Carlsbad Scholars Honored Across Local High Schools

By Misty Cryer

Valedictorians and salutatorians of the Class of 2026 represent the top of the class in their local high school. Included are Carlsbad High School (CHS), Carlsbad Early College High School (CECHS), Jefferson Montessori Academy (JMA), and the Carlsbad Enrichment Center (CEC). The students honored are celebrated for their academic excellence and achievements, as well as their commitment to future goals.

Yuki Ye, daughter of Jinfeng Ye and Quioyu Huang, is CHS’s valedictorian. While in high school, Yuki said she was involved in the National Honor Society and Business Professionals of America (BPA), where she served as BPA Vice President for 2025-2026.

“I have been on the competition team for four years and made it to nationals all four years,” she said. Outside of school, she said she practices Taekwondo.

Her plans include attending college at Columbia University in New York as an economics and political science major, Yuki said. For a career, she said, “I will probably go to a law school and get my degree in law so I can be an attorney, probably a corporate attorney.”

Yuki said she is inspired by all her friends. “I see how determined they are in trying every day to reach their goal. It really inspires me to be like them and work harder, and work toward my goals too.”

Raj Bhakta, son of Kiranbhai and Vanita Bhakta, is CHS’s salutatorian. The biggest activity he worked on in high school, Raj said, was the Science Bowl, which he explained is a trivia-like competition including math and science questions that competitors answer quickly.

He said he also participated in the Congressional App Challenge, where he coded and programmed an app prototype called Flip-Side with two other people. “With that one, we won the Congressional App Challenge for our New Mexico Second District,” he said.

“I plan on doing electrical engineering and physics in college,” said Raj, mentioning NMSU-Las Cruces as a choice. While in high school, he said he took two dual-credit classes. He said he plans to work in a research or national lab as a physicist or engineer. “I would love to work on quantum computers.”

Self-inspired, Raj said that after taking math and physics classes and exploring the fields himself, he developed an interest in pursuing a related career.

Dhruvi Patel, daughter of Nilesh and Hemu Patel, is CECHS’s valedictorian. She served as Vice President of Student Council and participated in yearbook, BPA, and National Honor Society while in high school, she said.

While in high school, Dhruvi took dual-credit classes, earning college credits. “I’m graduating with my associate’s degree in science,” she said. She plans to take the pre-med track at Baylor University in Waco, TX, as her next step. With the aim of becoming a doctor, she said, “I want to eventually open up my own clinic.”

The best part of school, said Dhruvi, was her friends and just going to see them. She said she drew inspiration from her parents. Dhruvi’s drive to pursue a medical career stems from her love for people. “I just love talking to people, getting to meet different people, and just helping people in general,” she said.

Omar Machuca, son of Omar Machuca and Geovanna Bentancourt, is CECHS’s salutatorian. In high school, Omar participated in BPA, which he said was his favorite part, with the best part being the travel. He said he took some dual-credit classes, earning college credit as well.

Going to the national competition in Nashville, TN, for BPA was the best experience while going to school, said Omar. In BPA, he said he competed in computer animation with two other students on his team. “We split the presentation into thirds, explaining the development process of our presentation. We got first place at regionals, first place at state,” he said, which qualified the team to compete in nationals.

Omar said his parents were most inspirational to him throughout his school years. In his spare time, he said he likes to fish, play golf, and play pickleball.

Giselle Lara, daughter of Cesar Leyva and Damaris Nieblas, is valedictorian of JMA. She said she plans to attend the nursing program at Southeast New Mexico Community College before entering the RN-BSN program at Texas Tech, with the hope of eventually becoming a nurse practitioner.

“I’ve just always liked helping people,” said Giselle. Participating in dual credits, she said she walked the stage at the college and got her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant), and she is also in the college’s Honor Society.

Being a CNA gave her the passion to be a nurse so she can brighten someone’s day on their bad days, said Giselle, who also wants to be an oncology nurse at some point in her career. “As a CNA, I met an elderly resident with cancer, and seeing how much compassionate care made a difference for them, that made me realize I want to continue making a difference in the lives of those who are going through such a difficult time.”

Giselle Almanza, daughter of Ricky Almanza and Britni Jacquez, is the salutatorian of JMA. In high school, she said she was in FFA (Future Farmers of America), MESA Buddies, and BPA. She said she enjoyed projects where she could work with her friends or think outside the box and create something from her imagination.

After high school, Giselle said she plans to go to college in Carlsbad for a full year to get her basics, before attending NMSU in Las Cruces to major in biology and animal science to become a veterinarian.

Both her grandpa and her dad inspired her career choice. “My grandpa was the one who went to FFA when he was a kid. As I grew up, my dad was always around animals, and we would talk about it, and he would teach me little things here and there,” said Giselle.

Yolanda Pirtle, Principal of CEC, said Nathaniel Cavazos was named valedictorian for the school, with Camilo Vizcaino recognized as salutatorian. Unable to reach them by press time, congratulations to these young men for their achievements are in order.