Dyer and Moore Lead Cuero High School’s Class of 2026 at Commencement

By Pat Trevino, Managing Editor – Cuero Online News

CUERO, TX — The Class of 2026 took the field at Gobbler Stadium on Friday, May 22, for a night filled with pride, reflection, and celebration — but no two students stood more prominently at the heart of the ceremony than Valedictorian Landri Kay Dyer and Salutatorian Cole Hollis Moore.

The official program placed their names front and center, listing “Cole Hollis Moore — Salutatorian” and “Landri Kay Dyer — Valedictorian.” Both delivered the evening’s keynote student addresses, offering messages that captured the spirit and resilience of their graduating class.

A Standout Night for Valedictorian Landri Kay Dyer

Landri’s presence was felt from the very beginning of the ceremony. Before she ever stepped to the podium for her valedictory address, she performed the National Anthem, noted in the program as: “NATIONAL ANTHEM — Landri Dyer, Choir Member.”

Her voice opened the ceremony with a sense of unity and pride, setting the tone for the night.

Later, as she delivered her valedictory speech — listed simply as “ADDRESS — Landri Dyer, Valedictorian” — she reflected on the class’s shared journey and the meaning behind their chosen motto: “You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the end.” — C.S. Lewis

Landri graduates as a Summa Cum Laude scholar and National Honor Society member, marked in the commencement program as “Landri Kay Dyer *** +”. Her academic excellence, leadership, and artistic contributions made her one of the defining figures of the Class of 2026.

Salutatorian Cole Hollis Moore Opens the Ceremony’s Student Addresses

Before Landri took the stage, Salutatorian Cole Hollis Moore delivered the first major student speech of the evening. His role appears in the program as: “ADDRESS — Cole Moore, Salutatorian.”

Cole’s message set the tone for the ceremony — thoughtful, grounded, and forward‑looking. Like Landri, he graduates with the highest academic distinction, listed as “Cole Hollis Moore *** +”, indicating Summa Cum Laude honors and membership in the National Honor Society.

His speech served as a moment of gratitude and reflection, acknowledging the challenges the class overcame and the opportunities ahead.

Student Leaders Shape the Ceremony

The Class of 2026’s student officers played key roles throughout the evening:

• Kendall Helms, Student Body President — led the Pledge of Allegiance/Texas Pledge
• Sawyer Fuchs, Student Body Vice President — delivered the Invocation
• Melaney Vela, Student Body Secretary — offered the Benediction

These contributions appear in the program’s ceremony order, including: “PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/TEXAS PLEDGE — Kendall Helms” and “INVOCATION — Sawyer Fuchs.”

Their participation highlighted the leadership and unity within the senior class.

A Ceremony Marked by Pride and Accomplishment

The evening followed a traditional commencement structure — processional, student addresses, certification of the class, and recessional — all culminating in the moment each senior crossed the stage to receive a diploma.

The program’s closing note emphasized student voice and independence: “The students who shall be speaking at the graduation ceremony were selected based on neutral criteria… The content… is solely and entirely the private expression of the individual student.”

It was a reminder that the night belonged to the students — and especially to the two who led them academically.

A Memorable Finish for the Class of 2026

As the class exited the field to their chosen song, “Where Did All the Time Go?” by Dr. Dog, the graduates stepped into the next chapter of their lives — guided by the example set by their top scholars.

For Landri Kay Dyer and Cole Hollis Moore, the ceremony marked the culmination of years of dedication. For their classmates, it marked the beginning of new possibilities.

The Class of 2026 leaves Gobbler Stadium with pride, accomplishment, and a legacy shaped by two exceptional student leaders.

                                      The Graduating Class of 2026