Harrison Central graduates 126 students

Harrison Central High School graduates received their diplomas May 29 and began their next adventures.

The Class of 2026 included 126 graduates. Six plan to enter the military.

The ceremony opened with the Harrison Central Select Choir performing the national anthem, followed by Senior Class Secretary Hunter Fulton leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Superintendent Duran Morgan welcomed the crowd.

The Select Choir then sang “The Call” before Assistant Principal Todd Dunlap introduced valedictorian Braden “Brady” Moss, the son of Julie and Woody Moss. Moss plans to attend The Ohio State University to study chemical engineering. He had a 4.51 GPA.

Moss addressed his classmates, expressing gratitude to family members and others who supported and encouraged him.

Quoting Theodore Roosevelt, Moss said, “Believe you can and you are halfway there.”

“To achieve any goal, you first have to believe in yourself,” Moss said. “You can have the support of every single person in this room, but if you do not believe in yourself, you will not succeed in what you set out to do.”

After encouraging his classmates to go beyond their comfort zones, Moss quoted Mark Twain: “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness.”

“You truly do not know what is out there until you experience it for yourself,” Moss said. “Don’t let yourself be limited by fear of the unknown.”

The Harrison Central Symphonic Band, under the direction of Angela Zalenski, then performed “Choose Joy.”

Assistant Principal Nick Yourkovich introduced salutatorian Jaiden Pelegreen, the daughter of Michael and Shannon Pelegreen. Pelegreen plans to attend The Ohio State University to study economics and later attend law school. She had a 4.48 GPA.

Pelegreen expressed appreciation to her family and encouraged her classmates.

“But the beautiful thing about life is that from this point forward, you get to choose exactly what you want to do and exactly what you want to be,” Pelegreen said. “So don’t be afraid of your dreams, chase them, relentlessly. Be inspired by the fear of being average and make the most of every opportunity because you never know which one could change everything. I hope you all hold onto one message above all else, as we enter this next chapter of our lives, facing change is inevitable but growth is a choice.”

Principal Ken Parker then presented the Class of 2026 for diplomas. Senior Class President Aubree Hodkinson announced the class.

The Harrison Central alma mater was sung by the Select Choir, accompanied by the Symphonic Band, with audience participation encouraged. The Harrison Central fight song was performed to conclude the ceremony.