Alamogordo High School Celebrates the Class of 2026: Josiah Chambers Named Valedictorian, Christian Roshio Salutatorian

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — May 18, 2026 - Graduation Week has arrived in Alamogordo, and with it comes a wave of pride, excitement, and celebration as Alamogordo High School prepares to honor its Class of 2026. The special edition graduation newsletter released by Alamogordo Public Schools (APS) this week spotlights the achievements of 341 graduating seniors and the two students who rose to the top of their class academically.

Meet the Valedictorian and Salutatorian

Alamogordo Public Schools is proud to announce that Josiah Chambers has been named the Class of 2026 Valedictorian, and Christian Roshio has earned the distinction of Salutatorian. Both students were recognized for their dedication, leadership, and outstanding academic achievement throughout their time at AHS.

Chambers plans to pursue a degree in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder. 

Roshio will attend New Mexico State University, where he plans to major in Psychology and Sociology with a minor in Molecular Biology.
“Their dedication, leadership, and academic achievement exemplify the excellence of the Class of 2026,” APS stated in its graduation newsletter. “We are proud to celebrate their accomplishments and look forward to seeing all they achieve in the future.”

Commencement Ceremony Details
The AHS Class of 2026 Commencement Ceremony is scheduled for:

• Date: Friday, May 22, 2026
• Time: 7:00 p.m.
• Location: AHS Tiger Stadium, 103 Cuba Ave, Alamogordo, NM
Families and community members are encouraged to arrive early. Shuttle services will be available free of charge from the Riner Steinhoff Soccer Complex to AHS Tiger Stadium from 5:30–9:00 p.m. For those unable to attend in person, APS will provide a live stream of the ceremony via the APS YouTube channel.

Additional information including the commencement program, parking map, and arrival procedures is available on the APS Graduation webpage at alamogordoschools.org.

Graduates by the Numbers

The AHS Class of 2026 is one to be proud of. By the numbers, the graduating class includes:
• 341 total graduates
• 10 Associate’s Degrees earned through NMSU-A, with 126 dual credit students
• 45 National Honor Society members
• $300,000 in community scholarships awarded
• 50 seniors named Golden ‘A’ Scholars (130 total Golden Scholars)
• 206 graduates with CTE (Career & Technical Education) credentials
• 10 students earning the Seal of Bilingualism
• 3 signed student athletes
• 382 total certifications and credentials earned

Recognizing Academic Excellence

Earlier this month, Alamogordo Public Schools and the APS Board of Education proudly recognized the Top 10 graduates of the Class of 2026 for their outstanding academic achievement, dedication, and leadership. The students were honored at a formal recognition event, representing countless hours of hard work, perseverance, and commitment to excellence.

Golden Scholars

APS also celebrated its Golden Scholars during the Golden Scholar Night Celebration held on April 29th. Golden Scholars are students who maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.75 and are recognized annually. Students who maintain that GPA for three years receive a stole during their senior year.

Honoring Military-Connected Students

With nearly 30% of APS students connected to the military, the district recently hosted the Class of 2026 Salute & Cord Ceremony at Holloman Air Force Base. The event recognized military-connected graduates and celebrated the resilience, adaptability, and service-minded spirit they bring to the schools and broader community. The ceremony highlights the strong partnership between Alamogordo Public Schools and Holloman AFB.

Project SEARCH Class of 2026

APS also celebrated the graduates of its Project SEARCH program at a ceremony held at the Holloman Air Force Base theater. Project SEARCH is a high school transition internship program that provides training and education leading to employment for students with developmental disabilities. Congratulations were extended to the outstanding Tigers completing this program.

Alamogordo Celebrates Together

Graduation is more than a school event in Alamogordo — it’s a community celebration. New Tiger Pride banners are now displayed along 10th Street in honor of the Class of 2026. APS is inviting local businesses, families, alumni, and community members to join the celebration by decorating in black and gold and flying Tiger flags throughout Graduation Week.
“Thank you for helping us create a community-wide celebration that honors our graduates and shows what it means to be Tiger Proud,” APS leadership said. 

Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger

As the Class of 2026 prepares to walk across the stage and into their futures, AHS is also working to grow and strengthen its alumni network. Graduates and former students are encouraged to register through the AHS Alumni Database Registration Form to stay connected and continue building the Tiger community for years to come.
Congratulations to the AHS Class of 2026.

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