Landmark events as high schools start new year

It is a banner year for the Yuma Union High School District as it welcomes back students for a new academic year.

As Yuma High School wraps up centennial celebrations and Kofa marks its 50th anniversary, Gila Ridge High School will graduate its first senior class. Cibola and San Luis high schools are excited about preparing another class for higher education.

YUHSD Superintendent Toni Badone said students and staff are expected to reach higher levels of success because they have such creative people with a positive attitude.

"We continue to strive to have as many sophomores pass AIMS the first time they take it and to work with our elementary partner schools in AVID training (college prep class) and curriculum conversations, which made it possible to have over 60 percent pass AIMS in math this year."

This will be the first year Gila Ridge High School, which opened two years ago, will have grades nine through 12. Principal James Sheldahl noted that it is special to be the first graduating class from any school.

"It's rewarding looking back and see sophomores grow into seniors and get to know them and their families."

Sheldahl said the biggest challenge will be cutbacks. But he said there is a desk for every student, even if some are refurbished as a result of the Eagle Scout project of senior Nathan Nelson, which is an example of the type of student leadership Gila Ridge has fostered.

On the first day of school Tuesday, the Gila Ridge student council organized a "red carpet" event where students marched through the main breezeway. The student council handed out necklaces in the school colors of Carolina blue, black and silver, all accompanied by music.

"It was a warm welcome back," Sheldahl said. "We set up a help desk to let students know where classes are and answer all the FAQs."

Jay Vanwassenhoven, physical training instructor and soccer coach, is in his first year at Gila Ridge after four years at San Luis High School. He said he was glad to be teaching in a school in the neighborhood in which he lives.

"The administration worked hard to make sure today went smooth and the faculty appreciates their efforts."
  Junior Kirk Dunn, 16, said he is anticipating the upcoming sports season as he prepares to play defensive end for the football team.

"We'll definitely take the city championship. It's also nice to talk to friends I haven't seen all summer, but it is a little disappointing vacation is over."

Junior Alex Jordan, 16, said he hopes to maintain his grade-point average to get a scholarship opportunity. Alex said he wants to focus on a career in sports medicine and leans toward attending Northern Arizona University-Flagstaff.

Kofa senior Jenna Covey, 17, student body president, reminds everyone the main event is the Kofa/Yuma High School football game, which the whole community should celebrate "because it's great to be a Kofa King," Covey said.

Kofa senior Allison Pallack, 17, said the first day back is going well yet didn't want to get out of bed. But Allison said she is glad to catch up with old friends and relieved the two prior years of building renovation is done.

"It's weird with all the construction completed because I grew up on the old campus. But the new campus is so open and much easier to find your way around."

Just completed this fall are the new Kofa gym and a classroom building that houses the fine arts classes, book and student stores. Principal Gina Thompson said the new buildings are designed to let in a lot of natural light and the campus layout is very welcoming. She said alumni have already been participating in the 50th birthday party weekend of Oct. 29-30.

"It's very exciting and very special for these students to see the pride the alumni have in Kofa and that they share with them."