Navarro Independent School District

GERONIMO, TX – May 26, 2026 –  Under a clear evening sky that held out for one final graduation ceremony on the historic turf, Navarro High School officially bid farewell to the Class of 2026 on Friday, May 22. The commencement, held at Erwin-Lee Stadium, celebrated the resilience and record-breaking achievements of a class that navigated thirteen years of challenges—from Texas snowstorms and floods to a global pandemic.

Principal Clay Scarborough recognized the Class of 2026 for setting a "legacy of excellence" that will serve as a benchmark for years to come. The graduating seniors demonstrated prowess across academics, athletics, vocational training, and the arts:

• Academics: Seniors completed a staggering 565 college credit hours and earned more than $1.3 million in scholarships. Eight UIL Academic teams advanced to the regional round, with one team competing at the state level in two separate events.
• Career & Technical Education (CTE): Students earned 166 Industry-Based Certifications, boasting a 100% pass rate in both State Floral Association and Accounting exams. In FFA, seniors secured over $70,000 in scholarships, with eight teams reaching state competition.
• Fine Arts: For the first time in history, Navarro was named a Best Community for Music Education. The band earned UIL Sweepstakes honors, and individual students garnered 18 All-Region and 17 UIL State Solo and Ensemble honors. The Dazzlers were crowned Grand Champions at Danceline Nationals.
• Athletics: Ten teams advanced beyond district competition, with state-level representation in Golf, Cross Country, Powerlifting, and Track and Field. A total of 71 students earned Academic All-District honors, and 36 were named Academic All-State.

The ceremony featured emotional reflections from student leaders. Class Historians Avery Sisak and Kyleigh Whitlow took the audience on a nostalgic journey, recalling elementary school "snowball fights", “pie-ing” a beloved teacher in the face, and the transition to the new intermediate school during the pandemic.

Salutatorian Kathryn Jade Dahlke spoke movingly about the "invisible red thread" that led her from her birthplace in China to Seguin, Texas. "Success isn’t just about grades or awards," Dahlke noted. "It’s about resilience, kindness, and the people who stand beside you."

Valedictorian John Christopher Kehoe delivered a witty and candid address, urging his peers to embrace the "quiet moments." Drawing a parallel between Isaac Newton’s boredom during the Great Plague and the modern student’s constant digital distractions, Kehoe encouraged the class to "stop moving long enough to notice the breakthroughs."

The evening concluded with the formal presentation of the class by Superintendent Dr. Mandy Epley, followed by the traditional turning of the tassels and closing remarks led by Class Vice-President Presley Larson. As the Navarro High School Band played the Alma Mater, the graduates celebrated their transition from students to alumni under the class colors of Butter Yellow and Lavender.

The ceremony closed, tossing caps high in the air with purple and gold streamers falling across the field, as the Class of 2026 walked off the field for the last time, ready to begin their next chapters in the military, workforce, trades, and higher education.