Lone Peak graduates 27 seniors from Class of 2026

‘We are about to head outside of our little bubble, into a great expanse’ 

By Jack Reaney SENIOR EDITOR

On Sunday, May 24, Lone Peak High School celebrated the Class of 2026 with a ceremony full of reflective, encouraging and humorous speeches.

Big Sky School District Superintendent Dr. Dustin Shipman began thanking families, friends, teachers and the Big Sky community for fostering student success. He encouraged students seated in Lone Peak’s gymnasium to seek challenges and live beyond their comfort zones. 

“It is with the foundations you cultivated here, that you will expand further into successful futures,” Shipman said in his address. “I congratulate each one of you for your accomplishments here at LPHS, but I also challenge each graduate to not rest on the past, but to use it as a springboard to the world of opportunities that lie before you.” 

Harper Morris, student council president bound for Division III soccer at Middlebury College, entertained the hundreds on hand with the first student speech. Morris thanked staff and faculty members by name, from bus drivers and lunch ladies to custodians and coaches. She made light of awkward and formative moments by herself and her classmates, recalling specific memories dating all the way back to elementary school. 

“Together, we have spent 2,236 days… [13 years of] essays, math tests and relationship struggles, side by side, but we’ve also become each other’s ride-or-dies. And for that, and so much more, I am forever grateful to have endured this adventure we call childhood growing up alongside all of you.”

Tony Coppola, high school history teacher and boys soccer coach, took a similar approach in his speech, having been chosen by graduates to give the faculty address. He ran through many of the academic and extracurricular accomplishments, growth areas, mistakes and core memories that define the Class of 2026. 

“History can be biased, it can be misleading, but it’s also full of lessons and morals that future generations can grow and foster from… You need to examine the past and present to help guide your future,” Coppola said. 

He said that while graduation can feel like a transitional moment, it is not the act of graduating that validates Lone Peak’s seniors as worthy adults. 

“You don’t need an award or a medal just to prove that you have something special within you,” Coppola said. “All of you are blessed with the talents that are worth congratulating, and this is what this day is all about.”

Valedictorian Elise Daugherty spoke about feelings of pride, relief, anticipation and uncertainty surrounding graduation, as some Big Horns prepare to leave the only place they’ve ever called home. Daugherty is headed to the U.S. Air Force Academy, becoming the first LPHS female to attend a military academy. 

She noted that the Class of 2026 has been privileged to grow up in the “niche society” of Big Sky where everyone wants to see them succeed, demonstrating the importance of a truly supportive community. 

She believes adult life won’t be easy. “The current state of the world is tumultuous, and it can be forgotten by some that we are charged with taking care of the world for the future and young generations, not just ourselves and the present,” Daugherty said. Growing up and learning in Big Sky provides an important foundation for meeting those challenges, Daugherty noted.

“The uniqueness of Big Sky is that it has taught us to care for everything we have, and create a balanced relationship with the world around us… We are about to head outside of our little bubble, into a great expanse. To a place where there will be fights for what is right. The world we are living in today is intimidating, but it is our job to keep it protected,” Daugherty said.  

The keynote commencement speaker was Jennifer Jane, founder of Proper Good Easy Meals, as well as a documentary filmmaker and comedian. 

Jane emphasized that while many young adults are encouraged to not be fearful of failure, mentors often give this advice without sharing any examples of their own mistakes. She listed a few personal failures, from a flawed mac and cheese startup to a television script that fell apart when its main character could not be replaced. 

When roadblocks emerge, Jane encouraged students to try everything they can to address the problems before giving up. But sometimes, failure is absolute. 

“If it’s truly not fixable, just laugh. Just laugh about it. Learn from it and move on,” Jane said. “Dwelling on failure is probably the singular most useless thing you can do in life, as it prevents you from creating the next win.” 

Jane discussed the importance of designing one’s own life with intention, and building “a life you are excited to get out of bed for.” 

She also noted that one of her own greatest life lessons has been finding motivation for the monotonous responsibilities of adult life and one’s career. 

“Learn to get excited about the necessary, boring stuff, as it’s truly a crucial part of life. Make it weird, make it silly, whatever you have to do to get your mind in the right place. As oddly, the boring stuff always is the framework for all the fun stuff,” Jane advised. 

Finally, she cautioned against viewing school-aged years as the best days of one’s life—she pointed out those who reflect on schooling days as the best days of their life are often the most miserable adults. 

“The reason a lot of people think that their school days are their best days is because it was a time in their lives when they were socially active, physically active, learning, working towards goals and trying new things all the time,” Jane said. “The way to keep enjoying life is to simply keep doing and prioritizing these things.” 

After tossing their caps, the seniors walked out to raucous applause while their chosen walk-out song, “Ocean Man” by Ween, encouraged all 27 alumni to lead the wider world to the land that they understand.

“Seniors, look around,” said LPHS Principal Dr. Marlo Mitchem. “You’re surrounded by a community that believes in you, and takes immense pride in everything you’ve done, and everything you will do. Graduation is a finish line, and it’s also a launching pad… We’re so excited to watch your journeys unfold.”

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Graduates in the Class of 2026

Photos and future plans courtesy of Big Sky School District.