124 Graduate from LHS
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In front of a packed gym of well-wishers, the La Grange High School grads throw their caps skyward at the conclusion of Thursday’s ceremony. Photo by Jeff Wick -
LHS seniors walked through the Elementary Wednesday, as younger students cheered. Photo by Meadow Taylor-Marklin -
Thursday’s featured speaker was Dr. Finnie Coleman, a professor at the University of New Mexico and a former Army Intelligence Officer.
After 13 long years of school, there was one final test for the La Grange High School Class of 2026.
A test of flexibility. For the first time in 10 years, the LHS graduation was moved from Leopard Stadium to inside Lep Gym because of the weather Thursday night. An approaching line of thunderstorms forced the move just about 30 minutes before the start time off the 8 p.m. ceremony. Graduates were limited to six attendee tickets for family to watch the inside ceremony, leaving some families scrambling to make decisions, but a live-stream of the ceremony was shown in the school’s Performing Arts Center for extra guests.
The high school band played the graduates into the gym.
School Board member Calvin Mersiovsky gave the opening prayer. Senior Grayson Owens gave the opening remarks, followed by Oliver Gunn, who led the crowd in the pledges and school song.
Salutatorian Anthony Anzaldua gave the Welcome, urging his fellow graduates to “turn mistakes into momentum.”
After the honor students were announced, the night’s featured speaker took the podium – Dr. Finnie Coleman, a professor at the University of New Mexico and a former Army Intelligence Officer during the Persian Gulf War.
Coleman reminded the graduates “you sit here because of the sacrifices of people you will never meet, sacrifices your parents will never tell you about.”
He urged the grads to live lives worthy of those sacrifices.
Valedictorian Eleanor Carey gave the Farewell address, urging her fellow graduates to think of their lives ahead as more of a cross country race than a sprint – “relish the journey ... this is the good stuff, happening right now.”
Then High School Principal, Dr. John Pineda, announced all 124 graduates, and each came forward to get their diploma. Senior Kaedyn Otto gave the Closing Remarks, telling her fellow grads, “one day I hope you realize how lucky you are to be raised here.”
Then the new graduates threw their caps skyward, and basked in the waves of folks that were quickly coming down from the bleachers to congratulate them.