Austyn Long will be graduating from Ponderosa High School on Thursday after a year of working hard to complete his coursework.
Long started at Ponderosa at the beginning of this school year in August and has spent the year focusing on academics in order to graduate. As of last week, he only had one world history essay left to complete.
He said the school鈥檚 small size allowed for more one-on-one time with teachers and a 鈥渘ice and chill鈥� atmosphere, which included time outdoors hiking and playing games alongside classroom lessons. He said he has been able to complete the majority of his homework during school hours.
The school鈥檚 principal, Les Hauer, explained how the school incorporates service learning and field trips into its curriculum. He said students volunteer weekly with the Flagstaff Family Food Center and greenhouse at Northern Arizona University, participate in practical hands-on activities during classroom lessons as well as games and outdoor activities meant to build community. Ponderosa also implemented project-based learning for the first time this school year, including both projects completed in the classroom and those done independently by students.
Hauer said Long is 鈥渁 great kid鈥� who has worked hard to finish his classes.
鈥淪ome students come here because they want to get their diplomas so they put their nose down and they just work until they got it, and that鈥檚 Austyn,鈥� he said. 鈥� ... He shows up every day and works.鈥�
Long has kept in touch with his friends from the previous school he attended, Coconino High School, and said meeting them has been one of the best things about high school. He added that English has been his favorite class at Ponderosa because of the teacher, Megan Walker.
鈥淪he really helped me out,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he helped me improved my writing skills and my reading skills.鈥�
After graduation, Long has plans to attend Coconino Community College and transfer to Northern Arizona University after two years. His goal is to study forestry, as he enjoys spending time outdoors and especially in the forest.
During the fall, he hiked to the top of the Humphreys Peak trail with his friends.
鈥淚 really enjoy nature and the forest,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 just want to find a way to get involved in it more often.鈥�
Long is one of 12 students graduating from Ponderosa on May 22 -- following another 23 who graduated in December as part of the school鈥檚 Class of 2025. The ceremony will be in Coconino High School鈥檚 mini-auditorium (2801 N. Izabel St.) starting at 5:30 p.m.