A total of 59 students graduated on May 21 from Bourbon High School.

The first of three speakers from the senior class was Class President Piper Sykes.

“I don’t think this moment is about having all the answers, but recognizing how far we’ve come, how much we’ve grown and who we’ve become in the process,” Sykes said. “The truth is, life after high school is not going to look the same for all of us. Some of us are going to college, some are going straight to work, some are chasing goals they’ve had for years and some are still figuring out what comes next.”

Salutatorian Brett Payne was next to address the class of 2026.

“People don’t remember speeches; they remember the people, they remember the moments connected to the small parts of life that did not seem important at the time until later,” Payne said. He explained that it is the small moments in life that change people and cause growth.

“There’s levels to life, and if you want more out of it, you have to be willing to push yourself to the next one. After a lot late nights trying to build the life I wanted overnight, I realized nobody’s going to become who they want all at once,” Payne said.

The final senior speaker was valedictorian Kaitlyn King. She said that it is okay not to know what her fellow seniors wanted to do after high school.

“Since we were young, our lives have been mapped out year by year. We knew where we’d be, what building we’d be walking into and who would be sitting around us,” King said. She added that it is okay if the plans they have made change.

“I also want to remind everyone that it’s okay to change your mind, too, no matter how far along you are. Life doesn’t move in a straight line, and neither do we,” King said.

Assistant Principal Amanda Keymann announced the post-secondary recognitions.

Starting with acknowledging the top 10 percent of the graduating class, King, Payne, Piper Sykes, Kaylee Enke, Elizabeth Wagner and Ethan Williams were recognized based on their cumulative GPA over the past four years.

This fall, 22 graduates have declared that they will be attending college or technical schools and East Central College (ECC) Director of Human Resources recognized Annalise Gobin, Kaelyn Waldron and Morgan Webster for graduating from the Early College Academy, which means they are also graduating with an Associate’s Degree from ECC.

Seniors had a variety of opportunities to receive scholarship funds, with over $47,650 from local donors that were presented, and other private scholarships that were announced.

Missouri Career Advising Initiative/College and Career Readiness Advisor Patricia Lewis recognized 12 students who were A+ graduates, as well as eight National Beta Club members.

Bourbon High School did something different this year by giving out a brand new award called the Fly Award. This award is not just about achievement, but is given to a student who also has great character, leadership skills and lifts up others around them.

The first-ever Fly Award was presented to Kaitlyn King.

Superintendent Brian Witt addressed the crowd before the seniors received their diplomas.

“I’ve had the privilege of watching many of you grow through several stages of life, from when you started elementary school, and then middle school and then, yes, I followed you to high school and now graduation,” Witt said. “What matters most is the kind of person you become. Work hard, treat people well, be nice, keep learning and never forget where you came from.”

High School Principal Cassandra Haar closed the ceremony with a few words to the graduates.