Schools
11 Desert Sands USD 2026 Grads Get High Honors In Riverside County
They were recognized for their extraordinary accomplishments during their 13 years as students in Riverside County's public schools.
PALM DESERT, 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.
Eleven were from the Desert Sands Unified School District.
Palm Desert High School's Rushil Ladhawala was 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.
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Ladhawala took the top nod in the DSUSD, but 10 of his fellow grads were also honored with Student Academic Awards during last week's event:
—Jolina Munoz, Amistad High School
—Lorena Magaña, Indio High School
—Flor Perez-Mendoza, Indio High School
—Leslie Grimaldo, La Quinta High School
—Gabriella Reyes, La Quinta High School
—Camila Tafoya, La Quinta High School
—Nadia Frutkin, Palm Desert High School
—Ariel Sanford, Palm Desert High School
—Emma Aguilar, Shadow Hills High School
—Lorenzo Uriarte, Shadow Hills High School
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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.
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