Kofa News

Yuma Union High School District Career and Technical Education (CTE) welding students took part in Western Welding Academy’s 2026 Blue Collar Tour, a trade-career promotional tour, hosted on February 25 at Kofa High School.

“This tour is to encourage students to explore a welding career,” said Jayson Beagley, who is the Director of Blue Grit Foundation, an affiliate of Western Welding Academy. “We want them to understand that there's opportunities across the trade and it's not just a place to start, it's a place to advance.”

Welding students from Kofa, Gila Ridge High School, Yuma High School, Somerton High School, and San Luis High School participated in the high-energy presentation which included giveaways, welding demonstrations, a Q&A session, and insights about trade careers from Western Welding Academy graduates. 

“I loved the weld competition,” Kofa welding student Logan Marin said. “It was a lot of fun getting to weld and see others weld. The Blue Collar guys were very welcoming when they were teaching us."

YUHSD is one of 30 stops on the 2026 Blue Collar Tour. This is the second time the tour visited a YUHSD campus. The first was in 2024, which also took place at Kofa. 

Since 2011, either San Luis High School or Kofa High School have reached the semifinals of the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) boys soccer state playoffs a remarkable 10 times. 

The eleventh time is a certainty. 

The two vaunted soccer programs meet in the 6A quarterfinals on Saturday, February 21 at Irv Pallack Field on the Kofa campus. Kickoff is 2 p.m. 

No. 3 Kofa, who defeated Tucson, 3-1, on Wednesday enters the matchup winners of nine of their last 11 games, including closing out the regular season with a 4-3 victory at home over the Sidewinders. 

Longtime Kofa head coach Jamie Nicewander hopes recent history repeats itself. 

“We are confident that we will continue our winning streak on Saturday against San Luis due to winning one regular-season game against them and the Great Southwestern Shootout tournament,” Nicewander said. “We are excited to host the Sidewinders in the Kingdom on Saturday.”

The Kings and Sidewinders met three times during the regular season with San Luis winning, 2-1, on January 16 and the Kings winning on penalty kicks, 1-1 (1-0), on December 20 in the championship match Great Southwestern Shootout tournament. 

Kofa is led by senior forward Leonel Rodriguez who managed a team-best 44 goals, which also ranked second in the state. San Luis had two double-digit goal scorers on the season: senior Rodrigo Ortega, who put 23 shots in the back of the net, and sophomore Carlos Gonzalez, who added 11 goals. 

Five of the top seven point scorers for the No. 6 Sidewinders were seniors.  

“Having so many seniors on the team has been challenging, but in a good way,” Sidewinders head coach Jesus Rojas said. “There is a lot of internal competition on every spot on the field and that has pushed players to keep improving and performing their best game after game.”

Historically, this is only the second time since San Luis High School was founded in 2002 that the two programs have met in the playoffs. The first occurrence took place in the 2016 quarterfinals, when Kofa won, 0-0 (4-2). 

For both teams, advancing into the semifinals has become somewhat routine. Kofa has made it four times since 2011, including last season where they lost to Perry High School, 4-1. San Luis has played in six semifinals in that same span, including back-to-back trips in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. 

Despite numerous deep post-season runs, the Sidewinders have yet to win a state title. Kofa last won a state soccer title in 1989. 

On Saturday, one of the two programs will have an opportunity to move one step closer to halting that championship drought. 
 

Yuma Union High School District has long produced a winning standard in wrestling, earning a team state championship and multiple individual state titles in the past eight years alone.

The 2026 season, however, may ultimately be the school district’s most successful season to date. A record 49 boys and girls wrestlers from YUHSD qualified for the Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) state tournament, which begins February 19 at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.   

Gila Ridge High School qualified 11 boys for the Division I tournament, while Somerton High School, in just its third year, qualified 11 boys for the Division IV tournament. Somerton also had seven girls qualify for Division II.

It’s the most combined wrestlers in YUHSD history to make it to the state tournament. The 35 boys who qualified from YUHSD schools in 2026 are the most from the district since 2019 when 36 boys and eight girls qualified. Girls wrestling was officially added by the AIA in 2019.

The district’s previous high was 48 wrestlers in 2016 when Cibola High School had a qualifier from all 14 weight classes. Additionally, the district has qualified 30 or more wrestlers for state every year dating back to at least 2011.

Here are all YUHSD state wrestling qualifiers and their weight class for 2026:

BOYS
Cibola High School
Isyael Ibarra, 285

Gila Ridge High School
Ayden Sevilla, 106; Cannon Farrar, 120; Adan Velasquez, 126; Diesel Labady, 132; Owen Beck, 138; Pedro Luna, 144; Raidyn Tanaka, 150; Anderson Lesueur, 157; Logan Lines, 165; Adam Kempton, 175; Julio Gonzalez, 190

Kofa High School
Dylan Rush, 113; Roman Jaimes, 126; David Elias, 132; Emitt Merrill, 138; Isaac Paxton, 190; Logan Whitacre, 215; Gerardo Anaya, 285

San Luis High School
Ivan Ortiz, 165

Somerton High School, Division 4
Aztlan Raya, 106; Jayden Preston, 113; Kenneth Garcia, 120; Diego Felix, 126; Bernardo Felix, 132; Jose Perez, 138; Jose Polino, 144; Jesus Valenzuela, 150; Andres Centeno, 157; Frank Rivas, 215; Peter Rivas, 285

Yuma High School, Division 3
Joel Anaya, 113; Jayden Espinoza, 126; Estevan Romero, 132; Sebastian Cruz Peralta, 215

GIRLS
Cibola High School
Alicia Valenzuela, 152; Jolene Drake, 185

Gila Ridge High School
Jayleen Cortez, 107; Georgia Barron, 120; Savannah Pope, 165

Kofa High School
Mia Johnson, 165

Somerton High School, Division 2
Ariana Villafana, 107; Jordyn Isla, 114; Breilla Reynoso, 120; Yahaira Verdugo, 152; Sahari Pena, 165; Annette Preston, 185; Gianna Anaya, 235

Yuma High School, Division 2
Jaslyn Aguilar, 114

Kofa High School held an assembly for all students to hear from Guest Speaker Chris Sandy from the Arizona Governor's Office of Highway Safety Choices Matter Campaign on Thursday, February 5. 

Sandy spoke to students about the life-changing decision he made when he was young to drive under the influence that resulted in a car crash and prison sentence. He now makes it his life mission to influence young adults in a positive way to think about their life and the decisions they make now that will affect their future. He travels across the United States to share his story.

“We thought it was important to hear from someone like Chris Sandy because his story shows how one choice can change everything,” Kofa High School Assistant Principal Teresa Laurean said. “His presentation made students stop and think about their actions, responsibilities, and how our decisions affect not only ourselves but the people around us.”  

The Choices Matter Campaign provides students and young adults with the opportunity to be educated on life-changing decisions, specifically highway safety decisions. They have guest speakers that use personal stories and interactive materials to inspire students to make the right choices both behind the wheel and in life.

Yuma Union High School District and its schools will be closed for a district-wide professional development day on Friday, Feb. 13 and in observance of President’s Day on Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.

Students will return to class as regularly scheduled on Tuesday, Feb. 17. 

The Kofa High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (MCJROTC) rifle team placed first in back-to-back competitions in January. 

They won the National Rifle Association Sectionals Rifle Championship, an invitation-only competition held January 9 at the Ben Avery Shooting Facility in Phoenix and were led by Cadet Mildreth Hernandez, who received first place individually earning her a gold medal. Cadet Thifanny Cardenas placed fourth, Delila Mendez placed eighth, and first-year marksman Gunner Kinsey placed 11th. 

A week later, the team competed in the Arizona Civilian Marksman Program (CMP) 3PAR (3 Position Air Rifle) State Championship in Phoenix, earning first out of 16 teams across Arizona. Hernandez led the way placing second out of 46 shooters, followed by Kinsey who placed fourth, Macrina Covarrubias placed eighth, and Garnet Ortiz in 16th place. This win automatically qualified the team to compete in the CMP Nationals in June. 

“I’m beyond words how this team has interchanged team members and is still able to win back-to-back competitions,” KHS MCJROTC Instructor Maj. Todd Birney said. “We couldn’t be prouder of their dedication and ability to handle themselves under pressure.”

The team is now preparing for the MCJROTC Service Championships in Sandy, Utah from Feb. 3-9, 2026 with the opportunity to advance to the MCJROTC National Championships in March.

The Kofa MCJROTC program, which is overseen by Maj. Birney and Sgt Maj. Brian Olea, has earned numerous awards and recognitions over the past several years. Additionally, the program has been named a distinguished Naval Honors School on multiple occasions. 

The Kofa High School Hall of Fame Committee will enshrine six athletes, one coach, one supporter and three teams as part of its 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame class on January 24, 2026. 

This year's Hall of Fame inductees include Edgar Ramirez (baseball), Moses Camarena (football, wrestling), Jerry Paulin (swimming), Scott Baker (football, basketball, swim), Andrea Renteria (volleyball, softball), and Alyssa Rhodes-Schlichter (softball); former Kofa soccer coach David Givens; athletics supporter Carol Davie, the author of the Kofa Alma Mater; the 1989 boys soccer state champions, the 1962 cheer team, and 1962 songleaders. 

Celebrations begin Friday, January 23 with inductees being introduced before the Kofa boys basketball game against Gila Ridge High School. The following day begins with a Hall of Fame tour, followed by a banquet in the Kofa cafeteria. The group will be formally enshrined inside Rillos Gym with their Hall of Fame plaques being unveiled at 2 p.m.  

The Class of 2026 is the seventh to be inducted into Kofa High’s Athletic Hall of Fame. There was no class inducted in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Kofa Athletic Hall of Fame began in 2019 and honors the contributions and accomplishments of those individuals who are worthy of recognition and have set examples for others to emulate. Nominees for the Hall of Fame must exemplify the highest standards of sportsmanship, ethical conduct, and moral character. All candidates are judged on their significant and/or long-term contributions to athletic endeavors.

Here is a full list of the members on each team being inducted: 

1989 Boys Soccer State Champions: Coaches: Dave Snyder, David Givens; Members: Mike Ambrose, Rafael Cruz, Alvaro Escalante, Greg Gomez, Issac Gonzalez, Jesus Gutierrez Jr., Toby Krout, Jeff Langham, Alex Rivas, Salvador Segura, Saul Segura, Sigi Segura, Mike Shelton, Jose Valenzuela, Jose Luis Viera, Manny Villareal

The 1962 Cheerleaders: Bonnie Wellard Clayton (Head), Kathy Hamon Ashenfelter, Janet Peyton, Ginger Miller Dingman, Maudella Gallger-Green, Claris Seale, Leona Farley-Murray, Sandy Moskowitz Bertram

The 1962 Songleaders: Claudia Coffeen, Carol Davie, Toni Hickman, Linda Hardin, Carol, Larsen-Dianos, Elizabeth Woods, Mary Sue Melton Hively, Bobbie Ann Farmer Kammann, Linda Smith, Edie Smith Underwood, Lori Sinoff Sawyer, Ranae Minerva-Gideon

Kofa High School Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (MCJROTC) Cadet Mildreth Hernandez made school history at the Marine Corps Postal in November and is advancing to the MCJROTC Service Championships along with the Kofa rifle team. 

The team placed 12th out of 184 teams during the Postal, which is a national competition leading up to the Service Championships in February, while Hernandez 
finished 10th out of 867 shooters, the highest-ever finish at the event by a Kofa marksman. 

“Qualifying for the Service Championships this year is definitely a bittersweet moment because I still can’t believe it will be my last time participating in this event,” said Hernandez, who is a senior. “I have grown so much with this program since I was a freshman and from when I first ever made it to the championships. I am very excited to compete and do my best to qualify for nationals. I hope to make everyone who has supported me throughout my time here proud.”

Hernandez, who was awarded the gold distinguished shooter badge in 2025, will be joined by cadets Thifanny Cardenas, Macrina Covarrubius, and Gunner Kinsey in Sandy, Utah from Feb. 3-9, 2026 to compete in the MCJROTC Service Championships, with the opportunity to advance to the MCJROTC National Championships in March. 

This is the seventh year in a row that the program has been invited to the MCJROTC Service Championships. Only 25 MCJROTC teams and 10 MCJROTC individuals from around the world are invited.

“I’m very proud of our veteran marksmen for their hard work and dedication over the last four months,” KHS MCJROTC Instructor Maj. Todd Birney said. “During the first half of the year, the teams competed in a seven-week online league, accumulated a first place finish at the Old Pueblo competition, and a first place finish at the NRA [National Rifle Association] State Championship.”

The Kofa MCJROTC program, which is overseen by Birney and Sgt Maj. Brian Olea, has earned numerous awards and recognitions over the past several years. Additionally, the program has been named a distinguished Naval Honors School on multiple occasions.  

Yuma Union High School District schools will be hosting on-campus freshman registration and information nights throughout the month of February. 

The events are designed to help ease the enrollment process and generate excitement for members of the Class of 2030. Each school will be conducting a variety of events, including informational family nights, elective showcases, and middle school visits. 

Additionally, the Yuma Union High School District Online Registration Portal is open. Families are invited to begin the process by clicking HERE. All applications must be submitted by March 2, 2026.

Here is a list of registration events by campus:  

Cibola High School 
Feb. 24-26, 5-7 p.m.

Gila Ridge High School
Feb. 20, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Kofa High School
Feb. 26, 5-7 p.m.

San Luis High School
Feb. 9-10, 4-6 p.m.

Somerton High School
Feb. 10, 4-7 p.m.

Yuma High School
Feb. 11 and Feb. 19, 4:30-6:30 p.m.

Please note: Families will still need to take part in on-site enrollment at their respective school in July.

If families have questions about any of the coming events, they are encouraged to contact the school’s academic office.

Five Yuma Union High School District staff members from three different schools were selected as recipients for the “Wishes for Teachers” classroom grant in the amount of $2,500 each.

The grant is funded by the Fiesta Sports Foundation. 

Ermila Vera and Kelly Dale at Cibola High School, Zayda Duenas and Martha Remenar at Kofa High School and Cesar Castillo at San Luis High School are the 2025 grant recipients from YUHSD. 

“I’m incredibly grateful to receive the ‘Wishes for Teachers’ grant,” Remenar said. “As a school social worker, I see how support, connection, and access to basic resources can change a student’s life. This grant allows me to continue breaking down barriers so every student feels seen, supported, and capable.”

Vera is using the funds for hands-on activities for her science class, while Dale will be using the funds to transform the CHS Caring Closet into a storefront-style space with shelving and organization for students in need. Remenar will use the funds to stock the KHS “Care Closet” with basic essentials like hygiene supplies, school supplies, clothing items, snacks, and non-perishable items. Duenas will be using the funds to purchase a Smart Board for her classroom, and Castillo will be using the funds to furnish the career center with flexible tables and chairs to accommodate their students. 

The Fiesta Sports “Wishes for Teachers” grant is open to all teachers in Arizona. Teachers apply for the grant to fund a specific wish for their classroom such as athletic equipment, classroom supplies, technology, etc., and then grants are selected through a random selection process. According to their website, the foundation awarded 540 teachers across Arizona in 2025. 

Kofa High School alumnus Jojo Copp from the Class of 2024 has been nominated for the City of Yuma’s 2025 Helios Award presented by the Yuma Art Center. 

“Being nominated for such a big award like this is very special to me because of how young I am and how much I think I've already accomplished,” Copp said. “Kofa was very special to me and I think back on it a lot, especially my junior and senior year, it shaped me to be a better human being.” 

The Helios award celebrates and acknowledges up-and-coming artists of Yuma. He was nominated for his passion and hard work in art and drama. Copp is also serving as the Yuma representative on the AZ Youth Arts Council Board for 2025-26.

“As his former yearbook and English teacher, I am very proud of him,” KHS English teacher Henry Mak said. “His dedication to art and creativity was telling the moment he walked into my classes. Jojo's passion for art is abundantly clear.”

The winner of the Helios award will be presented at the 25th annual Tribute of the Muses ceremony on Friday, November 14. The evening will feature presentations of the Helios Award, Odyssey Award, and Apollo Award — recognizing outstanding achievements across the creative community in Yuma.

YUHSD has had several staff members and alumni be nominated for and receive art awards from the City of Yuma, including Cibola High School band teacher Amanda Dallabetta in 2024, Gila Ridge High School ceramics teacher Morgan Laguna in 2022, and Cibola High School ceramics teacher Holly Hendrick in 2021 who all received the Apollo Award.