Congratulations, Class of 2026!
As another school year comes to a close, we celebrate the accomplishments of our students, staff, families, and community. Earlier this month, we had the privilege of honoring the Cambridge-Isanti High School Class of 2026 at graduation—a remarkable group of young people who have left a lasting impact on our schools.
One of the most meaningful moments of this graduation season was our annual Legacy Walk. Members of the Class of 2026 returned to the primary and secondary schools that helped shape their journey, where they were greeted by younger students, former teachers, and staff members who had supported them along the way. It was a powerful reminder that graduation is not simply an individual accomplishment, but the result of years of encouragement, learning, and relationships built throughout a student's time in Cambridge-Isanti Schools.
This class is also record-setting in many ways:
Through the generosity of our local community and the Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars organization, the Class of 2026 received $286,100 in scholarships—the highest total in our school’s history.
They earned a combined 5,514 college credits and 98 vocational welding credits through career and technical education partnerships.
These opportunities represent nearly $2 million in college tuition savings for students and families.
Academic excellence defines this group:
Nine students earned a perfect 4.0 GPA and share the title of Valedictorian.
59 seniors graduated with Honors (3.33 GPA or higher), and 87 earned Honors with Distinction (3.67 GPA or higher).
Jackson Ryberg earned the prestigious distinction of being named a National Merit Finalist, an honor that ranks him among the top one percent of seniors graduating across the country.
Additional highlights from this remarkable senior class include:
31 seniors were inducted into the National Honor Society, recognized for their scholarship, leadership, character, and service.
12 graduates have committed to serving our country by enlisting in the United States Armed Forces. We thank them for their courage and dedication.
This class also excelled in co-curricular and extracurricular activities:
Our athletic programs earned twenty Mississippi 8 Conference Silver and Gold Academic Awards, demonstrating success both in competition and in the classroom.
Four teams won Conference Championships: Girls Tennis, Softball, Speech, and Boys Track and Field
Girls Tennis and Gymnastics both won section championships and advanced to state. This was the 31st state appearance for Bluejacket Gymnastics.
Additionally, eleven seniors showcased their talents on the state stage, earning medals in diverse individual competitions.
The track season reached new heights with Jackson Ziebarth's state-record victory in the 100-meter dash, alongside his contribution to our state-champion 4x100 relay team, which also established a new state record.
Four seniors advanced to the adapted bowling state tournament, showcasing their skill and perseverance.
Students shined in academics and the arts:
The CIHS Speech Team advanced to the state competition, with Lilia Osei-Dankwah earning a state championship in Extemporaneous Reading.
The Mock Trial Team achieved a historic milestone for our district, securing a fourth-place finish at the state competition—the highest ranking in school history.
Model United Nations participants earned multiple state and national honors.
The Economics and Math Leagues maintained their tradition of success at the state level.
Our Robotics Team garnered national recognition for their creativity, technical professionalism, and commitment to safety.
In SkillsUSA, seniors placed in the top three in the categories of MIG Welding, ARC Welding, and Carpentry.
The ProStart culinary team earned its highest-ever state finish, placing 5th overall.
Our FCCLA participants demonstrated exceptional leadership, securing five gold medals at their State Leadership Conference and earning several students the opportunity to compete at the national level.
In the performing and visual arts:
Our theatre department saw remarkable success as the production of Prince of Egypt was invited to the Historic State Theatre by the Hennepin Arts Spotlight Education Program, garnering an Honorable Mention for Achievement in Musical Theatre.
Our music department continues to demonstrate artistic excellence, with nine seniors recognized as Mississippi 8 All-Conference Honor Choir members, while others earned prestigious positions in the all-state choir, band, and orchestra.
Visual artists earned Superior Ratings and Special Honors at the Mississippi 8 Visual Arts Festival.
Our Triple-A Award nominees, Wesley Kennedy and Jovie Ebertowski, were recognized for excellence in Academics, Arts, and Athletics.
This is just a glimpse of what these graduates have accomplished. Their diverse achievements are a direct reflection of the outstanding support system that surrounds them—from dedicated staff and teachers to community partners and families. These results reflect the many strengths of our district that we are proud to celebrate—from the exceptional range of opportunities available to our students, to the dedicated staff and strong community partnerships that help make such success possible.
To the Class of 2026—congratulations! You’ve made us proud. We look forward to watching you continue to grow, lead, and make a difference. Always a Bluejacket.
Go Big Blue!