Resilience and kindness at core of message

Students were reminded of their resilience and strength Wednesday during Creston High School’s baccalaureate service. CHS’s graduation ceremony was held 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17 at the high school.

Speaker and CHS Assistant Principal Scott Driskell said the class of 2026 held a special place in his heart.

“It’s been particularly rewarding as I was elementary principal for these students for several years as well,” Driskell said. “They’ve been stuck with me more than they probably care to admit, at least many of them.”

Driskell explained that while baccalaureate services are about faith, they’re also about reflection, gratitude and hope.

“They give us a chance to pause to recognize how far we’ve come and to consider where we’re headed next and what a journey it’s been for this group,” Driskell said. “I’ve seen all of them on their best days celebrating victories big and small. I’ve also seen them on days that didn’t go as planned. The missed deadlines, the tough losses, the moments things felt overwhelming, and what stands out is not the perfection but the persistence. You kept showing up; you kept moving forward.”

He said this persistence is key as the students continue through their lives. They won’t always know what the clear next step is, but growing with the challenges is what’s important.

“You’re stepping into a world that will ask more of you: more independence, more responsibility, more resilience. What matters is not having a perfect plan but having strong values, as you just heard in our Micah 6:8,” Driskell said. “And what does the Lord require of you to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with God? Be someone who does the right thing even when it’s not the easy thing. Be someone who treats others with respect and kindness, not but because you have to, but because you choose to.”

Driskell closed the evening out by thanking the students for their impact on both the school and the staff.

“It has been a great privilege to be a part of this journey,” Driskell said. “I think one thing that our students don’t truly understand is we hope as teachers that we have an impact on our students. But after doing this for 30 years, I can truly tell you that without a doubt, the students also make a tremendous impact on us as adults.”

The 2026 CHS Baccalaureate was led by various senior students, with music performed by Lilly James.