CHAMOIS — Chamois Class President Max McKague welcomed family, friends, faculty, and community members Friday evening as the Class of 2026 celebrated graduation.

“It has been an honor to be a member of this class, as well as the president,” McKague said. “Our class is full of great people who will accept nothing less than the best for themselves. That is why I say with great certainty that we will all end up successful wherever life takes us.”

McKague thanked parents, teachers, family members, friends, and others who helped shape the graduates’ journey. “Everyone in some way has helped us reach where we are today, and I would like to say thank you,” he said.

He described his classmates as “some of the most determined, kind, and funny people” he has met and said he was grateful to have spent his high school years alongside them. “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” McKague added.

Later in the ceremony, Savanah Sieg reflected on the shared history of the graduating class. “Our journey began back in 2013 when we were just a group of kids with no idea what the future held,” she said. “We walked into Miss Kramer’s class carrying oversized backpacks, nervous smiles, and dreams we were too young to understand.”

Sieg recalled childhood milestones that once felt important. “Back then, our biggest concerns were getting 100 Pirate coins for our surprise, not getting our cards pulled, and whether we had enough time at recess,” she said.

Sieg remembered classmates joining the group over the years and quickly becoming part of the class family.

“In first grade, our family grew when Kaden Wuelling joined our class,” she said. “From that moment on, it felt like he had always been a part of us.”

She also reflected on friendships that developed over the years. “We embraced Brooklyn Whited with open arms, and I’m forever grateful to call her my best friend,” Sieg said.

Her speech highlighted a mix of school traditions, awkward middle school years, athletics, activities, and inside jokes that helped define the class.

“We survived almost getting blinded in fifth grade, rushing to be the first ones to sell fundraisers to the teachers, and the fourth-grade incident,” Sieg said.

She recalled cheering one another on through sports, band competitions, academics, and art activities while growing closer as classmates.

“Some moments tested us, and there were times when things didn’t go as planned,” Sieg said. “But every setback taught us resilience. Every challenge reminded us how strong we are.”

Sieg noted that high school brought milestones ranging from dances and late-night study sessions to earning driver’s licenses and preparing for life after graduation.

“We celebrated victories together, whether it was sports, art, band, or academics,” she said.

She also reflected on the smaller moments classmates would likely remember most. “In Miss Kuschel’s class this year, we had a habitat diorama project,” Sieg said. “Most of us used cardboard for ours, but Jaxon Wuelling decided to show up with two live bats that he and Levi caught that morning.”

Another memory involved a questionable challenge. “Should I really drink this expired soda found under the bleachers for $10?” Sieg quipped.

She also recognized Kaleb Wolfe, who joined the class during senior year. “It couldn’t have been easy walking into a senior class where friendships and memories were already built,” she added. “Over time, he became more than just a new student. He became a real part of our class.”

As graduates prepared to move into the next stage of life, Sieg said the most important part of school was never grades, trophies, or titles.

“It was the people — the friends who sat beside us in class, the teachers who believed in us, the families who supported us, and the classmates who became some of the most important people in our lives,” she said.

Musical selections during the ceremony included Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” and Carrie Underwood’s “Whenever You Remember” during the presentation of roses as graduates reflected on friendships, memories, and the closing of their high school chapter.

Superintendent Lyle Best presented scholarship recognitions and academic honors.

Of the nine graduates seated before the audience, Best noted six plan to pursue higher education at two- or four-year colleges or technical schools, while three plan to enter the workforce.

He announced Jack Schollmeyer as the class salutatorian, with a 4.09 GPA, and McKague as valedictorian, with a 4.13 GPA.

Best also explained the criteria behind the annual American Legion Citizenship Awards, which recognize one male and one female student who demonstrate exemplary citizenship both in and out of the classroom.

According to Best, recipients are selected based on qualities including consideration for others, strong character, good citizenship, and high academic achievement.

The American Legion Citizenship Awards were presented to McKague and Sieg.

As the ceremony concluded, Evert Mehmert offered a brief farewell to classmates and guests.

“To my classmates, much like my mom said, work hard, be smart, have fun, and be nice to people,” Mehmert said. “And for everyone else, be safe and watch for deer.”