Where are members of the Modesto City Schools class of 2026 headed?
.jpg "Modesto City Schools class of 2026. Clockwise from top left: Ava Hardy, Alejandra Saray Garcia, Addyson Goulart, Ryan Nazari, Hayden Favero, Thomas Bingham.")
More than 3,500 students from Modesto City Schools graduated in the class of 2026. During June graduation ceremonies, students gave speeches, were recognized with countless awards and accolades, and are now embarking upon unique paths in the upcoming months.
The Modesto Bee spoke with nine MCS class of 2026 graduates to learn about their plans, ranging from four-year universities to church missions, representing just a few of the possibilities that lie ahead for the new high school graduates.
Kylie Farmer — Gregori High, playing D1 soccer at the University of Oregon
After a decorated high school soccer career, Gregori High School alumna Kylie Farmer will continue her athletic and academic journey at the Division 1 level as a member of the University of Oregon women’s soccer team. Farmer plans to major in human physiology.
“Human physiology interests me as I want to help athletes and continue to stay connected to sport,” Farmer said.
Farmer was recognized by the Central California Athletic League with many accolades: Defensive Player of the Year, All-Academic League recognition and two league MVP awards. Farmer has been playing soccer for 11 years and has competed at clubs, including DeAnza Force and Stanislaus United.
She said her experience with club soccer played a significant role in her recruitment process. Both clubs gave her exposure to college programs and guided her through a big decision in her athletic and academic career. Farmer also considered offers from University of California, Berkeley and Pepperdine University.
“My competitive soccer teams Stanislaus United and DeAnza Force helped me get seen by Oregon to play Division 1 soccer, and the coaches on those teams helped me to decide which school was best for me,” Farmer said.
As she prepares to begin her collegiate career, Farmer reflected on the support system that helped her reach this milestone.
“I am extremely grateful to start this new chapter of my life because without my parents’ sacrifices none of this would’ve been possible,” Kylie said. “So I plan to make them proud at Oregon.”
Aiden Rotan — Enochs High, studying fire science at MJC
Enochs High School graduate Aiden Rotan plans to continue his education at Modesto Junior College where he will study fire science as he works toward a career as a firefighter.
During high school, Rotan took part in the Regional Occupational Practices Fire Protection program at Davis High School, spending two class periods each day gaining hands-on experience and exploring the profession.
Rotan said his decision to further explore firefighting is driven by a desire to serve others and make a positive impact on his community.
“I love helping people, and doing that as a career is the best thing someone could do,” Rotan said.
He said one of his biggest inspirations is his father, whose character and reputation throughout his career in firefighting influenced the path he hopes to pursue.
“My dad inspires me by being himself and the way others speak in such good ways about him and what he does at work, it just makes me want to be like him more,” Rotan said.
Through his studies at MJC, Rotan hopes to gain the knowledge and training necessary to begin a career dedicated to serving and protecting others.
Sharvesh Prabhakar — Enochs High, pursuing pre-med at UC Merced Bioengineering + UCSF School of Medicine
Enochs High School graduate Sharvesh Prabhakar will attend the University of California, Merced through the San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education BS/MD pathway, which will allow him to be automatically enrolled at UC San Francisco’s medical school upon completing his undergraduate education without needing to take the MCAT. His training will take place across the UCSF, UCSF Fresno and UC Merced campuses.
For Prabhakar, pursuing a career in medicine is about more than a lifelong interest in science. Growing up in the Central Valley, he witnessed firsthand disparities that affect underprivileged communities and became inspired to make a difference in healthcare.
“Becoming a doctor has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember,” Prabhakar said. “Seeing the impact physicians can have on their patients and knowing I can bring that same impact to my own community is what motivates me to pursue medicine.”
He said several experiences helped to shape his career goals, such as volunteering at Kaiser Permanente, which provided an inside look at the healthcare field. He credits participating in speech and debate for deepening his critical-thinking and comprehension skills.
Shadowing physicians at Kaiser Permanente the summer before his senior year helped solidify his decision. “(It) gave me valuable insight into the profession and showed me firsthand the difference doctors can make in their communities,” he said.
As he prepares to begin the next chapter of his education, Prabhakar said he is excited to continue his studies and take the first steps toward his lifelong goal.
Thomas Bingham — Enochs High School, doing a church mission in Brazil
Thomas Bingham will spend the next two years serving a church mission in Piracicaba, Brazil, through the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
“I chose this path because my life has changed because of Jesus Christ and I want to share the love I’ve felt from Jesus with everyone,” Bingham said.
He said his parents, teachers, church leaders and friends shaped him into the person who will embark on this new journey come fall. “Most importantly, my relationship with my heavenly father and savior Jesus Christ has driven me to have a desire to help God’s children feel that joy, peace, and love that I have felt.”
For Bingham, graduating high school marks the beginning of a chapter centered on growth and self-improvement.
“Now that I’ve graduated, moving on to this new chapter of my life, I need to better myself as a person in my relationships, my work ethic, the way I treat people and how I handle adversity,” he said. “More than anything, it’s an exciting new adventure and challenge that I am thrilled to take on.”
Hayden Favero — Enochs High, pursuing cosmetology and business
Hayden Favero plans to move to Georgia to pursue a business degree at Georgia State University while simultaneously continuing her passion for cosmetology through practicing and earning her license. Her ultimate goal is to open her own salon.
Favero grew up around cosmetology. “I’ve always loved doing hair ever since I was a little kid, and I honestly can’t imagine myself doing anything else,” Favero said.
Originally, she planned to attend a cosmetology program in Modesto. Yet as personal circumstances led to plans changing, she prepared to move to Georgia and decided to start over with a fresh slate in a different state.
She credits a huge part of her high school journey to Enochs High School teachers Haig Shahbazian and Christina Pappas, who helped her prepare for life after high school. Both teachers encouraged her to pursue cosmetology.
“I probably wouldn’t have made it through without them,” Favero said. “They encouraged me to get a head start on everything and reminded me that I could pursue cosmetology school.”
Favero said starting over can be intimidating, but she remains optimistic about the journey ahead.
“It’s honestly scary,” Favero said. “But I’m excited to see what I can accomplish and what’s in store for this new chapter of my life. I’m excited to see how far I can go.”
Ryan Nazari — Modesto High School, studying healthcare policy at Cornell University
Ryan Nazari will attend Cornell University in the fall, majoring in healthcare policy through the Brooks School. He plans to also complete his pre-med prerequisites during that time.
The goal is to “keep both doors open,” he said, “whether that ends up being medical school or working more on the policy and systems side of healthcare.”
“I always wanted to live a life where, when it was all said and done, people would remember me as someone who was a positive part of their lives, no matter what that ended up looking like,” Nazari said. To him, healthcare alongside policy was the path to accomplish that exact goal of impact on a real scale.
Nazari’s decision to pursue healthcare was inspired by a combination of experiences, including volunteering at a hospital every week and being on the Modesto High Mock Trial team, where his coaches helped shape the way he thinks.
“They pushed me to think more critically and take ownership of my work,” Nazari said. “That really influenced how I approach this whole next chapter.”
He said the end of his high school career and the beginning of his collegiate career fills him both with bittersweet feelings and excitement.
“It’s a strange mix of feelings,” Nazari explains. “Closing that chapter feels bittersweet, but I’m excited. Going to Cornell feels like the first time I get to start building something completely new, in a place I’ve never even lived before.”
Addyson Goulart — Modesto High, studying public health at UC Irvine
After completing the rigorous International Baccalaureate program at Modesto High School, Addyson Goulart is heading south this fall to attend the University of California Irvine, pursuing a major in public health.
Her passion for healthcare has grown over a decade. Goulart’s time getting braces as a child twice fostered a passion for teeth.
“I picked this path because from a young age I wanted to do something with teeth,” Goulart shares. “Growing up, I had braces twice, and I am grateful to have had great orthodontists and dentists, who I shared positive experiences with.”
Alongside her rigorous IB coursework, Goulart balanced many responsibilities while serving as the Associated Student Body secretary and the president of Modesto High School’s Environmental Club.
Goulart credits her vibrant school community with shaping her personal growth over the last four years. The inspiring environment and the guidance of teachers like ASB adviser Traci Mulder are what gave her the confidence to move away from home for university, she said.
“Being around so many dedicated kids in the IB program motivated me to go to college,” Goulart said.
As she prepares for this next chapter at UCI, Goulart is most excited to embrace the unfamiliarity of a larger community and to carve out her own path, she said.
“Even though I’m stepping away from home and the people that I know, I’m excited for a new environment and to experience something that’s different from the Central Valley or Modesto.”
Ava Hardy — Downey High, studying communication at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Downey High School graduate Ava Hardy is set to continue her educational journey at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, where she will major in communications.
Her foundational experiences – serving in student government, leading the California Scholarship Federation chapter at Downey and participating in varsity sports – have contributed to her interest in communication studies.
“What sparked my interest in a communications major was just constantly being surrounded by different groups of people at school,” Hardy explained. “Communicating with people from all walks of life and lots of different ages just made me realize I love talking to people and interacting with them.”
Hardy said that her drive for community building didn’t come from one specific milestone. Instead, it was a mindset fostered through years of balancing roles as a dedicated student athlete and a campus leader.
After she completes her undergraduate degree, Hardy wants to work in a field where she can work closely with people, lead teams, and build strong connections within organizations and communities.
At Cal Poly, Hardy is looking forward to the sunny beaches in San Luis Obispo, the hands-on learning experiences, the study-abroad opportunities, and networking within the university community.
“I’m really excited to continue developing my communication and leadership skills while exploring different career paths that focus on collaboration and helping others.”
Alejandra Saray Garcia — Davis High, enlisting in the Air Force
Davis High School graduate Alejandra Saray Garcia is enlisting in the Air Force and simultaneously pursuing her passion for architecture with online classes.
Growing up, she saw her stepfather working in construction and often visited building sites with him. “I fell in love with it, and it was something that I grew to be passionate about,” Garcia said.
She attributed her decision to enlist in the Air Force to the supportive educators and mentors she encountered in high school.
“My Spanish teacher, Ms. Rosas, has a niece in the Air Force, so she was willing to help me if I ever needed advice or someone who personally knew what it was like to be in it,” Garcia said.
With a clear blueprint for her future and the support of her family and mentors, Garcia looks ahead to her next chapter with immense anticipation and pride.
“I know it will come with a lot of benefits and experience for the future. Overall, it’ll give me a stable path which is really my main objective.”
