Congratulations to our 2026 grads!
This past weekend we celebrated the graduation of our incredible high school seniors! These 25 students have shown growth and perseverance over the last four years, both in the classroom and in Coombs programs. Many members of this class have been Coombs participants since they were in elementary school, and over the years we have seen them find their passions, build friendships, grow into experienced leaders, and prepare for all the adventures ahead. We are extremely proud of the people they have become and we are so excited to see where life takes them!
Meet the Coombs class of 2026!
These grads are integral to our community. We hope you'll read on to hear their reflections on their time with Coombs.
Aridai Perez Barba
Started with Coombs: 7 years old
Plans after high school: Studying cosmetology at Paul Mitchell in Rexburg.
Favorite Coombs memory: My first backpacking trip. It was a rainy week, but no matter what the weather was we made it fun— even slip and sliding on mud! Skiing my whole life with Coombs Outdoors made me feel like I was at home!
Advice for your younger self: You only live once so try as many things as you can and don’t be afraid because everything will be fine!
Camila Ramirez Carrillo
Started with Coombs: 5th grade
Plans after high school: Attending Paul Mitchell in Rexburg for cosmetology, and after graduating attending CWC to study Business.
Favorite Coombs memory: My favorite memory of Coombs was working for two summers and being able to have the opportunity to experience working with kids. Also the Teton Crest trail backpacking trip back in 2023!
Advice for your younger self: If you get the opportunity to participate in any outdoor activity do it! It will be worth the memories and experiences:)
Anything else to share?: Go outdoors! Do what you might be afraid of because the memories are forever:)
Diego Romero Cortes
Started with Coombs: 7 years old
Plans after high school: Mechanical Engineering and Minor in Outdoor Leadership at University of Wyoming.
Favorite Coombs memory: Serving as a leader on a backpacking trip felt like the ultimate full circle moment in my journey with Coombs Outdoors. After ten years of being the one receiving guidance, gear, and encouragement, the roles have flipped. I went from a young participant who needed mentors to close the gap between my community and the mountains, to being the person providing that bridge for others.
During a reflection circle at the end of a Lamar Valley trip, hearing a student describe how I helped her through her homesickness was a significant moment, one that inspired me to work at Coombs this summer. After a decade of learning, I’ve realized that the investment Coombs made in me has reached the point where I can finally reinvest it into the next generation.
Advice for your younger self: Enjoy every moment in the outdoors because it goes by faster than you think. We are lucky to have it. Coombs is more than just an outdoor activities program. It’s a community that is investing in your future. Take advantage of every opportunity they give you. Don’t just look at the mountains as a place to play but instead as a place where you can discover who you really are.
Anything else to share?: THANK YOU! LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SUMMER!
Jamilet Castro Luna
Started with Coombs: 6 years old
Plans after high school: Going to Laramie for physiology nursing.
Favorite Coombs memory: I loved being able to share amazing experiences and memories with everyone I met being a participant in Coombs Outdoors. I am grateful to have been part of this amazing foundation that helps us connect with nature. I loved the times me and my friends would penguin slide down hills.
Advice for your younger self: You’ll feel at your best when you are outside with nature.
Anything else to share?: Thank you for all of these years being able to participate with you guys. I’ve always said this foundation will always have a special place in my heart. I will forever remember the memories I made.
Luisa Sartillo Mejia
Started with Coombs: 1st grade
Plans after high school: Next year, I’ll be heading to Colorado State University in Fort Collins to study Interior Architecture & Design while pursuing a minor in Environmental Engineering.
Favorite Coombs memory: My favorite memories were definitely the backpacking trips. Even with the nasty blisters and mosquito bites, I loved cooking dinner together, setting up camp, and seeing everyone work together to get things done. Everyone had their own role, and it was always fun to watch everything come together at the end of the day. Sleeping under the stars gave me a greater appreciation for the place we are so lucky to call home and reminded me not to take it for granted.
The spring break trips were also some of my favorite experiences because they made me even more excited for college and life after high school. We got to visit different schools, learn about the programs they offered, and figure out what type of college environment would be the best fit for us. Of course, some of the best parts were skiing new mountains, exploring places far from home, and making memories with my friends along the way. Whether we were touring campuses, riding chairlifts, or just laughing together during long drives, those trips taught me a lot about myself and what I want for my future. They gave me friendships, memories, and experiences that I'll always be grateful for.
Advice for your younger self: Put yourself out there and be excited for new experiences, even when they seem challenging. Take every opportunity to explore the places around you, meet new people, and build meaningful, long lasting connections. Most importantly, don't take a single moment for granted. Say yes to opportunities, even when you're tired or unsure if you'll enjoy them, because you never know what friendships you'll make or what memories you'll create. Looking back, you'll never regret trying something new and giving it your all. Some of my best experiences came from stepping outside my comfort zone, and those moments helped shape who I am today.
Michael Klein Cruz
Started with Coombs: 5th grade
Plans after high school: I’m taking a gap year to work and travel, then I’m planning on attending Western Washington University in the fall of 2027.
Favorite Coombs memory: It feels impossible to pick, but I think one of my favorite memories with Coombs is backpacking the Teton Crest Trail! The view hiking through Death Canyon Shelf was probably my favorite part, and it made it even better to experience it with such a great group of people!
Advice for your younger self: I would tell myself to never turn down an opportunity to try something new and exciting!
Anything else to share?: Coombs has been such a big part of my life since I moved to Jackson, and has introduced me to so many ways of appreciating the outdoors that I might never have discovered. Coombs feels so unique too, in knowing that we have your support in our school and work lives, not just in the outdoors! Love you guys!
Nicole Lopez Hernandez
Started with Coombs: 5th grade
Plans after high school: After high school I will attend Laramie County Community College and study economics and art history!
Favorite Coombs memory: All Coombs activities have been my favorite! Mainly spring break trips and early backpacking trips. Being able to tour colleges, spend time with my friends and have so much fun is such a privilege! Trying to catch a squirrel inside our house on our Utah trip was absolutely hilarious.
I took in all the memories with everyone and everything I’ve learned. Backpacking too was such an amazing experience I wish to do it more often in the future. To storytelling, stargazing and playing board games, ahh those were the days. If I could do it all over again, I would do it in a heartbeat!
Advice for your younger self: Take all the opportunities you can! To experience the nature we get to have is such a privilege and something I took for granted too much. In general throughout high school and my youth I wish I had been more grateful for all this life had to offer and the lifestyle I get to live. To look on the bright side on a bad day, go on a walk and be grateful for everything I have! Be yourself, be grateful, be kind and take in all the fresh air!
Ricardo Villanueva
Started with Coombs: 15 years old
Plans after high school: University of Wyoming. Environmental Science
Favorite Coombs memory: Salty, very salty ramen alongside the most beautiful view I’ve ever witnessed.
Advice for your younger self: Be yourself.
Shirley Delgado Rosales
Started with Coombs: 3rd grade
Plans after high school: Paul Mitchell Beauty School
Favorite Coombs memory: I enjoyed going camping and being able to stargaze, it felt super peaceful and liberating to let go of reality for a while and just take in the nature we're surrounded by.
Advice for your younger self: You don't need to have it all figured out so early. There's a lot of pressure to do the right thing or take the right path really fast, but what matters more is building skills and learning how to adapt and live in the moment.
