Graduation speech presented by Superintendent Dr. Melissa Stewart
Indian Hill High School Class of 2026:
Fourteen thousand four hundred thirty: That is how many hours you have dedicated yourself to learning from kindergarten to now.
Eleven thousand one hundred: That is how many hours I have had the honor of working with you.
Before standing before you this evening as the superintendent, I first met you when you entered third grade, and I was the principal of Indian Hill Elementary School. Here is what I remember about you:
1. The “DAB” was a popular fad; I was greeted often with a dab in the hallway and I never knew exactly how to respond.
2. Here was another popular trend: Flipping your water bottle to land right side up. I spent the entire year in the cafeteria saying let’s not flip water bottles…and cleaning up water spills.
3. While you were in school moving from “learning to read” to “reading to learn,” others were trying to find Pikachu in a parking lot with Pokemon Go.
4. Finally, as a personal fan of the arts, one of my all-time favorite musicals made its way to the stage. Hamilton taught the country that history could have a beat, that young voices could retell old stories.
One of the most famous lines from that musical is, “I am not throwing away my shot.”
Graduates, this is your chance.
Don’t throw away your shot.
When this class was beginning its school journey, Hamilton was teaching the country that history could sound different, leadership could look different, and a new generation could tell an old story in a brand-new way.
Graduates: Today is one of those moments. Take your shot. With courage, humility, and most importantly, with purpose.
I know that you are ready for the next chapter of your life, and I'm excited to watch that happen. While I cannot predict the future, one thing I know with confidence: There is greatness sitting in front of me tonight.
In fact, I think I already know some future headlines…
First Future Headline: “Indian Hill High School graduate cures cancer.”
Many of you are dedicating the next chapter of your lives to healthcare and science.
Recently, I spoke with Aidan Kincaid, who will attend Johns Hopkins University. I shared with him that Johns Hopkins quite literally saved my life. And standing here tonight, I can absolutely picture so many of you being part of the next breakthrough that saves someone’s life.
Second Future Headline: “Most successful Paris Fashion Show in history produced by Indian Hill High School graduate.”
From prom dresses to spirit week outfits to Halloween costumes that were sometimes… impressively confusing…I have watched your creativity flourish over the years. I cannot wait to see where that creativity takes students like Kayla Love, who will attend Kent State for fashion design, with dreams of internships in New York, Milan, or Paris.
Third Future Headline: “Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Indian Hill High School graduate.”
I have already seen your sense of advocacy and compassion during your years here.
I could not be prouder to lead a district recognized as a Unified Champion School District by the Special Olympics organization. From your authentic and informal interactions, you have shown genuine commitment to lifting others.
A powerful example is Nathan Chamot, who is attending the University of Cincinnati and founded his own organization focused on Tourette syndrome awareness. He transformed something that could have defined him as a limitation into one of his greatest strengths and a source of advocacy for others.
And that brings me to one final headline.
But before I share it, I want you to hear this quote from Alexander Hamilton when he was your age, before becoming a Founding Father: “I mean to prepare the way for futurity.”
Graduates, that is exactly what you have been doing, preparing not just for the next school, the next class, or the next challenge, but for the future you will help shape and lead. And because of that, I could not be more hopeful about what lies ahead, not just for you, but for all of us.
With leaders like you stepping into the world, our future is in very good hands.
And now, the final and most important headline: “Class of 2026 returns to visit Indian Hill Schools.”
I truly hope this is not our last interaction. Come back and visit. Tell us your stories. Tell us your successes. Tell us your struggles. Let us know where life takes you next year, and the year after that, and the year after that. Because tonight, you may move from student to alumni, but you will remain important to us.
And no matter where life takes you, one thing remains true: We are and always will be Braves!
Congratulations, Class of 2026.
Dr. Melissa Stewart
Superintendent
Indian Hill School District
Photo caption: Indian Hill High School Class of 2026 Graduation