Perryville High School celebrated the class of 2026 Friday evening at the Perry Park Center, awarding diplomas to 156 students who completed their courses of study over the last year.
PHS Principal Shadrick Shafer served as the event’s emcee, leading the Pledge of Allegiance and providing introductions of the speakers. Senior Class President Ava Ernst gave the welcome address followed by a special performance of “Landslide” by the PHS Chamber Choir.
Waylon Huber was chosen by the Class of 2026 to provide the senior address. Huber acknowledged that his class shares a unique bond, forged in large part by the devastating tornado that struck the campus just over a year ago. Instead of letting the tragedy define them, Huber noted that the disaster revealed the true character of the student body and school staff.
“The way our students and staff responded - showing up, adapting, and simply finding ways to make it work - was nothing short of inspiring,” Huber said. “The heart, desire, and willingness to overcome was so prevalent every day that we stepped into our school. Whether we realized it at the time or not, we learned how to push through uncomfortable situations, unexpected challenges, and moments that tested us.
“Life is always going to throw obstacles our way. Challenges are unavoidable. But our class has already proven that we know how to adapt, persevere, and continue to move forward. Tonight I challenge you to keep facing those challenges head on. Because growth and success are almost always found on the other side of discomfort.”
Huber also challenged his classmates to be true to themselves as they move forward into the next chapter of their lives.
“Whether your future involves becoming a teacher, a nurse, an entrepreneur, serving in the Military, raising a family, or something completely different, don’t let other people decide what your life is supposed to look like,” Huber said. “Find something you genuinely care about and pursue it fully.”
Before concluding, Huber shifted the spotlight away from the stage and onto the crowded stands, reminding the graduates that success is never a solo achievement. He urged his peers to actively thank the parents, guardians, and educators who sacrificed for them along the way.
“None of us can do life entirely on our own. That’s why it is so important to appreciate your support system,” Huber said. “Make sure the people who love and support you know how much they matter.”
The class of 2026 selected PHS communication arts teacher Hunter Hendricks to give the commencement address. Hendricks focused his address on his senior yearbook quote, which he borrowed from a trading card game — “Those who know only one path to victory can never hope to triumph.”
“To know any path to victory is to be prepared,” Hendricks said. “Thus, to know only one path is to be unprepared for failure and how to manage it.”
Hendricks warned against having an emotional response to hardship and encouraged the graduating class to focus on what they can control when the going gets tough.
“Your anger and frustration with disappointment is natural, but expressing it will only make things marginally better,” Hendricks said. “Learning to channel your aggravation into motivation is the cornerstone of finding more than one way to achieve your goals. It starts with self control and recognition of what you can and cannot command.”
Hendricks encouraged the class of 2026 not to have tunnel vision, but to be open to pivoting when they run into obstacles in their lives.
“New paths don’t discover themselves. Someone has to take the initiative to walk down them the first time. Why shouldn’t it be you?” Hendricks said. “You’ll never know what you can do if you don’t try. One path to victory might still lead to a measure of achievement, but another might lead you all the way to triumph.”
Hendricks closed by cautioning the graduates against measuring their own success against others.
“Success is not exclusive. That others are doing well does not invalidate your own attempt at doing so,” Hendricks said. “Life is not a contest and there is little to be gained from treating it like one.”
PHS Assistant Principals Justin Dreyer and Lisa Martin introduced the graduates as they received diplomas from members of the District 32 Board of Education. Following the presentation of diplomas, the procession joined the Chamber Choir in singing the PHS Alma Mater before the graduates threw their caps in celebration to close the ceremony.
The class of 2026 graduates are: Ahmad Al Helo, Lydia Armstrong, Katie Baggett, Cora Barber, Treyton Barnett, Abigayle Barton, Kade Baudendistel, Clayton Bauwens, Kaden Beauchamp, Reese Behrle, Ashli Berkheimer, Olivia Bierk, Bryan Bohnert, Samantha Bohnert, Caleb Bohnsack, Drew Boland, Eloise Bollinger, Maddison Brink, Micah Brown, Alyssa Bryant, Noah Buchheit, Allyson Burns, Owen Caddell, Lilleigh Cairns, Adrianette Calderon, Aiden Chadwick, Kelly Chavez, Jeremiah Clewis, Payton Coalson, Dallan Cornelius, Parker Cornelius, Lucie Courtois, Allison Cowell, Chloe Cox, Iziah Cox, Jesse Cox, Kylee Daniels, Addyson K Deckerd, Jillian Denninger, Robert Dickerson, Jossalynn Doll, Ava Ernst, Preston Etheridge, Autumn Evans, Emma Fetterhoff, Denashia Fisher, Samara Francis, Lucas Fritsche, Joshua Geringer, Kasey Gowen, Alexa Hagan, Brodie Hall, Riley Hansen, Chloe Haupt, Alex Hayden, Bradey Heberlie, Camryn Heim, Connor Henderson, Abigail Hoff, Kara Hotop, Ben Huber, Brooklynn Huber, Waylon Huber, Makayla Iffert, Olivia Iffert, Bobby Jenkins, Corbin Jenkins, Brayden Klassen, Logan Krauss, Macy Kueker, Cameron Layton, Jake Layton, Connie Lee, Drew Leuckel, Hayden Lindsey, Lillianna Linhorst, Norah Lohmann, Owen Lorenzo, Jesalyn Louveau, Kayd Luckey, Jackson Lukefahr, Javier Luna Lopez, Aubrey Marr-French, Derek Martin, Malachi Martinez, Tristian McClellan, Christopher McMahan, Sergio Mendoza, Adrianna Messer, Abby Meyer, Hailey Minchew, Evelyn Mote-Fabian, Colby Myers, Chase Neal, Mayu Nishikawa, Lincoln Nortin, Dariel Ocasio Ortiz, Jace Oster, Josiah Paisley, Nevaeh Parker, Dominick Paul, Jaygen Paulus, McKenzie Pecaut, Alyson Peeler, Wesley Pfaff, Logan Pingel, Rodney Rauh, Joshlyn Rhoden, Madyson Richardet, Hannah Rittenberg, Alanna Robinson, Josephine Robinson, Layne Roderique, Cole Rodewald, Brandon Roth, Taylor Runge, Hunter Sanders, Clinton Sattler, Vincent Schaaf, Brody Schamburg, Riley Schemel, Karston Schilli, Lydia Schlimpert, Wyatt Schremp, Jocelyn Schweiss, Caydon Skidmore, Marcas D Smith, Caitlin Stanley, Gabriel Steele, Brian Stortz, Dexter Strattman, Gideon Stueve, Brandon Sutterer, Adalynn Thieret, Chia Tiampong, Ethan Timmer, Estela Torres, Gretchen Triller, Ayden Turbyville, Denver Valenzuela, Sierra R Vickers, Joshua Wagner, Nicholas Weibrecht, Dalanie Weinkein, LeeAnn Weinkein, Aiden Wendel, Barrett Wheeler, Colbie Whitaker, Brynn Wibbenmeyer, Lucy Wibbenmeyer, Lane Wilson, Dakota Worley, Nicholas Wortmann, Brayden Wright, Lucas Wright, and Landon Zahner.
