Sedona Red Rock High School Honors 34 Graduates on Graduation Night

Sedona Red Rock High School celebrated its annual scholarship awards ceremony on May 19 at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. The event featured representatives from 26 organizations who awarded certificates to deserving students.

“Tonight, we are awarding $110,000 in scholarships to 34 amazing students,” Principal Heather Isom announced. She expressed gratitude to generous donors, emphasizing their crucial role in supporting students’ educational journeys.

Several students received acceptance letters from prestigious institutions:

■ Arizona State University: Amy Brefeld, Justin Cosgrove, Yemayasil Guadarrama, Adriana Lazalde Beltran, Matija McGrath, Israel Montanez, Daniel Ortiz Gadberry, Larry Palmer, Valentina Ramos Pauli, Yonas Rahman, Sierra Williams, and Angi Yin.

■ Colorado State University: Sharadevi Abrahamson Wolvekamp, who plans to study equine science on a pre-vet track. She received a $500 scholarship from P.E.O. Chapter CM in Sedona. Presenter Karen Barrow praised Wolvekamp’s dedication, which includes waking at 4 a.m. to practice riding while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

■ Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: Ashley Calogero, awarded three scholarships totaling $196,000 for global security and intelligence studies, aiming for a position as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force.

■ Northern Arizona University: David Arizmendi, Ramon Betancourt, Laura Guerra, Erick Guerra Vasquez, Jaden Kuhn, Katrina Le, Yanixa Lopez, Axel Martinez, Nic McAtee, Kaiden Mejia, Daisy Nez, Alana Schrader, and Aiden Stimple.

■ University of Pennsylvania: Emily Frey, the class valedictorian, received the SRRHS Booster Club scholarship alongside other awards from the Sedona Elks Club and the Rotary Club of Sedona.

■ Yavapai College: Esmeralda Carreno, Giovanni Diaz Rodriguez, Lorena Flores, Logan Kuhn, and Jose Mendoza.

Jaiden Pallarez will enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps and was recognized with a certificate for the Foster Friess Military Scholarship, along with a U.S. Marine Corps flag from the Sedona Area Veteran and Community Outreach.

Participants in the ceremony included the Sedona-Oak Creek Canyon Lions Club, Sedona Elks Club No. 2291, and several other local organizations. A notable addition this year was the Susan Simon Leadership Award. Abel Villa received the inaugural $1,000 scholarship to pursue elementary education at NAU, reflecting the commitment to support future educators.

Yanixa Lopez earned a $1,500 scholarship from the Coffee Pot Restaurant for bilingual students maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA, and an additional $1,000 from Pinnacle Bank for nursing studies at NAU.

Pinnacle Bank Branch President Mark Tufte honored Alana Schrader with a $1,000 scholarship, commending her achievement of completing seven advanced placement classes while participating in extracurricular activities.

Teresa Lamparter, the counseling secretary, highlighted the proactive approach to connect students with donors, starting in January. She emphasized the dedication of the students and the community’s support, creating a special environment for the ceremony.