By Marty Mayfield
KRTN Multi-Media
44 members of the Class of 2026 performed their final act as Raton High School students Friday night May 22, 2026, as they walked into Tiger Gym to receive their diplomas and move on to the next chapter of life and as Valedictorian Addison Medina asked “Are you brave enough to be?”
Senior Juliani Plazola Welcomed parents, family and staff to Tiger Gym with Senior Owen Kelley giving the welcome address to a packed gym Friday night and was followed by the Principal’s awards.
Principal Jolene Starr presented Salutatorian Jennifer Mattorano with her medal followed by her speech to the class of 2026. Mattorano said she was “overwhelmed by the weight of choosing the right message.” After the final game of the year, she said it finally sank in “what are we supposed to do now.” Mattorano went on to note the many things students accomplished and how they are defined in high school by so much of what they do. As graduation arrives students are left asking themselves, “who am I without those titles.” She went on to say that what truly matters is “What truly lasts is your character, the way you treat people, the way you support others, and the impact you leave behind long after the moment has passed.”
She added that we are constantly changing, learning, making new versions of ourselves as we are not meant to stay the same forever. “But more than that, you are resilient, compassionate, hardworking, creative, and capable of making a difference in the lives around you. Those qualities matter far more than awards, accomplishments, or titles ever will.”
She added that “Growth doesn’t happen by staying the same. It happens when we allow ourselves to step into the unknown.” In closing Mattorano told her classmates “Take chances. Be confident in who you are. Allow yourself to grow into someone even greater than you imagined. And when life asks you again, what are you supposed to do now? Answer with confidence: keep moving forward.”
Starr then presented Addison Medina the with the Valedictorian award. Medina began her speech to classmates asking, “Are you brave enough to be?” She went on realizing that bravery is something much quieter than never doubting yourself, never falling apart or disappointing anyone.
She added that “Bravery is looking at your life honestly and admitting when it no longer feels like your own. It’s realizing that you can love people deeply and still outgrow the places, expectations, or versions of yourself tied to them. It’s understanding that staying the same just because it makes other people happy is not compassion, it’s fear.
One of the most important things I’ve learned from high school is this:
You are able to leave. You are able to begin again. You are able to change your mind, your direction, and leave behind anything else that no longer serves you.”
Medina went on to talk about doing your own thing and not to wait on others because they are afraid of change. She added, “But these freedoms require bravery: The bravery to be gentle when the world has hardened you. The bravery to be demanding when your voice shakes. The bravery to be stern when boundaries must be drawn. The bravery to love, to hope, to fail, and to try again anyway. But above all else, the bravery to remain forever unapologetically yourself, despite the opinions of others. And I believe, with my whole heart, that every single person here is capable of building a life that fulfills every piece of their soul, so long as they have the bravery to continue becoming.”
In closing Medina posed this thought “Because at the end of it all, the greatest tragedy is not failure. It is living a life that never truly belonged to you. So, I ask once more, as a girl who is still becoming… Are you brave enough to be?”
Santiago Castillo introduced the National Honor Society members followed by Chara Martinez honoring the Santa Fe Community College Mesa Lands and Dual Credit students who will begin the next chapter with a certificate or accreditation to shorten their college careers. Logan Elliot presented the Presidential Education Excellence Award 4.0 followed by Elijah Kenney who presented the Presidential Education Excellence Award 3.5. Indio Ward presented the 12 students who were Junior Rotarians.
The presentation of cords followed as Addison Medina, Jaylyn Maes and Joshua Mastrontoni gave the definition of each cord color and what they represent. Jennifer Mattorano honored the faculty and administration followed by Victoria Vega who honored the parents and guardians of the Class of 2026.
Christana Piancino spoke about the tradition of the passing of the key followed by Senior Class President Azden Romero passing the key to the school to his cousin Junior Class President Kevin Garrett.
With that Raton High School Principal Joleene Starr presented the graduating class of 2026 to Superintendent Kristi Medina noting that these 44 seniors had completed the requirements needed to graduate from Raton High School. Abe Elliott then began the presentation of diplomas giving a short message from each senior as they received their diploma.
Under the direction of Superintend Kristi Medina the turning of the tassels took place followed the class song “We Lived” by One Republic.
Good Luck to the Class of 2026 as they leave the hallowed halls of Raton High School for the next chapter of life and to go on to be enough!
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