[applause] Four years ago, we ascended the stairs of Beville East and descended into an unknown and frightening adventure, high school. Walking the halls, we found our classes. Whether we were on time or running late, we attended class meetings in the pack, strolled through Central Terrace, and forgot to study for tests. We watched that burning building just across the street and felt enraged as we came in second place for the spirit stick again. We had small successes and lots and lots of big mistakes. However, through these mistakes, we learned. We learned how to become better riders. artists, mathematicians, scientists, and historians. We learned how to become greater students and greater friends. But ultimately, we learned how to become better people by contributing to a society that we will soon enter ourselves. At East, we found a home that will always welcome us back. And in the end, we learned what it truly means to be Lancers.
Go forth and write a new bold story. Congratulations class of 2026. Now move ahead. I now certify the class of 2026 to the board of education, the superintendent, Dr. Marshon Warren, as having met the graduation requirements of the state of Illinois, the board of education of district 201, and the faculty of Belleville West. I now ask that Mrs. Nikki Brown come forward to present the diplomas to the class of 2026. >> Dr. Hill, please read the role. Before we begin, let us pause to offer a moment of silence in remember remembrance of those we have lost. Thank you, Dalton Vanderhyde. [cheering] Maya Shootinhoffer, class secretary. Kayla Williams, class treasurer. >> [snorts] >> The next five students to receive their diplomas have earned the distinction of graduating suma kumlady having maintained a perfect 5.0 GPA. They rank at the very top of the class of 2026.
Uh just three seed times. They're coming at 10:43. And then next is J County 11:16. Forgot to start my watch again. Elliot's got you guys though on the clock. >> It's important to note that the clock in the corner is not an official clock. It's just me clicking a button when I see the gun fired. It's >> nice to have as a reference, though. Yes, for just how long and just how fast these boys and girls are running. >> So, it's interesting to kind of note seeing these runners uh and they were able to break. There's four orange cones uh right around like 120 meters in and at that point they can break into lane one >> and doesn't look like they did >> um or plan to >> in a lot of ways like you don't need to get into lane one immediately but by the time you get to that turn you should be in lane one for sure >> yeah I think they're just sticking to their none of them and again this is the joys of junior high school right um Maybe they misunderstood the official or maybe they just decided we're staying in our lanes.
And here we are, Lancers. We finally made it to the finish line. Today is a representation of all the hard work we have put in throughout the last four years. And although studying for tests and quizzes maybe didn't happen as much, especially for me in these last few months, we earned the right to be in this gym and walking across this stage. As I look around, I see people who I consider my friends. I see people who I have never talked to before. But more than anything, I see a class who is ready to graduate. So today, take this graduation day and enjoy your time with your classmates. Talk to that person you've never talked to before and celebrate all you've accomplished. And realize as we're all here surrounded by our closest friends and family that today is a gift. That it's why it's called the present.
Alexis Seagull, [cheering] Hannah Stern, Julia Stock, Henrik Stewberg, Gabriel Zang. >> [snorts] >> The next 12 students to receive their diplomas have earned the destination of Magnum Kumlad, maintaining a GPA between 4.99 and 4.5. Michael Parker Jr. Jackson Pierce, Gerard Perez, Samantha Cororum, Leila Skinnel, Arbur's School, Halton, Brand Bryce School, Halton, Brand, Herbert, Sto, Robert Taff III, Jonathan White, Samuel Whitney, Kylie Williams, Congratulations. [screaming] [cheering] The next 22 students have earned the distinction of graduating kumlady. They have maintained a GPA between 4.49 and 4.0. Madison Remy, >> Eden Richie, [screaming] Jaden Riss, Deja Robertson, Miley Robertson, Danny Romero, Angelina Sanchez, Livia Schaefer, Payton Skielling, Jayla Sparks, >> Brooke Stalehorn, Jared Tinddale, Gabrielle Thes, Denitra Thomas, Anthony Tilman, Anna Victory, Carson Walker, Sydney White, Amaya Williams, Isaiah Williams, Kaylee Webbles, Caitlyn Young, Jacob Painter Amaya Patroth Mariana Porham Archie Parker Jr. Adrien Payne, Elena Payne, [cheering] Avery Pierce, Briana Pierce, Freddy Perry IVth, Caleb Foul, Dominique Phillips, Kirsten Pickkins, [screaming] [cheering] Jarus Powell, Zo Powers, Aston Pullham, Andrea Quarros, Gary Ramirez, McKenzie Ramo, Michaela Rashid, Malia Rashid, Crankston Radcliffe Jr.
>> Yeah. So TJ Bravo Hower of Bluffton, he's the first one to make the break. Everybody >> for him. >> Uh somebody I'm sure by the start finish line was directing them. >> Yan cut in. >> So it is J County in the lead followed by Heritage Bluffton South Adams and Woodland. the top seed currently sitting in fifth of five right now. Or is that Southern Wells? That's Southern Wells, not Heritage >> in second. I'm going to sound like Clint Anderson now who was covering the varsity one complain about the similar colors on all the ACAC schools. >> Red and blue. I guess there's a black, some black, some white. J Kelly in fourth place. >> So we will take a quick look after they get to all of them on the podium. We'll take a quick cut over there as >> as the first leg of the 4x8 relay coming in.
But as we look toward tomorrow, I'll let you in on a secret. Nobody actually knows where we're going to be in 5 years. We've spent our whole lives answering the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" And now that we're officially grown, the possibilities are still endless. Some of us may be paying $80,000 in college tuition, while others may be heading into a job that pays $80,000 tomorrow. That's the beauty of this next chapter. Whether you're heading to college, the military, or starting a career, tomorrow isn't a test you've forgotten to study for. It's an open door. We finally have the autonomy to change our minds, change our majors, and change our lives. We have the freedom to be whoever we want to be, even if that person changes three times in the next six months. So, here's to the unknown.
I'd say about 2 minutes 12 seconds. It was a little slow getting that clock started, but we'll see how this second leg goes for J County. >> And take a look at that podium there of the girls 4x800 meter relay winners >> and award winners there. >> And congratulations to the Southern Wells Raiders on getting that ACAC championship. I think 4x8's just such a fun one. It's a high energy. I know it's a longer relay, but it's a high energy one uh that can really get the meat started off really strong for a squad. So, we'll bring it back to the action around the track. J County really extending this one on their second leg. Looking to be Lyall Biswonger. I know that name having some older I'm assuming siblings or relatives at the high school level. looking behind him there. Seeing Southern Wells being about oh, let's say about we'll get a little bit better.
May we have the courage to not know what we're doing and the hope to enjoy every second of finding out. [applause] Many of you won't remember this speech, but I hope you embody its message. Never be afraid to try. Through our past, we've been able to grow into who we are today. But now, it's time to step into the future. Wherever you go and whoever you become, it's important to stay curious. So, go ahead, change your major three times. Apply for a different job. Dip nuggets you've never heard of into sauces you can't even pronounce. Don't be afraid to fail because there will always be a way to pick yourself back up. You just need to be brave enough to try. High school's prepared you for success. Now it's up to you to achieve it. And you will achieve it because once a Lancer, always a Lancer.
Destiny Turner, >> Isabella Yielden, Jeremiah Van Denbush, Ariana Velquez, Ethan Vineard, Katie Wagner, Colton Walls, Jeremiah Ward, Darius Washington, K. A Watson, >> Deario Walters, Savannah Wckler, Amaya Witz, Raina Wester Mayor Angel White, >> Caleb White, [cheering] Kevin White, >> Abigail Wickerson, >> [applause] >> Emily Wickerson, Corey Williams, Reema Williams, Darion Willis, David Willis, Sydney Wilson, [screaming] Gavin Wilson, Javon Wilson, Braden Woods, Keani Woods, Kyle Worthingan, >> Devin Young, William Ziggger or Taus Zlay. Mary Lencia Reed, Tristan Tiller, Lamaya Walker, >> [cheering] >> Oh, she's late. >> AJ Robertson. [screaming] Will the class of 2026 please rise? [cheering] Louder. [cheering] >> [cheering] >> You may now move your tassel as a sign of your graduation. [cheering] [screaming] Ladies and gentlemen, I ask that you remain seated for the recessional of the Belleville West class of 2026. Thank you for joining us today. [cheering] Heat. Heat.
Yeah, we'll get a better read on it whenever they get into the front stretch here. So, >> yeah, I think you're right. About 50 55 60 yard lead there. And splitting a 112. So, looking to be under 230 in this second leg. Then Wes Conungle of Bluton being the second leg. I think hearing him talk a little bit. I think he kind of got thrown into the relay at uh the Southern Wells relays because out of necessity and found himself in the varsity 4x8 and I don't think he's got quite the same attitude regarding the 4x8 as older sister Cora does. >> A fun surprise for others but maybe not for him. I don't think anyone has the same attitude as >> definitely a fun one to watch that 800 already school record holder as just a sophomore. Uh, it's been definitely a blast being able to coach here.
Congratulations, class of 2026. Let's go. [cheering] [applause] Thank you, Paige. Thank you, Addison. It is now my honor to welcome back to the podium the student council president, Addison Werner, for the class farewell. [applause] Good afternoon. For many of you, I may have just been another face in the crowd. You may have bumped into me fighting to get out of F building or you may have seen me rushing to my first hour class after arriving late. Once again, sorry, Mr. Hennon. But when I first sat down to write this speech, I racked my brain for something inspirational that isn't just a regurgitation of everything we have heard about our futures for the last four years. I thought about what I had learned so far in my life and I came up with one honest truth. Nobody really cares. Nobody cares whether you're sitting in this gym as first or 515th in our class.
J County though, they are really separating. They came in >> came in with the second best seed at 116. >> Looking like they're going to be smashing that personal record. The school record was set last year by Southern Wales. 9 minutes 42.95 seconds and that would have been about a 129 unofficially on that second leg split. or >> 229, not 129. I mean, that's that's world record. >> Didn't catch the moment, but I say that would be very fast. >> Southern Wheels now about half a third of a lap behind. does look like this third leg of Southern Wells will be trying to cut into this lead as much as possible. J County uh third leg seems to be powering through already about 250 meters into this. So again, maybe those first two legs could have been the best legs for Jay County. try to establish the momentum early and in a way like mentally could kind of deflate the other relay.
Nobody cares if your team lost the first round of playoffs or if you made it to the state championship. Nobody cares if you're headed to an Ivy League school or a community college. Nobody probably even cares about this very speech except for my mom of course. But these titles, the trophies, the accolades, the things we clutch on to to shape our identity are not permanent. The person who lives underneath all the stuff is what truly matters. That's what people actually care about. It can be easy to get caught up in our own lives, especially during high school and across social media. We fret over likes on an Instagram post or second guess every message we send. We spend too much energy fearing embarrassment or judgment or ridicule from our peers. And we let this fear of what people might think stop us from trying new things and taking risks.
So, it'll be interested to see how people stack things up. So third leg's coming about 118. And so the Wells coming in on their first lap about 26 seconds behind the lead runner from Jay County. So it's going to be quite the tough gap to overcome. Looks like Woodland in third, Bluffton fourth, and South Adams fifth. But it's going to be quite the close contest between those three squads. And overall, they're all about 25 seconds behind that second place spot there. So, first and second, long as things go smoothly, should be pretty well secure here. So, as J County hands off to their anchor leg, it's going to be a 233 split. So, a nice kind of even maybe even negative split there for that third leg for Jay County. And coming around at 7:14, they're going to I mean, in a way, like depending on who you have here, like this could be flirting with the record.
But the truth is, everyone is too busy worrying about themselves to be worrying about you. So, let me repeat, nobody cares. 10 years from now, don't look back and regret not being brave enough to follow your heart. Don't miss out on opportunities to live your life just because you're worried someone might think it's weird. Don't let the pressure of fitting in stop you from being happy. Because the more people you grant power over your life, the less of your life it becomes. Now, to be walking across this stage today is a huge achievement and one we should all be proud of. I mean, we did outlast three different principles. But while you're sitting in your seats thinking about what you're going to eat after all this is over, I want to highlight the importance of owning our lives. Throughout this next chapter, we will encounter thousands of moments that will test our limits, try our patience, and stretch our resolve.
Need a 227, maybe even a 228 could unofficially on my clock be able to get this record. But I guess I need to realize I did start a little bit slow, didn't I? >> You did. Yeah. Started a little bit slow. >> But still, I think a 225 is very realistic. >> I think it's plausible. Yeah, it's it's within reach. And nice opening kind of stretch here for J County. And it's I think in a way like as you get to the stage in the relay and you start lapping the opposition, you kind of get these these targets to chase after. But in a field of just five relays, you're going to run out of those targets quite quickly. See how he feels coming around here. So, that will have been a Oh, all right. Let's see. What was that opening split? A 106 split there.
How we handle each situation is our choice. We choose how our legacy is shaped. We choose the person we become. And it won't always be easy. With every decision we make, there will be haters and supporters. But in our world full of loud opinions, the voice that matters the most is our own. And in life, it's all about whose voice you choose to listen to. Now, I could keep standing up here giving my TED talk, but as we already established, nobody cares. So, thank you so much, class of 2026, and let's freaking graduate. [applause] >> Thank you, Addison. graduates, families, friends, faculty, and staff. As your principal, it is truly an honor to stand before you today and share a few words on this very special occasion. Today marks the end of one chapter, but more importantly, it celebrates the experiences, memories, accomplishments, and perseverance of an outstanding graduating class.