In a few weeks, people I’ve come to know over many years are graduating. I’m excited for these people, the people being the graduating Class of 2026. I’m excited for them because they’re entering a brave new world I’m only allowed to imagine as of now. I believe in them. I know them. I trust them. I’m scared of the future, and I know you are too, but I think if we all recognize each other in that, we might just be alright. Zachary Roberts, Connelly Roundy, Isaac Schwartz, Alexander Seckler, Arjan Mann, Luke Mello, Paulina Montgomery, Savannah Pham, Grady Galloway, Adam Jacapraro, Ryan Jones, Emma Krakora, Tyler Arbogast, Jackson Bays, Nathan Bergman, and Nathan Boyd.
I know I just hit you with a lot of names, to an extent, they’re a lot of names to me, too, but they’re also friends and classmates, so let me humanize them for you in the way the years have humanized them for me. Let me tell you who they are so that you can understand just how significant this graduation is and just how significant our brotherhood in change and the lack/fear thereof is.
Connelly Roundy: A talented gamer and a nerd after my own heart.
Alex Seckler: A better athlete than I’ll ever be.
Arjan Mann: Possibly the kindest man I’ve ever known and definitely the one with the most Christmas Spirit.
Luke Mello: An actor and a painter who, if everyone could see his work or see him on stage, would be in awe that they didn’t know before, or give a standing ovation because they did.
Paulina Montgomery: I only really knew her when we were very young, but I know she’s a good person, and I know I’ll hear about her again because of whatever she does next.
Savannah Pham: She’s quiet, so a lot of people don’t think she has much to say, but having an Independent Study beside her for a year has taught me that she does and always will.
Adam Jacapraro: A talented musician whose time in the Raging K9s will be unforgettable for this school.
Ryan Jones: A cameraman, a proverbial Piano Man for many, and a car expert who’ll probably be bringing in more money than most in a decade, godspeed, Ryan.
Tyler Arbogast: We used to have a scholar’s class together, and you helped me; I won’t forget.
Nathan Bergman: I’ve known you for the better part of my life; I wish I had gotten to know you better.
Isaac Schwartz: Finally, Isaac, I’ve known you for about 7 years, and while you’ve never been talkative to me, being friends so long, I kind of see you like a brother, but despite that, I know you’re not always the best at keeping in touch, so good luck, Aki. I’ll never forget you.
To conclude, who is this Class of 2026, and what does it mean? Is it one big game of chess, or is it one whiny emotional blurb? Is it an oversaturated ad? It’s none of them; it’s an engraving on a bench that will go with time but will live on in the memory of those with the strength to remember it. So, join me in having the strength to remember them, join me in living life like we’re moving into the next stage in five minutes or ten years simultaneously, and join me in continuing the brotherhood of change and the fear thereof. To put it simply, long live the Class of 2026, and let us acknowledge it.
