It was finally time for the Class of 2026 to walk the stage last week, as graduation finally came for the Malad High School students who have spent the last 13 or so years waiting for it.

The MHS Concert Band led with the prelude and then the requisite “Pomp and Circumstance” as the graduates made their way to their seats, where Student Body President Boston Burbidge was waiting to master the ceremonies. 

As is customary, new inductees to the Oneida County Hall of Fame – recently minted DelMar Pierce Willaims, Dotty Thrope Evanson, and William Griff Jenkins – were recognized.  Sneior Class President Jack Willie presented their names to the assembled Dragons.  The literal Hall of Fame for the county happens to be a hallway just outside the gym in which the students gathered for graduation, and the plaques of the three recent inductees will join their fellows as models of what students graudating MHS might aspire to. 

Co Valedictorian Jens Huckabee

There was one more address than usual this year, as in addition to Levi Angell’s Salutatorian speech there were two co-Valedictorians named for 2026, Jens Huckaby and Bayli Nesbit.  Between the three of them, they presented strong examples of academic rigor, self-awareness, and forward-thinking plans for success in the future.

Following the student speeches, “Lunar lullaby” was performed by the Chamber Choir.

The Commencement Address itself was given by someone familiar to almost all students, 

Commencement speaker Principal Robert Hannah

 Principal Robert Hannah.  While students of course know Hannah as their current principal, many of them also know him from other points in the school careers, most recently as their middle school principal.  With such a unique and longitudinal relationship with most of the students, Hannah was able to speak to their shared experiences in a way that few adults would be able to, having witnessed them grow and develop as people, and as students.

The diplomas were presented by Hannah and School Board Chairman Brandon Ward, after which “Vienna” by Billy Joel was played as a recessional.

Next week, we will run the list of scholarships awarded to MHS
students.

Graduating Class of 2026

Rusty T. Calvin Adams Foy, Cameron John Allen, Mason Richard Alvarez, Levi Brock Angell*   **, Brayden Emil Arnout, Addison Jade Ashby, Braylin Mae Beutler*   **, Cam O’rion Bingham, Emma Rae Bird*   **, Brooks D. Blaisdell, Karma Marie Blazor, Parley Joy Bodily, Kyle Brackin, Destiny Louann Brees, Cale Don Briggs, Matthew James Briscoe, Boston Anthon Burbidge, Jefferson Rick Buttars, Carter James Carey, Quade C. Carter, Mordecai Ace Charles, Denae Lenette Colgrove, Shane Lavere Cornwall, Taylor Shannon Cowdin**, Ayden Jay DeVore, Jaylee Jo Ekstrom*   **, Bronson Manning Garrett, Zander Luke Giles, Kylie Grace Halajian, Quincee Marie Hammer, Scarlet Ann Hawkes*   **, Isabella Anne Haycock, Holdyn Blair Higley, Aaliyah Marie Hobson, Jens Josiah Huckaby**, Kyler Ash Hutchens, William Lee Jackson, Jaezie Jo Jensen, Caden Ellsworth Jeppson, Daxton Julian Jimenez, Brylee Marie Jones, Brynnlee Faith Jones*   **, Mikell Keetch, Zane Edward Komrofske, Emma Elizabeth Lloyd, Logan Lee Maroney, Chase Mitchell Martin, Austin, James Mathews, Rebecca Laurie McCracken, Kendan Ensign McCullough, Kiley Delilah Miller**, Purity Alexis Miller, Porter Jon Mills, Rydon H. Montgomery, Tamra Nicole Moss, Olivia Lela Nelson, Bayli Beth Nesbit*   **, Sabrina Ann Nipko, Rachel Shayne Ostrom, Ayden William Potter, Miley Elizabeth Price, Zachary Thomas Reiss, Caleb Ryan Roe, Kendra Joyce Rupp, TyLynn J. Ryver, Beth Melodee Schardine, Adilyn Grace Schow, Sparro Scott, Aubrey Arlene Shulz, Paisley D. Smith, Justin James Toone, McCoy Jason VanBebber, Braxton James Vanderwoude, Kurt William Ward, Addison Lee Williams, Evvie, Kae Williams, Jack Timothy Willie, Samuel Carl Willie, Alina Lee Willis, Sariah Tracy Wolfe, George Aaron Lambert Woolley, Aly Paige Wright, Tylee Estelle Wright, Jaquelynn Rae Young

*Earned an Associate of Arts in University Studies degree from ISU

**Graduating with an Idaho STEM degree

Scholastic Honor Roll Top 10%

Levi Brock Angell, Jens Josiah Huckaby, Jaezie Joe Jensen, Brynlee Faith Jones, Bayli Beth Nesbit, Adilyn Grace Schow, Paisley D. Smith, Jack Timothy Willie, Samuel Carl Willie 

Honor Roll Top 25%

Addison Jade Ashby, Emma Rae Bird, Jaylee Jo Ekstrom, Scarlet Ann Hawkes, Isabella Anne Haycock, Mikell Keetch, Kendan Ensign McCullough, Kiley Delilah Miller, Tamra Nicole Moss, Olivia Lela Nelson, Caleb Ryan Roe, Aly Paige Wright

Board of Trustees

Brandon Ward, Chalae Teeples, Tresie Carter, Shane Howard, Jared Crowther, Carlean Tubbs

Student Body Officers

Boston Burbidge, President; Matthew Briscoe, Vice President; Kendra Rupp, Secretary; Emma Bird, Public Relations; Aly Wright, Pep Representative; Jens Hucakby, Technology Specialist

Senior Class Officers

Jack Willie, President; Jaylee Ekstrom, Vice President; Kendra Rupp, Secretary; Paisley Smith, Public Relations; Aly Wright, Pep Representative

Co Valedictorian Bayli Nesbit

Salutatorian Levi Angell