Decision Day honors GFHS Class of 2026

Green Forest High School held its Second Annual Decision Day celebration on Thursday, April 16, in the Grim Gym, recognizing the future plans of the Class of 2026.

Every senior was recognized and celebrated for the pathway they plan to pursue after graduation. The event opened with a pep rally atmosphere, as the Green Forest High School band and cheerleaders energized the crowd.

After brief remarks from Principal Adam Wade and rootEd College & Career Advisor Tiffany James, each senior was introduced individually and presented with a poster highlighting their chosen pathway and career goals.

Seniors who were recognized were:

Talent Search

• Luis Bathen-Gonzalez

• Briana Bustamante

• Bryan Garcia

• Carmen Garcia

• Grady Gordon

• Cassady Grigg

• Vanessa Guardado

• Jennyfer Juarez

• Ariana Lopez

• Jaclyn Magee

• Suzanne Mitchell

• Mariana Ortega

• Isabella Claire Phillips

• Andrew Rexwinkle

• Genesis Reyes-Ochoa

• Kasen Robinson

• Emily Sales

• Gabriela Serrano

• Kaylyn Smith

• Orani Uvieta

• Olivia Wyatt

Arkansas Tech University

• Cris Avila, who plans to study accounting;

• Aidan Cockrell, who plans to study library and information sciences;

• Colton Fancher, who plans to study mechanical engineering;

• Grady Gordon, who plans to study mechanical engineering;

• Alberto Herrera, who plans to study information technology;

• Jaclyn Magee, who plans to study criminal justice;

• Mariana Ortega-Trujillo, who plans to study information technology;

• Kasen Robinson, who plans to study kinesiology;

• Aiden Salberg, who plans to study information technology;

• Emily Sales, who plans to study human resources;

College of the Ozarks

• Chloe Crewse, who plans to study education;

Ecclesia College

• Jafet Fuentes, who plans to study business and play soccer;

National Guard

• Shally Ajtun;

• Edwin Galindo;

North Arkansas College

• Brayan Bernal, who plans to study business;

• Brinley Bishop, who plans to study radiology;

• Ashley Cepeda, who plans to study nursing;

• Stephanie Delgado Lopez, who plans to study nursing;

• Lizbeth Dominguez, who plans to study construction;

• Cassady Grigg, who plans to study psychology;

• Brian Galdamez, who plans to study HVAC;

• Mia Macias, who plans to study EMT;

• Nathalia Medina Salinas, who plans to study elementary education;

• Hayden Norman, who plans to study HVAC;

• Thoolei Ngwe, who plans to study nursing;

• Miguel Olmedo, who plans to study welding;

• Aida Ortiz Lorenzo, who plans to study nursing;

• Isabella May Phillips, who plans to study veterinary technology;

• Mia Ponce, who plans to study cosmetology;

• Alexandra Ramirez, who plans to study cosmetology;

• Makayla Reed, who plans to study nursing;

• Eliana Salgado, who plans to study veterinary technology;

• Katelynn Smith, who plans to work in healthcare;

• Nomi Zarem, who plans to study nursing;

Northwest Arkansas

Community College

• Bella Phillips, who plans to study physical therapy assistant;

• Kaylyn Smith, who plans to study psychology and compete in track and field;

Northwest Technical Institute

• James Griffith, who plans to study diesel mechanics;

• Anderson Lorenzo Lopez, who plans to study diesel mechanics;

Oklahoma Wesleyan University

• Isaac Flores, who plans to study accounting;

Trade and Technical Programs

• Justin Ayala, who plans to work as an auto mechanic;

• Jaime Calderon, who plans to study plumbing;

• Daniel Reyes, who plans to study electrical work;

• Enrique Rosales, who plans to study HVAC;

• Aksel Ochoa, who plans to study welding;

• Christian Perez, who plans to study welding;

• Jonathan Rivera, who plans to study welding;

• Gabe Serna, who plans to study welding;

• Jayden McCreary, who plans to study welding;

University of Arkansas

at Fort Smith

• Heidy Delgado Lopez, who plans to study criminal justice;

• Lindsey Gomez Ortega, who plans to study social work;

• Jennyfer Juarez, who plans to study radiology;

• Suzie Mitchell, who plans to study nursing;

• Gabriela Serrano, who plans to study nursing;

• Vanessa Guardado, who plans to study dental hygiene;

• Wilfredo Gonzalez Lopez, who plans to study criminal management;

University of Central Arkansas

• Kee Lar Paw, who plans to study radiology;

• Olivia Wyatt, who plans to study social work;

University of Arkansas

• Bryan Garcia, who plans to study nursing;

• Ariana Lopez, who plans to study nursing;

• Jadon Ochoa, who plans to study chiropractic health;

• Genesis Reyes, who plans to study business marketing;

• Luis Bathen-Gonzalez, who plans to study pre-dentistry;

• Orani Uvieta, who plans to study pediatric nursing;

University of Missouri

• Briana Bustamanate-Tijerino, who plans to study political science;

Workforce

• Darold Aikuj;

• Nathaniel Bernhardt;

• Delmy Chan;

• Nelson DeLeon;

• Kanten Gardner, who plans to work at Tyson;

• Isaac Kennedy;

• Any Ordonez;

• Grace Prentice;

• Zerona Ridder;

• Ryne Stone;

• Brenton Schultz;

The Learning Center

• Derrick Price;

• Emma Warfield.

Representatives from colleges, trade programs, the workforce and the military were in attendance to support the students, including:

• The Learning Center — Jarrell Wright, director of day services, and Jake Hall, director;

• Army/National Guard — Sgt. Ballesteros;

• Arkansas Tech University — Rachel Wright, admissions;

• U.S. Navy — IS1 David Beauchamp, recruiter;

• U.S. Marines — Sgt. Dennise Parsons;

• University of Arkansas at North Arkansas College — Savannah Rosner, recruiter, and Dr. Rick Massengale, president;

• Carroll County Career Center (C4) — James Knight, director;

• University of Arkansas at Fort Smith — Dr. Latisha Settlage, dean of the College of Business and Industry;

• University of Arkansas — Rafael Arciga Garcia, assistant dean of admissions and orientation;

• College of the Ozarks — Hannah Miller, admissions representative;

• Northeastern State University — Alex McLemore, university representative;

• TRIO — Michelle Byler, director of educational operations;

• Talent Search — Sarah Whitmill, assistant director;

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock — Madison Schalk, Northwest Arkansas and Oklahoma admissions counselor;

• Arkansas Elite Welding Academy — Jake Odom, recruitment and housing coordinator;

• Northwest Technical Institute — Gretchen Sawyer, student services;

United Welding Institute — Jeremiah Humphrey, recruiter;

• University of Central Arkansas — Dawson Brown, admissions counselor;

• Ecclesia College — Coach Fernando Perez, head soccer coach, and John Newlun, athletic director.

After the recognition ceremony, senior Jafet Fuentes signed with Ecclesia College to play soccer at the collegiate level. The junior class was then dismissed to visit with representatives, while seniors remained for photos with family and friends and enjoyed a reception of cupcakes and cookies.

The event highlighted that there is no single path to success. Whether through college, trade programs, military service or entering the workforce, each student has a range of opportunities to pursue their goals.