LA JARA — Packed to near-capacity, the Centauri High School gymnasium erupted in cheers on Saturday morning, May 23, as 85 graduating seniors walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
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LA JARA — Packed to near-capacity, the Centauri High School gymnasium erupted in cheers on Saturday morning, May 23, as 85 graduating seniors walked across the stage to receive their diplomas.
The class marked the milestone with staggering academic achievements, a massive haul in scholarship funding, and poignant reflections on resilience and hard work.
Before the graduates turned their tassels, their collective achievements had already set a high bar. CHS Principal Katie Montague highlighted the exceptional drive of the class during her Welcoming Address, noting that:
— 16 students graduated with a GPA of 4.0 or above.
— 7 students have already earned their associate’s degrees alongside their high school diplomas.
— One graduate is bound for the University of Notre Dame—a feat a CHS student hasn't accomplished in over a decade.
The class's hard work paid off literally, securing a staggering $2.498 million in scholarships, a number Montague noted is still "and counting."
The ceremony began with opening remarks from North Conejos School District Superintendent Darren Edgar, followed by Principal Montague’s address, which balanced emotional farewells with inspiring charges for the future.
"While the world you step into may be complex, it is also full of possibility, and it needs your voices, your ideas, and your leadership," Montague told the crowd. "Success isn't just about titles, paychecks or applause. It's about purpose. It's about waking up each day and choosing to add something good to the world, no matter how big or small."
Montague encouraged the graduates to take risks and "fall forward," concluding her remarks by channeling Dr. Seuss: "You're off to Great Places! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting, So... get on your way!"
The ceremony featured insights from the school's top four ranked students: Mckenzie Torres, Konner Horton, Alyvia Norton, and Brooklyn Shawcroft.
Torres, a self-proclaimed "big fan of Elvis Presley," used a quote from the King of Rock 'n' Roll to urge her peers to stay grounded through life's ups and downs.
"Every challenge, every loss, every win and every accomplishment is an opportunity to strengthen yourself as a person," Torres said. "So go out and face your adversities, and when you overcome them and find yourself in prosperity, accept it while always remaining humble and modest."
Konner Horton, the class's top-ranked boy, delivered a speech centered on the relationship between dreams and effort, distinguishing between aspiring and perspiring.
"Having aspirations is easy but making them into reality takes perspiration. And perspiration is the hard part," Horton said, before challenging his classmates. "Learn to improve and learn to perspire with purpose... I have no doubt that all our graduates today can be capable of doing great things."
The commencement also paused to honor deep roots within the North Conejos School District. Three long-time retiring staffers were recognized for their decades of combined service and dedication:
— Paige Fringer (31 years)
— Brad Huffaker (27 years)
— Randa McCarroll (22 years)
The graduates were escorted into the gymnasium by the 2026 Outstanding Junior students, Alaysha Silva and Durant Gilleland. The invocation was given by graduate Alivia Miller, and Whitney McCauley delivered the benediction.
The North Conejos School District Board of Education handed out the diplomas. The ceremony concluded in classic fashion: a sea of red and white caps tossed high into the gymnasium air, signaling the beginning of 85 new journeys.
