Atascadero High's Class of 2026 celebrated for academic excellence

By Hayley Mattson · Fri Jun 05 2026

The Top 30 AHS students honored with special dinner at City Hall before the district’s annual Night of Scholars & Champions

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Unified School District celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2026 through multiple events recognizing academic excellence, leadership, and community involvement as graduating seniors prepare to begin the next chapter of their lives.

The district first honored the Top 30 students from Atascadero High School during a special dinner celebration hosted at Atascadero City Hall. The event recognized students for their outstanding academic performance and dedication throughout their high school careers.

Later, the district’s 56th Annual Night of Scholars & Champions, held May 26 inside Ewing Gymnasium at Atascadero High School, recognized scholarship recipients and graduating seniors from Atascadero High School, Alternative Education Center (ACE), and Paloma Creek High School. Collectively, students across the district earned hundreds of scholarships totaling more than $411,000.

Atascadero High School’s graduating class of 296 seniors earned 163 scholarships totaling $366,600, highlighting another remarkable year of student achievement and community support.

Samantha Claire Coloma was named valedictorian for the Atascadero High School Class of 2026, while Lucas Vance earned salutatorian honors. Damian Thomas Marano was selected as this year’s commencement speaker during the ceremony held on Wednesday, June 3.

The district’s Top 30 honorees included Audrey Cohen, Audryana Mosqueda, Benjamin Barakat, Damian Marano, Drake Armstrong, Ella Robertson, Emiko Lundberg, Emma Lee Garrett, Grace Lewis, Jackson Thies, Jaycee Salas, Jonah Sullivan, Jonathan Mankins, Kyla King, Lillian Archer, Lucas Vance, Maria Magdalena Romo, Melisilei Tonga, Molly Brewster, Noah Ian Simon, Paige Moore, Samantha Claire Coloma, Sarahí Gomez, Scarlette Fonseca, Sophia Kinnear, Steven Ernst, Taylor Aupperle, Tyson Tenhaeff, Valeria Castañón Sandoval, and Wawona Lawler.

District administrators praised the graduating class not only for academic accomplishments, but also for perseverance, leadership, and involvement in athletics, arts, agriculture, clubs, and community service.

Alternative Education Center (ACE) also celebrated a successful graduating class this year, recognizing 63 graduates during commencement festivities. Natalie Prevost was named valedictorian and Preston Hopper earned salutatorian honors.

ACE students collectively earned $32,700 in scholarships and will continue their education at respected institutions including California Polytechnic State University, University of California, Davis, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and the University of Wyoming.

Meanwhile, Paloma Creek High School celebrated 40 graduates, with students earning more than $12,000 in scholarships. Andrea Graffagnino was selected as commencement speaker for the continuation high school ceremony.

During the Night of Scholars & Champions, dozens of local organizations, businesses, memorial foundations, and service clubs presented scholarships to deserving students pursuing a variety of educational and career pathways.

Sponsors included the Rotary Club of Atascadero, Kiwanis Club of Atascadero, Optimist Club of Atascadero, Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, Atascadero Police Foundation, Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, Atascadero Chamber of Commerce, and Atascadero Elks Lodge #2733, among many others.

Students recognized during the evening represented a broad range of accomplishments in academics, vocational studies, athletics, leadership, and volunteerism. Scholarship recipients included Jordan Amaro, Audrey Cohen, Samantha Coloma, Reese Griffiths, Jeremy Hendrix, Olivia Martin, Paige Moore, Ella Robertson, Jonah Sullivan, Abigail West, and dozens more graduating seniors honored during the ceremony.

School officials also expressed appreciation to the parents, teachers, donors, counselors, mentors, and community members who continue investing in student success and educational opportunities.

“Atascadero High School would like to thank all the individuals and organizations who have contributed to a very successful scholarship night,” Nikki Baca, principal of AHS stated. “We would also like to thank the families of tonight’s honorees for sharing their children with us.”

Graduates from the Class of 2026 are headed to colleges, universities, trade schools, military service, and mission programs across the country. Students will attend institutions including UCLA, USC, UC Irvine, New York University, San Diego State University, Montana State University, Biola University, Sacramento State, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, while others pursue vocational careers or service in the U.S. Air Force and Navy.

The district noted that the commencement season marks another milestone for students entering adulthood equipped with the skills and experiences developed throughout their educational journeys.

The Class of 2026 now prepares to officially close one chapter and begin another, carrying with them the support of families, educators, and the broader Atascadero community.

Feature Image: Rotary Club of Atascadero members present several graduating Atascadero High School seniors with grants for their educations during the Night of Scholars & Champions on May 26 at AHS's Ewing Gymnasium. Contributed photo