PHS Graduates Looking Forward After Commencement – Ron Williams

The Prescott High School Class of 2026 celebrated with their graduation on Bill Shepard Field in front of a packed house of family and friends at Prescott High School.

Photo: Addie Prisciandaro

The atmosphere in the Ruth Street Theater prior to the ceremony was one of quick chats, some photos, along with some just content with their thoughts of the moment and making sure they just looked right as it appeared the waiting was the hardest part. Ready to go, the graduates are ready to move on to the next chapters in their lives.

Photo: Bella Abt

Here are some of the plans the graduates shared. Aubrey Kitahata is excited to be going to GCU to study nursing. Eva Mazon will be staying nearby as she will be studying radiology at Yavapai College.

Photo: Graduates Aubrey Kitahata, Eva Mazon, Jade Furr, and Korynne Smith

Jade Furr is headed back to the southeast to LaGrange College in Georgia where she signed to play volleyball for the Panthers.

Photo: Travis Gates

After a very successful baseball career at PHS, Travis Gates will be going to Kansas Wesleyan University and continue playing baseball. Gates led the team in batting and pitching this past season. Bailey Rentschler is headed to college in New York for nursing.

Jena Hunt is sticking around as her plans are to take over her family’s business just up the road here in Prescott. It is the Old Stage Stop, which is located on the West Outer Loop Road. 

Jacob Janklow has a plan to go into animation.  Dakota Schmidt will be putting his efforts into the Fire Science program at Yavapai College.

Ashton Whitwell will be headed down the road to Phoenix as he plans to attend GCU and major in Entrepreneur Management. He is also interested in playing club ball there.

Matt Hepperle plans to head west and will be going to Antelope Valley College in Lancaster, California, and planning to play some more baseball. He will be pitching and hopefully be able to transfer to a D1 school. Brad Fuhrman will be attending Arizona State University with a major of political science. 

Then it was time to march out onto the field with Pomp and Circumstance performed by the combined efforts of the PHS concert bands. Led by teachers Harrison Chislock and Jen Hawley all the graduates made their way around the track to their seats on the football field.

The class of 2026 marked the 123rd commencement with 346 graduates receiving their diplomas. 

Photo: The Graduates With Distinction

The ceremony included the AFJROTC Color Guard and Honor Guard with the Presentation of Colors and the raising of the flag. The PHS Chamber Singers performed the Star Spangled Banner. Principal Adam Neely welcomed those in attendance and commented how beautiful a place to have such an event. The PHS Chamber singers performed a second song titled ‘Go the DIstance/Defying Gravity’. Governing Board Student representatives Shae Moore and Jaxon Kleinmann introduced the 63 Graduates with Distinction.

Moore followed with the Graduates Distinction of Address. The PHS Concert Band played music from How To Train Your Dragon. 

Senior Class President Bridgette DeBoarde and VP William Townsend delivered the senior class address. Superintendent Clark Tenney touched on his memory recalling some 39 years ago his walk through PHS. Jane Robertson Governing Board President followed by the presentation of the class of 2026. One by the graduated received their diplomas and paired up to flip their tassles. 

A final challenge to their fellow classmates was given by Student Council President Beverly Kreyling and Student Council Vice President Eden Carman.

At the conclusion the caps went flying into the sky as the crowd roared and the fireworks began. Once again it was a truly memorable night at Prescott High School.

Congratulations to all the graduates and best of luck on your futures.