ABOVE: Fairmont High School (FHS) class of 2026 watches their fellow graduates one by one accept their high school diploma from School Board members Mari Myren, Shayna Wolfe and Dan Brookens and shake the hands of FHS Principals Chad Brusky and Brooke Schultz, and Superintendent Andy Traetow during the FHS Class of 2026 Graduation Commencement on Sunday at the FHS main gymnasium.

FAIRMONT — The Fairmont High School (FHS) gymnasium was full on Sunday as 142 students donned their red robes and officially graduated.

During a rendition of “Pomp and Circumstance” performed by the FHS Orchestra, led by Orchestra Teacher Katie Hoaglund, graduates gravitated to their alphabetically ordered seats. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was performed by an octet of students, led by Choir Teacher Molly Bleess.

Superintendent Andy Traetow addressed the students first.

“Thank you for being here today, as we celebrate the class of 2026 and the accomplishments of our graduates. Graduates, this is your day, and we all want you to feel encouraged and a sense of positivity because you have accomplished something special,” Traetow said.

Traetow shared that it has been an amazing experience to reflect on the students’ accomplishments in academics, activities and interests, both within the community and school. He said it’s impressive to recount what the students have learned and lived through in the previous 13 years in school, and how inspiring it is to witness the students’ demonstration of their own characteristics and skill growth in high school.

Traetow explained that in preparation for his speech, he searched for a single word that resonates and describes the FHS graduating classes. The word Traetow chose for the class of 2026 is “accomplished.”

“Your class certainly epitomizes [the word’s] definition,” Traetow commented.

He recalled the accomplishments of students throughout the school year, and the accomplishment of graduating.

“We hope that whatever you do, you stay true to yourself and accomplish great things. As we celebrate the achievement that today’s ceremony represents, please know that your presence and all your accomplishments have had an impact on this school and each and every one of you has been a gift to all of us who have had the privilege and the opportunity to serve you. Thank you for what you have given this school and community,” Traetow said.

Class speaker and graduate Cooper Gudahl spoke to his classmates.

“Today is completely about us. No homework, no quizzes, no FastBridge testing. Just us. How did we get here? How you got through school may look different,” Gudahl said.

He explained that while preparing for the speech, he discovered the Latin phrase, “Amor fati”, which translates to “love of one’s fate” or possessing an attitude that one’s circumstances, good or bad, are positive or necessary.

“At first, it sounds weird. The fact that you should love the bad things that have happened to us? But that’s not what this phrase is saying. When you are presented with a challenge, you’re put in a position to grow. Without these opportunities, there isn’t much stimulus to promote growth in ourselves,” Gudahl explained.

He prompted graduates and spectators to look around the gymnasium and observe fellow individuals. Gudahl explained that everyone in the room has faced various complications, unbeknownst to one another.

“I know every one of you is strong, because you had to be strong to get to where you are today. That strength didn’t come from nowhere. That team you didn’t push to work a little bit harder, that test you bombed taught you to study longer…Sometimes, adversity hurts us and other times adversity inspires us to grow. Not one person could have stopped or prevented the obstacles in our lives. Because to be who we are today, is to have learned. So, I ask you, look inward. Whether you like it or not, those bad times where you struggled were huge in the formation of the person you have become,” Gudahl said.

In addressing the graduates, he recognized kindness, ambition, compassion, courage, resilience and humility.

“I’m surrounded by what our world needs most,” Gudahl said. “It is you graduates that show how our future can and will be greater than our hardship.”

Gudahl presented a Japanese phrase, “ichi-go ichi-e”, which translates to “one time, one meeting” or “once in a lifetime”.

“Let’s celebrate. Hug your friends. Thank your family. Tell someone that you love them. We do not know where fate brings us. Prepare yourself for whatever world you’re choosing to pursue and be grateful for the person you have become. Next time something becomes difficult, view it as an opportunity to grow. Love your fate and become proud of who you are,” Gudahl said.

Finally, Principal Chad Brusky gave his speech.

“It’s an incredible honor to stand before you today as you move from what’s familiar into something a little more uncertain. Let’s be honest, that can be a little uncomfortable.” Brusky said. “You’ve heard me say before that effort and attitude are the only two things you can truly control. Those two things will take you further than talent, than luck. Heck, even further than the plans you think you have right now. But, today I want to talk about the moment before.”

Brusky encouraged graduates to remember their first time in the FHS building, memories of hallways, upperclassmen, friendships and more experiences.

“You didn’t know where you fit in yet, you didn’t know what teams you would be on, what clubs you would be a part of, or who your friends would ultimately become. But then something happened. You took a step. Maybe you signed up for a sport, joined a club or sat next to someone at lunch or in a class. That chance encounter turned into a friendship that’s still here today. It didn’t feel like a big moment at the time, but it was. That was the moment before. Before it changed your future,” Brusky told the graduates.

He reflected on numerous successes and events at FHS that the school and community both supported. From extracurricular events to senior pranks, Brusky explained how the events took teamwork, planning, communication and people stepping up for each other.

“Time and time again, this community has shown up not because they had to, but because they believed in something. Because they believed in you guys. Class of 2026, you’ve been part of that. You’ve created those memories and those moments. That’s something incredibly powerful,” Brusky said.

Principal Brooke Schultz certified that all graduates have met the requirements set forth by the Fairmont School Board and the Minnesota Department of Education.

Class President and graduate Belinda Lutterman announced graduates as they were summoned to the stage and accepted their diplomas from School Board members Mari Myren, Shayna Wolfe and Dan Brookens, and greeted and shook hands with Brusky, Schultz and Traetow.

Following the awarding of diplomas, graduates moved their yellow or red tassels from the right to the left side of their graduation caps, symbolizing a threshold passed and a new chapter of their lives being passed through.

Graduation caps were flying as the commencement concluded with a rendition of the FHS School Song by FHS Orchestra and FHS Choir senior singers, “Fanfare and Coronation” by FHS Orchestra.