Tug of War champions. Pep Rally Battle Cry champions. Spirit Stick champions.
And now, graduated champions.
The Trigg County High School Class of 2026 really had it all, and showed it Thursday night in Wildcat Gymnasium — unleashing confetti, beach balls and their barbaric yawp after turning their tassels and tossing their caps high into air.
Madilynn Paige Moser and Miley Reese Johnson led the cacophony.
Every year, administrators ask for families to “please refrain from cheering until all graduates have crossed the stage,” and TCHS Principal Kristee Barnes could barely keep from laughing as she said it.
A Wildcat alumna herself, she knew the crowd wouldn’t listen. Because it never does. For decades, Trigg County’s graduation has brought together nearly the entire population of local natives — as if it were but a family reunion — adults and kids alike just itching to scream and send their students out into the world like children blowing dandelion seeds into the wind.
Emma Kay Dowell — this year’s valedictorian, and honored daughter of a teacher — asked her classmates to stay present-minded, if only for a moment, and not wish it all away.
Sydney Lynn Bryant — this year’s salutatorian, and bound for the University of Kentucky in the fall — echoed a similar sentiment.
Teachers selected Dowell and Ethan Patrick Curling as “Miss” and “Mister” Wildcats of the Year, respectively, behind their accomplishments and attitudes both on and off campus.
But perhaps the largest, most passionate, screams of the night went to Keshaun Amir Grant.
The proud son of N’Keshia Coleman, Trigg County High School Class of 2003 alumna, Grant received this year’s “Clyde Doyle” Award — annually bestowed in the name of a former teacher, and to a deserving graduate who has “work to overcome difficulties” during time on campus.
Abigaile Rose DeWitt and Kyra Joann Rayshell Adams offered opening and closing prayers.
This year’s class had 33 honor graduates, students who maintained a 94 grade point average or better through all four years, while taking six weighted courses, completing a Capstone presentation, obtaining satisfying college entrance exam scores in key subjects, and earning the “Work Ready” seal during their senior semesters.
HONOR GRADUATES
FULL CEREMONY
SCENES
