[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6222230,"mediaKeyId","3610527-d03a72f306f25f2b9af53463a82b6f6e","parentId",3610527,"title","Indio High hands out named awards; ASB and Renaissance gain national recognition","audioSeconds",424,"startMs",3118000,"endMs",3542000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610527-d03a72f306f25f2b9af53463a82b6f6e&start=3118&end=3542","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610527-d03a72f306f25f2b9af53463a82b6f6e/thumbnail_3118000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6222230/California/Indio-High-hands-out-named-awards-ASB-and-Renaissance-gain-national-recognition","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222230-d5d89f488fe7d26781e1f8c472f29b87/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136190&Signature=noPSGIIKkPgKh71UDI2VEvhNe02BXVE~JeOSOQlohzDQ-yw2i9y2FjVvZwnKpu3mQWAO-rM46q2uesnap~Sfd5uXklSWxICThS0BZEdn20vzDLCn~lO71mNDPEmqjUeIgA0sLl~jbPfsgC-vfimTeEf-shwglmlYDrOWsYeykjdrhnVv11e3oI~xZA996GqzpNWOnz89761YEmyVemR1wvCRiF-i-8CBdCKjVJJNiug-bLn-9S6AsD-N1yrK8ZHyVgm9qQopn2bbiIqe-zGLRMbRNHlC5B5CMtDKGCH0~KzXtxsEOLEHVHhnbatnKUXeF05EyfpZ3b6gaV3vYHy5sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Desert Sands Unified School District","date","2025-05-30T17:32:37Z","article","Indio High School’s commencement included presentation of multiple named awards and recognitions for student leadership, service and athletics.

Two students received the Ed White Achievement Award, which honors scholar-athletes who combine academic excellence and leadership. Avery Kruslak, who plans to attend UCLA and major in political science, was recognized for academic honors and leadership in swim and water polo. Zachariah Lopez, a multi-sport athlete who will play water polo collegiately, was also honored for athletic and academic leadership.

The ceremony presented other longstanding campus awards: Jacqueline Zamora and Adeline Patino Ortiz received the Eisenhower Citizenship Award; Aidan Chavez and Ashley Beltran were named recipients of the Kennedy Leadership Award; Leonel Huerta received the Alex Alexander Award; Gabriela Valdez Venegas received the Katherine Hughes Award. The senior-selected Most Inspirational honor went to Heaven Ortiz Castro. Senior service awards were presented to Andrea Perez, Andrea Ochoa Magana and Oakley McPhee.

Student leadership programs earned institutional recognition: the Indio High ASB chapter was announced as the county’s—and reportedly the state’s—only chapter this year to receive the 2025 Gold Council of Excellence Award. Renaissance president Julian Cansino noted that he served as California’s sole representative on the National Student Council and that Indio’s leadership programs traveled to national conferences.

Presenters emphasized the link between service and future plans: the award citations listed recipient achievements such as AP and dual-enrollment coursework, volunteer hours, internships with local elected officials, and leadership roles in clubs and athletics. Event organizers urged accuracy in names and noted that several graduates have offers to attend four-year universities or continue competitive athletics.

The awards segment was part of a longer program that included musical performances, student speeches and the formal diploma presentation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Indio High School 2025 Graduation","oneSentenceSummary","Commencement recognized scholarship and service award winners, including Ed White Achievement Award recipients, Kennedy Leadership Award recipients and school leadership honors. The ASB chapter earned a Gold Council of Excellence award and a student was recognized as California's sole representative on the National Student Council.","taxTitle","Desert Sands Unified, School Districts, California","taxId",14152,"location","California","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6222235,"Indio High honors Principal Derek Lawson in surprise at final commencement",72,1686000,1758000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610527-d03a72f306f25f2b9af53463a82b6f6e&start=1686&end=1758","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610527-d03a72f306f25f2b9af53463a82b6f6e/thumbnail_1686000.jpg","/articles/6222235/California/Indio-High-honors-Principal-Derek-Lawson-in-surprise-at-final-commencement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222235-87664dd1e8ed8445179bbd1b50a9621d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136190&Signature=ahrevgC7NhrIvGHDopR08HvK9piSfdVHBBeJ8CUiYUVMa1VKNDm6FozzbxL58LdrdC7Kn3lMMldcAvW39Z1VGpJUteyJpX5jVUREYNwUR2lPA-mWO2FVYARp~a~Ol43304q0RA4JhdfqgKUi1j~wSRHAH49zuo-wi6FPijBarl6HLUNopM-lHguI6tYyL6fHdZMVVHEk1MoPGkbNRaO5xMKCrqo6iBijiHYyzwwkwYM-u6OcyAbnxEoRFm7wunSXjxB~ephG9b0gMnDTDyhkJ-WOfkreRkYNKdy~yyUoczoqCJsUnkd-2qeVZSNvoSobFPE6fOpKOLN6~kmG6uSnxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Indio High School students and staff surprised Principal Derek Lawson during the Class of 2025 commencement, marking Lawson’s final graduation ceremony as principal.

Board member Linda Porras introduced the night as especially meaningful for Lawson, noting that this was “his final night as principal of Indio High School.” During the program students rose and chanted “We love you, Lawson” and presented the principal with a keepsake in recognition of his decades of service.

Lawson addressed the graduates in a longer speech, reflecting on memories and school traditions. He thanked staff and the community for nine years of close cooperation with the city and local agencies, and he praised students for their character and accomplishments. “I am proud of your dedication to academic success and your commitment to Raja positivity, respect, integrity, determination, and excellence,” Lawson said.

Lawson singled out moments from the school year and named several students as examples of the school’s core values. He also recounted a widely applauded moment from a seniors-versus-staff basketball game in which the crowd cheered louder for a student named Isaac Martinez Silva than for any star athlete — a moment Lawson said exemplified the school’s culture of inclusion.

The tribute and Lawson’s remarks were framed as part celebration and part farewell. The program closed with musical performances and diploma presentations, and staff and students asked guests to remain for a post-ceremony fireworks display.","Students and staff presented Principal Derek Lawson with an onstage tribute during his final commencement as principal. Lawson delivered a farewell address highlighting student achievements and school culture.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6222240,"Indio High awards diplomas to 441 graduates as community honors students and staff",9022,628000,9650000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3610527-d03a72f306f25f2b9af53463a82b6f6e&start=628&end=9650","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3610527-d03a72f306f25f2b9af53463a82b6f6e/thumbnail_628000.jpg","/articles/6222240/California/Indio-High-awards-diplomas-to-441-graduates-as-community-honors-students-and-staff","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6222240-1ab2d0ee1cac4b9f165187da9be10654/orig.mp4?Expires=1771136190&Signature=WF0TbY-bqLnEeuPs2mBRO8NPE2lVK0HtZiEh61qkWvEyDOidkvpCx2s2HKmA76ujT9abz~Ks2Lae-v5Eoxtih8X1XvDptw-3V6rdJbVEZ~7t47UPoHPgOeC7IRr0lUSFU~B-b7NJC1BJHxDA89p5HG1iQWM2WgHQ6WAhtDHsYUAhrk9NcEWYPj7E9Qc8hNbEphBdI4oWb2dy61AG1qZZ881ckbRzQL~8G8MDVMHVdckTaKbZ~vfdZ21mduT3f5oyIniszKsZGxasgzcsyhn2noppPF8L7E8N7ySTYlh82caTn~kGANFRCaOFw-choSRAn-HyUOkMYLDPv0mEOHHkFA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Indio High School graduated 441 seniors in a commencement ceremony that brought together students, families, district officials and city leaders.

The ceremony opened with remarks from Edgar Magana Garcia, the class ASB president, who said the night was “a celebration of our every late night study session, every challenge we've overcome, and every moment that has shaped us into who we are today.” The program included the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem performed by senior Jesus Milan, student speeches, awards, and presentation of diplomas.

The gathering drew school and district leaders. Derek Lawson, principal of Indio High School, presided over what the school described as his final graduation as principal. Superintendent Kelly May-Vollmer and members of the Desert Sands Unified School District Board of Education were on the dais; Board member Linda Porras addressed the graduates and thanked families and staff for their support.

The ceremony noted several measures of student achievement: 47 summa cum laude graduates with a GPA above 4.0, about 235 students wearing a gold tassel indicating they are “A–G” college-ready, and over 200 graduates recognized with honor cords and stoles for subject-area distinctions. Students and staff also highlighted athletic and extracurricular successes, including multiple league championships and national recognitions for the school’s leadership programs.

Speakers repeatedly emphasized school culture and community. Principal Lawson told graduates he was “proud of your dedication to academic success and your commitment to Raja positivity, respect, integrity, determination, and excellence.” Board member Linda Porras thanked families and urged students to “listen to your own voice, your own heart, and follow your own dreams.”

The ceremony included a recognition of partnerships with higher-education institutions: Mary Jane Fulton Sanchez, a trustee of College of the Desert, attended as a guest tied to the school’s dual-enrollment partnership. The program closed with the band’s performance, presentation of diplomas and a formal declaration by the superintendent recognizing the class as graduates of Indio High School.

Less formal elements included staged surprises and student-led honors: students presented Principal Lawson with a tribute during the ceremony, and the program noted a fireworks celebration scheduled after the event. The district-hosted ceremony encompassed formal diplomas, multiple named awards and remarks from student leaders before families were asked to remain until post-ceremony fireworks concluded.","Indio High School held its 64th commencement ceremony, awarding diplomas to 441 members of the Class of 2025. School and district leaders, student officers and community partners highlighted academic honors, extracurricular achievements and the principal's final commencement.","actionData","errors"]

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Indio High hands out named awards; ASB and Renaissance gain national recognition

Indio High honors Principal Derek Lawson in surprise at final commencement

Indio High awards diplomas to 441 graduates as community honors students and staff