Graduates from Cactus Canyon Junior High School and Apache Junction High School enjoyed the support of more than friends and family at the recent graduation ceremonies at Davis Field, 2525 S. Ironwood Drive in Apache Junction.

Members of the special weapons and tactics team and additional officers attended the CCJH celebration, and the whole SWAT Team, a motors unit, two school resource officers, auxiliary personnel and Apache Junction Police Chief Michael Pooley attended the larger high school ceremony to ensure the safety of everyone who attended the events.

“The recent violence in Texas weighs heavily on our hearts at the AJPD and we wanted to come together to reassure our community that we are here to protect them and will do everything in our power to keep them safe,” said AJPD Lt. Seth Painter. “We brought out over 20 officers from special units like SWAT and bike patrol in addition to police volunteers to make sure the graduation attendees could focus on enjoying their special day. Thank you for supporting us in this effort and we look forward to our continuing partnership with the AJUSD.”

The highly attended celebrations went off without a hitch.

“We are very grateful to the AJ Police Department and members of the SWAT team,” said Heather Wallace, AJUSD superintendent. “Looking around and seeing the support of AJPD and knowing that they were there with us; it’s a memory that I will never forget.”

AJHS emphasizes a well-rounded education where academics, sports and extracurricular activities allow students to grow scholastically, physically and emotionally. AJHS graduates have access to more scholarships per student than in most communities in the Valley and qualifying students have access to Promise for the Future to earn a tuition-free education at Central Arizona College.

Registration for all new students who wish to enroll in Apache Junction Unified School District schools are currently being accepted at all school locations. For more information about AJUSD or its schools or departments visit ajusd.org.