Milan Graduates Encouraged to Persevere Through Life’s ‘Dark Night’

As 114 Milan High School Seniors prepared to turn their tassels and begin the next chapter of their lives, commencement speaker and teacher Erin Keel urged them to persevere through life’s inevitable challenges.

“The successful people are the ones who keep on keeping on,” Keel said. “It’s refusing to let temporary setbacks become permanent excuses.”

Keel said each year she sees many students reach what she calls the ‘dark night of the soul,’ a period when it’s a struggle to keep going.

Keel encouraged students to face such challenges with grit and perspective and find joy in ordinary moments— the teacher or coach who believes in them, a friend who listens, memories of plays, field trips or painting parking spots, a well-timed meme or a treat at Dairy Barn.

Despite setbacks, she urged students to lift up others.

“Even when it’s hard to be kind, we need to be people who show up and encourage others,” Keel said, “even when it’s easier to be indifferent.”

Principal Aaron Shinn honored the graduates, including Valedictorian Zachary Weathers and Class President Abbigail Neuhart.

Shinn said one thing that defines the class of 2026 is its courage to take calculated risks in pursuit of dreams.

He said every graduate had experienced setbacks and the world will continue to test them. However, he said they will never change their lives while playing it safe. 

In her speech, Neuhart celebrated her class’s growth, the journey they had taken together, and the teachers, staff, families and others who showed up for students each day. She recalled the nervousness of starting high school and said, “here we are, not in pajamas, but in caps and gowns ready to step into the world. I think a lot of us never thought we’d make it out of middle school, out of COVID.”

Neuhart said they learned more than the teachers taught from textbooks. 

“Success is not about having everything figured out,” said Neuhart. “It’s about having the courage to take the next step, never losing sight of where you came from.”

Families and friends of the graduates packed the gymnasium. The band and choir performed “Pomp and Circumstance,” “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Moon River,” music from “Stranger Things,” “On Oh Milan,” and “Paint It Black.”

School Board Trustee Andrew Cislo accepted the graduates, reciting the school song “On Oh Milan,” and said the students in the class of 2026 have brought honor to Milan.

After being certified by Superintendent Ryan McMahon, the graduates crossed the stage to receive their diplomas and recessed from the gymnasium as families and friends celebrated.