001Heat. Heat. You guys just heard the wonderful sounds of the Eagle River band and orchestra. Let's give them a round of applause. Welcome to the Eagle River 2026 graduation. Are you guys excited to be here? >> That was awesome. All right, so this is something new we're doing this year as part of the stream. I'm going to introduce you guys to Caitlyn Rump. She's a junior and uh she's going to tell me a little about herself and she's going to do a couple interviews. >> Hi guys, my name is Caitlyn Rump and I'm junior class president and I'm super excited to watch all of the graduates today. Who am I here with? Hi, I'm Jolie Fulmar. >> And who else? >> Hi, I'm Andrew Sway. >> Hi guys, it's nice to see you down here.
002This is an exciting day. What is one thing that you would tell the incoming freshman? >> I would definitely say don't procrastinate. I'm very very guilty of procrastinating in a lot of things and it's worked out in the end, but it was so stressful in the process. I totally get that. How about you, Andrew? >> I would say don't wait. I mean, I waited till my third year to start meeting people and I really regret it. So, get out there and make friends right away. They last a lifetime. That's a really good one. How are you guys feeling about graduation? >> I'm very excited to end my high school career and move on to the next step. >> That's exciting. How about you, Andrew? >> I'm excited, but also nervous. College is a big step,
003and it kind of scares me. I'm not going to lie. >> I definitely get that. Guys, who do you have here today that is extra extra special? >> Okay. I have both of my parents, my brother, and my grandma sitting right over there. >> How about you, Andrew? I got my grandparents, my uncle, and then I got my mom as a teacher and my brother as my line assistant. Mean a lot to me. >> That's so amazing. And one more thing, how what is one word that you would use to describe Eagle River? >> Inclusive. I love that. What about you, Andrew? >> I would just say straight up fun. It's awesome. >> We love it here. And one more thing, guys. [laughter] [gasps] What is your plan for post high school? I am going
004to Clemson University in South Carolina to study nursing. That's so exciting. What about you, Andrew? >> I'm going up to the great white north to UAF and I'm going to study aerospace engineering. >> That's absolutely amazing. Have so much fun today, guys. Thank you. Hello friends and family in the stands. Let's give a big round of applause to our Eur High School band and orchestra. My name is Caitlyn Rump and we're back for another interview. Who am I here with? >> Adelaide Mason. >> And who else? >> Eden Coons. >> Hi guys. How are you feeling about graduating today? >> A little nervous, but definitely excited. >> Super excited to be out of high school. >> That's exciting. Um, what are your post high school plans? >> I plan on going to Utah State in
005Logan, Utah. >> I plan to go to West Point in New York. >> That's so exciting. Congratulations, guys. What is one word that you would use to describe our Eagle River High School? >> I think excellence. Our school really does strive to do our best and work hard. >> I think I would describe Eigorver as respectful. We uh really like to include everyone. >> I love that. And are there any people in the stands today that you would like to give a special shout out to? >> Definitely my parents. Thank you guys for everything that you've done throughout high school and always supporting me. >> And I'd like to thank my parents, my family, and my grandparents for coming out. Thank you for supporting me. >> That's so exciting. You guys have such a good
006day today. And happy graduation. Hi guys, We're back again. Can we give one more round of applause to our amazing Eager River High School band and orchestra? I'm Caitlyn Rump and I'm here to introduce >> Tim Helby, principal, Eager River High School. >> So, Mr. Helvy, what does excellence at Eager River High School look like to you? >> Actually, you're going to see it here in a few minutes. It's going to come walking in. These kids have put a lot in in the last four years and they've done a lot of excellent things and uh yeah, we're going to showcase that tonight. >> That's amazing. What does tonight feel like? >> This is the biggest night that I experience every year. The the kids um have, you know, their freshman year as they come in
007and little tiny things to now after what we've seen, you know, them achieve in the four years. Um, it's just the greatest feeling to watch him come across that stage. So, it's just going to be an exciting night. >> I'm excited and I'm pretty sure you are, too. Let's say on a scale of 1 to 10, how excited are we for tonight? >> Oh, we're definitely a 10. >> Definitely a 10 >> or higher. Yes, for sure. We are excited. >> That's so exciting. Thank you guys for tuning in to our interviews and let's go see some graduates graduate. I don't think we are Oh my god. This is >> [cheering] >> All right. Good afternoon, fellow students, faculty, family, and friends, and welcome to the 2026 Eagle River High School graduation ceremony. We acknowledge
008that we are gathered here today on the traditional lands of the Denina people of the Upper Cook Inlet. For thousands of years, the Denina people have been and continue to be the stewards of this land. ASD is committed to diversity and inclusion and it is with honor and respect that we recognize all indigenous peoples who live and learn in our community. Thank you. [applause] Please rise and remove all headgear for the presentation of the colors by the Eagle River High School Air Force Junior ROC color guard. The color guard includes Cadet Colonel Kelsey Barrett, cadet Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Khloe Bureau, Cadet Major Braden Blackader, Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Richard Gdanis. The Eagle Rivers High School Swing Choir will perform the Star Spangled Banner. Please remain standing until the colors have left the floor. Say [singing] by
009the dawn early [singing] twilight. stripes and [singing and music] bright [singing] air through the night. Our flag was still of the free and the home of the >> [applause] >> Thank you. You may be seated. My name is Bin Baldwin and I'm the senior class president. I am beyond excited and honored to be your master of ceremonies this evening. To begin, I would like to take a moment to introduce and welcome tonight's guests. Superintendent Dr. Jarrett Bryant, school board member Mr. Pat Higgins and Mr. Dave Donley, as well as Eagle Rivers Administration, Assistant Principal Mrs. Jackie Larson, Assistant Principal Mrs. Jennifer Berts and our very own head principal, Mr. Tim Helvy. [applause] I would also like to extend a warm welcome to all of the family and friends joining us tonight, both in person and
010afar, and of course, all of you, the one and only class of 2026. [applause] This ceremony is about each graduate. So, let's get started and celebrate your long- aaited accomplishments. This afternoon, one of my many honors is to introduce our speakers. The first speaker tonight of tonight's ceremony is our class valadictorian, Luke Shaw. Luke has served as the founder and president of Eagle Rivers Outdoors Club and participated in varsity cross country running and track and field where he qualified for state. He plans to attend Stanford University to study engineer or sorry energy science and engineering. Please welcome Luke Shaw. >> All right. Good evening, class of 2026. Sorry. I feel incredibly honored to have the privilege to speak here at graduation tonight. And before I commence my speech, I'd like to extend a very warm
011thanks to the Eagle River High School faculty and staff. The unwavering dedication you've provided our student body has given us the best four years of high school we could ever ask for. Our language arts department chair, Eric Johnson, has often used the analogy of our teachers planting seeds of virtue within us students. And we owe a great deal of our future blooming to the guidance you have all given us. In addition, I'd like to welcome and thank all friends and family who are here to support us graduates, especially those like my grandparents who have traveled very far to be here. I also want to thank my parents for helping me through these formative years. And as a matter of fact, and I hope I'm allowed to do this, I think we should really give it
012all up to our parents for getting us here to where we are today. Honestly, they're the ones that really deserve to be celebrating today because they're the ones that have put up with us for almost two decades. I also have incredible gratitude for the years that I've lived in Alaska. I think I speak for all of the graduates when I say that this state is one of the most beautiful and profound places to have grown up and it has uniquely defined us as Alaskans amongst other places around the world. I mean, where else in the country can you leave for a bike ride at midnight and still make it home before dark? Living in Alaska has been the most formative experience of my life, and I was looking forward to spending my final summer here
013with my friends before going to college this fall. I had the perfect plan in mind. I would sleep in until noon every day, then have my mom fix me breakfast, and then I would leisurely go recreate and backpack whenever I wanted. And of course, my parents would pay for it all. That was until a horrifying reality was bestowed upon me that I would have to get a job. As wretched as my situation was, I reluctantly began considering multiple different employment options. And eventually, I did find the perfect job. I would have room and board and get paid to teach people how to rock climb. I get to spend my days outdoors in the mountains and build a great community of co-workers and friends. There was one small caveat, however. This job was located over 2,000
014miles away in Colorado. Suddenly, the perfect last summer that I'd imagined in Alaska was in jeopardy, and I was faced with making a choice between leaving my home state early or missing out on a potentially great new adventure and life experience working in Colorado. I ultimately decided to take the job in Colorado. And this dilemma reminded me more broadly of the newfound sense of personal accountability that we are all facing as we graduate from high school. Most of the important decisions about our lives were probably previously decided by either our parents or another authority figure. And now we have a greater in sense of impending autonomy and responsibility than ever before. With this responsibility comes a variety of important and deeply defining personal questions. Questions like should I go to college or should I take
015a gap year? Should I join the workforce? Should I join the military? Should I really have agreed to a bet with some friends where the loser would have to run a mile and drink chocolate milk out of a Pringles can every lap? How do I move on from failing to complete a mile where I had to drink chocolate milk out of a Pringles can every lap? And then there are some questions we ask ourselves about adulthood that are very difficult to answer. Should I take the easier and more certain route or take a risk? Should I focus all my time at school or on my relationships and experiences? Should I save my money for the future or live my best life now? Is it ever possible to do both? Pivotal questions like these can be
016very scary to confront because however they are answered has enormous consequences on our lives. For this reason, it can be tempting to look for answers from other people like teachers, parents or mentors. However, the reality is that no one has a concrete answer waiting for us because we have to reach our own unique personal answers and those answers will dictate how we live our own lives. So although no one can give us tailored answers, I will say what I found to be one effective way to gain insight into approaching these questions and that is by constantly exploring and learning. Something I've discovered is that every person I've met has a unique and profoundly insightful view on some facet of human life. Whether it be through a certain skill set, their sense of humor, or a
017general knowledge of a subject. Sorry. Every person I've met has taught me something about life. And every experience I've had, no matter how profound or mundane, has also given me greater insight into my life. Indeed, every time you try something new or listen to someone you'd previously overlooked, you are learning about the world. And it is through that learning process that you will gain the most insight into how to live your life. For that reason, if I could pick one single suggestion to leave you all with, it would be to go find your own answers. Do everything you can to find your own answers. Do the weird thing. Do the uncomfortable thing. The unthinkable thing. Go on the trip. Learn the skill, join the team, run the chocolate milk mile. And even if you fail,
018even if it doesn't work out, you have only equipped yourself with more insight and experience through which to confront the uncertainty that we now face as graduates. And lean into that uncertainty to find answers to your questions. Find out what you want to do. Find out what impact you will leave. and make sure to examine and learn everything you can so that you can find out for yourself how you are going to live your life to the fullest. Well guys, it's been a nice four years and I wish you all the very best in the future. Thank you. [applause and cheering] >> Thank you, Luke. Our next speaker is our student elected speaker. He has never failed to excel throughout his time at Eagle River. Above all, he is kind-hearted, funny, and outgoing. Please welcome
019Connor Van. [cheering] [applause] Let's see if I learned how to use a mic this time. Uh, I want to take this time at the start to give a big thanks to all the families who came out of their way and traveled to come here to support their loved ones, or as my mom calls me, their schmoopies. Uh, a big thanks also to the friends who took time out of their day, the teachers and staff who got us here, and anyone else who's out there, not only for being here, but also for your support in every part of our lives. None of us would be walking the stage if it weren't for all of y'all. I just want to say I'm glad I got to go through the end of high school with each and every
020one of you. And we've all done a lot growing up. But personal growth is not without its fair share of hesitation and anxiety. Whether it's where we're going next or just how broke we'll be soon, college is expensive, y'all. And even though many of us are pretty sure we've got the next few years figured out, some of us are still wondering what comes next. But in the words of Pastor Kenneth G. Smith, you can't steer a parked car. You can't. You can't change the direction you're driving if you're not moving. So if you want to change your life and go on to bigger and better things, move. So many of us hesitate like a 14-year-old kid with a new driver's permit at his first busy intersection. We're convinced we have to wait for the right
021time, a little more confidence, or a better plan. But none of that matters until you start moving. You see, life is like a road trip. First, you have to know where you are. Then, you have to know where you're going. But none of that matters and unless you're willing to hit the accelerator and start moving. So, quit waiting for the right circumstance to come. Quit waiting for clarity. Quit waiting for that perfect moment because that perfect moment doesn't exist. And you learn when you move, you grow when you steer, and you figure things out along the way. You have to move forward. And for those of you who feel like you can't take that first step and move forward because you've lost your light, your motivation, your discipline, your passion, you haven't lost it. You've
022turned away from it. You stopped reading. You started to get behind. Uh you doom scrolled instead being productive. You turned away from the people that sharpened you. you turned away from your light and things began to get darker. It's similar to the way we perceive sunsets. But sunsets aren't real. Uh the sun never actually the sun never actually goes behind the horizon. The sun never even moves at all. The earth just simply turns away from the sun. From our perspective, the light went away. The warmth disappeared. But in reality, the light is exactly where it has always been. we have just turned away from it. But the beautiful thing about rotation is that it works both ways. Just as the earth rotates away from the sun, it also rotates toward it again. So if you
023feel like you've lost that light, that motivation, that passion, you don't need to chase it. You just have to turn back to it once more. Life isn't as scary as it seems. And the next step isn't something to fear. Things have a way of falling into place along the way. So stop wasting time on worrying because time is the only currency we spend without knowing the balance. So spend it on doing. Take that step and reach out for those experiences. Because if you never move and if you're not working proactively to find those experiences, they'll never come to you. And yes, I know looking for those experiences may be scary because it's a big risk. And I agree that is. It's risky to try something new. It's risky to send that message. It's risky to
024bet on yourself. But in the words of Bryce Crawl for paraphrasing Thomas Jefferson, if you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done. And I've never heard anything tricker because in every experience you approach, you have to do it actively. If you want to experience something new, you have to go out into the world and find it. You have to move forward. Go on that backpacking trip with your boys. Give your mom a heart attack and have her call search and rescue on you. Sorry, Mom. I didn't mean to scare you. Uh, if you want to start a relationship, get your junior year English teacher to help write a love letter to that one-of-a-kind girl across the street. Or maybe go out to McDonald's for lunch at school one day
025with some kids you hardly know. I'm definitely not being specific. And if you want to bet on yourself, go to the gym, read a book, study, pray, invest your time into things that matter, things that will benefit you. And as much as you may want to doom scroll, don't. Finally, I know I've talked about moving forward, taking that step, that risk, and turning back to your light. And now you may be saying to yourself, "That all sounds like a lovely sentiment, Connor, but it's not realistic." Or you might be thinking that moving forward, taking that step, taking that risk, and turning toward the light sounds completely exhausting. After all, we all have many other duties, responsibilities, and roles to fulfill in life. But remember, you don't have to do it alone. Don't be afraid to
026ask for help along your journey. I a man named Glmanson put it this way. You can only shop for so long before you need a shopping cart. And he went on to ask how many groceries you could hold without dropping any. And it makes me think of the stereotype that men absolutely hate using baskets or carts and instead will pile up and hold onto as many groceries as possible at the store. Like it's some sort of badge manhood. I myself am guilty, but it's not good. So, seriously, think about it. How many groceries could you realistically hold before you need a shopping cart? Three, four, maybe even six or seven. But no matter the amount, eventually you'll be standing there looking like a fool and need to go and grab a shopping cart. And as
027you continue shopping, with that newfound support, the amount of groceries you can carry will significantly increase. But he went on saying that of course this had nothing to do with grocery shopping, but rather how most of us walk through our life with our arms completely full. Every goal, every responsibility, every dream just stacked up in our hands telling ourselves this is what the grind looks like or this is what it takes to be great. But greatness takes more than our arms can hold. And eventually, if you keep stacking everything in your arms, you're going to drop something. Maybe that sign will be bread and you'll be fine. But maybe it'll be eggs, something that'll break, something you never wanted to lose, and now you have a big mess. But the people you admire and the
028people who made something great didn't get bigger and stronger hands. They grabbed a cart. They found support in a person, a place, a team, a friend, a church, and they stopped trying to do everything alone. And maybe you already have that support, but maybe you still need to find a shopping cart. So, please go out and get involved. Find that person, that team that gives you support. On my journey, when the road gets rough and miles get long and it feels hard to find the light, whether that's because of me worrying or my own doubt, I have turned to God. And nothing I have carried has ever been too heavy for him. And he has always been there for me. And knowing that there is someone who loves me regardless of what I do and
029someone that I will always be able to turn to in my journey that has made all the difference. And I think we could all agree that journeys are much better when we have companions. They keep us awake to life and the deeper things. They make us laugh. They give us directions. They sometimes even surprise you with an actually good playlist, however hard that is to believe. But life is difficult. So please go grab a car. We were never meant to do this alone. God bless. Love you all. [applause] >> [applause] >> Thank you, Connor. Our next speakers this afternoon are the student elected faculty speakers, the social studies teachers, Mr. Matthew Turner and Mrs. Carrie Yadawa. Mr. Turner is known for his crazy, fun-loving antics, which include collecting random change in the hallways of ERHS
030and wearing a pink bunny suit. Mrs. Yiddo is known for her playful humor and sassy wit. Please welcome the dynamic duo of Mr. Turner and Mrs. Udal. [cheering] [applause] >> Good evening graduates, families, colleagues, and distinguished guests. Today, finally recognize the awesomeness that is the co-teers of the year for not one, not two, not three, >> but four years running. [cheering] Oh, right. This is about you guys, not us. All right. Well, throughout your senior year, we talk a lot about the countdowns, the celebrations, the laughs. But as we, your teachers, prepare to have you pass before us this last final time, please know that we are feeling this moment too. That we uh are there for the hard days. We were there for the proud moments and all of the ordinary ones in between.
031As we are readying ourselves to let you go, hope you know that we are also feeling every bit of this goodbye as you. For now though, we have just a few words of wisdom as we conclude our time together. Today marks far more than the end of a chapter. It is the turning of a page in a story that only you can write. Didn't >> take long. Okay. Who had 30 seconds? >> Good job. >> Standing here as having been your teachers, we are realizing something strange. We have spent years witnessing you all grow into the young adults that sit before us. But it somehow feels like it happened overnight. One minute you were figuring out where your classrooms were, hurrying through the hallways with your pink drinks, overly flavored lattes, snacks in hand, carefully
032monitoring that they did not spill while flashing those amazing smiles at your teachers, just hoping that the accidental tardy gets overlooked. Each of you arrived into our classrooms with your own dreams, doubts, and potential. And over time, you have shaped yourselves into individuals sitting here in caps and gowns, ready to walk out into the world. As you stand on the edge of the unknown, remember that every meaningful journey in history began with uncertainty, courage, and decision to move forward despite fear. The future may not be clearly mapped, but what it is is yours. Just like the magnet outside our hall room, outside our classrooms say, "You have survived 100% of your bad days, change is not something to fear. It is something to embrace because it often leads you to where you are meant to
033be." Moments like this remind me of a line from the song Closing Time. Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end. Now, of course, that's not my favorite line from the song, but I was told to keep this PG. So, This is what happens. Graduation is exactly that. It is the end of the routine that you have known for the last four years. But it's also something bigger. And any of us can see that today. Though I talk about change, it is not something to fear. It does at time bring the fear out. It is something that we all encounter and it can help shape who you are and the decisions that you make. I of course still have a hard time embracing this change. There is a reason that I don't internet. Uh
034and I don't get a lot of the hip youth terms. But thanks to many of you and you youths, I learn right though if you do not embrace this change like me, you may miss out on something great like becoming the great co-eing tandem that we have become. Many times I just randomly break out in a song from any snippet of uh conversation or line from anywhere. But many of these keep bringing me back to the same thing. How many of these songs are about change? Whether it's Tupac, Bowie, Fleetwood, Dylan, or even a proud Swifty like myself, I know that she once said, "But I believe in whatever you do, and I'll do anything to see it through because these things will change. Throughout history, we have discussed many of these genres in music
035and examined the multip multitude of events in this great timeline continuum. We continue to arrive though at the same conclusion that one thing that actually never changes is change. From the teacher side of the desk, we have watched you change as you have learned far more than what was written. in the curriculum. Over the years, your education has gone far beyond textbooks, assignments, and tests. You have learned resilience when things did not go your way. You have discovered collaboration through friendships that for some have developed from the moments in your life when I was actually still taller than some of you. Or a shared interest, a laugh with a stranger in the classroom or in the hallways that flourished and grew into those relationships you want to commemorate and celebrate today. You grew as a
036teammate. Whether it was being forced to work on group projects with those in class you didn't lock eyes with, you know, your besties across the room when it was handed out or on the court, the field, the trails, the ice, even on the stage as you won together, lost together, and cheered each other's names. You have developed empathy by listening to perspectives different from your own. These lessons are not always measured by grades, but they are the ones that will matter the most as you navigate life. For life after today will not always follow a perfect plan, but we are reminded by Green Day that it's something unpredictable, but in the end, it's right. The twists and turns ahead will shape you in ways you can't imagine yet. Allow the lessons you have learned aid
037in guiding you. These lessons of course have come in many forms like when the internet goes down and you can't use chat or photo math or even canvas. But all of these helpful learning tools that are out there take something away and it's part of this journey. This journey is never ending and it will continue throughout your life. Look at me. I've been in high school for 28 years and still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. Sometimes these lessons take us in different directions. Sometimes these directions can turn into what we call brain spins or spirals. These spirals can tighten and consume us. Though math teachers, I might be incorrect. The other thing about spirals is they can widen and they can be left and or uh continuous joined or
038left at any time. This reminds me of a quote uh from the John Green book Turtles All the Way Down by Daisy. You pick your endings and you pick your beginnings. Maybe you don't get to pick the picture, but you get to pick the frame. And it's this frame that makes you stand out from the others. Anyone can go and buy the multiack stock boring donkey AI generated pictures and frames from the big box store, but that's just it. They're all the same. So when you go and you take this easy way out, you are losing that piece of individuality. Plus, you got to remember that we grew up in a time when technology tried to come back and eliminate the human race and toasters went on adventures. So, as Nikolai Tesla once said, I
039don't care that they stole my ideas. I care that they don't have any ideas of their own. And remember with this, to be original, to be yourself, and to be a leader. Some of you have a clear vision of what comes next. Whether that be college, careers, travel, or the service. Others may still be figuring things out. That's completely normal. Many of the most successful and fulfilled people we know discover their path by exploring, making mistakes, and staying curious. You don't need to have every answer today. What matters is your willingness to keep going, to trust yourself enough to take that first step and then another and then another. You may encounter failure along the way and it may feel discouraging, even overwhelming at times. But failure is not something to fear. It is something
040to learn from. Every successful person you admire has faced setbacks, rejection, and moments of doubt. Atlantis Morsette told us that you love, you cry, you lose, you grieve, you laugh, you choose, you pray, you live, you learn. Each mistake carries a lesson. Each setback holds insight. And each challenge strengthens your ability to persevere. And it is often the moments that intimidate us the most that bring those lessons into focus. The things that make us hesitate are usually the same things that push us to grow, to adapt, and to discover what we are truly capable of. Success isn't built on comfort or certainty. It is built on the willingness to step into the unknown, to learn when things go wrong, and to keep moving forward anyway. In that way, what unsettles us is not something to
041avoid. It is often the path that leads us exactly where we are meant to be. We want you now to take a moment and look around you today. These are the people who have shared this journey with you. The ones who studied beside you, supported you, created memories that will stay with you for years to come. The friendships, the connections that you have built here are not just part of your past. They are part of your future and your foundation. Years from now, when life gets busy and complicated, we hope that you still remember the people sitting here beside you, cheering for you, loving you, and supporting you today. Those memories and those connections are more valuable than you might realize right now. We want you to remember this. The world you're entering needs your
042ideas, your kindness, and your courage. As the great Dr. Seuss said, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better." It's not. Your now is not your forever. But go forward with curiosity. Go forward with courage. And wherever your life takes you, remember that this community will always be the place where your story began. So no, class of 2026, you are not spare parts. You are ready to continue your novel. So now class of 2026, are you ready? [cheering] See, it says right here, hopefully they respond. Okay, so let's try that again. Okay. No, really. Class of 2026, are you ready? [cheering] Good, cuz you're going you're going on a tremendous adventure called life. Have fun. Don't be dumb. And make these experiences unforettable. That's what you Oh, okay.
043Sorry. >> Class of 2026, >> Thank you. And congratulations to the class of 2026. Thank you. [applause] All right. Thank you, Mrs. Yidow and Mr. Turner. We will now welcome Eagle River High School Swing Choir under the direction of Miss Laura Beck for their performance of Go the Distance and Define Gravity arranged by Roger Emerson. I have dreamed of a far off place where a hero's welcome [singing] would be waiting for me where the crowds will cheer [singing] when they see my face [music] and a voice keeps saying [singing] [music] [singing] [music] [singing] to [music] It's time to inst >> [singing] [music] >> I can go [singing] every [singing] [music] distance I'll be right. where I belareves [singing] [singing and music] to those who ground me. Take a message back. >> [singing] >> I can
044[singing and music] go fly. [singing] [singing and music] So if you care to find [music] me, look to the western [singing] sky. Someone [music] told me lately [singing] [singing and music] it's time to [singing and music] go [singing] [music] I can go [singing] [music] till I find my welcome right [singing and music] where I belong. [music] [singing] where [singing] I belong. [singing] [applause] Class of 2026, we are moments away from our diplomas. The symbolic sheet of paper representing our countless hours of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The golden ticket to the next step in our lives. Here to accept our class and share a few words is our energetic and highly competitive Wacko contender, Principal Tim Helvy. [applause] >> Hang in there. We're getting close. Good evening graduates, families, friends, and the entire Eagle River
045High School community. Standing here today, I want to speak not as an educator, not as an administrator, but as something even more personal, from the lens of a proud parent. To the class of 2026, I've had the privilege of watching many of you grow up. I've seen you walk into the school as uncertain freshmen carrying backpacks that seem too big and dreams that may be felt too far away. And now here you are sitting before us as confident, capable, capable young adults ready to take on the world. Somewhere along the way, something remarkable happened. You learned more than just math formulas, essays, and lab reports. You learned how to persevere when things got difficult. You learned how to show up for your teammates, your classmates, and your friends. You learned how to fail, regroup, and
046try again. And perhaps most importantly, you learned who you are. As parents, we notice these things. We see the late nights studying, the early mornings, the stress, the laughter. the friendships and the growth. We see how you've become more independent, more thoughtful, and more resilient. And even if we don't always say it enough, we're incredibly proud of you. Each of you has your own story. Some of you balanced academics with athletics or the arts. Some of you worked jobs, supported your families, or overcame challenges that few people fully understand. Some of you discovered passions you didn't know that you had. And all of you, in your own way, made it to this moment. That matters. Today is not just about finishing high school. It's about everything it took to get here. And now you stand
047on the edge of what comes next. Some of you will head off to college. Some will enter the workforce. Some will serve in the military. And some are still figuring it out. And that's okay. Life is not a straight path. And there is no single definition of success. What matters is that you keep moving forward. Stay curious. Stay kind. Stay willing to take risks and learn from them. The world you are stepping into needs people like you. people who are thoughtful, determined, and ready to make a difference. I'm sure your parents I'm sure for your parents, it's hard to let go. They spent years guiding, supporting, and sometimes worrying about you. But today, that worry is replaced with something stronger. confidence in your confidence in who you've become, confidence in the values you carry, and
048confidence that you are ready. So, as you leave Eagle River High School, remember where you came from. Remember the people who supported you, and remember that no matter where life takes you, you will always have a community cheering you on. We're proud of you. We believe in you, and we cannot wait to see what you do next. Remember the people who supported you. That's probably the biggest one. Let's not forget the teachers and staff who helped you over the last four years. We also have a few teachers retiring this year, graduating with you, and getting ready for their next chapter in life. Let's give a big round of applause for our teachers and our staff. Needless to say, as an educator, principal, or as a parent, I'm truly proud of each and every one of
049you. Congratulations, class of 2026. Go forward and make your mark on the world. [applause] Will the members of the class of 2026 please rise? Dr. Bryant, the records of each student present have been examined and been found to have met the credit criteria for the graduation from the Anchorage School District. It is my honor to present to you the Eagle River High School class of 2020. On behalf of the Anchorage School District administration, it is my sincere pleasure to accept the class of 2026 of Eagle River High School. Board member Pat Higgins, may I present to you the class of 2026 of Eagle River High School. Thank you, Dr. Bryant. Um, it's my honor on behalf of the entire Anchor School Board to accept the 2026 graduating class, Eagle River High School. Congratulations, graduates. [applause]
050All right, class, you may be seated for roll call. Please follow the lead of your junior grad assistants. Thanks for [cheering] tonight. [applause] >> [cheering] [cheering] >> Natalie Grace Army [screaming] Omar Rosario Then follow [cheering] Alan Mayor [cheering] Sean Adams [cheering] Howard Addington [screaming] William Oliver Allison, Sophia, areola. [screaming] Hold it. Exhale. >> [cheering and applause] >> Jason Thomas Parker [cheering] Sterling Joy. James, [cheering] Natalie, Gabriella, Johnny, seal of literacy, French foreign exchange. >> [cheering] >> Russell Bell. >> [cheering] >> Robert Michael Jr. [cheering] Conor Michael Alexander [cheering and screaming] Cameron Alexander Charles Brazil [cheering] Riley Catherine Bridge NHS Marie Brooks by [screaming] Brook Marie. [cheering] Jacob Elson, [cheering] [screaming] >> Alexard, Zoe, Savannah Clark, Grace, [screaming] >> Noah Curry, [cheering] Olivia D. Rer [cheering] Magnus Henry Magnus >> [screaming] >> Aiden Russell Michael. Gabriel
051Jason >> Taylor Elizabeth Grace Shannon Rose [cheering] Grace Ever, Christopher, John, Charlotte, Bernice, Fairbanks, Ian, [cheering] Marie, [cheering] [screaming] >> Diego Flores, Magna Kumlad, ad rising yearbook editor. Alexander Lee Fulham [cheering] [applause] >> Armando Garcia, [screaming] [cheering] Addison Elizabeth Gogggins, [screaming] [cheering] Chloe Marie Grant, Houseman, Indigenous Education. Dominic Ogden Green, Riley Marie Green, Drew Richard Green, Hope Marie Hansen kumlad seal of bi literacy Spanish NHS Robbie Lynn Lucille Harbison Colton Michael Hagna Bailey Cassidy Quinn Hill, Satie Caroline, How Brooks Athetherton, Inch Michaela Lauren Jensen, Bo Jagger Johnson, Jason Michael Jones, Kumlad, Autumn Hope, Jordan. Joanna Yong Fontas, Seal of Biiteracy, German Foreign Exchange. Caitlyn Joy Keenan, Alaska Middle College, CNA. Charlie David Ketchum Jr. Indigenous Education. Mia Jordan King. Kumlad Ed Rising. Marlon Joshua Clauss. Seal of biiteracy German foreign exchange. McKenzie Star Knox. Seal
052of biiteracy Spanish. Aiden Seth Coun Magnaumlad NHS Denali Krueger CNA Alaska Middle College Molly Michelle Krypkowski, Isaac Michael Lagstrom, Cumlaude, Student Government. Anukica Rose Lane, seal of biiteracy, German, Caitlyn Marie Largo, Isogon, [screaming] Michael Dean Larson, Magna Cumlau, Adrien Lewis Legaro, seal by literacy, German. >> Ava Isabella Lee, yearbook editor. >> Jake Robert Leadford, Seal by Literacy, Spanish, Indigenous Education. Talon Brian William Lesley Isabelle Sky Lamaro Magnaumlad NHS Roman Samuel Wongan Lopez Cologne >> Sergio Enrique Lopez Cologne Suma cumla seal of bi literacy Spanish >> Cameron Jaden Lucas [cheering and screaming] Ava Joy Lucasic Magnaumlude veterinary assisting RTHs Nina Alexis Manini Sumakum laad NHS Ashley Anne Man Magnaum Laad Seal of Literacy Spanish NHS Joey Eric Marajani Paulo Dianisis Marin Sil Philibi literacy Spanish certified welder >> Miguel Angel Morero >> Jordan Antonio Martinez >>
053Adelaide and Masonr Sumakumlad, AFJOTC, NHS yearbook editor, >> Samuel Maxwell, >> Travis Race, McDermott, >> Elijah Cole, McKenna, Andre Gabriel Mado Diaz seal of bi literacy Spanish Marcus Robert Mirstein Magnaumla seal of literacy German Uberlin Miriam Meriel sealed by literacy French Spanish foreign exchange. That was close. It was close. It was close. Mariah Michelle Mickens. That's quite the little hat thing you have going on. Isabella Rose Mills. Cumla. about literacy French NHS Nathan Porter Mumblau >> Pat Monung >> Julio Daniel Morales Pollino Sumaumlad Seal of Biteracy Spanish. >> Cameron Lee Munlin, >> Gage Michael Mustain, >> Aiden Kathleen Napier, Linu Sumlad Alexia Paige Oakley cumlad seal of bi literacy German I got this Braden Du cuml Adriana Paduaru, seal of literacy, Spanish Italian foreign exchange. Crel Corp Paige >> Gabriella Emma Pelazini Sumaumlad NHS Peer
054Leadership >> Aiden Leland Patterson Atlas Lusator Payne seal of bi literacy German I wrote it that way. That's good. Helena Irene Peterson Magnaumlad. >> Okay. Daniel Scott Pilaski. [cheering and screaming] Michael Joseph Porter. >> Hazel Marie Powers. Cumlude, NHS Peer Leadership. >> I got this one. >> Samuel Isaac Reynolds. >> David Owen Riley Sumakumlad. Michael Roshi >> Sadie Elizabeth Ryan sir Salisbury Wilox Emmon Dawn Salsbury Wilcox like the songs >> I get that okay Kumba S Tudy S [screaming] Wyatt Patrick Sar Autumn Ruth C >> McKenzie Lynn Shelton Magnaumlad seal of literacy Tristanep >> Tristan Shepard >> Isabelle Chennowith Annayiah >> Nathan William Smith seal of biiteracy German >> Savannah an Snyder >> look at this Andrew Wesley Sowway cumlaude seal of bi literacy German Aiden Wyatt Sorenson peer leadership >> Braden Matthew Starky >>
055Bella Stillwell Nikolai Hazel Stores Cumla AFJ OTC >> Chloe Jean Dosta Sundita Poppy Nova Terry Nathan Allan Thomas, Indigenous Education. >> Reys an Thomas Cunningham Sophia Grace Trembbath Cumlad NHS Wyatt James Tucker Cumlad Simon, >> Simon Jans, Van Arsdale, Sumakum Laad, seal of biiteracy, German, >> Palmer, Dansby, Van, [screaming] >> Paul Wesley, Adrising yearbook. Milani Lee Wilcox, Magnaumlad, [cheering] >> Kristen Anthony Young Bloodood. [screaming] [cheering] That's true. >> [cheering] [cheering] [applause] >> All right. Before we conclude our ceremony, a note to the audience. First, thank you for attending the Eagle River High School class of 2026 graduation ceremony. Parents and family members, please do not come onto the floor once the ceremony ends. Graduates can be met outside of the arena for celebrations and photos. After the tassel turn, seniors, celebrate with your neighbors, but
056please stay in your seat. Graduation assistants will lead you, sorry, will lead our recessional and escort you out of the arena. Today marks the moment we've eagerly anticipated. Our hard work and dedication has finally paid off. Before you move on to your next adventure, like many of our other speakers tonight, I would like you all to take a minute, look around the arena, and reflect upon the family, friends, and staff who have helped you successfully arrive at this moment in your life. Now, it's time for tassels. Will our lovely stage crew please come join me. Okay. Senior class of 2026, please stand. >> It's okay. >> Let's go. >> ALL RIGHT. [screaming] >> [applause] >> SENIORS, please grab the tassels on your right to signify our transition from students to graduates. After you have tossed
057your caps, oops, sorry, guys. After you have tossed your caps, please remember to take your seats one last time before it's your turn to join the recessional and leave the floor. All right, by now we should have all grabbed it on the right. And on the count of three, we will move it to the left together. One, two, THREE. [cheering] [screaming] >> I'm sorry, babe. >> I dropped your hat for you. >> Are you sad? >> A little bit. Congratulations, class of 2026. Please be seated. as we will lead the recessional. You're welcome. >> [cheering] [cheering] >> I guess so. >> [cheering] [cheering] >> We're lost. >> [cheering] [cheering] >> Thank you. Um >> [cheering]