Wessington Springs High School graduates tossed their mortarboards high and far last week in celebration of the Class of 2026’s commencement.
Upholding True Dakotan tradition with each year’s WSHS graduating class, the newspaper asked the seniors where they wanted their cap-tossing photo taken. The 29-member Class of 2026, along with five cyberschool students, chose the east side of the high school as the backdrop for the annual photo (TOP PHOTO).
The celebration also produced a memorable moment after the toss, when two graduates realized their caps had disappeared. One mortarboard landed perfectly balanced on the corner of a ledge high above the group, while another settled neatly into a windowsill. The unexpected mishap brought laughter from graduates and staff as everyone worked together to retrieve the final cap before commencement festivities began.
Parents, grandparents, friends and family filled the gymnasium Saturday, May 16, for the 115th annual Wessington Springs High School commencement ceremony. The program featured an emotional flower presentation to parents, loved ones and friends. (ABOVE LEFT, graduate Jada Kolousek hugs her grandmother, Twila Whitehead during the presentation).
The ceremony also included remarks from several speakers: co-valedictorians Ella Fagerhaug and Luke Larson; Mercedes Jones, who introduced keynote speaker Amanda Radke (ABOVE RIGHT); Jada Kolousek, who delivered a tribute to late classmate Estrellita Cardona; and Colby Flowers, who offered a heartfelt message of thanks on behalf of the class.
The standing-only crowd enjoyed “Senior Memories,” a Power Point developed by the WSHS Class of 2026 and a powerful performance performed by the Wessington Springs Concert Choir, directed by Julie Fastnacht.
Following the Presentation of Diplomas, the Class of 2026 closed the graduation ceremony with the recessional Courtesy of the Red White and Blue by Toby Keith.
Wolsey-Wessington High School graduates celebrated the close of their high school careers Saturday during the 22nd Annual commencement exercises honoring the Class of 2026.
Earlier in the week, the class gathered for a group photo during rehearsal (TOP PHOTO). Following rehearsal, the seniors delighted the elementary and middle schoolers with a graduate walk- through the entire school (Ethan Kahre and Hayden Thelen are shown giving high fives to the elementary students, CENTER PHOTO)
Family members, friends and community supporters gathered to fill the gymnasium for the commencement ceremony, which featured both reflection and celebration as graduates prepared to begin the next chapter of their lives.
The graduation program opened with the Posting of the Colors by local American Legion posts, followed by the processional, “Pomp and Circumstance,” under the direction of Jadyn Baumann (Reece Krutfeldt and Irelyn Salisbury are pictured during the processional, ABOVE RIGHT). Clay Kahre led the Pledge of Allegiance and Amanah Woodruff gave the invocation.
Members of the Class of 2026 also took part throughout the ceremony. Jett Kleinsasser delivered the salutatorian address, while Kendal Uttecht presented the valedictorian address. Irelyn Salisbury introduced guest speaker Elizabeth Flemming (ABOVE LEFT), who offered words of encouragement and advice to the graduates.
The ceremony also included a Class of 2026 slideshow and a presentation of parent flowers recognizing the support of family members and loved ones throughout the graduates’ school years. Leslie Tvedt, principal, presented the Class of 2026, while Tara Timm, school board president, presented diplomas to the graduates. Carson Walters led the turning of the tassels and Emily Beals gave the benediction.
