Clifton High School’s Class of 2026 graduates 82 students during commencement exercises at Cub Stadium
During the playing of “Pomp and Circumstance” initiating the ceremony, some individuals grinned big, happy to be in the spotlight to celebrate their achievement; others seriously stepped to their seats with purpose, knowing finishing high school was just the first big step into adulthood, and others were a bit nervous, holding back the mixed emotions the day brought. And some were a bit bored, just wanting for the formalities to be over so they could celebrate with friends.
Family, friends and supporters proudly cheered them all on during the graduation ceremony at Cub Stadium honoring the 82 students of the Class of 2026 May 21. Twenty-five of the class are honor graduates, achieving a grade point average of 3.5 of higher. And all but a few remained standing when high school assistant principal Gaylena Lewis announced the students accepted or committed to post-secondary education in some form or other.
Students with the highest GPA’s performed different roles within the commencement exercises. Judd New led in the Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation, while Addison Martin offered the Benediction.
“Graduation is always a joy, to see these young people succeed in high school and take the next step in their lives,” CISD superintendent Andy Ball said. “I’m very proud of them.”
In their insightful speeches, both the salutatorian and valedictorian highlighted the significance of their faith and the support from their families and teachers, and the closeknit group of class mates. On an interesting side note, graduating at the top of their class from Clifton High 30 years ago in 1996, parents Josh Ritzmann and Jana Zuehlke Benette stood where their daughters stand this year.
Citing Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” lyrics “I climbed the mountain and I turned around and I saw my reflection in the snow-covered hills till the landslide brought me down,” salutatorian Piper Bennett, compared high school to climbing a mountain, and reflecting back to the years spent at school, to the landslide of the future, of living independently and embracing this new life.
Piper said she saw the growth she and her fellow students went through thanks to the lessons learned in high school, such as responsibility, independence, and adaptability.
Piper also emphasized the importance of putting oneself out there and making new friends.
“While we venture off to college, universities, military, or simply taking time to find who you are as a person, we are now on the path where it is up to us to make these decisions,” Benette said. “Wherever each of you go, I encourage you all to embrace the new changes in your life, try to, wherever you end up, make a difference in others’ lives as well, and always remember where you started and what great things God has ahead for you.”
Valedictorian Sophia Richmond cited Theodore Roosevelt’s speech he gave at the Sorbonne in Paris, France in 1910 which included the famous passage “The Man in the Arena.”
“It’s not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the strong man stumbled or whether the doer of the deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood who strives valiantly, who errs and often comes up short, again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; and who, if at best in the end knows the triumph of higher treatment and high achievement. And who, at worst, if he falls at least falls while daring greatly, So, that his soul shall never be with those cold and timid ones who know neither victory nor defeat.”
This excerpt emphasizes the importance of courage and stepping boldly into new arenas
“As we transition into a very new phase of our lives. I would like to remind you that graduation is not leaving the arena, but instead stepping into a larger one,” Ritzmann said. “Some of us are off to college, some have decided to courageously serve our country in the United States military, some will head straight into the workforce, aim to make our community and our country a better place, and some may still be unsure of what the future holds. In this larger arena, there will be new challenges, new risks, new failures, as well as new victories. But our goal is not comfort, it is courage, courage to strive for success when you’re aware that failure is very much a possibility.”
Students proudly wore different colored cords and sashes symbolizing their commitments and dedications during their high school years, like being an honors graduate, a National Honor Society member, a band member, blood donors, athletes, FFA, FCCLA, MS Office and Emergency Medical Technician certified, yearbook staff, Hope Squad, committed to serve in the military. Some students wore a colorful sarape stole honoring their Hispanic heritage.
Clifton High School principal Jimmy Jackson has seen eight classes graduate from Clifton, and each year is unique.
“Each class is different, with its own personality,” Jackson said. “This was a very competitive group, academically, in band and on the field. They had a lot of tenacity and grit. They will definitely leave an impact, and the upcoming class has big shoes to fill, for sure.”
And it seems that this group of strong and confident young people have the tools to succeed in the next chapter of their lives.
“To my friends and fellow graduates, I encourage you all to enjoy these next four years of your life and constantly strive to be the best version of yourself you can be,” Ritzmann said. “If you fall short, and you will have confidence and grace, knowing that while you might have fallen, you tried, and you tried to the best of your ability.”
After the ceremonial gesture of turning their tassels – symbol of academic achievement, personal growth, and future aspirations – it was time to cut loose, throw the caps in the air and race to toll the field bell. Tolling the bell is normally a sign of football game victory. At graduation, it’s a sign of completion and academic success.
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