‘On the shoulders of giants,’ Battle Mountain High School graduates the class of 2026
Sean Naylor Follow
Chris Dillmann/Vail Daily
As a cold breeze and light drizzle made its way into Vail Friday evening, Battle Mountain High School’s class of 2026 sought warmth under the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater’s on-stage heat lamps, as well as in each other.
“This evening is about honoring the achievements, growth, resilience and spirit of the Battle Mountain High School class of 2026,” said Principal Jason Mills as the crowd — which stretched out far into The Amp’s lawn area — gradually shuffled and huddled under the canopy. Mills led with a quote from Sir Isaac Newton: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
“Before we begin tonight’s celebration, I would like to take a moment to recognize and thank many of the giants who have helped guide, support and shape these graduates. So thank you, parents, guardians, family members, teachers, staff members, coaches, mentors and community members,” Mills said. “Your encouragement, sacrifices, guidance and belief in these young people have been instrumental in helping them reach this milestone … and finally, I would like to specifically recognize the exceptional faculty and staff of Battle Mountain High School. Your relentless dedication, compassion, creativity, and commitment have helped define the experience of these students.”
Of that faculty was Cara Matthews, who was chosen by the students to be the commencement speaker. She told the graduates, “as you venture out into this big, wild world full of strangers, people with different experiences and perspectives that challenge your own, I encourage you not to reduce people to labels. When one of us is at our worst, someone else is at their best. So keep an open mind, assume the best in others, and remember that when you most need it, the person who shows up for you in the most extraordinary ways could be the person you least expect it from.”
Valedictorian Judah Turner told his classmates, “I hope we continue chasing ambition, success and goals. But I also hope we become people with depth, people with integrity and people who make life better for those around them. Because eventually, long after the accomplishments stopped mattering, that’s the part people remember.”
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He was followed by Addison O’Connor, who said, “This class has so many leaders, so many fun-loving personalities, and so much talent. I will forever cherish the memories that we’ve made together. I’m grateful for our teachers, coaches and community members who have impacted every student graduating tonight.”
AVID student Oscar Rodriguez Jimenez followed with a Spanish address to the school’s Latino graduates and their families before Marina Rivera shared her own bilingual words of wisdom on risk-taking and gratitude for her fellow classmates.
As the ceremony concluded with the presentation of diplomas and the turning of tassels, and as the night got colder and wetter, it became evident that no matter where these Huskies go, they will carry thick fur coats that will keep them warm well into the future.
