The Stanley-Boyd High School Class of 2026 is out the school door. With construction going on at the nearby high school entrance, the ceremony kicked off at 6 p.m. in Oriole Park, with emcees Caroline Johnson and Kira Lato leading things out.
Following this high school principal Nate Steinmetz made remarks, calling for a moment of silence by those present for those not able to be there, a memory candle near the podium.
“Good evening and welcome to the 2026 graduation,” Steinmetz said. “This candle on my left is in remembrance of those who cannot be with us to help celebrate the many accomplishment of these graduates. Please take a moment of silence to remember them in your own way.”
Following the moment of silence, Steinmetz made brief remarks thanking school staff, family and friends, and the class of 2026 for their hard work to get to where they were.
“The Class of 2026 will always hold a special place in my heart,” he said. “As you are the first graduating class I have had the honor of working with as your principal. Not only that, you’re also the last class of fourth graders that I taught before I became administration.” Steinmetz told the class to have grit, belief in itself, and following its passion, also taking happiness into account.
“Find what gives you purpose, what motivates you, and gets you up in the morning, and with that, make a positive difference in the world of others’ lives,” he said.
Following Steinmetz’s remarks, senior choir members performed “Until Love is Spoken” by Karen Marroli, the a cappella performance including other choir members.
Grace Schmidt gave the salutatorian address following the choir performance.
“Fellow graduates, faculty, family, and fiends, it’s an honor to stand before you today as we celebrate this milestone,” Schmidt said. “It’s natural to reflect on what we’ve accomplished, but how does one define being accomplished?” Schmidt then went through a series of memories, with the take away that accomplishment and its definition could change with time. “Most of us change through high school without realizing change is a part of life, and while it might be scary, it’s necessary,” she said. “We’ve seen teachers change along with the classes they teach, coaches change most of the time for the better, and friend groups change as some classmates left and some joined, and now it’s time for us to take a big step into our future.” Change had happened throughout high school and it would continue.
“If there’s any haters on the way, tell them what my twin sister is going to say,” she said. “Eat grass. Congratulations, Class of 2026.”
Following Schmidt the valedictory address was given by Adeline Peterson.
“Everyone here has spent the last four years in the same place,” Peterson said. Countless memories had been made together, but things would soon change.
“However, with graduation comes a new reality,” she said. “Wherever we go, we are all starting over and have built a foundation, but now we have to go out and make sense of our lives. Our last song this year is ‘You’re Going to Go Far.’ For those who haven’t listened to it before, it is a bittersweet song about the pain of leaving home.” A powerfully emotional song, it demonstrated the encouragement to follow one’s dreams, with the support of others. “To our parents, family, friends, and teachers, thank you for making a supportive upper community,” she said. “And to the graduating class of 2026, put a hand on your heart, say whatever you feel wherever you are, because everything is done.”
Following Peterson’s speech was Superintendent Jeff Koenig.
“Good afternoon, graduates, parents, families, staff, and friends,” he said. “Recently I read a story about legendary basketball coach Mike Krasseski, better know an as Coach K. Coach K shared advice his mother gave him when he was starting high school She said, ‘Get on the right bus.” While Coach K had originally thought she meant the bus to school, his mother expanded that life was full of different busses, groups of people, environments, and directions life could take. The bus one got on would influence the destination. Coach K’s mother also told him to sit up front, and when he realized it was the wrong bus, to get off.
“Right now, many of you are getting asked the same question, ‘what are your plans after graduation?’” Koenig said. “ Some of you are going to school, some into the workforce, some into the military, some into apprenticeships, and some of you are probably hoping nobody asks that question.”
People spent a lot of time focusing on the destination, but a better question was who one was going to be there with.
“Regardless of the path you choose, the bus you get on may determine where that path eventually leads,” Koenig said. Things like social media, videos watched, accounts followed, and those students allowed to influence them also had an impact. The takeaway was to be careful who one allowed to influence their thinking.
“That does not mean choosing perfect people,” Koenig told graduates. “Those do not exist. It means choosing people with character, people who push you to improve, people who tell you the truth, people who celebrate your success instead of resenting it, people who make you better. Graduates, every path presented here today for you can lead to success, but success is not just about choosing the right path. It’s also about choosing the right people to travel that path with.” Eventually one stopped being just a passenger, and influenced others as well.
“So yes, get on the right bus, but also become the kind of person who makes the bus better for everyone else riding,” Koenig said.
With class presentation following and diplomas presented by school board members Becky Peterson and Ryan Lewallen along with Principal Steinmetz, the Class of 2026 was soon graduated, off to new adventures.