The Tongue River High School gymnasium was filled with applause as sophomore Hatcher Sturtzman delivered a stirring a cappella rendition of The Star Spangled Banner at the graduation ceremony on May 26. The event marked a significant milestone for the 57 graduating seniors of the Class of 2026.

Principal Wade Sanford warmly welcomed the graduates and their families, setting the tone for a ceremony that celebrated both achievement and community. The TRHS Senior Choir performed ‘Butterfly, Fly Away,’ adding a musical touch to the proceedings. Principal Sanford also had the honor of presenting the distinguished honor cords to students who excelled academically.

Erika Stutzman, the first honored speaker, reflected on the unique benefits of growing up in a close-knit community, expressing gratitude to parents, teachers, and coaches for their unwavering support. Following her, Brooke Krumm shared her personal journey through high school, acknowledging the challenges she faced along the way.

The keynote address was delivered by Russ Wilde, Principal of Tongue River Middle School and a former teacher at TRMS. Wilde offered words of wisdom to the graduates, recalling fond memories of his time teaching many of them. He emphasized resilience, sharing personal anecdotes about overcoming obstacles and the importance of perseverance.

A slide show presentation highlighted the graduates’ journeys, accompanied by advice from the Tongue River Elementary kindergarten class, adding a touch of humor and innocence to the ceremony. The event concluded with a flower presentation to parents, a symbolic gesture of gratitude for their support. Principal Sanford then presented the Class of 2026, leading to the traditional turning of tassels and a celebratory shower of confetti.

Original reporting: Sheridan Media (Sheridan WY) — read the source article.