Sachse High School graduates celebrate the conclusion of commencement exercises with the traditional cap toss Wednesday, May 20, at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland as they officially close one chapter and prepare for the next. Photo Tina Lopez/The Sachse News

By Allison LaBrot | [email protected]

Sachse High School’s Class of 2026 celebrated its achievements during commencement exercises Wednesday, May 20. The ceremony for the 741 graduates was held at the Curtis Culwell Center in Garland. 

The processional began with an array of flags representing the many cultures that made up the Class of 2026. The highest-ranking student from each nation carried a flag. The Sachse High School Wind Ensemble performed “The Star-Spangled Banner,” featuring senior Braxton Blankenship as vocal soloist. 

Student Council President Sophia Mary Olalde Taylor led the Pledge of Allegiance and Texas Pledge.

Senior class president Amsi Simei Orozco and Garland ISD superintendent Ricardo López welcomed graduates, guests and administrators. López also recognized Saniya Reed and Brooklynn White for displaying “grit” throughout their journeys to graduation. 

The program continued with a performance of “From Sea to Shining Sea” by the school’s wind ensemble and A Cappella choir.

Principal Shae Creel’s praised the graduating class for its diverse academic and extracurricular achievements. He also encouraged graduates to reflect on their high school years and find joy in the journey before them. 

“I charge each and every one of you to get out of your comfort zone, experience the world and all it has to offer, make good decisions, be a good person to everyone and know that we love you,” Creel said.

Salutatorian Michelle Chung expressed gratitude for the community of people that supported the Class of 2026 and specifically thanked her parents for their care and sacrifices. While acknowledging the different paths her classmates will take, Michelle also reminded the audience of their shared humanity.

“We all have the ability to learn, to change, to be curious and to dream,” she said, “As we do that though, it is inevitable that we will make silly mistakes and mess up, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned from high school … it is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.”

Valedictorian Imanol Matos Colón dedicated his speech to his grandparents and reflected on a question he has considered throughout high school: “What does it truly mean to be human?” He said his answer now differs from the one he would have given as a freshman.

“To me, to be human means to feel emotion, the good, the bad and the in-between,” Imanol said.

He also thanked teachers, friends and family members who taught him what it means to be human and live in the present. 

School board trustee Wes Johnson, who also celebrated the milestone as the father of one of the graduates, shared remarks during the ceremony.

“The value of one’s life is not measured by how safely it was lived,” Johnson said, “The value of one’s life is measured by how fully it is lived.”

In addition to receiving high school diplomas, 131 students were honored for receiving associate degrees.

Soloist Sidney Mallari led the alma mater, and the ceremony concluded with the traditional cap toss and the wind ensemble performing John Williams’ “Coronation March” for the recessional.

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