'Highland has become a second home:' APS high school celebrates 75th graduating class

On Thursday afternoon, family and friends of Highland High School seniors gathered at Tingley Coliseum to celebrate the school’s 75th graduating class.

Highland’s graduation was one of more than 20 hosted by APS this week as it celebrates thousands of students receiving diplomas across its campuses.

Notable attendees included Superintendent Gabriella Blakey, a Highland alumna who later went on to become a teacher and eventually principal at the school; district four school board member Heather Benavidez, who represents Highland; and Assistant Superintendent Marco Harris, a former Highland principal who guided the school to an 11 percentage point jump in its graduation rate last year and was received with roaring applause.

Also greeted with notable applause was valedictorian Makayla Lovato, a graduate who netted a 4.7 GPA and competed in six varsity sports during her four years on campus.

Delivering a speech to the hundreds in attendance, Lovato recalled memories from freshman year, competing in team sports and also her friends, who she said were “the biggest reason” she came to school every day.

“On the first day, I was so nervous, like many of you,” Lovato said. “I didn’t think I would be ever, ever able to call Highland home. Four years later, my mindset has completely changed. Highland has become a second home.”

In roughly a month, Lovato is slated to move to Annapolis, Maryland, where she’ll attend the Naval Academy studying either aerospace engineering or law with the goal of becoming a pilot and eventually an astronaut.

“Every kid when they’re little says they want to be an astronaut. I feel like we always grow out of it. And now I’m the one saying ‘I want to be an astronaut,’ it’s kind of funny,” she said in an interview Wednesday.

Reflecting on her high school experience, Lovato said her favorite memories came from competing in sports, especially when joined by her younger sister. She also relished in the school’s diversity and embraced that it was significantly smaller than its counterparts across the district and has more economically needy families.

“It’s different than if you went to La Cueva or to Eldorado, or somewhere like that because those are big schools,” Lovato said. “Here, it’s all over the place.”

Following her speech, Lovato and around 260 of her peers were set to walk the stage, one of the highest numbers in years, according to the campus newspaper, the Highland Highlight.

The class of 2025 brought in some $3.7 million in scholarships, according to Principal Alfonso Otero.

“Let your dreams lead the way, whether your journey takes you across oceans or just down the street, know that your potential is limitless and your future is not something entered but something you create,” Otero said.