Words of Wisdom from the Class of 2026

The Rockwood School District held commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2026 on May 9, 11 and 12, celebrating more than 1,600 graduates.

At those ceremonies, some of our graduates offered important messages and words of inspiration to family members and staff in attendance, as well as their fellow students.

Here are some words of wisdom from these graduation speakers.

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Lafayette High: Daniel Carrillo and Lasya Kommu

“My grandpa had one rule: ‘Nothing was ever truly broken.’ If a radio stopped working or a chair leg snapped, we didn’t throw it away. We took it apart, looked at the pieces and found a way to make it work again, often in a way that was even better than the original. Failure isn’t a conclusion; it’s a conversation. We are stepping into a world that often feels broken, but we are also the generation that has learned to be resourceful, and we spent four years taking the scraps of a changing world and making our own community out of them. Our ambition should be about building a legacy and using our resourcefulness to fix the things around us and inspire those who come after us. We are the ones who decide what the future looks like, so let’s build something that lasts. Let’s build something that honors where we came from and paves the way to where we’re going. Let’s take that first step together.”

 - Daniel Carrillo

“If there’s one thing I’ve learned over these past four years, it’s that things don’t always go the way you’d expect. For a long time, it felt like everyone around me had an answer. Truly, we were all just trying to figure it out. After four years of hard work, a lot of us are still left with that same question: ‘What’s next?’ But maybe that’s a question we were never supposed to fully answer. The point was not to have everything figured out; the point was what we went through to get here. The moments we didn’t think mattered at the time were the ones that ended up shaping us the most. Our accomplishments over the last four years are what we praise today. Even without having all the answers, we kept going. We showed up and kept moving forward when things were uncertain. Be proud of that fact because it is the reason we are sitting here today.”

 - Lasya Kommu is a George Washington Carver Award recipient, a Bright Flight Scholar and serves in leadership positions including National Honor Society, Special Olympics, FBLA and president of Model United Nations. She plans to attend Indiana University-Bloomington’s Kelley School of Business

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Marquette High: Eric Chen and Ethan George

“Here’s the thing about traversing mazes. You don’t realize you’re learning it until you’ve made it through. The moments that shaped us the most weren’t the ones that we planned or the times we achieved. They were the times we failed, were forced to lean on one another, when someone showed up for us when they didn’t have to. That’s how this class grew: not through accomplishment but through unplanned, unsolicited connection. This class will be remembered for our communal bond that single-handedly willed us through the growing pains of high school. That is the legacy we are leaving behind: the love we shared, the hope we gave and all the other ways we made each other better. For those who are fearful about your future, know that you will not walk into it alone. All of you have the potential to be great, so embrace it: both individually and communally.”

 - Eric Chen earned many accolades in music, science and math during his time at Marquette, in local, national and international competitions. He has also engaged in philanthropic efforts and raised $3,000 in elementary book funding with the Asian American Civic Scholars Program. Chen will be attending Stanford University and plans to double major in material science and engineering and symbolic systems.

“So many moments have stood out in defining who we are today. Somewhere along the way, each of us found where we belong. And our class is nothing short of extraordinary. We have built a legacy defined by excellence. As we prepare to graduate, remember to carry what we’ve learned here with you. The future is most certainly not promised, and that’s OK. Trust yourself to handle it and believe in your capacity to figure out things as you go. Take initiatives that you genuinely care about and build communities that support and push one another forward. As you move forward, carry those conversations, the people and the time spent being present with each other.”

 - Ethan George was Marquette’s senior class president, as well as a member of the basketball team, HOSA, Red Cross Club and president of the Speech and Debate team. He also serves as president of the General Assembly of the St. Louis area Model United Nations and works as a research assistant at the Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine. George will be attending Case Western Reserve University and plans to major in neuroscience.

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Eureka High: Addison Proffitt and Carter Coleman

“I’m not the same person I was four years ago, thanks to Eureka High School. We sit in these chairs as mature adults, ready to take on life’s new adventures. This school is more than hallways and classrooms. It’s about the people: finding your people, friends and family. It’s about all of us figuring things out, even when it’s tough. There is not one staff member at Eureka who didn’t have an impact on one of us. Every single person played a role in who we are today. They were all important. These are the people who molded us into the adults we are today and are the reason a lot of us found what we are passionate about, what we want to spend the rest of our lives doing. There are so many emotions that come with graduating. We’re closing the chapter of high school and turning the page to the rest of our lives. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat.”  

 - Addison Proffitt is a Gold Standard and Leadership Recognition award recipient. She has been an active member of the Wildcats’ field hockey team – on which she was a three-year captain – National Honor Society, E!Crew, the A+ Program, Special Olympics and the EHS Leadership Council. She plans to attend Missouri State University to study secondary education, with a goal of becoming an eighth-grade history teacher.  

“Eureka High School and all the experiences it has offered me will forever be the greatest blessings. Each hallway and classroom lends the opportunity for us to become an artist or engineer, athlete or doctor, lawyer or pastry chef. My father has always told me to not put all of your eggs in one basket. I truly admire all the 2026 graduates who have embodied all of the opportunities – big and small – that some of the best years of our lives have had to offer. Not only does this put everyone in the best position for success but ensures that you will not live your life regretting what you didn’t do or what could have been. Life is all about how you not only learn to live with – but truly embrace – plan B. The things that are not measurable are the things that make us who we are as individuals. When we all go our separate ways, we will be faced with the opportunity to take on new experiences and new versions of ourselves. I hope the Class of 2026 never loses sight of what a privilege it has been to do hard things that have shaped us into the dynamic people we are today.”

 - Carter Coleman earned recognition as a three-time All-Academic honoree, a Gold Standard recipient and the Project Lead the Way Engineering Student of the Year. She was involved with Eureka Cheer, Sparkle Squad, National Honor Society, Student Council and as a SWAT leader. In the community, she has served as a youth group leader for preschool-aged children and volunteered in the special needs community. Coleman plans to attend the University of Miami, where she will continue her cheerleading career while majoring in chemical engineering and minoring in Spanish.  

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Rockwood Summit High: Maria Domian

“If these past four years have taught us anything, it’s that growth rarely feels comfortable. Without knowing it, the change, uncertainty and stepping into the unknown is really what pushes us. The good news is we didn’t have to go through it alone. We got to grow alongside 306 other people, 306 different stories, personalities and paths. That’s 306 chances to laugh, learn, mess up, connect and create memories that are completely alone. Before we rush ahead into the next chapter of our lives, let’s pause and reflect and take some moments to appreciate what we’re leaving behind. These memories don’t just live in the past because they’ve actually shaped us. They’ve taken the individuals we once were and shaped us into something more, something deeper, into a family built on shared moments, laughter, challenges and growth. That’s what makes being here together today so incredibly meaningful. These are the moments that we will never forget. If Rockwood Summit has taught us anything, it’s that we already know how to grow, fail and then get back up. We know how to support each other and how to care. Be someone who still shows up, who still tries even when life gets hard. Be someone who still chooses kindness and, most importantly, be someone who you are proud of. This isn’t the end; it’s the moment you decide who you choose to be.”  

 - Maria Domian was a four-year varsity soccer athlete and team captain for two years. She is a member of National Honor Society and the Falcon Leadership Council. She received the Glory of Missouri Award for Virtue and graduated summa cum laude. Domian plans to attend Arizona State University to major in business.