2026 Rocky Mountain CWS program brings ‘excitement and joy’ while showcasing ‘the magic of NHI’

More than 100 students converged on Regis University in Denver, from across the United States and Mexico, to participate in NHI’s 2026 Rocky Mountain Collegiate World Series program from June 29 to July 3. 

The Collegiate World Series, better known to NHIers as the CWS, brings students together for two competitions in one over the course of five days. 

The first (called the League Series) places students on teams representing universities and liberal arts colleges belonging to NHI’s College Register, coached by representatives from those schools. 

The second (called the Thought Series) reconfigures the students on different teams; they are then introduced to inquiry-based learning (IBL) and participate in exercises that help them carry this concept into college and beyond. 

This year’s roster of NHI College Register members at the Rocky Mountain CWS included: 

• Bucknell University
• Case Western Reserve University
• Colorado State University
• The George Washington University 
• Regis University
• St. Mary’s University
• Schreiner University
• Trinity University
• University of Denver
• Vanderbilt University

“The participants in this year’s Rocky Mountain CWS really surprised the staff this year,” said education director Adam Brennan. “Their ability to bring excitement and joy to each day while also being the group quickest to learn the IBL steps really made this year’s program special. The bonds that they created between each other and their willingness to support each other really show the magic of NHI through the community that gets built.”

Mateo Solorzano, named MVP for the Colorado State University team, has been with NHI’s contingent of Las Vegas students, supported by Sands Cares via a partnership launched in 2022, calling the cohort of students there “a dedicated group … very strong, hardworking, and very-community based.” 

“At first, I was a bit hesitant because I was mostly just nervous to go to California to travel by my own,” he said regarding his first NHI program, a Great Debate competition at the University of San Diego. “I learned a lot, how to code switch between like English and Spanish … and I broadened my ideas, learned like different perspectives, and it changed [me from] how I thought before.” 

He was expecting the program’s focus on the college application process, but was still surprised by the depth and breadth of what he learned at the Rocky Mountain CWS.

“I honestly thought a college representative is just a very tough and scary person to be with, who is only there for the numbers and seeing if you make the cut or not,” he said. “But actually, lmeeting actual college representatives here, that image broke in my mind. They were amazing people. 

“They were very nice, and I remember my college rep for Colorado State personally told me that majority of college reps are trying to find reasons why they should accept you or why they should give you scholarships,” he added, noting that the perspective will help him apply for college more confidently. 

Kenia Solis Villagran, of Chaparral High School in Chaparral, New Mexico, was surprised that the program actually delivered on nuts-and-bolts aspects of the college application process, like writing a personal essay, with college admissions officers helping students learn about the process and draw from firsthand knowledge. 

“I didn’t think groups of actual like college admissions people would be there, she said. “That’s what really surprised me.” 

The IBL half of the program surprised her as well. 

“It told me to dig deep into myself, not just focus on the things that you always think about things about, but think about things you never really thought about until now.” 

2026 Rocky Mountain CWS Honorees 

The League Series champions, representing Schreiner University, included:

• Karla Armendariz Gurrola, Escuela Carlos Pereyra, Torreón, Mexico
• Ashley Blanco Gonzalez, Ed W. Clark High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
• John Castillo, Austin High School, Austin, Texas
• Phoenix Contreras McGonagle, St. Mary’s Academy, Cherry Hills Village, Colorado
• Sofia Cuanda, Escuela Carlos Pereyra, Torreón, Mexico
• María García Quiñones, Academia Maria Reina, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Valentina Gonzalez Martinez, Escuela Carlos Pereyra, Torreón, Mexico
• Rosalyn Grant Medina, Mary Carroll High School, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Josue Huox Ajanel, Poudre High School, Fort Collins, Colorado
• Jade Martin-Gomez, La Salle College Preparatory High School, Pasadena, California
• Avery Molina, Judson Early College Academy, Converse, Texas
• Leonardo Ortiz, Cathedral High School, El Paso, Texas
• Enrique Ramírez Orozco, Escuela Carlos Pereyra, Torreón, Mexico
• Vicente Rodarte, Coronado High School, El Paso, Texas
• Anthony Soliz Heredia, Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Austin, Texas
• Cyanne Tinker, Santa Teresa High School, Santa Teresa, New Mexico
• Rylee Wixom, Explore Academy, Rio Rancho, New Mexico

League Series MVPs included:

• Bucknell University: Sydney Wade, Plano East Senior High School, Plano, Texas
• Case Western Reserve University: Alberto Macher, Cistercian Preparatory School, Irving, Texas
• Colorado State University: Mateo Solorzano, Cristo Rey St. Viator College Preparatory High School, Las Vegas, Nevada
• The George Washington University: Zoe Strange, El Paso High School, El Paso, Texas 
• Regis University: Noah Revilla, Luther Burbank High School, San Antonio, Texas 
• St. Mary’s University: Madeline De Rosa, El Paso High School, El Paso, Texas  
• Schreiner University: Jade Martin-Gomez, La Salle College Preparatory, Pasadena, California 
• Trinity University: Ashley Bravo, Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School, Takoma Park, Maryland
• University of Denver: Alejandro Armenta, Cottonwood Classical Preparatory School, Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Vanderbilt University: Alexa Hinojosa, Founders Classical Academy of Leander, Leander, Texas 

Thought Series Major Leaguers included: 

• Maya Barnhart, Liberal Arts and Science Academy, Austin, Texas 
• Oscar Carrasco, Westlake High School, Austin, Texas 
• José Antonio González, Instituto de Ciencias A.C., Zapopan, Mexico
• Lucila Hernández, Preparatoria del Tecnologico De Monterrey campus Santa Fe, Mexico City, Mexico
• Madison Leiva, The Webb Schools, Claremont, California
• Ana Laura Macchiarella, Academia Maria Reina, San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Lily Martillo, Parish Episcopal School, Dallas, Texas
• Lilli Stiles Mohammed, Chaparral High School, Chaparral, New Mexico
• Joaquin Ojeda, Central Catholic High School, San Antonio, Texas
• Kenia Solis Villagran, Chaparral High School, Chaparral, New Mexico

Valedictorian: 

• Julian Escalante Mata, Cathedral High School, El Paso, Texas

The 2026 Rocky Mountain CWS is made possible in part by support from the Bezos Family Foundation, Sands Cares, and State Farm.