001Oh. Cigars? Um How about Iris? Cigars? Can I do Iris now? No cigars. >> [clears throat] >> Ready? Yeah. >> [music] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] >> Hey la la la. >> [music] [music] >> Hey la la la. >> [singing] [music] >> Hey la la la. >> [singing] >> I don't know what you [music] call it. >> [music] >> I don't know what you call it. >> [music] >> I don't know what you call it. [music] I don't know what you call it. I don't >> [music] >> I don't know what you call it. I don't >> [music] >> I don't know what you call it. I don't I don't know what you call it. >> [music] >> I don't I don't know what you call it. I don't I don't know what you call it.
002>> [music] >> I don't I don't know what you call it. I don't I don't know what you call it. >> [music] >> I don't >> [singing] [music] >> I don't know what you call it. I don't >> [music] [music] >> I don't know what you [singing] call it. I don't >> [singing] >> I don't know what you call it. >> [music] >> I don't >> [singing] [music] >> I don't know what you call it. I don't I don't know what you call it. I don't >> [music] >> Yeah. >> [laughter] >> Good old Chuchi. No. Okay? Sing my name out here. Sure. Sing my name out Okay. You can do it on this one if you want. Okay. Sing my name out here. >> [music] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music] >> Sing
003my name out here. Malagueña salerosa. >> [singing and music] >> Besar tus labios [music] quisiera, [singing] besar tus labios quisiera, malagueña salerosa, [music] y decirte, niña hermosa, >> [music] >> que eres mi >> [singing and music] [music] >> bruja hechicera, [music and singing] eres linda hechicera, como el canto de >> [music] >> una rosa. >> [music] >> Opa. Opa. >> [music] [music] >> Si por pobre me desprecias, yo te ofrezco mi corazón, >> [music] >> yo te ofrezco mi corazón, >> [singing] >> si por pobre me me [music] desprecias, yo no te ofrezco [music] riqueza, te ofrezco mi corazón, >> [music and singing] >> a cambio de mi amor. >> [music] [music] [singing] [music and singing] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music] >> Thank you. Thank you so much. One more. One more. One
004more. One more. I just My ears. Yeah. Good to have you here. Okay. This one. No, this is it. Uh okay, thank you so much for having us. We're going to do one last song, but I need the audience assistance. So, Yeah. what we're going to do is we're going to play this song and when I rile up and he's going to also rile up his bull and then we're going to say, "Olé!" Okay? Otherwise, otherwise we're not going to play. Everyone needs to do it. So, READY? OLé! >> OLé! >> OKAY, I THINK YOU COULD do so much better than that cuz there's there's a lot of you here. Okay, ready? One more time, ONE MORE TRY. OLé! OKAY, GOOD. >> GOT TO GET RID OF THE BULLS. READY? OKAY, now now we're ready.
005>> bullfighters. We can do this. Okay, go ahead. She's got the big horns. You can try. Play this one. Ready? >> [music] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music] >> Olé! >> [music] >> Olé! >> [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [screaming] [music] [singing] [music] >> Thank you. Check, check, check. Welcome to our class of 2026 graduation ceremony. And with the exit of Mariachi Serenata off the stage and Paul Saunder on we now have one Joseph Benito Blackhorse striding in front of the stage. Right behind him is Anthony Noah Burke. And now Marley Marie Campbell-Dieter. >> [music] >> Here is Maya Lorraine Chico. >> [music] >> And Zephaniah Little. >> [music] >> Now, here's Nathan Anthony Cruz. >> [screaming] [music] >> That's Jamal Thomas Stell. And now, Amanda Nicole Lopez. >> [music] >> Right behind her, Onel Jesus Rojas
006Torres. >> [music] >> Following up behind him, Itzel Guadalupe Rea Sotelo. And right behind her, Ian Christopher Pedley. >> [music] [music] >> As they [music] make their way in front of the stage, our next graduate, Enrique Agustin Lomeli. >> [music] [music] >> And with that, your graduating class of 2026 takes their seats in the auditorium and we turn our attention back to center stage with ASDB Principal Paul Saunders. [music] Please stand. Now, stepping out onto the stage two of our graduating students. This is Onhel and Amanda. for which it stands one nation under God indivisible liberty and justice for all. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible liberty and justice for all. That was Onhel and Amanda
007both speaking and signing the pledge of allegiance. You can be seated. This is Paul Saunders now back at the podium. Welcome to the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind commencement ceremony for the class of 2026. My name is Paul Saunders. I am the principal of the ASDB Tucson campus. To make this ceremony visually accessible to everyone, please keep balloons or other items at or below the seat level. Please keep your cell phones on silent. I'd like to recognize our special guests in attendance tonight. Our 2026 seniors, their families, and friends, ASDB Superintendent Annette Reichman, ASDB Board of Directors President Ms. Britney Buchanan, Assistant Superintendent of Agency Operations and Support Services Shayna Cooper, Deputy Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Orin Ketchaw, ASDB Board of Directors, ASDB staff and leadership, and directors, ASP and
008ASD dorm staff, our ceremony speakers Peter Hughes and Tyler Cashman, and most importantly all, the ASDB community. All right. Hello class of 2026. You have come a long way. This isn't the end of your journey. It is the start of a brand new chapter as ASDB alumni. As you move forward, always believe in yourself and show the world what Sentinel Pride is really all about. >> Before you leave here today, please thank the people who helped you get here. Your parents, ASP staff, guardians, and friends. I am so proud of you, and I know you will make this school proud. Congratulations, seniors. Now, we have three performances tonight ready for your enjoyment. Here's the first one. The name of the song is Cumbia Buena. A mi manera. And I'll welcome those students out now. Walking
009out onto the stage, Anhel Torres, Enrique Lomeli, Itzel Bayasotello, and Ian Pedley. The four of them are standing shoulder-to-shoulder, gathered on the left side of the stage. Entering in on the right side of the stage, the exceptional Mariachis, Mariachi Serenata. Check, check, check, check. There you go. This thing's on. Turn turn. This is going to be so much fun. >> [music] [music] [singing] [music] >> Esta cumbia buena. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music and singing] >> Hey. Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [singing] >> Hey. >> [music] >> Hey. >> [singing] >> Hey. >> [music] [music] >> Hey. Hey. >> [singing] [music] >> Hey. >> [music] >>
010I thank >> [music] >> you for coming, everyone. To our graduation. >> [music] >> 2026. And I just want to say thank you for all my family that came, my uncles, my auntie, my mom that came, [music] my uncle from North Carolina for this graduation. This is going to hit your guys' hearts. >> [music] >> Well, >> [music] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] [music] >> Once again, that's Angel Torres, Enrique Lomeli, Itzel Sotelo, and Ian Pedley. >> [cheering] >> And of course, Mariachi Serafina. Now, we're back to Paul Saunders beside the podium. Well, that was fantastic. Wow, I really enjoyed that music selection. Now, I would like to introduce our student speakers for this evening. We have two ASB valedictorians. We will first start well, with Anthony Burke, and then we'll have Jamal Stell. Paul Saunders
011exits stage left, and in his place behind the podium, we have Anthony Burke. Is it working? All right, let's make this nice and long. All right. So, to be formal, I would like to say good evening. I would like to welcome Superintendent Reichman, Assistant Superintendent Shana Cooper, Interim Assistant Superintendent Oren Catlin, Board of Directors, ASDB Principal Paul Saunders, Assistant Principals Melissa Brown and Karen Talus, guest speakers Tyler Cashman and Peter Hughes, family, friends, ASDB staff, and the class of 2026. We did it. Thank you, everyone, for joining us to celebrate this special occasion. It is an honor to stand here before you and share a little bit about our 2025-2026 school year. This year, the entire senior class took a field trip to Round One, where we enjoyed karaoke, bowling, arcade games, ate lunch and
012ice cream, and spent time with our fellow ASB and ASD classmates. The seniors also went up on a tour with the Tucson Mount Shuttle up to Mount Lemmon and enjoyed a delicious lunch and dessert in Summerhaven. Although we've had had many fun times together, it has been a hard year. We learned a few months ago that ASDB was relocating to another campus, but they were not allowing the school for the blind to join the school for the deaf. This means that ASD will have an accessible and inclusive learning environment, but the school for the blind will be excluded and placed into clusters or cooperatives, or even back into their home school districts. We were all placed initially at ASDB because it provided the necessary resources and services we need to learn and be successful because
013our public school settings were not able to accommodate and meet our educational needs. Personally, I feel like the situation is very unfair to the many visually impaired children that need this school, and that our concern should be recognized and addressed at a higher level. I feel extremely fortunate to have attended ASDB because in public school the teachers move on quickly with the curriculum with very little support or resources to accommodate my needs as a person with a visual impairment. At ASDB, I learned what resources I can use around me and how to navigate with the vision loss. I feel like if I never went to ASDB, I probably wouldn't have the knowledge and communication skills to advocate for myself. During my junior year, I participated in the Pima JTED program at the Bridges campus and
014I completed the 3D animation class. I knew exactly what accommodations I needed and told my teachers about my disability and what I need in order to be successful in the class. I believe if I never went to ASDB, I probably wouldn't have the knowledge and communication and advocacy skills to tell others about my visual impairment. Another benefit of attending ASDB has been participating in the sports program. I was involved in cross country, goalball, basketball, and track and field which was a fun experience. During cross country meet, it was cool to see other schools cheering on our team and other teams. If it was neat to witness such a good sportsmanship. Another sport I probably would have never participated in if I was still in public school is goalball. I like to explain goalball as a
015soccer, human bowling all in one package. Lastly, I would like to thank all the teachers and staff at ASDB, especially the O&M specialist and also the PE department for their hard work and commitment with keeping me on track with my education and supporting my goals. I would like to thank my parents and sisters for all their sacrifices they made for my education and supporting me in sports and in my life. Love you all. To the graduating class of 2026 and my peers that have attended high school with me, I just want to say that although we are going back in the society, remember that we are not alone in having a disability. Even if life is very hard, realize that we have already endured to this very point while not knowing where we will end
016up. Cherish every moment moment with hope and charity as we continue to strive with every moment. Remember that the Lord loves and will provide. So, please continue with school or work and follow your dreams and passions you have boiling up and share it to the world. Thank you. That was ASB valedictorian Anthony Burke. I would like to introduce our other ASB valedictorian, Jamal Stell. This is Jamal now coming behind the podium. Okay. Check and make sure it's where you want it. I'm going to adjust your microphone a little higher. Watch yourself. Sorry. That's probably good. All right. Good evening. My name is Jamal Stell and I am honored to be one of the valid Victorian speakers this evening. Continue on. Um, I started at ASDB 11 years ago in the third grade. But due to
017limited services for the blind and visually impaired in my original school district, I was extremely behind academically. Fortunately for me, I was able to obtain the educational accommodations and specialized instruction such as braille, orientation and mobility, independent living, and so much more just to name a few. Provided by the wonderful and dedicated ASDB teachers and specialists. I went from being far behind to building a strong educational foundation and becoming valid Victorian for the class of 2026. There is an African proverb that says, "It takes a village to raise a child." It implies that children are better supported uh when they have extended family, neighbors, and community members supporting and mentoring them. I would like to use this platform to talk about my village. The people who have helped me over these years to make me
018who I am today. The The ASDB athletic program has played a huge role in my high school career. And my participation in these extracurricular activities was not only fun, but also contributed to the development of my character, self-esteem, and sense of confidence and independence. It has been an honor to compete in flag football, cross country, goalball, and track and field. Although I may not have been the best on the team, I was privileged to have the opportunity to play sports despite my vision loss. And to be supported by my amazing coaches, Gerald Brown, Esther Mary Hillman, I read that wrong. Marie Hillman, and Brian Newton. I like to also give a shout out to St. John Paul II High School volunteer athletes, Achilles International, and Dave, as well as Lemuel, for being willing to provide
019guide runners for me to make this cross country season possible. >> I would also like to thank those who have partnered with ASDB to provide students with opportunities like summer camps and house events, school year excursions, and so much more. I would also additionally like to thank those who have spent countless hours planning and participating in the logistics of transporting us to and from school and field trips. Last but certainly not least, I want to thank my parents and family for helping me through these past 11 years. From the struggles to the triumphs, providing support in the long days and short days, I would never have written the speech back in eighth grade, nor would I be here this evening in this moment with your without your support. Thank you. Again, I just want to
020say a huge thank you to all of you here. From parents to fellow students to teachers and all weaves together as my village. To all the students that will not be graduating from ASDB in the future, since ASDB will not exist, I leave these words with you. We will not be broken by some bad decision. And And our community will still be strong and exist. Remember to keep standing up for the ASDB community and what you believe in. And also, remember to keep fighting for a united deaf and blind school. So, the class of 2026, my message to you is this. May your future be uh filled with opportunities to do great things. And may the Lord bless you and all those who come after you. Thank you. All right now, before you all get
021tired of me, I would like to introduce our song. It is Untraveled Road by Thousand Foot Crutch. I hope you all enjoy. ASB Valedictorian Anfernee Burt comes out to join his partner, Jamal. They are both standing beside the microphone on the far right side of the stage. Behind them, ASB student Monroe Stockton sits behind the drums. An ASDB teacher, Ms. Nichols, on bass. >> [cheering] >> Also going to be joining them is ASDB music teacher Kate Skelly on piano. Check, check. Uh, burgers and fries. Is this thing on? Check, check. Does the mic even work? Yep. That's what I want to know. Check, check. Can you hear me in the monitor yet? Okay, good. Can I get some burgers? No, I'm just kidding. Would you like fries with that? Nah. This ain't a Wendy's. This
022is a graduation ceremony. Hey. Got to love technical difficulties. >> [music] >> Hold [music] on for a second. If words could be weapons, then what I say could affect it. They're not just [music] words on a record. Voice is enough to make sleeping giants wake up, to make armies put their hands up, and watch whole nation stand up. It's one belief, one spark, one faith, and one restart. [music] And we can reboot the whole chart before it all falls apart. So, stand [music] up, shout it out. We can put it in the air if you like it loud. We only got one shot, so let's make it count. It's a takedown, [music] nobody can stop us now. Stand up, shout it out. Sing loud so the world can't drown us [singing] out before we depart.
023Let's leave [music] a mark cuz the light shines brighter in the dark. When we scream, [singing] our lips don't make [music] a sound. We march with feet on solid ground. We [singing] walk where no one wants to go on this old [music and singing] traveled road. >> [music] >> So, hold on for a moment. If we're not scared of opponents, then with what we have, [music] we can own it. We just plant the seed and keep growing it. And when that light shines in the morning, you'll still be waking up yawning. But, we'll be smiling like we expected [music] a sweet victory one method. >> [music] [music] >> One faith and one restart. We can reboot the whole chart before it all falls apart. So, >> [music] >> stand up, shout it out. Sing loud
024so the world [music] can't drown us out before we depart. Let's leave a mark cuz the light shines brighter in the dark. When we scream, [music] our lips don't make [singing] a sound. We march with feet on solid ground. We [music] walk where no one wants to go [singing] on this [music] old traveled road. When we scream, our lips don't make a sound. We [music] march with feet on solid ground. We walk where no one wants to go on this untraveled [music] road. >> [music] >> And I can just expect it or choose to infect it. But once [music] the ink's in the water, it's too late to be selective. A single voice is enough to make sleeping giants wake up. To make armies put their hands up >> [music] >> and watch whole nations
025stand up. It's one belief, one spark, one faith, and one restart. And we can reboot [music] the whole chart before it all falls apart. When we scream, [singing] our lips don't make a sound. We [music] march with feet on solid ground. We walk [music] where no one [singing] wants to go on this untraveled [music] road. When we scream, our lips don't make a sound. [music and singing] We march with feet on solid ground. We walk where no [music] one wants to [singing] go on this untraveled [music] road. >> [music] >> On this untraveled road. >> [music] >> On this untraveled road. >> [cheering] >> Uh again, those were ASDB students, Monroe Stockton on drums, as well as Wow, thank you for that wonderful performance. Incredible. I really enjoyed watching them. Fantastic. Now, I am proud
026to welcome our ASD valedictorian to the stage. Marley Campbell Dieter. >> [cheering] >> This is Marley walking out now. Hello, everyone. Today's an important day and I'd like to welcome everyone here. Our ASDB Superintendent Annette Reichman Assistant Superintendent Shana Cooper Deputy Assistant Superintendent Orin Catcoff Board of Director President Britney Buchanan and board members. Principal Paul Saunders and Assistant Principals for the Deaf, Melissa Brown and Assistant Principal for the Blind, Karen Talis. ASDB teachers, family, friends, and all who are here today. Thank you all for coming to the ASDB ceremony. My name is Marley Campbell Dieter and I am honored to stand here as your 2026 class valedictorian. I have been a part of ASDB for 13 years. I first came here when I was 5 years old and shortly after I moved into the dorm.
027At that time, I didn't realize how much this school was going to change my life. Looking back, I truly believe coming to ASDB was one of the greatest blessings I could have received. Before coming here, my experience in public school was very difficult. I was often bullied by other students. I was left out and alone. And there were moments where the teachers would not include me in activities with other students. And it made school feel painful instead of welcoming. My grandmother worried about me every single day. Sometimes, she would even stay in the parking lot during school hours because she was afraid that something might happen to me or that I would struggle alone She wanted to protect me. Looking back now, I understand how much love and sacrifice she gave up for me. And
028I would not be standing here today without her support, her patience, and her strength. When I arrived here at ASDB, my life slowly began to change. For the first time, I felt accepted for who I was. I was surrounded by people who understood me, people I was able to communicate with and who encouraged me. Moving into the dorm was a huge adjustment at first, but it became a second home to me. It became a place filled with laughter and friendships, late-night conversations, memories, and lessons that I will carry with me forever. I was lucky enough to meet my two best friends here. Growing up alongside them became one of the best experiences of my life. We laughed together, we struggled through classes together, survived stressful moments, and made unforgettable memories. We supported each other through
029difficult times. These friendships helped shape me into the person I am today. Looking back, I never imagined that I would one day be standing on this stage giving a speech as valedictorian. And if someone had told me years ago that this would happen, I probably would have laughed because it seemed impossible at the time. But life has a funny way of surprising us. Sometimes the people who struggle the most are also the people who learn how to rise the strongest. Senior year itself has felt like a journey for all of us. We experienced moments of stress, exhaustion, laughter, success, disappointments. We had days where we felt confident and days where we doubted ourselves. We made memories together that we will probably laugh about for years to come. Whether it was joking around with friends or
030struggling through assignments, trying to stay up in the early morning classes, or simply just surviving the chaos of our senior year. We have all achieved something meaningful. At the same time, we have all failed at something, too. Failure does not define us. In many ways, our failures taught us more than the successes ever could. They taught us perseverance, patience, and resilience. As seniors, we have also experienced challenges that brought us closer together through the happy moments, the painful ones, and we learned the importance of supporting each other like family. That bond is something special. It is something I hope we never forget. We have come such a long way since August. For some of us, this school year felt incredibly slow. For others, it passed by too quickly. Somehow, we've made it here. We are
031finally graduating. We are finally closing this chapter of our lives and preparing to begin another one. Graduation is exciting, but it is also emotional because it means change. Soon, many of us will be going our separate ways. Some will attend college. Some will go to trade school. Some will begin working. Others will be contribut- will be continuing to discover what path is right for them. Some friendships may grow distant with time, and life may pull us in different directions, but that is all part of growing up. Even when time passes, the memories we create here will remain a part of us forever. Years from now, we look back at old pictures and old videos, remember old conversations, and what it felt like to be here at ASDB. We will remember the laughter in the dorms,
032the school events, and all the sports games, and the classrooms. The people who made this place feel like home. Life is not always easy. There will be moments where we feel overwhelmed, lost, or discouraged. Sometimes life places us in situations we never expected. But one thing I have learned is that these difficult moments are never permanent. Storms eventually pass and healing eventually comes. And even during these hard times, there is still hope waiting ahead of us. As we move forward into the next chapter of our lives, I hope we remember to appreciate all the people around us. Cherish our families, our friendships, and the moments that you have right now because life changes so quickly. And time moves faster than we realize. >> [snorts] >> On behalf of the senior class, I would like to
033thank our parents, grandparents, guardians, families, and everyone who has supported us throughout this journey. Thank you for your patience, your sacrifices, encouragement, and unconditional love. We would not be standing here without you. I would also like to thank our teachers, the dorm staff, the interpreters, coaches, counselors, and everyone here at ASDB who has guided us along the way. Thank you for believing in us and during those moments when we struggled to believe in ourselves. Thank you for continuing to give us second chances and encouraging us to keep going and helping us grow into the people we are today. I especially want to thank Henry Saunders and Lonnie Foster. Thank you for believing in me and encouraging me and helping guide me throughout my years at ASDB. Your support, patience, humor, and care you showed me
034helped me make ASDB feel like a safe place and a second home. I will always appreciate the impact that you both had on my life and education. And finally, thank you, class of 2026. Thank you for the memories, the laughter and support, and the journey that we shared together. Because of you, ASDB became more than just a school to me. It became my home away from home. Congratulations, class of 2026. We made it. Thank you. And at this moment, I would like you to please enjoy this song this video is One Step at a Time. Once again, that was ASDB valedictorian >> [music] >> Hurry up and wait. [music] So close, but so far away. >> [music] >> Everything that you always dreamed of, >> [music] >> close enough for you to taste, but you
035just can't touch. You trying to show the world, but [music] no one knows your name yet. You don't know when and where and how you're going to make it. You know you can if you get the chance. In your face and the door keeps slamming. [music] And you're feeling more and more frustrated, and you're getting all kind of impatient. You're waiting. We live and we learn [music] to take one step at a time. There's no need to rush. It's like learning to fly [music] or falling in [singing] love. It's going to happen. It's supposed to happen, [music] and we find the reasons why. One step at a time. You believe [music] and you doubt. You're confused [music] and got it all figured out. Everything that you always wished oh could be yours, should be yours,
036would be [music] yours if they only knew. You trying to show the world, but no one knows your name yet. You don't know when and where and how you're [music] going to make it. You know you can if you get the chance. In your face and the door keeps slamming. [singing] And you're feeling more and [music] more frustrated, and you're getting all kind of impatient. You're waiting. We live and we learn to take one step [music] at a time. [singing] There's no need to rush. It's like learning to fly or falling [music] in love. It's going to happen. It's supposed to happen, and we find the reasons [music] why. One step at a time. Take one step at a time. [music] There's no need [singing] to rush. It's like learning to fly >> [music] >>
037or falling in [singing] love. It's going to happen. It's supposed to happen when [music] we find the reasons why. One step at a time. One step at a >> [music] >> time. [singing] There's no need to rush. It's like learning to >> [music] >> fly or falling in love. >> [singing] >> It's going to happen. >> [music] >> It's supposed to happen when we find the reasons why. One step at a time. >> [music] [music] >> Hurry up and wait. So [music] close, but so far away. [singing] Everything that you always dreamed [music] of. Close enough for you to taste, but you just can't touch. >> [music] [music] [singing] [music] >> We live and we learn to take [music] one step at a time. There's no need to rush. It's like learning to [music] You
038believe and you doubt. You're confused and got it all figured out. Everything that you always wished for could be yours, should be [music] yours, would be yours if they only knew. Time. There's no need [music and singing] to rush. It's like learning to fly or falling in love. It's going to happen. >> [music] >> It's supposed to happen when we find the reasons >> [music] [music] [music and singing] [music] [singing] >> At the center stage, ASDB principal Paul Saunders He begins to sign. Please welcome to our Welcome to the stage our ASDB ASB speaker Tyler Cashman. University of Arizona graduate student Tyler Cashman is pursuing his master's degree in sports and recreational leadership while competing as a member of the nation's only university adaptive golf team. He previously earned his bachelor's degree in business administration
039from the University of Richmond. A highly accomplished adaptive athlete, Tyler made history as one of the youngest world champion in visually impaired golf. His His golf career includes multiple national and international championship titles representing Team USA in competitions around the world and earning recognition as one of the rising leaders in adaptive sports. Through both academics and athletics, Tyler is passionate about growing opportunities and visibility for athletes with disability. Let's welcome Tyler Cashman to the stage. Here's ASB commencement speaker Tyler Cashman walking up behind the podium to replace Paul Saunders. Sorry. Perfect. Good afternoon everyone. First, I want to thank you so much for having me here today. It is truly an honor to be standing in front of you, your families, your teachers, your coaches, your staff, and everyone who has helped you reach this
040moment. I also want to congratulate the graduates. Today is your day. You earned this. Every assignment, every early morning, every hard day, every time you had to advocate for yourself, every time you had to do something differently than the person next to you, it all brought you here. Last semester, I had the chance to come here and volunteer in the PE class with some of the visually impaired students. And honestly, I had a blast. We had fun, we competed, we laughed, and I left those days feeling so grateful. Uh I had hoped to come back sooner, but life, unfortunately, got busy with school, golf, and everything else going on. And that was really unfortunate, because I really enjoyed being here. So, when I was asked to come back and give this commencement speech, it really
041meant a lot to me. Because when I was asked to speak today, I started thinking about what I would wanted to hear when I was younger. Not some perfect speech with all the answers, because I definitely do not have all the answers, but something real. Something honest. Something that says you're going to face challenges, but those challenges do not define who you become. My name is Tyler Cashman, and I'm a visually impaired golfer. I grew up in New Jersey, and sports have always been a huge part of my life. When I was younger, baseball was my sport. I loved competing, I loved being part of a team, I loved having something to work towards. Then, around the fifth grade, I started noticing that my vision was changing. At first, I did what most kids would
042probably do. I acted like everything was fine. I remember being at the school for an eye test with the school nurse. The kid in front of me was reading the chart, and I just memorized what he said. He said, "A B C D E." So, when it was my turn, I confidently went up, and I said, "A B C D E." That was the problem. The nurse had changed the chart. She asked me to try again, and I once again confidently said, "A B C D E." Because I didn't know she changed the chart. Now, it's pretty much the moment where I got caught. I failed the eye test, and the school nurse told me to go back to class and called my mom. From there, my family and I began going to different doctors
043and trying to figure out what was happening with my vision. At the time, I did not understand how big of a moment that would become. I just thought I was getting away with something. But looking back, that little stupid eye test was the beginning of something much bigger. And when you are young, that is very scary. It is hard to explain what it feels like when something is changing and you do not have a clear answer. You do not always know how to talk about it. You just know that things that used to feel easy are starting to feel different. For a while, I tried to keep doing everything the same way as I had. But eventually, my vision loss affected the sport I loved. In the eighth grade, I was told I had to
044stop playing baseball for safety reasons. And that was really hard for me. But I want to pause here because I know a lot of you probably understand that feeling in some way of your own. Maybe it was a sport. Maybe it was a class. Maybe something social. Maybe it was just wanting to do something the same way as everyone else, but realizing your path was going to look a little different. At the time, losing baseball felt like I lost a part of myself. I thought, "If I cannot do this anymore, what now?" But what I learned, and what I hope you remember, is that sometimes life closes one door because your story isn't over, but because your story is about to change direction. I got connected with adaptive sports. I tried beep baseball and goalball.
045Those experiences helped me realize that I was still an athlete. I still loved to compete, and I still had that drive in me. And then, I found golf. Golf gave me something I never knew I needed. It gave me a challenge. It gave me a community. It gave me a way to compete again. But, it also taught me something much bigger than how to hit a golf ball. Golf taught me that doing something differently does not mean you're doing it worse. This is the lesson I carry with me every day. In golf, I have to rely on the people around me. I have to trust my guide. I have to ask questions. I have to listen. I have to feel the shot. I have to focus on what I can what I can control. I
046may not see the course the same way as everyone else, but I can still play it. And that lesson goes far beyond golf. There are going to be people in your life who look at you and only see the things they think you cannot do. They may see blindness, low vision, deafness, hearing loss, or any other disability before they see your talent, your personality, your work ethic, your humor, your dreams, or your heart. Do not let their limited view of you become your view of yourself. You know yourself better than anyone. You know what you are capable of, and even if you do not know yet, give yourself the chance to find out. My journey has taken me places I never expected. I have competed in adaptive golf tournaments around the world and around the
047country. I have represented the United States. I've played in the US Adaptive Opens. I became the 20 25 world champion of blind golf. I graduated from the University of Richmond with a degree in business administration, and now I am getting my master's at the University of Arizona, where I am a part of the adaptive golf team and studying sports recreation and leadership. Thank you. But, I do not say any of that to brag. I say it because when I was younger and losing my vision, I could not have pictured any of that. I could not have pictured standing here in Tucson speaking to the graduates of the school that is deaf and blind. I could not have pictured that something that felt so difficult at the time would eventually lead me to my purpose, community,
048and opportunity. That is why I want you to understand this. You do not have to see the whole future right now. You just have to take the next step. When I first started losing my vision, I did not know where it would lead. When I stopped playing baseball, I did not know I would find golf. When I started adaptive sports, I did not know I would represent my country. When I went to college, I did not know I'd end up at the University of Arizona working towards the future in adaptive sports. Life does not always give you the full map. Sometimes, it just gives you the next turn. And sometimes, that next turn comes from the people who believed in you before you fully believed in yourself. That is why today is also about thanking
049the people around you. Graduates, think about the teachers who pushed you, the staff who supported you, the family members who drove you places, helped you study, showed up for meetings, encouraged you when things were hard, and reminded you that you could keep going. None of us get here alone. I know I did not. My family has been a huge part of my journey. My mom fought to find the answers. My family supported me through uncertainty. My grandfather became my caddy and guide, and we have shared moments on the golf course that I will never forget. And my grandma has always believed in me. Coaches, teammates, mentors, and friends have helped me become who I am. So graduates, as you move forward, do not be afraid to lean on your people. Asking for help is not
050a weakness. Using accommodations is not a weakness. Having a guide, an interpreter, a teacher, a coach, or even a mentor is not a weakness. That is wisdom. Success is not about pretending you do not need support. Success is about knowing what helps you be your best and having the courage to use it. As you leave this school and move into what is next, people may try and define you by one part of your life. They may focus on your disability. They may underestimate you. They may assume they know what your future should look like. But your future belongs to you. You get to decide what you want to chase. You get to decide what person you want to become. You get to decide how to you respond when things get difficult. And I promise you,
051things will get difficult sometimes. There will be frustrating days. There will be moments where you feel behind. There will be moments where you wonder why something has to be harder for you than it is for someone else. When those moments come, remember this. Different does not mean less. Different can mean creative. Different can mean strong. Different can mean prepared. Different can mean you understand things about resilience, patience, and courage that some people may never get to learn. Your path may not look exactly like everyone else's, but that does not make it any less valuable. In fact, the path you have taken to get here has already shown you are capable of adapting, learning, and overcoming. That matters. Graduation is not just a finish line. It is proof. Proof that you can do the hard things.
052Proof you can grow. Proof you can keep showing up. Proof that your story is still being written. So my challenge to you is this. Do not leave here thinking your goal is to be normal. Be bold. Be proud. Be kind. Be willing to try. Be willing to fail. Be willing to ask for help. Be willing to advocate for yourself. Be willing to walk into rooms where people may not think you belong and show them that you do belong there because you do. Whether your next step is college, work, training, a new city, or you're still figuring it out, you belong in the future you are building. And when you get there, remember to reach back. Someone younger than you is going to need to see what is possible. Someone is going to need to see
053your example. Someone is going to need to hear, "I have been there, too, and you can keep going." That is one of the most powerful things we can do. Turn our story into a light for somebody else. Graduates, I'm proud of you. Your families are proud of you. Your teachers and staff are proud of you. And I hope you are proud of yourselves. You have already overcome more than so many people realize, but today is not just about what you have overcome. It is about what you are becoming. So, keep going. Keep learning. Keep chasing what matters to you. Keep proving to yourself that you are capable. And never forget this. You do not have to do the same thing You do not have to do things the same way as everyone else to do
054great things. Congratulations, graduates. Thank you for letting me be a part of your day. Go ahead and make your next chapter something special. Thank you. >> [cheering] >> Again, that was ASB commencement speaker Tyler Cashman. Now, back to Paul Saunders. Thank you so much, Tyler. Really appreciate that. We appreciate that message to our class of 2026. Now, it's my honor to welcome to the stage our ASD speaker, Peter Hughes. It is my privilege to introduce a who truly understands what it means to be a champion of others. Peter Hughes is the director of adaptive sports at the University of Arizona. Leading the largest and most successful program of its kind in the country. Throughout his career, Peter has coached athletics from local YMCAs to the NCAA and the Paralympics games. Including a gold medal winner
055and two national championship basketball teams. His passion for opportunity doesn't stop at the university gates. As a US State Department delegate and founder of wheelchair athletics worldwide, he works globally to ensure disabled athletes across the world have access to the sports they love. He believes fiercely that sport is a gateway to education and empowerment. Class of 2026, please welcome Mr. Peter Hughes. Peter shakes hands with Paul Saunders. Let's stand for this one. Fired up for 2026. Great job, guys. Awesome job. I'm going to tell you guys all a little story. I uh arrived in Tucson, Arizona in 2004 before all of our graduates were born. Please don't remind me of that. In 2004, I came to the University of Arizona play wheelchair basketball. I wanted to play with the best players in the world. I
056already had a master's degree. I was 34 years old and I felt like I needed beat up on some 19 and 20-year-old kids. The first week I was here, I was here before school started. I got a phone call and said and they told me they were playing wheelchair basketball at this gym. They said, "Could you come down? Could you play with us?" And I said, "Yeah, absolutely." The team is still playing. It's the Tucson Lobos, the local wheelchair basketball team. Lo and behold, the gym was Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind. My first introduction to your beautiful school school here. My second introduction was a couple months later. I signed up to be a camp counselor for Camp Abilities. And I slept in your dorm rooms. It was an awesome experience. I enjoyed
057it so much. I told my wife about it. She came down the next day and and volunteered for the next 6 days. I was there the whole week. We played goalball. That ball hurts when it hits you in the belly and other parts. Yes. And make sure that you guys watch the 2028 Paralympics of goalball, please. Right? We played beep baseball. We played bocce ball and I was fascinated by this and I knew then that sport was a the chance of a lifetime for people to learn life lessons that they might not learn without sport. And so it became my passion. Now, I couldn't do anything about the fact, and this was a simple fact, that people with visually impairments did not have the same amount of opportunities as even guys like myself on crutches
058or wheelchairs to play sports. There's not that many goalball programs out there or beep baseball. Blind golf was not around when I knew about it, right? So, fast forward to 2018 and I become the director of adaptive athletics at the University of Arizona. And my philosophy was immediate. It was, "Let's change what we do here. Let's not just support wheelchair athletes. Let's support any student-athlete regardless of whatever disability they have and in whatever sport they want." So, if they want to play beep baseball, we're going to support them. If they're going to want to play goalball, we're going to support We're going to find a way. If we've been to the moon, we can certainly create a sports program for them, right? I walk out of that meeting, and this is honest-to-God the honest truth,
059I walk out of that meeting I get a phone call from a gentleman that says, "My son is going blind. Can you help me create a blind golf team?" And I said, "No, I cannot. But I can start an adaptive golf team because then I can help cerebral palsy people, amputees, people that don't push wheelchairs, and blind people, right? Tyler Cashman is here because of ASDB. He's at Arizona because of ASDB, and I don't think you knew that. So, when you volunteered, it was like, "Wow, that's a big circle coming back around." It's amazing. So, my friends, I don't want to take too much time. I know there's celebrations to be had, right? What I'm going to tell the graduates is that I I'm going to treat you like you're my own athletes, right? There
060are two things I need you to do once you walk out these doors. You must seek opportunities without fear of failure, because failure's coming. It's coming and it's it's going to come hard, but it's okay, cuz that's part of the journey and you'll learn from that. Seek those opportunities. They might be here in Tucson, they might be in Uganda, they might be who knows where they are. Seek them and don't worry about them and make sure that you get the team that you already had plus more to help you along the way. Right? Then then you must also provide opportunities for others. Right? So, I'm going to say something that I hope you guys take to heart. If you can't see, I don't care. Make sure you're seen. Make sure you're seen. If you can't
061hear, if you can't hear, make sure your voices are heard and you are listened to. You are worth it. Go out there and do great things. Thank you, everybody. Again, that was ASDB commencement commencement speaker Peter Hughes. We will now return now to Paul Saunders at the podium. Thank you for that inspiring message. Now, it is an honor to show our farewell video set up by the ASDB media team. Please take a look at the screen above and enjoy the video. A A appears showing aerial view of ASDB. and white text reads, "What is your favorite high school memory?" Afterwards, we see a series of ASDB [music] seniors answering the questions individually. >> My favorite memories during high school is joking around with my friend Zach and Esai. My favorite memories of being in high
062school is uh hanging around, being funny, and hanging around with my friends. One of my favorite memories during high school was like when we were on a science class trip where we was going to the water treatment facility and we were learning about the pH and the ammonia in the water. It was a very fun experiment and kind of take notes on the water. I think that was pretty memorable learning about water. Telling this Cheryl to stop scratching. Over the years from kindergarten up until now I've learned so much from my teachers. Looking back on my high school career I would have to say WSBC, the basketball tournament, was really great. I got to meet a lot of new people and make some friends, which was a lot of fun. Also, cross country. I got
063to socialize and meet friends that way as well. Track was also really great. I got to meet a lot of new people and it was really great. My favorite memories of ASDB are all of the fun times that I had with my teacher Henry and my best friend Amanda. So, one of my favorite memories of the days getting to uh uh go to uh homecoming at pep rally and twerk. And the funny thing about homecoming was that everybody was trying to copy me, but they couldn't figure it out. I get that brolic was just kind of boring. It was a surprise but funny like, "They allowed me to do that?" My favorite memories are just being silly and laughing with my friends. Um one of my favorite memories is being learning from home on the
064computer. Uh Dancing and singing and dancing and singing in Spanish and music class. A new question appears. [music] What will you miss most at ASDB? The seniors continue to reminisce. What I'll miss most is going to chorus and PE with Mr. Julio. I will miss most about being at ASDB is um being with my friends and teachers. I think what I will miss most at ASDB is the campus layout, the question mark road, definitely all the brass and scenery they have here such as the trees, you know, they have the pine trees on campus. They also have the other trees that are around such as the palm trees. And I think just the layout in general is what will be missed. I'm going to miss a lot. You'll miss a lot of things, all the
065conversations, talking to everybody like Anthony, Jamone. And then the old students like Michael, David, and Neason. I'm going to miss talking to everybody. Even the teachers having like long deep conversations about how things are going in the world and how the economic economic systems are going, just everything like that. Just I'm going to miss a lot of open-minded conversations. My friends and teachers. Oh, I will miss my best friends and my teachers. I will miss them a lot. I'll miss my time in the dorms. Hanging out, playing with my friends in the dorm. We used to also get together and play and do the Special Olympics as well in the dorms, which was a lot of fun. I'll definitely miss those events. What I'll miss most about ASDB are my teachers, my friends, all the
066hanging out we did together, and I'll miss the staff, too. I most of the funny chaos that happens here every day and the chocolate people. I'm going to miss spirit. Art. Speak message. I will miss my friends, NCE, Ian, Angel, Enrique, Miss Kimmy, Mr. Chris, and Miss Cheryl. Over at Sunset View of the Beepath, new text reads, "What did you do at ASDB you never imagined you would do?" The things that never imagined that I would do at AS learn my routes around the campus with my cane to navigate myself around. Staying away uh 1 week away from my mom, going to Capernaum to Tucson. At ASDB, I was in uh 7th grade and during the time of 7th grade, I came here during 5th and during the time of 7th grade, I was kind
067of doing bad at math, I kind of failed at math until my 8th grade year where my math teacher then was Lisa Cerena and she taught me about algebra tiles and after teaching me about algebra tiles, I started excelling at math and their functions. And then during high school is when I met my high school teacher, Mr. Campbell, Harold Campbell. He was my math teacher and he helped me really understand what the fundamentals of math were and that's when I started really excelling in math in high school. And then my senior year, I actually started taking a calculus class online and I never thought I would do that. Every day, every night I'm supposed to be getting done at school. I would think if I never would have came here to ASDB, I wouldn't have
068been in this position but now I'm graduating. Getting to class on my own. I never imagined that I would learn as much vocabulary that I did. It was a challenge, but I learned it. So, unfortunately, I was sick and I missed the cross country trip to Texas my senior year. One teacher who taught me great things, including history and social studies, is Henry. He taught me so much. Well, I never imagined that I would have the confidence to learn. The teachers gave me assignments and I would practice them and study and be ready for the test. Uh I never imagined I would type on my own without working on my own. Speak message. Walking in my walker in two years. More aerial footage appears with text which reads, "What is the funniest thing that ever
069happened during your high school years [music] at ASDB?" We cut back to the students. >> ever happened is Matthew saying, "All right, fine. Uh The funniest thing that happened during high school was that my friend itself said, "I I am." Everybody on water day just splashing each other with water, running around, having fun. People kind of getting irritated at each other, but out of excitement. Yep. Just people trying to have fun. Racing to class with my friends. Pretending to be a cat with my friends in class. All my friends were always joking and it always made you laugh. The funniest things that have made me laugh so much are all the memories I've had with my teacher Harry and my best friend Marley. They've made me feel so happy. Well, here at ASDB I used
070to always joke around with people. I would tap them on the back of their shoulder and they wouldn't know who would be. Try to get their attention. Also, sometimes when I would do it, they would think that I would be that it was actually a fly. So, I always liked doing that and joking with that and playing games and stuff. The video ends and fades to black. >> [clears throat] >> Now, it is time to award our seniors with their diplomas and certificates. Please rise, seniors. Now, I would like to ask our superintendent, Annette Wrightman, deputy assistant superintendent Ketchoff to join us to present the diplomas and certificates. Presenting the seniors are ASB Assistant Principal Karen Tallis and ASD Assistant Principal Melissa Brown. Please hold your applause until each senior has moved their tassel. Itzel
071Guadalupe Rea Sotelo. Joseph Benito Black Hair Anthony Noah Burke Marlie Marie Campbell Dieter >> He walks across the stage. Maya Lorraine Chico This is Maya and she receives her diploma. And now the next diploma She passes it to the diploma. She receives her diploma. Nathan Anthony Cruz >> [cheering] >> This is Nathan Cruz. He receives his diploma. He greets the staff and receives his diploma. He walks across the stage. He holds up his diploma and receives his tassel. HE RECEIVES HIS DIPLOMA. HE'S OFFICIALLY GRADUATED. Zephaniah Harrison Little This is Zephaniah and he receives his diploma. He greets our superintendent. And holds it up. He nods receives >> [cheering] >> Enrique Agustin Lomeli Not yet, Enrique. Keep going. >> [cheering] >> Amanda Nicole Lopez Ian Christopher Pedley Here's Ian. He receives his diploma from Paul. He
072shakes his hand. >> Good job, Warren. That's Warren. That's Warren. And then finds his way to the far side of the stage. >> [cheering] >> Anhel Jesus Rojas Torres. >> [cheering] >> He then greets Annette and Warren. And then the far side of the stage. >> [cheering] >> Jamal Thomas Stell. He greets Paul. Receives his diploma and now an academic award as well. Now at the far side of the stage, he receives his diploma. Now we shift to Paul Saunders, Karen Thomas, and Alyssa Brown and Austin Day. It is my honor and privilege to present to you ASDB Tucson class of 2026. Let's hear it. >> [cheering] >> It gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the most recent graduates of the Arizona State School for the Deaf and Blind, the class of 2026.
073Congratulations. Everyone, please stand. I would like to express our sincere thanks to our outstanding interpreters, media team, BPAC staff, and O&M staff for making this ceremony a memorable one. Thank you for providing full accessibility for everyone here. The graduates will exit from the east side of the auditorium. They will be receiving guests outside in front of the BPAC. Please wait for the graduates to leave the auditorium before moving into the aisles. We will be having drinks and cupcakes for everyone to celebrate the special day for our class of 2026. Woo! >> [music] >> Woo! >> [music] >> Woo!