Scotland County Graduates Class of 2026
MEMPHIS, Mo. — Scotland County R-1 High School celebrated the Class of 2026 during commencement exercises Sunday, May 17, in Memphis.
The ceremony opened with “Pomp and Circumstance,” performed by the Scotland County R-1 Concert Band under the direction of Ben Oliver. Class President Zada Ketchum welcomed family, friends, faculty and community members, saying graduation is about growth and reflecting on the class motto: “To accomplish great things we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.”
Ketchum thanked the community, families, advisers, teachers and mentors who helped guide the class to graduation day.
High School Principal Kirk Stott presented honors before Charlee Holland delivered the senior class address. Holland recalled a fourth-grade lunchroom food fight, saying the class was “young, wild and free,” and that early memory helped set the tone for a group that grew up together.
Although classmates will now head in different directions, Holland said, they leave Scotland County with many opportunities ahead of them.
Dr. Ryan Bergeson, superintendent of schools, introduced commencement speaker Chris Chinn, director of the Missouri Department of Agriculture. Chinn challenged graduates to see leadership as something that begins immediately.
“Each of you has an opportunity to be a leader starting today,” Chinn told the class.
Chinn said true leaders lift others up and reminded graduates that failure can become one of life’s greatest teachers. She also encouraged them to think about how they will give back to their communities.
Following a performance of “Roller Coaster” by the concert band, Stott introduced the senior class. Diplomas were presented by Derek Weber, president of the Scotland County R-1 Board of Education.
The Class of 2026 then shared a senior video before Class Vice President Lillian Frederick gave the commencement closing. Frederick said the memories the class made from kindergarten through graduation will always connect them.
“Stay courageous, stay humble and always keep our memories,” Frederick told her classmates.
The concert band closed the ceremony with “Wave the Flag.”
The senior class sponsor was Terri Young. Class marshals were Cohen Small and Deana McKinney. Ushers were Layla Baker, Braylon Campbell, Laney Doster, Javis Hauk, Ava Remley and Hannah Whitney. The class flower was a white rose with a blue ribbon.
Graduates of the Scotland County R-1 High School Class of 2026 were Austin Andrew Ambrose, Evan Christopher Arnold, Bode William Austin, Emory Kendrick Black, Chloe Danielle Blentlinger, Dane Hawkins Blessing, Keeley Elizabeth Brown, Kara Lea Bulen, Carter Dee Clatt, Niya Nicole Coffman, Kamdyn David Forest, Lillian Brooke Frederick, Frank Joseph Hadeka IV, Mathew Lee Heck, Finley Maria Heine, Zoey Kaylynn Hines-Benedict, Charlee Ann Holland, Sadie Dawn Jackson, Alec Oliver Dean Jacobs, Kahlee Maryann Justice, Zada Rae Ketchum, Trent Allen Mallett, Wesley Edward McSparren, Mason McCabe Myers, Macy Janae Nolt, Lane Andrew Pflum, Leslie Tayte Richmond, Carman Lynn Robinson, Carter Owen Smith, Sandra Lee Steele, Levi Landon Stott, Mason Franklin Trimby, Tessa Kamryn Trimby, Letha Faye Ward and Sophia Da Silva Xavier.
