This year’s graduating seniors will soon turn their tassels and leave McNary High School behind. 

The graduation ceremony will be held at the Oregon State Pavilion at the state fairgrounds in Salem on Friday, June 5. The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., with doors opening to guests at 1:15 p.m. 

Headsets available for families needing Spanish translation will be available at the main entrance. Those needing special accommodations should notify the school office. 

McNary’s class of 2026 includes 525 students, including those who graduated early. Todd Layton, senior adviser, expects roughly 400 to walk during the ceremony. 

The school’s band students will perform for the ceremony, including the graduation march “Pomp and Circumstance,” and the national anthem. 

Graduate Hallie Wofford will be the senior speaker, and English teacher Marcus Luther will give the keynote address. Luther was recently among 12 Salem-Keizer educators to earn a Crystal Apple award. 

Principal Scott Gragg will introduce valedictorians, those who earned 4.0 grade point averages, and salutatorians, those earning above a 3.2 average. Pending second-semester grades, there are 32 valedictorians this year and 11 salutatorians. 

Seniors Allyssa Christensen, Alayna Garcia, Cassidy Kerner, Emillee Morriss, Macarthy Nelson, Josalyn Netzel and Kyle Wilson will lead a class cheer before prompting students to turn their tassels. 

Layton advises families to arrive early, as capacity is limited and parking may be challenging. Graduates each receive eight tickets and students who do not require all tickets are encouraged to share with other students. Families must have a ticket to enter the ceremony.

NEWS TIP? Contact reporter Krista Kroiss at [email protected].

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