Overflow crowd attends CHS Class of 2026 commencement exercises

An estimated 1,700 attended Carrollton High School’s 144th commencement exercises held May 22 in the high school gymnasium.

The overflow crowd included the 153 graduates of the Class of 2026, along with their families and friends, including those who watched the ceremony via video in the high school Performing Arts Center, Principal Jason Eddy said.

The program included a welcome by Superintendent David Davis, followed by the processional of graduates and singing of the national anthem and CHS alma mater led by the CHS Chamber Chorus.

Addresses were given by class valedictorian Lily Marteney and class salutatorian Anthony Girdlestone, which are published elsewhere.

The graduation ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas announced by Eddy and presented by Davis and members of the Board of Education.

Superintendent’s remarks

“Good evening. I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight to celebrate our amazing graduates. To the Class of 2026 — this is it. This is the day you’ve been working toward since your first day of kindergarten back in August 2013.

“Graduation isn’t just about the diplomas you’ll receive or the caps you’ll toss; it’s about the incredible potential you are carrying out into the world. If you’re feeling a mix of pure excitement and sheer terror right now, you’re probably doing it right.

“Graduation is one of those rare ‘threshold moments’ in life where you leave behind everything familiar to chase everything possible. I think it’s fitting that high school ends with an event called ‘commencement,’ which Webster defines as ‘the act of beginning.’ You stand at the starting line of a future that is entirely yours to write.

“I’d like to leave you with a few thoughts as you prepare to begin the next chapter of your lives.

“First: Don’t ever forget that you are a Carrollton Warrior. No matter what your future holds, the foundation for your life was built here on solid ground. You are lucky to have the family, friends, teachers and community members that have been with you … and their influence will help you in the future.

“Next: I won’t pass up my last chance to ask that you always find ways to ‘pay forward’ in your life. Emerson tells us we must pay forward because we can so seldom pay back. All of the people that helped get you to the seat you’re sitting in right now deserve to be honored by the actions you will take in the future. If you live by the principle of paying forward, you will be rewarded in more ways than you can imagine.

“Finally: I wish this statement wasn’t true — but it is: Life isn’t fair. You can’t control the cards that life deals you, but you can control how you play them. And one of the best ways you can play those cards is to enjoy life. Every day you wake up is a gift — cherish it! Psalms 118:24 says, ‘This is the day the Lord has made — we will rejoice and be glad in it!’ If you can do that — if we could all do that — our bad days won’t seem so bad and our good days will be even more amazing.

“Graduates: On behalf of the Board of Education, faculty and staff of Carrollton Schools, I congratulate you; I wish you good luck in your future endeavors; and I pray for God’s blessing on each and every one of you. You are all Warriors … Prepared for the Game of Life.”

Principal’s honors

Highlighting some statistics about the Class of 2026, Eddy said:

— 153 students graduated in the Class of 2026, bringing the total number of Carrollton High School graduates since 1879 to 16,180.

— Forty-seven students earned honors diplomas and 10 students earned career-tech honors diplomas; nine were graduates with distinction; five students earned an associate of arts degree, one student earned an associate of science degree, and two students earned both an associate of arts degree and an associate of science degree; and 44 students are members of the National Honor Society or National Technical Honor Society.

“I would also like to thank the Carroll County community for its generous support of our graduates. This year, our students received local scholarships worth a grand total of $247,887. Thank you for that incredible investment in our students.

“Next, I would like to recognize a special young man — Branden Marshall.

“The student standing before you is carrying on the long Carrollton tradition of service as he has enlisted in the Armed Forces and will be reporting to his duty assignment soon after graduation.

“We commend you and thank you for this act of sacrifice for your school, for your community, and for the greatest country in the world … the United States of America.”