Class of 2022 Valedictorians: 
Sophia Rudge, Madeleine Coder, Sierra Davies, Allex Smith, Nicole Long, Autumn Stock, Megan Harris, Ian Beutel-DePrano,
Lupin Amstutz, Claire Cleary, Davis Bryant, Jonah Dacanay, and Aya Westerlund. Cole Young was unable to attend.

May 27, 2022 - Some of the hardest working, dedicated and bright-minded students at Mariposa County High School were honored on Wednesday, May 25.

The class of 2022 Mariposa County High School valedictorians were treated to a meal at The Grove House for the annual valedictorian dinner. This dinner pays tribute to the students and rewards them for their hard work.

The dinner was sponsored by the MCHS Academic Booster Club (ABC).

The valedictorians this year are: Lupin Amstutz, Ian Beutel-DePrano, Davis Bryant, Claire Cleary, Madeline Coder, Jonah Dacanay, Sienna Davies, Megan Harris, Nicole Long, Sophia Rudge, Allex Smith, Autumn Stock, Aya Westerling, and Cole Young.

These students earned the title of valedictorian by taking the most rigorous courses offered at MCHS as determined by the classes available upon entry as freshmen. Their course load included four years of math, four years of science with three being lab sciences, three years of the same foreign language, four years of English including CCAP college dual credit coursework and all Honors and AP classes available to them. They have earned a “B” or higher in all classes and maintained a weighted GPA of 4.0 or higher.

The master of ceremonies for the evening was Laura Lynn Hays.

The guest speaker was 2010 MCHS graduate Colin Ritter who, after volunteering in Peace Corps Panama from 2017-2019, is now working at Creekside Nursery while studying for a master’s degree in sustainable agriculture.

Each valedictorian chose a mentor to attend with them. This was someone who has helped influence or shape them for the better. The valedictorians introduced their mentors followed by the mentors speaking about them.

Davis Bryant introduces his mentor, Allan Bryant.

In addition to hosting the dinner, ABC gave each valedictorian a $50 gift card to enjoy. MCHS presented each student with a personalized valedictorian medallion which they will wear at graduation. Sierra Tel donated personalized portfolios.

About the valedictorians, in their own words:

Lupin Amstutz: I am extremely thankful for the El Portal community I grew up with. I played soccer and volleyball all four years and participated in French Club, Rotary Interact, SAGA, Math Club, and Drama. I enjoy going on outdoor adventures in Yosemite, doing aerial silks, and playing music. I am taking a gap year and moving to Spain to play on the FCMC Feminino soccer team. In 2023, I will attend Oregon State Honors College. Mentor: Adam Finney

Ian Beutel-DePrano: I participated in Band all four years of high school, playing clarinet and piano. I will be attending UC Riverside, majoring in Environmental Engineering. I want to thank my parents, friends, and teachers for shaping me into the person that I am today. Mentor: Johnathan Leuschel

Davis Bryant: Throughout high school I was involved in clubs and activities like FFA, French Club, California Scholarship Association, and Rotary Interact. Outside of school, I’ve enjoyed fly fishing, biking, and backpacking. I’ll be attending UC Berkeley, studying environmental science. Mentor: Allan Bryant

Claire Cleary: I grew up mostly in Mariposa and am so grateful for the teachers, coaches, and friends who have supported me throughout the years. I was an active member of French Club, Rotary Interact, and Natural Helpers, and I was a part of ASB. I was also on the varsity volleyball team for three years. I will be attending Columbia University, majoring in Human Rights. Mentor: Brooke Dobson

Madeleine Coder: I made lifelong friends in high school and had experiences that shape not only who I am today but who I will be in the next chapters of my life. I was involved in French Club, Rotary Interact, and the California Scholarship Federation. Outside of school, I was a part of the Mariposa Dance Academy. I will be attending the University of San Francisco with a major in psychology. Mentor: Kelsea Coder 

Jonah Dacanay: I was a part of Drama Club, French Club, Math Club, and CSF. I also competed on the MCHS swim team for 2 years. After high school, I plan to pursue a career in music and attend UCLA, majoring in Applied Mathematics. The most memorable parts of my high school experience were making amazing friends and playing rock n roll with my band, JNX. Mentor: Adam Burns

Sienna Davies: I've been an active member of the FFA for four years, competing on the veterinary science team, advanced parliamentary procedure team, and impromptu speaking. I was a chapter officer for three consecutive years, and showed chickens for the Mariposa County Fair. I was also a cheerleader, basketball player, and a member of CSF. I will be attending Modesto Junior College, majoring in animal science. Mentor: Regan Rowley

Megan Harris: I played varsity softball for 4 years and varsity basketball for 3 years. I have also been a member of ASB for 4 years, ultimately ending high school as ASB president. I will never forget the memories I made in high school or how my experiences shaped me into the person I am today. I will continue my education at San Diego State University with a major in political science. Mentor: Tony Williams

Nicole Long: I played four years of volleyball, basketball, soccer, and softball. I was class president each year. I grew up in a unique and supportive community. The relationships I formed with teachers made me a better student and person. I plan to attend California Polytechnic State University, majoring in Environmental Management and Protection, minoring in Indigenous Studies. Mentor: Sarah Matlock 

Sophia Rudge: I was surrounded by people and opportunities at MCHS that have inspired me. Some of my best experiences were in Drama, Choir, SAGA, as class representative, Math Club, and in so many more clubs and activities where I met some incredible people. I will be taking the knowledge and memories I acquired in Mariposa with me to UC Santa Barbara where I will be studying Economics and Accounting. Mentor: Mirriam Platto

Allex Smith: I have been heavily involved in music and sports. I have been a part of the high school marching and concert band for all four years of high school. I played soccer and ran for the track and field team. My senior year, I was the soccer team captain. I plan to attend UC Santa Cruz, majoring in Computer Science. Mentor: Miguel Ramirez-Ruiz

Autumn Stock: Living in Yosemite and going to school in Mariposa has shaped my current interests and future endeavors. In high school, I loved participating in volleyball, soccer, ASB, and school clubs such as French Club and Rotary Interact. I value friendships with classmates and going on adventures in Yosemite Valley. I am taking a gap year studying abroad before attending Colorado College in Colorado Springs. Mentor: Sarah Sugarman

Aya Westerling: I am thankful for all the people who made my high school experience memorable. I will treasure the experiences I had in all my extracurricular activities, from Drama Club to Chorus to Rotary Interact Club. My relationships with my peers and my teachers have worked to shape me as a person, and now I look forward to how my future experiences at UC Santa Cruz will impact me as well. Mentor: Theresa Kraemer

Cole Young: High school has been a formative, positive experience in my life. During high school I actively participated in FFA, serving as an FFA officer for two years, and competing as Chairman of the Advanced Parliamentary Procedure team for three. I also played basketball for two years. I will be attending CSU Fresno majoring in Health Science. I hope to pursue a career in the medical field. Mentor: Aiden Young

Madeleine Coder, Claire Cleary, Megan Harris, Autumn Stock, Lupin Amstutz, Nicole Long, Sophia Rudge,
and Aya Westerling take a playful bite on their valedictorian medallions.

ABC wishes to extend thanks to The Grove House for being a great partner to work with, Sierra Tel for donating personalized portfolios for the students, Sierra Sisters' Designs for the beautiful programs, Jon-Paul Salonen for all things related to the sound system, Blue Oak Ayurveda for the table flowers, an anonymous parent for the cake, and the many others who contributed in ways big and small to make this a special and memorable event.

Valedictorians pose with their personalized portfolios, a gift from Sierra Tel.

Valedictorian Madeleine Coder gives her younger sister and chosen mentor Kelsea Coder a joyful hug.

Congratulations, Valedictorians! What a wonderful accomplishment.

MCHS Academic Boosters Club, Inc. (ABC) is a 501(c)3 organization with the mission of supplementing and enriching academic experiences and providing educational tools for Mariposa County High School students. 

Source & photos: MCHS Academic Boosters Club