TAMPA – Principal Matt McDermott said that Wesley Chapel High School’s Class of 2026 demonstrated intelligence, talent and determination. After all, the numbers speak for themselves.
Among those walking across the stage to receive diplomas June 6 at Yuengling Center were 250 students who graduated with honors, 122 who passed the Florida Civics Literacy Exam, 60 who earned AP Capstone diplomas and 17 who earned associate degrees. The 26th graduating class at Wesley Chapel High School earned more than $4 million in scholarships.
Then there were the students who contributed to team success that led to conference and district titles in baseball, track and weightlifting as well as superior ratings by the band.
“Beyond the awards, titles and recognitions, what I am most proud of is the character that you have demonstrated,” McDermott told graduates. “You supported one another, showed resilience through challenges and created memories that will last well beyond these walls. Take a moment today to congratulate yourself. You have earned it.”
Camden Battey, who earned the distinction of valedictorian, said he once believed the future was built with numbers like grades, SAT scores and having among the top grade point averages in the class.
“Somewhere between these expectations, I think we lost track of something,” Battey said. “We were already living in the moments we were working so hard for – random nights spent laughing more than working, learning how to play pickleball, early mornings at the beach or staying at Culver’s until close. Because years from now, we won’t remember every assignment or test score. But we will remember how these moments felt, the people we laughed with, the inside jokes I put in this speech, the ordinary days that turned out to matter the most. Those moments will stick with us.”
Salutatorian Christopher Koschman gave a speech along the same lines.
“Looking back on it, high school was never just about passing tests or getting good grades,” Koschman said. “It was about figuring things out and finding yourself while doing it. It was about finding the people who matter most to you, figuring out the things you thrive at, and sometimes seeing what needs improvement. And most importantly, figuring out how to get back up and persevere even when faced with adversity.”
