El Dorado County Celebrates the Achievements of Outstanding Graduates

08:00 AM - June 10, 2024

As the academic year draws to a close, El Dorado County proudly celebrates the achievements and resilience of its exceptional graduates. These students have overcome challenges, shown remarkable dedication, and demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in both academic and extracurricular activities. Here, we highlight the inspiring stories of four standout graduates whose journeys reflect the spirit and determination of the entire graduating class.

Josh Chu – Ponderosa High School

Josh Chu's journey to success is a testament to his resilience. Despite a heartbreaking miss at last year's state Track and Field meet due to illness, Josh returned this season more focused than ever. With unwavering dedication, he refrained from even purchasing a cap and gown, as the state meet coincided with graduation. His strategic racing and flawless execution led him to win every distance race from the league championship to the Masters, culminating in a school record of 8:55 in the 3200m. At the CIF State Track & Field Championship, Josh achieved his goal of breaking 8:50 and medaled, taking 4th place with an astonishing time of 8:48.38. This performance is tied for the best Ponderosa State performance ever.

As he prepares for UCLA, Josh's high school career concludes on a high note, with two more summer races, including the Nike Outdoor Nationals. Reflecting on his future, Josh stated, “In the future, I am looking forward to restarting my life both in running and in school. I will be attending UCLA, where I plan on majoring in computational and systems biology, and I am very excited to dive into a field that combines my interests in biology and computational methods. On the athletic side, I am extremely excited to compete at the collegiate level. I will be running longer distances in college, and I am eager to train with my new teammates and push my limits under the UCLA coaching staff."

Ramona Reed - Union Mine High School

Ramona Reed won the Dale Lackey Scholarship for best female student-athlete in the Sierra Valley Conference. She was a three-sport athlete and the Salutatorian of her class. Ramona ran for the cross country and track and field teams for four years each and played basketball for three seasons. In cross country, she was named all-league four times and was team captain twice. In basketball, she won the Hustling Diamondback Award. She’s an AP scholar with distinction and a member of NHS, CSF, Leo’s Club, Link Crew, and Friends and Foundations.

Ramona has a 4.26 GPA and will attend Westmont College in Santa Barbara, where she will continue running cross country. She plans to major in nursing with the future goal of being a traveling nurse.

Ava Wolfe – South Tahoe High School

Ava Wolfe is a remarkable student known for her kindness, resilience, and dedication. Despite her Auditory Neuropathy/Dyssynchrony, Ava has excelled academically with a 4.4 GPA, advocating for herself and mastering rigorous courses. She has stood out in basketball and golf, earning spots on the Nevada 3A Varsity All-State Academic Team for three years.

 

Ava’s leadership and community involvement are exemplary. She participated in the Rotary Youth Leadership Awakening Program and volunteered with numerous organizations, including Bread & Broth and the Meadow Lakes Firewise Safety Project. Active in the Climate Crew and National Honors Society, she is committed to the environment and her community.

Ava plans to attend UC Berkeley and major in Engineering and Computer Science. Her commitment, drive, and compassion promise a bright future as a leader and changemaker.

Jamee Luoma – El Dorado County Office of Education (EDCOE) Adult Education Program

Jamee Luoma came to EDCOE’s Adult Ed program in 2021. Before that time, Jamee had already been through quite a bit of adversity and trauma in her younger years. Jamee enrolled into the Adult Ed program not having completed junior high or high school diplomas but decided that she wanted to earn her GED.

Jamee began studying for the four-part GED test religiously, sometimes spending five to six hours in the classroom, five days a week. She worked tirelessly with three different teachers and completed all four sections of the GED test during the 2023-2024 school year.

At a young age, Jamee had an interest in aviation. Having now completed her GED, this dream is now becoming a reality! She is currently training to become a commercial airline pilot. Jamee’s story is one of perseverance, dedication, and success. With Jamee’s first educational goal complete, the sky is truly the limit, literally!

As we celebrate these outstanding graduates, we are reminded of the power of perseverance and the promise of a bright future for all our students. Congratulations to the Class of 2024!

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