PAYETTE — Payette High School celebrated its annual College Signing Day today, honoring the Class of 2025 seniors who have committed to furthering their education and careers through colleges, trade schools, and military service.
The event recognized nearly 60 graduating seniors who have made plans for their futures after high school, showcasing the diverse paths these young adults are taking.
Higher Education Destinations
Payette’s graduates will be attending institutions across Idaho and beyond:
College of Idaho: Kathryn Tompkins (recipient of the McCain Family Scholarship), Jenna Cortright, and Casey Self
Boise State University: Dominic Hughes and Caleb Smith
Idaho State University: Marilicia Dovalina, Tyrese Fenton, Josh Rodriguez, Kelli Kendall, and Michelle Schirmer
University of Idaho: Josh Bommersbach and Lucia Walker
College of Southern Idaho: Valerie Rodriguez
Northwestern Nazarene University: Orian Uphoff
College of Western Idaho: Taia Atkins, Nizhoni Bridgman, Madisyn Brown, Alexis Galligar Lewin, Llesica Juarez-Morales, Madeline Lockwood, Uriel Montoya Vargas, Annastazya Moreno, Ricardo Navarro, Nathan Rios, and Kyli Williams
Treasure Valley Community College: Nathan Cisneros, Kayla Edvalson, and Zoe Sievers
Blue Mountain Community College: Bryan Alba and Alan Cisneros
Grand Canyon University: Erin-Marie Auxier
University of Portland: Delia Pape
Vanderbilt University: Brynlee Perry
Colorado Northwestern Community College: Bella Nunez
Ivy Tech Community College: Heidi Piekarz
Trade Schools and Career Training
Several students have chosen specialized career training programs:
WyoTech: Christian Cornforth, Kaelyn Grijalva, Andrew Grosdidier, Yazmine Osorio, and Justin Sumrall
The Salon Professional Academy: Kamdyn Kerner
Paul Mitchell: Jazmin Ruiz and Addison Sibley
Oliver Finley Academy: Chloe Wade
ODOT’s High School to Highway (H2H): AJ Hahn will participate in this one-year paid training opportunity in highway construction and maintenance designed to build Oregon’s skilled workforce.
Military Service
The Class of 2025 also includes students entering military service:
United States Marine Corps: Luke Durrett
US Air Force: Alexander Smith
Idaho Army National Guard: Delia Pope and Kelli Kendall (who is also committed to Idaho State University)
Scholarship Recipients
Idaho Opportunity Scholarship ($14,000 over four years):
- Taia Atkins
- Josh Bommersbach
- Madisyn Brown
- Jenna Cortright
- Dominic Hughes
- Casey Self
- Caleb Smith
- Orian Uphoff
- Kyli Williams
Idaho Launch Award ($8,000):
- Tyrese Fenton
- Alexis Galligar Lewin
- Llesica Juarez-Morales
- Madeline Lockwood
- Uriel Montoya Vargas
- Annastazya Moreno
- Ricardo Navarro
- Nathan Rios
- Joseph Rodriguez
- Josh Rodriguez
- Valerie Rodriguez
- Jazmin Ruiz
- Michelle Schirmer
- Addison Sibley
- Zoe Sievers
- Brook Walker
Other Notable Scholarships:
- Kathryn Tompkins — McCain Family Scholarship (College of Idaho)
Community Pride
Payette High School’s College Signing Day represents an important milestone for these graduating seniors as they prepare for their next steps after high school. The diverse paths chosen by members of the Class of 2025 showcase the range of opportunities students are pursuing, from four-year universities and community colleges to trade schools and military service.
The commitment of these students to continuing their education and career training reflects the values of hard work and determination that are emphasized throughout the Payette School District. Their achievements are the result of years of dedication both in and out of the classroom.
For the Class of 2025, today marks just the beginning of their next chapter as they prepare to graduate and move forward with their education and career plans.
**All photos submitted by Angie Spelman