By BRITTANY FHOLER
Cove Leader-Press
Crossroads High School held its Winter 2026 Commencement Ceremony at Lea Ledger Auditorium last Friday, with 32 graduates walking the stage.
The winter ceremony is one of three graduation ceremonies held by the district’s alternative high school, with the next ceremony to be held in May.
Crossroads High School Principal Pat Crawley addressed the graduates and their friends and families before the presenting of the diplomas and challenge coins to the graduates.
“Tonight, we’re not here just to hand out diplomas. I want everybody to understand that we’re here to celebrate a collection of individual journeys, challenges, and a lot of inspiration that has brought each one of these graduates here,” Crawley said. “Class of 2026...you’re here because you refused to give up. You faced challenges that could have stopped you, obstacles that could have defined you at that moment, and moments that have made you question whether this day would ever get there or not. And you showed up and adapted. You’ve overcome. You have persevered- I love that word- and tonight, you have succeeded. At Crossroads, we often talk about finding a path. Sometimes, that means the less traveled one; sometimes, that means the one that’s been rebuilt from scratch. What you’ve learned here at Crossroads goes far beyond academics. You learned resilience, accountability, and you’ve learned what it is you’re capable of when you decide your future is worth fighting for.”
When it came time for the graduates to walk across teh stage after their names were called, Emalee French, 15, walked the stage to loud cheers and thunderous applause.
French was one of the youngest graduates in the Class of 2026 at the Crossroads High School Winter Commencement Ceremony.
She said that she was graduating for her one-year-old son and gave credit to Mr. Alaniz, Mr. Carlin and Mrs. Strahan, saying without their help she wouldn’t have done it.
“It’s been hard. When I was in elementary school and middle school, I was always fighting, wasn’t listening to teachers, so when I got to Crossroads, it changed me,” French said. “It helped me. I got helped by teachers and principals, allowing me to express myself and do it the way I wanted to do it and stay focused.”
French added that she recommended Crossroads High School for anyone who wants to finish high school and go at their own pace, sharing that the counselor really helps and takes the time to listen to her students.
French said she plans to go to cosmetology school next.
For Jonquavis Hill, Crossroads High School was a lifeline and a last hope in a way.
“I was supposed to graduate in 2023. I had a kid, dropped out of school, and came back,” Hill said. “Teachers kept contacting my mom, kept contacting me, and it only made me feel better that the teachers actually cared. I dropped out more than once, and I can finally say, ‘I’m here. I did it.’”
Hill said that to finally be able to get his diploma and walk the stage was a great feeling, adding that it didn’t feel true.
“It just feels amazing,” he said.
He also said he would recommend Crossroads as the school to choose for anyone who asked.
“It’s a perfect school. It’s a great school for everybody in Copperas Cove,” Hill said. “Want to send your kids there, and you’re thinking about it? I’d tell you to do it. That’s the best bet, right there. The principals and the teachers are just perfect. They work with you.”
Hill said he wants to join the military and has his eyes set on the Navy.
The graduates from the Crossroads High School Winter 2026 graduation ceremony include:
Sean Anderson
Emanuel Arevalo
Selena Ashton
Neyiana Brown
Nevaeh Chappelle
Aubrey Cox
Tailor Crockett
Camia Dixon
Kaiya Evans
Adrian Fields
Carlos Figuero-Perez
Emalee French
Aden Gilliam
Tavyon Glover
Traveon Greaves
Jasaue Haskins
Jonquavis Hill
Colten Huddleston
Braylen Kindley
Ayiana Medina
Mio Millner
Nicholas Moore
Bryce Newel-Hines
Jayden Ramos
James Reed
Arianna Rodgers
Somora Rogers
Daveonah Shepard
Ty Smith
James Steadmon
Kileigh White
Ayden Whitehurst
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