Roughly 400 people showed up to support 19 Trojan graduates on Sunday.

The eye-opening statistic was shared by Chad Harter, superintendent of the Community R-6 school district, during his speech at the school’s commencement ceremony in the high school gymnasium Sunday afternoon.

“Today is the time of celebration for everyone in the room,” Harter said. “It’s a moment that we reflect on all the other moments that transpired to let us get to this day.”

Instead of naming a valedictorian and salutatorian, Community R-6 recently implemented a new way of recognizing students who have demonstrated outstanding academic achievements.

Students who, over eight semesters, have earned a cumulative GPA between 3.85 and 3.94, meet the A+ program requirements for attendance and citizenship, and achieved an ACT score of 20 or higher are recognized as magna cum laude recipients. Those who upheld the same standards but have a GPA of 3.94 and above and received a 22 or higher on the ACT receive a summa cum laude distinction.

Lane Carter, son of Leslie and the late Alan Carter, was the sole recipient of the magna cum laude distinction, which was indicated by the silver honor medal around his neck.

Carter was the first student commencement speaker on Sunday. Instead of only focusing on the accomplishments, he chose to reflect on all the hardships he and his classmates had to overcome to get them to graduation.

“I can’t promise you that the struggles of high school are the hardest things we will go through in life, but I can promise you that you have already made it through the week before baseball games,” Carter said. “You made it through the week at Friday at 5:00 when you realized homework is due at midnight. You made it through the 10,000 other things you’ve got going on at home and you still have to be in school the next morning. You, the class of 2026, have made it.”

In his commencement speech, Carter also thanked the Community teachers and administration.

“Thank you for teaching us not just math and English, but doing God’s work and making the world a better place here at Community R-6,” he said. “It’s such a good school because of you.”

Matthew Utterback, son of Melanie and James Utterback, was the sole recipient of a summa cum laude distinction.

“We learned that courage doesn’t always look like a big moment — sometimes it’s just choosing to try again,” Utterback said. “We are not defined by the challenges we face, but the way we rose above.”

Graduate distinctions weren’t the only unique aspect of Community commencement ceremonies. Every year, before they receive their diplomas, students who have received scholarships are given an additional recognition.

Jennifer Gilman, school counselor, said the Class of 2026 has been offered and accepted more than $182,856 in scholarships this year.

“This class is multi-talented, driven, and deeply involved, both in and out of the classroom,” Bob Davies, high school principal, said.

Regardless of the road that lies ahead, Harter referred back to the people in the room, reminding graduates that the support didn’t start at graduation and it doesn’t end there, either.

“As you leave here today, know that you’re going to be missed,” Harter said. “You’re moving forward with teachers that love you and younger students that saw you as iconic legends in a community that supports you. You truly made an impact to your Class of 2026.”