Sheridan High School celebrates 138th graduating class

Submitted by Sheridan Community Schools

On Saturday morning, May 30, Sheridan High School celebrated the Class of 2026 with its commencement ceremony. As the 138th graduating class, it was an exciting event for these young adults as well as their families, friends, educators, and administrators who watched them grow.

As seniors made their way into Larry Hobbs Memorial Gymnasium, attendees got to see an inside look at the banter and creativity of this year’s graduation class. Each student partnered up and did a pose for the audience. Some chose a fun handshake, movie-inspired pose, or something else unique to their relationship.

The ceremony consisted of several individuals speaking and sharing the pride that they have for the Class of 2026.

Senior Class President Emily Will opened the morning by sharing pride and awe not only in her fellow graduates, but also in everyone who helped them along the way. Will notably said, “Be proud of how far you’ve come, but be more proud of who you’ve become.”

The Valedictorian for the Class of 2026 was Brianna Duke. She shared a brief message with the class and audience through various memories together and apart: “Hold onto your roots, embrace your passions, let your light shine, and let’s show the world what this class can really do.”

The Salutatorian was Elisabeth Henderson, who advised the Class of 2026 to “slow down, and take it all in … What matters most is that you become the type of person that you want to look up to.”

The Sheridan High School Band shared a performance of “Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter, with a special highlight from senior Jasmine Godbey on the drums. The High School Choir shared their musical talents with the song “Children Will Listen” from the musical Into the Woods. The choir then transitioned into the popular hit song “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield. Senior choir members Ryleigh Hampton, Ruby Mason, Anaija Mondesir, Bella Keeler, Cheese Chumphet, Jasmine Godbey, Scarlett Wittbrodd, Kailee Barnette, Ethan Kissling, Devyn Pewarksi, Anna Knochel, Norah Stites all were highlighted within the songs.

The keynote speaker for the morning was Garland Cooper, 2026 Alumni of the Year, and a 2006 SHS graduate. Cooper currently works as a detective for the IMPD. Garland opened his speech with “your past does not get the final vote on your future” as he jokingly questioned why he had been selected due to his attitude in his younger years as a student of Sheridan. He noted that the staff at Sheridan never gave up on him. They always held him accountable, encouraged him, and he credits them for why he was standing on stage.

Cooper left the graduating class with a piece of advice: “Your future is not determined by where you started. It’s determined by the decisions you take moving forward.” He also highlighted that in order to move forward you must remember: “Character matters. Work ethic matters. Integrity matters. Doing the right thing when nobody is watching matters. The people you choose to surround yourself with matter.”

Principal Rick Davis continued on Cooper’s notion by sharing how as graduates they are completing one of life’s major milestones. The steps to graduation are not easy ones, but the steps are a celebration because there are now new opportunities. He leaves the class with four challenges: Don’t Settle, Discover and Share, Be Positive, and Follow Your Dreams. He shared with the graduates that the secret to success is to never stop dreaming about your potential. Davis shared how grateful he was for this class and said, “I truly believe they will build a future bigger and brighter than their present by using the lessons that they have learned and the experiences they have had in their time at Sheridan High School”. He commended the graduates for their athletic prowess and academic success, as well as how their efforts made Sheridan High School a better place.

Following the speeches and music the graduates were able to take the final steps of high school as they walked across the stage and received their diplomas. Several exchange students were also able to participate in this tradition. Dave Mundy, SCS Superintendent, then certified the students and pronounced them as graduates.

As the Class of 2026 goes off into the world, whether that is to college, the work force, military, or something else, Sheridan Community Schools is proud of the hard work that they have done and the many accomplishments they have achieved. This is only the end of one chapter, but it is the beginning of the rest of their lives.

The Class of 2026 had a fantastic commencement on Saturday, May 30. (Photos provided by Allison Waitt)