By Rebecca Chaisson
Eunice News Editor
Local high schools and LSU Eunice are preparing to honor the Class of 2026 with commencement ceremonies this week, marking the end of an academic journey for hundreds of area students.
Eunice High School –
The Bobcats will kick off local graduation season at 6 p.m. today, Thursday, May 14, with a class of 127 students set to take center stage inside the school’s gymnasium.
To ensure an enjoyable graduation experience, the following guidelines apply for Class of 2026 Eunice High School guests:
• Clear bags only for guests
• Enter through southside doors, which officially open at 5 p.m.
• Refrain from bringing objects that will set off metal detectors to avoid slowing the intake of guests
• Strollers, noisemakers, airhorns, balloons, other large objects that could block others’ views, alcohol and tobacco are all prohibited.
• At the end of the ceremony, allow all graduates to exit the gym in the formal recessional before leaving seats.
• Note that any individual causing disruptions will be removed from the facility immediately.
Louisiana State University at Eunice -
LSUE will continue the local graduation season with their own pair of graduations on Friday, May 15, 2026, in the HPRE Center (LSUE Gymnasium) on the university campus.
The 10 a.m. ceremony will recognize Academy and Dual Enrolled graduates, with Eunice native and KLFY-TV personality Layne Miller, a former LSUE dual enrollment student, delivering the keynote address.
The ceremony will highlight high school students that have earned an associate’s degree or certificate while completing coursework as part of the LSUE Dual Enrollment and Academy programs.
Following the dual enrollment ceremony, main commencement will honor LSUE graduates beginning at 2 p.m., with Patrick Gandy, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Ochsner Lafayette General, serving as the commencement speaker.
Diplomas will be issued immediately following each ceremony in the Mumphrey Center, with a reception for graduates and guests to follow.
St. Edmund Catholic High School -
To round out this week’s graduation activities, the 33 seniors at St. Edmund Catholic High School will conclude their high school careers on Saturday, May 16,
The Senior Award Ceremony will be at 10 a.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, followed by an 11 a.m. graduation ceremony at Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. The school requests everyone arrive to the church no later than 9:30 a.m., with the procession of students to begin promptly at 9:45 a.m.
Officials at each school remind families to arrive early and adhere to ticket and guest limits where applicable. These ceremonies represent years of dedication and achievement for Eunice’s graduating students as they step into college, careers, trade programs or military service.