Alumni spotlights.
Where our graduates go and what they build next. Real stories from Highland Prep alumni, in their own words.
Our graduates go on to college, careers, and communities across the country, and many stay close to home. These are their stories, in their own words: where they went, what they are building, and how Highland Prep helped get them there.
Makayla Harmon-McIntosh
Northern Arizona University
Environmental Studies and Sustainability
Featured on the cover of NAU Thrive Magazine for her National Geographic research on the Flagstaff watershed.
- What have you been up to since graduating from Highland Prep?
- I am starting my senior year at Northern Arizona University. I teach freshmen for the NAU Green Fund, which applied for and distributed a $1,000,000 fund for sustainability projects, research, and events across campus. I also serve as President of the NAU Food Recovery Network, a Campus Living Community Assistant, and an Honors Facilitator. Life is a busy cycle of work, school, and family, and I love every side quest along the way.
- How did Highland Prep prepare you for college and life after high school?
- I was very active, from Band Club and SeaPerch Robotics to leadership roles in Student Council, National Honor Society, and as Chief Science Officer. My engineering, environmental, and language classes gave me the technical and cultural skills to succeed in my major, and the leadership I took on prepared me for the responsibilities I carry every day now.
- What do you appreciate now that you may not have fully recognized as a student?
- The small classroom and the chance to stand out. I have met a lot of people who went to much bigger high schools, and because no one stood out and went for every opportunity, they can feel small. I got far more one-on-one learning than I would have anywhere else.
- What accomplishment are you most proud of?
- My research opportunity with the National Geographic Society, where I studied the local Flagstaff Rio De Flag watershed. I am proud to be the face of the Honors College fundraising effort and to have been featured on the cover of NAU Thrive Magazine.
Ezra Johnson
Arizona State University
Medical Studies
The reigning AZRA Stock Front-Wheel-Drive Champion, racing a rally car he built himself.
- What have you been up to since graduating from Highland Prep?
- I have mostly been focusing on school. I earned my bachelor's in Medical Studies and am working on a master's in Chemistry. Outside of that, I have been racing rally-cross.
- How did Highland Prep prepare you?
- It taught me skills that translate well to college, like managing course loads, choosing classes, and balancing extracurricular activities.
- What do you appreciate now that you may not have recognized as a student?
- Our ability to pick our own classes. It was a bit stressful at the time to choose a class that suited me, but it turned out to be a very important skill for college.
- What advice would you give to current Highland Prep students?
- Find the topic that interests you the most and chase it. There is so much more to learn in every discipline.
- What milestone are you especially proud of?
- As of last year, I'm the AZRA Stock Front-Wheel-Drive Champion. I also built my own rally car that is capable of running in the ARA.
Isaiah Sparks
Northern Arizona University
Secondary Education, English
Came back to teach English at Highland Prep Surprise, after finishing college debt-free in four years.
- What are you doing now, and what has your journey looked like?
- Since graduating from Highland Prep, I went to NAU to major in Secondary Education of English. I graduated in May 2026 after student teaching at Highland Prep Surprise, and now I am getting ready for my first year of teaching here, where I'll be teaching Senior and Junior English.
- How did Highland Prep help prepare you for college and your career?
- Highland Prep did a great job preparing me for college. They helped me with everything from applications to writing essays to applying for scholarships. Thanks to that help, I was able to graduate from college debt-free in four years.
- What do you appreciate most about your time at Highland Prep?
- The sense of community. Because Highland Prep is a smaller school, I knew the name of every student in my graduating class. That made it a place I enjoyed coming to every morning.
Are you a Highland Prep grad?
We would love to feature your story. Tell us where you landed and what you are up to, and you might be our next spotlight.