Iola High School held its 147th commencement Saturday afternoon, as 64 members of the Class of 2026 became the latest crop of USD 257 graduates.
Brennen Coffield, Bethany Miller and Bella Rahming were recognized as the 2026 valedictorians. Chloe Hoag and Ari Ramirez were honored as salutatorians.
Iola City Administrator and current Rotary president Matt Rehder presented Bethany Miller with the Rotary Achievement Award, given to the graduate who maintained the highest grade-point average and ACT score.
The graduates completed 34 Career and Technical Education pathways, a distinction sure to help them in a changing world and workforce. Students can complete pathways by earning certifications or certifications, completing nine college hours in the pathway, or through a work-based internship.
Iola High School Principal Scott Carson marked the memory of two students from the graduating class, Koda Cole and Xvazier Johnson. Both students died before graduating high school. Those gathered in the high school gym honored them with a moment of silence.
Ramirez was selected by her peers to deliver the commencement address. She began by taking note of her surroundings.
“This gym is a very special place, as it is where I actually met you all for the first time at freshman orientation,” Ramirez said. “This gym is also where we’re all together, one last time.
“While I may not have grown up with you all since kindergarten, over the last four years I believe I’ve had the chance to have at least one conversation with at least all of you,” she continued. “This class always made me feel welcome, and I’m thankful for the last four years.”
Ramirez said that while preparing for the speech, she was struck by the difficulty of offering advice to her peers when she’s “in the same boat.” Instead, she turned to her teachers.
“Who better to give us advice and inspire us than those who have watched us grow over the last four years?” Ramirez asked.
She proceeded to then include bits of wisdom she gathered from IHS teachers. Hannah Seufert’s advice — “to be cringe is to be free” — brought laughs from the graduates. But much of the advice centered on being truly present in life’s biggest moments.
“To do that, I’m going to ask you to look at someone or even a group of people that helped you get here today,” Ramirez said, inviting her fellow classmates to recognize someone special in the audience. Ramirez took the time herself to address her parents, offering a brief work of thanks in Spanish.
Ramirez also expressed gratitude to teachers and staff, saying, “I’m sure there are times when we did not make it easy, but it was always appreciated.”
She closed with words of optimism.
“Iola High School is all we have known for the last four years,” Ramirez said.
“And thanks to this community and the faculty and staff of USD 257, I know my class will go out and do great things. And to the class of 2026, it’s been an honor getting to know each and every one of you. I wish you all the best.”
