Ridgefield's Class of 2026 Walks Across the Stage — with Mount St. Helens Looking On

On a clear June evening, Ridgefield High School held its 114th Commencement ceremony — and the mountain was out. Nearly 300 seniors crossed the stadium field Friday night as the volcano kept a quiet watch on the horizon. It was exactly the kind of night this community does well.

Photo and video credit: Sarah Hafner

Friday night had that particular quality you hope for when you've been waiting all year — warm air, full bleachers, and a sky that refused to cloud over. The RHS Band opened with Pomp and Circumstance as the Class of 2026 processed in, and if you were there, you know the stadium felt genuinely electric. Parents leaned forward. Little siblings waved. And behind the stage, framed by the late evening light, Mount St. Helens sat as still and composed as if it had shown up specifically for the occasion.

The Class of 2026 processes through the trellis and into the stadium. Photo: Sarah Hafner

Principal Jeremy Tortora welcomed the crowd before the RHS Jazz Choir, directed by Bob Meek, delivered a striking arrangement of the National Anthem — co-arranged by graduating seniors Connor Smith and Desmond Clark. It was one of those moments where the crowd goes quieter than expected, not from politeness but from actually listening.

Student Voices

The student addresses were a genuine highlight of the evening. ASB President River Leeling, serving as Class Speaker, spoke on the theme of "Change" — and delivered the kind of speech that earns the title rather than just the position. Leeling has been a visible presence at RHS throughout this senior year, and the address landed with the confidence of someone who has earned the room's attention.

Class Speaker and ASB President River Leeling. Photo: Sarah Hafner

Honor Graduate Speaker Nathan Kim — Vice President of the senior class, National Honor Society President, and one of five military-bound graduates — addressed the class on the theme "Lost But Not Forgotten." Kim is headed to Naval ROTC, and it showed: the speech was clear-eyed and gracious in equal measure.

Honor Graduate Speaker Nathan Kim. Photo: Sarah Hafner

A Teacher, Chosen by the Students

The commencement address this year went to teacher Megan Lacey — and that detail matters, because Lacey was chosen by the students themselves. Her address, titled "When the Ceiling Darts Fall," drew a longer pause from the crowd than most graduation speeches manage. There's something different about watching a teacher address a class that specifically wanted to hear from her. Whatever darts she was talking about, the room was with her.

Megan Lacey, teacher and student-chosen commencement speaker. Photo: Sarah Hafner

The RHS Jazz Choir performs "Rainbow Connection," arr. by Andy Beck. Photo: Sarah Hafner

The Jazz Choir returned for special music later in the program with a performance of "Rainbow Connection" in an arrangement by Andy Beck — a choice that felt a little unexpected and completely right for the moment. The program closed with the Board of Directors presenting diplomas and Principal Tortora presenting the class.

By the Numbers: Class of 2026

This graduating class put together a remarkable collective record. Thirteen students were named Honor Graduates — the top 3% of the class. Twenty-nine students earned Associate of Arts degrees alongside their high school diplomas. Thirty-five students were members of the National Honor Society. And the class's college application list ran to more than 150 institutions, from local community colleges to Brown, Duke, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and Yale.

Five members of the class are heading into military service: William Andrew to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Paige Beickel and Troy Moe to the U.S. Navy, Nathan Kim to Naval ROTC, and Xavier Carson Odem to the U.S. Army. Superintendent Dr. Jenny Rodriguez recognized them during the ceremony.

After the Diplomas

Celebrations after the ceremony. Photo: Sarah Hafner

If you were anywhere near the stadium parking lot after the ceremony, you know what the next hour looked like — flowers, photographs, grandparents navigating grass in dress shoes, and a lot of people trying to find each other in the crowd. It's one of those Ridgefield evenings that gets locked into family memory. The mountain was still out. The air was still warm. The Class of 2026 had officially graduated.

Photo: Sarah Hafner

Full Graduate List: Class of 2026

The following students were presented as the Ridgefield High School Class of 2026 by Principal Jeremy Tortora. An asterisk (*) denotes a 3.5 cumulative GPA; a dagger (†) denotes the top 3% of the class.

• Ezekiel Cohen Adams
• Lillian Rebecca Adams
• Ryley Marie Adams
• Alina Nicole Akimenko* †
• Diego David Alas Franco
• Ashley M Allen
• Claire Ann Allison*
• Aliyah Grace Anderson
• Bennett Clayton Anderson
• Chloe Elizabeth Anderson*
• Nadia Elia Anderson
• Nelina Anderson
• Lydia Sophia Andraschko*
• Naomy Andrade
• William Joseph Andrew*
• Landon Izaak Apol*
• Jesus Ferman Arellano-Ayala
• Lily Marie Diane Baker
• Neal Ballard
• Raeley Kay Barnes
• Aiden Mikel Baron
• Sophia Claire Baron
• Mark Batsalai*
• Lucy Britt Becker*
• Felana D Beckley
• Tristan Begines
• Paige Elizabeth Beickel
• Dylan James Benavidez
• Daniel C Bergdale
• Noah Thomas BeShears
• Anna J. Bjur*
• Jake Blankenship
• Cole William Blehm*
• Kailey Mae Boudreau
• Sydney Ann Braaten
• Caroline Elisabeth Brandt*
• Ashlee Michelle Bridges
• Evelyn L. Brown
• Madeline Renee Bruguier
• Trevor Lawrence Brunson
• Levi Charles Bryan
• Madsen Michael Burnett
• Mckenna Lynn Calkins
• Abel Orey Calleja*
• Mya Marrie Campbell
• Alexis Marie Capps
• Isaac Elias Carattini
• Beck Carlile
• Lylah Belle Carlson*
• Nolan R Carney
• Addisson Rose Carvel*
• Caleb Alexander Carver
• Myla Kate Casper*
• Kale Christopher Cast*
• Kamden Dee Cast*
• Gretchen Ortiz Catalan
• Roselyn Centeno
• Alexandrea Chantel Chacon
• Analicia Marie Chacon
• Edward Chamberlain
• Savannah Dorothy Chanda*
• Emma Lillian Chapin*
• Londyn M. Chapman
• Oliver Eduardo Chavez Lopez
• Amahra Maly Chhor*
• Jonathan Alexander Cisneros
• Cadence Grace Clark* †
• Kylee Mae Clarke-Henderson
• Reagan Olivia Clark
• Alexis Clement
• Carter Scott Clemenson*
• Carsen Coberly
• Christopher James Conrad
• Hannah Cook*
• Benjamin Eli Cooke*
• Felix Blu Cothran
• Josiah Leonard Edward Cowley*
• Aubrey Kathlene Cox*
• Dillyn Ray Crile
• Scarlett Rose Cronkhite
• Katelyn DeLayne Crouch*
• Marissa Ann Cushman
• Julieann Starla Cyphers*
• Kali Lynn Walsh Daarud
• Jackson Michael Daniel
• Hansen Darsia* †
• Lilly Lynn Day
• Landon Loy DeBeaumont*
• Aiden Bradie Denham
• Marlo Jo-ann Denniston
• Britney Mirella Diaz Alcantar
• Vincent Ferenc Dollens* †
• Allie Brooke Doman
• Lance Quinn Draper*
• Chase William Duncan*
• Peyton R Dugger
• Carys Jane Dunning*
• Cooper Thomas Duszynski
• MJ Dynes*
• Hannah Lyn Edwards*
• Conner Wallace Enquist
• Eladia Rose Meneses Erickson* †
• Jorge Baudilio Espinoza Moino
• Hayley Rose Esser
• Daniel Ruslan Fabyanchuk*
• London Marie Ferber
• Koen Van Fiser*
• Tyler Kenneth Fish*
• Nolan Elliot Fisher
• Sophia Jianna Fisher
• Marin Ming Fitzgerald* †
• Hendrix Joshua Flick*
• Sadie Mae Ford*
• Olivia Faith Foster
• Keira Ashley Franklin*
• Olivia R Freauff
• Chase Isaac Funk*
• Elianna Grace Galvan Bishop*
• Anthony Alexander Garcia
• Kamryn M Garratt
• Cash Russell Gentemann
• Abigail Zoe Gherman
• Ava James Gillett
• Carson A Goldin
• Jade Josephine Gonzalez*
• Kayden Allie Gonzalez
• Marisol Lynn Gonzalez
• Keira D. Gorseth* †
• Andrew Grant
• Cameron A. Greer
• Alyssa Marie Gregory
• Cooper James Gregory
• Caleb Adam Gross
• Makenna Hagedorn*
• Anna Rose Hamburg*
• Dilon James Scott Hamilton
• Natalie A. Hamlin
• Cade T Harris
• Landon Thomas Leo Harris
• Deven Michael Hausinger-Barbo
• Wyatt Michael Hemmelman
• Drace-Ari Jaxonn Henning
• Wyatt Danger Henry*
• Adrian Omar Nickolas Hernandez
• David Zelidon Hernandez
• Jayden Nickolas Hernandez
• Nadia Hernandez Mack
• Paola Sofia Hernandez
• Daniel Geoffrey Hess*
• Miguel Hidalgo Jaramillo
• Caitlyn Grace Hittle*
• Drew James Hoekstra
• Reece Hsieh Holmes
• Megan Edith Homola
• Tallon K Hood
• Matthew Evans Hopper
• Kylie Eva Hoxeng
• Nicolette J Hulse*
• Emma Joylynn Hundley
• Malina Grace Hutchison* †
• Colin J Hutton
• Behla Joy James*
• Jacob Alekxander Javier
• Vilma Linn Jenren*
• Aiden L Jensen
• Kate Michele Jochim*
• Ayla Camille Johnson
• Mason Daniel Jones
• Raina Jones
• Ryder David Jones
• David Niels Jorgensen
• Lilly NaLee Joynes
• Dylan Hunter Kaiser
• Lauren M Kelly*
• Zoe Dei Kemink
• Nathan Kim* †
• Kendal Shay Kirkelie*
• Andrew Joel Kline
• Jacob Quentin Koch
• Rylan Russell Kopeikin
• Connor Victor Landry* †
• Litzy Lardizabal
• Sofia Natalia Larios
• Antonella Marie Laudadio*
• Abella Leary
• River Leeling*
• Riley Jeanette Legg
• Casey Jo Lehnertz*
• Jae-il Park Lemke JR
• Kirsi Ryan Leppanen*
• Aleric J. Lewis*
• Lily-Aunna Raquel Libby
• Levi Thomas Livsey
• Cameron James Lockett
• Ava López
• Irene Anita Lopez*
• Jamison Scott Lowe
• Mason Lui*
• Greyson Black Madler
• Bradley Gene Maher*
• Nathan A Markanen
• Marie Martinez*
• Sandra Martinez Platon
• Roman Matthiesen*
• Torin Padraig Mauch
• Jamison William McCann
• William Gean McKerney
• Brian Keith Mclemore III
• Jonah Sage Mednick
• Lilly Meek
• Max H Melroy
• Tessa Mendoza
• Adrian Merino
• Tyler Grace Merlock*
• Koen B Metscher
• Gavin Wyatt Miesner
• Alayna Millbrooks
• Elijah Jon Miller* †
• Tatum Rose Miller
• Troy Jeffrey Moe
• Willow Mei Mon*
• Cassidi Cristina Montoya
• Joshua Yumin Moon*
• Brody Acey Moore
• Teegan Ray Moore
• Wyatt Austin Moore
• Katarina E. Moré*
• Madden Shane Moses*
• Matthew James Murten*
• Jonathan Michael Narmore*
• Brayden Christopher Neiberger
• Benjamin David Neil*
• Tobias R. Nelson*
• Charlee Ann Nevels*
• Alexis Marie Nichols
• Aiko Saphorna Nies
• Alexander Ammar Njoum
• Ava Grace Norton*
• Xavier Carson Odem
• Chimaraoke Olurotimi Okafor*
• Yelizaveta Oliinyk
• Aiden Riddley Olmsted
• Lincoln Noah Olson
• Nichita Oselinschi
• Cole James Peddycord
• Jerrol Lee Parson
• Alicia Perez
• Amanda Perez Cervantes
• Gavin David Perry
• Bennett Flick Peterson
• Ethan Jon Pilgrim*
• Raymond Lee Plourd
• Rowen Wade Pratt
• Lou Nicole Price*
• Zoey Erica Pridemore
• Brianna Nicole Quiroz Santiago*
• Audrey Jayden Ramey*
• Luis Ramos-Calvo
• Viviana Marie Ramponi
• Sophia Aideliz Rangal Vargas
• Connor Samuel Rapp*
• Aiden Cole Raymond*
• Macain Everett Reed*
• Logan W. Reid
• Graysen Connell Rozan Revord
• Haylie Isabelle Roeder*
• Abigail A Rogers
• Mark Luis Romero
• Quentin Xander Ross
• Olivia Chamrouen-Nicol Roun
• Grace Skyler Rowland
• Gabriella Zoe Rupp
• Mia Rene Russell
• Brooklyn Danielle Ryan
• Tiana Bennett Sanchez
• Phoebe A Sandow
• Liam H Schafer
• William Schinzing
• Malachi Phillip Isaiah Seise
• Boston Cash Seppala
• Anushna Anushka Sharma
• Addison Michelle Shifflette*
• Olivia Shkolnik
• Ellie N Shriver
• Noah Allen Edward Shular
• Ethan Marcus Sigman*
• Coleman Alexander Simmons*
• Rhys J. Simmons
• Radley Paul Simons*
• Hayden Matthew Dyson Simpson
• Satjot Singh* †
• Makenzie Marie Skucas
• Faith Christine Smith*
• Jaxson Bradbury Smith
• Andrew Soare*
• Samantha Azul Solis
• Cesar Solorio Mercado*
• Mathias Eugene Sorensen*
• Miranda Soto
• Rin Hailey Spence
• Madison Jean Storedahl*
• Lucia Phyllis Straub*
• Chloe Stella Delacruz Susi*
• Oliver Tristan Swanson
• Chloe Danielle Tate
• Lily Darlene Taylor
• Zachary Aaron Taylor
• Addison Michele Thompson
• Taylor L. Todd
• Caleb David Tortora*
• Shelby Faith Totsky
• Drew William Elmer Tretheway
• Dominic Kai Turner
• Salina Jewels Tuttle
• Lilah Rose Tyrrell*
• Layali Justine Ula-Keeler
• Emma L. Ulmer*
• Carson Lee Underwood
• Kaiya Elisa Van Sant
• Selena Vasquez-Ramirez
• Emmanuel Vazquez Contreras
• Aiden Micheal Vega-Lazaro
• Madelyn Kalani Ventura*
• Samuel I. Vorobets
• Alexis Voukidis*
• Emma Jane Waddle
• Keegan Marcus Wallace
• Sydney Wallace
• Jaysin Akira Ihe'e Watanabe*
• Hailey Richelle Watlington
• Landen Lee Wells
• Henry David Wheeler
• Kaiden Waylon Whitlow
• Tava D Whitlow*
• Cameron James Whittle
• Naomi Annalise Whitton* †
• Henry James Wikstrom*
• Amiyah C. Williams
• Cooper Lamonai Wilson
• Ellie Ann Wilson
• Makenzie Grace Wilson
• Thomas Winkle
• Katelyn Renee Witter
• Brody Lee Wolski*
• Shaylynn April Wright
• Parker A Yancey
• Spencer Eugene Yarger

* 3.5 cumulative GPA    † Top 3% of class