Graduating PESH seniors stand for the Pledge of Allegiance at the Thursday, May 28, commencement exercise in the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. Andy Redmond/Murphy Monitor

With the toss of a cap, a chapter ended for nearly 1,300 members of the Plano East Senior High School Class of 2026.

Grinning broadly, waving to family and friends, gesturing to classmates or taking selfies, the PESH Panthers claimed their diplomas during the Thursday, May 28, commencement exercise.

In a series of video messages, the audience in the Ford Center at The Star in Frisco heard from Senior Class President Kareem Hassanien, Salutatorian Vedant Sundar and Valedictorian Haosu Sam Zhu.

 “Whether you realize it or not, this place has prepared us for what’s next,” Kareem said. “I say that because to get here we had to survive some of the toughest challenges we could imagine, a snowstorm in Texas, math class, painting our senior parking spots in the dark and — worst of all — the cell phone ban.”

Vedant said the students had received a phenomenal education. “We’ve been taught to dream farther, to have ambitions that shape our first steps after tonight, beyond the Plano bubble and into the world,” he said.

Sam said the biggest lesson he learned at Plano East was to bet on himself. “We sometimes think too much about what’s probable and not enough about what’s possible,” he said. “Once in a while, maybe we should take more risks: to bet on ourselves. No on changed the world for the better by taking the path of least resistance.”

Principal David Jones, himself a PESH alumnus, said the Class of 2026 had traversed multiple challenging moments and had persevered to reach the summit. “You are now poised to be leaders and take on the challenges of our future,” Jones said. “Each of you have continued to represent our community, display East Side pride, and you have accomplished many great things.”

Jones recognized groups of students for their achievements, ending by having all members stand and provide an ovation for the family members who have guided and provided for students on their journey.

The principal added, “Winning with class should apply to each and every endeavor in your journey moving forward.

“Remember all you have accomplished with East Side Pride,”  Jones said. “Remember one of the many strengths of our community lies in our diverse student body, varying perspectives, unique cultures and our shared experiences that have enriched us with empathy and understanding.”

Seniors entered the stadium to Sir Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance March No. 1” performed by classical pianist Julia Lee. The recessional was Felix Mendelsson’s “War March of the Priests.”

The Plano East Junior ROTC presented the colors, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Addisyn Barron, Larina White, Christian Weeresinghe and Preston Le. The valedictorian led the Pledge of Allegiance. 

In a departure from tradition, an artificial intelligence voice announced the graduates’ names during the presentation of diplomas.  

The ceremony ended with remarks by Avleen Randhawa, the Student Senate president.

“As odd as it sounds, I will miss the crowded hallways during the rainy days, the smell of the pond at the beginning of the year and the construction that seems like it will never end,” she said. “They will always remind me of this school, and all the unforgettable memories I have made here with all of you. I’d like to think that 10 years from now, when we look back on our years at East, we will only remember the best of our memories. But I also realize that our moments of foolishness, the hardships and the struggles we have all experienced are what make us who we are today.”

Avleen then led the Class of 2026 in singing the Plano East Alma Mater, followed by the joyous flinging of mortarboards into the air.

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