While that playful phrase “Plot twist: we graduated!” served as the official class motto for the St. Clair High School Class of 2026, the graduation ceremony on Sunday, May 31, was hardly a surprise. To anyone who has followed this remarkable group of 62 seniors over the last four years, their walk across the stage was the natural culmination of one of the most successful senior years in recent school history.
The Class of 2026 has spent their final year cementing their names in the school’s history books across academics, athletics, and the arts. Half of the graduating class (36 of 62) earned academic honors, donning gold or silver cords. On the athletic front, standout seniors like Brooklin Hinze, Brooklyn Meng, Valerie Quast, and Austin Ward dominated the courts, tracks, and gridirons, shattering school records and securing their places in the pantheon of Cyclone greats.
The arts shined just as brightly this year with the music department celebrating its highest Superior ratings in years highlighted by Orrin Gessner’s flawless, perfect-40 score on his tuba solo. In speech, Zoe Johnson and William Wellman capped off stellar careers with trips to the Class A State Speech Championships, with Johnson claiming fifth place in Storytelling and Wellman taking third in Drama. Meanwhile, the St. Clair theater program saw an unprecedented senior presence, with 15 graduates taking the stage for the spring musical Back to the 80s, establishing a vibrant new tradition of creative expression for future Cyclones.
Whether embarking on careers, college, or trade schools, this is a class defined by courage. As they face the winds of change, they carry a philosophy of bold exploration—a trait worth celebrating just as much as GPAs and diplomas.
The commencement ceremony began with a stirring processional as Director Carpenter led the Concert Band to welcome the graduates. Principal Troy Guentzel then welcomed a gymnasium packed to the rafters with proud family members, friends, and lifelong supporters, noting that emotions were at an all-time high as 13 years of early mornings and hard work finally paid off.
Superintendent Tim Collins brought a wave of laughter to the crowd when reflecting on his speech options. After asking the seniors whether they preferred a two-minute or a five-minute address, the graduating class quickly and unanimously elected the two-minute version. Collins used his brief time to honor the grandparents in attendance before reflecting on how, despite changing times, the core values of students remain steady. “Students today still possess a strong work ethic, big goals, and ambitious dreams,” he noted, while acknowledging that navigating the world in 2026 presents unique modern challenges compared to thirty years ago. He concluded by thanking the parents for raising their children with resilience and integrity.
The student-selected commencement speaker, Mrs. Wendy Wellman—a beloved figure in the Cyclone community—delivered an address that balanced humor with deep emotional resonance.
“Being asked to celebrate this moment is an honor,” Wellman said, admitting the pressure of the role but finding purpose in the challenge of encapsulating 13 years of shared memories. She playfully reminded the graduates of their journey, noting that this group—once the largest kindergarten class back in 2013—was also once affectionately dubbed “the worst seventh-grade class ever.”
With about half of the 62 graduates having spent all 13 years together in the district, Wellman extended a warm, standing invitation to the many seniors who have frequented her home over the years to “always come back for a family dinner.”
Her speech featured lighthearted personal moments, including handing a coloring book to senior Austin Ward, alongside a deeply heartfelt exchange with her son, William. She praised him for how they “survived every bad day together,” respecting the boundaries of her being a teacher first at school and a mother at the end of the day.
Following her speech, the Concert Choir performed a moving rendition of “100 Years,” a song centering on making a mark with the time we are given. It was a fitting tribute, especially considering the pivotal role several graduating seniors played in rebuilding the St. Clair choir program back to its current prominence.
Senior speaker William Wellman took the podium next, invoking the words of Teddy Roosevelt to challenge his peers to lead with boldness.
“Limitless potential defines this class of 2026,” he declared. “We live in a delicate time in our country, but we cannot shy away from our problems—we must work to rectify them together.” Wellman challenged the class to reject “apathetic mediocrity” and urged the incoming juniors to continue raising the bar of excellence at St. Clair.
Fellow senior speaker Laynee Bracken shared an emotional reflection on her unique journey to the graduation stage. Having attended nine different schools throughout her childhood, Bracken expressed profound gratitude for finding a permanent home in St. Clair for her final four years of high school. “It is hard to put into words the impact St. Clair has had on me,” she shared. “We are a family here, from the staff and teachers to the students. St. Clair changed my life in so many ways.”
The highly anticipated presentation of diplomas was conducted by Principal Guentzel with the assistance of School Board members Sara Quast and Karen Hauser. For the graduates, the moment was a lifetime of effort distilled into a firm handshake, a flash of cameras, and a turn of the tassel. Even a brief, good-natured stage stumble by graduate Jaxon Phillips couldn’t slow down the class’s momentum, drawing smiles and cheers as he quickly recovered to claim his diploma.
With a roaring countdown, a synchronized skyward toss of caps, and a cascade of cheers, the ceremony concluded. The St. Clair Class of 2026 may go down in history as one of the most successful in the district’s long history; achieving historic feats in all three areas of education showcases a commitment toward excellence as well as an unyielding pursuit for new experiences and challenges. Boldness is necessary in a world that demands it; so go forth Cyclones, and be bold.
Editor’s Note
This graduation hits incredibly close to home for me. This marks the fourth commencement ceremony I have covered at St. Clair, meaning I have had the unique privilege of reporting on this exact group of students from the moment they walked in as overeager ninth graders to the moment they walked out as future leaders. Watching them grow has been an absolute honor. The Journal is deeply grateful for the unwavering support of the Cyclone community. As a proud Maple River alumnus, I never thought I would find myself singing the praises of St. Clair so highly—but this class’s excellence in academics, athletics, and the arts is truly undeniable. Thank you for letting me share in your journey these past four years. Congratulations, Class of 2026!
