ROYAL CITY — Royal High School’s graduation Friday was a little bittersweet, said Principal Courtney McCoy. 

“I will miss you more than you know,” McCoy said, opening the 2026 commencement ceremony. “You have left a lasting impression, not only in the halls of Royal High School, but in the hearts of teachers, staff, families, and friends who have had the privilege of watching you grow. Many of you have spent 13 years walking, running, learning, playing across these four campuses.  

“Nearly all of you have spent the last four years in the halls of Royal High School, learning and struggling together, breaking bread together, winning and losing together, laughing together and sometimes crying together. And through it all you have grown. You have become stronger, wiser and more capable than you realize.” 

The graduating class numbered 110 students, many of whom were first-generation high school graduates. Royal’s graduation recognized parents as well as students, bringing the families to stand beside the seniors who were graduating with highest honors and calling the names of the parents as well as the student with each diploma conferred. 

Class President Emily Carbajal-Ventura also recognized the parents of the graduates, alternating between English and Spanish. 

“I want to dedicate this part of my speech to all the immigrant parents here tonight,” Carbajal-Ventura said. “Our parents left behind their families, their homes, and everything they knew in Mexico for the chance to give their children a better life. They worked tirelessly and made countless sacrifices so that we could have better opportunities. Our parents put our dreams before their own. And because of their love, hard work and determination, we are able to stand here today.” 

The guest speaker, RHS history teacher Parker Griffin, spoke about the importance of perspective in the students’ future endeavors.  

“Soon you will realize that there will always be a ‘What's next?’ or a ‘Then what?’” Griffin said. “You might be discovering that already. ‘I'll fill out a (financial aid form) so I can go to college. So, I can get a degree. So, I can get a job. I can make money. I can buy a house, So I can get married, maybe buy a car, have a few kids, worry about the next promotion,’ and then you're at retirement wondering where all the time went.” 

Time is worth more than just its monetary value, Griffin told the students, paraphrasing the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes. 

“The wealthiest, most successful man of his time wrote about his understanding of life as he reflected on his deathbed,” Griffin said. “He reflected how every aspiration and goal of his life was meaningless; every pursuit under the sun was meaningless. Generations have come and generations will go. But the earth remains forever. 

“We need to treasure the intangibles in our lives, the moments, the good deeds, the opportunities to serve and love one another before those opportunities become a distant memory. We need to set our heart on not the next thing, but this current moment.” 

Griffin reminded the students of moments they had shared with him over the course of their high school years. One asked Griffin to babysit his video game so he could cram for a quiz. Another kept a running argument with Griffin about their favorite football teams. In more serious moments, he said, students came to him with difficult situations he was able to support them through. 

“These moments are what I'll look back on as my time as your teacher at Royal and be proud of,” he said. “There will always be something next to distract or warrant your attention … Set goals, have dreams, but please don't waste this one life that you are given to chase after the wind. You'll never be satisfied in chasing the wind.”

    Armando Rojas-Rivera hugs his history teacher Parker Griffin at the Royal High School graduation Friday.
  

    Guadalupe Ortiz-Rodriguez walks away with her diploma at Royal High School graduation Friday.
  

    Caps fill the sky above the Royal High School football field as the Class of 2026 bids farewell to its high school years.