Princeton Senior High School graduates celebrate the conclusion of commencement exercises by throwing maroon and white streamers instead of the traditional cap toss Thursday, May 21, at the CUTX event center as the Class of 2026 officially closes one chapter and prepares for the next. Photo Tina Lopez/The Princeton Herald

Some waved, danced, gestured, or took selfies as the 645 graduates of the Princeton Senior High School Class of 2026 crossed the stage to claim their diplomas. Of that number, 35 also received associate degrees from Collin College.

The class had 227 honor graduates and earned $4.7 million in scholarships. Nineteen are committed to military service and 330 earned industry certificates from the Career and Technical Education program.

Principal Richard Boring recognized those groups as well as all the graduates planning to attend a four-year or two-year college in the fall.

Boring thanked the teachers and parents whose support led to the students’ success.

“Always be grateful for the sacrifices for those who have helped you to get where you are today,” he said. “No matter where you are or where you are going, always strive to become the best you can be in all things to honor these sacrifices. Find your passion, whatever that might be, and pursue it to the fullest.”

Former PSHS Principal Clint Sadler was the honorary speaker at the Thursday, May 21, commencement at the Credit Union of Texas Event Center in Allen.

Sadler, now superintendent of the Leon Independent School District, championed the ancient Greek concept of “arete” or inherent excellence.

“It’s the idea that the only true definition of success is reaching your personal maximum potential in everything you do,” Sadler said.

“Winning is not enough. Milestones, records, accomplishments, awards are not enough to claim success. No, the only way to be successful is to spend every day becoming the best possible version of yourself in everything you do.”

In his address, Valedictorian Lakshmi Muppana challenged the Class of 2026 to strive hard to reach that excellence, seeking something expressed in Latin as “plus ultra” or further beyond.

“There will come a time when your maximum won’t be enough,” Lakshmi said. “In those moments, your character won’t be defined by your limits, but by your hunger to exceed them.”

Salutatorian Tanisha Kumar said if she had a single wish, she would not ask for a week or a year — “Just one more day with the people who made waking up at 6 a.m. worth it.”

Tanisha also thanked her biggest supporter who motivated her worst days and never once judged her: “Goodbye, spicy chicken sandwich, I’ll think about you forever.”

It took 20 minutes for the graduates to file into the arena to Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1 in D,” performed by the PSHS Band under the direction of Steven Knight. Elgar composed the march in 1901, and it was first used as a college processional by Yale in 1905.

A video by audio-visual and graphic design students welcomed the class and the Junior ROTC presented the colors. Zebidiah Rhoads, the student council historian, led the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance and Maris Gayid led the Texas pledge.

Rachel Lavender directed the PSHS Choir in the National Anthem and Hilberto (Beto) Sauceda III offered the invocation.

“As we go throughout our lives and into our own futures, we ask for guidance and blessing for every and each one of the graduates, give them wisdom in their own decisions, courage in their uncertainty and perseverance when the road ahead becomes difficult,” he said.

Princeton ISD Superintendent Donald McIntyre certified the class to receive their diplomas and the students filed up to receive them, shaking hands with McIntyre, Boring, and members of the PISD Board of Trustees including Carlos Cuellar, Starla Sharpe, Bianca Washington, Cyndi Darland, John Campbell, Duane Kelly and Sonia Ledezma.

Friends and family members in the audience cheered as Assistant Principal Michael Slaughter read each name, noting the graduates who also received associate degrees.

Thunderous applause erupted as the last graduate, Hans Sebastian Zuluaga, took his place on the stage.

Adaleine Coy, the student council president, delivered the benediction, saying, “Heavenly Father … we humble ourselves and ask for your guidance and the spirit of wisdom to lead us in the journeys that lie ahead.”

The PSHS Band played the school song and Boring provided closing instructions. Then, in a departure from the traditional cap toss at the end of the ceremony, graduates were given paper streamers. Tossed on cue from the principal, they filled the arena with bright maroon and white ribbons as the Class of 2026 seniors became PSHS alumni.

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