MVHS held its annual graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 on Friday, June 5. The ceremony began with a welcome message by Principal Ben Clausnitzer, followed by speeches from the Class of 2026 officers and ended with the presentation of diplomas. The ceremony also included processional and recessional performances by the MVHS Choir and MVHS Band, who performed pieces including “Up the Ladder to the Roof” and “The Redwoods,” respectively.
Senior and former El Estoque Arts and Entertainment Editor Kate Yang appreciates the opportunity to graduate with the rest of her class and hear their heartwarming speeches, and reflects on experiencing graduation from a different perspective after attending the ceremony the past three years and covering it as a reporter last year.
“It’s definitely weird to be on the other side of everything,” Yang said. “It’s been weird to actually be the graduate and not be someone who’s watching the graduates. But it’s been really exciting, and I’m really honored to walk the stage. I’ve been waiting for this day to come, so it was nice to have it.”
As graduates crossed the stage, family and friends filled the stands with cheers and applause while staff members looked on, celebrating the students they had supported throughout their high school journey. Guidance Counselor Clay Stiver, who has attended the past 16 graduations at MVHS, says his favorite part of the ceremony is watching the MVHS community come together.
“It’s nice to see everybody celebrating together, parents, students and staff,” Stiver said. “I like walking around afterward to see the students and take photos, and I like to have those photos and memories. I don’t get a yearbook, so it’s my way of capturing memories from the occasion.”
Senior Ryan Li reflects on the graduation ceremony as one final gathering and an opportunity to celebrate a big milestone alongside his classmates and peers with whom he has spent the last few years, representing years of hard work, growth and achievements.
“I think it went really well, and it was really nice seeing the entire class get together one last time for graduation,” Li said. “It was nice seeing everyone walk the stage, hearing all the parents in the crowd and just seeing them after the support we have received from them over the years.”
Having been part of the MVHS Band for the past three years, Li spent each graduation ceremony watching seniors receive their diplomas while performing in the band. This time, it was him looking out at his family who came to support him, the students, staff and the familiar faces in the band that he realized that he had achieved the same milestone he once watched others take on.
“I just thought of the past few years when I was sitting down and playing pieces, then watching the seniors walk the stage,” Li said, “It’s definitely more fun graduating this year because it’s nice being able to just see all my other friends in band still be there and it’s really a full circle moment.”
Assistant Principal Mike White, who has been a part of the MVHS community for 15 years and is retiring after the 2025-26 school year, explains that this day is meaningful to him because it’s his last day being on campus as an assistant principal and his last time setting up graduation and watching MVHS students graduate.
“I love to get here really early when it’s super quiet, and I’m just setting stuff up,” White said. “It’s cool, it’s just me sticking around and then going off. After I leave today, I won’t come back, so I think when I get in the car, the feelings are gonna hit, and it’s gonna be sad. But I got to graduate today, too.”
Alongside White, the Class of 2026 prepares to move on to their next chapter of their lives. Looking back on four years at MVHS filled with friendships, challenges and achievements, Yang shares how graduation serves as a reminder of how quickly her time at MVHS has gone by.
“Time passes really fast,” Yang said. “It really feels like just yesterday I was doing my freshman orientation, and now I’m a graduated senior. I would value all the time that you get here, because there will be a lot of great opportunities. Even though it might suck sometimes, there are a lot of opportunities here waiting for you, and it’s up to you to capitalize on them.”
