RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - A packed audience filled the Cordova High School Performing Arts Center on May 6 as hundreds of students were recognized for academic excellence, leadership, service and achievement during the school’s annual Scholarships and Awards Ceremony.

The two-hour event, held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 2239 Chase Drive, honored 223 students and highlighted nearly $36,000 in scholarships awarded to graduating seniors. The ceremony, emceed by Assistant Principal Dr. Carrie Jackson, Ed.D., brought together students, families, educators and community organizations in a celebration of achievement and support.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Cordova High School students have been awarded nearly $36,000 in scholarships this year,” Jackson said. “Their hard work, dedication, and excellence have truly paid off. Congratulations to all our scholarship recipients.”

Jackson noted that this year’s ceremony included a larger number of recipients than in previous years, reflecting growing student participation.

One of the evening’s largest awards, the Harding San Juan Lodge Scholarship, was presented to Camila Perez Mercado, who received $10,000, for her academic excellence and perseverance. Photo by Rick Sloan

Among the evening’s most meaningful moments was the presentation of the Cordova Joe Memorial Scholarship, awarded to Gregory Rubio. The $1,000 scholarship, presented by Kelley and Patrick Richardson, honors their father, a former U.S. Air Force serviceman and longtime Cordova High School custodian.

“Our amazing father came to Cordova High School after a 20-year career in the United States Air Force,” the Richardson family shared. “Cordova Joe, as he was called, did it all, but most importantly he did it all with a smile on his face and a true love for Cordova High. He believed in kindness to everyone and service to all.”

Rubio was selected for embodying those same values of service and kindness within the school community.

The City of Rancho Cordova Pride Scholarship recognized three students, Zainab Zhalili, Evangelina “Rei” Vargas, and Tisha Taneja, each receiving $1,250 for leadership and community engagement.

“These students have distinguished themselves in programs that demonstrate leadership, initiative and a drive to make positive impact,” said Management Analyst with the City of Rancho Cordova, Lydia Thung.

The $1,000 Cordova Joe Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Gregory Rubio, honoring a former U.S. Air Force serviceman and longtime Cordova High School custodian. Photo by Rick Sloan

One of the evening’s largest awards, the Harding San Juan Lodge Scholarship, was presented to Camila Perez Mercado, who received $10,000, for her academic excellence and perseverance.

The Kiwanis Club of Rancho Cordova also honored four students for service and academic dedication: Khubaib Rafi, Zainab Khalili, Janae Felton and Tisha Taneja.

“We are a service organization dedicated to supporting children and students in our community,” a Kiwanis representative said. “We believe in investing in young people and providing opportunities for future success.”

Other notable awards included the Larry E. Smith ‘62 Leadership & Ethics Scholarship, presented by Tony Gates, which went to Tisha Taneja for the sum of $1,500.

“I am here representing the almost 500 graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, West Point,” said Gates. “This scholarship is awarded to a student that resonates and shows the same type of character, values, leadership that we want.”

The Lee E. Clark Memorial Scholarship was then awarded to Gregory Rubio in honor of longtime educator and community mentor Lee E. Clark.

“This award is in honor of my mother, who was a mentor, a leader in her community, a teacher, and my best friend,” said FCUSD Board Member Honorable Chris Clark. “We are honored to continue her legacy (...) for the 10th year in a row.”

The Larry E. Smith ‘62 Leadership & Ethics Scholarship, presented by Tony Gates, went to Tisha Taneja for the sum of $1,500. Photo by Rick Sloan

The Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova also honored several students for service and academic achievement, while the Mark Levy Memorial Scholarship highlighted the power of storytelling and mentorship in student life. Presenter Karen Levy read excerpts from the winning essay before awarding Ardi Rodil the $500 scholarship.

“I read essays about an impressive ROTC teacher, hardworking mothers, inspirational immigrant parents and teachers who were described as brilliant lights,” said Levy.

The essay that stood out focused on a sister whose simple acts of kindness pushed her brother to dream bigger and then pass that kindness on to others. That same idea reflected Mark Levy’s legacy, in whose name the scholarship was created, in the way he impacted students and individuals whose lives he touched.

Other notable scholarships included the Cordova High School Construction Scholarship awarded to Brianna Anatiychuk; the Folsom Cordova Leadership Association Scholarship awarded to Renat Petrashishin; the Lester Family Scholarship awarded to Christian Cruz and the Natoma Lodge No 64 Scholarship awarded to Virginia Anderson and Aubree Myrick.

“This year’s recipient is a dedicated student athlete who has competed in both basketball and volleyball while also maintaining a 4.0 GPA and participating in our AVID program,” said Jackson about Petrashishin.

Escandon said about Cruz, “This year’s recipient has demonstrated resilience, ambition and academic excellence.”

Students involved in government and leadership were honored at the annual Scholarships and Awards Ceremony. Photo by Rick Sloan

Military commitments were also acknowledged, with several students recognized for joining the U.S. Marine Corps, introduced by Sgt. Adrian Vazquez, including Ezra Tobin, Jorge Ramirez Sian, Mohammad Zubair Jalali and Andy Salazar-Ortiz.

Programs such as Improve Your Tomorrow (IYT) also highlighted student success in community leadership and college readiness.

“The honorees have shared incredible dedication, commitment and character,” Francesca Christian said. “Not only are they graduating high school and continuing to college, but they also upheld IYT core values by leading with love, supporting their peers and showing the importance of community leadership.

Students also received recognition for civic engagement.

“The award honors students who demonstrate strong civic knowledge and active participation in their school and community,” said Jackson “This year, 176 seniors earned the recognition through leadership, service and engagement in programs that elevate student voice and community involvement. Their achievement reflects CHS’s commitment to preparing informed, engaged, and empowered citizens.”

CSF Life Members were honored for sustained academic achievement and service, having collectively contributed more than 750 service hours during high school. Photo by Rick Sloan

Cordova High also recognized students earning academic distinctions and certifications in rigorous academic programs, including the International Baccalaureate (IB), California Scholarship Federation (CSD) and the California State Seal of Biliteracy.

Stephanie Poland presented IB distinctions, noting that students “have met these challenges with enthusiasm and perseverance.” She also noted the growth of the IB Career Programme, saying, “It’s so exciting to see such growth in the program, we had 20 candidates last year and 43 this year.

IB Diploma candidates will wear white cords at graduation, May 29, while IB Career Programme students earn purple cords and IB Certificates students will wear blue cords.

CSF Life Members were also honored for sustained academic achievement and service, having collectively contributed more than 750 service hours during high school.

“They also must meet the academic requirements, GPA and heavy workload,” said Megan Hamm. “They are simply the best of the best. Tonight, we recognize the members with longevity in the club as they have earned a life membership and will wear gold stoles to graduation.”

Several students were recognized for completing the International Baccalaureate Certificate program and will wear blue cords at graduation. Photo by Rick Sloan

The Seal of Biliteracy recognized students proficient in languages including Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, Russian, Punjabi and more.

“We are proud to present the Seal of Biliteracy in recognition of outstanding achievement in speaking, reading and writing in languages beyond English,” said Fernando Escandon.

Jackson added, “Cordova High increased this award by 25%, which is the largest in the district.”

The ceremony concluded with recognition of co-valedictorians Camila Perez Mercado and Violet Freeburn.

“This year marks a year of remarkable excellence, two students have risen to the top earning the most prestigious award,” said Principal Amy Strawn.

Both reflected on their journey to graduation.

“I feel super proud of myself and my fellow valedictorian,” Perez Mercado said. “We spent so long stressing over exams, over grades, having long study sessions, and to see it come to fruition is incomparable.”

Principal Amy Strawn (left) recognized this year’s co-valedictorians Violet Freeburn (middle) and Camila Perez Mercado (right). Photo by Rick Sloan

Freeburn said the moment held special meaning for her family.

“My mom never graduated high school,” she said. “Seeing her in the stands crying really meant a lot to me. I feel very proud of her also for being such a mentor and role model.”

Strawn reflected on the significance of the event and the graduating class.

“This time of year, is exactly why we show up every day,” Strawn said. “Seeing them thrive and having them come back and tell us where they went after Cordova is really the testament. If I could tell these kids one thing, it’s to stay curious and be kind.”

Full list of awardees and recipients:

Cordova Joe Memorial Scholarship: Gregory Rubio

City of Rancho Cordova Pride Scholarship: Zainab Zhalili, Evangelina "Rei" Vargas, Tisha Taneja

Cordova High School Construction Scholarship: Brianna Anatiychuk

Harding San Juan Lodge Scholarship: Camila Perez Mercado

Kiwanis Club of Rancho Cordova Scholarship: Khubaib Rafi, Zainab Khalili, Janae Felton, Tisha Taneja

Larry D Smith ‘62 Leadership & Ethics Scholarship: Tisha Taneja

Lee E. Clark Memorial Scholarship: Gregory Rubio

Lester Family Scholarship: Christian Cruz

Rotary Club of Rancho Cordova Scholarship: Tisha Taneja, Ardi Rodil, Dawson Tempke, Khubaib Rafi, Gregory Rubio, Eveleen Lopez Patraca, Jonathan Estrada Juarez, Fatema Zahir, Evangelina "Rei" Vargas, Camila Perez Mercado

Natoma Lodge No 64 Scholarship: Virginia Anderson, Aubree Myrick

Mark Levy Memorial Scholarship: Ardi Rodil

Folsom Cordova Leadership Association Scholarship: Renat Petrashishin

Military Recognition: Ezra Tobin, Jorge Ramirez Sian, Mohammad Zubair Jalali, Andy Salazar-Ortiz

Improve your Tomorrow (IYT) Recognition: Brandon Perlata, Echun Portis, Izaiah Hennis, Ethan Fleming

Student Government and Leadership: Kayley Phan, Karla Pimentel, Juan Sanchez Rivera

California Scholarship Federation Life Members: Yireh Chavez (Annette)*,  Janae Felton, Zainab Khalili*, Tristan Lee*, Christine Nguyen*, Camila Perez Mercado*, Gregory Rubio*, Adalyn Wright*. (*=Highest Honor Life Member)

Seal of Biliteracy: Arman Abramyan, Connor Affleck, Sana Amiri, Justine Maryan Gonzales Araman, Yesly Ruby Archila Hernandez, Asra Awalkhil, Mohammad Osman Azizi, Erica Marie Bailey, Ali Tahir Bhinder, Kimberly Botello Magana, Nail Boukhalfa, Savannah Rae Buckner, Carson John Joseph Caditz, Miguel Camacho Zamorano,  Roxy-Coral Castillo Gomez, Ozirys America Chamagua perez, Yireh Annette Chavez,  Arianna Marisol Cisneros, Jerome Francis Cleofe, Giselle Cruz, Cheshta Rajesh Desai, Mirage Marie Diaz, Uriel Moctezuma Diaz Perez, Iziane Nailea Estrada Bustamante, Jonathan Alexander Estrada Juarez, Melonnie Ann Ewing, Maryam Fedaee, Yulianna Noemi Flores Rodriguez, Camila Citlalli Flores, Amber Danielle Flynn, Violet Patricia Freeburn, Kayla Giselle Garcia, Elizabeth Gomez Pulido, Julianna Gabriella Gomez Vazquez,  Yireth Dismary Gonsalez Lopez, Cassandra Mariel Gonzalez, Julissa Gonzalez, Melissa Yamilet Gonzalez, Mayra Guadarrama Hernandez, Sofia Guerrero Ramos, Stella Harutyunyan, Hanyxel Alexa Hensel Dominguez, Jocelyn Andrea Hernandez Aguilar, Amalia Kagramanyan, Zainab Khalili, Joesiah Elijah King, Azarii Kolesnyk, Nikolai Komutkov, Ariana Koshcheyev, Michael Leo Kurkchi, Mark Kutepov, Kseniia Kvashilava, Eveleen Lopez Patraca, Sheccid Lopez, Angel Maldonado, Maryam Malik Zada, Adriana Manuel Rodriguez, Imani De’Briyan Martin, Jose Carlos Medina-Valenzuela, Jackie Nguyen, Samia Noor, Leudy Magdalena Orozco Lemus, Katherin Ilamileth Ortiz, Camila Guadalupe perez Mercado, Renat Petrashishin, Karla Pimentel, Jasmine Juliet Pinedo, Jean-Paul Prentice II, Khubaib Rafi, Fernando Steven Ramirez, Karlos Eduardo Ramirez, Aldo Yael Rios Jauregui, Ardi Raphael Gacer Rodil, Gregory Houston Rubio, Andy Alexander Salazar-Ortiz, Juan Manuel Sanchez Rivera, French Valeria Sanchez Soto, Emilio Segura, Alexander Xing Si, Alesia Skubiy, Greta Soghomonyan, Nehan Tahzeb, Noor Tahzeb, Tisha Taneja, Elena Maricela Tirado Ruiz, Emilia Tobon, Maddox Phi Tran, Bodgan Trofimchuk, Camilla Alexander Valiyev, Enzo Andre Valle Mesias, Evangelina Ariani Vargas, Amayrany Vega Felix, Ashley Guadalupe Verduzco, Andrey Oleg Vibe, Maah Noor Saba Yousufzai, Nathaniel Robert Zilles

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: Carson John Joseph Caditz, Yireh Annette Chavez, Violet Patricia Freeburn, Jocelyn Andrea Hernandez Aguilar, Angel Maldonado, Camila Guadalupe, Jean-Paul Prentice, Khubaib Rafi, Gregory Houston Rubio, Maddox Phi Tran, Evangelina Ariani Vargas

International Baccalaureate Career Programme: Justine Maryan Gonzales Araman, Yesly Ruby Archila Hernandez, Erica Marie Bailey, Giselle Cruz Lopez, Mark Mihail Cutar, Mirage Marie Diaz, Daniela Dominguez, Jonathan Alexander Estrada Juarez, Janae Grace Felton, Isabella Marie Ferrera, Yulianna Noemi Flores Rodriguez, Jasmine Lear Glenn, Mayra Guadarrama Hernandez, Sofia Guerrero Ramos, Jaden Cristobal Johnson, Amalia Kagramanyan, Zainab Khalili, Ariana Paris Koshcheyev, Mark Kutepov, Ttisten Shoua Lee, Sheccid Lopez, Imani De’Briyan Martin, Alyssa Renee McCain, Emeli Pedroza Moreno, Karla Pimentel, Jasmine Juliet Pinedo, Ardi Raphael Gacer Rodil, Rohid Salam, Valeria Sanchez Soto, Jaskaran Singh, Madison Rae Solis, Ijania Amink-Antaniq Spivey-Newton, Jhoan David Suarez Barajas, Alanna Fayth Thomas, Olivia Grace Osimbo Timla, Camilla Alexandra Valiyev, Andrey Oleg Vibe, Evelina Vanessa Vorontsov, Sky Rhionna Marie Ward, Jorja Marie White, Adalyn Giselle Wright, Hefza Shaheen Yousaf, Maah Noor Saba Yousufzai

International Baccalaureate Certificate: Connor Malcolm Affleck, Sana Amiri, Justine Maryan Gonzales Araman, Yesly Ruby Archila Hernandez, Asra Awalkhil, Erica Marie Bailey, Donavan Nolan Branch, Savannah Rae Buckner, Mark Mihail Cutar, Cheshta Rajesh Desai, Daniela Dominguez, Katelyn Brooke Driskell, Jonathan Alexander Estrada Juarez, Melonnie Ann Ewing, Janae Grace Felton, Isabella Marie Ferrera, Amber Danielle Flynn, Erica Tomas Gabriel, Jasmine Lear Glenn, Julianna Gabriella Gomez Vazquez, Stella Harutyunyan, Hanyxel Alexa Hensel Dominguez, Zainab Khalili, Eveleen Lopez Patraca, Maryam Malik Zada, Adriana Manuel Rodriguez, Imani De’Briyan Martin, Anna Melissa Montoya, Christine Nguyen, Jackie Nguyen, Joseph khang Nguyen, Leudy Orozco Lemus, Brandon Manuel Peralta, Karla Pimentel, Jasmine Juliet Pinedo, Fernando Steven Ramirez, Ardi Raphael Gacer Rodil, Juan Manuel Sanchez Rivera, Alexander Xing Si, Jaskaran Singh, Rajan Singh, Tisha Taneja, Emilia Tobon, Camilla Alexandra Valiyev, Enzo Andre Valle Mesias, Anh Quoc Vu, Sky Rhionna Marie Ward, Adalyn Giselle Wright, Maah Noor Saba Yousufzai, Nathaniel Robert Zilles

Seal of Civic Engagement: Arman Abramyan, Connor Affleck, Sana Amiri, Justine Maryan Gonzales Araman, Yesly Ruby Archila Hernandez, Asra Awalkhil, Mohammad Osman Azizi, Erica Marie Bailey, Ali Tahir Bhinder, Kimberly Botello Magana, Nail Boukhalfa, Savannah Rae Bucknerh, Carson John Joseph Caditz, Miguel Camacho Zamorano, Roxy-Coral Castillo Gomez, Ozirys America Chamagua Perez, Yireh Annette Chavez, Arianna Marisol Cisneros, Jerome Francis Cleofe, Giselle Cruz, Cheshta Rajesh Desai, Mirage Marie Diaz, Uriel Moctezuma Diaz Perez, Iziane Nailea Estrada Bustamante, Jonathan Alexander Estrada Juarez, Melonnie Ann Ewing, Maryam Fedaee, Yulianna Noemi Flores Rodriguez, Camila Citlalli Flores, Amber Danielle Flynn, Violet Patricia Freeburn, Kayla Giselle Garcia, Elizabeth Gomez Pulido, Julianna Gabriella Gomez Vazquez, Yireth Dismary Gonsalez Lopez, Cassandra Mariel Gonzalez, Julissa Gonzalez, Melissa Yamilet Gonzalez, Mayra Guadarrama Hernandez, Sofia Guerrero Ramos, Stella Harutyunyan, Hanyxel Alexa Hensel Dominguez, Jocelyn Andrea Hernandez Aguilar, Amalia Kagramanyan, Zainab Khalili, Joesiah Elijah King, Azarii Kolesnyk, Nikolai Komutkov, Ariana Koshcheyev, Michael Leo Kurkchi, Mark Kutepov, Kseniia Kvashilava, Eveleen Lopez Patraca, Sheccid Lopez, Angel Maldonado, Maryam Malik Zada, Adriana Manuel Rodriguez, Imani De’Briyan Martin, Jose Carlos Medina-Valenzuela, Jackie Nguyen, Samia Noor, Leudy Magdalena Orozco Lemus, Katherin Ilamileth Ortiz, Camila Guadalupe Perez Mercado, Renat Petrashishin, Karla Pimentel, Jasmine Juliet Pinedo, Jean-Paul Prentice II, Khubaib Rafi, Fernando Steven Ramirez, Karlos Eduardo Ramirez, Aldo Yael Rios Jauregui, Ardi Raphael Gacer Rodil, Gregory Houston Rubio, Andy Alexander Salazar-Ortiz, Juan Manuel Sanchez Rivera, Valeria Sanchez Soto, Emilio Segura, Alexander Xing Si, Alesia Skubiy, Greta Soghomonyan, Nehan Tahzeb, Noor Tahzeb, Tisha Taneja, Elena Maricela Tirado Ruiz, Emilia Tobon, Maddox Phi Tran, Bodgan Trofimchuk, Camilla Alexander Valiyev, Enzo Andre Valle Mesias, Evangelina Ariani Vargas, Amayrany Vega Felix, Ashley Guadalupe Verduzco, Andrey Oleg Vibe, Maah Noor Saba Yousufzai, Nathaniel Robert Zilles, Alanna Fayth Thomas. 

Class of 2026 4.0 or higher: Justine Maryan Gonzales Araman, Carson John Joseph Caditz, Yireh annette Chavez, Katelyn Brook Montalban Driskell, Janae Grace Felton, Stella Harutyunyan, Samia Noor, Renat Petrashishin, Khubaib Rafi, Camilla Alexandra Valiyev, Evangelina Ariani Vargas, Adalyn Giselle Wright

Co-Valedictorian: Camila Guadalupe Perez Mercado, Violet Patricia Freeburn