More than 275 students representing at least 37 countries and 29 U.S. states will graduate as members of the University of Nebraska High School (UNHS) Class of 2026 on Friday, July 24, 2026.
The Class of 2026 is comprised of students with varied interests, talents, and career ambitions. Graduates have indicated plans to pursue dozens of different career paths, including medicine, law, engineering, performing arts, construction, marketing, professional sports, entering military service, and more. This year’s class has also indicated aspirations to attend more than 110 different colleges and universities worldwide, including each of the four main campuses within the University of Nebraska System.
The graduation ceremony begins at 2:00 p.m. Central Time in the Great Plains Room at the Nebraska East Union on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's east campus. 13 graduates and nearly 200 guests from around the world are expected to attend the ceremony in person. The event will also be live streamed and recorded for viewers worldwide. Visit our graduation webpage on July 24 to access the link and read details about the ceremony. To further celebrate this momentous day and congratulate the graduates, UNHS will conclude the ceremony with a beverage and cake reception immediately following the ceremony.
The graduation ceremony will include remarks and the awarding of diplomas by UNHS Director, Dr. Barbara Wolf Shousha, and UNHS Principal, Dr. Jeff Stoehr. The commencement address will be given by Dr. Rebecca Firestone, Executive Director of OpenSky Policy Institute. After time on both coasts and working across four continents, Dr. Firestone is happily a Nebraskan by choice and leads a team of policy analysts and communications specialists dedicated to helping lawmakers and citizens adopt sound policy.
Music during the graduation ceremony will be provided by Ahchen Edwards on piano. Ahchen graduated from Union Adventist University in 2025 as class president with a B.A. in music. Professional photos will be captured by local photographer Corey Rourke and will be available for graduates and families to view and purchase online after the ceremony.
Graduates attending the ceremony will be given the opportunity to give a brief personal statement to the audience. Past graduates have voiced appreciation for those who have supported them, shared advice for future students, and reflected on their memories and experiences with UNHS.
To celebrate the Class of 2026, UNHS has also created a special graduate expressions video that will be shown during the ceremony and available on the UNHS website July 24, 2026.
Congratulations and best wishes to the University of Nebraska High School Class of 2026!