May 17th, 2026 marks the ending to a new beginning. Concord High School’s class of 2026 seniors lined the hall in their caps and gowns as they prepared to take the final steps of their high school career.
The top 10 juniors began the ceremony carrying the American Flag, the Michigan Flag, and the Flag of Colors, followed shortly by the staff members, then our graduates. It was then time for a moment of silence to remember those who could not be with us, led by Trenton Frazer. Subsequently, Mrs.Snyder took the time to recognize all students receiving high academic honors. Students being honored with a single cord were Connor Stevens, Tyler Rundle, Emma Burbo, and Jaylin Knoblett, and students being honored with double cords were Julia Stevens, Trenton Frazier, Cece Barrett, Jordyan Metcalf, Macy Sinden, Lily Vandenburgh, Lane Blossom, Bella Coppernoll, Brayden Grindall, Maddox Hutchinson, and Elizabeth Jordan.
The four-year awards were then handed out. Julia Stevens received the English, Leadership, and Publications Award. Trenton Frazer received the Math, Art, and Health and Fitness Awards. Macy Sinden received the Science and Spanish award. Connor Stevens received the Social Studies award. Brayden Grindall and Maddox Hutchinson both received the Band award.
Brayden Grindall then made his way to the stage and asked all his fellow band members to join him in their last performance as a Concord High School band. They played a beautiful string of melodies from La La Land. The crowd clapped and celebrated the students as they enjoyed their final memories as the band members at CHS.
The ceremony then continued with speeches from Co-Valedictorian Julia Stevens and Trenton Frazer, and Salutatorian Maddox Hutchinson. From there, the moment every last student sitting in those chairs had waited their whole lives for came: they walked the stage, each receiving the beautiful diploma they had worked so hard for. The ceremony concluded with the seniors moving their tassels from the right to the left, symbolizing the transition from student to graduate, and celebrating all they deserved. The newly graduated students threw their caps high in the air, the cheers echoing across the gym.
Julia Stevens and Trenton Frazer shared the honorable title of valedictorian with the same GPA and celebrated with an amazing speech about the future and the present. In their speech, the two shared a lot about how, when you’re young, you’re asked a lot, “what you want to be,” but never, “who do you want to be.” A very memorable quote from their speech, “We are made to feel as if we will only succeed if our lives look a specific way. As if what we become defines us. But it isn’t the money or achievements that shape us into the people we are. It is the everyday choices that we make.” Growing up can be scary lots of times, but everyone knows that. The part people never speak about is how stressful it can seem at times. The pressure to never know what’s coming next, or what you’re gonna do when that time comes.
Julia Stevens and Trenton Frazer are outstanding students and even better human beings, and not only are they co-Valedictorians, but they’re also cousins. Stevens shares, “It was a kind of crazy experience. Throughout our entire high school career, we have always been somewhat competitive with each other, but never thought we would tie for valedictorian. When we found out, it was so exciting for us both. We worked so hard to achieve it, and I am so proud of us both for doing it.”
Frazer also has nothing but positive things to say about this moment, “Getting to be valedictorian with Julia was really special, and I was so glad that I got to share this experience with family.” Being valedictorian is already memorable in itself, so just imagine the way the family felt being able to do it together.”
Maddox Hutchinson had the extraordinary title of Salutatorian for the 2026 class. In Maddox’s four years at Concord, he gained the reputation of a sweet, hardworking, and dependable student. Hutchinson’s speech was about the past, and he says, “What inspired my speech the most was having regrets myself going through my high school career, but then telling myself that there were so many good moments that I shouldn’t feel regret. I can’t change it now, so why not focus on the good rather than sit in the regret?” Hutchinson has grown a lot as a person and student over the years, and an amazing quote from his speech is “The past should not be something that we constantly try to fix. Rather, we look back on it to remind us how much we’ve grown.”
Saniya Newton was a very quiet student in her time at Concord, but this never stopped her from making huge accomplishments. Newton was awarded Certificates of Achievement in Spanish Culture of Modern Language as well as English 12, receiving the Myer and Lois Franklin Award for $1000, and earning an Outstanding Academic Achievement Award from the President’s Education Awards Program. She expanded her skills even beyond the classroom by attending the career center and earning her AED, CPR, and OSHA certificates through the healthcare technician program. Saniya says one of her key takeaways from high school was “don’t chase perfection, nothing in your life will ever be perfect, so why destroy yourself to achieve the impossible.” High school is where you are meant to learn who you are. The pressure to be someone you’re not will be strong, but you must always be stronger.
As the newly graduated students looked to their futures, with millions of memories running through their brains, we want you to know one thing. CHS will always be here for you, one visit away. Go explore new places and learn new things, meet new people, and experience new things. Congratulations, Class of 2026, on to the next adventure.
