Liberty HS’s 2026 commencement sought a stalwart tone while punctuated by a moving retirement speech from a graduate of another generation.

The theme at Stabler Arena June 5 was “the necessity of adversity,” and class secretary Juliette Bicknell welcomed her peers with that in mind. “Four years ago, we walked through the doors of Liberty HS not knowing exactly what these years would hold. Since then, we have grown, learned, faced challenges and created memories that will stay with us long after we leave these halls. We have celebrated victories, supported one another through difficult moments and made countless memories both inside and outside of the classroom.”

Faculty-chosen speaker Nicholas Schenkel picked up where she left off. Facing challenges, specifically in the manner exemplified by President Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man in the Arena” speech, that it is those who stumble and strive and get bloody in worthwhile effort who know the value of achievement.

“Though those words were said over 100 years ago, they still ring true to this day. We, the class of 2026, now step out from the comfort of our youth into a world full of critics. Whether they are anonymous social media users, someone in your life who doubts your true potential, or some random person in the street, these critics are timid souls who sit and judge, but most importantly who know not of our individual strengths.

He assured his classmates that years of dedication and toil have prepared them for the world beyond. “The arena of high school has now passed, and we step forth into a new arena, one much larger, much more complex and much more uncertain. In this new arena, the voice of the critic becomes louder and is joined by other foes and even more noise, and now it becomes all the more difficult to dare – yet all the more important – because the first step of this next journey is to dare.”

Schenkel again reminded his 535 classmates of their preparedness. “Though it will be difficult, we must not give in, because we have the tools to face that adversity, and whether or not we accomplish what we were daring greatly to do is not the point. Daring greatly is the accomplishment.”

Class speaker Menelik Richards said, “While each of us has navigated our own unique path, we are here united in this powerful accomplishment because we refuse to be defeated or defined by our challenges. Our high school years have not been merely a passage of time, they have been years that made us into who we are today. The real measure of our class is not found in academic rankings, athletic achievements, or material possessions. Rather it is measured by the persistent determination we displayed when confronted with difficulty, discomfort and the unexpected.

“As we transition from these familiar halls to the vast and often uncertain road ahead of us, we will certainly face new adversities that make us uncomfortable. This feeling of anxiety is natural, but we must remember that diversity is not a barrier; it is an opportunity to help us build our resilience.”

Richards said, “We have already developed the motivation and willpower necessary to view any obstacle, not as a final stop, but as a temporary hurdle on the path to achieving our deepest aspirations. In this spirit, let’s pay attention to the words of wisdom often attributed to Charles Darwin, who said, ‘It is not the strongest of species that survives, nor the most intelligent; it’s the one that is most adaptable to change.’ This means deliberately leaning into challenging situations, recognizing them as opportunities for growth rather than backing down from them. Continue to be yourself. Embrace the struggle.”

One man indeed struggled to get through his speech. Superintendent Dr. Jack Silva gave his final remarks to his community, district, students and his very school. “Standing here tonight at Liberty HS is more than an honor for me – it is deeply personal. I sat there in 1982 not so different from you, wondering what my future might hold, hoping I was ready. And now after 44 years that include 40 years of service to public education, I get to end my career right here where my future began. That feels perfect to me.

“Liberty HS is more than a building. It’s more than a schedule, a transcript or a diploma. For me, and I suspect for many of you, it’s a place that helped shape who I am. It’s where we learn how to think, how to speak up, how to listen, how to try again after falling short. It’s where we discovered our strengths and sometimes, more importantly, our struggles.”

Silva continued. “Here’s what I know with complete confidence: You are ready not because you have all the answers, but because Liberty has given you something better. You’ve learned how to learn. You’ve learned how to adapt. You’ve learned how to work with people who are different from yourself, and you learned that your voice matters. Over the course of my career, I’ve had the privilege of serving thousands of students, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned it’s this: The future doesn’t belong to people who have it all figured out. It belongs to the people who care, who show up, who give and keep giving. Who choose to make things better for someone else. That’s my hope for you. That you find work that challenges you and fulfills you, but even more, that you find ways to lift others along with you, because that is what Liberty has always been about... community.”

Visibly overcome, Silva concluded, considering his final words. “it comes down to something very simple. Thank you.

“Thank you to Liberty HS for giving me a foundation, a purpose and a lifetime of memories. Thank you to the educators here for continuing to do what’s most important, the most important work that there is, and thank you to all of you for reminding me why I chose this path 40 years ago. It’s the greatest feeling to end where you began.

“Class of 2026… carry this place with you. Carry its lessons. Carry its values and its spirit, and never forget where you started, because no matter how far you go, no matter where you are, and no matter how much you achieve, you will always be a Hurricane. Thank you, Liberty HS. I love you.”