Update: Rain Moves Skyline High School’s Class of 2026 Graduation Indoors

Skyline High School’s Class of 2026 marked a major milestone Wednesday night as graduates, families, friends, teachers, and community members gathered for commencement.

The ceremony was held on May 20 at 7 p.m. and was live-streamed by the Royal Examiner. The live broadcast has ended, but the replay is now available for those who could not attend in person or who want to watch the celebration again.

Rain moved the ceremony indoors, but the change did not take away from the excitement of the evening. Principal Jody T. Lee thanked the maintenance department and school staff for helping with the quick transition, including setting up the stage, putting out floor mats and bringing in extra chairs to make room for as many guests as possible.

“I know it’s not an ideal graduation,” Lee said. “My graduation was inside, but Mother Nature wasn’t in our favor. But I promise you, we’re going to have just as much fun, and we’re going to celebrate together at the end.”

For many families, graduation is more than a ceremony. It is the moment years of homework, early mornings, school activities, friendships, challenges and achievements come together. The replay gives viewers a chance to revisit each part of the evening, from the processional to the final congratulations.

The commencement program opened with the Senior Class of 2026 processional, featuring “Fanfare and Processional: Pomp and Circumstance” by Edward Elgar, arranged by James D. Ployhar and performed by the Skyline High School Band. The band also performed following the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

Mackenzie Nicole McIntyre, president of the Class of 2026, delivered welcome remarks before Lee addressed the graduates and guests. McIntyre reflected on the challenges students faced and the strength it took to reach graduation night.

“Every single person sitting here tonight has a story,” McIntyre said. “Some of us had to fight battles that nobody else could see. Some of us doubted ourselves, felt lost, or questioned whether we would even make it to this moment, yet here we are.”

She reminded her classmates that graduation is about more than receiving a diploma.

“Graduation is not only about receiving a diploma, but it is about recognizing the strength, growth, and resilience that brought us to this day,” McIntyre said.

As graduates prepared for different paths, McIntyre encouraged them not to measure success by one standard.

“Life is not a race, and there is no single path to happiness or success,” she said. “What matters the most is that we continue chasing our dreams, believing in ourselves, and never allowing fear to stop us from becoming who we are capable of being.”

Lee’s remarks focused on the Hawk 4 values: respect yourself and others, be here, think positively and value learning. He said those values are more than words on a wall.

“These aren’t just words on a wall,” Lee said. “These are a foundation of what it means to be a part of this school.”

He encouraged graduates to carry those values into the future.

“Think positively. It doesn’t mean ignoring challenges. It means facing them with resilience,” Lee said. “Every one of you has overcome something to sit here today. That mindset, that belief that you can, will carry you farther than you realize.”

Lee also reminded students that learning does not end at graduation.

“Today is called graduation, but it’s not the end of learning,” he said. “It’s the beginning of learning on your own terms. Stay curious. Stay open. Success comes to those who keep learning.”

The ceremony also included the Hawk 4 Award, presented by Andrew C. Keller, the first principal of Skyline High School. Keller spoke about the purpose behind the school’s core values when Skyline first opened.

“When we opened up Skyline High School, it was our desire to provide students with simple yet powerful goals to aim for,” Keller said. “Respect yourself and others, value learning, be here, and think positive.”

Keller said the award recognizes a student who best represents those four traits, including service to others, a commitment to learning, true engagement, and a positive spirit. He announced Tegan Flowers as the Hawk 4 recipient for Skyline High School’s 19th graduating class.

The ceremony also included military recognition led by James Kenney, a science teacher at the school. Dr. Troy N. Wright, superintendent of Warren County Public Schools, presented the Carl and Emily Thompson Charitable Trust Scholarship to the two students with the highest academic GPAs. The program also recognized distinguished honor graduates with GPAs of 4.0 and above, as well as honor graduates with GPAs between 3.5 and 3.99. Those recognitions were led by Mr. John Natalie.

The Skyline High School Band performed the alma mater, composed by Tom Bowen, before the presentation of diplomas by the Skyline High School administration. Dr. Wright then declared the graduates, officially closing one chapter and opening the next for the Class of 2026.

The ceremony ended with the recessional, “Fanfare and Recessional” by Edward Elgar, arranged by James D. Ployhar, as the Class of 2026 stepped forward into life after high school.

The replay offers families and community members a way to celebrate the graduates’ hard work and share the moment with loved ones near and far.

Congratulations to Skyline High School’s Class of 2026!