From small-town halls to wide-open futures: Pentwater graduates Class of 2026 | News
PENTWATER — Pentwater Public Schools honored the Class of 2026 on Thursday evening as graduates crossed the stage surrounded by applause from family members, friends, faculty and community supporters.
The 7 p.m. commencement ceremony celebrated 24 seniors and highlighted the academic achievements, scholarships and experiences that shaped the graduating class.
The Pentwater High School Band performed both the processional and national anthem before Superintendent and Principal Craig Barter welcomed attendees and recognized the accomplishments of the class.
Lauren Davis delivered the class speech during the ceremony, while the band later performed “Bandology” by Eric Osterling under the direction of Riley Kuhn. The ceremony also included the musical selection “Renovation” by Canopy Space.
Nine students graduated with academic honors.
Students earning summa cum laude recognition for grade-point averages of 3.8 or higher were Lauren Jade Davis, Logan Charles Fatura, Jane Ann Howard and Abram Wallace Kieda.
Magna cum laude honors, awarded for GPAs of 3.5 or higher, went to Josephyn Leori Mannor, Brody Patrick Bailee Austin, Michelle Lynn Smith and Aubrie JoAnn Vivian Adams.
Wyatt Matthew Roberts graduated cum laude for earning a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
Several graduates were also recognized as members of the National Honor Society and ASM Tech programs.
The ceremony recognized foreign exchange students Martina Fanelli of Italy and Jacobo Martin of Spain, who attended school in Pentwater during the academic year.
Community organizations and local foundations awarded numerous scholarships to graduating seniors. Recipients received support through organizations including the Pentwater Women’s Club, Pentwater Service Club, Hart Rotary Club, Pentwater Public Schools Foundation, Gerber Foundation and several memorial scholarship funds.
Among the students receiving multiple scholarship awards were Lauren Davis, Logan Fatura, Abigail Field, Jane Howard, Abram Kieda, Josephyn Mannor and Michelle Smith.
The Glen Reed Skilled Trades Scholarship was awarded to Benjamin Merten, Brayden Stein and Aubrie Adams.
Board of Education members Mark Shotwell and Amy Baker assisted with the awarding of diplomas before Barter formally presented the Class of 2026.
The Pentwater Public Schools Class of 2026 includes:
Alazae Annamarie Acevedo, Aubrie JoAnn Vivian Adams, Bailey Jaymes Alltop, Brody Patrick Bailee Austin, Lauren Jade Davis, Martina Fanelli, Logan Charles Fatura, Abigail Anne Field, Alex Levi Field, Samuel James Gaylard, Alden Maxwell Grondsma, Sophie Emerson Harker-VanGunst, Kelvin A. Herrera, Jane Ann Howard, Abram Wallace Kieda, Josephyn Leori Mannor, Jacobo Martin, Benjamin Arthur Merten, Bode George Powell, Wyatt Matthew Roberts, Michelle Lynn Smith, Brayden Christopher Stein and Charlotte Rose Swanger.
