This month, thousands of Iowa high school students are switching their mortarboard tassels from right to left and officially stepping into adulthood.
The Des Moines Register asked staff at 15 metro-area schools to each nominate a standout graduate from the class of 2026.
Officials with a dozen school submitted graduating seniors, along with a writeup on each student. (Northwest High School in Waukee, and Urbandale and Southeast Polk school districts did not participate).
Their inspiring stories include a student who overcame health struggles, two who had to learn to speak a new language, a gymnast who balanced school with practice and a bilingual student ambassador.
The Register presents to you the class of 2026 (please clap):
Ankeny Community School District
Ellison Guddall, Ankeny Centennial High School
Ankeny Centennial High School senior Ellison Guddall is known for her drive and compassion for others.
During high school, Guddall was involved in Ankeny’s Orbis program, which focuses on work-based experience projects, and represented the program in local and state events.
Guddall’s extracurricular activities included school cheerleader; Honor Squad (an all-Iowa cheer team); Future Business Leaders of America member; Banker’s Trust youth leadership board member; P.E.O.P.E.L. PE peer mentor; and Mentors in Violence Prevention, which empowers students to lead discussions on preventing bullying, harassment and gender violence.
“Ellison embodies all of the exceptional qualities that we could wish for future leaders in our community and beyond,” members of the Orbis mentor team said in a statement to the Des Moines Register.
Ellison has committed to cheering at Iowa Central Community College next year. She will be studying business or agriculture.
Lydia Gerety, Ankeny High School
What’s black and white and read all over? It’s Ankeny High School senior Lydia Gerety’s byline.
At least 10 of Gerety’s articles have earned national recognition from School Newspapers Online, and she was selected for the Iowa High School Press Association All-State Journalism Team.
“She is a talented writer, sharp listener and critical thinker,” said Karin Cowger, an English teacher at Ankeny High School.
She took college classes at DMACC and Advanced Placement classes in English, social studies, math, Spanish and science. Her extracurricular activities included band and the golf team.
Gerety plans to attend the University of Iowa to study journalism, mass communication and political science.
Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District
Noah House, Dallas Center-Grimes High School
Strength and faith marked senior Noah House’s time at Dallas Center-Grimes High School.
Much of House’s resilience comes from navigating a brittle bone disease diagnosis, resulting in multiple fractures and surgeries.
“I have known Noah since he was a middle school student, and throughout all the years I have known him, there are two words that stand out when describing him: resilience and joy,” said Heather Every, a teacher at the school.
While in school, House took advanced placement U.S. history, AP English composition and attended online classes through DMACC.
His extracurricular activities included the school’s FCA Leadership committee, co-leading the DCG guys Bible study, National Honor Society and the golf team. Additionally, House is a member of Rho Kappa, the National Social Studies Honor Society.
He also volunteers at and attends New Hope Assembly of God Church in Urbandale.
House plans to attend Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri.
Des Moines Public Schools
Angel Perez-Hernandez, East High School
Senior Angel Perez-Hernandez’s helpful nature made him a standout at East High School.
Perez-Hernandez — who is bilingual — helped new East students and families settle in as a member of the school’s ambassadors program. He was involved with Avenue Scholars, East’s Faith Club, church, the golf team and was an officer for the school’s National Honor Society chapter.
Perez-Hernandez is to receive a humanitarian honor cord at graduation.
“Through acts of service, time and effort, he exemplifies the East High School motto ‘For the Service of Humanity,'” said Jill Versteeg, East High School’s principal.
Additionally, he took advanced placement and honors level courses, and attended senior-level college and career workshop sessions to prepare for life after high school. He earned a 3.88 GPA.
Perez-Hernandez plans to attend Simpson College to major in business.
Byaene Unduelu, Hoover High School
Hoover High School senior Byaene Unduelu is a nurturer.
Unduelu — one of eight siblings — came to the United States from Democratic Republic of the Congo with her family when she was 9 years old. Those early experiences, coupled with caring for others and learning English, helped her develop nurturing skills and resilience.
During high school, she was involved in girls soccer and track, Sisters 4 Success and Avenue Scholars Des Moines.
“In addition to being a stellar student, Byaene is a kind friend, respectful scholar, confident leader and genuine helper,” said Eleanor Witt, a Hoover school counselor. “… Byaene is a true inspiration to the rest of the Huskies.”
In the final semester of her senior year, Unduelu took only college credit classes and will graduate with 12 credits from DMACC. Additionally, she earned a silver cord for more than 180 volunteer hours and scholarships.
Unduelu plans to study nursing.
Arianna Marquez-Ledesma, Lincoln High School
Family and school were among Abraham Lincoln High School senior Arianna Marquez-Ledesma’s priorities the last four years.
Marquez-Ledesma — who will graduate with a 4.3 GPA — took numerous Advanced Placement classes and advanced courses.
“Her motivation is driven not by external pressure, but by a genuine love of learning,” said Kelly Comiskey, a Lincoln school counselor.
Outside of school, Marquez-Ledesma cares for her younger siblings and helps maintain the family’s home. She also translates English to Spanish for her family in situations ranging from legal documents to appointments.
Her extracurricular activities and honors include academic decathlon, the President’s Award for Academic Excellence and the Orgullo Latino Award.
Marquez-Ledesma plans to attend Grinnell College in the fall.
Ian Schaffer, North High School
North High School senior Ian Schaffer is known for his commitment to advocacy and civic engagement.
In school, Schaffer pursued a challenging course of study along with numerous leadership roles.
Outside of class, he was co-chair of the city of Des Moines Youth Advisory Board, where youth representatives present recommendations to the city’s executive team and council. He also served on the Iowa Youth Advisory Council as an Iowa House Democratic Caucus intern and is a volunteer coordinator for an Iowa House campaign.
“What distinguishes Ian is not only the breadth of his involvement, but the way in which he approaches leadership,” North principal Tambi Tyler said. “… At a time when student leadership can be highly visible and, at times, scrutinized, Ian leads with courage, clarity and a steady presence.”
Schaffer plans to attend Drake University and double-major in economics and law, politics and society on a pre-law track.
Oluwaseun ‘Comfort’ Toluwalase, Roosevelt High School
Roosevelt High School senior Oluwaseun “Comfort” Toluwalase spent much of her school career supporting causes that promote unity and equity.
Toluwalase was president of Roosevelt’s National Honor Society and its Black Student Union. She also was involved in Rider Crew, an ambassador program; student government; Science Bound; Safe Space; C.O.R.E. (Community of Racial Equity); orchestra and debate.
She maintained a 4.3 GPA while taking AP and dual enrollment courses.
Outside of Roosevelt, Toluwalase was a member of uVoice, a youth philanthropy board; March For Our Lives Iowa and participated in the Superintendent Advisory Board. She earned a silver cord of service with more than 160 volunteer hours logged and is expected to give the class speech at graduation.
“While Comfort’s accomplishments are impressive, what stands out most is her genuinely kind and caring demeanor that immediately endears her to everyone she meets,” Roosevelt school officials said in a statement. “… Comfort will do amazing things in college and throughout her life that will make the world a better place, just as she has done during her time at Roosevelt.”
Toluwalase is still exploring options for after graduation.
Penn Van Heukelom, Virtual Campus
Virtual Campus senior Penn Van Heukelom is known for his curiosity and strong work ethic.
Van Heukelom took AP classes in pre-calculus, environmental science, marine biology and aquarium science. He was also a member of the National Honor Society. He is graduating with a 4.1 GPA.
Throughout high school, Van Heukelom always tried to do a deep dive into the topics assigned in class. It did not matter if the homework was a research paper, a list of questions or a creative writing exercise. He also went out of his way to not use AI on these assignments.
“He approaches challenging material with a genuine desire to understand deeply, not simply complete assignments,” said Ally Gumpert Schmidt, a school counselor.
Van Heukelom plans to attend Drake University to study sports media and communication.
Ndakize Hakizimana, Johnston High School
Johnston High School senior Ndakize Hakizimana navigates major life changes with grace.
When Hakizimana moved to the U.S. from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, he had to adjust to a larger school system and a new language.
Classmates and teachers saw his positive presence in the classroom.
“He works hard, stays focused and continues to grow every day,” school counselor Lindsey Gannon said. “What stands out most is his resilience. When something doesn’t come easily, he doesn’t give up. He keeps going.”
Hakizimana plans to attend DMACC to continue working on his English skills and further his education.
Waukee Community School District
Eva George, Waukee High School
Waukee High School senior Eva George’s educational path was deeply influenced by her passion for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
While in school, George took AP classes in chemistry, biology, physics, calculus AB, and language and composition. She earned a 4.38 GPA.
Her extracurricular activities included serving as vice president of the STEM Club, helping to plan the school’s Science Olympiad, Iowa STEM youth ambassador and volunteered as a junior science counselor at the Science Center of Iowa.
George’s accolades include National Merit finalist and AP Scholar. She also participated in Future Business Leaders of America competitions, and contributed to community initiatives through the National Honor Society and other volunteer work.Beyond the classroom, George participated in the APEX program, where she collaborated with a researcher to study cytokine IL-7’s effects on lymphoma cells.
“Eva’s initiative, integrity, and dedication make her truly exceptional,” said Barbara South, a school counselor. “I am confident she will continue to make a lasting impact in her future pursuits.”
George plans to attend the University of Texas at Dallas to study molecular biology on the pre-med track.
West Des Moines Community School District
Avery Corso, West Des Moines Valley High School
Valley High School senior Avery Corso balanced a rigorous gymnastics schedule — which included early morning workouts and afterschool gymnastics training — while taking seven classes each semester.
While at school, she took 12 AP courses, including Spanish and calculus BC, and an online college course. Corso earned a 4.39 GPA.
She was a Valley High School choir member, Scholars of Distinction in Social Studies and completed a capstone presentation on the impact of AI in education.
Outside of school, she volunteered with the Iowa First Robotics organization at its FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge. She also coaches rec classes at her gymnastics training center.
“She manages to excel in school while also investing deeply in her relationships, extracurricular activities, and personal growth,” said Eric Traynor, a counselor at the school. “She is a natural leader who values service and community.”
Corso plans to study at the University of Chicago.
Samantha Hernandez covers education for the Register. Reach her at (515) 851-0982 or svhernandez@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hear the stories of 12 special Des Moines area high school graduates
Reporting by Samantha Hernandez, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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