The top two graduates of the Rock Port High School Class of 2026 were Norah Watkins (valedictorian), left, and Jacoby Driskell (salutatorian), right.

 

Kinleigh Daugherty, Alex Schuster, and Darika Bywater enter the graduation ceremony together.

 

Quentin Jackson stands at the podium to give the invocation.

 

Valedictorian Norah Watkins adjusts the microphone before her speech.

 

As salutatorian, Jacoby Driskell delivered a speech during the graduation ceremony.

 

High School Social Studies teacher Thomas Herron was the guest speaker for the Class of 2026.

 

The top 10 members of the Rock Port High School Class of 2026 are, from left to right, Keira Roup, Dylan Lair, Ryder Herron, Tayden Cook, Quentin Jackson, Ella Meyerkorth, Emma Teten, Skylar Stoner, Jacoby Driskell, and Norah Watkins.

 

Emma Teten receives a medal recognizing her as a top 10 member of the class from Mrs. Shauna Farmer.

 

Spencer Newbanks has his tassel flipped by Mrs. Josie Graham.

 

Logan Lomax carries Declan McRaven as they exit the gym.

 

Rock Port R-II School District held commencement exercises for the Class of 2026 Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Rock Port High School. Graduates included: Darika Hope Morriss Bywater, Tayden Blaine Cook, Kinleigh Marie Daugherty, Jacoby Adan Driskell, Ryder Cash Herron, Quentin Jeffery Jackson, Dylan Scott Lair, Logan Thomas Lomax, Camden William James McEnaney, Declan Dean McRaven, Ella Mary Meyerkorth, Spencer Asa-Michael Newbanks, Keira Lynn Roup, Alexa Camille Schuster, Makenna Olivia Shelly, Alexis Nicole Stanton, Skylar Elizabeth Stoner, Emma Royal Teten, and Norah Danielle Watkins.

The class motto was “The tassel was worth the hassle.” The class colors were baby blue and white, and the class flower was a pink and white lily.

National Honor Society members were Tayden Cook, Jacoby Driskell, Quentin Jackson, Ella Meyerkorth, Keira Roup, Alexis Stanton, Skylar Stoner, Emma Teten, and Norah Watkins.

Class officers were: Quentin Jackson, president; Ryder Herron, vice-president; Emma Teten, secretary; Dylan Lair, treasurer; Tayden Cook and Keira Roup, student council representatives; Dylan Lair, student body president; Jacoby Driskell, student body vice-president; Emma Teten, student body treasurer; and Ella Meyerkorth, student body secretary.

Class sponsors were Ms. Danyal Coon, Mr. Richard Fentiman, and Mrs. Stephanie Parsons.

Ushers were Claire Miller, Tatum Vogler, Westyn Amthor, and Gabe Gebhards.

Seniors entered to “Pomp & Circumstance,” played by Mrs. Abby Palmer. Dr. Rex Bollinger, Superintendent, welcomed those present.

Norah Watkins, valedictorian, and Jacoby Driskell, salutatorian, addressed their classmates and the audience.

Mr. Thomas Herron was the guest speaker.

Scholarships and awards were presented by Dr. Bollinger, Mr. Donnie Parsons, High School Principal, and Mrs. Shauna Farmer and Mrs. Josie Graham, Counselors. Mr. Parsons presented the Class of 2026, and diplomas were presented by Mr. Troy Cook and Mr. Reven Herron, school board members.

Members of the Class of 2026, their plans and awards received were as follows:

Declan McRaven has joined the United States Army. We wish Declan well on his journey in the military while serving our country.

Spencer Newbanks received a two-year Auto Mechanics certificate from Northwest Technical School in Maryville. Spencer plans to join the work force after graduation and will focus on working for BNSF Railroad.

Logan Lomax received a two-year Autobody Collision and Repair certificate from Northwest Technical School. Logan plans to work in the automotive industry.

Camden McEnaney was one of three students who was given back their Principal’s Art Gallery picture. These framed pictures were on display at graduation and went home with the artist after the ceremony. Camden plans to obtain a wind turbine certification and work for Vestas as a wind turbine technician.

Alexis Stanton received a scholarship from Beta Gals of Rock Port. The Rock Port Beta Gals’ motto is, “Women making a difference in their community through community service, friendship, and sisterhood.” Lexi was the first recipient of the Steve and Marie Proctor Scholarship. She was the first of seven $1,000 IV Bats Scholarships. The IV Bats Scholarship Fund, Inc. was established in 2025 by Pete Batschelet and his wife Michelle. Pete is a 1998 graduate of Rock Port High School and was honored as salutatorian for his class. After graduating from RPHS, Pete attended Drake University, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 2002 and his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2004. Pete has been working in real estate for 21 years and now works at Lee & Associates, a commercial real estate brokerage company in Phoenix, Arizona. Pete specializes in selling and leasing industrial real estate for Lee & Associates. Pete and his wife live in Scottsdale, Arizona, with their son, Blake, age 15, and daughter, Collins, age 12. Atchison County will always hold a special place in Pete’s heart. Pete wishes those who received the scholarship the best of luck with their future endeavors and goals and wants to leave these inaugural recipients with his favorite quote from Abraham Lincoln, “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” Lexi plans to attend the University of Iowa to complete a BSN degree and plans to become a travel nurse.

Kinleigh Daugherty was the first of eight to receive an A+ Scholarship. The recipients must document 50 hours of tutoring or mentoring, achieve 95% cumulative attendance over four years, maintain a 2.5 GPA, and be a good citizen in the community and at school. A+ graduates may use their grant benefits at any A+ Missouri public community college or technical or vocational school. The benefits will help with the cost of fees or the completion of a degree program, whichever comes first. Kinleigh also received a Rock Port First Lutheran Church Scholarship, Hometown Comfort’s Hands-On Futures Scholarship, Missouri Western State University’s Black & Gold Scholarship, and the MOSAIC/MoWest Nursing Scholars of Promise which covers her first and last year’s tuition and 50% of her middle two years. Kinleigh’s scholarship package from Missouri Western was estimated at $97,000. Kinleigh wishes to become a labor and delivery nurse.

Alexa Schuster attended Tarkio Tech’s Health Occupations course to obtain her Certified Nurse Assistance certification. Alex plans to attend Missouri Western State University to earn a nursing degree.

Keira Roup was awarded the American Legion Citizenship Award and the MSHSAA Award of Excellence. Keira was also chosen for the local Rock Port CTA Scholarship and a scholarship from First Lutheran Church. Keira was the first of this year’s graduates to get a four-year Warren and Evalyn Morgan Scholarship. Warren and Evalyn were farmers in the Watson area for several years and Evalyn was a teacher. They valued education and helping students achieve their educational goals. Their charitable trust has been able to help many Atchison County students. UNL awarded Keira the New Nebraskan Scholarship valued at $60,000 over four years. Keira plans to attend the University of Nebraska – Lincoln where she will study to become a Child Life Specialist.

Abby Palmer presented Dylan Lair with the New Horizons Scholarship. Dylan also received the $1,000 Atchison County Development Corporation Vocational Scholarship. ACDC proudly invests in our students, hoping to see them back in Atchison County in future years. The ACDC board members realize the value of the vocational programs in our small community and hope to see more applications for this vocational scholarship in the future. Dylan was awarded $3,000 from the Curnutt Scholarship. Mary Joanne Curnutt was a big supporter of community involvement, trade schools, and retaining good people in the town of Rock Port. RPHS has created a scholarship in Ms. Curnutt’s honor with funds she donated to the school. Preference was given to individuals who are going straight to work or attending a trade school and plan to use their skills within the Rock Port community. The scholarship was intended to be used for equipment, tools, and other supplies needed to start or continue a career that would benefit the community of Rock Port. The Warren and Evalyn Morgan Vocational Scholarship was awarded to Dylan. He was the second A+ student in the class and was selected to receive one of four Northwest Missouri Sportsman’s Club Scholarships and the Marie and Steve Proctor Scholarship. Dylan was also awarded $10,000 through Proteus. Dylan plans to attend Southeast Community College and upon completion of the John Deere Program and a 3.5 GPA, AgriVision will add a $20,000 bonus to his educational journey. Dylan hit a grand slam with his total scholarships and aid nearing $40,000.

Ryder Herron received one of the Tony Gaines Memorial Awards and the RPHS Male Athlete of the Year Award. Ryder earned the Presidential Award of Excellence certificate, which was based on scoring at the 85th percentile on the ACT in either reading or math and achieving a 3.67 or higher cumulative grade point average. Ryder was also an A+ awardee and received a four-year Warren and Evalyn Trust Scholarship winner, a Northwest Missouri Sportsman’s Club Scholarship, the Marie and Steve Proctor Memorial Scholarship and the IV BATS Scholarship. Ryder has committed to play football for the University of Central Missouri Mules. UCM has offered Ryder the Red & Black Scholarship, the ACT Excellence Award, and a Football Athletic Scholarship. Ryder’s complete college funding is nearly $50,000.

Tayden Cook was the American Legion Citizenship Award recipient. Tayden was awarded the prestigious Presidential Academic Award. He was also an A+ Scholarship awardee. Tayden was the recipient of the Morgan Trust four-year scholarship, the ACDC Scholarship four-year scholarship, a Northwest Missouri Sportsman’s Award, and the IV BATS. Tayden will use his scholarships to study and join the golf team at Southwestern Community College.

Quentin Jackson was voted as the Missouri State High School Athletic Association Award of Excellence Honor. He also received the IV BATS Scholarship. Quentin will head to Lincoln to attend UNL in the fall. He was awarded the renewable New Nebraskan Scholarship for four years valued at $60,000. Quentin will seek a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

Ella Meyerkorth received the RPHS Female Athlete of the Year Award. Ella was an A+ Scholarship and Warren & Evalyn Morgan Trust Scholarship awardee. Ella’s Principal’s Art Gallery cheeseburger tower from fourth grade was on display at graduation. Ella was granted an athletic scholarship for track and field from the University of Northern Iowa-Panthers. UNI has awarded Ella the Neighbor Academic Success Award for $1,500 for each of her four years. She has also been granted the Neighboring State Grant which will give her in-state tuition rates. Ella aspires to use her estimated $72,000 in scholarships to be a sports nutritionist.

Emma Teten was awarded the $1,000 Golden Triangle Scholarship. Golden Triangle has offered a scholarship to students in Northwest Missouri based on academic excellence, civic involvement, and leadership skills. Emma also received the American Legion Scholarship, the United Methodist Church Bunn Scholarship, the A+ Scholarship, the Rock Port Methodist Church Merle and Vera Walter Scholarship, the Morgan Trust Scholarship, the Northwest Missouri Sportsman’s Club scholarship, the Marie and Steve Proctor Memorial Scholarship, the IV BATS Scholarship, and was a First Lutheran Church Scholarship recipient. Emma will be headed to Peru State College to play on the Bobcat golf team. PSC has given her the Peru State Ken Good Scholarship, the Peru College Golf Room Waiver, the Sapp Scholarship, the Inez Warren Freshman Scholarship, and Peru State College Academic Scholarship to the tune of $33,000.

Skylar Stoner was awarded the PEO Scholarship, United Methodist Church Bunn Award, the A+ Scholarship, the Warren and Evalyn Morgan Trust Scholarship, the Marie and Steve Proctor Memorial Scholarship, and the IV BATS Scholarship. Skylar was also a Presidential Academic Excellence awardee. Skylar plans to study at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, to start her journey to be an anesthesiologist. Westminster has rewarded Skylar with the following scholarships: Access Missouri Program, Westminster Visit Award, Winston S. Churchill Scholarship, Westminster FAFSA priority award. Skylar’s final package is estimated to be $120,000.

The Rock Port Youth Athletic Association honored Jacoby Driskell with the $500 Bill Andrews Memorial Scholarship. Bill was one of the founding members of the Rock Port Optimist Club and spent many hours supporting youth activities in Rock Port and the surrounding area. Jacoby received an Atchison County Development Scholarship, the A+ Scholarship, the IV BATS Scholarship, and the Warren and Evalyn Morgan Trust four-year scholarship. Jacoby will be attending Iowa Western State University and will be joining the Rivers dance team. She plans to earn a degree in Psychology.

Norah Watkins was one of the Tony Gaines Award winners. Norah was the recipient of the Rock Port National Honor Society’s Scholarship. She also received the Marie and Steve Proctor Memorial Scholarship. Norah will be attending St. Mary’s College and will be participating in the St. Mary’s Spires’ track program. St. Mary’s has offered Norah the University of St. Mary Presidential Scholarship and the University of St. Mary’s Athletic Scholarship. Norah plans to study Physical Therapy. Her total offer is estimated at $110,000.

Mr. Donnie Parsons presented the top 10 seniors of 2026. They were: Keira Roup, 10; Dylan Lair, 9; Ryder Herron, 8; Tayden Cook, 7; Quentin Jackson, 6; Ella Meyerkorth, 5; Emma Teten, 4; Skylar Stoner, 3; Jacoby Driskell, salutatorian (based on a 4-point weighted scale with a cumulative grade point average of 4.626); and Norah Watkins, valedictorian (based on a 4-point weighted scale with a cumulative grade point average of 4.6947).

The senior class presentation was enjoyed before graduates left the gym to their class song, “Name” by Goo Goo Dolls.

Graduates lined the halls of Rock Port High School where they were congratulated by family and friends.