Park City High School seniors crossed the stage at Deer Valley Resort’s Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater in a one-of-a-kind graduation ceremony Friday night, collecting their diplomas and taking their first steps into adult life.
The 375 students in the Class of 2026 celebrated in a way only Parkites could, taking the ski lift to their graduation ceremony and sweeping through the amphitheater in a sea of red caps and gowns.
Park City High School seniors ride the Silver Lake Express at Deer Valley Resort on their way to graduation. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record 
Park City High School seniors ride the Silver Lake Express at Deer Valley Resort on their way to graduation. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record 
Park City High School seniors ride the Silver Lake Express at Deer Valley Resort on their way to graduation. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record 
Park City High School seniors ride the Silver Lake Express at Deer Valley Resort on their way to graduation. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record
Principal Caleb Fine, who is finishing his first year as the high school’s head administrator, said 329 students, or approximately 88% of the graduating class, are pursuing higher education degrees in the fall. Specifically, the newly minted alumni will attend 109 colleges across 36 states and five countries.
“The world is going to tell you that life should be easy, especially when you look on social media or see the latest marketing campaign,” Fine told students shortly before they walked across the stage. “It’s probably going to tell you if it is not easy for you, you’re doing something wrong. I am here to tell you that life is hard, and it’s in the hard that life becomes beautiful. Today wouldn’t be so special if it were easy.”
Not every graduate will work toward a traditional four-year degree in the fall. Four students will enlist in the military, while another 36 will serve a two-year mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, take a gap year or join the workforce.
Fine praised the Class of 2026 for achieving academic excellence, with an average ACT score of 24.5, higher than the national average of 19.4. He estimated graduates had earned “thousands upon thousands” of college credits through Advanced Placement and concurrent enrollment classes.
He also mentioned 16 students named Sterling Scholars, a title bestowed upon Utah seniors to celebrate their achievements and commitment to education at the state level, in addition to cash scholarships.
In total, the Class of 2026 has collectively earned more than $7.3 million in scholarships.
Fine pointed out the students’ artistic and athletic achievements, too. Specifically, he said 34 senior athletes earned the academic all-state award, and the school received 11 regional championships and six state championships this year.
He also thanked graduates who participated in the school’s theater productions, including “9 to 5” and “The Crucible,” and gave a shoutout to musicians in the wind symphony, jazz band, orchestra and choir, all of which earned superior marks at a statewide competition.
Students weren’t the only ones celebrating the end of a long four years, though. Parents were thrilled to see their children accept their diplomas alongside their peers, friends and teammates, including Damon Bogan, whose son, Parker, crossed the stage on Friday night.
“It’s been great all the way around,” Bogan said. “Great teachers, and it’s a great town.”
Bogan said Parker has enjoyed the lifestyle Park City offers to its residents, saying he didn’t participate in any team sports but could often be found mountain biking around the area. The Wasatch Back was also a significant change for Parker, who previously spent eight years living in Costa Rica.
“He’s fluent in Spanish, so he’s got his honor cord, his teaching cord, and he’s got his bilingual seal,” Bogan said.
Parker is interested in archeology, but his dad said he plans to major in finance at the University of Utah, although he may take a little while to decide if finance is still his goal, based on how artificial intelligence changes the country’s culture and economics in the next few years.
Jaime Raffone said her son, Mason, is also heading to the University of Utah. He’s interested in 3D printing, skiing, fishing, video game design and architecture, which he plans to study in college.
“He likes the designing and building parts of it, so he likes to actually create something and see it become structurally sound,” Raffone said. “It’s been great, and we’ve really enjoyed the Park City School District. I have two kids in the district, and watching him grow up in a community that has made a positive impact on us has made us so happy that we moved here 15 years ago.”
Click here to view photos from the Class of 2026 commencement ceremony.
