10 Banning, Beaumont 2026 Grads Get High Honors In Riverside County

PASS AREA, CA — A total of 166 outstanding students from the class of 2026 have been honored for their extraordinary accomplishments during their 13 years as students in Riverside County’s public schools.

Ten were from Banning and Beaumont schools.

New Horizon High School's Jasmine Verduzco and Beaumont Middle College High School's Christopher Valero were among just 18 students to receive the 2026 Riverside County Exceptional Graduate Award and a $1,000 scholarship during the 20th Annual Riverside County Student Academic Awards on Tuesday, April 21.

Verduzco took the top nod in the Banning Unified School District, and Valero led the pack in the Beaumont Unified School District, but eight of their fellow grads were also honored with Student Academic Awards during last week's event:

BANNING UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
—Mary Britto, Banning High School
—Luke Yang, Banning High School
—Paloma Martinez, Banning Independent Study School

BEAUMONT UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
—Liliana Perez, 21st Century Learning Institute
—Prandon Arrogante, Beaumont High School
—Maya Barber, Beaumont High School
—Allison Chase, Beaumont High School
—Dylan Smith, Glen View High School

More than 32,000 seniors will graduate from Riverside County high schools in the class of 2026. The students named above represent the top of the class.

“These students are living proof of the Riverside County Office of Education pledge that ensures our graduates are prepared for college, the workforce, and civic responsibility,” said Riverside County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Edwin Gomez. “These top scholars and leaders are a shining example of why the future is bright for our region, state, and nation.”

Based on their enrollment in grades 9-12, each high school was asked to select between one and three top students. Each school district established its own selection criteria, which included consideration of student grade-point averages, class
rankings, extracurricular activities, community service, and other factors.

More than 650 parents, principals, trustees, and superintendents gathered to celebrate the graduating students' academic achievements.