists.” 

The gallery is currently open to the public, and there will be a reception held on Friday, June 26 from 6-8 p.m. to celebrate the student artwork and the skills they have developed. The dress code is business casual.

Students displaying artwork include: Jacob Bonillas from Cibola; Andrea Estrada, Maryjo Martinez, Francisco Perez and Abraham Rios from Kofa; and Ximena Diaz, Raul Lara, Amanda Madrigal, and Gloria Reyna from San Luis. 

“Having their final project be a gallery opening sets them up to professionally showcase their skills and personally interact with the community,” Kofa photography teacher Adrianne Comstock said. “This is an opportunity they have earned in their three years as photography students at Cibola, Kofa and San Luis, so we are very proud to support them as they grow into young professionals. The Art Center has been very gracious in working with us to make this happen for these students.”

The gallery will be on display through Aug. 21, Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

More than 80 individuals from the Yuma Union High School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) program are advancing to nationals after multiple state competitions over several weeks this spring. 

More than 700 students from all seven YUHSD schools competed in SkillsUSA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), and Future Farmers of America (FFA) throughout April and May, with FFA leadership competitions still to come in June. 

“It is wonderful to have CTSO winners from all of our campuses this year,” CTE Executive Director Lorie Honeycutt said. “We are very proud of each competitor for doing their best, and we are especially excited for those who have the opportunity to advance to the national level and represent us in even more challenging circumstances.”

In addition to individual and team achievements, all YUHSD CTSO chapters received awards for their work in community events and school activities, including bronze, silver, and gold chapter recognitions. Kofa High School Law & Public Safety teacher Eric Frost was also recognized as Advisor of the Year for SkillsUSA. 

Kofa’s Marine Corps JROTC program competed in several events and earned recognitions at all of them, as well as received the highest honors associated with the Leadership and Employability Skills Industry Credential Assessment. The Army JROTC took the assessment for the first time this year. Twenty-two cadets earned a passing score.

YUHSD has national competitors in every CTSO event taking place in various locations across the United States. See the full list of individuals who advanced to nationals below: 

FBLA
Aubri Anthony, Gila Ridge, Hospitality and Event Management; Ana Montes Burga, Gila Ridge, Hospitality and Event Management

FCCLA
Zada Rodriguez, Cibola, Baking and Pastry; Monico Rico, Cibola, Chapter Service Project Display; Trystan Walsh, Cibola, Chapter Service Project Display; Janessa Rodriguez, Cibola, Early Childhood Education; Angelita Robles, Cibola, Food Innovations; Ruehl Swenson, Cibola, Food Innovations; Leah Arcega, Cibola, State Officer First Vice President; Penelope Petersen, Gila Ridge, Entrepreneurship; Maliah Franco, Gila Ridge, Personal Finance; Isabel Offutt, Gila Ridge, Say Yes to FCS; Elena Packham, Kofa, Sports Nutrition; Jaidynn Soils, Kofa, Sports Nutrition; Orlando Alvarez, San Luis, Entrepreneurship; Angel Vargas, San Luis, State Officer Competitive Events

FFA
Lane Bacon, Cibola, Poultry Evaluation; Faith Escalante, Cibola, Poultry Evaluation; Drew Martinez, Cibola, Poultry Evaluation; Brooklyn Marchant, Gila Ridge, Agricultural Business; Samuel Ricker, Gila Ridge, Agricultural Business; Gage Sullivan, Gila Ridge, Agricultural Business; Lauren Sullivan, Gila Ridge, Agricultural Business; 

JROTC
Mildreth Hernandez, Kofa, Marine Corps Service Rifle Nationals; Thifanny Cardenas, Kofa, Marine Corps Service Rifle Nationals; Mildreth Hernandez, Kofa, Civilian Marksmanship Program State Rifle Championship (Individual); Mildreth Hernandez, Gunner Kinsey, Macrina Covarrubias, Garnet Ortiz, Kofa, Civilian Marksmanship Program State Rifle Championship (Team); Mildreth Hernandez, Kofa, NRA National Rifle Championship (Individual); Mildreth Hernandez, Thifanny Cardenas, Delila Mendez, Gunner Kinsey, Kofa, NRA National Rifle Championship (Team)

HOSA
Hillary Habecker, Kofa, HOSA History (Advisor); Dereck Damian, San Luis, Public Health; Natalia Medina, San Luis, Public Health; Santiago Penuelas, San Luis, Public Health; Juan Pinon, San Luis, Public Health; Carlos Rendon, San Luis, Public Health; Jose Santana, San Luis, Public Health; Afrika Carranza, Somerton, HOSA Secretary; Olivea Segovia, Somerton, Sports Medicine

SkillsUSA
Savanah Martinez, Cibola, Aesthetics; Cadence Pavey, Cibola, Aesthetics; Isabela Bean Davis, Cibola, State Officer; Clair Rubio, Cibola, State Officer; Fathyma Casillas, Kofa, American Spirit; Valeria Medina-Alvarado, Kofa, American Spirit; Jennifer Leyva, Kofa, American Spirit; Damian Burgos, Kofa, Career Pathways Showcase Business and Tech; Diego Enriquez, Kofa, Career Pathways Showcase Business and Tech; Zacaria Paredes, Kofa, Career Pathways Showcase Business and Tech; Koriina Ramos, Kofa, Occupational Health and Safety (Single); Sophia Rocha, Kofa, Occupational Health and Safety (Single); Zariyah Villa, Kofa, Occupational Health and Safety (Single); Amaya Kelln, Kofa, Power Equipment Technology; Samuel Alvarez, San Luis, Building Maintenance; Jose Gaxiola, San Luis, Firefighting; Martin Juarez, San Luis, Robotics and Animation; Raul Quiroz, San Luis, Robotics and Animation; Danytza Lopez, Somerton, Career Pathways Showcase Human Services; Danna Olivarria, Somerton, Career Pathways Showcase Human Services; Anahi Padilla, Somerton, Career Pathways Showcase Human Services

Yuma Union High School District is proud to sponsor the Summer Food Service Program at no cost for all children, ages 18 and younger. No registration or ID required.

ALL children are welcome at all sites. Meals are required to be consumed on-site at the following locations: Cibola High School, Kofa High School, Vista High School, and Yuma High School. Drive thru to-go meals (child must be present) and on-site meals at the following locations: Gila Ridge High School, San Luis High School, and Somerton High School. All sites are closed June 19 and July 3.

Meals will be provided at the sites and times as follows: 

Site	Address	Dates of Service	Meal	Service Time	Meal	Service Time
Cibola	4100 W 20th Street	June 2-12	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Gila Ridge	7150 E 24th Street	June 2-12	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Gila Ridge	7150 E 24th Street	June 15-July 29			Breakfast & Lunch	10:30-11:30 a.m.
Kofa	3100 S Avenue A	June 2-12	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	12-1 p.m.
Kofa	3100 S Avenue A	July 13-24	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	12-1 p.m.
San Luis	1250 N 8th Avenue	June 2-12	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
San Luis	1250 N 8th Avenue	June 15-July 10			Breakfast & Lunch	10:30-11:30 a.m.
Somerton	1093 W Jefferson Street	June 2-12	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	10-11 a.m.
Somerton	1093 W Jefferson Street	June 15-July 10			Breakfast & Lunch	10:30-11:30 a.m.
Vista	3150 S Avenue A	June 2-12	Breakfast	8-8:45 a.m.	Lunch	12:30-1:30 p.m.
Yuma High	400 S 6th Avenue	June 2-12	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	12-1 p.m.
Yuma High	400 S 6th Avenue	June 22-25	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	12-1 p.m.
Yuma High	400 S 6th Avenue	July 13-16	Breakfast	7:15-8:15 a.m.	Lunch	12-1 p.m.

Yuma Union High School District reserves the right to change and/or cancel a site or serving period. Menu is subject to change depending on the availability of products.

Meals will be provided to all children, ages 18 and under, without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.  

In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity.

Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339.

To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by:

1.      Mail:
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or

2.      Fax:
(833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or

3.      Email:
Program.Intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider

For the eighth consecutive year, Helios Education Foundation and Yuma Union High School District announced six recipients of the annual Helios Ready Now Yuma Scholarship.

Each scholarship is worth up to $15,000 per year and is renewable for up to three additional years. The scholarship program is part of Helios’ more than $2.6 million investment over 10 years in YUHSD students through the scholarship program, which began with the Class of 2019.

“Through the Helios Ready Now Yuma Scholarship, we are investing in students whose hard work, resilience and determination have led them to this point,” said Paul J. Luna, president and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “These students have already shown what’s possible when young people are surrounded by strong support systems and high expectations. We are proud to help remove financial barriers so they can continue pursuing their education and career goals.”

Students were surprised at school by their school counselors and principals with oversized checks and balloons. Videos of each surprise were shared on their respective school’s individual Facebook and Instagram pages with a full video compilation available on YUHSD’s official YouTube channel.

“This scholarship means so much more to me than just financial support, it gives me the opportunity to pursue my education without having to worry about tuition, something I never even imagined could be a real possibility for me,” said Cibola High School senior Adamariz Fernandez, who will attend the University of Arizona to study nursing.

“Because of this opportunity, I can focus on my education and future, pursuing a career that I’ve always dreamt about. Earning this scholarship shows me that my hard work has truly paid off and reflects how much I’ve grown over these past few years. This means so much more than a scholarship to me, it’s an opportunity shaping my future.”

The Helios Ready Now Yuma Scholars program supports graduating seniors with financial need who are attending an accredited post-secondary institution full-time and pursuing a 4-year degree in any field of study. Scholarships are renewable if students remain in good academic standing and maintain the required GPA.

Eighty-nine qualified applicants among the Class of 2026 were considered by Helios and the Arizona Community Foundation. 

Here are this year’s recipients, their high school, and what college or university they plan to attend: 

Adamariz Fernandez, Cibola High School, University of Arizona
Joshua Olan Lopez, Gila Ridge High School, Arizona State University
Genesis Cardenas, Kofa High School, Oregon Institute of Technology
Valeria Gutierrez, San Luis High School, University of Arizona
Evolhet Bonillas Valtierra, Vista High School, Northern Arizona University (Yuma)
Kimberly Flores, Yuma High School, Arizona State University

About Helios Education Foundation:

Helios Education Foundation exists to support postsecondary attainment for all students, with a focus on low-income and historically underrepresented communities, in Arizona and Florida. For more than 20 years, and driven by their fundamental beliefs of community, equity, investment, and partnership, Helios has invested more than $350 million in partnerships and initiatives focused on improving education outcomes in the two states they serve. Learn more at helios.org.

Three Yuma Union High School District students have been selected as Architects, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) mentor program scholarship recipients. 

Kofa High School student Vivian Ramirez earned a $12,000 national scholarship, which is the program’s top honor. Isael Padilla, from Kofa, and Reyli Perez, from Cibola High School, each won a $3,000 scholarship. 

“It is definitely a resource I wish I had known about in my freshman year, you can gain as much as you allow yourself to from this program,” Ramirez said. “Being awarded the ACE National Scholarship means everything, as I do not have to worry about the financial burden of attending post-secondary education at Arizona State University."

Once students join the ACE program, they are assigned to a team and work with mentors to design a real-world engineering or architectural design project. Students meet after school throughout the school year and present their projects during a spring showcase at the end of the year to mentors, teachers, parents, and other students.

Nearly 50 YUHSD students have participated in the ACE program over the last five years. Andreas Garcia, a Cibola alum, won the scholarship in the 2024-25 school year and is now an ACE program mentor. 

According to the program’s website, it is designed to give students real-world experience in architecture, construction, and engineering, and exposes them to different disciplines to help them decide which specialty is right for them and their future career.

Twenty Yuma Union High School District students from six high schools earned awards at the Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF) fair at the University of Arizona.

Overall, 46 students representing Cibola High School, Gila Ridge High School, Kofa High School, San Luis High School, Vista High School, and Yuma High School,  traveled to Tucson to showcase their projects, connect with industry professionals, and further develop their skills in scientific research and presentation. 

"I’m really proud of our students for putting themselves out there and presenting at SARSEF,” Kofa biology teacher Jason Flora said. “That’s not easy, and they showed a lot of courage and confidence in sharing their work. Walking around the fair, it was awesome to see their excitement and passion—they weren’t just presenting, they were having real conversations about their discoveries with passion and conviction.”

The students spent the majority of the fall semester designing their projects, collecting necessary data, writing their narratives and creating their posters.

"My experience at SARSEF was a very fortunate and encouraging experience,” Kofa student Getzemani Gomez Linan said. “It was challenging knowing there were many other people competing in the same category, but also fun getting to know new people and also seeing their creativity."

SARSEF provides students opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, network with STEM professionals, and a chance to earn scholarships and prizes. 

Here are the names and awards each student/class received:

Cibola:
Samantha Chulamorkodt, third place, Applied Technology and AVNET High School Innovator Award; Daniyal Irfan, AVNET High School Innovator Award; Melanie Moore, Student Award for Geoscience Excellence and Environmental Awareness Award; Xavier Rendon and Adrian Ruiz Martinez, the Future of Aerospace Sciences and Engineering Award

Gila Ridge:
Daisy Boelts, first place, “Oh Deer, it’s E. Coli!”

Kofa:
Lilly Town, third place, “Can People Recognize AI-Generated Images?” 

San Luis:
Jose Amador, Spark of Innovation Award; Juan Contreras and Ximena Diaz, SARSEF Board Award; Karely Alvarado, Valeria Gutierres and Alondra Patron, second place, the Study of Tardigrades and Their Adaptability and Mayer Family Excellence in Science Award; Maria Morales, Dave and Buster’s Celebration Award

Vista:
Ayden Barnes, Tucson Electric Power Award of Excellence

Yuma High:
Noah Chan, NASA Earth System Science Award; Estrella Bernal Lopez, Outstanding use of the Metric System Award; Evelyn Stelton and Ava Schwaderer, Ricoh Sustainable Development Award; Dani McKenna, Naval Science Award

Cibola High School student Jaida Bosch was selected to receive the Peter R. Marsh Foundation Silent Servant Scholarship. 

The scholarship, worth $595, is awarded to students who are nominated by their school staff members for engaging in selfless, voluntary service to their communities.

Bosch was nominated by Cibola Assistant Principal Vicki Kugel-Brandt, after sustaining an injury and still continued to show empathy to others and give back to her community in the ways she could.

“Jaida has a rare and beautiful way of putting others before herself, not out of obligation, but from a genuine desire to make people feel seen, supported, and valued,” Kugel-Brandt said. “Whether she is standing up for her peers, tending to injured athletes with quiet compassion, giving her time to community efforts, or guiding younger students with patience and care, everything she does comes from the heart.”

Bosch will be recognized in a school assembly where she will give a personal testimony to her peers about why she chooses to serve, what she has learned about self-worth through helping others, and how overcoming her injury strengthened her understanding of empathy and leadership. 

“Getting the Silent Servant award made me feel proud because it represents who I try to be every day,” Bosch said. “I’m someone who supports others, works hard, and stays positive even through challenges. It means a lot to feel appreciated.”

Some of the ways that Bosch gives back to her community is through being an Elks Club volunteer, a sports-medicine student aide, a student senate representative, a Chick-Fil-A leadership academy member, a Raider Athletic Council representative, and a youth basketball mentor. 

For the 12th consecutive year, seniors from all six Yuma Union High School District graduating classes will appear on billboards across Yuma County to promote the district’s ongoing commitment to EVERY student being college, career and community prepared upon graduation.

There are six billboards in total located near each respective YUHSD campus. Two students from each school are represented in the campaign. As part of the selection process, each student was required to write a brief personal essay and take part in an on-camera interview. To read their stories, watch their interviews, and see photos of the billboards, please visit the 2026 RNY Billboard Showcase on YUHSD’s official website.

“Being chosen as the face of the graduating class of 2026 and representing my school on billboards across Yuma is something I never imagined for myself,” Yuma High School senior Yanira Zavala said. “When people see that billboard, they see a senior ready to graduate. What they don’t see is the journey behind that moment, the doubts, the pressure, and the determination it took to keep going when things felt overwhelming.”

Principals, guidance counselors, teachers, and district administrators all played a role in recommending students for the billboards, which will run through most of the summer. Additionally, banners of each student are displayed on their respective campuses for the 2026-27 school year. 

“We started this program with the graduating class of 2015 as a way to showcase our Ready Now Yuma initiative,” YUHSD Chief Communications Officer Eric Patten said. “Since then, the campaign has continued to grow and, most importantly, highlights the diversity and opportunity available to students in Yuma Union High School District. Every one of our students has paved a unique path to reach graduation day. The 12 seniors on the billboards each year are representative of all their peers and classmates.”

The students featured in the 2026 campaign represent a wide-range of areas within the district, including AVID, Career & Technical Education, SkillsUSA, Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), National Honors Society, drama, band, Mastery of the Arts Program, dance, athletics, YUHSD’s migrant student program, special education, Student Council, and many more.

2026 RNY Billboard Students:

Adamariz Fernandez, Cibola High School
Eric Heredia, Cibola High School
Karidee Ellsworth, Gila Ridge High School
Amias Davis, Gila Ridge High School
Rachel Whitson, Kofa High School
Julio Reina, Kofa High School
Ashley Mercedes Beltran Leon, San Luis High School
Alberto Buchanan, San Luis High School
Ziara Turner, Vista High School
James Miller, Vista High School
Yanira Zavala, Yuma High School
Jesus Patino Salgado, Yuma High School

Billboard Locations:

Cibola: Southbound Avenue B near 32nd Street
Gila Ridge: Eastbound Interstate 8 near Araby Road
Kofa: Eastbound 24th Street and 4th Avenue
San Luis: Southbound Highway 95 near County 15th Street
Vista: Eastbound 32nd Street near Avenue B
Yuma High: Southbound 4th Avenue and 19th Street

Cibola High School Principal Brett Pavey was named a 2026 winner of the Advocates of Education award for Academic Achievement and Advancement. 

The award, which was is part of a series of excellence awards from the Frank C. Garcia Victoria Foundation, was presented to five educators across Arizona on April 17 in Tempe. 

"To me, this award reflects the outstanding accomplishments of Cibola's students and staff," Pavey said. "As principal, I take great pride in seeing the remarkable work happening on our campus being recognized across the state of Arizona."

Pavey has been at Cibola for 19 years, including two years as the school’s principal. He is a Yuma Union High School District alum, attending Kofa High School, and was born and raised in Yuma. At Cibola, he has been an integral part of building a system of personalized learning for students at Cibola and helped guide the school to a ‘B’ score in Arizona’s A-F Letter Grade accountability system.

“Brett has been instrumental in strengthening partnerships with local community organizations and higher education institutions to increase access to dual enrollment and concurrent enrollment courses, Career and Technical Education programs, and work‐based learning opportunities,” the foundation wrote in its presentation materials. “These efforts ensure that all students—regardless of their postsecondary plans—graduate prepared for college, careers, and life.”

According to its website, the Victoria Foundation was founded by Pete C. Garcia in 2008, as a 501 C3, non-profit community development foundation, for the purpose of improving conditions in impoverished communities throughout Arizona. Since its establishment, the Foundation’s commitment has been to promote positive reforms for underprivileged communities in Arizona. 
 

 Cibola High School nurse Erlinda Lee has been recognized as the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) school nurse “Hero of the Month” in their April newsletter. 

“I truly cannot express my gratitude for the nomination, and what this means to me,” Lee said. “I love my work, and it is truly my passion to be there for my students and families.”

Lee was nominated by YUHSD Director of Health and Safety Henry Gonzalez after she stepped in to handle an emergency situation at another campus.

“Lindy was nominated to show my sincere appreciation for her continued commitment to student safety and for the teamwork she displayed on the day of the incident,” Gonzalez said. “As soon as I asked for assistance, she did not hesitate to move. She picked up her medical kit and made her way to campus as soon as possible. Her ‘can-do’ attitude during a medical emergency was greatly appreciated and speaks volumes about her character.”

Lee has been the school nurse at Cibola for three years, but has seven years of experience in the position overall.

According to the ADE newsletter, Lee was recognized as a hero for her quick thinking, clinical expertise, and unwavering commitment to students, regardless of the campus. 

Students from across Yuma Union High School District had an opportunity to learn from local experts at the 14th annual YUHSD Photography Expo, hosted last month at Kofa High School.   

Sixty Career and Technical Education (CTE) students from Kofa High School, Cibola High School, and San Luis High School took part in the event. 

Students rotated through different workshops led by local professionals Kim Garcia, Luigi Ortiz, Aliyah Ashley, Marcus Carney, Alberto Chee, and Eric Castanos, who is a YUHSD alum. Each workshop taught them different photography and storytelling techniques such as posing, lighting, evaluating photos, influencer marketing, storytelling, and branding. 

“It’s always rewarding to see a former CTE student return to inspire the next generation of photographers,” YUHSD Director of CTE Nereida Lansman said. “Eric Castanos’ journey from his time in a CTE program to building a successful career demonstrates the power of these opportunities and the impact they can have.”

The YUHSD Photography Expo has been an annual event since 2013, giving students the opportunity to get industry grade training by local professionals. Kofa has hosted the event the last three years. Since its inception, the expo has provided students with opportunities to develop specific technical skills, significantly improving their participation and success in the SkillsUSA state competition by better preparing them for both regional and state-level events. 

Yuma Union High School District student nutrition managers and assistant managers earned their School Nutrition Association (SNA) credential certifications. 

The SNA provides leadership development through online coursework and operational training in partnership with the Institute of Child Nutrition. 

“Their commitment to professional growth and leadership development is nothing short of inspiring,” YUHSD Executive Director of Student Nutrition Elena Hildreth said. “Each of them is already working toward their next credential level; a true reflection of their passion and drive to serve our students at the highest level.”

Collectively, the group has completed more than 492 hours of online training covering topics such as food allergens, dietary guidelines, operations, leadership, and more. The certification process included exams after each course, as well as specialized training such as a manager sanitation certification, a child nutrition 101 course, and advanced coursework requiring extensive program-solving and critical thinking, recipe reading and comprehension, and understanding recipe units of measurement. 

According to Hildreth, the SNA certification will be a requirement for future managerial positions in the department.

Over the past three years, the YUHSD student nutrition department has expanded  scratch cooking, developed original recipes, and introduced breakfast carts across campuses. The department has also increased staff training and established committed partnerships with organizations that provide equipment, resources, and professional development such as the Chef Ann Foundation, No Kid Hungry/Share the Strength, and the Arizona Dairy Council, to help support students inside and outside of the classroom.

Students from Cibola High School’s level 2 and advanced photography classes were selected to design the 2026 Yuma County Fair premium book cover, showcasing real-world and industry-based collaboration. 

 "We worked together and it was fun to contribute,” CHS photography student Fernando Camacho said. “It is amazing to see it printed out.”

After submitting multiple designs to the Yuma County Fair office, students received feedback from fair officials and worked together as a class to review and refine their ideas. Camacho, Alberto Fraijo, Alexia Meza, and Yulieth Yanez were selected to finalize the official design.

“Seeing kids work with industry and meet deadlines is very refreshing,” Cibola Digital Photography Instructor Richard Fontanes said. “It is exciting to see their work showcased in the community.”

Cibola’s photography Career and Technical Education program has a long-standing tradition of student participation and success in Yuma County Fair competitions. 

“Through these types of opportunities, students gain real-world experience by working on industry-relevant projects, meeting professional deadlines, and collaborating with community partners,” Fontanes added.