Thankfulness and gratitude ruled the night
Pierce County High School’s Class of 2026 held its graduation ceremony Friday night in bright sunshine and pleasant weather.
For the second year in a row, the school calendar put the commencement ceremony a week earlier than most surrounding school systems — and prior to the official end of Pierce County’s school year, yesterday, May 19.
The 209 members of the class received their diplomas Friday night before an overflow crowd at Bear Stadium.
The theme for the night was thanksgiving and gratitude — to parents, family, teachers and to fellow classmates and the speakers at the ceremony prominently featured the Scriptures.
In her Valedictorian address, Belle Sinclair gave thanks to everyone present.
“To the friends, family, faculty, and strangers alike coming together tonight to celebrate myself and my fellow graduates, thank you for your continuous support – not only tonight, but throughout the years of schooling that have led us all here. We would not be on this field tonight without you all. To my classmates, thank you for all of the wonderful memories I leave here with,” she said.
Sinclair recounted the challenges the class had endured throughout school, but also said that what would remain with each member would be something far greater.
“It is not the endless assignments and exams that we will take with us from this era of our lives; it will be our friendships and our memories of how fun it was to spend five days a week with a class full of friends,” she said.
She encouraged her classmates as they enter the world to be willing to “laugh it off”.
“There is triumph rooted in one’s ability to appreciate every card dealt to them, good or bad,” she said, quoting Romans 5:3-5. “In times of hardship, I encourage us all to remember this sentiment, to work through struggles by seeking joy.”
She also reminded her classmates of the importance of the education they have received.
“To quote, in my opinion, one of the best teachers of Pierce County, Mrs. Amy Day, “Education is freedom.” Whether your education “ends” here as you enter the workforce and begin building the foundation of a new life for yourself, or you choose to continue for another two, four, (or more) years– remember that life is full of lessons to be learned...Be open to the lessons to be learned from the world around you and remember that knowledge is power.”
Quoting Jeremiah 29:11, Sinclair reminded her classmates that God has a perfect plan for all of them.
“...His perfect plan for you is already set in place, and you will end up where you were always meant to be, in His perfect timing.”
In conclusion, she circled back to gratitude thanking God and her parents, Chris and Amanda, and her sister Bayleigh, and her fellow seniors, schoolmates and teammates.
“I know some of you were waiting for this, so– to quote Taylor Swift, “I had the time of my life with you.” Thank you for walking by my side through this part of life. I am grateful for you all,” she said.
For the second year in a row, a Sergent gave the salutatorian address.
Jasmine Sergent thanked her brother, Walker, last year’s salutatorian for believing in her.
“To Walker: I didn’t forget,” she said. “...(L)ast year, Walker included me in his speech and afterwards told me that he better be in mine when I give a speech at graduation. I told him that I would if I get to give a speech, because at the time I didn’t know if I was gonna be the salutatorian. Walker didn’t seem to have any doubts though, and here I am. He believed in me even when I didn’t have the same confidence in myself.”
Sergent spent the first portion of her address thanking her parents, David and Celesta, and her sisters, Kayla and Emma, for their unwavering support throughout her life.
The remainder of the address featured a presentation of the Gospel.
She gave five points during her remarks and concluded by giving God praise, glory and honor for all the blessings of the past on the Class of 2026.
A summary of Sergent’s points included test taking is not all there is to intelligence, being consistent over time, never stop learning, give God glory (G3) and finally “Jesus loves you.”
Quoting Psalms 139:1314, Sergent pointed out the universe God created is marvelous and He formed each individual person in it for a specific purpose.
“Everything is so complex and precise that there’s no way it’s by chance — it has to be designed. And God designed you just the way He wanted to and made you for a purpose. God does not make garbage, and He does not make mistakes. Don’t insult God’s creation, and don’t insult who God loves. God knows you better than you know you, and He loves you.”
Quoting John 3:16 Sergent encouraged her classmates to accept the love of God.
“Don’t reject that (love). That is how we got in this mess in the first place. Jesus loves you and wants you to know Him and have life more abundant. Turn away from your sin and turn to Jesus. Repent, believe in Him, and be saved,” she said.
During the ceremony, the senior class sang their class song together “ Take on the World” by Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter from the television series Girl Meets World.
The senior ensemble sang “Don’t You Ever Grow Up” by Taylor Swift, dedicated to the parents of the graduating class. Members of the ensemble included: Addie Brown, Briley Harris, Lily Hays, Abagail Hicks, Adrianna Howard, Samarious Joyce, Mattie Lee, Riley Martinez, Kymber Minchew, Saharah Minott, Madisyn Moore, Jacey Ryals and Hallie Thomas.
To open the graduation exercises, Lana Harto gave the welcome, followed by Reegan Smith leading the pledge to the flag.
Kallye Gay gave the inspiration.
Reminiscing about the class of 2026’s high school years, including the experience of a snow storm and the long power outages during Hurricane Helene, Gay said the class learned something.
'I’m going to quote Taylor Swift who said ‘The lesson I've learned the most often in life is that you don't always know what's coming.'
She encouraged her classmates to keep learning, keep growing and keep moving forward.
After the valedictory address, Carley Sloan offered a special recognition.
Sloan gave thanks to all those who helped the Class of 2026 along the way including the superintendent, school board, administration, teachers, custodial staff, parents, family, friends and “their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
“I encourage all of you to trust in His plan,” she said.
Senior class advisor Rebecca Baldree and Audio/Visual Technology Instructor John DuPont presented the Class of 2026, while DuPont announced the name of each graduate. Superintendent Dara Bennett and Principal Dr. Brandi Todd presented diplomas to the seniors. It was Dr. Todd’s first graduation ceremony as principal at the high school.
Grayson Rodgers offered the benediction.
The traditional cap toss followed and the class of 2026 left the field as alumni of Pierce County High School.
