Wet weather brought the ceremony inside, but it could not douse the joy of Indian Lake High School’s Class of 2026 Graduation celebration.
ILHS held Commencement ceremonies to celebrate “The big class” in front of a packed house in the Main Gym on Friday evening.
The Class of 2026 started off with a record number of students enrolled, but over time whittled down to 122 graduates.
The graduation speaker was Mary Rutan Health CEO, Indian Lake Board member, ILHS Class of 1989 alum, and ILHS Class of 2026 parent Chad Ross.
He told the class, “It has been my sincere pleasure to see you grow up, to celebrate your many successes and to ache along with you when life has delivered that proverbial gut punch.” He continued, “Remember to be versatile, be persistent, work hard, be accountable for your actions or inaction, and don’t be afraid to step into the arena to take your turn at bat. And above all, don’t wait to live your life!”
Class of 2026 President Mara Bihn recapped their high school years from the bad times to the good.
Bihn remarked, “Once a Laker, always a Laker.”
Before each member of the class received their diploma, the Top 10 scholars were announced.
They are:
- (10) Alyssa Powell
- (9) Alex Kinney
- (8) Kennedy Schwaderer
- (7) Augusta Biederman
- (6) Maddie Miller
- (5-Salutatorian) Carly Strayer
- (1-Valedictorian) Mara Bihn, (1-Valedictorian) Cooper Hall, (1-Valedictorian) Olivia Hurley, (1-Valedictorian) Riley Ross, and (1 Valedictorian) Evie Wagner.
Once the ceremony was complete, the graduates threw their caps in the air and posed for pictures with family and friends.
Superintendent Dr. Rob Underwood talks about the class of 2026:
Congratulations, ILHS Class of 2026!
