Own your path: Wasilla High Class of 2026 celebrates unique strengths

The atmosphere was electric at the Menard Center on Tuesday evening as the Wasilla High School Class of 2026 gathered for their final act as students—commencement.

As family, friends, and faculty packed the center to honor this year’s graduates, the resounding theme was clear: embrace your uniqueness and build upon their individual strengths in their next phase of life.

“Some of you are going to be builders. Some of you are going to be caretakers. Some are leaders, some are creators. Some are steady and dependable, some of you just bring joy by walking in the room,” said Career and Technical Education Teacher Brian Cook, offering parting words as only he could--through the lens of safety googles.

He told the graduates to embrace the gifts, strengths, passions, and purposes they were born with, rather than let the world convince them they must fit into the same mold. “You don’t have to become somebody else to matter, and you don’t have to imitate someone else’s gift to have a meaningful life,” he said. “The world needs you to become who you were meant to be.”

Senior speaker Mia Caldwell turned her personal hardships into a lesson in hope, openly speaking about her battles with a negative mindset and mild depression, explaining how a major life transition forced her to realize who her true friends were. For a long time, Caldwell admitted, she exhausted her energy trying to change who she was just to fit in with crowds that did not align with her true self. The turning point came through the unwavering support of her parents and teachers, who guided her toward self-acceptance and healthier choices. "The people who matter will always be by your side," Caldwell emphasized, reminding the audience that genuine connection outweighs superficial acceptance.

Beyond social challenges, Caldwell described the overwhelming pressure of balancing advanced academics, competitive sports, and a job, which initially left her feeling drained and isolated, but it ultimately sparked a thoughtful shift in perspective. Instead of letting the stress break her, she discovered the healing power of gratitude and community. "I realized how much I value those around me," Caldwell shared, "and that sometimes it’s better to be selfless, ensuring the people who are always there for you feel loved."

Senior class president Eureka Casas recalled the milestones she and her classmates made, from attending their first homecoming dance, to learning to drive, to the senior year, and the bittersweet “year full of lasts,” with their last proms, football games, and last days of high school. And whether it was hard tests, early mornings that seemed impossible, or group projects where one person did all the work, “every memory made meant something.”

She said that moving forward, life will take everyone down different paths, and the lessons they take away from their time at Wasilla High School will help guide them through whatever comes their way.

“You may not end up where you thought you’d be, but it will be alright.”

Senior River Allen reframed a fundamental law of physics into a message of inspiration. Citing the law of conservation of energy—which states that energy and matter cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed—she highlighted the constant evolution of the human experience.

"From freshman year to now, everyone has transformed," she noted, pointing out that this evolution is not just a past event, but a continuous journey. "The most beautiful thing is that we will all continue to change, evolve, and grow, because that is the nature of existence."

Addressing the crowd, Allen offered a comforting thought: while families and friends celebrate the flourishing young adults before them, the chaotic, energetic "little kids" they once were still reside within. “Carry yourself with pride in your matter and your energy.”

The ceremony also highlighted a significant transition for the school, notably as Principal Jason Marvel closes his distinguished 28-year career in public education, marking the end of a notable era of academic growth at WHS.

He offered some parting words of advice to the seniors, telling them to stay humble and keep moving forward. He recalled several times in his life those words rang true for him. “The moving part is the most important because despite the disappointments in life, and there will be many, we have to pick ourselves up by our bootstraps, put a smile on our face, show resilience, and begin again.”