BLANKET – The Blanket High School graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, May 22 at the Blanket ISD Gymnasium.

MaKenzie Willis, daughter of Sarah Willis, is the valedictorian, while Dallas Moreno, niece of Richard Lisman, is the salutatorian.

“My eighth grade year I was valedictorian at Sidney, to get that was the biggest accomplishment because my class was super competitive,” Willis said. “To get it now, it just means so much. My aunt graduated in 2017 and she was the valedictorian here. I’m a fifth generation graduate here, so to have that expectation for myself and achieve that goal that I’ve have set for so long just means so much to me.”

Meanwhile, the salutatorian accolade came as a complete surprise to Moreno.

“We somewhat knew our rankings at the beginning of the year, and I was fifth in the class,” Moreno said. “When I found out a couple of weeks ago that I was salutatorian it took me by surprise. I thought it was going to be one of the other students in the class, but I worked my tail off to try and get to the spot where I am. It means a lot to me because I don’t think anyone else in my family has done something like this.”

The next step for Willis in her educational journey is the University of Texas at Arlington.

“I just graduated from Ranger College with my Associates of Science and Associates of Art, so I’m going to the University of Texas at Arlington to pursue my Bachelor’s degree in social work, which would take me about two years, and then to get my Master’s should only take about one year after that,” Willis said.

Regarding her decision to major in social work, Willis said, “I chose social work because I feel like I can really make a difference in that field. I had both parents involved in my life, not as much my dad, but I’ve seen first-hand how much a social worker can make a difference in somebody’s life. I’ve had a lot of help from Mr. Greenfield’s wife, she works in the social work field, and she’s really helped and guided me as I tried to learn everything.”

Moreno is staying closer to home, and an injury during her senior year that altered her athletic career resulted in a change of heart toward her major.

“I’m going to be going to Howard Payne,” Moreno said. “At first I wanted to go into Education until I got hurt this year during sports. Going to physical therapy really opened my eyes that it’s something I would want to pursue. I’ve been going to Howard Payne and helping the athletic trainers do everything they need, getting a first-hand look at what it’s going to be like. It brought my spark back and my heart felt like that’s where I needed to be. I’ll still be somewhat involved in sports and taking care of people and helping others in need.”

Both students exhausted all the extracurricular opportunities Blanket High School offered, but both said the sports programs are among the things they will miss most.

“Sports, my family and friends,” Willis said. “I’ll miss my siblings and the sports. I hope I can continue playing intramurals.”

Moreno said, “Sports as well, but also the community here in Blanket. Since Blanket is so small everyone shows up for every sport, every event. They help the students out anyway they can and are like our mini-cheerleaders and are always there for us whenever we need it.”

Reflecting on favorite teachers, Willis said, “My sixth grade English teacher, which was my mom, she really set me up for success. The way she taught and encouraged her students was super motivating for me. She, of course, pushed me harder than her other students because I didn’t have a choice, but if I hadn’t had her as my teacher I don’t think I’d be in this position. I wouldn’t know how to speak or write. There’s so many times I’ve been able to put myself in positions because of the way I was taught in sixth grade.”

Moreno’s favorite teacher is, “Coach (Loren) Pritchard. If it wasn’t for her I would still be the shy, scared little girl I was when I came in freshman year. She really pushed me to be out there more and be more confident. She pushed me to my limits sports-wise and academics-wise. She was always someone I could lean on. Every time I felt down, she’d pick me back up. I would not be where I am today without her.”

Looking to the future, when they’re 30 years old, Willis said, “I really would like to have a big family. I hope I’m settled into my career enough to have a bunch of kids. I’d like to be in a nice home with my husband and children and be succeeding in my career. Hopefully I’ll have moved up in management somehow to make a real difference and made some connections.”

Moreno said of the future, “I’m hoping to be doing well in the career path I’m choosing. But I might want to go to school again for another career path because I like doing more than one thing and staying busy. But I just want to keep working my way up in life.”

Both students also offered a finally thank you to those who have helped them achieve their goals thus far in life.

“I would like to thank my grandma (Cynthia Heard),” Willis said. “She’s not with us, but she really did inspire me. She really set a great foundation and in my opinion she was the heart of Blanket. I really think that since she’s passed, the heart was gone for a little bit and the spark wasn’t there. So I hope I’ve been able to have a little bit of spark for Blanket and that spark continues. I’d also like to thank my aunt (Hope Barron). She inspired me, too, and she’s my best friend. My family and the faculty, the community, everyone has helped us just a tremendous amount.”

Moreno expressed thanks to, “My family for always being there for me and always getting me to where I needed to be throughout these past few years, and making me do things even though sometimes I felt like dropping out of a few things. Also the community, and my elementary teachers that are still here, Ms. Stacy (Schwab) and Ms. (Melissa) Staggs. They’ve inspired me a lot. But the biggest thing is my coach, again.”