Colorado City, AZ – El Capitan High School sent off one of its largest graduating classes on May 15th, capping what Principal Richard Campbell described as a year full of remarkable student accomplishment, athletic milestones, and academic growth.
Thirty full-time students walked across the stage in the El Capitan Auditorium. The class also included one dual-enrolled student who utilized ESA voucher funds to attend two schools simultaneously — a testament to the creative and flexible approaches to education that El Cap embraces.
Among the graduating seniors, two students earned full-ride tuition scholarships: one to Utah Tech University and another to Northern Arizona University. Many additional students received Mohave Community College (MCC) scholarships, and a significant number entered their post-secondary programs with a year or more of college credits already completed, thanks to El Cap’s robust dual-enrollment partnerships with Mohave Community College and Dixie Tech.
Graduates Who Completed Career & Technical Education Programs
El Capitan’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs have long been a cornerstone of the school’s identity, and this year’s graduating class reflected that commitment fully. The following students completed CTE and specialized programs:
| Program | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Culinary Arts | 9 |
| Welding | 8 |
| Agriscience | 4 |
| Drama | 4 |
| Leadership | 3 |
| Auto | 1 |
| Journalism | 1 |
A Year to Remember
Principal Campbell summed up the year simply: “El Capitan had a great year of student involvement and accomplishment!”
Athletics
El Cap’s sports programs shone brightly throughout the year. Both the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams qualified for the State Playoffs. The boys’ team competed hard before falling in the first round, while the girls’ team made history — hosting a first-round playoff game, winning it, and advancing all the way to the Quarterfinals. It was the furthest the El Capitan girls’ basketball program had ever gone in the state tournament. The baseball team also had a standout season, finishing with a 14–5 record and earning a berth in the State Playoffs.
Academics & Career Readiness
Two El Cap students qualified for FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) Nationals and attended the national conference in San Antonio over the summer. In the trades, several welding and automotive students passed their state mastery examinations, earning official certification of their skills.
The dual-enrollment program saw tremendous participation, with students accumulating college credits that gave them a significant head start in their post-secondary journeys. Graduates went on to NAU, Dixie Tech, Southern Utah University, and various trade schools, while others stepped directly into the workforce following internships completed at El Cap.
CTE Programs in Action
The Culinary Arts class staged a 50s-themed Diner for the community as part of El Cap’s annual Ed-Fair — a crowd favorite and one of many events the class hosted throughout the year. The Agriscience program hosted a student-run zoo, showcasing the animals students raised and the crops they nurtured throughout the year. The Welding and Auto programs produced students who demonstrated mastery of their trades on state-administered final examinations.
The Ed-Fair: “Our Town”
This year’s end-of-year Educational Fair was themed “Our Town,” inviting the community in to see what El Cap’s students learned and how it connects to real-world needs. Storefronts representing businesses and services across every discipline — from finance companies to travel agencies to geographic exploration — filled the school. Swing dancers added a lively finishing touch to the celebration.
Looking Ahead
“All school years have their ups and downs, their ebbs and flows,” Principal Campbell reflected, “but at El Capitan we accomplished great feats, and we are graduating one of the biggest classes that we have had at El Cap.”
The school’s dedicated teachers and staff, who gave countless hours beyond the school day to support their students, deserved enormous credit for a year marked by growth, community, and achievement. Academic testing showed tremendous student growth, thanks in large part to El Cap’s accomplished staff.
El Capitan looks forward to welcoming its next class of high school students while wishing the Class of 2026 every success in the adventures that lie ahead.
