With 78 graduates, the Hidden Lake Secondary School Class of 2026 proudly walked across the stage on Thursday morning at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Center. It was a remarkable day for a group of students who found their stride as a Hidden Lake Hero.

The personalized connections fostered by the smaller campus allowed the students to discover the transformative power of education, ultimately proving that they are the true authors of their own stories.

“There is a quote on one of our classroom walls that I think perfectly captures the spirit of this graduating class. It says: ‘If you do not know, the thing to do is not to get scared, but to learn,’" said Principal Richard Diehl.

During the ceremony, WPS Superintendent, Dr. Jeni Gotto, redefined what it means to be a Hero, reminding the graduates that they are more than just students.

"A Hidden Lake Hero is a person who had every reason to stop, but chose to keep going anyway," Gotto told the crowd. "You are leaving here with more than just a diploma. You are leaving with the proof that you can handle the 'heavy' days and the 'uphill' climbs. The world needs people who know how to start again."

HLSS Teacher, Mark Belnay, also shared personal and encouraging words with the graduates, honoring the dedication required to reach this milestone. “Heroes don't have to wear capes and fly across the sky or wield superpowers...They just need to make the world a better place through their actions, however small or seemingly unimportant," said Belnay.

As these new WPS alumni prepare to head into college, the military, trade schools, and the workforce, they leave knowing that their journey is just beginning. With that perspective, Superintendent Gotto offered a final challenge: "Class of 2026, as you step out of this room, don’t just walk into the future—shape it," Gotto concluded. "Use that Hidden Lake strength to write a story that makes you proud... Once you are a Hidden Lake Hero, you are a hero for life.”

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