By Ally Hinkle
Cove Leader Press
Copperas Cove High School honored the graduating class of 2026 graduation ceremony Friday, May 22, at the Cadence Bank Center in Belton.
This ceremony marked the end of an era for this graduating class, consisting of 498 students, as they said farewell to their public school career and said hello to the rest of their lives.
One’s high school graduation is a milestone that each and every student looks forward to during their final years in public education, which was explained by senior Tyson Hart.
“It feels great right now,” Hart said. “I’ve been hyped and I’ve been waiting for this moment since the beginning of my senior year. It feels great man; I feel awesome.”
Hart continues the Bulldawg legacy following his two older brothers in graduating from Copperas Cove.
While in school, Hart participated in varsity choir, varsity soccer and NHS and Hart plans to attend Trinity University in the fall.
Of these 498 students, 61 also graduated with at least one associates degree and/or industry certification through the CCISD Dual Credit/Early College Program, 113 students earned a total of 313 industry-based certifications, nine graduates pledged to serve in one of the branches of the United States military and a total of $1.6 million was awarded to the class of 2026 through various scholarships.
Overall these students were very proud of their accomplishments throughout their academic career at Copperas Cove High School and were proud to have left their mark on Bulldawg history.
“It’s really exciting,” senior Lane Ledger said. “I mean, my dad was top 10 when he was here, and so to be able to also be a top 10 and graduate this high up, it’s exciting. I’m really proud of it, and my family’s really proud of it too.”
Ledger said he was involved in extracurricular activities such as FFA, where he received both grand champion and reserve grand champion for his poultry, NHS, soccer, where he served his final year as captain, and football.
“I did as much as I could in the short time I had here,” Ledger said.
Ledger plans to get his degree in animal science from Texas A&M University in College Station to then further his education through the university’s veterinary school to become a large animal veterinarian.
In the opening remarks of her speech, Salutatorian Ruhi Patel told the class of 2026 that their paths and stories would always be connected due to their shared experiences at Copperas Cove High School, and that she is grateful to her peers for shaping her into the person she is.
“Although our paths may not have crossed often, every person in this graduating class has contributed in some way to this experience we’ve shared together,” Patel said. “I want you to know that any interaction I’ve had with any of you, no matter how small, has left an impact on me. Whether we became close over the years or exchanged only a few words, I’ve come to realize I’m truly a collection of all the people I’ve ever met.
“We are connected by the invisible forces that make us who we are,” Patel continued. “Wherever I go, wherever you go, these memories and moments will continue to shape me, and for that I am truly grateful. It’s all the small details that suddenly become so important.”
Valedictorian Marcus Wang, alternatively, told the class of 2026 that this accomplishment transcends simply graduating but is also a testament to the class’ perseverance throughout all the hardships faced during their time in school, such as COVID-19 or the recent passing of a House bill barring all cell phone usage in school buildings.
“I find it difficult to fully capture the significance of this moment with words alone,” Wang said. “This occasion represents far more than the conclusion of our high school education; it symbolizes years of perseverance, growth, sacrifice and transformations that have shaped each of us into the individuals we are today. Within the audience, these students who have overcome countless obstacles, discovered their passions, challenged your limits and demonstrated resilience in ways that may never be entirely visible to others.
“Today is not simply a celebration of academic achievement,” Wang continued. “It is a reflection of the determination and character that carried us to this point.”
Senior Alyssa Eade told the Copperas Cove Leader Press, in similar themes to Patel and Wang’s speeches, that she is glad to have the memories from Copperas Cove High School to look back on and see how she has grown as an individual.
“I think it’s really cool to think that in 10 years, if I wanted to show my family members or some of my friends that I was here taking place in interviews and being one of the people to walk the stage first, I have clips of me pursing school,” Eade said.
Eade plans to attend UT Austin to study speech language pathology. During her time at Copperas Cove High School, Eade participated in volleyball, Skills USA competitions and various National Honors Societies.
Senior Courtney Addy, like many of her fellow graduates, said that though the moment feels surreal looking to her past she would encourage a younger version of herself to keep striving for the best.
“It felt like 2026 was just a made-up number, but we’re actually here about to graduate,” Addy said. “Don’t look at valedictorians, salutatorians, or top 10 or people starting clubs or presidents and say, ‘Oh, that’s for the smart kids,’ because you are a smart kid. It’s possible.”
Addy also plans to attend Texas A&M University to study chemical engineering, and was involved in sports such as volleyball and powerlifting and clubs such as NHS and Science National Honor Society.
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