(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Wheeling Park High School’s Class of 2026 attends its graduation ceremony on Sunday at WesBanco Arena.

WHEELING – Wheeling Park High School held its 49th annual commencement ceremony with 348 seniors graduating Sunday, making up the Class of 2026.

The ceremony was held at 3 p.m. at WesBanco Arena in downtown Wheeling. Music was provided by the WPHS Orchestra. The pledge of allegiance was led by class Secretary Madeline Bradshaw. Class Vice President Anna Contraguerro welcomed her fellow graduates. The WPHS Patriot Ensemble sang “Thankful” arranged by Mark Hayes.

Board of Education Vice President Molly Aderholt congratulated the class. Class Treasurer Kerrigan Moses presented the class gift, which was a memorial at the baseball field commemorating the late Coach Steve Myers.

Valedictorian Christopher Alkhouri gave his address. Salutatorian Madeline Bradshaw introduced the outstanding alumnus, Dr. Richard Avery, chief medical officer for WVU Medicine.

Awards and scholarships were presented by Principal Meredith Dailer. She noted the class garnered more than $5.6 million total in awards this year. Dailer also announced the Phyllis A. Beneke Scholarship winners. Rowan Gillespie and Reagan Hughes were named Beneke Scholars, each receiving four-year scholarships totaling $24,000. Josephine Gilbert and Liam Waldeck were named Distinguished Scholars, each receiving four-year scholarships totaling $16,000. London Miller, Emily Ross and Grace Tamburin were named Outstanding Achievement Scholars, receiving four-year scholarships totaling $12,000. 

Will Koegler, Will Medovic and London Miller all received the Patrick A. Clutter Memorial Scholarship. Also, teacher Philip Titus-Glover was named Patriot of the Year.

Members of the board of education conferred the diplomas including Aderholt, Bernie Albertini, David Croft, Andy Garber and Anna Hercules.

Closing remarks were made by class president Alivia Holt.

A seat was left empty for the late Chloe Pattison who would have graduated with the class. She died in 2016.

“An empty seat remains in her honor – a quiet reminder that she is forever part of this graduating class and in the hearts of those who knew her,” according to the program.

During her welcome speech, Contraguerro encouraged her fellow seniors to enjoy their final hour of being WPHS students.

“Take the time to really enjoy it,” she said. “We’ve grown up here. We changed here. … The Class of 2026 is irreplaceable. … This moment belongs to you.

Aderholt noted it was to be her last commencement speech as a board member as she was retiring from the position. She reminded the graduates that they were never ordinary people. She wished them well in finding their purpose in life.

“You are not ordinary and neither is your purpose,” Aderholt said. “Your purpose tends to be close to what you do well and love.”

AlKhouri encouraged his classmates to enjoy seeking out new adventures. He also reminisced about his early days as a student and the accomplishments of his fellow seniors this year alone.

“Each of us has infinite possibilities,” he said.

Avery told the graduates what learned in WPHS would help them succeed in whatever path they chose.

“Don’t forget about your traditions and remember where you came from,” he said.

He also reminded them to live a life full of stories and not just social media posts.

“You can be anything from this day out,” he said. “I hope you are as proud to be a Patriot as I am.”