05/27/2026
At Joplin High School’s graduation earlier this month, three seniors were recognized for their academic excellence and the example they’ve set for others: John Jasper, David Bhend, Jacob Tatum.
Each was invited to share a few words with their classmates. Their reflections are thoughtful, honest, and worth hearing beyond the ceremony.
David Bhend: "As we move into the future, I hope you all remember that growth doesn’t stop here. After tonight, we’re all going to take different paths. None of us will have everything figured out right away. But what matters is that we keep showing up, keep working hard, and keep surrounding ourselves with people who make us better. The best things in life take time. Sometimes we have to be uncomfortable now so that one day we can look back and be thankful we kept going."
John Jasper: "The people who end up happier in life aren’t necessarily the people who had everything planned perfectly. They’re the people who when given an opportunity weren’t scared of the moment or scared of being rejected. They’re the people who took the opportunity and ran with it. The people who tried even when they knew failure was possible. Because failure isn’t the worst thing that can happen to you. It's looking back years later wondering what could’ve been."
Jacob Tatum: "No matter which paths we take, there will always be challenges and obstacles in our way. Some of us might get lost or stuck at times, but there will always be an ever-expanding path before us. If we keep chipping away day in and day out, we WILL succeed and get to our desired destinations. Don’t be afraid to deviate from the norm in a society that worships fitting in, because today is proof that even with roughly 540 different versions of the same story, we still all achieved the desired outcome."
We’re proud of these students and the perspective they bring. Their words are a reminder that success looks different for everyone, and that the future is built one step at a time.
Congratulations again to our class of 2026! 🦅
