San Luis High School News

Yuma Union High School District students attended the Southern Arizona Regional Science and Engineering Fair (SARSEF) on March 4, 2025 at the University of Arizona in Tucson. 

After spending the majority of the fall semester designing their projects, collecting necessary data, writing their narratives and creating their posters, students from Cibola, Kofa, San Luis, Vista and Yuma High all came home with an award or placed first or second in their respective project category at SARSEF. 

"I've been obsessed with cars since I was a little kid so I liked being able to do my project on them,” Vista High School student Dwayne Cumm said. “It made it not feel like what I thought science was. Eventually I would want to find a way to replicate my project into the real world. When I found out I won I was looking forward to telling my dad and he was also really proud of me."

Apart from students earning awards, San Luis High School science teacher Krysteena Bailey also received a SARSEF Educators Award for her work as a science teacher at San Luis. 

“I am honored to have received the award though I could not have done it without my colleagues and their support with the students as well,” Bailey said. “This was honestly a team effort even if it is my name on the award.”

SARSEF provides students opportunities to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills, network with STEM professionals, and a chance to earn scholarships and prizes. 

These students now have the opportunity to move on to the Arizona Science and Engineering Fair. 

Below are the names and awards each student/class received:

Cibola High School
Nora German, Richard Moreno: Most Outstanding Project, Comparative Growth Analysis of Lettuce in Soil VS. Aquaponics Systems
Samantha Chulamorkodt: Second Place, Outstanding Exhibit in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, Error Propagation in Quantum Computing, IBM Kiskit Based Simulation of Quantum Pauli Error's through Controlled - NOT(CNOT) Gates for Quantum Error Correction

Kofa High School
Allison Martinez, Lakai Williams: APA Certificate of Achievement in Research in Psychological Science, COVID Quarantine and Children’s Reading Levels
Nathan Salasibarra: Naval Science Award, Effects on Reaction Times with Games

San Luis High School
Alexa Rios, Valeria Herrera: SARSEF Board Award, Flutterfest: The Butterfly Diet Guide
Eduardo Medina, Enrique Aguero Leal, Alonso Mendoza Ruiz: Taking the Pulse of the Planet Award, Trankanaytor
Bryant Mendez’s AP Physics Class: First Place, The Role of Soil Treatments in Dust Control and Environmental Health
Valeria Gutierrez, Alondra Patron, Karely Alvarado: Second Place, Magnet Heat: Driving Maglev Efficiency

Vista High School
Dwayne Cumm: SARSEF Board Award, TireGrip Dynamics: Compound Performance Analysis

Yuma High School
Brianna Gonzalez: Law & Policy Award, Science Museums
 

Yuma Union High School District will administer the Arizona Statewide Achievement Assessment for Science (AzSCI) Exam on Tuesday, March 18, 2025 for 11th Grade (Class of 2026 cohort) students.

AzSCI consists of three test units that assess the Arizona Science Standards (AzSS). The AzSS presents a vision of what it means to be scientifically literate as well as college and career ready. Results are available to schools in May 2025.

School will start at its regularly scheduled time. Lunch will be provided for all students. 

Students in Grades 9, 10 and 12 (non-testers) will be dismissed at the following times:

• Cibola, Gila Ridge, Kofa, and Yuma High Schools: 11:50 a.m.
• San Luis High School: 11:34 a.m.
• Vista High School: 12:24 p.m.
• Strategies for Success: Students will attend class virtually from home using the Canvas Learning Management System. They will need to submit their attendance by clicking on the E-Learning button located on the homepage of every teacher’s Canvas page.

Students in Grade 11 (testers) will remain at their respective schools to take the test. Please note: Somerton High School will follow its regular bell schedule on March 18 due to having no students who are members of the Class of 2026. 

Those testing are encouraged to bring earbuds/headphones. Dismissal is at the following times:

• Cibola, Gila Ridge, Kofa, and Yuma High Schools: 2:40 p.m. 
• San Luis High School: 2:30 p.m.
• Vista High School: 3:30 p.m.

A late bus run is available for students needing additional time to complete the AzSCI Exam.

All students will return to their respective campuses as regularly scheduled on Wednesday, March 19, 2025.
 

Yuma Union High School District students from Cibola High School and San Luis High School placed among the top three in their respective categories at the Yuma County Science and Engineering Expo on February 13, 2025.

Twenty-five YUHSD students from four high schools submitted projects with six students from Cibola and four students from San Luis placing.

“Our students put in countless hours refining their skills, pushing themselves to new levels, and overcoming challenges along the way,” Cibola High School Science and Chemistry teacher Jessica Hill said. “Their success is well-earned, and although my students had to replant their seeds several times, I am very proud that they did not give up and displayed the resilience we as a school attempt to foster in our students.”

Below are the students who placed:
San Luis High School (Krysteena Bailey’s class)
Alexa Rios and Valeria Herrera Sanchez - Second place, Zoology
Aubrey Solano and Romel Villa - Third place, Social Sciences

Cibola High School (Jessica Hill’s class)
Dalyn Dusek - Second place, Social Sciences
Elijah Davis and Seya Sanchez - Second place, Botany
Loriann Batres - Third place, Physics

Cibola High School (Mari Echols’s class)
Callie Powell - Third place, Zoology
Samantha Chulamorkdodt - Second place, Engineering and Technology

The Yuma County Science & Engineering Expo is an annual science fair for K-12 students. YUHSD regularly participates. 

Science students from Cibola, Kofa, San Luis, and Vista will be competing in the  Southern Arizona Research, Science, and Engineering Foundation (SARSEF), the regional competition, in Tucson in March.
 

In celebration of heart month, Onvida Health, in partnership with the Yuma
Union High School District, is bringing back its Teen Heart Screening Event to
help identify potentially life-threatening heart conditions in young athletes and
students.


At the event, Onvida Health medical professionals will provide free cardiac
screenings, including EKGs, and potentially echocardiograms, to students.
These screenings are critical in detecting hidden heart conditions that can lead
to sudden cardiac arrest, offering families potentially life-saving knowledge.

“We all know the importance of heart health, but many people don’t realize the
number of heart conditions that can go undetected – especially in young
people,” says Tracy Terrones, DPN, Director of Cardiovascular and
Cardiopulmonary Services at Onvida Health. “Our Teen Heart screenings event
connects students to our healthcare professionals, giving parents and kids the
knowledge they need to stay heart healthy.”


The event highlights Onvida Health’s dedication to building a healthier tomorrow
and its mission to provide accessible, preventive care to Yuma’s youth. Special
thanks to Kofa High School for hosting, as well as Eric Paredes Save a Life
Foundation for their partnership.


“We are thankful to Onvida Health for bringing this event to our community.
Supporting the health and well-being of our students is a top priority,” said
Robert Jankowski, YUHSD Associate Superintendent. “This screening provides
a valuable and free opportunity for them to stay proactive about their heart
health. We encourage all students to take advantage of this event and prioritize
their well-being.”

For more information, visit www.onvidahealth.org/event/teen-heart-screenings/

More than 300 Yuma Union High School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) students competed in the SkillsUSA Region One competition throughout the last week of January at Arizona Western College (AWC), and several other locations across Yuma County.

In addition to YUHSD, Region One includes AWC, Antelope Union High School, Southwest Technical Education District of Yuma (STEDY), and middle school students from the area. 

“The students have worked so hard to prepare for this moment,” San Luis High School stagecraft teacher Timothy Ames said. “After their competitions, they’re coming out smiling, empowered, and ready to take on the next step in this journey, which would be state.” 

Students took part in 35 events where they were able to showcase their skills in areas such as stagecraft, prepared speech, job interview, video production, welding, automotive technologies, and more. 

Many YUHSD students will be advancing to the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference in Phoenix, Arizona, which will take place in April. 

More about SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers, and industry working together to ensure the United States has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA serves more than 300,000 students and instructors annually. The organization has 13,000 school chapters in 54 state and territorial associations. More than 14,500 instructors and administrators are professional members of SkillsUSA. The state of Arizona has been part of SkillsUSA since 1966.
 

San Luis High School will conduct the Arizona English Language Learner Assessment (AZELLA) Exam on Thursday, February 6, 2025. This exam is mandatory for all English Language Learner (ELL) students, including those in all grade levels and those with a Parent Withdrawal on file.

To facilitate this important assessment, only ELL students (testers) will be present on campus on February 6. Non-ELL students (non-testers) will complete their coursework independently from home via the Canvas Learning Management System. These students are required to submit attendance for each class through a Google Form provided by their teachers.

Schedule for Thursday, February 6, 2025:

• The school day will begin at the regularly scheduled time.
• Dismissal times are as follows:
  • Buses will depart at 1:15 p.m.
  • A late bus will run at 2:30 p.m. for students needing additional time to complete the AZELLA Exam.

All students will return to campus and follow their regular schedule on Friday, February 7, 2025.
 

For the seventh year in a row, Yuma Union High School District seniors will have the opportunity to apply for one of the biggest surprises of their lives.

The window for the 2025 Helios Education Foundation Ready Now Yuma Scholarship application is open. Selected applicants receive up to $15,000 per year, renewable up to three additional years.

The scholarship is exclusively available to one student at each YUHSD campus with graduating seniors. Winners are announced in the spring by way of a surprise video, complete with balloons and an oversized check.

The program supports seniors with financial need attending an accredited post-secondary institution and pursuing any field of study. Students must be enrolled full-time in an accredited college or university and pursuing a 4-year degree. This scholarship is renewable if students are in good standing and maintain the required Grade Point Average.

For more information and to fill out the required application before the deadline of March 17, 2025, students are encouraged to visit: https://www.azfoundation.org/Scholarships/Scholarship-Opportunities

As part of the awarding of the scholarship, YUHSD and Helios have partnered to surprise students. To see the recorded surprises, visit YUHSD’s official YouTube channel or click the following link: https://youtu.be/q1oxV0tK49Y?si=eXKlKIlcTouwOAYU

This is the seventh year of the scholarship program, which has awarded up to $2.16 million in scholarships to YUHSD students during the past six school years. Here are the previous scholars: 

2023-24
Grace Villa, Cibola High School, Arizona State University
Kirra McDowell, Gila Ridge High School, Arizona State University
Emma Connor, Kofa High School, Boston University
Anelys Romo Herrera, San Luis High School, Arizona State University
Nalani Acosta, Vista High School, Arizona Western College
Patrick Argomaniz, Yuma High School, Northern Arizona University

2022-23
Taylor Rice, Cibola High School, Northern Arizona University
Trinity Guiden, Gila Ridge High School, Arizona State University
Kristy Mojardin, Kofa High School, Arizona State University
Dana Valdenebro, San Luis High School, University of Arizona
Jacey Leon, Vista High School, Northern Arizona University
Raymond Nunez, Yuma High School, Northern Arizona University

2021-22
Citlaly Salinas Garcia, Cibola High School, University of California
Isabella Gonzalez-Serna, Gila Ridge High School, Northern Arizona University
Isaac Navarrete, Kofa High School, Northern Arizona University
Karina Esquer, San Luis High School, Emory University
Michelle Medina, Vista High School, Mesa Community College
Fernando Nunez-Dominguez, Yuma High School, Arizona State University

2020-21
Marley Barker, Cibola High School, Arizona State University
Jordan Bunte, Gila Ridge High School, Northern Arizona University
Monthserrat Cano, Kofa High School, Arizona State University
Jovanna Wesley, Kofa High School, Northern Arizona University
Georgette Encinas, San Luis High School, George Washington University
Jethzly Navarro, Yuma High School, Arizona State University

2019-20
Serena Felix, Cibola High School, Northern Arizona University
Adrian Hernandez, Gila Ridge High School, Arizona State University
William Krueger, Kofa High School, Grand Canyon University
Naiara Avila, San Luis High School, Northern Arizona University
Iris Binuya, Vista High School, Arizona Western College
Caroline Martinez, Yuma High School, Northern Arizona University

2018-19
Karen Campa, Cibola High School, University of Arizona
Julieta Taraborrelli, Gila Ridge High School, University of Arizona;
Epiphany Jones, Kofa High School, Arizona State University;
Fransheska Salgado, San Luis High School, Arizona State University;
Lesley Barajas, Vista High School, Northern Arizona University
Anthony Nunez Romero, Yuma High School, University of Arizona.

About Helios Education Foundation

Helios Education Foundation exists to support postsecondary attainment for all students, especially low-income and underrepresented communities, in Arizona and Florida. Driven by our fundamental beliefs of community, equity, investment, and partnership, Helios has invested about $350 million in partnerships and initiatives focused on improving third-grade reading, college-going, and postsecondary attainment in the two states we serve since 2006.

San Luis High School Career and Technical Education (CTE) stagecraft instructor Timothy Ames has been recognized by SkillsUSA for significant membership growth in the 2024-25 school year. 

The program registered 25-50 additional members to compete in SkillsUSA compared to the previous year, earning a SkillsUSA Framework banner to display in the classroom.

“I am proud of our program and the students who make it successful,” Ames said. “They work hard and take full advantage of opportunities to shine. I want every student to find their place, whether it’s in stagecraft, CTE, art, or any other class that sparks their passion. Thank you to our students, campus administration, instructional leaders, and district administration for their ongoing support.”

SLHS stagecraft students have excelled in competition, earning four bronze, three silver, and three gold medals at the State Leadership and Skills Conference. The program’s Promotional Bulletin Board team has competed at nationals twice, most recently placing sixth.

Ames has been at SLHS since the 2017-18 school year. After starting the stagecraft program in 2020, the program has consistently had an average of 120 students participating. Since then, it has expanded to other schools in the district, including Gila Ridge High School and Kofa High School.

The SkillsUSA Framework banner highlights the importance of CTE programs in helping students develop practical skills and prepare for future careers. SLHS stagecraft continues to provide valuable opportunities for students to learn, compete, and grow.

About SkillsUSA

SkillsUSA is a national nonprofit organization that helps students develop technical, workplace, and personal skills. It serves more than 372,000 career and technical education students and instructors annually across the country.
 

Yuma Union High School District’s student nutrition department will soon be cooking up some of its best meals yet. 

YUHSD was one of six school districts in the United States selected to take part in the sixth cohort of the “Get Schools Cooking” program, which is designed for school districts to transition from a heat-and-serve to a scratch-cooking operational model so they can serve students fresher, healthier, and more appetizing meals.

“We are thrilled to have this incredible opportunity to be part of Chef Ann Foundation Sixth Cohort of ‘Get Schools Cooking,’” YUHSD Executive Director of Student Nutrition Elena Hildreth said. “Our goal has always been to provide our students with fresh healthy meals, rich in culture and true to the community of Yuma. Having the support and resources from the Chef Ann Foundation, will ensure we are successful.”

The intensive three-year program is part of the Chef Ann Foundation, founded by Ann Cooper, and includes training, strategic planning, an on-site assessment, and a system assistance grant. Overall, the program has a value of nearly $250,000 per participating district.

“We're so excited to kick off the sixth cohort of Get Schools Cooking and work closely with these
districts over the next three years to transform their meal programs," said Lori Nelson, Executive
Director of School Food Operations at the Chef Ann Foundation. “Not only will we provide healthier school meals to over 96,600 students, but we'll also be driving long-term sustainable change in school food systems nationwide."

Since 2016, not including the 2024-25 cohort, Get Schools Cooking has impacted more than 180,000 children in 27 districts across 21 states. YUHSD is only the second school district in Arizona and the first high school district in the country to be selected. 

Hildreth and members of her team will attend a Get School Cooking workshop in Bellingham, Washington in February to help kick off the program. 

The following districts were selected for the 2024-25 cohort: 
Yuma Union High School District, Arizona; Durham Public Schools, North Carolina; Fairfield City Schools, Alabama; Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Ohio; Santa Fe Public School District, New Mexico; and Elida Municipal Schools, New Mexico.