"Good evening, everyone — faculty, family, friends and, most importantly, the Class of 2026.
For those who don’t know me, I am Lily Marteney and have been a part of the Carrollton School District since kindergarten, growing up alongside the other graduates here today. I am honored to be speaking at today’s commencement and would like to begin by thanking all of the teachers, administrators, coaches and staff members who have assisted me and the other 2026 graduates in all of our accomplishments. Without you, none of this would be possible.
Personally, I would like to thank the many teachers who have been a part of my academic journey. Specifically, Mrs. Dodds, who has been a role model for me since the third grade and is a true example of the effects of hard work.
In addition, Mrs. Incerpi will always be a central part of high school in my eyes. For the past five years, I have spent countless hours in her room and have obtained a strong scientific background through all of her classes and hands-on programs. She is the reason I have a love for science and an intention to pursue a scientific career. I cannot thank her enough for putting up with me being in her room for hours every day, listening to all my complaints and being more than just a teacher to me.
Also, I couldn’t talk about Carrollton High School without thanking Mr. Eddy for all that he does for the students and staff within our school. He personally makes it a priority to know every single student, even taking time out of his day to wish each and every student a happy birthday.
However, even he has some pet peeves, including the arrangement of magnets on students’ lockers. Sophomore year, someone kept moving my locker magnets and I just kept moving them back, annoyed that someone was messing with my locker. A week later, I got an email from Mr. Eddy telling me to stop messing with the outside of my locker because the magnets needed to be in a straight line. So any underclassmen here today, my advice to you is to always ensure your locker magnets are in a perfect straight line.
It hasn’t only been teachers who have supported my academics. As many know, dance has been my life for years, since before I even started school. Everyone who has taught me or helped me over the years in dance has my greatest appreciation because without the lessons and work ethic I obtained, I wouldn’t be standing here today.
Misty, my coach for 12 years now, I owe you so much. Since freshman year, you’ve had valedictorian as a goal for me and have always believed in me and encouraged me no matter what the occasion was. You have been my biggest role model since Day 1, and you have no idea how important you are to me.
And thank you to my teammates. I am so proud of all of you, and thank you for always showing up and supporting me in every aspect of life.
Thank you to my friends who are there to help with everything and support me on the bad days.
Finally, I want to thank my family for all they have done and continue to do for me — attending long band concerts and snowy football games, waking up early for dance, putting up with my drama, and just being there to encourage me and support me in anything I could need.
The Class of 2026 is outstanding both academically and athletically, with many names on the 30-and-over ACT wall and eight students graduating with associate degrees as well. Athletically, the senior class has broken many longstanding records and many are continuing their careers at the collegiate level.
Although we may not realize it now, we are very lucky to have been brought up within Carrollton Schools. The community here is incredibly tight-knit and supportive, and the amount of scholarships graduates are receiving is a testament to that.
Even within school, especially this past year, the proximity and relationships formed through this small school are long-lasting, and our shared experiences have brought us closer together as a class.
Honestly, this class is extremely lucky. We are the first class to have attended the new school from sixth through 12th grade, and we spent the most awkward years of our lives — sixth and seventh grade — at home wearing masks in public.
In reality, it is unbelievable that we have all reached this point in our lives — that we are no longer awkward middle schoolers and tiny elementary kids reading Dr. Seuss and playing on swings.
Next year, the people we have grown up with will be living different lives, no longer in the same building or even the same town as one another. Best friends can become strangers, plans can change, and this will most likely be the last time we will all see one another face-to-face — unless everyone comes to the amazing reunions I know the class president will plan.
This looming uncertainty about what tomorrow and the future will bring is, I’m sure, hanging over almost all our heads — whether we are taking the right steps toward our future and whether we will be able to handle what the world holds for us.
Looking toward the future is scary and uncertain. It is at this moment I would like to reference the senior quote voted on by all of us: “If we wait until we’re ready, we’ll be waiting for the rest of our lives,” by Lemony Snicket.
The truth is, I don’t think any of us are really 100 percent ready for these next steps. Everyone has fears, doubts and worries about the future. Whether that is a career path, a college, a friendship or one of the many other uncertainties, no one exactly knows what is going to happen in the next year or the next decade.
What I do know is this: The Class of 2026 is filled with extremely hardworking individuals. In academics, sports and the workforce, there is talent all around our class.
So let us be present in the moment and, instead of dreading the future, let’s embrace it knowing we are prepared to take the next steps in our lives even though we may not necessarily feel ready.
After all, every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
Thank you."
