“This assembly is unlike other school assemblies that we have. It’s not our usual pet fest. It’s a moment to celebrate the outstanding achievements of your fellow classmates,” MHS principal Brian Jones said. “Students, it is important to understand that the journey is what is most important, not just the destination. It is never too late to put forth better effort, even during the final two weeks of the school year.”

The ceremony takes time to recognize and hand out a plethora of awards, and spotlights students.

The graduating 2025-26 National Honor Society class was recognized and given their graduation stoles, while the upcoming 2026-27 class was also inducted.

“The Honor Society was established at Marshall High School in the 1960s. It serves to develop juniors and seniors who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, leadership, spirit, service, and character,” MHS Social Studies teacher and Honor Society Advisor Rick Purrington said. “There’s a rigorous application process that is required of all who apply.”

Photo by Samantha Davis: Marshall High School's Leyton Wherry smiles after being named the Physical Education Student of the Year at the MHS awards ceremony Tuesday morning.

The current MHS Honor Society President, Lilly Boelter, read off the names of the graduating members along with inducting the next class. All members are also required to log 12 hours of service every semester between the community and through the district.

“In the 2025-26 school year, our members have displayed our core values of leadership, character, service, scholarship and spirit through their unwavering loyalty and service to our school and community,” Boelter said. “I feel immense gratitude this year to serve as this year’s honor society president, and both witness and contribute to this group’s dedication and camaraderie.”

Boelter is also a graduating senior this year.

Students in grades ninth through 11th were also individually recognized for finishing the year Summa Cum Laude, which is students graduating with a 4.0 GPA or above.

The Activities Achievement award honors the top individuals who demonstrated dedication and pride at school through participating in several clubs, sports and activities. The award also requires students to maintain at least a 2.5 GPA along with a high-level of involvement.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Marshall High School National Honor Society senior members receive their graduation stoles at the MHS awards ceremony Tuesday morning.

There were nine individuals selected for this year’s Activities Achievement Award. First through ninth place, respectively, included Karsten Springborg, Brennen Thooft, Anna Petersen, Levi Maeyaert, Dayton Webskowski, Elizabeth Quasius, Autumn Deutz, Aiden Bly and Logan Eickhoff.

Another memorable part of the awards ceremony is departments getting the chance to publicly recognize a Student of the Year, and provide a personally-chosen book to gift the student that relates to the subject and their personality.

“Today is a special day. It is a day to celebrate our classroom rock stars and our purpose for being here every day,” Purrington said. “Being a great student is hard work. It takes more than just intelligence. It requires grit, discipline, organization and perseverance. Today, we will celebrate excellence in the classroom.”

A staff member from each department addressed the crowd at center stage, before announcing the Student of the Year.

Students of the Year for 2026 included: Olivia Dahms, Science; Trina Vo, World Language; Annabel Coudron, Agriculture; Ren DeVries, Art; Brennen Thooft, Business; Levi Maeyaert, Language Arts; Elian Rueda Rios, English Learner; Olivia Mertz, Family and Consumer Sciences; Her Sa Pree, Math; Karsten Springborg, Music; Leyton Wherry, Physical Education; Lilly Boelter, Social Studies.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Marshall High School senior JR Vierstraete receives his graduation chord for graduating with honors at the MHS awards ceremony Tuesday morning.

MHS’s oldest award, the Hall Award, is also presented to one senior and one junior each year. Last year’s junior recipient, Taleigha Bigler, presented Paige McLain with this year’s junior Hall Award. Springborg received the senior award at last week’s Pride in the Tiger scholarship ceremony, who also received this year’s Principal Award.

“(The Hall Award) began in 1923. It is awarded to one junior and one senior each year. Recipients must rank highest in attitude, scholarship, loyalty, activities, leadership and cooperation,” Bigler stated.

Additionally, the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) recognizes a senior boy and girl who are well-rounded and portray excellence in arts, activities and academics for the AAA Award. This year’s pair of recipients are Grace Rokeh and Sam Deutz.

The MSHSL also has an ExCEL Award, which recognizes excellence in community, education and leadership. Katelyn Leibfried was this year’s recipient of the award.

Lastly, the seniors who are soon to graduate with honors, were individually recognized. Those that finish the year Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude and Summa Cum Laude, were invited up near the stage to receive their honor ropes to wear at graduation.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Marshall High School senior Karsten Springborg and band director Larry Petersen share a hug after Springborg was named the Music Student of the Year at the MHS awards ceremony Tuesday morning.

Cum Laude honors are students who finish with a 3.5 to 3.7 GPA, Magna Cum Laude is a GPA of 3.75 to 3.99, and Summa Cum Laude is a 4.0 and above.

Following the ceremony, students were dismissed back to class while seniors stuck around to take photos with friends and family.

The Marshall High School commencement ceremony will take place next Friday, May 29, at 7 p.m. in the gymnasium.

“Members of the Class of 2026, thank you. During your time at MHS, you have consistently set the academic bar high,” Jones said. “Just as importantly, your leadership and kindness have set a great example for others to follow. You have helped establish the expectations of being focused students, and quality young adults.”

Photo by Samantha Davis: Marshall High School students receive the Activities Achievements Awards at the MHS awards ceremony Tuesday morning.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Marshall High School senior Reese Drake receives her graduation chord for graduating with honors at the MHS awards ceremony Tuesday morning.

Photo by Samantha Davis: Marshall High School seniors were honored for finishing the school year with honors at the MHS awards ceremony Tuesday morning.