SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The wall of the South Tahoe High School (STHS) library was filled with 11 different collegiate posters on Monday, all representing the next level of sports that 13 members of the Class of 2026 will be participating in.

Nash Bigley:

Nash has played basketball since his freshman year and has been on varsity since his junior year. He received all-league honors his junior year, which added to his many football awards. Nash has a strong passion for basketball and has decided that, instead of playing football in college, he will play basketball. Nash will play for Santa Barbara City College’s Men’s Basketball team, competing in the 3C2A Athletic Association. His major will be business and entrepreneurship.

Logan Debaun:

Logan has played football since his freshman year and has been on varsity for three years. During his years of varsity, he started on both sides of the football. Logan was named Offensive Player of the Year for the team his freshman year, and led the northern region in interceptions his sophomore year. Logan has been the team’s leading scorer for three straight years. He will continue his athletic career at Santa Barbara City College, where he will compete in the 3C2A Athletic Association. His major will be kinesiology.

Richie Grajeda:

Richie has played four years of varsity soccer. During his time, he has had a career filled with accolades, including being a 3x state and regional champion and being named League MVP in his junior and senior years. He has played a crucial role in the boys’ soccer team’s success and will continue to make a huge impact in his future. Next year, Richie will compete in the 3C2A Athletic Association for Lake Tahoe Community College.

Kayden Morales:

Kayden has been on the STHS varsity football team for three consecutive years. In his senior year, Kayden was the starting quarterback. Kayden will be playing at the D3 level at Whittier College next year, where he will be majoring in civil law.

Brody DeFranco:

Brody has competed on the Varsity Track Team since his freshman year. Brody has multiple all-region and all-state recognitions in sprints and hurdles, and was the state champion in the 110 hurdles his junior year. Brody holds four individual school records and is the second-fastest in three others, including the 100m sprint, making him South Tahoe High’s second-fastest man ever. Unfortunately, Brody suffered a season-ending injury and was not able to run his senior year. However, Brody was recruited to run on the Division 1 Track team with an athletic scholarship at Utah Tech University, which competes in the Big Sky Conference. His major will be business and exercise science.

Ava Galli:

Ava has been on the STHS Varsity cheerleading team for the past two years. Ava is a two-time UCA All-American and has received the most encouraging and most one-time award from the high school. Ava has also been recognized on the NIAA All-State Academic team for cheer. In the fall, Ava will be cheering at Princeton University, where she is majoring in molecular biology on a pre-medical track.

Gabby Lancellotti:

Gabby has been on the STHS Varsity cheerleading team for three years and has been the team captain for two years. Gabby is a two-time UCA All-American and has received the most dedicated and the outstanding leader award. Gabby has also been recognized on the NIAA All-State Academic team for cheer. Gabby will be continuing her cheer career at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the fall. Her major will be elementary education.

Arya Saini:

Arya has competed on the Varsity Track Team since her freshman year. Arya has multiple all-region and all-state recognitions and has been the 100-meter hurdle state champion since her freshman year. Arya holds two individual school records and is a part of two relay school records. Arya played a tremendous role in the girls’ track team’s success and state championship this year. Arya was offered an opportunity to walk on at the Division 1 track team at Columbia University to compete in the Ivy League. Her majors are neuroscience and behavior.

Lupita Rehn :

Lupita has been on the STHS Varsity swim team since her freshman year. Lupita received the most determined award two times in a row and was named the most valuable swimmer in her senior year. Lupita consecutively placed at regionals and states all four years. Lupita will be competing in the D3 swim at La Verne University in the fall and majoring in elementary education.

Valeria Diaz:

Valeria has been a part of the STHS Varsity Soccer team for three years. Valeria made first-team all-state for two consecutive years, and she is a two-time state champion. In the fall, Valeria will be continuing her soccer career at Yuba City College, where she will compete in the 3C2A Athletic Association. Her major will be kinesiology.

Lillia Verduzco:

Lillia has been a part of the STHS Varsity Soccer team for 2 years. This year, Lillia received the all-league MVP for breaking the school record and scoring 32 goals. Also, Lillia is a two-time state champion. In the fall, Lillia will be continuing her soccer career in D2 athletics at San Francisco State University. She will be majoring in biology.

Tasanee Kinnett:

Tasanee has been a part of the STHS Varsity Soccer for all four years of high school and is a two-time state champion. She has received MVP for her varsity team and made first-team all-league and second-team all-region while also leading her team in assists. This fall, Tasanee will be continuing her soccer career in D3 athletics at Pacific University in Oregon, where she will be majoring in kinesiology.

One student was not present at the ceremony, Adrian Smith. He has played football since his freshman year, the last three on varsity. He played both defense and offense and is headed to Santa Barbara City College, where he will compete in the 3C2A Athletic Association.

The signing ceremony was held in front of a packed house filled with family and friends. The STHS Boosters and the ASB Leadership Class helped set up the event. Thank you to Brody DeFranco for the athlete information.