Hundreds of graduates walked across the stage this month throughout San Juan County as several school districts held graduation ceremonies, sending the Class of 2026 to their futures.
The graduates are a part of cohort that entered high school in the fall of 2022 and witnessed events over the next four years including the Artemis II lunar flyby, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the end of the COVID-19 pandemic era.
Locally, notable accomplishments were touted by administrators including the Kirtland Central High School Lady Broncos 22nd state champion title and the 2025-2026 5A Team Title won by the Farmington High School girls tennis team.
Several languages were spoken by students at each graduation ceremony as they delivered welcome addresses, invocations and the Pledge of Allegiance.
Honor graduates, dual credit and associate degree recipients, and those who earned the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism had a moment of recognition at the ceremonies.
A theme of accomplishment and support was found in throughout the speeches given by valedictorian, salutatorian and guest speakers.
In the Farmington Municipal Schools District, 386 graduates took the field at Hutchison Stadium on Monday night as students led the ceremony for Farmington High School.
Ethan Hilton, salutatorian, began his speech taking note of the accomplishments that show how humans are meant to explore.
“For years we’ve been working hard to graduate,” said Hilton. “Staying up late, studying, stressing over exams, sometimes failing those exams but always learning from those failures and always pushing forward.”
Hilton said he will enter the Air Force Academy next month and said the Constitution of the United States and the futures of the graduates are similar in that they will need to work together toward an idea or goal.
Miquelyn Allred, valedictorian, spoke about the future and the uncertainty around it. Allred used quotes and biblical scripture to speak on the journey that graduates were about to take after that night.
“As you go through life look for the little things,” she said. “Things that can turn a bad day into one you’ll always remember because you slowed down and noticed the small moments and precious things along the way.”
Principal Rocky Torres recognized 88 dual credit students earning 12 college credits, 18 students that earned an associate degree or certificate, and six students who completed the health science program.
Also recognized were the 21 honor graduates, 18 graduates who are candidates for the Chief Manuelito Scholarship and the 11 graduates who enlisted in the military.
On Tuesday night, 332 graduates of Piedra Vista High School made their way into Hutchison Stadium for a similar student-led program that featured speeches by the salutatorian and valedictorian.
Colette Reyes, salutatorian, also delivered a speech that focused on the support and quotes from musical artist Drake, “Sometimes it’s the journey that teaches you a lot about your destination.”
Zoe Aimee Thompson, valedictorian, used a lyric from the song, “Man in the Mirror,” by Michael Jackson, to remind graduates of the role they play in shaping humanity.
“When we wake up and look in the mirror, we must remember what we see,” she said. “We have to remember our weaknesses and expand on our strengths. Despite us graduating high school, we are not done learning.”
Principal Kelly Thur recognized the 15 graduates that earned the New Mexico State Seal of Bilingualism, 74 dual credit students earning 12 college credits, four students who hold an associates degree and four early graduates.
The program for Aztec High School on Wednesday night featured 126 graduates and several student speakers at Fred Cook Stadium.
Kamryn Magee, senior class president, and Autumn Villanueva, senior class vice president, welcomed guests and gave words of encouragement to graduates.
“No matter what obstacles came our way we continue to push forward and tonight is proof of everything that we have accomplished,” she said .
As a memorial to Bryan Heath, a math teacher who died this year, Jordyn Thornburg spoke about his character and the song “Into the Mystic” by Van Morrison was played.
“He taught us to never curse at the shots we missed but to enjoy the game for it is, short and sweet,” Thornburg said. “We would like to imagine him on a course where the fairways are always plush and green and the sun shines day and night and they finally hit that perfect hole in one.”
Christian Jacquez, salutatorian, used his speech to celebrate his class ranking and acknowledge that perfection is a myth.
“Second place really is the first loser, but I’m thrilled,” said Jacquez. “Being a salutatorian is actually the best gig in the room – I’m the champion of the work-life balance. That fraction of a GPA point difference between us represents the extra hours of sleep I got, the Netflix series I binged and the sanity I managed to overcome.”
In being second, Jacquez said graduates learn humility and it teaches them to appreciate excellence in others without resentment.
Ashley Vilchiz-Hernandez, valedictorian, delivered a speech focusing on dreams and her support system that turned a simple thought in 2023 into a goal.
“Dreams don’t guarantee success but they give us direction,” she said.
Hernandez said dreams are not meant to stay the same but change as people do but what matters is believing in something more.
Bobcat Stadium brought together Charlie Y. Brown and Bloomfield High School graduates on Saturday morning as Lynda Spencer, superintendent of Bloomfield School District, greeted graduates and families with a speech touching on character and compassion.
“Graduation is more than a ceremony,” said Lynda Spencer, superintendent of Bloomfield School District, “It is a moment to pause and reflect on the journey that brought us here.”
Spencer said education is not just about teaching content but also building relationships, inspiring confidence and helping young people find who they are.
“Throughout your educational journey I hope you have experienced teachers and staff that have cared deeply about you – not only as students but as individuals,” she said.
Richelle Montoya, vice president of the Navajo Nation, was in attendance and congratulated graduates on their accomplishments.
Justin Gunnell, salutatorian, kicked off the student speeches with a quote from the film, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and used his time to acknowledge the support of faculty and family.
“Class of 2026, whenever you fail, fall or make a mistake, remember to pick yourself up and keep moving forward. Stay young and have fun,” Gunnell said, referencing another film, “Batman Begins.”
The school district that covers nearly 3,000 square miles celebrated 110 graduates at Shiprock High School on Thursday night and 170 graduates at Kirtland Central High School on Saturday morning.
Salutatorian Katelyn Descheeny greeted graduates and families at the Chieftan Pit and centered her speech on how each graduate matters. She said she is proud of the graduating class and the contributions they made.
“I don’t want anyone to feel like they don’t matter because in all honesty we all do,” she said.
Livy Walter, valedictorian, gave a speech that highlighted the support she received including faculty and family members.
Walter reminded graduates about the time they have and how it can slip by without them knowing.
Bill Cawood Stadium was surrounded by families on Saturday with a simple commencement program featuring addresses from the salutatorian and valedictorian.
Sara Smith and Xavier Horsechief, co-salutatorians, both gave a speech touching on the determination behind the diplomas received that morning by graduates.
“Through it all, one thing has remained constant: the spirit of the broncos,” Smith said. “Being a bronco means determination. It means resilience.”
Horsechief also used the word resilience in his speech to describe the time spent by graduates at KCHS.
“We use our education not only to advance our personal ambitions but to contribute positivity to the world around us,” he said. “As we set off on this new chapter, let us remember our achievements, our foundation, not the finish line.”
Jason Barber, valedictorian, quoted the movie, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” in his speech to speak about the journey graduates will take in their next steps and to remember the support system they have.
“One thing high school teaches us is that nobody has everything figured out, and that’s OK,” said Barber. “As we leave this chapter behind I hope we continue to walk forward with courage, kindness and faith in ourselves and in god’s plan for our lives. Class of 2026, we made it.”