BY BRANDY TEMPLETON
North Iredell High School’s gymnasium was packed with eager parents, family members, and friends of the Class of 2026 on Saturday morning.
Senior Class President Jaycee Warren welcomed attendees and remembered everyday happenings throughout her high school career. She talked about stressing over tests, late nights studying, and everything in between, saying that those ordinary moments are often taken for granted.
“Most of us don’t know we‘re in the good ol‘ days while we’re living them,” she said. “All those ordinary moments are turning into memories now. We’re going to miss most the things we don’t think twice about.“
Principal Derrick Wishon also greeted the class of about 260 graduates.
“It’s not just the end of a chapter, but the beginning of a future,” he said. “It’s been a blessing to have you as my first graduating class.”
Wishon congratulated the grads on earning $4.6 million in scholarships, sharing how proud Raider Nation is of them.
In closing, he asked for a moment of reflection to remember the life and spirit of the late Jacob Huffman, who would have graduated with this class.
Wishon described Huffman as a friend to all. “His presence is still felt,” he said.
After a moment of silence, three honor speakers addressed the crowd.
Matthew Johnson took the podium first, making jokes regarding his twin brother, Ryan.
“I’m the friendlier and funnier twin,” he said. “I should be being that I was 45 minutes born before.“
Like Warren, he talked about the everyday routine at North Iredell.
“It’s been the same routine everyday. We never had to wake up and plan it out,“ Johnson said. “We‘ve had to get up, go through the motions, and get it right whether we felt like it or not.”
He told his classmates that “it’s time to step into something completely different,“ encouraging them to stand out.
“Standing out is about the choices you make — that’s why I didn’t let AI write this speech for me so I wouldn’t sound like my brother,” he joked. “Your path doesn’t just happen. You have to choose it. What happens next isn’t assigned. It’s earned.”
The younger Johnson spoke next.
“Real growth doesn’t come without change,” Ryan said. “It happens when you force yourself into something uncomfortable. You grow and find success when you realize you aren’t going anywhere without change.”
He told his class that the best is yet to come.
“These four years shouldn’t be the very best ones,” Ryan continued. “Keep chasing the very best version of yourself. If you aren’t happy, take action and change it.”
Austin Ottone concluded the student comments, acknowledging and thanking everyone who helped him on his way.
“We definitely didn’t get here alone,” he said.
And to his parents, he teared up sharing the proud moment.
“This achievement is just as much yours as it is mine.”
Quoting his mom, he said that she dared him to dream big. “If your dreams don’t scare you, you aren’t dreaming big enough,” he said.
Above everyone, Ottone praised God for it all.
“God got me through every challenge, moment, every moment, every doubt.”
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