The 19 Killeen ISD summer graduates who stepped across the auditorium stage Thursday at Killeen High School have everything they need to succeed at the next phase of life.
They have a diploma and they have the perseverance that was required to secure it.
Students from Ellison, Chaparral, Harker Heights, Killeen and Shoemaker participated in the annual commencement ceremony.
One of them, Alyra Thomas, exited the stage with $100 after answering a question from Superintendent King Davis about the most important trait for success in life.
The new Shoemaker graduate quickly shot her arm in the air and said “perseverance.”
Davis invited her up to receive what he said was a “crisp $100 bill.”
She was pleased.
Most participants of summer graduation need an extra semester or more to finish high school, causing them to miss the traditional ceremony in May hosted in the big arena in Belton.
Regardless of the obstacles that slow you down, said Davis, what is important is getting to the finish line.
Referencing research drawing on response from successful businesspeople, the superintendent said the key to success is expressed in words like persistence, perseverance, stick-to-it-ness and grit.
“Oftentimes we think successful people are the most talented or most intellectual,” he said, “and while that is important, the primary attribute is stick-to-it-ness. It’s not giving up and pushing through.”
“It’s important you learn to have grit. What I’m excited about is that you exemplify that by being here today.”
“You will come across hard times,” said Davis. “You won’t always understand, but if you stay committed to your goals and vision you have for your lives I guarantee you will get there.”
The Ellison band, Killeen High Junior ROTC color guard and Shoemaker choir student Roy Zapata all supported the districtwide graduation ceremony.
Thomas, the graduate who responded to the superintendent’s question and received $100 said,
“When he asked, I knew the answer, but I wanted to give someone else a chance. I waited a second and then I raised my hand.”
“It feels very good to graduate,” said Thomas, who is scheduled to attend college and work as a certified nursing assistant.
She said she would recall fondly activities at Pathways Academic Campus like a kickball day and her favorite teacher, James Jinks.
Photos from the ceremony are available at www.killeenisd.org/photos
Class of 2026 graduates include the following:
Ellison High School
Damian Velez
Ricquel Coleman
Laila Martin
Chaparral High School
Melina Garcia
Dominic Monfreda
Benjamin Sayers
Ernesto Alejandro Cabrera Martinez
Hayden Alexander Patt
Anthony Turner
Harker Heights High School
Zamaria Chantal Bender
Riley Preston Cox-Kersey
Killeen High School
Jesus Tovar
Edwin Rodriguez
Jose Alejandro Garcia Olivera
Riley Curb
Shoemaker High School
Alyra Faye Thomas
Mileyshka Oquendo
Crystal Fandino
Jonathan Juarez