Growing Up Combs: 51 Seniors Receive Unique Distinction on Graduation Day

These 51 high school seniors are the latest to join a special group of alumni who "Grew Up Combs", meaning they attended J.O. Combs Unified School District institutions since kindergarten. In recognition of this distinction, students wore silver cords over their caps and gowns and received designation as K-12 students in the ceremony program.

When reflecting on the thirteen years spent at J.O. Combs Unified School District, Combs High School senior, Cole Evans shared what he thought set Combs apart from other places.

"The people at the school, the teachers, the students…that’s what differentiates it from the others," Evans said. "If I had gone to different schools, I could have learned the same curriculum, the same math class, but it’s the people who make it different.”

As Evans prepares to embark on his next chapter, playing football at Nebraska Wesleyan University, he credits his time at Combs as what prepared him to be successful in his upcoming endeavors.

"The schools have definitely prepared me to go onto the next level with college," Evans said. “But I'll definitely miss the sports, the friends, my teammates. That has been the best part about staying at Combs, it's the only time you're really with all your friends together at once."