JACKSON — Members of Saxony Lutheran High School’s Class of 2026 were encouraged to trust God’s plan, embrace service and pursue lives of purpose during commencement exercises Sunday celebrating the graduation of 51 seniors.
Held inside the school gymnasium, the ceremony recognized the academic, athletic and spiritual accomplishments of Saxony’s 24th graduating class, a group school leaders said helped shape a period of growth and transition for the school.
Principal Mark Ruark told graduates the Class of 2026 leaves behind a lasting legacy after experiencing a number of milestones during its 4 years at Saxony, including the opening of Bennett Memorial Stadium and the agricultural science multipurpose building, the school’s first home varsity football game and the first girls volleyball Final Four appearance in program history.
“This class has experienced a tremendous amount of change and growth,” Ruark said. “You’ve helped shape what Saxony Lutheran High School looks like moving forward.”
The class selected the theme “Made for More Through Christ,” a message reflected throughout the ceremony as speakers encouraged graduates to pursue lives grounded in faith while remaining open to opportunities and challenges ahead.
Ruark highlighted the group’s academic success, noting 61 percent of graduates earned more than 600 total college credit hours while attending high school, with the average graduate completing 19.4 hours of college coursework before graduation.
According to school officials, nearly half the class completed at least a semester of college-level coursework, while 8 graduates earned more than 24 credit hours and 2 surpassed 40 hours before receiving their diplomas.
The graduating class also earned nearly $1.8 million in scholarships, with 76 percent of seniors receiving financial awards to continue their education.
Ruark said 86 percent of graduates plan to attend colleges, universities or technical schools across 7 states, while several graduates plan to immediately enter the workforce and 1 graduate intends to serve in the United States Air Force.
Among the class’s top academic honors was senior Mark Richey, who earned recognition as a Missouri Top 100 Scholar and received a perfect ACT score of 36 — becoming just the 2nd student in Saxony Lutheran history to achieve the feat.
Richey also earned recognition through the National Rural and Small Town Recognition Program and was named a Commended National Merit Scholar.
Graduates receiving **summa cum laude** honors were recognized for maintaining exceptional academic achievement throughout high school, while **magna cum laude** and **cum laude** distinctions honored additional students for strong academic performance.
School officials also recognized student leadership, athletic accomplishments and extracurricular involvement, noting the class played major roles in several of Saxony’s successful athletic programs over the last 4 years.
Senior speaker Allee McKee reflected on the journey classmates shared and encouraged fellow graduates to trust that God has a purpose for each of their lives, even when the future may seem uncertain.
“The Class of 2026 is full of different stories and backgrounds, but we all have the fact that we were made for more in common,” McKee said. “Even if God hasn’t made it clear to us yet.”
McKee shared personal reflections about helping save her twin brother’s life through a bone marrow transplant, describing the experience as a defining moment that taught her about resilience, sacrifice and faith.
She told classmates they should never underestimate their abilities or limit themselves as they move into the next stage of life.
“I want you all to know that you are capable of more than you think you are,” McKee said. “Now is not the time to settle. It’s time to take what we spent 4 years learning and apply it to the real world.”
Commencement speaker Amy Birk, a longtime Saxony faculty member and coach, challenged graduates to carry forward lessons learned during high school and continue serving others.
Using the acronym “HUGS,” Birk encouraged students to remain **happy**, seek **understanding**, show **gratitude** and live lives of **service**.
Birk said success should not only be measured through achievements or careers, but also through relationships and a willingness to help others.
“Go out there and continue to serve using the gifts that God gave you,” Birk said. “Don’t always expect something in return.”
The Class of 2026 also presented a senior class gift of picnic tables to be placed outside the agriculture and science building, providing additional seating during athletic contests, school events and student activities.
Senior class vice president Walter Meyer said the class hoped the gift would leave a practical and meaningful contribution to the school community.
Following remarks and the presentation of diplomas, graduates participated in the traditional turning of the tassels, symbolizing the completion of their high school careers and the beginning of a new chapter.
Graduates were: Jaron Anderson, Tegan Barnett, Ariel Barr, Lauren Birk, Steven Blackard, Clara Bledsoe, Hope Bockelman, Ava Brown, Alex Buerck, Casey Call, Anastasia Cunningham, Caitlyn Cutler, Na’Shaun Davis, Sophie DeBrower, Gabriel Ellet, Korby Engert, Evie Ford, Beau Gilliland, Madelyn Head, Weston Jeter, Zoe Kester, Madison Landgraf, Ryleigh Manche, Maksim Mayhew, Matthew McKee, Allee McKee, Truman McMullin, Walter Meyer, Carsten Millstead, Jack Ozark, Jonathan Palmer, Noah Perr, Layton Ponder, Reagan Ponder, Hannah Pruitt, Tali Renshaw, Alex Rhodes, Mark Richey, Cole Roth, Lexis Schilling, Seth Stageberg, Christopher Steffens, Lyndsi Terrell, Blake Tomlinson, Brock Tomlinson, Ashlynn Ward, Audrey Welker, Baylor Wilson, Bridget Wilson, Cara Winningham and Brayden Zoellner.
