Dexter Class of 2026: Showing Up for One Another

All paths for Dexter High School’s Class of 2026 led to Al Ritt Stadium on May 29, as they received their diplomas before family, friends and community members, who filled the home bleachers to cheer on the big moment.

Under sunny skies, the DHS Commencement Ceremony was held that evening for the 273 graduates of the Class of 2026. Along with the gathered family and friends, Dexter teachers, administration, school board members and other staff members were on hand to celebrate the graduates.

Opening the ceremony and welcoming his fellow graduates was Andrew Barbaro, the President of the National Honor Society for the Class of 2026. Barbaro opened his welcome by tipping his cap to the community, saying they consistently showed up for one another. He said the support and spirit of Dexter helped shaped not only their achievements, but the people they have become.

Citing the many accomplishments from the athletic fields to the classrooms, Barbaro said they all overcame challenges and grew during their time as they look to close this chapter and open a new one.

“Tonight marks the beginning of a future full of opportunities,” Barbaro said.

School Board President Elise Bruderly also welcomed the graduates and their family and friends. She told the graduates to savor the moment and they were here to celebrate their hard work and accomplishments. In his remarks, Dexter Superintendent Ryan Bruder emphasized the importance of community, how it supports the graduates and that they will always have a place in Dexter.

“Congratulations Class of 2026, your community is proud of you and always will be,” Bruder said.

The Principal’s Award, which was introduced by DHS interim Principal Abby Holland, was the time of the ceremony where two graduates spoke on behalf of their class. They were picked for the award through a selection process. The student speakers were Brynn Guzi and Caleb Drummond, who both brought a theme to their remarks.

Guzi’s theme was titled “The Sound of Sonder.” She opened her talk by thanking her fellow graduates as well as her school counselor Miss Lindsey, her family, and her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for their support and help.

Guzi then asked the crowd if they knew what the word “sonder” was.

She said it’s the profound realization that every passerby is living a life as vivid, complex and chaotic as your own.

“This word is especially important on a day like today,” Guzi said. “Now I may not know how all of you got to this day. Who pushed you to be better for the last 12 years of education, who you look up to, where you’re from or what your future is, but with all of these different stories standing beside us or sitting, we all have one thing in common, we all made it here.”

Drummond’s theme was titled “Made of Small Moments.”

He said he was grateful to be speaking on behalf of the class who spent the last 13 years learning together, growing together and somehow making it to this moment together.  He said this moment probably felt far away when they were young, but now here they were on the verge of a new chapter in their lives. He said they were all inspired and helped along the way from family, friends, teachers and others.

Drummond talked about the idea of making an impact and how it’s often described in such big ways. He said maybe what’s truly important in life are the everyday moments, even the small ones. Citing what may be viewed as small moments that can get overlooked, such as holding the door for someone, staying after practice or rehearsal or a meeting to make sure everything was picked up or by supporting a friend in need, Drummond said what he realizes about their class is that they are all made up of these moments.

The class that showed up for each other, he said, while emphasizing that continuing to demonstrate support and give help along the way, even in small ways, might matter most in the long run.

“So Class of 2026, I hope you remember that we don’t need to change the entire world to matter,” Drummond said. “Sometimes changing someone’s day is enough, sometimes making someone feel seen is enough and sometimes simply showing up is doing more than enough, and if that’s the impact that we all keep making, you know the quiet every day kind, then I think the future will turn out just fine for all of us.”