MOSES LAKE — Moses Lake High School hosted the 2026 graduation ceremony for the Pals Club on Friday inside the high school theater. The ceremony saw 14 graduates take the stage to receive their diplomas and be honored for their academic achievements.

“I feel great and I’m happy,” said Jocelyn Dominguez-Gomez, one of the graduates from the Class of 2026.

Following graduation, Dominguez-Gomez said she is looking forward to going to work and to the summit where she will meet more people and will get assistance in finding a job.

The good feelings were echoed by fellow graduate Noah Jones as he joined family and friends for refreshments in the classroom following the graduation ceremony.

“I like it and I’m excited,” said Jones. “Go Mavs.”

Jocelyn said her greatest memory from going through school is all the friends that she made along the way. This friendship that the students built not just with one another, but with the staff at MLHS, was something that everyone in attendance showed deep appreciation for.

Sarah White, an assistant coach for unified sports and event organizer for the Pals Club, said this year’s graduating class was the largest since she started with the program. Seeing this group of students moving on to the next step in their lives has her feeling proud of each graduate.

“They’re all different personalities and there’s never a dull moment,” she said. “They’re all busy in their own ways. I would say that despite the busyness of it all, you still learn those lessons of when to slow down.”

The MLHS faculty has grown close with many of these students over the years as many enter into the Pals Club at the age of 12 and can stay in the program until the age of 22. With the time each of the staff members and students spend with each other, the Pals Club has started to feel more like a family over the years.

“I love it; I love how inclusive it is,” said White. “It’s all about family so it’s fun to see the family and friends and everyone come together for a good cause.”

One of the students, Tori Lynn, passed away in September and was recognized and honored as a graduate alongside her fellow classmates during the ceremony. Janis Morton, who works alongside special needs students at the high school, said Lynn was with the program for about five years and made an impact on those she encountered.

“It was really awesome the way Tori Lynn (was honored). I loved that,” said Morton. “That was something new this year that we’ve never really done.”

As the class of 2026 heads off to the next step in their lives, White said they will be remembered in the Pals Club for their spunk and wit for years to come.

“All the laughs,” she said. “The things they say, their wit, keeping you on your toes.”

Morton said working alongside these students has been a fun experience.

“You never know from day to day what you’re going to get,” she said. “We could be crying all day (and) the next day we’re going to be laughing all day. That’s just how it is in our little world.”

Christina Dinges, one of the teachers for special education at MLHS, said the class has grown very close together. Emotions could be felt throughout the ceremony as both the graduates, faculty and families shed tears of excitement and sadness as this chapter in their lives concludes.

“It’s a huge chunk of their life,” said Dinges. “(I’m) looking forward to the next adventures they’re going to embark on and couldn’t be more proud of them. It is an incredible group.”

    Blake Musso, Myles Myers and Anna Wise all turn their tassels to commemorate their graduation.
  

    During the MLHS Pals graduation, Iris Lagunas stands on stage with a smile on her face and her diploma and a rose in hand.
  

    Kyleigh Mickle stands on stage next to the podium as she is recognized for all her achievements at MLHS.
  

    Moses Lake’s Eric Ocampo-Jimenez receives his diploma as he graduates from Moses Lake High School.
  

    The 2026 MLHS Pals Club graduating class: Miles Acres-Winona, Kyleigh Mickle, Noah Jones, RJ Melendrez, Josline Dominguez-Gomez, Iris Lagunas, Blake Musso, Myles Myers, Anna Wise, Eric Ocampo-Jimenez, Karla Serrano, DJ Parker, Karen Serrano and Hailey Nava.
  

    Josline Dominguez-Gomez, Iris Lagunas, Blake Musso, Myles Myers, Anna Wise and Eric Ocampo-Jimenez stand up with diplomas in hand as they prepare to exit the stage and meet with their friends and family.
  

    Karla Serrano, DJ Parker and Keren Serrano all sit excitedly as they graduate from Moses Lake High School.