Messages resonated during Hononegah’s Class of 2026 commencement

Messages shared at Hononegah Community High School’s Class of 2026 resonated with family, friends, and graduates on Saturday, May 23. 

Under the direction of Mr. Jeremiah Kramper, the HCHS band played a medley  of tunes.

Pomp and Circumstance rang out as 421 graduates entered the arena of the BMO Center in Rockford. 

Under the direction of Carolyn Frieden, senior choir members sang The Star-Spangled Banner while blending in perfect harmony.

Student Council President Katherine Hardwick gave a warm welcome. 

“I am no stranger to procrastination. My mom was a school counselor this year and she has a magnet above her desk that says, “Eat the Frog” which means to get the hardest task done first. 

If it hadn't been for my moms reminder I would have never stepped outside my comfort zone. I implore that we put this advice in the back of our minds. 

None of us went through high school alone. We always had someone to give us advice. 

Please find the beauty in our shared moments here at Hononegah."

Students who will be serving our country in various branches were recognized. Twenty three students proudly wore an Honor Cord courtesy of the Rockton Legion Auxiliary.

Dougherty asked that all of the veterans in the room stand to be recognized. 

Dougherty lauded work done by the senior class with their grit and determination. 

“This class has achieved some impressive feats in academics and athletics, too many to mention here today. In the process, many honors have been bestowed upon them.” 

Dougherty asked for a round of applause for staff members and the role they played in graduates' education. 

 “We had 76 students recognized as Summa Cum Laude, a 4.0 or better GPA, 28 students were recognized as Magna Cum Laude, and 36 as Cum Laude.”

“We had 190 seniors take 472 Advanced Placement exams. These statistics are the reasons that Hononegah is constantly ranked as a Top 40 high school in Northern IL. The Class of 2026 thank you for being  part of this legacy.”

Dougherty acknowledged volunteer mentors, who are known as S.O.A.R, and their leadership in assisting other students. 

A diploma from 1925 appeared on the screen that once belonged to Hononegah alumni Mary Inez Richardson. The diploma was framed and recently gifted to the school by her granddaughter Gabrielle Ogden. Another photo was shown of Richardson in a Homecoming parade. 

Dougherty thanked the Ogden family for the donation, giving special recognition to graduate Kaitlin Ogden’s great-uncle, who is 91 years old, who joined in celebrating. 

To honor the Hononegah legacy all alumni were recognized. 

Principal Dougherty recognized the Top 25 of the class. Dougherty listed colleges that these students are planning to attend.

Senior choir members  performed the song, You Are The Music.

Six early graduates were named.

Christine Regan introduced Salutatorian Landon Samuelson. Regan compared Samuelson’s journey to the one in The Road Less Traveled. Regan shared thoughts from his teachers which describe his character. Samuelson excelled in academics and athletics. 

Samuelson said, “I cannot help but to feel excitement with what lies ahead. We will all be exceptional no matter the pursuit. Don’t  be afraid to give it your all. Welcome the challenges, welcome the mistakes, welcome the failures, then learn the lessons, grit your teeth, and grasp your dreams.“

Samuelson said, “Don’t forget your why. Remembering the little things often works the best. It is the small things that bring joy.”

James Sabathne introduced the first of two Valedictorians, Emma Caver. Sabathne called Caver, “one of Hononegah’s very special graduates.” 

“I look at the class of 2026, and I know I am looking at greatness. He told a few stories about Emma, who was a student, leader, thespian, choir member, and athlete along while serving on the advisory committee and on S.O.A.R.

Caver earned the honor of being a Merit Scholarship winner, one of a small percentage of students.

Caver expressed gratitude to her teachers and her family before saying,

 “Today, as we celebrate the successes of the last four years, it may surprise you that I would like to speak about failure. While it is always important to give our best effort; we will all experience failure at some point.

This is not to say that it is pointless to try if we are faced with adversity rather than failure helps us grow. When we don’t perform as well as we’d like on an assignment, a game, or in a performance, we learn what doesn’t work. 

Most of the scientific and technological achievements have been preceded by numerous failed attempts. 

Failure also brings us together. When we ask for help, we find someone else's strength in our weakness. 

As we go forward, share the skills that make you, you. Celebrate your own individuality rather than try to fit into standards others may set. 

Your humor, perspective, and your experiences are valuable. 

After we leave this arena, our paths might not end up in a straight line. The most important task is to learn from your past experiences. It is OK to change your mind as we step into the next chapter. 

As we celebrate this milestone with our loved ones, may we all have the courage to step into the next chapter of our lives with appreciation for the challenges that have shaped our journeys.”

Mr. Micheal Lawyer lauded Co-Valedictorian Katherine Hardwick, noting her athletic prowess, and as the student body president she asked "Do you think they will let me give speeches at Hononegah?” She has made her mark. 

“My only piece of advice for my fellow graduates is to make mistakes. Life is too short to not make mistakes, do not take it too seriously. Do not confine yourselves to a fixated strain of thinking or living.

Life begins at the end of your comfort zone. Through my senior year, many have asked, what are your plans? 

I already know that after we leave today, I will be asked this question many, many times.” 

Hardwick outlined what she did in an attempt to find her place. 

“I have become more observant, and open-minded, all traits I have begun to see in my fellow classmates, traits that I feel embody our senior class more than any label ever could. 

I always believed that somebody's purpose was to find a singular path to follow for the rest of their life. At the moment that we allow ourselves to find a broader space, we can realize that our work is not to be measured by how well we fit into a specific label or how well we do a specific thing.

What do you want to do when you leave high school? In high school many of us feel pressured to find out who we are. 

Your path is your own and you don’t have to change who you are to fit a mold.  It is the path and the people that you meet along the way. This is not where your story ends, it is only one piece of your journey. 

Our time spent at Hononegah is not measured by our grades, or our popularity, athletics feats, but the connections that we have made with each other. We have found belonging in many places.”

Superintendent Mike Dugan certified that the 107th class of Hononegah Community High School has met all of the requirements for graduations. Dugan enthused, “Go forth and do great things."

Board of Education President Dave Kurlinkus sent a special thank you to Mike Dugan who is retiring after eight years. 

“Mike has been a great leader who has overseen many projects and programs which has allowed us to maintain our reputation as one of the top schools in the state. His three sons are alumni. Thank you Mr. Dugan for your hard work and dedication.

Kurlinkus addressed students, “You are prepared to face anything, because you learned how to think and not what to think. Don t take anything or anyone for granted. 

You must be able to be productive and engage, even with those you disagree with. Be compassionate, show kindness. Being kind costs nothing. Always seek the truth. In the face of diversity, always look in the mirror and say you did the best you could. 

Make the same commitment that your community has. 

Please remember all those who helped you. Never forget where you came from. 

Teachers formed two lines in preparation of welcoming graduates as they exited. 

Senior Class President Anushree Karunamurthy Premanand expressed gratitude to staff, teachers, and parents.

“Your support has been a compass for us that has helped us navigate.”

Premanand said to her fellow students, “You are entering a period of change.” 

“I know that change can be a scary thing, but change is what brought us here tonight.  Over the past four years we have changed in ways we might not have noticed at first. We have become more independent and more resilient. The challenges we faced, and even the mistakes we have made, have led us here today. 

Change can take us away from what is familiar. Even as life moves forward, the memories we made here will stay with us forever. 

Remember the lessons we have learned and the people who have helped us get here.”

Premanand asked that graduates move their tassels from the right side of their cap to the left. 

Graduates' names were read by Susan Bohn and Jean Chambers as each received their diploma. 

Purple and gold ballons dropped down in celebration.

Hononegah’s Class of 2026’s class motto is, “This was the very first page, not where the storyline ends,” a quote from Taylor Swift.