BHS grads encouraged to follow their dreams

The 2026 Bellefontaine High School graduates celebrated their many successes at Friday night's commencement at AcuSport Stadium.

The 203 grads were recognized for some impressive academic accomplishments.

This year’s senior class was awarded $1.4 million in scholarships.

31 seniors had a 4.0 or higher grade point average.

The keynote speaker was 1998 BHS grad Jeffrey Zell.

Mr. Zell overcame many financial obstacles during his childhood.

His family moved multiple times, and he worked various jobs throughout high school.

Zell shared his story of perseverance and credited the BCS teachers for their guidance and compassion.

He then challenged the graduates to follow their dreams.

Zell closed his speech by saying, "Class of 2026 you stand at the threshold of the world that will demand resilience, creativity, and conviction. But you're ready. You grew up in a time of rapid change. You navigated challenges that previous generations never imagined. You learned to adapt, innovate, and persevere.

"Now, take those lessons into the world. Go on your safari. Build your business. Do the thing that no one expects from you - especially you. Don't wait for permission, don't wait for perfect conditions, and don't wait for someone to tell you that you're ready, because you are ready!

"You are the next chapter of Bellefontaine's history. You are Chieftains - strong, resilient, and always ready for the battle that lies ahead. Congratulations to the Class of '26. You are ready to change the world. Now, go prove it to yourself."

Zell had a decorated 20-year career in the Air Force. He is currently a state senator in South Carolina.

This year’s valedictorian is Jacob Henry, son of Kathleen Fogarty.

Jacob had a 4.734 grade point average.

He will study molecular biology with a pre-med focus at The Ohio State University.

The salutatorian is Lorenz Henry, son of Larry and Gingging Henry.

Lorenz maintained a 4.685 grade point average.

He will study mechanical engineering at The Ohio State University.

The remaining top ten grads are Elliett Lang, Claire Brown, Kaeleigh Flora, Chloe Stolly, Patrick Stolly, Kelsie Snapp, Kayla Sellars, and Lane Howard.

Jacob Henry, Lorenz Henry, Kayla Sellars, and Colton Wisner earned their associate’s degrees at Clark State.

Claire Brown, Caitlin Haley, Jacob Henry, Elliett Lang, Kelsie Snapp, and Chloe Stolly are AP Capstone candidates.

Hannah Seagraves, Easton Predmore, Jacob Stone, Colton Wisner, and Cayleb Overmann were spotlighted for enlisting in the military.

This year’s BHS Distinguished Alumni are Jeffrey Edward Zell II (Class of ’98), Chuck Earick (Class of ’62), and Jay Nunn (Class of ’99).

BHS Principal Cliff Core emceed the commencement.

He said, “This class has everything. There are academic and athletic all stars. There are individuals who serve and help in our community. This class supports one another and has such a bright future."

Here’s a list of the 2026 BHS grads:

Belen Virginia Abrego

Jaydyn Rae Alinson

David Michael Allen

Juan Ricardo Argueta-Mejia

Lyndzee Nicol Armentrout

Catherine Vaughn Armstrong

Zoey Elaine Austin

Kyle Joe Ball

Brylee Jaelin Bach

Alissa Leeann Bailey

Tanner Lee Ballinger

Alyssa Ann Barker

Laeleigh Rae-Lynn Beair

Isabel Maria Beck

Kinzie Elizabeth Bernard

Alton Wyane Blanton

Devin Fredrick Board McClain

Jeffry Scott Board McClain

Brady Charles Bond

Alexander Russell Bouler

Claire Olivia Brown

Rylee Vivian Brown

Ryliey Landon Brown

Haidyn Alexandria Bruce

Collen Michael Brugler

Hayden Michael Brugler

Richiona Denice Mae Burnell

Thomas Ross Cabbell-Allmon

Jordyn Ann Campbell

Antonelle Sofia Cardenas Curel

Arrisa Noel Carver

Maria De Los Angeles Casanas Mejias

Jesse Fillip Castle

Carter Owen Caudill

Alvaro Lopez Cerda

Jacob William Christen

Chase Meridian Clary

Taylor Addison Clary

Maddix Clayton Clem

Jamison Karl Clement

Gabriel Nathaniel Coe

Angel Mae Coleman

Zoey Rayne Conner

Jordyn Lynn Coons

James Landen Cooper

Drake Eugene Corral

Rylee Alexzander Crawford

Kauralynn Marie Davis

JaeAnne Ammeena-Marie Dawson

Amanda Valentina Delgado Rengel

Cassandra Jo DeLong

Ava Marie Dolan

Daryl Christopher Dotson

Draven Michael Drake

Karsen Edward Thomas Drake

Elijah Vaughn Durst

Quinton Christopher Eley

Kylie Renae Faulder

Maxwell Andrew Fissel

Maci Jean Flesher

Kaeleigh Michelle Flora

Kaiden Eugene Foulk

Dalton Joseph Daniel Frost

Carmen Paige Fulmer

Cassandra Ellen Garrett

Ryann Marie Gatchel

Sydney Nicole Gatchel

Abigail Paige Geboy

Alivia Brianne Gillenwater

Zoey Angeline Solis Green

Evan Matthew Greenbaum

Isabelle Grace Gunnett

Caitlin Ann Haley

Mia Lauryn Hammond

Beckham Lee Harman

Isaak Eugene Hay

Chloe Grace Heminger

Jacob Austin Henry

Lorenz Joseph Henry

Cameron Zachary Levi Hensley

Jacob Oliver Hites

Kyndallynn Grace Leota Hood

Devyn Eric Horsley

Lane Bradley Howard

Cody Matthew Hudson

Zylar Matthew Huffman

Evelyn Lucille Hughes

Katelynn Jean Jackson

Landyn Zayne Jarrett

Kayla Makia Jefferson

Alexis Marie Johnson

Brooks Matthew Johnson

Leilana Olivia Jordan

Brilee Eileen Joseph

Kaylee Michelle McClain Judd

Abigale Elizabeth Justin

Ellizabeth Ann Marie Justin

Caitlin Lee Kaufman

Sheadell Roselea Kieffer

Ashton Robert King

Patrick Oliver Kinney

Tianna Lenise Krouse

Aiden Karl Kunze

Ava Sophia Kunze

Paul Ivan Lafollette

Taylor Lynn Lamb

Elliett Elizabeth Lang

Hannah Marie Larson

Wyatt Anderson Latimer

Zaid Jose Legon Perez

Cole Michael LeVan

Zerek Lee Longbrake

Katherine Violet Marie Lopez

Grayson Michael Lotts

Jaslene Londen Maryee Maier

Hayden Ryan Maus

Paige Clara Euleilah McComas

Alyssa Riley Sue McCoy

Jacob Andrew McNutt

Emma Allean Merrin

Gabriel Luke Miller

Austin Alexander Millis

Raya Hope Millis

Kyrah Ann Moon

Nicholas Cole Morrison

Jair Levielle Mundy II

TahLeyah Kyree Mundy

Dawson Matthew Myers

Savanna Thi Nguyen

Cayleb Edward Overmann

Da'Sha Marie Parks

Darby Rose Patton

Harper Rose Penhorwood

Keira Brooke Penrod

Joshua Henton Phillips

Timothy Aaron Phillips

Mason Jerold Pickering

Zachary William Poll

Adison Helen Postle

Easton Andrew Predmore

Skyler James Price

Andrea Norabell Puckett

Camden Michael Rayles

Xavier Cole Reames

Thessaly Rienne Reminder

James Alan Riley

Charles Eugene Roberts

Isaiah Wade Roberts

Justin Corey Robinson

Ayva Nicole Rollins

Kaelynn Marie Saxton

Hannah Leigh Seagraves

Kevin Allen Sechrest

Kayla Danielle Sellars

Kaylee Marie Seiber

Kylee Kay Seiber

Mackenzie Nicole Setser

David Michael Short

Callie Grace Shumaker

Ealise Crystal Simpson-Cruz

Brayden Lee Slayback

Aloni Kay Smith

Christian Lee Smith-Dearwester

Sonya Kay Smith

Kelsie Lauren Snapp

Natalie Jean Snapp

Miles Andrew Speaks

Dominic Elie Stackhouse

Ronnie Alexander Stackhouse

Gillian Rose Steele

Chloe Elizabeth Stolly

Patrick Henry Stolly

Jacob Elijah Stone

Ana Sofia Suarez Hernandez

Emma Ann Elizabeth Suman

Karson James Svihl

Mason Sean Swisher

Anthony Bryce Sylvia

Oliver Mark-Charles Thornburg

Kylee Reece Toki

Caalee Cherisse Marie Tucker

Madeline Claire Ullom

Vincent Charles Valdez

Ethan Christopher VanHoose

Alexis Nevaeh Varian

Reid Mitchell Varner

Kaydence Marie Vestal

Zoie Annette Vogleman

Ava Marie Watson

Nevaeh Nicole Elain Whetsel

Jayden Nicholas Pearl White

Tristan Michael White

Addison LeAnn Wical

Genevieve Harlene Alma Wickham

Alexavier Joseph Williams

Colton Matthew Wisner

Dameion Eugene Wright

Jasmine Marie Rene Wright

Shannon Jeffrey Wright

Cory Allen Young

Jared Ryan Young

Madilynn Jo Zedeker

Silas Jeremy Zerante

You can watch the entire ceremony at https://www.youtube.com/live/tBIXGG9jbGE

Photos: Seniors toss their caps.

Guest speaker Jeffrey Zell

Valedictorian Jacob Henry

Salutatorian Lorenz Henry

The Top Ten Grads

Other photos from the ceremony