Outstanding Graduates
Meet just a few of our approximately 2,300 outstanding graduates who will walk across a stage this week to receive their St. Vrain Valley Schools diploma. Congratulations to all students in the Class of 2023!
Erie High School
Aria Pickett
Counseling/Psychology, Liberty University
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
Erie offers an abundance of AP and concurrent enrollment opportunities that I was able to take part in. Specifically, completing the AP Capstone helped me understand college-style writing. With these classes, I was still able to improve in English, which I greatly appreciated because it is a class that I consider myself highly proficient in. Further, taking an FRCC class in Psychology provided a safe place for me to understand how to communicate with college professors and understand how to handle harsh deadlines and the starker differences between high school and college courses.
Attaish Andalam
Astronomy & Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder
What makes your high school unique?
I had the most experience with Erie’s Engineering Aerospace Diploma program, which offered numerous opportunities to learn about the engineering field while teaching us how to get first hand experience with the field, this was extremely beneficial for furthering my education in college.
Jocelyn Poirier
Biomedical Engineering
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
A student may want to attend Erie because of its balance. I feel like there are so many opportunities to be a part of, and all are valued equally. Our choir program is amazing, as well as our orchestra and band which feeds into the theater program, and we also have great athletes. Our academics are also spread out with advanced and specific classes in art, math, science, history, and English, and plenty of opportunities to take college credit classes. There’s something for everyone at Erie, even if you don’t know what you want to do yet.
Frederick High School
Carlie Nagy
Quantitative Biosciences and Engineering & Minoring in Business Engineering/Management Sciences, Colorado School of Mines
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
Frederick High School represents its students in the best possible way. I feel proud to say that I will be graduating as a Frederick High School Golden Eagle. Frederick offers a lot of opportunities that include P-TECH, and Biomedical programs. I encourage new students to take advantage of these special programs!
Jay Johnston
Political Science and Psychology, University of Colorado, Boulder
What advice would you give to students entering high school next year?
Getting involved with clubs, sports, and academics is very important to getting the high school experience! As an incoming freshman, I had no interest in playing sports, or getting into any clubs, but I tried it out and I am proud to say that I’ve been apart of some pretty amazing groups at Frederick High School such as Link Crew, Sources of Strength, Student Council, National Honors Society, and the Tennis Program. These have all given me groups of people to build and create connections with, and allow others to feel welcomed once they walk through the doors of Frederick High School.
Crystal Rojas Carbajal
Biochemistry, University of Denver
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
My school’s focus programs have prepared me for postsecondary success in a multitude of ways. Joining P-TECH was the greatest decision in my high school career. I know the rigor of the courses helped me stand out on my college applications. With the program I also got job experience and it was a motivator to major in biochemistry.
Longmont High School
Kimberly Hernandez
Biology, Colorado State University
What’s a favorite memory from your time at St. Vrain?
My favorite memory was being able to travel to Seattle with our school’s SMART Team. It’s a year long club and seeing all of our work at the very end was incredible. We attended a conference hosted by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. They held a poster session where we were able to present to other SMART Teams from all around the United States and also present to undergrad and graduate students. Being surrounded by like minded individuals who all shared a passion for the subject was one of the best experiences in my life, and it would not have been possible without St. Vrain’s dedication to providing the resources necessary for students to grow and succeed.
Izaac Stone
Biomedical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
Longmont High School’s Medical Bioscience Academy (MBSA) program has helped prepare me for my aspirations to pursue the medical field in college. MBSA has helped provide me with internship opportunities and real life experiences in the medical field. MBSA has prepared me for my future endeavors and pursuits!
Malia Hendricks
Civil Engineering and Architectural Design, Northeastern University
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
A student should want to attend Longmont High School to become a part of a tightly knit, supportive community that would encourage them to explore any and every aspect of the world around them.
Lyons Middle Senior High School
Keara Ping
Forestry, minoring in Botany, Colorado State University
What advice would you give to students entering high school next year?
Some advice I’d give to students entering high school is to prioritize staying organized and completing assignments promptly. Embrace constructive criticism as an invaluable tool for your personal growth and resilience. Always remember that challenges are opportunities for growth, and a bright future awaits you.
Jordan Brownsberger
Marine Biology, Western Washington University
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
The small nature of the school helps me and other students get the help we need by building meaningful relationships with our teachers and administration.
Violet Johnson
University of Denver
What makes your high school unique?
Something that is very unique about Lyons is the easy ability to ask teachers questions and get extra help from them, and through that establish a stronger bond with your teachers. Another unique thing that is part of the school being a smaller size is having class sizes that vary a lot. You’ll have classes with very few people and classes with a larger amount and that allows for you to experience both a more lively classroom and a more intimate classroom.
Mead High School
Mateo Gonzaga
Double Major in Business Management & Leadership and Entrepreneurship, Loyola Marymount University
What’s a favorite memory from your time at St. Vrain?
One of my favorite memories was sitting in on the school board meetings as a member of district advisory. This was so memorable because I got to see inside what goes on in our district. I got to meet and form personal relationships with the members of the board. I felt cared about and supported by the highest levels of authority in the district, which is rare for a student.
Maya Thompson
University of Arizona
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
A student should attend Mead High School for great academic opportunities as well as to find a place to be involved in something new or expand their past involvements. There are many opportunities to find something you are passionate about in high school, especially at Mead. For me, I hadn’t found anything I was interested in in middle school. In high school, I found Unified Sports. This part of my high school experience has guided my life in ways I could have never imagined, as I am now involved with Special Olympics on a national level, and currently serve as the Youth Representative on the Special Olympics Board of Director. If you are interested in a sport, the sporting department is also amazing at Mead High School. Whatever sport you are a part of, you are sure to succeed here. There are also many clubs and many unique classes to be a part of, therefore there is something for everyone at Mead High School to enjoy.
New Meridian High School
America Gonzalez
Sonography, Red Rocks Community College
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
New Meridian has helped me earn all my credits and start college early. Because of the support provided, I attended CETC and Front Range Community College while enrolled in high school. I am one step ahead because of the support at New Meridian.
Carson Bettencourt
Welding, Catawba Valley Community College or Navy
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
New Meridian is a very unique place that offers small classes. The school has great teachers who are there to help you if you need it and it is also small so you will know almost everyone there.
Autumn Palmer
Mortician, On-the-Job Training
What makes your high school unique?
What makes New Meridian unique is providing students with a second chance in a smaller setting. The teachers take the time to ask what support you need, and they really try to get to know you, they really care about their students.
Niwot High School
Kimora Northrup
Movement Science/Kinesiology, Texas Christian University
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
Niwot has taught me attentiveness and perseverance. Taking honors/ AP classes has instilled a strong work ethic in me. Taking tough classes taught me to persevere in my academics even when I have other important things going on in my life.
Jayden Singh
Health Science, University of Florida
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
Niwot High School is the only institution in St. Vrain that has the IB Diploma Programme. The IB programme is an opportunity for preparation for the future. Through Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), Extended Essay, and various learning opportunities of the IB Programme, I learned about work ethic, reflection, and many more vital skills for my future endeavors. As an IB Diploma Candidate, I know that I am prepared for my undergraduate studies and beyond.
Audrey Asbury
Business, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
What’s a favorite memory from your time at St. Vrain?
My favorite memory from my time in St. Vrain was attending the Colorado Thespian conference as a Colorado State Thespian officer this last December. My mentorship through the Niwot Theater department allowed me to hold this position, and it has expanded my passion for arts advocacy and spreading awareness for the importance of arts education. At the conference I was able to host an improv workshop for middle school students, speak in front of 5,000 attendees at high school conference, and raise money for Colorado Thespians charity project “Share the Dream”. The most prominent part of this experience was being able to meet thespians from all over the state of Colorado, while promoting the importance of arts education.
Silver Creek High School
Austin Brubaker
Economics, Harvard University
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
Silver Creek High School offers a unique opportunity to explore all fields of education with various AP courses, community college classes, as well as career development and technology courses. With Silver Creek’s dedicated teachers and staff, it makes learning not only exciting, but also fun!
Max Scherer
Biomechanical Engineering, Stanford University
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
Silver Creek provides students with a wide range of educational opportunities. Ranging anywhere from welding classes to AP Chemistry to AP European History to an incredible music program, Silver Creek’s versatile educational program introduces students to a plethora of different topics and encourages many different post secondary plans. Furthermore, I believe that all of Silver Creek’s classes focus on encouraging excellence, while also making sure that every student feels comfortable while they are learning new topics.
Katherine Bogdanova
Princeton University
What advice would you give to students entering high school next year?
I would tell new students entering Silver Creek to not be afraid to try new things or take on leadership opportunities when they can. Silver Creek allows these students to grow and flourish through various clubs, extracurricular activities, and sports. Students entering this school should remember that this time is for them to explore as much as they can and take on things that will help them grow as both a student and overall person. Students should pursue any passions they have as well as volunteer when they can because it truly makes you a better leader and community member.
Skyline High School
Lizette Duran Valderrama
Business Management and Entrepreneurship, University of Colorado, Boulder
What advice would you give to students entering high school next year?
My advice for future students entering high school is to keep showing up and don’t be afraid to do things out of your comfort zone. There’s a saying in Spanish “todo a su tiempo” which translates to everything at its own time. I think about that saying every time something bad happens because there’s a time and place for everything. Despite what happens it’s important to know that is not the end, it’s only the beginning.
Ulises Cortez
Computer Science, University of Colorado, Boulder
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
As a FalconTECH student, I have had an incredible experience that has prepared me for postsecondary success in the field of technology. Through FalconTECH, I was able to earn my Associates Degree in Computer Information Systems while still in high school, giving me a significant head start in my college education. This has provided me with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in my future career. FalconTECH has provided me with a strong foundation in technology, as well as opportunities to gain hands-on experience, attain internships, and network with professionals in my field. These experiences have prepared me well for postsecondary success in computer science and beyond.
Katelyn Kelso
Entertainment Design, Laguna College of Art and Design
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
Students should want to attend Skyline High School because of the outstanding community that it fosters. The teachers and other staff members are welcoming and accepting, and the opportunities at Skyline allow all kinds of students to flourish in their own unique ways. These important aspects of our school allow healthy and genuine communities to form, which makes Skyline an amazing place to be.
St. Vrain Virtual High School
Rylan Kinzle
Computer Science, Baylor University
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
St. Vrain Virtual High School allows every student to work at their own pace. Every student has different ways of learning and SVVHS does a great job of catering to that.
Noah Johnson
Front Range Community College
What makes your high school unique?
Between having one-on-one time with our teachers, flexibility to properly fit accommodations with minimal stress, and forming strong relationships with each of the mentors in the building, I can confidently say that we are all supported. The online courses are not only self-paced, but they are structured to fit as many needs and preferences as possible. The variety in formats is one of the factors that draw students in, which is one of the many goals that has been set for SVVHS.
Avery Feagans
Psychology or Criminal Justice, Front Range Community College
What advice would you give to students entering high school next year?
My advice to students going entering high school is not to hesitate to ask for help whenever you need it, and be kind to everyone around you.
APEX Homeschool Program
Carson Rumsey
Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder
What’s a favorite memory from your time at St. Vrain?
My favorite part of my high school experience was with Up-A-Creek Robotics, a robotics club sponsored by St. Vrain. My five years in that program have defined me as an engineer, guided me to find my passion, and paved a way for me to get where I want to go after high school. My favorite moment with the team was last spring at the FIRST World Championships when our years of learning culminated in us winning the competition!
Margaret Gillett
Nursing, Michigan State University
How has your school’s focus program prepared you for postsecondary success?
APEX’s focus on high academic achievement, particularly through its AP English courses, has significantly improved my time management skills, problem solving, and adaptability through difficulty. These skills have served as a foundation for my academic success in high school as well as at Front Range Community College, and will continue to do so.
Nate Herrera
Agricultural Business /Psychology, Allan Hancock College
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
APEX allows flexibility to take classes at FRCC, CETC, and IC at the same time without worrying about your schedule. As a student you will have the opportunity to customize your schedule to better fit your daily life.
LaunchED Virtual Academy
Melanie Vazquez Galvan
Nursing, Front Range Community College
What advice would you give to students entering high school next year?
My advice would be to really organize yourself and focus on school, making sure they are staying on top of all of your assignments, and getting good grades. Don’t be shy and know that your teachers are here to help, they are reaching out to benefit everyone, and they really want you to succeed.
Hunter Engstrom
Welding/Machining Trade School
Why should a student want to attend your high school?
The flexibility to be online and have time in the day to take care of other things while still getting a really good education is great.
Malia Henriques
Film Studies, University of Colorado, Denver
What makes your high school unique?
The most obvious thing is that it is online. People might be surprised that there is a lot of opportunity to get involved in the school, almost as much or more for me as in-person school. I am part of the student leadership team, art independent study, and have opportunities at the Innovation Center, and other clubs/activities too.