Humboldt County Office of Education: Academic Achievement Team

Back row: Rowan Magnuson, Trinity Moore, Lilyan Newell, Aliyah Aaron, Geneieve Caruso, Sabine John, Catarina Freitas, Jackson Vasquez- Reyes, Jezlyn Stokes, Tyler Hinrichs, Jasmine Goodwin, Morgan Zhao. Front row: John Adams, Rachel Villiapando, Molly Perkins, Ruby Stokes, Hafsa El Bahi, Sophia Grimmett, Summer Morales, Autumn Morales, Lola Boyce, Keira McWilliams.

The Academic Achievement Program

For the last 19 years, the Academic Achievement program has recognized approximately 30 outstanding high school seniors. Each fall, Humboldt County administrators are asked to nominate their top senior (s) based on their exceptional academic records, demonstrated application of their academic skills, and noteworthy involvement in leadership and community activities.

Each candidate has demonstrated a commitment to learning and involvement both inside and outside the classroom. In their community, they are volunteers, leaders, and change agents.

All the nominees are invited to complete an application, submit essays, and be interviewed to determine which student (or students) have achieved the exceptional designation of “Stellar Student.” On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, HCOE hosted an Awards Ceremony to recognize and celebrate all Academic Achievement nominees and announce the Stellar Students. Roughly $8,000 in scholarships is presented, and each nominee receives a scholarship.

The Academic Achievement program provides a process of honoring the top-performing students who achieve beyond their school community with monetary scholarships, community recognition, and validation of the young scholars’ successes

Our 2026 Stellar Students: Geneveive Caruso of Arcata High School and Sabine John of Six Rivers Charter High School