Fairfax High School Class of 2026 graduates are Joaquin Hill, Tate Johnson, Austin Helfers, Amelia Larson, and Piper Morris. They received their diplomas in a commencement ceremony Sunday, May 17, in the high school gym.
The Fairfax eighth grade graduates are, from left to right: front row – Jaycee Stoner, Delaney Oswald, Alex Wintz, Emma Ohlensehlen, Katie Avrett, and Nataleigh Garner; and back row – Lela Wright, Zander Grossman, Dominick Bradbury, Ben Umbarger, Mackenzie Oswald, and Geb Burke. Not pictured is Danyella Puentes.
Former Fairfax R-3 teacher Johnnie Kemerling was the 2026 commencement speaker.
Piper Morris gave a speech during the ceremony.
Amelia Larson gets a hug from her mother, Theresa. Amelia also gave a speech during the ceremony.
Fairfax R-3 Board of Education members were on hand at the graduation to support the graduates and to hand out diplomas. Board members include, from left to right, Courtney Grossman, Treyvor Umbarger, Shannon Long, Miles Smith, Stephanie Stevens, and Shelby Hurst. Not pictured is Crystal Woodring.
Junior escorts were Mason Kingery and Chloe Vernon.
Austin Helfers presents flowers to his father, Cody Helfers.
Tate Johnson visits with Fairfax R-3 music teacher Deb Wyatt in the receiving line following graduation.
Fairfax High School alum Cowen O’Riley congratulates Joaquin Hill on his graduation.
Graduate Amelia Larson receives congratulations from Bob Alldredge.
Piper Morris poses for a photo with her sister, Shelbey Morris, and Shelbey’s fiancé, Kayden Holecek, and their daughter, Millie.
The 130th graduating class of Fairfax R-3 School was honored at commencement Sunday, May 17, 2026, in the Fairfax High School Gymnasium.
Members of the Class of 2026 were Austin Ryen Helfers, Joaquin Joseph Michael Hill, Tatem Maveric Johnson, Amelia Elizabeth Larson, and Piper Journey Jewel Morris.
National Honor Society members were Austin Helfers, Joaquin Hill, Tatem Johnson, Amelia Larson, and Piper Morris.
Class officers were: Austin Helfers, president; Tatem Johnson, vice-president; Amelia Larson, secretary; and Joaquin Hill, treasurer. Ms. Ashley Grossman was the class sponsor.
The seniors’ class motto was “Tiny, but mighty!” The class flower was a purple carnation and the class color was navy blue.
Seniors entered the gym as Suzanne Southard played “Pomp and Circumstance.”
Dr. Jason McDowell, Fairfax R-3 superintendent, welcomed everyone, and Tate Johnson gave the senior welcome.
Johnnie Kemerling was the guest speaker.
Amelia Larson and Piper Morris gave honor speeches.
Seniors and their guests enjoyed a video montage of class memories.
Mrs. Barbara Terry presented the eighth grade class. Eighth grade students are: Katherine Mae Avrett, Dominick Ray Bradbury, Gary Eugene Burke, Nataleigh J’Lynn Garner, Zander Lee Grossman, Emma Jean Ohlensehlen, Delaney Maria Oswald, Mackenzie Karen Oswald, Danyella Marie Puentes, Jaycee B. Stoner, Benjamin Dale Umbarger, Alexander John Wintz, and Lela Michelle Wright.
The top students of the Class of 2026 were: Amelia Larson, summa cum laude (4.2+ GPA); Austin Helfers, Tate Johnson, and Piper Morris, magna cum laude (4.0-4.19 GPA); and Joaquin Hill, cum laude (3.75-3.99 GPA).
Diplomas were awarded to the graduating seniors by Miles Smith, president of the Board of Education.
Austin Helfers gave the senior good-bye and the seniors exited to their class song, “Closing Time” by Semisonic.
Junior class escorts were Chloe Vernon and Mason Kingery. Attendants were Elsey Rogers and Knox Oswald.
