PRIEST RIVER — The challenges they experienced do not define Priest River Lamanna High School's Class of 2026.

What does, however, is their ability to persevere and overcome those same challenges, both students and commencement speakers told graduates at Saturday's commencement ceremony.

"I remember telling all of you at one point I would always tell you the  truth," commencement speaker Terry Martin told graduates. "I might leave out the details but I would always tell you the truth ... and then something happened, you grew up."

While some might say that students are about to enter the "real world," Martin disputed that. Giving them a "pro tip," the PRLHS math teacher said the "mysterious place called the real world is just the world."

In preparing for his speech, Martin said he googled the 20 top cliches spoken by graduation keynote speakers from "today marks the first day of the rest of your life" to "reach for the stars" to "embrace failure."

"Learn from failure, don't embrace it," Martin said. "There are a lot of people in this world who will make mistakes. Watch them, learn from their mistakes. When you learn from their mistakes, that's intelligence."

Other cliches such as "think outside the box" and " the world is your oyster," are equally nonsensical as is "follow your dreams."

"Dreams are important. Dreams are what spark the imagination. Imagination is where you come up with an idea, a goal, a career, one that really sticks out in your brain. Follow the dream," Martin said. "But did you also follow a plan?"

Saying he wanted to give them practical advice to live their version of the American dream, Martin told them to find something that inspired them, to not eat fast food every day and to talk to God once in a while. Make sure to have fun but don't go broke and stay away from toxic people.

"Work hard, play hard but don't play with things that can burn you," he added. "Save some money. Now I gave you all a buck. … you can start an ETF fund for one dollar and historically if you track interest rates, in 30 years or possibly retirement, there'll be $3,000 in that fund."

Enjoy the moments, go on camping tips, be the person who is irreplaceable but not to the point that you don't take time to live life.

"And, if all else fails, stay … out … of … jail," Martin said, carefully enunciating the words. "Finally, to quote the Grateful Dead, and I think this one fits the Class of 2026, 'What a long, strange trip' and now, this is the last time you're going to have to hear me say this, class is dismissed."

The commencement ceremony marks the end of one chapter and the beginning of another, PRLHS principal Vanessa Haggett said.

"When I look out at our graduates, I see the future," Haggett told the packed PRLHS gymnasium, decorated in bold orange and black, the high school's colors. "I see cosmetologists, first responders, teachers, musicians, engineers, entrepreneurs, and leaders. I see young people who will serve the community, pursue their passions, and make their mark on the world in a way that we cannot yet imagine.

However, the principal said she also sees those who stood behind the seniors, celebrating their victories, comforting them through challenges and encouraging them whenever they had doubts.

The community's support and belief in Priest River's students helped each reach Saturday's  milestone, senior class president Niki Porinchok told the hundreds gathered to celebrate with them.

"While graduating is often seen as a finishing line, it is really the starting point for the next stage of our lives. It's like a distant goal that is now right here at the end of us, opening a door to new beginnings. We cannot forget the last four years of our lives that we spent with each other."

What makes the Class of 2026 special is the seniors' ability to continue moving forward despite the challenges that came their way, Porinchok said.

"We learned to grow, to adapt, and to show what we wanted to do in our community," he said. "What I remember about our class the most is just not what we accomplished, but how we did it. We supported one another, laughed together, and this sense of community we built is something that is truly special among us."

For "a kid who got four Cs as a freshman," valedictorian Lucas Matthews told classmates he was as surprised as they were by the honor, prompting them and the audience to break into laughter.

However, he credited hard work and their support for his achievement. And while their class might not have been known for its grades or being perfect, Matthews reminded them they had made it through a global pandemic together and any number of other challenges. They had, he added, risen above those challenges and achieved.

"We were often told to grow up, be more mature and take things more seriously," he said. "Looking back now, some of those teachers probably had a point. As freshmen, we spent more time making memories than responsible decisions. We pulled pranks, tested limits and occasionally made life difficult for our teachers."

However, the seniors also learned from their mistakes, created lifelong friendships and memories and supported each other through any number of challenges.

"Our class may not be remembered for having the highest GPAs, but I believe we made a positive impact on our school," Matthews said. "We leave here today with a legacy of resilience, growth, and perseverance. Today marks the end of one chapter, but more importantly, it marks the beginning of another."

Salutatorian Tanner Hughes also paid tribute to his classmates and his community, saying both led to lasting memories. Standing in front of his classmates at graduation seems surreal with it seemingly only the day before when they walked into Priest River Lamanna High School for the first time wondering what the next four years would bring.

"As we look back, it's easy to remember big moments: the games, dances, performances, competitions, and traditions," Hughes said. "But what I think I will remember most of all are the small moments: the conversations in the hallways, the laughter between classes, the friendships we built, and the people who helped us on the way. Those everyday moments often seemed ordinary at the time, but they are the memories that will stay with us long after tonight."

None of the seniors reached graduation alone, with parents, guardians, teachers and coaches all standing behind them, believing in them.

"They encouraged us when things were difficult, celebrated our successes, and helped us learn from our mistakes," Hughes said. "To all of them, thank you. As we move forward, our past and future begin to look very different."

Some will attend college and others will enter the workforce and still others will join the military, life taking them — for the first time — in separate directions. However, he noted that the soon-to-be graduates would still share something in common: their time at Priest River Lamanna, the foundation it gave them and the same opportunity to continue learning, growing and making a difference.

"There will be challenges ahead, and there will be moments when things do not go according to plan," he added. "However, the experiences we have had throughout high school have prepared us for those moments. We have learned how to adapt, persevere, and support one another. … Is not just the end of high school, it's the beginning of a new chapter."

    Two Priest River Lamanna High School graduates dab as they meet while walking into Saturday's commencement ceremony.
  

    Class president Niki Porinchok speaks at Saturday's Priest River Lamanna High School graduation.
  

    A family member captures a speech on their cellphone during Priest River Lamanna High School graduation ceremony on Saturday.
  

    A student playfully bites down on a crayon during Saturday's Priest River Lamanna High School graduation.
  

    PRLHS graduates listen to a speech during Saturday's commencement.
  

    Graduation speaker Terry Martin talks to students during Saturday's commencement.
  

    Family members cheer on a graduate during Saturday's PRLHS graduation.
  

    A PRLHS graduate hugs a friend after they received their diplomas.