The graduating class of 2016 is packed full of athletes, honor society members, and a tight-knit group of nearly 70 who will be the first to carry the title of “STEM graduates.”

These students are individuals who have gone through one of two Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) programs since they were freshmen. There are 38 males and 32 females graduating with either a STEM Diploma or STEM Scholar Diploma.

“Scholar is the more rigorous one. That’s the one where they had to do all honors and AP in all four curriculums: Math, Science, English and History,” explained vice principal Joe Greene.

STEM is not yet widely known across the nation, and only a select few schools have embedded the program as part of their curriculum.

“We’re the only one [in Chandler Unified School District] that offers the STEM diploma,” said Greene.

Graduating from the STEM program opens a multitude of doors, giving various opportunities to gain an upper hand in college admissions and scholarships.

Seniors Jake Crabtree and Avery Scholz have managed to pull themselves through the rigorous STEM program to the very top of the graduating class. Crabtree is planning on majoring in computer science and business while Scholz plans to study mechanical engineering with a focus on aerospace and a minor in business.

While vying for the title of valedictorian, these two students have endured various relentless classes in each subject’s curriculum as well as summer programs.

“There’s a lot of really tough classes,” Crabtree said, “but I think what I really like about STEM is the summer programs they offer for us.”

Along with summer learning experiences, STEM offers job shadowing to give students a chance to look forward and get a feel for their future careers.

“It allowed you to actually see what the industry you wanted to go in was about,” Crabtree explained.

In regards to college applications, Scholz commented that being in the STEM program will add something interesting to her résumé.

Commenting on the experience of being in this program, Scholz stated, “It encourages you to take these higher level classes that you wouldn’t normally be encouraged to take and you have a better perspective and a more diverse schedule.”

Although the high level classes required are demanding and tough at times, the benefits of participating in the STEM program are considerably worth it. The classes are not simple; students cannot just glide through with ease.

“Don’t wait ‘til the last minute to do things because all those classes pile up;” Crabtree said, “If you wait until the last minute, you might get destroyed or perform worse.”

Besides garnering recognition at senior awards night for their accomplishments, these STEM students will be visible in the crowd of graduates by the hood they will be given for participating in the program.