Decision Day on May 8 for the Class of 2026 celebrated future choices and a reflection of memories made over the final year at Owensville High School (OHS).

The class motto is a Dr. Seuss quote, “You’ll never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory.”

Making the most of the moments that are spent together has defined the Class of 2026.

Class officers are:

Caden Ely, president, who will be attending East Central College (ECC) for two years to pick up a ‘tiny business degree’ and become an entrepreneur. “I just sell stuff, really. I’m good at it,” said Ely.

Chris Allen, president, plans to attend the University of Missouri Science and Technology for mechanical engineering.

Hannah Gehlert, treasurer, plans to attend Freed-Hardeman University in Henderson, Tenn., to study biology and run cross country and track.

Ella Adkison, secretary, will be attending East Central College for two years. She plans to transfer after ECC to obtain her bachelor’s degree to become a nurse specializing in cosmetic procedures, or, as she called, a “nurse injector.”

Three student council representatives shared their plans.

Aiyana Kluba will attend State Tech for a nursing degree; Abigail Kiesling will attend Central Methodist University for psychology; and Jenna Breedman will attend Missouri State University to double-major in nursing and health management.

“We put a lot of emphasis on soaking up moments as much as we could,” said Allen.

Breedlove said the reality of being a senior won’t settle in until they leave OHS. This class was full of people with different interests, but they’ve all been a part of each other’s lives, some for the past 13 years.

“I think we have a variety of people in this class. We have lots of athletes and artistic people; we’ve been pretty well involved the last four years,” said Allen.

“It’s really weird how we all have different interests, we all hang out with different people, but once we get together as one, we just click,” said Ely.

The class had key moments that defined their year. Senior Skip Day stuck out to some as a core memory.

“My favorite memory from this school year is from my Senior Skip Day. Hanging out with all the fellas from inside my grade,” said Ely.

Adkison said Skip Day was an important memory for the class. Her favorite moments came from planning class events.

“My favorite memory is soaking up all the memories of my friends and planning homecomings and assemblies with my teachers, and with my fellow officers,” she said.

Kiesling enjoyed watching the sun come up with all the other seniors during Senior Sunrise at the beginning of the year. They shared moments together that are temporary, but will last a lifetime.

Athletes and artists shine through this class.

Kluba said the Troubadour Choir trip to Disney World was her key moment.

Allen said road trips during the baseball season were fun.

Gehlert achieving All-State recognition in cross country was her favorite memory.

The class officers and STUCO reps left incoming seniors with advice.

“Never let anyone change who you are,” said Kluba. “Go for what you wanna go for.”

Adkison told future seniors to try to do everything. Adding, it’s important to stay involved during your senior year.

“Senior year is going to go by quick. Do what you can to enjoy it,” said Allen.

Kiesling agreed with Allen not to rush senior year.

“Make sure you put everything into what you do,” said Gehlert. “There’s no point in doing anything if you’re not going to work hard for it.”

Commencement will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, May 15 in the OHS gymnasium.