Hiland graduates defined by grit and determination

On Sunday, May 17 at the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center at Hiland High School, the newest members of Hiland graduates spent their final moments as classmates relishing the past dozen years together during the 2026 Hiland High School graduation ceremony.

During her invocation to begin the ceremony following the opening processional, senior Savannah Holley thanked the staff and community for helping the class create so many wonderful memories and adventures during their time at school.

“We’re thankful to the teachers who have spent the last 13 years educating us, our principals who have run our school, our officers who protect us and the cooks who’ve fed us,” Holley said.

She ended by thanking God for friends and family who have played key roles in helping each student grow and blossom.

Following the Varsity Singers’ presentation of the school’s alma mater, senior Max Jones welcomed those in attendance and said this is a day for which this group has waited for a long time.

Jones spoke of the class’ accomplishments in the athletic realm and in music, academics and life.

“Just looking at what this class has accomplished over the last four years, we can imagine what we will do throughout life,” Jones said.

The Hiland Concert Band performed “How To Train Your Dragon” before valedictorian Perrin Miller spoke about the many sacrifices so many people gave to get these seniors to where they are today and presented his take on what the past was and what the future may bring.

He chose to define the Class of 2026 with one word, “competitive.”

“What is it that gives us our competitive edge?” Miller said. “When there’s 30 seconds left in the state championship and we’re down two possessions, when there’s a huge project due the next day and you’ve got to stay up all hours of the night to get it done, when you stay until all hours of the night the week before the play — what is it that makes Hiland different? It’s our grit. We simply want it more, whether it's sports or academically.

“It’s showing up when things aren’t easy. It’s showing up when no one is watching. It’s staying disciplined when it would be easier not to. We’ve built that grit over time.”

He said the class learned grit through the pandemic years. He said it came into play when balancing schoolwork with athletics, jobs and relationships during high school.

“We learned how to keep going even when it wasn’t convenient,” Miller said. “Through all of it, we didn’t just go through the motions. We developed resilience, discipline and pride. And every success we’ve had is rooted in the people who have supported us along the way.”

Miller said if there is one thing the Class of 2026 has proven at Hiland it's they can handle anything that comes their way, noting they have lived through it, embraced it and grown because of the challenges.

He then challenged his classmates — whether they were going on to college, entering the work world, taking a gap year or traveling — with one final thought.

“I challenge you to stay competitive but don’t lose sight of those around you,” Miller said. “Be diligent and strive for more but stay grounded. Chase success but don’t let it change who you are. Most of all, don’t forget where you came from. We should be proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

The Varsity Singers presented “Rainbow Connection” before Principal Tyler Renner recognized East Holmes Schools staff members and talked about this class’ many successes across the board.

He said they grew as leaders and used their individual and group talents to make the school better.

“The skills that made you successful at Hiland will transfer to the next phase of your life. You just need to recognize how and when to use them,” Renner said.

He said while he continually heard about how students couldn’t wait to move on in their lives from this stage, something quite unique occurred over the final two weeks of the school year.

He said there was a renewed closeness that developed among the classmates, something he said was special.

“For some of you, it felt like you were trying to hold onto the pieces of something that you spent four years wishing away,” Renner said. “So let this be your final lesson in life. Don’t wish your life away. Life has a way of convincing you that happiness is always somewhere else. But if you spend all your time waiting for the next chapter, you miss the value in the place you’re currently in. Learn to appreciate where you are. Be grateful for the ordinary moments because some of the best days of our lives won’t feel special until they’ve already passed.”

Prior to the presentation of diplomas and the seniors’ final walk out of the Reese Center, East Holmes Schools Superintendent Erik Beun encouraged the students.

Beun praised the many people who have walked alongside each senior graduate, raising them, nurturing them and teaching them.

He then addressed the seniors, noting this day is a transition into an adult life.

“Our community and our world need adults,” Beun said, “not simply older people, not people who have everything figured out, not perfect people. The world needs adults who are dependable, who keep their word, who show up, who care about others, who take responsibility and who stay steady when things get difficult.”

He said strong families, communities, churches and businesses don’t happen by accident; they take place because they are built by ordinary people consistently doing the right things and caring for things more than themselves.

He said these graduates are those people who will drive those things forward. He ended by saying the world today has many people satisfied with sitting on the sidelines while criticizing and complaining.

He encouraged the graduates to take the things they’ve learned from family, friends, teammates, church, teachers and community and build a meaningful life that blesses future generations.