From high-tech pursuits to the critical trades industry, the Marble Falls High School class of 2026 plans to make their mark on the future.
“William Ernest Henley wrote ‘I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.’ These words capture the mindset I aim to live by,” said class valedictorian Chloe Brown. She shared her thoughts during her graduation day speech May 22.
“They signify a belief in self agency: that you alone are responsible for achieving your goals,” Brown added. “And I have carried that mentality with me through high school.”
The class of 2026 graduated 213 Marble Falls High School seniors at Mustang Stadium that evening.
The ceremony, which ended in a fireworks display, first began with pomp and circumstance as seniors made their way in a procession to their seats.
Those on stage includ- ed class officers, honors students, school board members and administrators as well as the top 10 academic students. The top 10 graduating seniors were Alex Arteaga, Chloe Brown, Cali Brydon, Keiley Holderness, Tyler Leverett- Jackson, Katherine McCary, Lily Stein, Elsa Vandiford, Adyson Whitted and Cooper Womack. MFHS graduated 33 students in the National Honor Society.
Principal Patrick Hinson welcomed the crowd and introduced speakers. During his time on stage he shared a list of accomplishments of senior class members, during their four years at the school.
Of those graduating, 144 achieved industry recognized certifications.
Also, in the health science program, 12 students became certi- fied clinical medical as sistants; three students earned certifications as educational aides; in engineering, three seniors received specialized software certificates.
In other notable accomplishments: 32 se- niors received certifica tions in the horticulture program; 51 seniors received certification through the welding pathway; 26 students received entrepreneurship and small business cer- tifications; 23 students received construction in- dustry certifications; 17 students achieved social media/marketing cer- tifications; 10 students received animal science
certifications; five stu dents earned veterinarian/ animal science appli- cation certifications; and several students received certifications in graphics design programs.
Three graduates will join the armed forces – Paige Elaine Fralin, U.S. Navy; and Navaeh Ortiz and Emmanuel Soto Rivera, U.S. Marine Corps.
Twenty-one students earned Honors Graduate designations.
Hinson also noted that the district started a new tradition this school year, where the top 10 students were honored with a billboard on U.S. 281 south in Marble Falls. Outback Patio Furniture sponsored the prominently displayed accolades.
“Tomorrow morning, you’ll wake up and you’ll be a high school graduate for the first time. And as great as that may be, do not let that be the defining moment in your life,” Hinson said. “Each and every one of you are capable of so many things.
“Some of you will be off to college, some of you will be off to a trade school, some of you will directly enter the workforce, and some of you will even make one of the biggest sacrifices by serv ing our great country.”
Salutatorian Katherine (Kate) McCary spoke and guided attendees down memory lane as she recounted her high school journey. She then offered words of wisdom beyond her years.
“We shouldn’t spend that waiting for the future to come, for things to happen to us. We should spend it doing the things we are passionate about, pursuing success greater than ourselves,” McCary said. “My greatest wish is that we are caring, determined and open-minded people ready to create change and better our surroundings.
“That we spend the rest of our days, our minutes, our seconds wisely,” McCary added. “That we don’t take the people, moments, time we have for granted.”
