COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater High School Class of 2026 closed out their final day as high school students inside the Coach Floyd Eby Gymnasium for the annual Senior Convocation program. Class President Jackson Cilla addressed the audience:
In a departure from past precedent, the names of the class Valedictorian and Salutatorians were announced during the assembly. Afnan Munassar was named the Valedictorian for the Class of 2026, while Janet Rucker and Sebastian Ocampo were named co-Salutatorians.
Twenty students were named Senior Scholars. The recognition is earned based on a student’s grade point average and their score on a college entrance exam like the SAT. This year’s Senior Scholars are:
- Madison Armstrong
- Morgan Baker
- Jackson Cilla
- Liam Clark
- Talan Doll
- Izabell Friend
- Madeline Grife
- Kelsey Gruner
- Sofia Gruner
- Mallory McConnell
- Madison Moore
- Afnan Munassar
- Juan Pablo Ocampo
- Sebastian Ocampo
- Macy Poradzisz
- Mya Porter
- Ava Racignol
- Janet Rucker
- Charlotte Stough
- Maranda Walinski
Mya Porter was announced as the winner of the John Vance Award, named after a distinguished 1975 CHS graduate who lost a year-long battle with cancer in 1982.
The top students in each academic department were also announced:
- Science: Kelsey Gruner
- English: Janet Rucker
- Social Studies: Afnan Munassar and Kelsey Gruner
- Math: Mya Porter
- Spanish: Izabell Friend
- Multilingual: Samantha Bernard
- Performing Arts: Janet Rucker
- Art: Maranda Walinski
Janet Rucker was also recognized for being named a semifinalist in this year’s National Merit Scholarship competition.
The traditional send-off by students in the other district buildings and the Swing Out walk through downtown Coldwater took place before Convocation. (Video of the Swing Out walk below, courtesy Coldwater High School)
Coldwater’s graduation ceremonies will take place Sunday, May 31, at 5:00 p.m. at Cardinal Field.



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