The Brady Class of 2026! Front row, l-r: Taylor Wiezorek, Abigail Welte, Abigail Robison, Hallie Johnson, Ava Vaughn, Kelcie Motsinger. Back row: Haydn Thomsen, Lydia McGown, Payton Stienike, Ella Lydic, Shyann McConville, Kennedi Cook, Peyton Hasenauer, Gatlyn Carr. Not pictured: Torean Britt. (Photo courtesy BPS)
Junior Zoe Johnson continues her winning ways, running to a gold medal finish in the 3200m in Arnold last Friday. Johnson nearly swept the race this season, missing a first-place finish just once at the Midwest Nebraska Track Classic. That day, she came in second to Scout Bell of Gothenburg. (Leader photo by Darcee Ridenour)
On Saturday, May 9 at 4 p.m., a fresh flock of Eagles left the nest. With a total of 16 students crossing the stage, the Brady Public Schools honored the class of 2026 in its 120th graduation ceremony.
The class colors were red, black and gold, and the class flower was a white carnation. The graduates chose a quote by Dr. Suess as their motto, “Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.”
The ceremony began with an invocation from Lydia McGown, and then family, friends, students and staff were welcomed by Superintendent Ann Foster. The stage was then given over to the three co-valedictorians - Hallie Johnson, Payton Stienike and Haydn Thomsen.
Hallie Johnson, daughter of Kara Kelley and Jacob Johnson, was the first to share, and focused on the ways the senior class has grown and c…
