This month, we begin our series of profiles of the Patagonia Union High School Class of 2026. Look for more profiles in the May and June/July issues.
Ximena Gonzalez
By Emma Lewton
Throughout her four years of high school, Ximena Gonzalez had a lasting impact on the Lady Lobos sports teams with her dedication, teamwork and grit. She’s been a middle blocker for four years on the Patagonia Lady Lobos volleyball team, and has juggled both guard and post positions on the Lady Lobos basketball team. Her involvement in athletics helped Gonzalez form new friendships and taught her valuable lessons about perseverance as well as what it means to be a teammate and what she will carry into the future. Outside of school, Gonzalez stayed busy while showing her nurturing and responsible side babysitting her four-year-old nephew, showing the same care and responsibility she brings to everything she does.
Gonzalez’s favorite class during her time in high school was consumer finance with Anelie Olivarria, which fits hand in hand with the future she wants to pursue. Gonzalez plans to go to Pima Community College and pursue an associate degree. She credits quite a few teachers who have inspired her and supported her during her time here in Patagonia Union High School: Journee, Olivarria, Kenneth Hayes and Nathaniel Porter.
Looking back, a memory that stands out for Gonzalez is the holiday tournament held in Williams her sophomore year. She says it was the most fun she’s had while playing sports. Looking ahead ten years, Gonzalez hopes to have a good job and a corgi by her side. Her advice to underclassmen? “Always see the good in everything and have a positive mindset.”
Jaquelin Benitez Lopez
By Ximena Gonzalez
Jaquelin Benitez Lopez has had a big impact and grown a lot. Despite the challenge of English not being her first language, Lopez has persevered through all these obstacles and is the most vocal. She played volleyball with the Lady Lobos and loved it. She gave it her all even though she had never played before. Her goal is to work hard in the U.S. Navy to save up for a car and acquire the lifelong benefits the military offers. Lopez would like to start in basic training and grow from there.
In high school, the teachers that had the most impact and are her favorites are Alyson Harper and Journee Hayes (her favorite subject is English even though it’s not the easiest subject for her!). PE is another subject she enjoys. She likes running outside and learning new skills.
The first memory Jaquelin has and will cherish for the rest of her life is when she came to Patagonia and everyone was welcoming to her, even though she didn’t know anyone. In ten years, Lopez imagines herself “working, owning a house and the cars I want, traveling, and having a family.” The advice she has for the younger students is: Don’t stress about your future; you have plenty of time. Study what you want, not what others want for you.
Skylar Sanchez
By Jacob Cruz
Skylar Sanchez is an outstanding student that any teacher would absolutely dream of having. He has stellar grades as well as being part of many different clubs and activities. He is a part of tennis, soccer, student government, and the National Honor Society. On top of all these clubs and activities, he does a lot of extracurricular activities as well. These extracurricular activities include, but are not limited to, going to Washington, D.C. twice, going to RYLA as a delegate and a junior counselor, playing chess, watching movies with friends, working out, and spending time with his girlfriend. Next year, he plans to finish his pharmacy technician certification and to find work as a pharmacy technician.
If you are looking for an academic weapon, Skylar is your person. Being No. 1 in the class, he can tackle anything thrown at him. His favorite teachers are Journee Hayes and Kenneth Hayes, who teach his dual-credit poetry, short stories and Western Civilization. His favorite class here is his dual-credit poetry. He loves poetry because it gives him a creative outlet and has given him a hobby that he has come to love. He also loves short stories because it is another creative outlet that he can use to convey a message.
Even though Skylar is hard at work with the assignments given to him, he still takes time to create memories that will stick with him for the rest of his life. One of his biggest memories was when he went on his first date with his girlfriend. He was meeting her parents and called his girlfriend for eight hours the previous day, talking about everything and what could go wrong. When the time came, he was really nervous about saying the wrong thing, but it went well. Another one of his favorite memories was when Jacob gave him a kindness letter that made him feel seen, heard and that he was never alone. The highlight of his high school years was getting to have conversations with his friends about random and weird topics. In ten years, he sees himself working as a pharmaceutical technician and living in a nice apartment or house while still working out to be in good shape, hopefully playing chess and writing poetry. If there was one thing he wanted the younger classmen to know, it would be: Don’t be afraid to be yourself and pursue your passions.
Emma Lewton
By Gus Varela
Everyone in Patagonia knows the name Emma Ann Lewton, either from her recognition on the court, working at Red Mountain, or from her helping around town babysitting. Emma is known for her competitiveness when it comes to playing sports. She has been a captain for the last two years in both volleyball and basketball, and even led her team to qualify for state this year!
Emma plans to continue her educational journey by going to college in Tucson or Texas. She will be studying business or potentially nursing. Emma’s favorite subject was Journee Hayes’ English class. Her favorite teachers are Hayes and Kenneth Hayes. Her favorite high school memory was sophomore year at Williams.
She sees herself in ten years owning her own med spas, restaurants and hotels, living in either Texas or Miami with a happy family. Emma’s advice for underclassmen is “It goes by quickly, make as many memories as you can and do your work. It’s not as hard as it seems.”
In all, Emma Lewton will never forget the friendships and the memories she made during her high school years.
Valeria Castellanos
By Lulu Donnelly
Valeria Castellanos is well known for her extraordinary gift with art. With her gift in creating art, she will soon begin her college journey at Pima Community College to pursue a career in digital art. She dreams of making an animated series she can one day share with the world. Castellanos is also gifted with athletic ability on the basketball court – she has not just played but has been a star player since her freshman year. Over the years, she has served as a yearbook editor-in-chief for one year and as a member of the National Honor Society for two years. With all the weight on her shoulders, she still is the first person to offer help to anyone. Her impact on the school is just the beginning of her impact on young artists around the world.
Though Valeria has many fond memories of her high school years, her favorite memory is when she and her basketball team went to the Williams tournament, where late-night bus rides, music and her closest friends were. Basketball has taught Valeria the importance of both friendship and teamwork. On the court she is smart in both defense and offense. Castellanos is especially talented in poetry; her creativity makes poem writing look easy. Coding is a class that she really enjoys, where she shows her love and skill in technology. With a kind heart and a burning passion to bring her art to life for the next generation, she is the heart of our class and brings peace and optimism with each step she takes. In her free time, she enjoys listening to calm music and drawing to calm her mind.
Her message to the upcoming freshman is “don’t miss out on opportunities” because the opportunities that she had made her into the hardworking woman she is today. Laughing till tears fell, sweating from conditioning, and studying relentlessly till morning, it was all worth it in the end to her. From freshman year to senior year, she remained dedicated to everything she put her mind to, no matter how tedious or time consuming it was. Whether she is on the court or in the art room, she keeps a kind and positive attitude to both teachers and friends. While she is excited to start her journey, she will miss the beautiful place where she grew up.
Adrian Gomez
By David Cabrera
Adrian Gomez is a senior who has enjoyed his time in high school and made memories he won’t forget. Even though he did not participate in clubs or sports, he still found ways to enjoy school life.
His favorite subjects are art and English and some of his favorite teachers are Journee Hayes, Ann Gortarez, Nathaniel Porter, who he enjoyed having lunch with most days, and Alyson Harper, who helped support him the last couple of years.
One memory Adrian will always remember is going to basketball games and cheering in the student section for his younger cousin Damian. The biggest highlight of his high school years was meeting new people and trying new things. After graduation Adrian plans to work at the mine and in ten years he sees himself living in his own house, driving his dream car, and having a family. Adrian’s advice to underclassmen is: Never give up, keep trying, and learn from your mistakes. He also encourages students to ask for help when they need it.
Noah Gallardo
By Diego Padilla
Throughout his high school career, Noah Daniel Gallardo has made immense impacts on the high school baseball and basketball teams. From playing many positions in baseball, such as second base, shortstop, third base, catcher, and whatever else the coach needed from him, he would step up without a single complaint. That’s the type of player and person Noah is. He played all the positions in basketball, never stepping down from a challenge even when the players were bigger. Noah’s athleticism and dedication to the game earned him recognition as honorable mention for all-team all-region – a reflection of both his talent and hard work.
Off the court, Noah has been a hard worker throughout his high school career. Noah is not only an athlete and a hard worker, he’s also academically excellent. He was invited to join the civics matters Washington, D.C., trip, where he experienced American culture. In and out of the classroom he is consistent and committed academically. Over two years Noah has been in four semesters of college classes and succeeding in all of them. His main favorite teachers are Journee Hayes, Kenneth Hayes and Nathaniel Porter because they have impacted greatly on his high school life from freshman to senior year. His last message to the underclassman is “Cherish the memories and live life to the fullest, because you only get one shot at this.”
After graduation, Noah is planning to attend Cochise College or a trade school to pursue a career in welding. Noah is especially gifted in welding; this year he has been selected for student of the month CTE and will soon be attending a regional welding competition. Welding, athletics, and creating new memories with his closest friends were the highlight of his high school years. In ten years, Noah hopes to have a good job and to continue to play sports.