Class of ‘26

Lovell, Rocky Mountain to hold commencement ceremonies next week

Students from Lovell and Rocky Mountain high schools will proudly receive their diplomas during commencement ceremonies scheduled for next Monday and Tuesday at the local schools.

Lovell will hold Class of ’26 commencement exercises Monday at the LHS Johnny Winterholler Gymnasium, and Rocky Mountain will follow Tuesday at the main RMHS Gym in Cowley. Ceremonies are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. both nights.

Lovell High School will honor a graduating class of 58 when the school holds its 107th commencement ceremony for the Class of 2026 Monday at Winterholler Gym.

The evening begins with the traditional processional “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the combined Lovell High School and Lovell Middle School bands under the direction of Carisa French. The LHS Show and Jazz choirs, under the direction of French, will sing the National Anthem.

Superintendent William Hiser will deliver opening remarks, and district retirees will be honored by school board vice chairman Kyle Leithead. Principal Craig Lundberg will recognize 4.0 GPA students.

Three student addresses follow, presented by honor student Lynn Marchant, salutatorian Haley Sanders and valedictorian Jasmine Keele.

A senior class video will be shown, followed by the senior music students singing “More Than Words.”

Principal Lundberg will present the senior class, and school board member Marianne Grant and Lundberg will present diplomas to the graduating seniors.

The band will perform the recessional “Stars and Stripes Forever” following the traditional tassel transfer.

Rocky Mountain

Rocky Mountain High School will graduate a class of 28 during commencement ceremonies on Tuesday, May 19, at 7 p.m. at the main school gymnasium.

The evening will begin with a prelude performed by Lorrie Brost, followed by the processional “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the RMHS band under the direction of Gerry Burton.

Senior class president Lauren Bassett will deliver welcoming remarks, followed by a salutatory address by Layla Gardner and the valedictory address by William Fuller.

Principal Betsy Sammons will present the salutatory and valedictory awards.

Gardner, Bassett, Keylee Christiansen and Lily George will perform “I’ll Always Remember You.”

This year’s commencement speaker will be longtime educator Wayne Hudspeth, who will be introduced by senior class vice president Timothy “Jiggs” Yellowtail.

The audience will enjoy a senior slideshow developed by Madalyn McCollam and Bailey Simcox, after which Sammons will present the graduates and school board chairman Jared Boardman will accept the graduates. Diplomas will be presented by School District No. 1 board members Holly Michaels, Thomas Bridges, Hiedi Christensen, Wendy Fuller, AJ Rasmussen-Dickson, Craig Jones and Boardman.

Senior class secretary Christiansen will lead the transfer of the tassels, and the band will perform the Rocky Mountain High School song as the recessional.

The annual post-graduation Grad Night Out Party will be held after each ceremony at the Lovell Community Center.