On Monday, the Central Union High School District (CUHSD) became the very first school district in the Imperial Valley to officially open its doors and welcome students back for the new academic year. More than 4,000 high school students flooded regional campuses, bringing life back to Central Union, Southwest, Desert Oasis, and Phoenix Rising High Schools. At Southwest High School, Principal Joe Derma highlighted the non-stop activity that defines his campus culture. Meanwhile, Central Union High School Principal Craig Lyon pointed to the tight-knit school spirit that centers around campus life and student engagement. While each individual high school highlights its own unique identity and traditions, administrators agree that the backbone of the entire district remains the surrounding El Centro community.