By Carleen Wild
Moody County Enterprise
Nearly all 18 members of Colman-Egan’s Class of 2026 wiped away tears this past weekend as they returned to their seats after handing roses to family during graduation ceremonies.
There were few dry eyes in the gym as Scotty McCreery’s Five More Minutes played over the speakers — a fitting moment in this small rural community where many in the crowd watched these students grow up side by side from their earliest school days to this final walk across the stage.
That emotion, however, didn’t last long.
Moments later, tears gave way to wide smiles as graduates crossed the stage, accepted diplomas, paused for photos, and tossed their caps into the air before heading outside into the sunshine to greet family and friends gathered for hugs, pictures and celebrations of their own.
It was the kind of graduation day the Hawks, and Moody County does well — heartfelt, personal and surrounded by the people who helped shape the journey.
“I’m definitely ready for the world,” said Dalin Billmeier, who plans to begin taking courses this fall at Southeast Tech.
Keynote speaker Megan Fritz, the school’s art teacher, reminded students that if there was ever any doubt, they were ready.
“I’ve watched confidence replace uncertainty, I have seen you take risks, face challenges, try new things, and figure out who you are.
You’ve had moments of stress, moments where things didn’t go as planned, moments where you probably thought there was absolutely no way of getting to this. And yet, here you are.”
For many, what they’ll miss most is the closeness that comes with a small school community.
“All my friends are so supportive. I’m gonna miss them,” said Kyra Steinberg.
“I’m glad I went to school here because the community is smaller, and we’re all so close,” said Harley Wolfhorse.
Her twin sister, Katrina, echoed the sentiment.
“I really enjoyed going to school here. We all feel so connected, and it felt awesome to graduate with my twin.”
Local Scholarship Winners Awarded Wednesday, May 6
Colman-Egan Booster Club – Brynlee Landis, Sadie McCorkle, Hayden Pearson, Aneesa McGuire
Boys State Awards Colman-Egan American Legion – Preston Meyer
Gary Hemmer Memorial Scholarship – Sarah Voelker, Aneesa McGuire, Sadie McCorkle, Hayden Pearson
Paul Tanke Scholarship – Sadie McCorkle, Brynlee Landis
Looney Days Scholarship – Preston Meyer, Aneesa McGuire
Bank West Scholarship – Brynlee Landis
Michael Entringer Scholarship – Brynlee Landis, Aneesa McGuire, Preston Meyer, Hayden Pearson
Valley Fibercom Scholarship – Aneesa McGuire
Build Dakota Scholarship – Hayden Pearson
Empower Scholarship – Sadie McCorkle
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