The Eunice High School gymnasium buzzed with pride and excitement on Thursday evening, May 14, as the Class of 2026 received their diplomas and officially become Battling Bobcats alumni.
Valedictorian Chloe Istre set the tone of the evening with a warm welcome and inspiring address.
“Good evening, family, friends, faculty, staff, and most importantly, the people here today in caps and gowns, the graduating class of 2026,” Istre said. “None of us made it here alone ... Success is not measured only by grades, awards or titles. It’s also measured by kindness, hard work, character and the impact we leave on others ... Dream big. Work hard, stay humble and never forget where you came from.”
Principal Irma Trosclair praised the graduates for their resilience and collective accomplishments.
“You earned over $4 million in scholarship money, 330 career certifications or credentials, and 3,282 college credits while in high school. Your overall class GPA is 3.12,” Trosclair said. “Job well done, graduates.”
She encouraged the Class of 2026 to choose kindness in all they do.
“In a world where you can be anything, choose to be kind… Your titles may open doors, but your kindness and integrity will determine the legacy you leave behind.”
Academic honors were a highlight of the evening. Top Ten Honor Students wearing gold stoles were recognized as follows:
Valedictorian Chloe Istre, Salutatorian Madison Andry, Historian Andrew Fontenot, and Clara Fuselier, Parker Pedigo, Kaylee Fontenot, Michael Higginbotham, Brooklyn Nguyen, Jaida Kelley and Dahlia Jones.
Gold cord recipients (ranks 11–20) were announced as Marquis Hooker, Halley Parker, Alan Ouyang, Kaylee Guillory, Blaire Dupre, Noah Lejeune, Courtney Prudhomme, Ashton Pedigo, Anna Oubre and Erin Fruge.
Additional honor graduates wearing silver cords (3.5+ GPA) were also recognized, along with students earning bronze cords for industry-based certifications. Military-bound graduates received red, white, and blue cords, while Madison Andry and Halley Parker were honored for earning Associate Degrees from LSU-E.
National Honor Society members wearing blue stoles and ACE Lettermen were also recognized during the program.
As Assistant Principal Chad Andrepont announced each name and the administration presented diplomas, the gymnasium erupted in applause for each and every graduate.
Salutatorian Madison Andry gave the farewell address, reflecting on their journey together. She recalled the Class of 2026’s first day at Eunice High on August 15, 2022, when “most of us didn’t know who we were or what we would become,” and how ordinary high school moments became cherished memories.
“Laughing in the halls, pep rallies, game nights, school dances and award ceremonies all became memories that we will cherish forever,” she said. “This is not the end of our story. It is the start of a new chapter ... As Nelson Mandela once said, ‘It always seemed impossible until it is done.’ Class of 2026, we made it.”
The Class Song, “Five More Minutes” by Scotty McCreery, was performed, and the students were given five more minutes together to celebrate in the center of the gym, take selfies, hug each other and prepare to walk away with diplomas in hand as Eunice alumni.
Principal Trosclair closed the ceremony with powerful final words of encouragement:
“Go forward with courage. Go forward with purpose. Go forward ready to make a positive impact on this world. Wherever you go, always remember where you came from.”
The Class of 2026 now steps into bright futures in college, careers, trade schools, military service, and beyond.
Congratulations to the Eunice High School Graduating Class of 2026:
Joseph Daniel Ragajo Ablang; Makaylynn Briana Andrus; Madison Kennedy Andry; Shiann Paige Ashworth; Sydney Grace Babineaux; Cayden Needham Bernard; Logan James Bonnette; Jackson Xavier Breaux; Cooper Joseph Brickley; Terre’ Jonae Sharon Broussard; Ava Grace Brown; Peyton Miguel Brown; Rylee Grace Brown; Steven Montana Brown; Michael Tyrese Bruno; Jamarion Jacolby Calloway; Cameron James Carrier; Abram Charles Castille; Elijah Dwayne Ceasar; Reiana Rae Celestine; Hannah Alie Chavis; Bryson Micheal Chevis; Alexander Wade Crader; Set Abdiel Cruz; Dax Trent Daigle; Bryleigh Elizabeth Douget; Aubrey Elise Droddy; Blaire Elise Dupre; Patrick Nickolas Dupre; Madison Karlee Grace Edwards; Raniya Nichole Edwards; Andrew Lee Fontenot; Anjielle Aishyli Fontenot; Cane Isaac Fontenot; Eaton David Fontenot; Gavin Scott Fontenot; Gavin Luke Fontenot; Jackson Brian Fontenot; Kaylee Blake Fontenot; Kyle Andrew Fontenot; Myka Grace Fontenot; Kyndrea’ Monae Frank; Ziaya Quenea Frank; Jolie Elise Frey; Braelyn Frank Fruge; Erin Elizabeth Fruge; Lainey Katherine Fruge; John Patrick Fruge; Clara Christine Fuselier; Olivia Blaire Fuselier; Kelsie Elyse Gaspard; Jakinley Deontize Guillory; Kaylee Marie Guillory; Owen Luke Guillory; Paul Devondre Guillory; Anaya Denise Hebert; Burt Ray Hicks; Bryson Edward Higginbotham; Michael Ray Higginbotham; Preston Lee Higginbotham; Marquis Levell Hooker; Chloe Anne Istre; Zaniyah Dashae Janice; Hayden Ray Johnson; Kahmari Nevaayh Johnwell; Dahlia Maeslynn Jones; London Monea Jordan; Jaida Nicole Kelley; Thomas Paul Kessinger; Brock Conner Labbe; Dayton Lee Langley; Simone Alexa-Marie Laws; Ron’ Ahjieiy Iyzaeluh Leblanc; Blaise Joseph Ledoux; Michael Joseph Leger; Aiden Mark Lejeune; Noah Gage Lejeune; Kendreona Rence Lewis; Aaliyah Tianna Malveaux; Megan Marrero; Jayanna Aracely Mascorro; Riley Jo Matte; Constance Debra Jean Miller; Gabrielle Skye Miller; James Travis Xavier Miller; Paul Magraffe Wayne Miller; Sydni Grace Miller; Akeviona Rene Monday; Daylan Mark Que Morgan; Jaylah Savanna Morgan; A’Layah Anae Mckae Ned; D’Nea Sade’ Neville; Brooklyn Cuu Nguyen; Lucy Maren Osburn; Anna Therese Oubre; Alan Ouyang; Halley Marie Parker; Ashton Luke Pedigo; Parker Lee Pedigo; Courtney Maline Prudhomme; Taurean Joseph Redman-Montero; Deandre Alexander Reed; De’Miyah Chante Reed; Sophie Ann Reed; Michael Resendiz; C’Ona Saige Rhines; Nakaia Sarah Lynne Richard; Addison James Sattler; Laynie Michelle Saucier; Zakeria Oreyonna Annish Seriale; Dylan Rashaud Serice; Laiken Andrew Shields; Brayden Howard Smith; Avery Ann Soileau; Cora Leigh Spell; Marissa Lynn Stagg; Davian Marshon Stevens; Gavin James Thibodeaux; Vincent Tran; Sarah Claire Vienne; Patrick Jack Wardrop; Chryse’ Era Marie Williams; Patience Cliche Wilson.
