Congratulations to our valedictorians and salutatorians! 

June 2, 2026 / Meet Klamath County School District’s Class of 2026 valedictorians and salutatorians from each of our high schools – Bonanza, Chiloquin, Gilchrist, Henley, Lost River, and Mazama. These 36 students not only are at the top of their classes academically, but also participated in a variety of extracurricular activities, representing their schools and communities. 

STEVIE HALL
Valedictorian
Gilchrist Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: I plan to go to Central Oregon Community College and finish my associate’s degree.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Some highlights include volleyball bus rides with my team, bible study every Tuesday, dance competitions, and getting new books from my English teacher.

LOGAN NUSSER
Valedictorian
Gilchrist Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: He plans to attend Central Oregon Community College to study environmental science.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: During his time at Gilchrist, he has been part of student council, FBLA, and the track and field team.

ELIJAH SCOTT ARCHER
Valedictorian
Gilchrist Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: He plans to attend Bushnell University to major in Bible and theology with a minor in criminal justice.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: He has participated in football, basketball, and track and field and was part of FBLA as well. He also had the opportunity to attend an FBI teen academy, and says he is honored toe a recipient of the Ford Family Foundation scholarship.

ANNA KLIEWER
Valedictorian
Lost River Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS:  She will spend the next year serving as the 2026-2027 Oregon FFA State president, then plans to pursue an education in agricultural science at Linn-Benton Community College and Oregon State University. She says: “I am extremely passionate about Jesus, people, and the cattle industry.”

MACEY THOMPSON
Valedictorian
Lost River Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: She plans to attend Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Ariz., to study exercise science and kinesiology in pursuit of becoming an athletic trainer.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Macey played basketball and softball and was an office in the FFA. 

VALERIA REYES
Valedictorian
Lost River Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: She plans to attend OIT and major in psychology.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Valeria played soccer and was active in FBLA and leadership. 

MADISON HOLSTER
Valedictorian
Lost River Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: She plans to attend Western Oregon University and get bachelor’s degree in exercise science and become a physical therapist.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Madison was a three-time state champion stat girl for the Lost River football team and also played basketball. 

EMMA DEJONG
Valedictorian
Lost River Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: She plans to attend Oregon Institute of Technology to pursue a bachelor’s degree in vascular sonography and ultimately become a cardiovascular technologist.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: She completed 92 college credits through Klamath Community College and OIT while maintaining a 3.91 GPA and was active in FBLA, Kindness Club, and soccer. 

AUDREY DUGAN
Salutatorian
Lost River Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: She plans to attend University of Nevada Reno, major in kinesiology with a minor in business. After earning her bachelor’s degree, she plans to continue her education and become a physical therapist. 
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: While in high school, she took college courses and will be graduating from Klamath Community College with her associate's degree in general studies. She also played volleyball and did stats for the softball team. 

JENNA ALDRED
Valedictorian
Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: She plans to attend Oregon Tech in the biology program and then study physical therapy.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Getting into college

MABEL AVINA-PARAZOO
Salutatorian
Chiloquin Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: She plans to attend Oregon State University.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Maintaining good grades for the past four years and creating new friendships

JEAN WALL
Valedictorian
Bonanza Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: In the fall, she plans on attending the University of Oregon to earn a bachelor of science in biology. From there, she will continue her education to obtain a medical degree and pursue a career as a general surgeon.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Being part of student government for the last four years has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her high school experience. “From serving as class president to now ASB president, I have grown both academically and personally while learning what it means to be a leader. I have also come to truly appreciate the relationships I've built with my teachers and classmates, as they have made each experience more meaningful and memorable.”

SAMUEL IRA THOMPSON
Salutatorian
Bonanza Junior/Senior High School
FUTURE PLANS: Going to OIT to earn a bachelors in mechanical engineering then working for thirty years to pay off my student loans.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Lunch every day. The first time I bench pressed my bodyweight. Forestry and Fire Science class. Geometry class

JACOB BOCCHI
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: University of Oregon
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Football state champion, 2nd team linebacker

ALEIA BRESCH
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: OIT
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Qualifying for World’s robotics three times, tennis season

ARIA BUCK
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: Utah State
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Henley High Drum Major, National Honor Society Vice President, Henley GRIT award, OMEA All-State Flute, SOU Honor Band

ALEXANDRA DIFANI
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: Oregon State
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Key club, DECA, drama club, Daughters of the American Revolution Good Citizen Award, Henley GRIT award

RACHEL EDWARDS
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: OIT
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Cadet of the month in JROTC, 1st lieutenant in JROTC, 2nd team all-conference for soccer

MAYA FITZROY
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: University of Oregon
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: You Matter to Klamath You Committee co-president, Key Club vice president, student council vice president, DECA, Henley Elementary STEM club

EMMA GETTMAN
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: KCC
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Track meets with her friend Taylor

LYDIA HAUDENSHILD
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: University of Oregon
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Student government, leading the SWARM, DECA, Key Club, National Honor Society

ADDISON HAYES
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: OIT with dual enrollment at KCC to play soccer
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: OSAA academic all-state 4X, honorable mention 3X, honor society 

DYLAN ORR
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: Oregon FFA State treasurer then Oregon State University
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: FFA, National KidWind Rookie of the Year, Henley Elementary STEM club, Henley GRIT award, Oregon FFA State Degree

HIMANI PATEL
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: University of Oregon
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Oregon Health Authority Youth Advisory Council, yearbook editor, Key club treasurer, Henley GRIT award, DECA Top 10 2X, Honor Society

JOSEPHINE SMITH
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: OIT
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Principal’s honor roll, beekeeping, hiking

THOMAS WILSON
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: Oregon State University
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Tennis districts, mountain biking and making friends

OLIVIA XU
Valedictorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: University of Oregon
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Taught SAT prep course, wrote an independent novel, math team, STAMPS scholarship winner for University of Oregon 

ADDALYN NALEPA
Salutatorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: Texas A&M
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: National Honors Society member, HOSA participant, competitive gymnast at KGA, JV volleyball player freshman and sophomore year

THERON TYLER
Salutatorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS:  OIT
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: VEX robotics state and world qualifier, all-district lineman, all-state lineman, football state champion, Henley GRIT award 

ARIA VAN GASTEL
Salutatorian
Henley High School
FUTURE PLANS: OIT
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: National honor society, Community service award, honor roll 

STEPHANIE CASTANEDA
Valedictorian
Mazama High School
FUTURE PLANS: After graduation, Stephanie plans to attend Oregon State University where she will major in chemical engineering. Stephanie is still exploring specific career paths, but hopes to work in a laboratory setting in the future.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: At Mazama, Stephanie has been involved in National Honor Society, STEM&M, swim team, Brain Bowl, and Unified Track. 

EMMA JOHNSON
Valedictorian
Mazama High School
FUTURE PLANS: Emma plans to attend the Oregon Institute of Technology after graduation, where she will major in nursing. She hopes to pursue travel nursing and eventually become a CRNA. Emma has already completed most of the prerequisites for a bachelor of science in nursing and will be eligible to interview early for the OHSU nursing program.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: During her time at Mazama, Emma participated in four years of varsity wrestling and placed 5th at the 2026 state wrestling tournament. She also competed in three years of varsity golf, two years of varsity cheer, served three years in National Honor Society as secretary, and participated in four years of FFA, where she also served as secretary.

SEAN MENGEL
Valedictorian
Mazama High School
FUTURE PLANS: After graduation, Sean plans to attend the University of Alabama Huntsville, where he will major in aerospace engineering. He hopes to one day work for Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works, specializing in the design of supersonic and hypersonic aircraft.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Sean was accepted into the OMEA (Oregon Music Educators Association) All-State Wind Ensemble and earned All-State recognition for four consecutive years. He also participated in four years of VEX Robotics, where he earned a Robotics Letterman distinction and became a member of the International Robotics Honor Society (IRHS). In addition, Sean has been involved in National Honor Society and STEM&M, and is organizing a community robotics outreach event for Benefit for the Basin.

KAYLA TESSLER
Valedictorian
Mazama High School
FUTURE PLANS: Kayla plans to attend the University of Oregon, where she will dual major in foreign language and economics. She then plans to attend law school through the University of Oregon Honors College and pursue a career as a contract lawyer.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Kayla served as ASB president during her junior year and participated in student government for three years. She was also involved in National Honor Society for three years, serving as vice president her junior year and president her senior year. Additionally, she participated in STEM&M, HOSA, and FBLA, and was a finalist for the United States Senate Youth Program.

DEVANI DERRY
Salutatorian
Mazama High School
FUTURE PLANS: After graduation, Devani plans to attend the Oregon Institute of Technology where she will major in nursing. She hopes to continue her education after earning her bachelor’s degree and ultimately earn her doctorate in anesthesia to become a nurse anesthetist.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Devani has been involved in National Honor Society, STEM&M, FBLA, and varsity cheerleading. She was also selected for the Shrine Team, where she will cheer alongside some of the top 4A athletes in the state while helping raise money for Shriners Hospital in Portland this summer.

RYLAN WALTON
Salutatorian
Mazama High School
FUTURE PLANS: After graduation, Rylan plans to attend the University of Oregon. While he is still undecided on a major, he is looking forward to exploring different opportunities to find the path that best fits his interests and future goals.
HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS: Rylan serves as president of the Dungeons and Dragons Club, participated in the Diversity Alliance Club for three years, and took part in a high school summer abroad program focused on engineering and video game design in Kyoto, Japan.