The 230 graduates battled a stiff breeze in Bob White Stadium as they paraded from the high school, under the “Pride, Class, Tradition” sign and onto the track. Some held their caps on tight while the wind whipped tassels across their faces and even blew off Alex Frizzell’s cap as he started his speech to the class.
But the weather was beautiful and the wind couldn’t deter the celebration of the Class of 2026. Thomas Poll welcomed and thanked everyone.
“I want to give all of you a special thanks for coming out today to support our 2026 graduates. We all appreciate your support and dedication over the last 13 years. And I want to give an extremely appreciative thank you, to the countless dedicated teachers, aids, assistants, secretaries, principals, and staff who have taken care of us throughout our years. From the class of 2026, we thank you all for everything you have done.”
Both senior class speaker Frizzell, and keynote speaker teacher Tricia Rickert, touched on the subject of how little things and relationships can have a bigger impact on lives than maybe anyone ever knows.
“I just want to take a moment to share how proud I am of us as a class. Even on days where motivation wasn’t there, we still showed up and worked with our peers and teachers. Something in particular, though, I want to highlight is how much each of us contributed to each other, in ways we don't think about,” said Frizzell.
Being involved in many different groups at school through band, cross country, track, art club and a variety of classes, Frizzell said, gave him a chance to really get to know people. “The greatest gift was getting to truly know many of you…seeing us all grow as a class with talented academics, athletes, artists and musicians has been one of the highlights of my time at TK.”
Frizzell said the culture the class of 2026 nurtured was one of cooperation and collaboration. “We mattered to each other in ways we didn’t always notice, but everything we said gave a lasting impact.”
He remembered one of his favorite stories about a group of 5,000 hungry men and a boy who offered five loaves of bread and two small fish. “What he had was small, even insignificant, but it ended up feeding thousands of people. I sometimes think of our class in that light.”
“None of us changed this school alone, but rather every little act of kindness, friendship, encouragement, late nights studying suffering through academic rigor or a personal battle invisible to others, shaped us each individually to let us trailblaze a path to something greater than ourselves. With this, remember that your ability to make a difference will never leave you.”
“No matter where life takes us next, never forget that even the smallest thing you give to others can change lives in ways you may never see. That’s what this class taught me. I love you, Class of 2026!”
Senior Lilian Rubert introduced Rickert as the guest speaker. “Somewhere in your house, I can almost guarantee there is a treasured childhood book lying around that hasn't been cracked open for years upon years. One of the first lessons today's key speaker, Ms. Rickert, taught our grade is to never let go of those memories- that childlike wonder within ourselves.”
She said Ms. Rickert has continued to look out for students, inspiring both passion and creativity through her lessons and past experience in helping with musicals. She has also supported students mentally as she helps lead TK's Hope Squad in mental· health advocacy initiatives and has formed her room into a safe space where students can be themselves.
“Whether it be in school activities or something as small as offering passing students fresh coffee, Ms. Rickert's compassion for her students and peers shines through and can be found in all of her work and all of us today. Her lessons and generosity remind us all to continue to look after each other, even as we depart from this school,” said Rubert.
Rickert’s address hinted at some of the ideals offered by Frizzell and how you never fully know the impact you’ve made on someone just by your simple words and actions. She also reminded students they are never “actually” alone even as they start out on new adventures and chapters in their lives.
Being alone, whether it’s as an empty nest parent or a child moving out of the house for the first time, is often different and sometimes hard, she admitted.
“You may experience living alone for the first time in the next few years: whether it’s moving out for a new job, basic training or college. It is ok if it feels uncomfortable at first. But be brave and give it time. Embrace the newness and take this time to see what you really like to do and what kind of environment you choose to live in as an adult - you get to be whatever you choose.”
She spoke of her own “empty-nest” experience and how students helped her every day by simply talking to her, asking her about her weekend, sharing their own stories with her and just being engaging every day.
“They asked me about my weekend and I asked them about theirs. We chatted about the good, the bad, the annoying. In fact, I noticed that is how every single class began: at least one student asked how my day or weekend was and at the end of every single class hour, at least one student left thanking me or wishing me a good day.”
She talked about the many interactions she had with her students from someone printing her daily crosswords, sharing weird historical facts, or teaching her how to say Polish words. “These small moments may not seem like they were “a big deal” but these things that you gave to me every day helped me get through my empty nest struggles. And all of these little things added up to make a tough time in my life a little less so. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
She said she saw students doing the same for their classmates. “They encouraged and helped each other.”
“As you leave TK and go out into the world, know it is ok to be alone. Find out who you are and build the life you want. When you are feeling that aloneness, put your phone down and start noticing the little things, especially the people. And keep doing what you did for me this year. Keep engaging with others, sharing stories and experiences. That small connection could be just what they, or you, need.”
She also reminded students they always have a home at TK.
“If there is a time when you just need a friendly hello or a familiar face, you know where to find us! Your teachers, counselors, coaches, administrators and community members would love to hear from you…I would love to be the one who asks how your day was, that little thing that may just make you realize you are not, in fact, alone.”
With those words of advice and encouragement, the graduates waited for class advisors Mr. George Dudik and Mr. Kevin Kane to call the class roll. Each student walked across the stage in front of a packed stadium of friends and family receiving their diploma from TK Board of Education members.
Jacob Newland gave the closing remarks. “Thanks be to God for the effort of our hard-working teachers, parents and staff. Because of them, we’ve transitioned from students to alumni of Thornapple Kellogg. Everyone here has been shaped by our excellent teachers, who pushed us forward to embrace both the new and the mundane, building discipline, knowledge, curiosity, and the beginning of a legacy. Congratulations, class of 2026!”
McKenna Hoebeke ended the ceremony leading the tassel ceremony when students moved their tassels from the right to the left signifying the end of their high school career. Then the mortar boards, with a little help from the wind, were tossed in the air in one final celebration as the band played the TK Fight song one last time for the Class of 2026!
Congratulations graduates! You will always be a TK Trojan and forever TK STRONG!