Class of 2026 members told they can make a difference

Ashley Fenlon knew this day would eventually arrive.

She walked into the Oconto Falls High School gymnasium May 24 and walked out as a member of the school’s newest graduating class.

“I’m very excited, I wanted this all year,” Fenlon said before more than 120 seniors received their diploma in front of family, friends, community members and school district staff members.

Fenlon played three seasons of basketball as a freshman, sophomore and junior and one season of softball as a freshman.

Instead of suiting up for Panthers sports teams, she’ll now head to Green Bay’s Northeast Wisconsin Technical College campus, where she plans to study nursing.

“I took a lot of (technical school) classes already, so I have a lot of credits and a couple thousand bucks already paid for and done,” she said.

Fenlon is one of more than 120 seniors to graduate. Another – co-valedictorian Natalie Rieth – was one of the ceremony’s featured speakers.

“Seniors every year have a similar experience: People wish us well, they give us encouraging comments,” she said. “Here’s one thing graduates are always told as a group: You have potential to change the world.

“For a moment, let’s consider what this idea means to us. For the majority of us, recognition or change on a national or global scale isn’t one of our future goals. Do I believe we have the potential? Absolutely, but I won’t lie to you and say we all will. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s not possible for every person to be world-recognized, but don’t let that make you think that you are not able to change the world.”

Making an impact doesn’t have to be flashy, according to Rieth.

“What I believe is each small action done with integrity and attention can be just as meaningful in terms of making an impact,” she said. “Just because you might not be the next Taylor Swift or Steve Jobs doesn’t mean you can’t be successful.”

Rieth said each one of her classmates has something unique to offer the world.

“Thank you to our families, friends, school staff and administration for all your continued support in every aspect of our lives,” she said. “We owe so much to you. You chose to make a difference in the world and someday, I hope I can look back and say I did the same.”