MAY – The May High School graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 at the May ISD Gymnasium.

Chloe Lord, daughter of Eddie and Katy Lord, is the valedictorian, while Hannah Shipman, daughter of Jimmy and Amber Shipman, is the salutatorian.

“It’s definitely an honor, and it took a lot of hard work,” Lord said of the valedictorian accolade. “We’ve always pushed each other in academics and helped each other out.”

Shipman said of being named salutatorian, “It’s a great accomplishment. Over the years we’ve been back and forth, so it wasn’t much of a surprise, but still a ‘wow’ moment.”

Lord is headed to Abilene Christian University to major in Biology.

“I have hopes to explore something in animal science and hopefully do something with rehabilitation for animals,” Lord said. “ACU really fits my core values. I went on their campus and I loved it. All the people seemed super upbeat and happy. I haven’t found that at other campuses.”

The next step on Shipman’s journey is Angelo State University, where she intends to become a med evac nurse before joining the Air Force.

“I’m going to Angelo State and I’m going to be in nursing to become a CRNA,” Shipman said. “I’ve pretty much decided to change my major to a med evac nurse. I’m going to go into the Air Force with that. Angelo is such a pretty campus, My brother’s over there, I like the community and I’ve already found a great church there that I’m going to go to.”

Regarding her decision to join the Air Force, Shipman added, “My dad was in the military for a little bit and I have cousins and uncles in the military. I’m really close with one of my cousins in the military right now, and I thought it would be super cool because I can relate to them more this way, and I love the movie ‘Top Gun’ so I just have to go into the military.”

Both graduates expect there to be significant changes in their day-to-day approaches going from May High School to college, but both are eager for what awaits.

“It’s definitely going to be a shock for sure coming from little May, but I’m so excited to explore,” Lord said. “You’re limited here, and once you get to college everything will broaden. It will be hard at first, but we’ll be fine.”

Shipman added, “I’m a little nervous because it’s going to be a huge change, but I’m definitely excited.”

Both students were heavily involved in extracurricular activities during their high school years.

Lord said, “I was in one-act play, basketball, cheer, golf, cross country, track, and Beta Club. I was in band at some point, FCA leader, vice president of FFA, I did some Culinary Arts, there was a lot of balancing there.”

Shipman added, “I was in one-act play, band, track, FFA, and Beta Club.”

Regarding their fondest memories of attending May, Lord said, “Our Algebra I class. We were a terrible class for a really long time and terrorized that teacher. There are some funny memories from that class.”

Shipman said her favorite memory was, “That, and the computer class that we took our eighth grade year. And then one-act play practices for sure. They were really long, late at night, and everyone was just grouchy, it was really funny.”

Reflecting on their favorite teachers, Lord said, “She’s not here anymore but Ms. Anderson. She was a super hard teacher but she pushed us to our limits,. She was such a good teacher.”

Shipman said, “Either Ms. Anderson or Mr. V. He’s very encouraging as well and he pushes us.”

As for what they will miss most about May, Lord said, “Definitely my friends and knowing their every day lives. It’s going to be a hard turnaround. I know I won’t talk to some of them very often, and that’s a really hard turnaround from knowing their every day lives and personal things about them that I just won’t remember.”

Shipman echoed a similar sentiment, saying, “I would have to say the community that we have here. We all know each other pretty well and we are all involved in everything together. After always being there for each other, in 5 or 10 years we’re not going to talk to each other as much as we do now.”

Predicting their lives 10 to 15 years down the road, Lord said, “I hope that I’m successful, and successful means to me that I’m happy in life, still have my good morals and core values, I have a good husband and good kids, a good church community, and good friends.”

For Shipman, “I see myself maybe not still in the military on active duty, but maybe in the reserves, and having a successful career and a loving family.”

Both graduates also extended a final thank you to those who helped them accomplish all they have thus far in life.

“I want to thank my parents, they’re awesome and have definitely pushed me in everything I do,” Lord said. “It’s been hard to balance everything and they keep me level headed. They don’t let me fall behind, especially in academics.”

Shipman said, “I want to definitely thank my parents and teachers. They’ve been a solid rock for us throughout our high school careers.”