Confetti filled the air of the Tioga High School gym on June 4 as 73 Bulldogs celebrated becoming the school's most recent graduates.
The moment was the culmination of an evening celebrating the Class of 2026.
'The Class of 2025 would like to say that they are my favorites, but I have to admit tonight, 2026, you got it done,' THS Principal Keith Kirkland said.
The ceremony began with Superintendent Josh Ballinger, Kirkland and the Tioga school board trustees leading the procession of graduates into the gym.
Cambree Pelley, who was in the Top 10%, gave the welcome and invocation.
'I pray you help each of us to keep our faith strong as we begin the next chapter of our lives, and let us remember that you have a unique and precious plan for every single one of us,' she said.
She was followed at the microphone by Ella Guerra, who was also in the Top 10% and who led the crowd in the national anthem and pledges.
The class Salutatorian Chloe Hartman then shared her message, which focused on combatting the need for perfection in life.
'Perfect is simply about perspective,' she said. 'If you approach every moment in life expecting it to be your best, you'll always end up disappointed. Viewing life through the lens of constant optimization makes fulfillment impossible. Nothing can live up to an ideal of perfection.'
Hartman had her classmates laughing when she called out some of their imperfect moments together.
'It's little moments like these that make life so special,' she said.
Kirkland followed Hartman at the podium, and he had some good news for the Class of 2026.
'This group has truly grown on me,' Kirkland said. 'Ask them. They'll tell you just how much.'
He added that the Class of 2026 had become his favorite.
Kirkland also recounted some of the achievements of the graduating class, including that 30 of them earned their associate's degrees, that several of them won state and national awards, and more than 10 of them had signed to participate in special programs at college such as athletics or ag.
'I would like to say that's a pretty well-rounded group,' he said.
Kirkland announced that the students earned over $1.5 million in scholarships as a class.
He also shared some wisdom with his outgoing students.
'Continue to be champions in all that you do,' Kirkland said.
He listed the 'ships' to do that: ownership, leadership, friendship, hardship, sportsmanship and scholarship.
'Class of 2026, go do great things, and remember it's always a great day to be a Bulldog,' Kirkland said.
Valedictorian Amelia Strittmatter then addressed the crowd, encouraging her classmates to put themselves out there on their next stage in life.
'As we move forward, it's important to remember to get involved wherever possible, because love spent is never wasted,' Strittmatter said.
She also thanked their superintendent for all of his work to keep the school open.
'Our journey to walking across the stage tonight has not always been easy,' she said. 'We've all faced many ups and downs and times when the future seems uncertain, like the few times when our school almost shut down, yet here we are. Shout out to Mr. Ballinger for saving us.'
McKenley Clay, who was also in the Top 10%, invited her fellow graduates to grab the roses below their chairs to give to the influential people in their lives.
'As we set out on our new journeys and create our own paths in life, we know that we couldn't have made it this far without the support of our parents, siblings, families, friends, teachers and administration,' she said.
Faces throughout the gym lit up as the graduates clad in green made their way over, flowers in hand, to say thank you for the impact their loved ones have had on them.
Immediately following the rose ceremony, Ballinger made a quick comment.
'Amelia made mention of it in my name, but this is the ultimate team effort in Tioga, Texas,' he said of the TISD trustees. '... It's been an interesting three or four years, and we're certainly happy to be standing here again.'
He then proceeded to call the names of each graduate, including his own daughter, Emily Ballinger.
A couple of the graduates took a moment to hug their superintendent.
Hunter Cassell was the first.
A few minutes later, Kai Goree took the chance to hug and pick up Ballinger, eliciting chuckles from the crowd.
After Zander Zafar crossed the stage and collected his diploma holder, Greeley McAden, the student body president who was also in the Top 10%, spoke to the crowd.
'As we all go down our separate paths, we're thrown into a world that has been designed to divide us,' he said. 'We're separated by politics, religion, race, popularity, wealth, just to name a few.'
He suggested looking past differences.
'Every person you meet wants the same thing: to be seen, heard, valued and loved,' he said. '... As the Class of 2026, we have a choice. We can contribute to the division around us, or we can choose something better. We choose to see people as human beings before we see labels. ... And every human being is worth dignity, respect and compassion.'
The Class of 2026 sang their school song one last time as students before Kaysn Fritcher rounded out the ceremony with the benediction.
'We pray that you will fill our individual lives with so many blessings, opportunities and joy,' she said.
Kirkland and Ballinger then finished out the ceremony.
'Upon recommendation of Principal Kirkland, and by the authority vested in me by the state of Texas and the board of trustees, I hereby accept this certifi cation and declare these students officially graduated from Tioga High School,' Ballinger said.
With that, the caps and confetti flew.
