Eagle Valley High School graduates 199 seniors at 2026 commencement ceremony
John LaConte/Vail Daily
Seniors from the Eagle Valley High School Class of 2026 turned their tassels and walked confidently into the rest of their lives Saturday following a flawless commencement ceremony.
The EVHS Concert Band performed “Pomp and Circumstance,” the Eagle Valley Singers sang the national anthem and “Breakaway” by Kelly Clarkson, and the Class of 2026 Senior Musicians performed a moving rendition of “Landslide” by Fleetwood Mac, the class song.
Valedictorian Ella Weisberger shared a message about kindness and curiosity, telling her fellow seniors that the end of high school should not also mark the end of their educational journeys.
“Maya Angelou encouraged us to astonish a mean world with acts of kindness,” Weisberger said. “As we write our next chapter, I’m hopeful that the Class of 2026 will be remembered for exactly that — acts which build better relationships and healthier communities.”
Salutatorian Iris Sheldon themed her speech around the EVHS legacy, using her experience conducting surveys for her speech and debate team to query her fellow seniors, asking what it means to them to be a part of the EVHS legacy.
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Sheldon said her favorite responses included the following: “Being a part of the EVHS legacy means we get to carry on the values of respect and kindness that have been instilled in our school … it means to be a part of something special, to be yourself, to be involved in the many activities they offer and to make memorable connections with people … it means continuing our academic careers and growing from all the amazing teachers and staff … becoming an EVHS alumni means taking the importance of community and using it in bigger environments.”
The graduating seniors — 199 in total — selected social studies teacher Dan Dussault to deliver the faculty address to the class. Dussault encouraged the students not to fear failure as they enter the next phase of their lives, saying the most important lessons are learned from setbacks.
“Life is filled with hills and valleys, and those amazing moments that you’re going to have in your 20s and 30s that are going to be so fun,” Dussault said. “But in times when you’re struggling and things don’t go your way, don’t give up on yourself. That’s the key.”
Principal Thomas LaFramboise, in his charge to seniors, talked about the strange semester he had, healthwise.
“I’ve been pretty healthy throughout my life,” he said. “But this semester I had three surgeries, one planned, two unplanned. I spent almost 20 days in the hospital.”
He said two former students were present as medical students in the hospital, and one was in the operating room with him.
“That just shows you can come out of Eagle Valley High School and you can do what you want,” he said. “But you have to put in the time, the effort and the dedication.”
