As the 2025-26 school year draws to a close, the Class of 2026 is preparing for graduation. Scheduled for June 4, 2026, the ceremony signifies the end of a major chapter for the senior class. This year’s graduation is particularly significant, as it marks the 100th graduation ceremony at FHS. The school opened in 1923 and graduated its first class in 1927, and the 2026 celebration represents a major milestone in its history.
The Class of 2026 graduation student speakers are FHS seniors Maya Rueven and Yamile Tarango. Because only two students are selected to speak, the application process is quite competitive. Applicants must draft a speech and rehearse in front of a panel consisting of the class advisors and FHS assistant principal Andy Walczak. The accepted speakers tend to reflect the diverse student population at Fremont. Tarango, who came to the U.S. from Mexico at 13, said she hopes to inspire more Hispanic students to use their voice, to speak up for those who cannot and to defy social expectations.
“I realized that not many people of my culture would talk during graduation,” Tarango said. “This opportunity means a lot to me, because it means that I crossed not just the border, but also the language barrier as well for us Mexicans so that I can talk to all of them. ”
These seniors have learned a lot during their four years at FHS, gaining countless experiences that shaped them as they turn towards the next chapter of their life.
“Never give up,” Tarango said. “If you truly want something, believe you can do it. If you believe in yourself, you can do incredible things. Pursue your dreams and think about the future, but never forget to just live for today.”
FHS assistant principal Andy Walczak plays an impactful role in planning graduation. He also emphasized the community aspect of graduation, saying that making the event organized and meaningful is a collaborative effort.
“All the administrators and our facility staff are working that night,” Walczak said. “We have the choir and the orchestra are a part of it. In terms of the community, obviously, we have all the family members that come, and students. We have alumni that come and show up, people that graduated.”
Walczak also noted that while the 2026 graduation ceremony will be a big milestone in the timeline of FHS graduations, there will not be any unique celebrations or aspects of the ceremony to mark the occasion. However, there are many elements of graduation that are in and of themselves special to FHS graduations. One of these includes a long time tradition at FHS where students, after the ceremony, walk toward the bleachers, hold each other’s hands, and raise their hands up. Additionally, other aspects of graduation season, such as the FHS senior goodbye video and senior rally, are FHS-specific events that make graduations special.
The 100th graduation ceremony marks a pivotal moment in FHS history because it celebrates a century of tradition and community while also highlighting the achievements of the class of 2026. For graduating seniors, it serves as a major stepping stone into the next phase of their lives.
