001Oh my god. Heat. Heat. Heat. Oh my god. Keep Heat. Heat. Heat. Thank you. Heat. Good morning. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Here we go. Heat. Heat. Hallelujah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Lord. Hallelujah. Glory. My Heat. Heat. Hallelujah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Hallelujah. Heat. Heat. Yes. Hallelujah. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Good good Afternoon graduates, families, friends, and distinguished guests. On behalf of the faculty of Columbus East High School, I want to personally welcome you to the graduation ceremony for the class of 2026. On this Memorial Day weekend, we would like to take a moment to recognize all of the brave men and women who have served in our US military and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this great nation. But before we do that, I would like to
002recognize our own students who have chosen to enter the US military to stand and continue standing so we can recognize you. And as you continue to stand, I would like to ask they're now brothers and sisters of the armed forces, those who have served and presently serving. So we you may please stand so that we can honor you as well in the audience today. Thank you. You may have a seat. Now to this amazing graduating class of 2026. I have watched you grow over the past three years from what are we going to do with this sophomore class to a senior class I truly love. I have watched your accomplishments from state championships to incredible jazz band performances to be amazed at the theater productions like game of tiaras to simply watching your true kindness,
003love and care for one another. This is a special senior class and you have represented yourself, your family, and Columbus East High School extremely well. And this is a day of celebrating you. Look all around. Look in the stands. See all the loved ones who came to celebrate with you today. But many of those in the stands and myself also understand the life you have in front of you is a life of beauty. But there will also be times of struggle. So, if you'd be so kind to listen to me one last time of a Dr. Parson's sermon for your next steps in life. From this day forward, no one is coming to push you. No one is coming to tell you to put your phone down. No one is coming to remind you to
004meet that deadline or to wake you up early in the morning or to get you where you need to be or simply demand your best. That responsibility is truly yours. And that is not something to fear. It's something to embrace. It's something to fight for. Because responsibility is not a weight that holds you down. It is a standard that lifts you up. I promise you that you will not randomly drift into a life of purpose. That you will not stumble into excellence. You have to choose to have a life purpose. You have to choose excellence every day. It will be your choice to give effort when no one is watching. It will be your choice to hold the line with your values. It will be your choice to choose to love one another. It will
005be your choice to choose light. It will be your choice to be a person of integrity. It is will be your cho choice to be responsible. And it will be your choice to work hard. And these are simple words and simple ideas, but they are so difficult. You will find that out. The people in the audience today know that to be true. These are simple but so difficult. So as you go into the world, be the person who other people trust and respect. Be the one who finishes what you start. Be the one who raises the standard in every room you walk into because that is truly who you are capable of becoming. Step forward with a purpose. Stand firm in your values. Stand firm in your faith. Take ownership of your life because no
006one is coming to tell you what to do. That responsibility is yours. And I promise you, you are more than ready. I am deeply proud of you. The people in this gym are deeply proud of you. By evidence of the cheering and the screams, they are excited for you. But now it is also time to be proud of yourself. Be proud of what you have accomplished. Be proud to be an Olympian. Go forth and do amazing things for other people and you too will be blessed. I am proud of you. I love you and congratulations. Good afternoon, class of 2026. and a sincere thank you to everyone who is here to support us all today. As we look forward to our futures, we truly appreciate the cornerstones you have been in our lives. Through your
007help and support, we have learned valuable life lessons that will help us succeed. Even though the guidance of those around us has taught us such crucial lessons, the greatest teacher in life is experience. I am a chronic procrastinator. In fact, I wrote this speech the day it was due. As my dad likes to say, if you wait until the last minute, the task only takes a minute. You'd think that after four years of waiting until the very last minute, I'd finally learned my lesson. However, in a way, procrastination has taught me lessons. For example, after staying up late or all night, always grab a coffee or an energy drink, Celsius is my personal choice, on your way out, just in case. And most of the time, you can get things done faster if you're trying
008to get it done before 11:59 than if you try to get it done early. On a more serious note, I believe procrastination is simply a part of a life well-lived and to its fullest. As high school students, we have so many opportunities to get involved in our community through sports, clubs, extracurricular activities, volunteer opportunities, and work. We are encouraged to participate in these activities whether as a resume builder or because they're things that are truly important to us. Because of this culture of trying to make the most of our high school years, it is so easy for us to forget that we are called to be students as well. Often we are called to be so much more than that. Leaders, creators, volunteers, and so much more. This is where our support systems have come
009in. We are given encouragement and pushed to when pushed when we need to get something done. We are given grace and extra time if needed. These people have brought so much peace and joy into our lives. They have taught us the most important lesson that stems from procrastination, finding balance. This lesson will carry us through the rest of our lives. As we enter adulthood, we will be able to balance all that life has to offer because of our experiences here. We will rise to the challenges that cross our paths and accomplish great things. Thank you again all for your support throughout the years. Good afternoon, appreciated faculty, proud parents, honored guests, and most importantly, my fellow graduates. Today, as we begin new adventures in college, the workforce, or in the military, I am honored to
010address you as the valadictorian of our class. Four years ago, we entered the halls of East as children. But today, we leave as adults. These last four years have flown by. Maybe there was a time in pre-calc where nothing made sense and we couldn't wait to get out of the class. Or maybe English seemed to drag on for hours and we couldn't wait to get the credits and be done. But yet, here we are today. Our high school days are now officially over. Six years ago, we were supposed to be graduating from elementary school. And then the world shut down. It seemed like we missed out on so much due to co. For me, it was our sixth grade trip, our sixth grade graduation, uh, end of the school year parties, and a very variety
011of summer activities. Not only was starting middle school hard because it was terrifying because it was a brand new school with total strangers, but we also had to endure social distancing, wearing masks, and virtual learning. Even though it was really nice to stay home, it probably wasn't the best way to learn. Thankfully, we were able to have a pretty normal high school experience. After all, we were still able to attend sports games, theater performances, homecoming, winter formal, prom, and we were even able to gather here today. As we reflect on our journey to the future, we will face numerous challenges from difficult exams to complex projects. We'll experience moments of triumph and moments of defeat. But through it all, we learn that failure is one of our most useful tools. Nobody is perfect. And I
012mean nobody. No teacher, no student, not even parents. Sorry, mom and dad. As as Henry Ford famously quoted, failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently. Here's my experience. This year I've had the honor of participating in the dental three program where I have worked in a dental office for half of the school day. One time I accidentally put the wrong patient in the wrong room and cause mass confusion on an already chaotic day. I was mortified, but I quickly learned how to properly read the schedule, verify names, and I never made that mistake again. Even though it feels awful to fail, it's not the end of the world. As my favorite Bible verse quotes, failure and hardships produce perseverance, perseverance, character, and character hope. So, go easy on yourself. It's
013okay. Now, as we look back on our high school years, there are many people that deserve our recognition. To our teachers, thank you for your unyielding support. Through every lecture, presentation, and assignment, it is safe to say that we are walking across the stage with knowledge that we will take into our future. Sure, we may not need to know the quadratic formula, the periodic table of elements, or the exact date when the Berlin Wall fell, but thanks to your patience and dedication, we walk away with wisdom and guidance that will prepare us for the challenges ahead. For what? For that, we are eternally grateful. To our parents and families, thank you for your love and encouragement. Through every extracurricular activity, homework assignment, and test score, we know that you will always be there cheering us
014on from the sidelines. You have celebrated our victories and have comforted us in our defeats. Just as you have been there for us in the past, we know that you will be there for us in the future. Today is as much your achievement as it is ours. And lastly, to the class of 2026, we did it. We have been with each other through ups and downs, laughter and fail, laughter and tears, failures and successes. Yes, there may have been rules and restrictions we didn't agree with, but we learned how to adapt. We first step foot into this building as total strangers, but we will leave as friends, acquaintances, and peers. Later, as we turn our tassels, I encourage you to look back at your past and look towards your exciting future with memories that will
015last a lifetime. Thank you and God bless. It has been truly one of the greatest honors of my career to serve as the assistant principal for team 2026. Alongside an incredible team, I have had the privilege of walking beside this class through some of the most important years of their lives. We've celebrated victories, worked through challenges, shared countless memories, and watched this group grow into an amazing class of young adults. At this time, I proudly present the Columbus East High School class of 2026 to Dr. Chad Phillips, superintendent of schools, and certify that they have met all necessary requirements for graduation. Good afternoon, class of 2026. Welcome families and friends of our graduate teachers and staff. Congratulations to you all on your achievement. I have to apologize to English teachers because Abigail pointed out she
016had to say English class went on forever. And now I'm going to point out that I was not a person who loved reading when I was your age. But as I grew older, uh the true joy of reading a great book um is is really something that I enjoy. And over Christmas break this year, I read a book and and there's a line I want to share from that book with you today. Book was called Gilead. But the quote is this. There are a thousand thousand reasons to live this life. Every one of them sufficient. I think that message matters for you today because the world you are entering will make you feel like life only matters when it's extraordinary. If you're wealthy, if you have tens of thousands of followers, or if it looks
017like every post that you make was taken by a professional photographer. But the truth is that each one of us can choose to find deep meaning in our lives. It can be found in your friends, your family, teachers in the back, teammates, mentors, and in the ordinary moments that shape who you become as an adult. Rarely is a life's meaning the result of one defining moment. Your meaning will likely be built from thousands and thousands of choices you will make during the ordinary moments. I know many of you feel the pressure to have everything figured out, but here's the secret. Most of us adults don't have it all figured out yet either. U many people are still waiting for that one special defining moment in life. Simply coasting through the days, the weeks, the months,
018or even the years waiting for something, anything to happen that will make our reason for living this life feel sufficient. I'm going to contradict Eleanor and say, "Don't wait. Don't wait. Play offense and go get the life you want in adulthood. Choose your reason to live this life that embraces the everyday interactions, difficulties, joys, pains, all of it. Doing so means that you will also be living a life that you choose, building something meaningful. Each of you will have a life with a purpose if you do that. every one of them sufficient. Congratulations to the class of 2026. The world needs your courage. At this time, by the authority vested in me by the state of Indiana and the board of trustees, I hereby certify you as graduates of Columbus East High School and the
019Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation. Congratulations. Abigail Grace Fiser, Eleanor Elaine Dixon, Morgan K. Scott, Isabella Karen Patterson, Amalison Adus, Chelsea Fa Aldridge, Ella Catherine Anthis, Eduardo Aranda Michelle, >> Amy Aven, Melanie Arius Jimenez, >> Natasha Grace Armstrong, Taylor Michael Arie, Kaden Nicholas Arnhol, >> Robert B Asher, Christian N. Austin, Corbin Wyatt Ays, >> Skyler Michael Bailey, >> Carson Cruz Bane, >> Tyler Daniel Baker, Wyatt Scott Battton, Mason Everett Bean, Rihanna Anna McKaya Blizzard, Kennedy Alexis Grace Bod Addison Olivia Brous Julian Isaac Brock, Ava Michelle Browder, Aiden Mitchell Brewbaker, Molly Kelsey Ber, Brink, Gabriel Cole, Burton, Kirsten Anne Burton, Hie Anne Busk, Bruna Germa, German Gerando, German Pereira, Joselyn Janith Castana, Maxwell Castro Giovani Hail James Chastain McKenzie Lynn Cheek Natalie Grace Cheshshire Emma Susan Christie Stephanie Elise Christopher Hermione Imazul Sid Avery Wade Clark, Trevor Ro
020Clark, Ariana Gia Clay, Elijah Daniel Claw, Ella Josephine Conrad, Caleb James Cooper, Jasmine Maria Cordova, Elijah A James Corier, Anthony Robert Cowan, Addison, Sophia Crawhorn, Phillip Lee Crump, Thomas Michael Cunningham, Abigail Noel Dabson, >> Jaylen Dwan Derby, Logan Edward Darnell, Blake Allan Davis, Ka Lauren Davis, Christian U. Deios Christopher Allan Deiosel de la Cruz Diaz Weston Alexander de los Santos Masa Riego Jocelyn Alicia Deon Lauren Elizabeth Dagner Seth Allan Denny, Kayen Robert Denton, >> Alexander Shane Depal, >> Jeffrey Sha Dole, >> Olivia Marie Drexel, >> Derkica Ruthanne Duncan, >> Kiara Renee and Durishab Raj Duveti Anthony Edgel John Ross Edgars Lincoln Scott Elkins Benjamin Ryan Elligot Matthew William Ellis Satie Bell Ellis Ray Ernest, congratulations, Abigail Espinosa, Eleaza Espinosa, Heidi Kalin Estes, Riley Grace Ethridge, Steven Anthony Everard, Lillian Jane Fee, Pedro Daniel Ferrer, Eidro,
021Jaylen Lache Fields, Reagan Renee Foster, Marin Kit Mars, Tori Iel Fraser, Cassidy B. Furnish Wyatt James Gardner Ella Ella Garnel Elizabeth George Austin Lee Giles Chloe M. Gil, >> Garrett Xavier Gilmore, >> Sophie Elizabeth Glick, >> Gavin Matthew Gurley, >> Isaac Thomas Going, >> Meumi Rachel Going to >> Avery Dawn Graham, Connor Allen Graham, >> Shaye Michelle Griffin, Paisley J. Paul, McKenzie Sue Hampton, Chandler Nola, Denise Harris, Ethan Maxwell Harris, >> Jaden Christopher Harrison, Lillian Grace Hartman, >> Josie Ellen Hartwell, Braden Lee Hashman, >> Jake Brian Hashman, >> Zia Maren Hower, >> Jackson Edward Harold, Ava June Higgins, Alex Michael Hughes, Corbin Jacob Issacs, Gage Robert Jackson, Jaden Michael Jarnan, Anukica Elizabeth Jenkins, Malia Michelle Jesse, Talon Lloyd Jessup, Sydney Grace Johnson, Donald Lee Jones, Lillian Janice Jones, Michaelel Cortez Jones, >> Jamie Jamie Wesley
022Joiner. Cameron Delaney Keith Callie Callie Nicole Kent Ethan Scott Patrick Kesler >> Leila Renee King Caleb John Kirkpatre Lance Thomas Kerman, Llaya Diane Clyde, Abigail Elaine Nolan, Jonah James Nolman, Calvin Michael Kudson, >> Kelly Lander Gonzalez, Katon Lawson, >> Macy Addison Lee, >> Macy Elena Cecile Lewin, >> Charles Tristan Legins, Naa Diana Lewis, >> Gearham Samuel Linaman, >> Takqua Rebecca Linamman, Tayier Steven Linaman, Jeffrey Allen Listister, Leata Marie Logan, Ashton Jacob Loinger, >> Paige Abigail Loinger, >> Dayton, Dayton, Christian Parks, Lindsay, Brienne Par Rosario. Wait a minute. Oh, I skipped my my apologies. I skipped a page. Let's go back. So, Kayn Ray Marie Long, Mary Yael Lopez, >> Raymond Javier Lopez, Rihanna Stephanie Lopez, Benitez, Nicole Lopez, Moreno, Nolan Jeremiah Love, Gabella Morgan Lenard, >> Lea Man, Marie, Maria, Clara, Marimoto, Takiushi, >> Jodyie
023Wayne Marshall, Trayvon Markel, James Martin, Mattaline Martinez Aguilar Joseph Austin Mau Sarah Maxi Mallerie Grace Lynn McKini Olivia Rose Meadows Kevin Enrique G Menddees Muria Ma Catherine Meny Aiden Robert Miller Braden Anthony Miller Brody Joseph Miller Kaye Elaine Miller Kato W. Miller, >> Samantha Anne Meyers, Wyatt Dwayne Mitchell, >> Pusilla Selena Morales Pasqual, Wyatt Reed Moer, >> Blake Henry Moss, Elijah Nathaniel Mullins, Joel Yansy Murphy, Madison Sue Naylor, Olivia Namy Deberos, Perrera Greyjo, Sydney Faith Nuland, Jasper Casting, Nickel Arav Pash Neilani Blake Levi Orman Eli Braden Astrom Matthew Curtis Osbun Dayton Christian Parks Lindsay Brienne Parah Rosario >> Carter Silus Patterson >> Camden William Pedigo >> Ethan James Pedigo Zale Rain Penrose Alexander Perez Herrera, >> Alyssa Perry, congratulations. >> Olivia Janae Phillips Olds, Dominic Alexander Piper, Congratulations, >> Brilland Elizabeth Pong, Julia Prey, Sanchi,
024Sanga, Jesus Alio Kintterero Aguare >> Logan David Lee Rager >> Samantha Reed Ethan Michael Rinbold >> Joshua Ryan Reynolds >> Xander Roman Reynolds >> congratulations >> Luke Benj Benjamin Rice, Charlene Janet Rivas, >> Emma Rose, congratulations. >> Landon David Gracia, >> congratulations. >> Delaney Sue Rogers, congratulations. Christian Romero Magana, Luke David Romani, >> Valerie Sulamita Rondelle, >> Danielle Marie Roxberry, Richard Eugene Rubal, >> Jackson Lee, Rudy, Mary Sales, Azel Ida, Selenas, >> Yair Daniel Sanchez Garcia, Yary Giovanni Sanchez Garcia, Marelli Sanchez Hernandez, >> Carolina Sanchez, Herrera, >> Selena Star, Santos, >> Kyler Robert Shadenfro, >> Macy Elizabeth Skunover, Emma Luan Shy, >> Jonah Martin, Shano, Joshua Elliot Scott, Kamalia Kico Scott, Kaani Sue Scott, Kalia Nicole Scott Brooklyn Pearl Ston. Congratulations >> Akira Elizabeth Shaw >> Camden Reed Shelly Zeta Jean Shelton Jasmine Nicole Shepard
025Bray Remy Sheriff Victoria Victoria Elizabeth Katherina Seagars Evan Hunter Simo Ava Jasine Sing Amara Sllayton Allan Cooper Smith Brayley Jana Smith Jacob Gary Marian B. Smith, >> Jennison Haley Smith, >> Landon Richard Smith, >> McKenzie Lee Smith, Aiden Bailey Sorrels, Tristan Orion Spray, Isabella Grace Stamper, Amelia Marie Stanley, Damon Michael Starks, >> Madison Caroline Rose Stater, >> Ivan Val Valeri Stein, Adam Wayne Scott, Riker Braayson Stock, Evan Michael Strickland, Deonte Lee Study, Isabella Marie Sturgeon, Hannah Grace Sullivan, >> Marley Eron, Sutton, Jonathan Mark, Silva, >> Connor Bradley, Tatrock, >> Baltazar, Thomas Sebastian, >> Valeria, Torres, Arias, Colin, Edward, Totten, Candy Ray Troxel, Nikita Dominique Se Brooklyn Tutor, Ryan Patrick Turner, Reette Tyrie, >> Eley Jane, >> Dakota Mariah, Aribe, Fernando Israel Vaka Abrego Jared Valer Emanuel Valencia Diaz Steven Carter Macintosh Valdell a Jaylen Walsh
026Joseph Efraim Warfield, >> Ruthie Jane West, >> Lauren Clayton Westerfeld, Dixie M. Wedderall, Brooklyn Nelly J. We Gabriella Nicole Wielden, >> Grayson Lee Williams, Marin Isa Marie Mary Williams, >> Quentyn Egan Williams, Margarita Annabelle Wills, Kaylee May Wilson, >> Lana Grace Whistler, >> Colin Xavier Wolf, >> Lily Nicole Woods, Elijah David Wright, Kayen Lee Wright, >> Lily Ray Wright, Bryce Michael Young, >> Cadence Elizabeth Zeisser, Kendrick Cassidy, Zod. >> Congratulations. Carter. Hi everyone. I'm Izzy, your vice president, and it's such a blessing to be in front of you all today. Um, each year the graduating class leaves behind a gift for future students and for Columbus East High School. This tradition reflects our commitment to giving back to the school that has shaped us. The class of 2026 wanted to leave behind something that would
027be meaningful, something that would last, something that would be used, and something that would represent who we are. This is why we chose to give this podium marked with our school emblem. At first glance, it's just a place to speak, but we see it as something much more. This podium will hold the voices of future students, their ideas, their courage, and their stories. It will be where announcements are made, where achievements are recognized, and where important moments are shared. Long after we have graduated, people will stand here to be heard. And that's what we've tried to do as a class. In our own ways, we've learned how to speak up. Whether that was answering a hard question in class, standing up for a friend, or just simply being heard. This emblem, it represents our school.
028It also represents all of us, our growth, and everything we've been a part of together here at East. By marking this podium with our emblem, we're leaving a we're leaving a piece of ourselves here at school. Our hope is that every student who stands here will feel supported, confident, and unafraid to speak because our voice matters just as much as theirs does. Thank you to our teachers, families, and everyone who has shaped who we are today. And to our fellow graduates, this may be one of the last times we are all gathered here together like this, but it is far from the last times that our voices will be heard. Today we ring the senior bell to symbolize East's four fundamental virtues. Loyalty, honesty, respect, and unselfishness. These honorable qualities should be guiding principles as
029we encounter obstacles in the future. The first of these is loyalty. Loyalty is devotion, whether it be to yourself, your friends, or your country. President Wilson reminds us that loyalty means nothing unless it has a heart of absolute principle of self-sacrifice. Out of loyalty flows honesty, respect and unselfishness. It is said that honesty is the cornerstone to all success. Without the confidence without which confidence and the ability to perform shall cease to exist. Today signifies a cornerstone of our lives. Without honesty, we cannot move forward from this cornerstone to the next. With confidence and the ability to perform, honesty is also a necessary component of gaining respect. Hello, my name is Morgan Scott and I'm your student body president. Respect is a virtue that we hope to gain in our lifetime. But as Albert Einstein
030points out, it is not until we respect ourselves that we gain the esteem of others or rather only then will it come on its own accord. We must learn to respect ourselves for who we are so that we may inspire others to do the same. To put another's life in front of your own is to excel in the only game that matters, the game of life. It has been said that the true measure of a person is how they treat someone who can do them absolutely no good. Unselfishness is a virtue that ties human characters together. Today we have reached the point in our lives that allows us to enter the real world with good conscience. We signify the completion of the stage in our lives by turning our tassels which represents the movement from
031childhood to adulthood, from high school to world beyond. Will you please stand with me? And will you all join me in the turning of our tassels? Heat. Heat up here. Heat up here.