“I am so proud of us. We’re a class full of leaders, inventors, dreamers. Everything we have overcome and everything we have achieved has prepared us for what comes next,” MHS graduate Leila Yasin said as she addressed classmates Friday night.

Marshall area community members celebrated the class of 2026 during commencement ceremonies Friday. A total of 218 MHS seniors graduated this spring, with 197 graduates taking part in commencement, MHS Principal Brian Jones said. Early in Friday’s program, Jones recognized students graduating with honors, as well as six graduates who are entering military service. Jones said graduates Sullivan Graven, Hayden Guggisberg, Ler Pler, Jayden Randall, Jared Stevenson and Brock Swanson were joining the Minnesota Army National Guard.

Jones also honored MHS teachers who were retiring or moving, including art teacher Brydie DeMuth, business teacher Brenda Kellen, and special education teacher Julie Kent.

Graduation speakers reflected on the different ways that seniors’ experiences helped shape them and prepare for graduation. Senior speaker Berlin Kass said she was reminded of learning about integrals in calculus class. She said integrals can be described as “a bunch of infinitely small pieces” that can be combined into a larger whole. In a similar way, students’ time at school was made up of moments that added up into something bigger, Kass said.

Photo by Deb Gau The energy was high as MHS seniors processed into the gymnasium for commencement Friday.

“It is the accumulation of what we’ve accomplished and experienced that has truly made our years at MHS valuable. Today we see the results of all those moments,” she said. “The best part is that this is still just the beginning.”

“Make sure to make the most of every single moment,” Kass encouraged classmates.

Yasin said something that made the class of 2026 special was how students connected with each other, through classes, sports, clubs and even small conversations.

“We built a community,” Yasin said. “We showed up for each other. We created a space where people felt seen and valued.”

Yasin said being there for other students was a big part of what shaped her on her path to graduation.

Photo by Deb Gau MHS graduates made their way into the gymnasium, surrounded by their families and friends.

“Being a first-generation student shaped a big part of my journey. There were times I walked into spaces where I couldn’t see anyone who looked like me or shared my background,” she said. Dealing with those challenges taught her the importance of being there to support other students.

Yasin said her experiences in organizations like Upward Bound gave her guidance and opportunities.

“It became a place where I could grow and feel supported,” she said.

Yasin also thanked teachers and parents, who play a big role in supporting and sacrificing for students.

“That kind of support matters more than we realize,” she said.

Photo by Deb Gau MHS graduates processed into the gymnasium for commencement ceremonies.

In her speech, senior Lilly Boelter called on the class of 2026 to remember that they are Marshall Tigers, and that they will be able to face future challenges, and lead with courage.

“You can handle it,” she said.

As graduates head out into the world, they will experience victories and losses, senior speaker Karsten Springborg said. However, he called on the class of 2026 to keep going even if they experience challenges and loss.

“This moment marks a great change in our lives, and that is something that we should accept with open arms,” he said. “We have reached the goal we have been working toward for the past four years of our lives.”

“This journey won’t be the last difficulty we face,” Springborg said. But graduates will be prepared for future difficulties, because of their experiences at MHS, he said. “We have learned how to struggle, and how to overcome.”

Photo by Deb Gau A total of 197 MHS graduates took part in 2026 commencement ceremonies on Friday.

Photo by Deb Gau MHS graduates processed into the gymnasium at the start of the commencement program.