The ceremony, held Thursday night, saw over 200 students receive their diplomas. It began with the processional and National Anthem, performed by the concert band and a brief introduction by CMHS Principal Nick Verrelli.

From there, Verrelli handed things off to Sarah Hall, class vice president.

Hall thanked the faculty, family and friends who attended the ceremony, noting their support throughout each graduates’ life was the reason they were there that day. Her speech focused on the meaning of success.

She told her fellow graduates she’d struggled with the idea of what success meant throughout her four years at CMHS.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Students are pictured after receiving their diplomas at Central Mountain High School’s 2026 graduation ceremony.

“When I entered Central Mountain High School my freshman year, I thought success was defined by my performance in the classroom or on the track or field. I held myself to an impossibly high standard and, in doing so, lost myself and what I deemed success,” she said.

Feeling lost, she said she asked people in her life what success meant to them. Some said it was in achieving goals, others said being happy or learning something new and some said it was being rich. Hall said, in a way, she agreed with all of them.

“As I look back through the last four years, I see many examples of success. All of it exists for one reason only, success is not linear,” she said. “Success is doing what you love no matter what other people think. Success is getting back up no matter how many times you may have failed.”

Hall emphasized that success can be different for everyone.

“As I look out into the crowd I see many successes. I see happy, smiling faces. I see people who are confident in who they are and I may even see a future president. But most important of all, I see who didn’t give up when things got tough,” she said.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS CMHS Secretary Tawnni Germello embraces her daughter, Lillian, after handing over her diploma.

In closing, Hall leaned on the words carpe diem, the Latin words for seize the day.

“I encourage each of you to live your life in a way that you will look back on and see as successful. Close this chapter, recognizing the success you have achieved and be ready for whatever the next holds,” she said.

Following a performance of “My Way” by Audra Eaton, Valedictorian Grace Keohane spoke to her fellow graduates.

Keohane’s speech centered around purpose.

“Although we may be headed in different directions, we all leave here searching for something similar. A life that matters. A life filled with purpose,” she said.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Connor Kleckner and Chloe Corbin perform “For Good” from Broadway’s Wicked.

She noted many graduates might be asking themselves what their plans are after graduation, what career they might pursue and, most intimidating, what are they supposed to do with their life.

“We spent years preparing for the future, every test, every project, every performance has led us to this point in our lives. To being graduates, ready to jump or be pushed into the start of our future,” she said. “That thought can be scary. Having to make decisions now that dictate what your whole life looks like.”

She encouraged the graduates to not focus on what they’re going to do and instead focus on what they’re going to become.

She cautioned them not to base their purpose on big moments, noting that it can be like walking on a tightrope.

“If you’re moving forward, experiencing success and reaching the next big thing everything feels steady. But with each step comes pressure and uncertainty. Eventually, one setback, one misstep and one unexpected change makes you lose balance,” she said.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS One of the many decorated caps is shown.

Keohane noted purpose doesn’t lie solely in achievements like titles, awards and other things.

“Because titles can change, awards and recognitions are fleeting and careers can take unexpected turns,” she said. “The greatest lesson I’ve learned isn’t how to succeed, but where to find my purpose. I’ve learned that purpose is revealed in ordinary moments of everyday life.”

Keohane said purpose is found in moments they wouldn’t think about twice.

“It’s your character, your actions and your qualities that reveal your purpose,” she said. “Regardless of where life takes us or what decisions we make, our character will always matter.”

She closed by thanking the faculty, staff, coaches, parents and friends who helped each student grow.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Class Vice President Sarah Hall speaks during commencement.

“We could not have gotten here without you,” she said.

She also encouraged her fellow graduates to never stop searching for the deeper purpose behind their journeys.

“Because success can end, plans can change, accomplishments eventually become forgotten. But when you know your purpose you can take on life with confidence no matter what you face,” she said.

Following an instrumental performance by graduate Jacob Flook, playing baritone saxophone, accompanied by Dr. James Eldreth, Salutatorian/Class President Vivian Wilson offered her remarks.

Wilson’s remarks centered around the feeling of finally reaching a milestone 18 years in the making.

“For most of my life, graduation existed as a distant milestone, something I looked forward to for years without fully imaging what it would feel like,” she said.

She said, with the moment finally here, it was more emotional than she expected. She said when asked if she was ready to graduate, she’d always say yes with enthusiasm. That changed over the course of her senior year, however.

“Yes, I’m ready to graduate, leave for Villanova in the fall, meet new people and start my life. And I’m sad at the thought of leaving 18 years worth of memories behind,” she said. “When we were younger, graduation seemed simple. We imagined excitement, freedom and becoming adults. Nobody really talks about the strange sadness that comes with it, too.”

She built on this, speaking about no one talking about the realization that every moment eventually becomes a memory.

“At some point, without realizing it, you experienced things for the last time,” she said. “Maybe that’s why graduation feels so emotional. Because high school was never really just about school.”

Wilt spoke about how each graduate experienced many milestones and big events as they become the people they are today. However, she said the ordinary moments in between may have mattered even more.

“Who we become is not determined by a single achievement, decision or moment. It’s shaped gradually through the people that supported us, the mistakes we learned from, the challenges we didn’t think we could overcome and the small moments we barely noticed at times,” she said.

She reflected on these new realizations and what conclusion she was led to.

“We can be ready to graduate and simultaneously be ready to not leave it all behind,” she said. “Nostalgia is not something to fear. It proves we lived a life worth living. A life worth missing.”

In closing, she mused on what all of this means.

“Although our paths may look different from this point, we will always share the memories and experiences that brought us to this moment,” she said.

After a performance of “For Good” From Wicked by Connor Kleckner and Chloe Corbin, and remarks from Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon, the moment finally arrived.

To the cheers, shouts and claps each graduate’s name was called by staff member Douglas Madenford to receive their diploma.

After the diplomas were handed out, Verrelli presented Redmon the class of 2026 and, with the direction of Keohane, the tassels were turned and CMHS cheered for its latest alumni.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS Outgoing Superintendent Dr. Francis Redmon addressed the graduates at commencement.

TIM WEIGHT/FOR THE EXPRESS The concert band performed Pomp and Circumstance and the National Anthem for the ceremony.